Battle of Haifa 1918, Indian Cavalry’s Historic Victory and Significance

The Battle of Haifa was an important battle of the First World War fought in Haifa, a port city on the Mediterranean coast of present-day Israel. Indian cavalry units serving under British rule, particularly the Jodhpur and Mysore Lancers, fought against Ottoman forces and captured the city. The battle is remembered for the successful cavalry charge that helped capture Haifa despite strong Ottoman defences.

When Was the Battle of Haifa Fought?

The Battle of Haifa was fought on 23 September 1918, during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign, a series of battles in the First World War in which British-led Allied forces fought Ottoman forces for control of the Sinai Peninsula and Palestine.

At the time, Haifa was under Ottoman control, and British-led Allied forces were advancing through Palestine to push Ottoman forces out of the region. The Battle of Haifa took place during the final phase of this campaign, following the Allied breakthrough at the Battle of Megiddo, which began on 19 September 1918.

Why Was the Battle of Haifa Fought?

The Battle of Haifa was fought because the Allied forces wanted to capture Haifa and secure an important position on the Mediterranean coast. The city was strategically important for the following reasons:

• Important port: Haifa had a major Mediterranean port that could support the movement of troops and supplies.
• Railway connection: Its railway connections made it important for transporting men, equipment and supplies.
• Control of the coast: Capturing Haifa helped the Allies secure the northern part of the Palestinian coast.
• Advance towards Syria: Control of Haifa also supported the Allied advance further north towards Syria.

Therefore, capturing Haifa was an important military objective in the Allied advance through the region.

‹ ›

Who Fought in the Battle of Haifa?

The Battle of Haifa was fought between British-led Allied forces and Ottoman forces defending the city. The Allied force included cavalry units from the Indian princely states, which were serving under British command during the First World War.

• Jodhpur Lancers
• Mysore Lancers
• Hyderabad Lancers

These three units formed the 15th Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade, which was part of the 5th Cavalry Division of the British Indian Army.

The Ottoman side included Ottoman troops supported by German and Austrian personnel, including machine-gun and artillery units defending the approaches to Haifa.

Role of Indian Forces in the Battle of Haifa

The Indian forces involved in the Battle of Haifa were the Jodhpur, Mysore and Hyderabad Lancers, which formed the 15th Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade under British command. The Jodhpur and Mysore Lancers played the main role in the assault.

• The Jodhpur Lancers led the main cavalry charge towards Haifa and attacked Ottoman and German positions protected by machine guns and artillery.
• The Mysore Lancers attacked the Austrian artillery positions on Mount Carmel, helping to weaken the defences around Haifa.
• Major Dalpat Singh Shekhawat, commander of the Jodhpur Lancers, led his men during the attack and was killed in the battle. Captain Aman Singh Rathore then took command and continued the assault.

The Hyderabad Lancers were part of the brigade but did not take part in the main assault on Haifa. The combined action of the Indian cavalry helped the Allied forces break through the defences and capture the city.

Course of the Battle of Haifa

The Battle of Haifa involved a difficult cavalry advance against well-defended Ottoman positions around the city. The attacking forces had to overcome both challenging terrain and sustained artillery and machine-gun fire before reaching Haifa.

The advance was particularly difficult near the Kishon River, where quicksand and broken ground restricted the movement of cavalry. The lower slopes of Mount Carmel also provided the defenders with favourable positions from which to direct artillery and machine-gun fire against the advancing forces.

The Allied forces nevertheless succeeded in overcoming the defensive positions and advancing towards the city. Once the main line of resistance was broken, the forces entered Haifa, compelling the defending troops to surrender.

The battle resulted in the capture of approximately 1,350 German and Ottoman prisoners, along with several artillery pieces and machine guns.

The capture of Haifa on 23 September 1918 secured an important position on the Mediterranean coast and formed part of the rapid Allied advance through Palestine towards Syria.

Battle of Haifa Outcome 

The Battle of Haifa resulted in a decisive Allied victory, with the Ottoman forces losing control of the city.

• Haifa came under Allied control, strengthening their position along the Mediterranean coast.
• The Ottoman defensive system in the area was weakened, facilitating further Allied operations in northern Palestine.
• The victory contributed to the rapid collapse of Ottoman resistance in the region following the wider Allied breakthrough at Megiddo.
• The Allied advance continued towards Syria, with Damascus captured on 1 October 1918 and Aleppo on 23 October 1918.
• The battle also demonstrated that cavalry could still play an important operational role in 1918, particularly when rapid movement was combined with coordinated attacks against weakened defensive positions.

Overall, the capture of Haifa formed part of the final phase of the Allied campaign against the Ottoman Empire in the Middle Eastern theatre of the First World War.

Battle of Haifa Significance 

The Battle of Haifa is significant for its military importance, India’s contribution to the First World War and its continuing historical relevance.

• The battle is remembered as a notable example of successful cavalry warfare against positions defended by modern artillery and machine guns, demonstrating that cavalry could still achieve decisive results under suitable tactical conditions.
• It highlights the contribution of Indian troops and the forces of Indian princely states to the First World War, particularly in the Middle Eastern theatre.
• The battle illustrates the transition from traditional mounted warfare towards modern mechanised warfare, when cavalry increasingly operated alongside artillery and other modern military technologies.
• The battle has become part of the historical memory associated with India–Israel relations, particularly through the commemoration of Indian soldiers who participated in the capture of Haifa.

How Is the Battle of Haifa Remembered Today?

The Battle of Haifa is commemorated on 23 September as Haifa Day.

The Haifa War Cemetery and Memorial in Israel commemorates Indian soldiers associated with the campaign, while commemorative events are held to remember their contribution. The Indian government has also continued to mark the battle as part of India’s military heritage. 

In New Delhi, the Teen Murti Memorial is closely associated with the 15th Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade. Built in 1922 and inaugurated in 1924, the memorial’s three mounted figures represent the Mysore, Hyderabad and Jodhpur Lancers. Its inscriptions also record the brigade’s service in locations including Haifa, Damascus and Aleppo. 

The memorial therefore preserves the memory of the wider contribution of Indian princely-state cavalry forces in the Middle East during the First World War.