With the Judæans in the Palestine Campaign

A rare glimpse into an unprecedented wartime experiment, this memoir follows the birth of the first all‑Jewish battalion raised by the British Army during the final year of the Great War. The commander, an outsider to Jewish life, records his initial disbelief, the political spark of the Balfour Declaration, and the practical hurdles of assembling men eager to fight for both king and country while dreaming of a return to their historic homeland.

The narrative moves from the regiment’s rigorous training on the Devon coast to its arduous journey across the Mediterranean, where the soldiers confront language barriers, religious observances such as kosher meals, and the stark reality of combat in the rugged landscape of Palestine. Early skirmishes near Nablus and the first taste of victory are recounted with a mix of military detail and personal reflection, offering listeners a vivid portrait of camaraderie, cultural pride, and the often‑overlooked challenges faced by this unique unit.