Topic: AIF - 2B - 6 LHR
Battle of Romani
Sinai, 4 - 5 August 1916
6th LHR, AIF, War Diary Account
War Diary account of the 6th LHR, AIF.
The transcription:
Thursday, August 3, 1916 –
0230 – Regiment proceeded to Qatia with rest of Brigade. Leaving Et Maler at 0230, arrived bivouac 0310, left bivouac 0405 for Qatia. When about 2 miles West of Qatia our Advance found the enemy in possession of that place, they also occupied the hills on each flank in heavy numbers. Advanced under flank fire for about 1 mile returning the enemies fire wherever a target was sighted. The Brigade was supported by a Battery of Ayrshire Artillery which supported our left flank, doing good shooting. Remained in this position all day and withdrew at dusk 1915 returning to Et Maler at 2000.
Friday, August 4, 1916 –
0030 - Stand to, as firing was heard about 2 miles from Et Maler. Received orders to join rest of Brigade and march out at 0400. When about 1 mile South East of camp got in touch with enemy and advanced under very heavy Rifle, Machine Gun and Shrapnel fire. Held this line until about 0700 and then compelled to retire back nearly to Et Maler. At this time the enemy was giving us a tremendous shell fire, also bombing our Camp very heavily, from aircraft. At 0900 the Regiment advanced and took up position on right of firing line and held this position all day and all night of 4/5.
Saturday, August 5, 1916 –
0400 The Regiment advanced from line held during night towards Qatia, driving the enemy before them. Our right flank being about 2 miles West of Hod el Enna, where we captured about 300 prisoners. Continued to advance until noon, where we halted at Bir abu Raml. Advanced from here towards Qatia at 1415, supported by 1st Light Horse Brigade, New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade on right and 3rd.L.H.Bde making a wide flanking movement through Hamisah and with 5th Mounted Yeomanry Brigade on left. Dismounted for action about 2 miles from Qatia at edge of swamp and advanced across same. Rifle, Machine Gun and Shell fire very heavy here, but pushed on to about 800 yards of Qatia. Our right flank was not now in touch with 1st Light Horse Brigade as we had advance more quickly, so took up position returning enemies fire from this position for about 4 hours, during which the enemies fire was exceedingly heavy, just before retiring Colonel Fuller was wounded. We withdrew from this position at dusk about 1915 our retirement being covered in a wonderful manner by Lieutenant Cunningham in charge of Machine Guns, as the enemy fire was hotter at this period than at any part of the day, and it seemed that his gun men could never live through it. Returned to Et Maler about 2200. During the 2 days 4/5th our total casualties were 7 killed and 45 wounded.
Roll of Honour
John RITCHIELest We Forget
Further Reading:
Citation: Romani, Sinai, 4-5 August 1916, 6th LHR, AIF, War Diary Account
Posted by Project Leader
at 12:01 AM EADT
Updated: Tuesday, 20 October 2009 1:22 PM EADT
