Topic: BatzP - El Burj
El Burj, Palestine, 1 December 1917
52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division Account
Below is a transcript from the 52nd Infantry Division War Diary entry of 1 December 1917
War Diary Entry
Saturday, 1 December 1917
52nd Infantry Division Location -
Wadi Zait - Kh Faaush Sector
52nd Infantry Division Entry -
1st December 1917
0200 - About 0130 a force of Turks, the strength of whom was unknown attacked the 157 Brigade on the ridge to the north of Beit ur el Tahta. The attack was delivered with great determination and part of the Brigade was forced back about 80 yards an a 200 yard front. A counter attack was immediately organised and launched. By 0530 the enemy had been driven off the ridge and the line re-established as before the attack. At the seme hour, a body of the enemy 500 strong attacked the Australian Division in Front of El Burj forcing back an advanced post of the 8th L.H. Regt. and pressing their attack with bombs, rifle grenades and automatic rifles. Just prior to the development of the attack against the main position, one Company 1/4 Royal Scots Fusiliers reinforced our firing line and were largely instrumental is holding up the enemy pressure 30 yards from our trenches. Our enfilade machine gun fire prevented the enemy's retirement and a turning movement towards the flanks, partly by 1/4 Royal Scots Fusiliers resulted in the capture of 6 officers 118 O.R, prisoners, of that 2 Cadet officers and 66 O. R. were taken by 1/4 Royal Scots Fusiliers. At dawn, the post on the right flank which was evacuated on the commencement of the attack was re-occupied. Our casualties were very slight but it believed that practically the whole of the attacking troops were killed or taken prisoner 1/4 Royal Scots Fusiliers were congratulated by a. G.O.C. 52nd Division on their good work.
1230 - 155 Bde moved from their camp near Beit Sira (L.10) to bivouac in the vicinity of Amwas.
1610 - In order to prevent confusion of traffic and camp sites the dividing line between the 52nd Division and the Australian Division was fixed as Kh Faaush O.85. J.34.c. along the crest of the hills N.W. of the Wadi el Miktely to K.29.b. the crest being inclusive to the 52nd Division.
1700 - The day was quiet with very little activity. The command of the sector Wadi Zait - Kh Faaush formerly held by the Division passed to G.O.C. 10th Division.
2100 - G.H.562 orders for 2nd inst issued 155 Brigade will march to Ramleh to camp, 156 and 157 Bdes. will move from the camp sites that they have taken up overnight after relief to the vicinity of Kubab.
2145 - Relief of 156th Infantry Brigade by units of the 10th Division in the line J.36 - Kh Faaush completed.
Further Reading:
Order Of Battle of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, October 1917, Part 4, XXI CORPS
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
The Battle of El Burj, 1 December 1917
Citation: El Burj, Palestine, 1 December 1917, 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division Account
