What was the Desert Mounted Corps in WW1?

What was the Desert Mounted Corps in WW1?

 The Desert Mounted Corps was a major Allied Cavalry Force of the Middle East campaign during World War One. In June 1917, Sir Edmund ‘Bull' Allenby took command of the Allied Forces (Egyptian Expeditionary Force) in the Middle East. He set about reorganising this Force. The Desert Mounted Corps was to be commanded by the Australian Sir H.G. Chauvel. Leading up to the formation of the Corps, Chauvel had been successful at the Battles of Gaza, Romani and Rafa while commanding the Anzac Mounted

Desert Mounted Corps HQ Staff - Harry Chauvell
 first row 2nd left

Division. In 1916, the Anzac Mounted Division had became part of the newly formed Desert Column under command of Major-General Sir Philip Chetwode, In August 1917, Chauvel learned that Allenby was to rename the Desert Column, he requested it be called the Desert Mounted Corps. At that time, Chauvel received a major promotion when he was given command of the Desert Mounted Corps. The Desert Mounted Corps consisted of the Anzac Mounted Division, the Australian Mounted Division (both of which comprised in part of various Australian Light Horse Regiments), the newly formed Yeomanry Mounted Division and the Imperial Camel Corps Brigade (French Cavalry being added in the final stages of the war)

The Corps took a major roll in pushing the Ottoman (Turkish) forces from the Suez Canal area, and then into the Sinai Desert and further into Palestine. Under Chauvel’s leadership the Corps took part in many famous Battles which included the Battle of Beersheba in October 1917, Allenby’s Battle of Megiddo in 1918 and the subsequent capture of Damascus.  
Above information from Australian Light Horse History Books