Discussion

[ Contents | Search | Post | Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]


A Little Late, but ..............

From:
Date: 12/29/2001
Time: 10:28:52 AM
Remote Name: 198.142.165.140

Comments

23 December 1916: The Australian Light Horsemen of the Anzac Mounted Division fought at the battle of Magdhaba in the northern Sinai Desert. The Turks, who were retreating, made a stand to try and stop the Allies reaching the Palestinian border, some 30 kilometres to the east. The Anzac Mounted Division, under Major General Harry Chauvel, a Queenslander, was sent in to attack, together with troops from the Imperial Camel Corps, which also included Australians, and a battery of mountain guns. The Anzacs found themselves in a hard fight, making slow progress over open ground. By mid-afternoon, the town’s wells were still held by the enemy so Chauvel ordered a withdrawal. However, the commander of the 1st Light Horse Brigade received the order to withdraw just as his men were about to mount a bayonet charge against the main enemy redoubt and, by the time he had a chance to read it, his troops had already seized their objective. On hearing the news, Chauvel renewed the attack and the Turkish garrison surrendered three hours later.


Last changed: December 29, 2001