First Battle of Gaza

Aftermath

"In itself the engagement was a severe blow to the British Army, since it affected the troops on both sides to a degree out of all proportion to the casualties suffered, or to the negative victory gained by the Turks. There was not a single private in the British infantry, or a trooper in the mounted brigades, who did not believe that failure was due to staff bungling and to nothing else."

Henry Gullett

During an aerial reconnaissance on the morning of 28 March it was reported that no Ottoman units were within range of the British guns.

Both Dobell and his superior, Murray, portrayed the battle as a success; on 28 March Murray sent the following message to the War Office:

“

We have advanced our troops a distance of fifteen miles from Rafa to the Wadi Ghuzzee, five miles west of Gaza, to cover the construction of the railway. On the 26th and 27th we were heavily engaged east of Gaza with a force of about 20,000 of the enemy. We inflicted very heavy losses upon him. It is estimated that his losses were between 6,000 and 7,000. We have in addition 900 prisoners, including the GOC and the whole of the staff of 53 Ottoman Division. This figure includes four Austrian officers and 32 Austrian and five German other ranks. We captured two Austrian guns. All troops behaved splendidly.

”

And General Dobell wrote:

“

This action has had the result of bringing the enemy to battle, and he will now undoubtedly stand with all his available force in order to fight us when we are prepared to attack. It has also given our troops an opportunity of displaying the splendid fighting qualities they possess. So far as all ranks of the troops engaged were concerned, it was a brilliant victory, and had the early part of the day been normal victory would have been secured. Two more hours of daylight would have sufficed to finish the work the troops so magnificently executed after a period of severe hardship and long marches, and in the face of most stubborn resistance.

”

The British press reported the battle as a success, but afterwards an Ottoman plane dropped a message that said, "You beat us at communiqués, but we beat you at Gaza."

Murray's offensive power had not been diminished to any significant degree, during this one indecisive action, which judged by Western Front standards, was small and very far from costly. Preparations for a renewal of the offensive were quickly taken and the Second Battle of Gaza began on 19 April 1917.

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