A 1916 desert victory in the Sinai secured a vital water supply for Allied forces
A daring night march across the Sinai desert in 1916 allowed Allied forces to seize critical wells at Magdhaba, preventing a Turkish retreat and securing a vital supply of water.
During the height of World War I, the Battle of Magdhaba on December 23, 1916, marked a turning point in the Sinai campaign. Allied forces, led by the Desert Column, executed a grueling 30-mile night march to surprise Turkish defenders. The objective was not just territory but the town's essential water wells, which were the only reliable source in the parched region.
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