Topic: AIF - 4B - 12 LHR
The Battle of Maghara
Sinai, 15 October 1916
12th LHR, AIF, War Diary Account
War Diary account of the 12th LHR, AIF.
The transcription:
13 October 1916
A Column was formed today, approximate strength of which was 800 Australian Light Horse, 400 City of London Yeomanry, 600 Mounted Camelry and 4,500 Transport Camels, also 200 Camels for Army Medical Corps work.
The Column moved off today at 1700 in 2 Echelons, the Yeomanry leading, then 11th Light Horse Regiment and the 12th Light Horse Regiment in the rear.
14 October 1916
Column arrived at 0100 and fed horses and placed Posts. Column left Zagadan at 1930 for Maghara. Bright Moonlight night. Camel Company leading followed by 11th Light Horse Regiment, then 1st City of London Yeomanry and 12th Light Horse Regiment in rear with the Regiment's Machine Gun Section and Hong Kong and Singapore Mounted Battery.
Heavy mist came over at 2300, which retarded the progress of the Column considerably.
15 October 1916
The Column halted and fed horses on slopes of Rakwa at 0100 and moved on again at 0230. The Column halted again on west side of sand hills, ½ mile from the slopes of Maghara Hills at 0730, waiting for the fog, which was still very heavy to lift. Could hear our own planes, but could not see them. The screen had by now become close to the enemy and stray shots could be heard.
At about 0800 an attack on the Hills was made. "A" and "C" Squadrons of the 12th Light Horse Regiment occupied the centre, the 11th Light Horse Regiment were on the Right Flank and the Yeomanry were on the left flank. All troops dismounted when they reached the foot of the Hills and handed over lead horses, for which there was excellent cover. The dismounted men then scaled the heights and in isolated cases, got into action. The 11th Light Horse Regiment captured 7 Turkish prisoners and 3 Bedouin.
At 1400 the 11th and 12th Regiments withdrew to Rakwa.
The whole Column eventually camped at Rakwa for the night. The 12th Light Horse Regiment found all outposts and guards for the safety of the camp.
16 October 1916
The Column moved out from Rakwa at 0730 and arrived at Zagadan at 1600. The 11th Light Horse Regiment supplied all outposts and camp guards. Major Chambers reported to the Regiment for duty.
17 October 1916
The Column marched out from Zagadan at 0800, arrived at Bayud Wells at 1300. The Column bivouacked for the night at Bayud.
Roll of Honour
Lest We Forget
Further Reading:
12th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF
12th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour
The Battle of Maghara, Sinai, 15 October 1916
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: The Battle of Maghara, Sinai, 15 October 1916, 12th LHR, AIF, War Diary Account
Posted by Project Leader
at 12:01 AM EADT
Updated: Tuesday, 1 December 2009 9:15 PM EAST
