| British Forces in Palestine and Trans-jordan | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1922–1948 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Command |
| Part of | British Army |
| Garrison/HQ | Jerusalem |
| Commanders | |
| Last commander | Gordon MacMillan |
| Notable commanders | Sir Archibald Wavell |
TheBritish Troops in Palestine and Trans-jordan was aBritish Army command inMandatory Palestine and theEmirate of Transjordan.
The command was formed in February 1922 to control all British forces inMandatory Palestine.[1] In 1930, following an outbreak in hostilities between theJewish andArab populations, 2nd Battalion,South Staffordshire Regiment and the 1st Battalion,Northamptonshire Regiment were deployed toPalestine.[1] In September 1936, following an escalation in violence, Lieutenant-GeneralSir John Dill was despatched there.[1]
In August 1937 Major General Archibald Wavell CB was transferred to Palestine, where there wasgrowing unrest, to be General Officer Commanding (GOC) British Forces in Palestine and Trans-Jordan.[2] He was promoted toLieutenant-General on 21 January 1938.[3]
After theSecond World War, with the immigration of Jews growing, tensions increased further and1st Infantry Division (United Kingdom) arrived in Palestine.[1] Later6th Airborne Division was dispatched as the Imperial Strategic Reserve. The two divisions faced theJewish insurgency in Mandatory Palestine. In May 1948the United Kingdom's mandate ended and British troops withdrew the following month.[1]
Commanders were as follows:[4]