Allenby Bridge, Jerusalem, 1936

Photograph, Palestine, 1936.

Field Marshal Allenby commanded British forces that captured Jerusalem from the Turks in December 1917. The Allenby Bridge was built over the River Jordan at the end of World War One (1914-1918). It was rebuilt after it was destroyed in an earthquake in 1927 and destroyed again by Jewish insurgents in 1936.

British military operations in Palestine during this period were mainly directed against militant Arab groups which were opposed to continued colonial rule and mass Jewish immigration. Violence reached a height with the Arab Revolt (1936-1939). The counterinsurgency warfare that characterised this conflict proved to be a severe challenge. British forces were often frustrated in their attempts to defeat an elusive enemy who used tactics of sniping, planting bombs, mounting ambushes and sabotage.

2nd Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, deployed to Palestine in 1936. The unit sailed to Alexandria, acclimatised and trained at the Sidi Bishr camp, and then moved on to Jerusalem and Jenin.

From an album of photographs associated with Ernest Edward (Ted) Senior, Dorsetshire Regiment, 1936-1945.