Topic: BatzP - El Buggar
El Buggar Ridge, Palestine, 27 October 1917
9th LHR account of El Buqqar Ridge
The following is extracted from an Intelligence Summary submitted by the Adjutant of the 9th Light Horse Regiment after the action.
Intelligence Summary - 9th Light Horse Regiment - Operations of 27th/28th October 1917 - Reference - Beersheba.
Left bivouac 0900 and arrived at a point on Fara Beersheba Road one and half miles due south of U in Beit Abu Taha. At 1200 two squadrons advanced to the high ground one and half miles west and south west of Point 720. The enemy were located holding 720 and the high ground on both flanks. Extent of enemy front on this sector approximately one mile.
At 1320 the line advanced to within one mile of 720. At this point - Yeomanry sergeant major informed the squadron that the squadron of Yeomanry had been captured. Touched up with 10th Light Horse Regiment on right but could not get in touch with any of our troops on the left.
At 1400 the enemy were observed to be working round our left but after an hour they withdrew to their original position half mile north west of 720.
At 1425 the line advanced to within 1600 yards of 720. About 5 enemy machine guns were located on high ground 1,500 yards south west of 720. These machine guns commanded the front of 720. Still unable to gain touch with any troops on left flank.
At 1500 74th Division moving up on right.
1600 situation unchanged.
At 1700 an officer's patrol was dispatched to 720. This patrol gained 720 at about 1800 and found the enemy had withdrawn but owing to darkness their disposition could not be located. The bodies of 14 dead Yeomanry were on 720. They had been stripped of all clothing and equipment with the exception of shirts. A new trench had been dug by enemy on north west slopes of 720 capable of holding 100.
At 1815 the patrol withdrew from 720 at which no infantry was in the vicinity of 720 although infantry were observed moving up from Karm about two miles west of 720. It is presumed that the first infantry to occupy 720 was in position there at about 2045.
At 2200 Major HM Parsons gained touch with 53rd Division Reserves quarter mile west of 720. This Division had not as yet joined up with 74th Division. Major HM Parsons proceeded to get in touch with 74th Division with orders to them to push forward on to El Buggar Ridge. This was effected at about 2300.
The Regiment withdrew at 0030 and arrived at bivouac at 0345 on morning of 28th inst.
Our Casualties - one officer one other Rank wounded. Animals, one riding horse killed, one wounded.
The 9th LHR Casualties
- Major Thomas Anglesey Siekmann, Officer Commanding B Squadron, GSW to the hand.
- 210 Corporal Raymond Meredith Welfare, Trumpeter Corporal, A Squadron, GSW to thigh.
Further Reading:
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
The Battle of El Buqqar (Buggar) Ridge, 27 October 1917
Citation: 9th LHR description of the operations at El Buqqar Ridge, 27 October 1917
