WAR MEMOIRS OF DAVID LLOYD GEORGE 1917

THE STRUGGLE WITH THE TURK 83
into Palestine when El Arish had been secured, and on my
instructions Sir William Robertson wired to Murray on
December 9th, 1916, asking him to submit plans for an advance
beyond El Arish, and state what additional troops he
would require to execute them. The text of the telegram
was as follows:
To-day Prime Minister mentioned to me desirability of making
your operations as successful as possible. I am in entire agreement.
Wire precis of action proposed beyond El Arish, stating
what additional troops you would require for advance, if any. I
cannot help thinking that in view of importance of achieving big
success on Eastern Front, and the effect this will have, you might
risk having fewer troops on Western. 1 A success is badly needed,
and your operations promise well.
Sir Archibald Murray, who was at that time making a
careful preparation for an advance upon El Arish, replied
giving an account of his prospective movements, and saying
that after taking El Arish he proposed to advance to Rafah,
on the Syrian frontier, complete the clearing of the Sinai
Peninsula, and then, if circumstances permitted, move against
Beersheba, where the enemy's main concentration appeared
to be. He asked if he could have two divisions from Mesopotamia
and any spare mounted troops there were in Mesopotamia
or India, assuming that nothing could be spared
from France.
The C.I.G.S. answered saying:
Your telegram, 10th December, has been seen by Prime Minister,
who wishes you to make maximum possible effort during
the winter. Until the spring we cannot send any troops from
Mesopotamia, and if you need reinforcements before then they
must be drawn either from France or Salonika. . . .
He went on to ask when the two extra divisions would be
needed; could Murray water so large a force as six divisions
1 The Western frontier of Egypt.