Fourth Army (Ottoman Empire)

The Fourth Army of the Ottoman Empire was one of the main field armies of the Ottoman military during World War I. Primarily responsible for the defense of the Levant region, including Palestine, Syria, and Transjordan, the Fourth Army saw extensive action against British and Arab forces in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign.

Organization and Role:

Established prior to World War I, the Fourth Army's initial purpose was to maintain order and defend the strategically vital areas of the Eastern Mediterranean. With the Ottoman Empire's entry into the war in 1914, the Fourth Army's role shifted to actively combating the Entente powers. Its area of responsibility extended from the Suez Canal to the northern borders of Syria. The Fourth Army was crucial in attempting to control the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in suppressing the Arab Revolt led by Sharif Hussein of Mecca.

Key Commanders:

Notable commanders of the Fourth Army included:

• Djemal Pasha (also known as Jamal Pasha or Djemal Pasha the Little): He served as the commander of the Fourth Army for a significant portion of the war, and was also the Ottoman governor of Syria. He was responsible for both military operations and civil administration in the region. His tenure was marked by a harsh crackdown on Arab nationalist movements and a series of failed offensives against the Suez Canal.

• Kress von Kressenstein: A German officer serving as a key advisor and commander within the Fourth Army, he played a significant role in the early campaigns against the Suez Canal.

Major Campaigns and Battles:

The Fourth Army participated in several key battles and campaigns:

• First Suez Offensive (1915) and Second Suez Offensive (1916): The Fourth Army launched two unsuccessful attempts to cross the Suez Canal and threaten British control of Egypt.

• Defense of Palestine: The Fourth Army was heavily involved in the defense of Palestine against the advancing British forces under General Allenby. Battles included the First Battle of Gaza (1917), the Second Battle of Gaza (1917), and the Third Battle of Gaza (1917), culminating in the fall of Gaza and the subsequent loss of Jerusalem in December 1917.

• Operations Against the Arab Revolt: The Fourth Army also engaged in suppressing the Arab Revolt in the Hejaz region, tying down significant resources and manpower.

Decline and Dissolution:

Following the loss of Palestine and the continued advances of the British forces, the Fourth Army suffered significant defeats and attrition. The capture of Damascus in 1918 further weakened Ottoman control in the region. The armistice of Mudros in October 1918 effectively ended Ottoman participation in World War I, and the Fourth Army was subsequently dissolved as part of the broader demobilization of Ottoman forces. The remaining territories under its nominal control were ceded to the Allied powers.