The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 2)

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (D.A.5314 W. Smith, 2nd Hd. R.N.R. H.M.S. “Five” Military Opns. Palestine 1917) good very fine and scarce

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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D.S.M. London Gazette 20 February 1919 ‘The following awards have been approved for services in Palestine Operations October-November 1917.’

In October 1917 General Sir H. H. Allenby, K.C.B., Commander in Chief of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force requested that the Naval Forces stationed off the coast of Palestine should undertake a bombardment of the coastal area and make feint landings to the north of Gaza so as to draw attention from his planned assault on Beersheba. On 30 October 1917 the Monitors M31 and M32 opened fire from positions that had earlier been swept clear of mines by the inshore Squadron of Minesweeper Drifters. Further bombardments by RAGLAN and GRAFTON took place to the north off the mouth of the Hesi, and the Railway Station and Bridge at Deir Sineid were shelled. Spotting for the Naval bombardment was undertaken by an aircraft from the Seaplane Carrier CITY OF OXFORD.

The attack by General Allenby on Beersheba on 31 October was successful and the diversion off Gaza was continued in order that Turkish troops should not be transferred to Beersheba. On 1 November the first simulated landings took place, the beach area having been swept by the Drifter Flotilla who were also responsible for marking the landing areas and laying nets to indicate the areas that stores were to be landed. Owing to the strength of the inshore current the nets were frequently dragged out of position necessitating them being weighted and relayed. That this net defence was kept in so satisfactory a state was due to the unremitting care and attention paid by Lieutenant G. Brand, R.N.R., and the hard work done by the Drifter crews, including Deck Hand William Smith aboard Drifter 1050 (H.M.S. “Five”) who was recommended ‘for smartness in laying nets’. The Drifter H.M.S. FIVE was one of three engaged in towing nets around the Monitor RAGLAN, the French Cruiser REQUIN and the Seaplane Carriers, this duty being carried out night and day during the whole of the operations.

On 7 November 1917 the Army on shore signalled that the Turks were evacuating Gaza and asked that the coastal bombardments now be concentrated on railway lines and bridges. This request necessitated firing over the heads of the British troops as they advanced inland from the coastal area until out of the range of Naval gun support. The Turks were completely deceived by the simulated landings and the Naval contribution to the overall military success was much praised by General Allenby. Five D.S.M’s and 1 bar were awarded for these operations.