Topic: AIF - DMC - British
The First Battle of Gaza
Palestine, 26 to 27 March 1917
Egyptian Expeditionary Force Dawnay Letter 7 March 1917
Dawnay Letter 7 March 1917.
The following is a transcription of the Dawnay Letter of 7 March 1917 from the War Diary of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force detailing the discussion formulating the battle plan for the First Battle of Gaza, Palestine, 26 to 27 March 1917.
General Officer Commanding
Desert Column
With reference to the attached correspondence from the A & NZ Mounted Division, will you please make it clear to General Chauvel that the matter as regards Hotchkiss Guns for the mounted troops stands at present as follows.
The 6th Mounted Brigade and the 22nd Mounted Brigade were armed with these weapons some time ago under direct instructions from General Headquarters. At the time at which this was done the A & NZ Mounted Division was engaged on active operations which rendered it impossible to equip two brigades of that Division with the guns which were available, or to withdraw from two Brigades of that Division the necessary personnel for courses of training in these weapons.
It was arranged at the time that as soon further guns arrived the A & NZ Mounted Division should have precedence as regards issues. Since then, however, no more Hotchkiss guns have reached this country. It has therefore been impossible to arm the Australian and New Zealand Brigades. General Headquarters has been asked to allot the next guns received to two of the Brigades of the A & NZ Mounted Division - not to the 5th Mounted Brigade.
Arrangements were made some time ago to withdraw nine Hotchkiss guns from each of the 6th and 22nd Mounted Brigades so as to allot three of these weapons for training to each of the other Brigades of the two Mounted Divisions. The brigades of the A & NZ Mounted Division have received these guns.
Signed GP Dawnay, Brigadier General
General Staff
Eastern Force
7th March 1917
War Diaries
All War Diaries cited on this site should be read in conjunction with the Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, AIF War Diaries of the Great War, Site Transcription Policy which may be accessed at:
Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, AIF War Diaries of the Great War, Site Transcription Policy
Further Reading:
British Forces, EEF, Roll of Honour
The First Battle of Gaza, Palestine, 26 to 27 March 1917
The First Battle of Gaza, Palestine, 26 to 27 March 1917, Allied Forces, Roll of Honour
The Palestine Campaign, 1917 - 1918
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920