Malaria in the Middle East Campaign

 

 

'' A remarkable example of the potentialities of malaria in the war was seen during the Palestine-Syria campaign of 1918.

 

Allenby's final advance started on the 19th September. A severe epidemic of Malaria began on 5th October,.....During the advance 773 men died of Malaria. The infection was contracted while passing through the Malaria- ridden country behind the enemy's front line, more especially through the notorious Jordan Valley. Fortunately for the interval before the epidemic burst, the Turkish armies had been decisively defeated - the campaign was won by troops in the incubation period of Malaria. If the advance had been held up by the enemy for another two weeks, a great victory might have been replaced by disaster with far reaching consequences"

 

1946- a talk by Brigadier J A Sinton

 

In 1916, when advancing along the north coast of the Sinai Peninsular--- number of admissions - 1423

In 1917, when capturing Gaza and Jerusalem--- number of admissions - 8480

In 1918, in the final advance against, and the defeat of, the TurkishArmy,mainly along the coastal plain and the Jordan Valley---number of admissions - 30241

 

Out of 100000 Turkish prisoners captured, 20000 had to be admitted to hospital