The Momentous Day: The Battle Of Haifa, 1948

It was the Battle Of Haifa 1948, World War I. There stood 400 Indian men against 1500 officers of the Ottoman Empire, and the rest is history…
They say, ‘history does not take birth, instead it is created’, and they say it right. 100 years back, history was created when the tenacious Indian army even after being peculiarly equipped stood against a troop of heavy artillery. The disparity in the number of men on the battle ground and equipments could have easily prophesied the fate of the war, but the unmatched fortitude of the Indian men everted the destiny of the battle. Even after being less in number, the Indian men captured 02 German Officers, 23 Turkish Officers and 664 Other Ranks. Two 6-inch Naval Guns, 10 Field Guns, 10 machine guns and a vast quantity of ammunition were seized. The fate of the Ottoman Empire was sealed in its demise, and the reason behind it was the unforgettable zeal of the Indian men formed from the finest of men of the Jodhpur Lancers and Mysore Lancers. The Indian troop lost 01 Indian Officer, 02 Other Ranks, and 60 horses during the battle, while 34 Indian Officers and men were wounded. But it was all in the name of victory. The battle’s victory was all the more particular as the Indian Soldiers were armed only with lances and swords, while on the other hand the Turks had possession of advanced artillery and machine guns.


Although the day of history is memorable for some, but it had become a forgotten past for many others until last year when Indian and Israeli Prime Minister referred to the courage of Indian Officers and men at the Battle Of Haifa, 1948. It is saddening to acknowledge the fact that not many of us have heard of such a war, but for those who have, would also know how Indian Officer and men have played a critical role in the crucial turning of the conquering of Palestine during World War I. Even The Seventh Earl Of Mayo said on May 21, 1919 that,

Also read: REMEMBERING THE FALLEN INDIAN HEROES!

“My Lords, there were two divisions of Indian cavalry employed in Palestine including an Imperial Service brigade. I believe I am right in saying that they were all Indian. It is well-known to the authorities at the War Office and to the military authorities that these brigades did very good work indeed. They had tremendously hard work to do, so hard indeed that they were the first troops to go into Damascus... What I should like to ask is why the Indian cavalry did not get sufficient credit for what they had done. They fought the Turk and they beat the Turk.”

Much was the honor that people in Haifa (Israel) gave to Indian Officer and men that they released a postage stamp applauding the contribution as well as bravery of the Indian Officer and men in the Battle Of Haifa, 1948. The appraisals have been in various forms where, a letter of appreciation was written on October 2nd 1918 reading as follows:

“Just some time back we were fighting enemy of 80-90,000 Turks and Germans but today app 60-70,000 of them are prisoners’. As per records, many soldiers like Sultan Singh, Gulab Singh, Kartar Singh, Khuda Buksh,and Manbir Rai were felled by Ottoman Turks.”

 

 

The Teen Murti Memorial was built in 1922 in remembrance of the Indian Officers and their bravery, where three Indian Officers stand erect with a pious of courage. The three Indian Officers represent the Officers of Jodhpur Lancers, Mysore Lancers and Hyderabad Lancers respectively. Even now, Prime Minister Of India and many other ministers pay homage to the soldiers who fought in the Battle Of Haifa, 1948. For instance, in 2000, Jaswant Singh visited Israel as the Foreign Minister Of India. On the visit, Jaswant Singh made it a point to climb the hill to reach Haifa so that he could pay homage to the Indian Officers and men who lost their life fighting the battle.

 

Also read: CELEBRATING THE 100 YEARS OF BATTLE OF HAIFA

The visit of Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi to Israel in 2017, threw light upon the importance of remembering Haifa. Modi on his visit to Israel, went to the Indian cemetery in Haifa on the last day of his visit along with Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, to pay his homage to the Indian Officers and men who lost their lives during the 1948 Battle Of Haifa. On his visit, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Gopal Bagley tweeted,

 

 

 

“Together in homage to the fallen brave. Wreaths by PM @narendramodi & PM @netanyahu at Haifa.”

 

 

 

Narendra Modi, in remembrance of the war also regarded Major Dalpat Singh as the “Hero Of Haifa” for his unmatchable contribution during the Battle Of Haifa 1948. In the guestbook, Modi wrote,

 

 

“I am deeply honoured to stand here today to salute the valiant Indian soldiers, who laid down their lives for the liberation of Haifa during WW I. The exceptional bravery and supreme sacrifice of Major Thakur Dalpat Singh MC, the ‘Hero of Haifa’ and his men, will be remembered and continue to inspire generations to come. Next year, the centenary of the Battle of Haifa will present another opportunity to mark this enduring bond between India and Israel.”

 

The sacrifice that Indian Officers and men had done in the hard times of Israel is seen as a sign of the bond between both the countries since ages. In the recent visit of the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu to India, the Prime Minister of India and Israel paid tribute to all the Indian Officers and men by visiting the “Teen Murti Memorial”.
The “Teen Murti Memorial” was built in 1922 in Delhi to commemorate all the men who fought in the battle and pay homage to the martyrs of the “Battle Of Haifa”. The Cenotaph at the “Teen Murti Memorial” till date stands gallantly honouring the heroic Cavalry. The “Teen Murti Memorial” on the occasion of the Centenary year of the victory of the Battle Of Haifa 1948 renamed the monument as “Teen Murti Haifa Memorial”.
NDMC vice chairman Karan Singh Tanwar said,

 

“In commemoration of the brave Indian soldiers who had gave an example of exemplary courage and sacrifice the renaming was suggested.”

 

 

This year the 61st Cavalry paid tribute to all the soldiers who participated in the Battle Of Haifa 1948, on the completion of the centenary.

 

Last Updated: 27th June 2022