Royal Jordanian Land Force
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Royal Jordanian Land Force is part of the Jordanian Armed forces (JAF).
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[edit] Historical Background
On June 10, 1916 Sherif Hussien Bin Ali prince of Mecca, had officially declared the Great Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire for ridding the Arab nations from the Turkish rule that lasted about four centuries.
On November 21, 1920 Prince Abdullah Bin Al-Hussien (later King) arrived to Ma'an where he expressed his resolution to drive out the Turkish aggressive Forces from Syria. Later, on December 5th, 1920 he proclaimed himself as king deputy in Syria and appealed to members of Al-Faissali army to join his forces in Ma'an. His calls had received much attention in the Arab world as several Arab prominent nationalists and other Arab princes joined his campaign which later formed the embryonic force of the Arab legion.
When Prince Abdullah came to power in the Emirate of trans-Jordan at that time Jordan Armed Forces included:
- Cavalry (Darak) force of 400 men.
- A mobile (mainly cavalry) force of 150 men.
- A regular Army battalion of some 200 infantrymen.
- A camelry of 100 men.
- An Arab force, which was probably the battalion that had accompanied prince Abdullah to Amman from Ma'an.
Roles of Military Formations in Jordan from the Foundation of the Emirate until the 1948 war:
a. Jordan's East border Force: It had played an important role for Britain during World War II as it provided protection for British lines of communication extending from Iraq to Russia. It also took part in the fighting against the French forces in Syria.
b. The Arab Legion: - It was mainly tasked during World War II with maintaining order and law in the country.
Moreover, it extended support to British Forces engaged in military actions in Syria, Iraq and Palestine. It's worth mentioning in this respect that a military detachment of this force had participated in ceremonies of the Victory Day organized in London on June 8, 1946 , and the victory festival of Allied Forces in Jerusalem.
c. The Desert Force (Al-Badia Force): Its main task was to guard Jordan borders with neighboring Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Syria as well as to provide protection for oil pipe lines of Iraqi Petroleum Company (IPC). Besides that, it participated in campaigns of Syria and Iraq during World War II.
[edit] Formation
[edit] Pre-1948 War
This army started with an infantry company, cavalry company, Machine guns unit, signal section and military band. In 1923 , The total number of the army did not exceed 750 men who were combined under the command supervision of British captain Frederick Gerard Peake.
During 1930, the legions strength was expanded to approximately 11,000. In 1931, a camel-mounted desert mobile force was organized under the command of John Bagot Glubb to maintain security and order.
This organization attracted numerous Bedouin volunteers. In 1933 the first mechanized force was formed. This element consisted of three vehicles and 120 men including the camel-mounted desert mobile force. It undertook the responsibility of maintaining security, preventing the raids among the tribal groups and deterring the raids from the outside.
By the eve of World War II, the legion had been expanded to a force of about 1600 men, This legion took part in operations in Syria during this war. Independent companies were established in addition to a regular battalion which was grown to become later the 1st Brigade.
In 1942 the 2nd battalion was formed, to later become the 2nd Brigade. The army continued its expansion in number and equipment.
[edit] 1948 - 1967 War
In 1948, it consisted of two brigades, two garrisons and fourth battalions was increased to become six battalions. At this time the army consisted of infantry division, artillery brigade, mortar battery, artillery battery, engineer and signal battalion and field aid unit.
King Hussein spared no pains at all to improve the army in terms of cadre and equipment, and in the early 1956 dismissed Glubb and Arab commanders assumed leadership posts in the army, most notably Habis Al-Majali.
In 1957, His Majesty King Hussein ordered to establish the 4th infantry brigade and another field artillery. In 1958, the heavy artillery was entered, In the same year the armor brigade was recognized to become an armor division and in 1961 it become the armor corps. During this period the 40th bridge, 60th brigade and the royal guard brigade were established.
In 1965, the army achieved another advancement when His Majesty King Hussein ordered to form five infantry brigades. The army was divided into two fronts: Western front and Eastern front, ten infantry battalions were concentrated on both fronts.
In 1967 , a new armor brigade was established. the artillery brigade was recognized to be consisted of three field artillery battalions and anti-aircraft battalion.
[edit] 1967 - 1973 War
After the 1967 war, the army was rearmed.
In 1968, the army fought the Israeli army in the Al-Karameh battle.
In the 1973 war, the 40th armor brigade was sent to the Syrian front and played a significant role in the fighting.
[edit] Battles
[edit] The Role of Jordan Arab Legion in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War
Upon the announcement of the UN partition plan for Palestine and after the disclosure of the British decision to leave Palestine on May 15, 1948, both warring sides (the Arabs and the Jews) began to make their military preparations for a forthcoming military confrontation both believed was inevitable.
As a result of the victories of Jewish forces over the Palestinians the Arab countries decided to send Arab forces to assist the Palestinians. The Arab Legion entered Palestine with other Arab Forces on May 15, 1948 using the Allenby (King Hussein) bridge as they were advancing to cover the approaches from Jenin, in the north to Alaffoula and from Al-Majame'a bridge on the Jordan River to Bissan Alaffoula.
Units of the Arab Legion were engaged in several battles with the Jewish forces including the following:
- Battles of Beit Nabala – December 14, 1947
- Battle of Haifa – February 9, 1948
- Battle of prophet Jacob settlement- April 18, 1948
- Battle of Gaisher settlement in late April 1948
- Battle of Kfar Aitsion 7-13 May 1948.
[edit] 1956 Battles
On September 11, an Israeli force infiltrated to the Jordanian territories in , Al-Rahwa, Hebron sector, and attacked the police station there. After long clashes with a Jordanian unit from the Desert Guards, the Israeli force was forced to withdraw repulsed.
On October 10, 1956 an enemy force, estimated at a motorized infantry brigade, supported by medium-range artillery and 10 combat aircraft, attacked the Arab towns of Hubla, Al-Nabi Illias and Azroun. The assaulting troops fought the Arab legion west of Al-Nabi Illias and were forced to withdraw to Qalqilia hills.
[edit] Participation in Kuwait
When Kuwait declared its independence on June 19, 1961, the Iraqi government announced that Kuwait is an integral part of its national territories. Accordingly, the Arab league formed the Arab emergency force to protect Kuwait with the participation of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, Jordan and Tunisia. The Jordanian participation included an infantry battalion reinforced by an anti-aircraft platoon and returned home on December 13, 1963.
[edit] Samu Battle 1966
In November 13, 1966 the Israeli Forces raided the Jordanian village of Samu with an infantry brigade reinforced by two tank battalions and supported by artillery and combat aircraft. After a round of a severe fighting with Jordanian Army units, the Israeli forces withdrew.
[edit] Arab - Israeli war: June 1967
Believing that Israel was a becoming more of a threat Egypt declared a state of emergency and started to concentrate its forces in Sinai desert. In addition to that Jordan signed a mutual defense agreement with Egypt. Consequently, Israel ordered the full mobilization of its forces on May 25,1967. As a result the Arab Jordan Army was placed under a maximum alert.
[edit] Operational Strengths Of Opposing Forces
- a. Jordan Armed Forces (JAF): several infantry brigades, 2 Armored brigades and 20 operational combat aircraft, distributed in defensive positions in both western and eastern fronts.
- b. allied Arab forces on the Jordanian Front
- Iraq: 2 infantry brigades,1 mechanized brigade, 1 armored brigade, and 34 aircraft.
- Syria: one infantry brigade entered the Jordanian borders on June 7, and left on June 9, 1967 without being involved in any military actions.
- Saudi Arabia: one infantry brigade and an armored company which arrived to Al-Modawara border crossing point on June 6, 1967.
- Egypt: 2 Ranger battalions arrived in Jordan on June 3, 1967. Their primary mission was to destroy six Israeli airfields. Due to their late entry to the occupied territories they could not accomplish their mission.
- c. The Israeli forces opposing the Jordanian front included 4 infantry brigades, 3 mechanized brigades, 2 paratroop brigades, 2 armored brigades with their full standard support elements and 286 different types of combat aircraft. When the military operations were over on both Egyptian and Syrian fronts, Israel moved a part of its forces from these fronts to the Jordanian front.
[edit] Scenario of military operation
At 0730 hrs. on June 5, 1967 the Israelis surprised the Arab states with a series of continuos air strikes directed at Arab airfields. As a result most of the Arab air force was neutralized. The estimate of Israeli causalities on the Jordanian front during the land fighting includes 500 killed and 2400 wounded.
[edit] The Attrition War 1967-1970
Daily clashes continued on the Jordanian Front after 1967 war until mid 1970s.
[edit] Black September
In September 1970 King Hussein moved to quash an attempt by Palestinian organizations to overthrow his monarchy. The violence resulted in heavy civilian Palestinian casualties. Armed conflict lasted until July 1971 with the expulsion of the PLO and thousands of Palestinians to Lebanon. September 1970 is known as the Black September in Arab history.
[edit] Yom Kippur
The Yom Kippur War is also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and the Fourth Arab-Israeli War, between Israel and a coalition of Arab nations led by Egypt and Syria. The war began with a surprise joint attack by Egypt ( in the Sinai ) and Syria ( in the Golan heights ) on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. The Jordanian 40th armor brigade took part in the fighting in the Golan heights.
The Egyptians and Syrians advanced during the first 24–48 hours, after which momentum began to swing in Israel's favor. By the second week of the war, the Syrians had been pushed entirely out of the Golan Heights and in the Sinai the Israelis crossed the Suez Canal and surrounded an entire Egyptian army just as a United Nations cease-fire came into effect.
[edit] References and links
- Jordan
- Jordanian Armed Forces
- Royal Navy Force
- Royal Jordanian Air Force
- Royal Special Forces
- His Majesty's Special Security
- Jordanian Land Force Insignia
