From March to June 1917, important developments in Gen. Murray’s plan of campaign occurred including the two actions fought at Gaza in March and April.

The very successful action at Rafa had brought the scene of operations to the boundary of Palestine, and Gaza was now the immediate objective. Sir A. Murray describes how the operations to this point had been entirely dependent on the military railway which had been built across the sandy coastal tracks of the Sinai Peninsula from the Suez Canal. By the middle of March this line had reached Rafa—20 miles from Gaza, and 35 from Beersheba—the Turkish left flank. It was evident that the enemy intended to withdraw his troops without a fight from the Gaza-Beersheba line, and this it was important to prevent, while it was necessary to seize the intervening line of the Wadi Ghuzze in order to protect the railway. These two enterprises were the objects of the battle of Gaza, the third being the capture of Gaza and the cutting off of the garrison.

The first two objects were attained, but the third failed.

It was on March 26th that the first attack on Gaza began. The enemy's main body was stationed beyond the town, with detachments around the place and between there and Beersheba. ‘The first move was made with the Cavalry and Camel Corps. The Anzac Mounted Division followed by the Imperial Mounted Division crossed the Wadi Ghuzze about 6 a.m. but their progress was delayed by dense fog till 8 a.m. which seriously affected subsequent operations.

They however continued the advance, and one detachment captured the Commander of a Turkish Division while he was driving into Gaza. Meanwhile the Infantry had crossed the Wadi and took up a defensive position on the Sheikh Abbas ridge S.E. of Gaza. The S.W. side was occupied by the 53rd Division under Gen. Dallas, but came under very heavy fire and suffered severe losses. The attack was pressed with great vigour and by 4.30 p.m. several enemy positions were captured and some of the Infantry had penetrated into the town.

Meanwhile Gen. Chetwode, commanding the Desert Column, threw the whole of the Anzacs Mounted Division, under Gen. Chauvel, against the North and NE of the town to assist the Infantry. The enemy positions were taken with great gallantry, and at the end of the day the whole of the Ali Muntar position had been carried. When darkness fell Gaza was enveloped, and the enemy had suffered heavy losses; but their Relief Columns were moving up from the N.E. and S.E., the majority of the mounted troops had been unable to water their horses, and it was found necessary to withdraw the whole of the forces during the night. Before daylight they had again reached the west of the Wadi Ghuzze.

The result of the first battle of Gaza was reported to be the capture of 950 ‘'urkish and German prisoners and two Austrian field guns, and an estimate of 8,000 casualties amongst the enemy’s troops against 4,000 British casualties.

Delay caused by fog and the waterless nature of the country prevented a successful operation becoming a complete disaster to the enemy.

Stratford Herald Friday 20th April 1917
LANCE CORPORAL RUSSELL

Mrs. Russell of College Street, Stratford upon Avon has received notification of the death of her son, Lance Corporal G. H. Russell, which took place on 2nd April. He was wounded on 26th March at the Battle of Gaza. He was also wounded in a Silver Bay incident. He remained in England for 6 months. He then returned to his regiment the Warwickshire Yeomanry stationed in Egypt. Mrs. Russell has another son serving his country in the RNAS.

Stratford Herald Friday 4th May 1917
LANCE CORPORAL RUSSELL

A sergeant in the Royal Warwickshire writes to us “It is with very deep regret that I read in your recent issue of the Stratford upon Avon Herald of the death in action of an old chum, Lance Corporal G. Russell. On behalf of the Old Coventry Campers who have spent so many happy days in Stratford I would wish to express our sympathy with the bereaved and our regret at the loss of a real good pal. He was a staunch friend of the late H. J. Payne killed at Suvla Bay in August 1915, a Coventry soldier well known to Stratford. Such real men as these are all too scarce and their memory will ever be with us.

Stratford Herald Friday 22nd June 1917
THE LATE CORPORAL RUSSELL

Relative to the death in Palestine of Corporal George Russell, late of College Street, Stratford on Avon Captain Robert Good of the Warwickshire Yeomanry writes “He was acting as my personal orderly at the time, a position he had filled for six months. I cannot speak too highly of him for both as a soldier and as a man he was one of the best in my squadron. Always cheerful and ready to do his duty and popular with the officers and men alike. I have lost not only a good soldier but a man to whom I was personally attached. We were taking part in a big battle and had just dismounted from our horses. Corporal Russell was holding mine and his own when a big shell burst close to us killing both the horses and wounded him very severely. He never complained and showed the greatest bravery and unconcern for himself. We got him on a stretcher and to the field ambulance at once. He received every attention possible. My duties, I regret to say kept me from seeing him again although I should much liked to have done so.

The chaplain of the 5th Mounted Brigade writes “he was brave good man and there is sincere grief throughout the brigade at his death. I saw him very briefly after he was wounded and he answered to all enquiries as to how he was “None too bad, none too bad. I mustn’t complain” All through the night and the next morning he was just the same, cheerful and uncomplaining.”