ENTRY INTO . JERUSALEM

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 183, 17 May 1939, Page 4

ENTRY INTO . JERUSALEM

CAPTURE BY THE BRITISH * . LOWELL THOMAS’ VERSION MONTREAL, March 2.—A version or the capture of Jerusalem, which probably! will never see the inside of a history text-book, was told .by Mr. Lo\vell Thomas, author of “With Lawrence in Arabia,” last night at a dinner of the Advertising Club. The unofficial behind-the-scenes story of the entrance of the British Army into the Holy City was recounted. Lord Allenby, he said, captured'the city by pushing back 'the Turkish army on either side. The garrison inside the city fled by night rather than be encircled the following day and captured. The first men to> approach the city, he stated, wore a company: cook and a Tommy, who had been sent to scout for food and had lost their way. The two were sighted byi the Arabs, who were prepared to surrender the city. The, Arab Mayor of the city, unaware of the status of the two, turned over the city to them with an oration from the city walls. Intricate Procedure,, . When the cook and soldier returned to their company they reported what

had happened. The divisional commander naturally wanted! to play a role in the historic capture of the city. The Arab Mayor was called upon to give his oration again from the city walls. The next ranking officer decided that the honour was due him. The -Arab Mayor again gave his oration, and finally Lord Allenby approached the city. The whole procedure had) to be repeated a fourth time. Another humorous incident, he said, followed the order of Lord Allenby that no troops were to enter the city. This was a precautionary measure until the military police liadi takpn over. The 0.0. of the Australian lOtli Light Horse decided to disobey the order. With his men he entered and making his way to the American Colony store, lie bought all .available post cards and sent them out to rulers throughout tlie world—writing laconically, “I have just captured Jerusalem.—Yours truly, (signed) Barney Todd.”