Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines

Many of us were brought up on tales of “derring-do” and “stiff-upper-lip”, I suppose these are desirable things but if there is a “hidden hand” bringing peaceful deliverance, I for one would like to work with it!

In early 1916, the Royal Flying Corps began regulating training standards, with pupils expected to fly at least 15 hours solo. Unfortunately, the ever-increasing demand for pilots at the front, and a lack of resources at the flying schools, meant some students received insufficient training and arrived at operational squadrons unprepared for combat. Partly because of this, casualties rose sharply and by the spring of 1917 the life expectancy of a new pilot on The Western Front could be measured in weeks. More than half the pilots who died in WW1 were killed in training. The aeroplanes were little more than linen-clad thin strips of wood held together with wire and attached to motorised vehicles. No parachutes, these were considered cowardly. 

For the Sinai-Palestine Campaign, General Edmund “The Bull” Allenby ensured enough planes to give complete air superiority. The actual plane used over Jerusalem was the R.E.8 (Reconnaissance Experimental 8), nick-named (cockney slang) “Harry Tate”, after the musical hall performer ... those pilots managed to see the funny side!

Situation 4th December: Allied Brigades (4000+ men) kept out of Jerusalem by Turkish Divisions (10,000 men)

Weather almost stopped operational flying during December 1917, airfields became water-logged and the artillery advance was hampered. Also they were outnumbered by Turks who were already dug in, as they had been in Gallipoli with disastrous results for the allies. Death and destruction loomed, what on Earth could be done? 

As it happens the answer came from above. Call it good ‘ole British innitiative and/or British weather, but members of 14 Squadron discovered that by hauling their aeroplanes up the nearest hill and launching downhill they could become airborne. 

Motto: "I spread my wings and keep my promise"

The Islamic Turks had a boast that the sword of Islam should hold sway over the land, and to emphasise the impossibility of their overthrow they had a saying: 

“When the waters of the Nile flow into Palestine, then will a prophet of The Lord come and drive the Turks out of this land"

They had seen the first part fulfilled by allied engineers laying a 12-inch diameter pipeline from the Nile, under the Suez Canal and into the land. They has also seen an unpredictable defeat at Beersheba as the Australian Light Horse jumped over their gunners. Allenby ordered leaflets to be dropped by the planes saying “Surrender the city! Allenby”, which was read or heard by Turks as Allah-en-Nebi or “Prophet of God”. A withdrawal into the city by out-lying forces sparked a belief that a general withdrawal was ordered. They left the city on the night of 8th/9th December without firing a shot! When they realised their error the Turks were going to turn their artillery on the city (despite a previous agreement to save the sacred sites) but the RFC planes bombed them.

Without realising it, most of these airmen participated in the least destructive war campaign since the Syrian confederacy ran away from the city of Samaria (2 Kings 7v3-). Jerusalem may be called “The City of Peace”, but no other city has been more bitterly fought over than Jerusalem. During its long history, Jerusalem has been attacked 52 times, captured and recaptured 44 times, besieged 23 times, and destroyed twice.

 

Another prophecy fulfilled that day was Isaiah 31v5: “As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.”

The RFC planes helped keep the Turkish artillary at bay after they had left and desired to return. On 11th Dec. Allenby led a procession of Allied troops through the Jaffa Gate (Arabic: “Gate of the Friend” i.e. Abraham) to officially accept the surrender of the Holy City (video footage). 

This day was the beginning of the Feast of Hanukkah which celebrates the Jewish deliverance from an alien rule (in this case, Judah Maccabee drove out the Seleucid Syrians, i.e. Antiochus Epiphanes around 165/3 BCE). It is also called “The Feast of Dedication” when Jesus walked in Solomon’s porch in the Temple (John 10:22-23). 

General Allenby, staff (incl. Lawrence of Arabia) and international attaches, entering Jerusalem through the Jaffa Gate. The guard of honour was comprised of English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh troops, who are seen on the right, whilst Australia and New Zealand are represented by those on the left.

Prophecy buffs may take interest in the previous verse of Isaiah 31: “like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the Lord of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof”.

The Ottoman army and it's allies comprised a multitude of nations.  Israel was likened to a lion and having young lions (Numbers 23v24, Ezekiel 19:1-2, 38:13 etc.), and collectively 10 tribes were known as “Ephraim” who inherited the birthright to be a great nation and a company (commonwealth) of nations (Gen. 35:11). The tribal symbol of Ephraim was a bull (translated “unicorn” at times). 

Many of us were brought up on tales of “derring-do” and “stiff-upper-lip”, I suppose these are desirable things but if there is a “hidden hand” bringing peaceful deliverance, I for one would like to work with it! An informed cynic may say that Allenby was a bible-believer who used his position to engineer the fulfilment of prophecies. An informed believer may say that it shows God can be worked with!