Haifa
was captured by the Mysore and Jodhpur Lancers on 23 September 1918
and the 33rd Combined Clearing Hospital was moved to the town on
the 15 October. Haifa War Cemetery, which was originally part of
the German cemetery, was used mainly for hospital burials, but some
graves were brought in from the battlefields Haifa was of great
strategic importance during the Second World War because of its
deep water harbour and airfield. It was also the terminus of the
railway line from Egypt and of the Kirkuk-Haifa oil pipeline. Haifa
became one of the main supply bases and arms depots serving the
Middle East forces and a large naval depot was established at Haifa
Bay. The cemetery was again used during the early part of the war
until the new war cemetery at Khayat Beach was opened. Haifa War
Cemetery now contains 305 Commonwealth burials of the First World
War, 86 of them unidentified. Second World War burials number 36.
Haifa War Cemetery lies 3 kilometres from the central railway station
on the Tel-Aviv road. From the south on Highway 4, the cemetery
is on the left hand side, just before shops and Haifa docks. 300
metres after the cemetery turn left into Dugit Street. Turn left
at the traffic lights and the cemetery will now be on the right
hand side, 300 metres after the lights.
[Extract
from the Commonwealth
War Graves Commission]
