# Edmund Allenby, 1st Viscount Allenby

> British Army general (1861-1936)

**Wikidata**: [Q334846](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q334846)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Allenby,_1st_Viscount_Allenby)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/edmund-allenby-1st-viscount-allenby

## Summary
Edmund Allenby, 1st Viscount Allenby, was a distinguished British Army general and diplomat who lived from 1861 to 1936. He is most renowned for his leadership during World War I, particularly for commanding the successful Egyptian Expeditionary Force and the decisive Battle of Megiddo in 1918. His military achievements secured British control in the Middle East and led to his elevation to the peerage as Viscount Allenby of Megiddo.

## Biography
- **Born**: April 23, 1861
- **Nationality**: United Kingdom (British)
- **Education**: Royal Military College, Sandhurst
- **Known for**: Commanding the Egyptian Expeditionary Force and leading the victory at the Battle of Megiddo during World War I.
- **Employer(s)**: British Army
- **Field(s)**: Military strategy, Diplomacy, Politics

## Contributions
Edmund Allenby's primary contributions were military and strategic, resulting in significant geopolitical shifts during the early 20th century.
- **Battle of Megiddo (1918)**: Led the Egyptian Expeditionary Force to a decisive victory against Ottoman forces in Palestine, a campaign often cited as a masterpiece of mobile warfare.
- **Capture of Jerusalem (1917)**: Successfully orchestrated the capture of Jerusalem from the Ottoman Empire, entering the city on foot to show respect for its holy sites.
- **Battle of Beersheba (1917)**: Directed the forces that executed a famous cavalry charge to secure the town of Beersheba, a critical turning point in the Sinai and Palestine campaign.
- **Diplomatic Leadership**: Served as High Commissioner for Egypt and the Sudan, transitioning from military command to civil administration in the region.
- **Military Education**: As an alumnus of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, he represented the professionalization of the British officer corps.

## FAQs
**What were Edmund Allenby's most significant military victories?**
Allenby is best known for the Battle of Megiddo in 1918, which effectively ended Ottoman resistance in Palestine, and the earlier Battle of Beersheba in 1917, which broke the Gaza-Beersheba line. These victories were instrumental in the collapse of the Ottoman Empire's southern front during World War I.

**Which wars did Edmund Allenby serve in?**
His military career spanned several major conflicts, including the Second Boer War and World War I. During the Great War, he fought in key battles such as Mons, the Second Battle of Ypres, and the Battle of Arras before taking command in the Middle East.

**What honors and awards did Edmund Allenby receive?**
He received numerous decorations from the United Kingdom and allied nations, including the Order of the Bath, the 1914–15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. International honors included the French Croix de Guerre, the Romanian Order of Michael the Brave, the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun, and the US Distinguished Service Medal.

**Where was Edmund Allenby educated?**
Allenby received his military training at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, the premier British Army officer academy, which he attended after his initial commissioning in 1880.

**What was Edmund Allenby's role after World War I?**
Following his military successes, he was appointed High Commissioner for Egypt and the Sudan, where he played a crucial role in the political administration of the region during the transition from Ottoman to British influence.

## Why They Matter
Edmund Allenby's impact on the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East was profound and lasting. His strategic brilliance at Megiddo accelerated the end of World War I in the Middle East, leading to the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire's control over Palestine and Syria. This victory reshaped the map of the region, establishing British mandates that influenced modern national boundaries in the Levant. Without his leadership, the Allied campaign in the Sinai and Palestine might have stalled, potentially prolonging the war and altering the post-war settlement. His transition from a field commander to a diplomat demonstrated the necessity of military leaders in shaping civil governance during times of imperial transition. Furthermore, his receipt of high honors from diverse nations, including Romania, Greece, and the United States, underscores his status as a global figure of military excellence and diplomatic significance.

## Notable For
- **Battle of Megiddo**: Orchestrated one of the most successful cavalry and infantry operations of World War I in 1918.
- **Battle of Beersheba**: Led the historic cavalry charge that secured a vital water source and broke the Ottoman defensive line.
- **Capture of Jerusalem**: Entered Jerusalem in 1917, marking a major symbolic and strategic victory for the Allies.
- **Viscountcy**: Created 1st Viscount Allenby of Megiddo in recognition of his military triumphs.
- **International Decorations**: Received the Order of Michael the Brave (Romania), Croix de Guerre (France), and Distinguished Service Medal (USA).
- **Second Boer War Service**: Gained early combat experience and recognition during the conflict in South Africa.
- **High Commissioner**: Served as the top British official in Egypt and the Sudan, bridging military and civil administration.
- **Royal Military College, Sandhurst**: A distinguished graduate of the institution that trained the British officer corps.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby was born on April 23, 1861. He was a citizen of the United Kingdom and a member of the British Army. His formal military education took place at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, a prestigious institution founded in 1802. He began his professional work period in 1880, marking the start of a long and distinguished career in the armed forces.

### Military Career and World War I
Allenby's career was defined by his service in major global conflicts, including the Second Boer War and World War I. During the Great War, he participated in several critical battles on the Western Front before being transferred to the Middle Eastern theater.
- **Western Front Engagements**: He fought in the Battle of Mons in 1914, the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915, and the Battle of Arras in 1917. These engagements were part of the broader British offensive efforts against German forces.
- **Middle Eastern Command**: Allenby was appointed to command the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF). His leadership here was transformative.
- **Battle of Beersheba (1917)**: Under his command, the EEF executed a successful cavalry charge against Turkish forces, securing the town of Beersheba. This battle is noted for its tactical brilliance and the capture of vital water supplies.
- **Capture of Jerusalem (1917)**: Allenby's forces captured Jerusalem, a city of immense religious and strategic importance.
- **Battle of Megiddo (1918)**: This was his crowning achievement. Fought in Ottoman Palestine, the battle resulted in a decisive victory that shattered the Ottoman army in the region. The battle is often studied as a model of modern combined arms warfare.

### Awards and Recognition
Allenby's service was recognized with a vast array of domestic and international honors.
- **British Honors**: He received the 1914–15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal for his service in World War I. He was also awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935.
- **International Decorations**:
    - **Romania**: Awarded the Order of Michael the Brave (the highest Romanian order of gallantry) and the Order of the Crown of Romania.
    - **France**: Received the Croix de Guerre and was made a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour.
    - **United States**: Honored with the Distinguished Service Medal by the US Army.
    - **Other Nations**: He received the Order of the White Eagle (Serbia/Yugoslavia), the Order of the Redeemer (Greece), the Supreme Order of the Renaissance (Jordan), the Order of the Rising Sun (Japan), and the Military Order of Italy.
- **Other Awards**: He was a recipient of the Livingstone Medal, conferred by the Royal Geographical Society.

### Post-War Roles and Diplomacy
Following his military successes, Allenby transitioned into a diplomatic and administrative role. He served as the High Commissioner for Egypt and the Sudan. In this capacity, he was responsible for the political administration of these territories, navigating the complex post-war landscape of the Middle East. His work here was crucial in establishing British influence and managing the transition of power in the region.

### Legacy and Identity
Edmund Allenby is remembered as a Field Marshal and the 1st Viscount Allenby of Megiddo. His full title reflects his highest rank and the location of his greatest victory. He is listed in various historical records and databases, including the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography and the National Library of Wales, which holds correspondence and manuscripts related to his life. His life spanned from 1861 to 1936, a period that saw the height of the British Empire and the subsequent reshaping of the world order. He is categorized as a politician, diplomat, military officer, and human, reflecting the multifaceted nature of his career. His work period began in 1880 and continued until his death, leaving a legacy of military innovation and diplomatic engagement.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. The Peerage
3. Integrated Authority File
4. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
5. Hansard 1803–2005
6. [Page 7590 | Supplement 30202, 24 July 1917 | London Gazette | The Gazette. The London Gazette 7590](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30202/supplement/7590)
7. [1915](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/Edinburgh/issue/12786/page/430)
8. The London Gazette 32586
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. SNAC
11. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
12. Find a Grave
13. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
14. Proleksis Encyclopedia
15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
16. Virtual International Authority File
17. [Source](http://purl.org/pressemappe20/beaconlist/pe)
18. LIBRIS. 2012
19. Catalogo of the National Library of India