Capture of Wejh

Capture of Wejh
Part of the Arab Revolt on the Middle Eastern theatre of the First World War

Contemporary British map of Hejaz marked with the locations of Wejh (red), Yenbo (green), Medina (blue) and Mecca (yellow)
Date23–24 January 1917
Location
Wejh, Hejaz (Ottoman Empire)
26°17′0″N 36°25′0″E / 26.28333°N 36.41667°E / 26.28333; 36.41667
Result British and Arab victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland United Kingdom
Arab Revolt Kingdom of Hejaz		  Ottoman Empire
Commanders and leaders
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland William Boyle
Strength
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Six Royal Navy ships
Arab Revolt 550 men		 Ottoman Empire 1,300 men

The capture of Wejh (modern-day Al Wajh, Saudi Arabia) took place on 23–24 January 1917 when British-led Arab forces landed by sea and, with the support of naval bombardments, defeated the Ottoman garrison. The attack was intended to threaten the flanks of an Ottoman advance from their garrison in Medina to Mecca, which had been captured by Arab forces in 1916. The sea-based force was to have attacked in co-operation with a larger force under Arab leader Faisal but these men were held up after capturing a quantity of supplies and gold en-route to Wejh. The sea-based force under Royal Navy leadership captured Wejh with naval artillery support, defeating the 1,300-strong Ottoman garrison. The capture of the town safeguarded Mecca, as the Ottoman troops were withdrawn to static defence duties in and around Medina.