After the first British defeat at Gaza in March 1917, the commander of Eastern Force, Lieutenant-General Charles Dobell, had sacked the commander of the 53rd (Welsh) Division, Major-General A.G. Dallas, while the division was transferred from the Desert Column to Eastern Force.
Efter det første britiske nederlag ved Gaza i marts 1917 havde chefen for Østlige styrke, generalløjtnant Charles Macpherson Dobell, afskediget lederen af 53. division, generalmajor A.G. Dallas, mens divisionen blev overført fra Ørkenkolonnen til Østlige styrke.