Western Frontier Force


The Western Frontier Force was raised from British Empire troops during the Senussi campaign from November 1915 to February 1917, under the command of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. Orders for the formation of the force were issued on 20 November 1915, under Major-General Alexander Wallace, C.B. The force concentrated at Mersa Matruh on the coast and began operations against the Senussi in late 1915.

Organisational history

In January 1916, during the Band of Oases campaign, a Southern Force was formed under Major-General William Peyton, who replaced Wallace two weeks later and then the Southern force was taken over by Major-General John Adye. On 31 March, the Southern Force merged with the Western Force that was then divided into a North-West Section and a South-West Section and Adye was made Adjutant-General of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. Peyton was appointed to the command of the Western Frontier Force but was reappointed while in England. On 11 May, Lieutenant-General Sir Bryan Mahon took over but got sunstroke and was invalided.
Major-General Alister Dallas, in temporary command during Peyton's absence, resumed temporary command until 20 June, when Major-General Sir Charles Dobell took up the appointment. The North-West and South-West sections were abolished and a Coastal Section formed. On 4 October, Major-General W. A. Watson took over from Dobell, who was sent to command the Eastern Force in Sinai. On 5 March 1917, the quiet on the frontier led to the WFF being amalgamated with the Delta Command, comprising a Coastal and a Southern section.

Commanders

  • Major-General A. Wallace
  • Major-General W. E. Peyton
  • Major-General A. G. Dallas
  • Lieutenant-General Sir B. Mahon
  • Major-General A. G. Dallas
  • Major-General Sir C. M. Dobell
  • Major-General W. A. Watson
  • Brigadier-General H. G. Casson

Orders of battle

January 1914

unless specified. Later information suggested that there were
  • Derna district
  • * 3,000 paid regulars
  • * 6,000 volunteers
  • Benghazi district
  • * 3,000 paid regulars
  • * 5,000 volunteers
  • Tripoli district
  • * 600 African soldiers
  • * 800 Zowai Arabs
  • * 1,000 Tuareg

20 November 1915

The composition of the force frequently changed and only settled in the middle of February 1916. Other units attached to the WFF included: