Description
Physical description
cap
Label
The Trans-Jordan Frontier Force (TJFF) was created in 1926 and replaced the former Palestine Gendarmerie. Tasked with defending the north and southern borders of Trans-Jordan, many of its personnel were recruited in from the Arab Legion. Answerable to the British High Commissioner in Jerusalem, the TJFF came under the British Order of Battle. The senior command positions were mainly held by British officers but junior officers reflected the composition of the Force, being Circassians, Syrian Arabs, Sudanese and some Jews. In the period before the Second World War the TJFF helped to quell Arab unrest (in protest of escalating Jewish immigration), and later to help control immigration. The TJFF expanded and incorporated a mechanised regiment as well one of cavalry. In June 1941 both regiments served in the Syrian campaign alongside British and Commonwealth forces, supporting the 5th Indian Infantry Brigade on their advance to Damascus, protecting flanks, railways, and carrying out recognisance patrols. The remainder of the war years saw the TJFF on the Turkish frontier (1942); the Persian Gulf (1943); and in 1944 was in Syria as a buffer force keeping French and Syrians apart. By 1945 the Mechanised Regiment was still in Syria, whilst the Cavalry Regiment was posted to northern Palestine. Post-war, the Force was given the unenviable task of supporting British policy when there was great violence and civil unrest between Arabs and Jews, making the TJFF immensely unpopular. The Force was finally disbanded in 1948 many men being absorbed into the Arab Legion.
History note
The Trans-Jordan Frontier Force (TJFF) was created in 1926 and replaced the former Palestine Gendarmerie. Tasked with defending the north and southern borders of Trans-Jordan, many of its personnel were recruited in from the Arab Legion. Answerable to the British High Commissioner in Jerusalem, the TJFF came under the British Order of Battle. The senior command positions were mainly held by British officers but junior officers reflected the composition of the Force, being Circassians, Syrian Arabs, Sudanese and some Jews. In the period before the Second World War the TJFF helped to quell Arab unrest (in protest of escalating Jewish immigration), and later to help control immigration. The TJFF expanded and incorporated a mechanised regiment as well one of cavalry. In June 1941 both regiments served in the Syrian campaign alongside British and Commonwealth forces, supporting the 5th Indian Infantry Brigade on their advance to Damascus, protecting flanks, railways, and carrying out recognisance patrols. The remainder of the war years saw the TJFF on the Turkish frontier (1942); the Persian Gulf (1943); and in 1944 was in Syria as a buffer force keeping French and Syrians apart. By 1945 the Mechanised Regiment was still in Syria, whilst the Cavalry Regiment was posted to northern Palestine. Post-war, the Force was given the unenviable task of supporting British policy when there was great violence and civil unrest between Arabs and Jews, making the TJFF immensely unpopular. The Force was finally disbanded in 1948 many men being absorbed into the Arab Legion.
Printed (inside)
T & J GOLDSTEIN LTD. 1947 20