Military History Society of NSW presents:
Who Won the Battle of Beersheba, 1917?
The Battle of Beersheba on 31 October 1917 is generally known as a marvellous victory of the Australian Light Horse. However, most Australians are unaware that three British infantry divisions (53rd, 60th, and 74th) and a brigade from the 10th (Irish) Division took part in the battle. Not only were the British more numerous than the Australian Light Horse, but they also launched their attack first, crashing the Ottoman main defence and providing an opportunity for the Australians to unleash their mounted manoeuvre. This talk is about the long-forgotten role of the British infantry at Beersheba, who did most of the killing and dying.
About the speaker
Professor Mesut Uyar is a military historian and war studies expert. He is a graduate of the Turkish Military Academy. He received an MA in politics and a PhD in international relations from Istanbul University. During his military career, he served as a platoon leader and company and battalion commander in various infantry units, completing several tours as a United Nations military observer in Georgia and as a staff officer in Afghanistan and Bosnia. He served as an Associate Professor at the Turkish Military Academy and at the University of New South Wales. He is currently Professor of International Relations at Antalya Bilim University in Turkey. He is the author or co-author of The Ottoman Army and the First World War (Routledge, 2022); The Phaseline Attila: The Amphibious Campaign for Cyprus, 1974 (Marine Corps University Press, 2020); The Ottoman Defence against the Anzac Landing: 25 April 1915 (Australian Army History Unit Campaign Series, 2015); A Military History of the Ottomans: From Osman to Atatürk (Praeger, 2009); and numerous articles and book chapters. His book about the Gaza Battles will be published by the Australian Army History Unit soon.
Event details
When: Saturday, 7 March 2026 at 10:30 am.
Where: The Auditorium, Anzac Memorial Hyde Park, Sydney CBD.
Admission: Free, but a donation is appreciated.
More information: Email president@militaryhistorynsw.com.au
About the venue
The venue for the Military History Society of NSW lecture program is the Auditorium on the lower level of the Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park, corner of Elizabeth and Liverpool Streets, Sydney CBD. Numerous bus services stop at the location, and Museum Railway Station is a short walk away. The venue opens its doors from 10:00 am.
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