re: #377 William Barnett-Lewis

I realize you have a problem with the House of Saud. Most real humans do. However, the Ottoman’s were disintegrating for centuries by the time of WWI. Even if Britain had done everything you suggest, there is no reason to believe that the Ottoman’s would not have collapsed anyway.

And, honestly, the reality of history gives us one of the truly great cavalry charges in history when the Australian Light Horse charged the guns at Bathsheba - as an old Trooper I hope you’ll understand the conceit.

I appreciate that, although I must point out that before there was Beersheba there were two bloody battles at Gaza were British and Imperial soldiers were sent forward only to be bled white on the Turkish/German defense (in the second battle they bled for no real gain at all).

But on the third hand, as the cavalry were charging at Beersheba, Mark IV tanks were breaking through at Gaza. And soon afterwards Beersheba there was also fought the battle of Cambrai in France. Together, the battles heralded the chance of finally breaking the stalemate of the trenches.

Though none knew it at the time, the Great War had entered its final year.