el Qatiya

Sinai, 23 April 1916

52nd (Lowland) Division, War Diary Account

23 April 1916

Report from GOC 5th Mtd. Bde, of enemy patrol being fired on near the outpost line at Romani. No casualties reported.

0545

DUEIDAR reports outpost line being attacked from South East. Information transmitted to 155 Brigade.

0553   

DUEIDAR estimated enemy strength 150.

0602

GOC 5th Mtd. –Bde. Informed of the situation.

0605

5th Australian Light Horse Ordered to send one squadron to report to G.O.C, 155th Brigade at HILL 40.

0650

5th Mtd, Bde. informed aeroplanes would go out when mist cleared to examine, situation and would drop message at QATIA to assist his In intercepting the enemy.

0658

Gloucester Yeomanry reported from ROMANI that firing could be heard from Railhead.

0705

Train service beyond Hill 70 stopped till further orders.

0710

DUEIDAR reported enemy had a trench mortar or small gun opposite that place.

0735

5th Mtd. Bde, ordered to endeavour to intercept force attacking DUEIDAR (Message dropped by aeropllane).

0745

5th Australian L.R. Regt. (less Sqd. attached 155 Bde.) ordered to move to HILL 70,

0913

Railway warned that trains for troops and rations would be required during the day.

0955

155th Bde. reported that reinforcements of 2 Coys. RS Fusiliers and 1 troop Yeomanry had reached DUEIDAR and a counter attack was about to be launched. This attack was not delivered as enemy were estimated to be too strong. Aeroplanes reported having dispersed enemy main body of 500 with bombs. Squadron of 5th Aus. LH sent by 155th Bde. to DUEIDAR. Col. LEGGETT reported starting for DUEIDAR to assume command.

1000

Reminder of 5th Aus.L,H, placed under orders of B.O.C. 155th Bde.

1035

Gloucester Yeomanry at ROMANI report having no communication with General Wiggin, but that 5 troops are moving to direction of ABU RAML as enemy reported retiring in South Easterly direction from DUEIDAR Squadron at QATIA reported heavy firing for 3 hours from OQHRATINA.

1053

1st Mtd. Bde. reports heavy flying heard at QATIA,

1054

Colonel Coventry, Commanding WORCESTER Yeomanry wired that he was almost surrounded and required help.

1057

Major Stirling (GHQ Intelligence) wired from ROMANI that QATIA was being heavily shelled by 3 guns.

1102

155th Bde ordered to hold one Battalion in readiness to move BIR ET MALER by road and rail.

1112

O.C. Gloucester Yeomanry informed that his proposal to move 5 troops on Abiu RAML is approved. He is Informed of situation and ordered to act at his discretion.

1140

156th Rde, ordered to send 2 Battns at once to HILL 40 to come under orders of BOC 155th Bde.

1145

One Battn. 155 Bde order by rail from HILL 40 to Railhead, to drop a company at Railhead and proceed to camp near ROMANI to be selected by 5th Mounted Bde.

1154

In accordance with instructions received GOC. Anzac Mounted Division reports having made provisional train arrangements for moving 2 regiments.

1155

Aeroplane reported enemy column, estimated 500, retiring from DUEIDAR, also fighting at QATIA.

1155

Notice given for train for 500 Infantry for 1500.

1159

Major Stirling reports that Colonel Yorke commanding Gloucester Yeomanry, has proceeded to north end of QATIA to assist his squadron, Helio communication interrupted with that Squadron and with the Worcester. Heavy firing at QATIA.

1203

ANZAC Informed that Bde HQ and one regiment will probably be required.

1230

Hill 70 reports arrival of 5th Australian Light Horse (less 1 Sqd.) and departure of 1 Sqd, and M.G. Section.

1248

Major Stirling reports on situation from Information received from wounded sergeant from QATIA. Turks attacking heavily from direction of OGHRATINA - where Worcesters were. Situation serious as regards ammunition.

1255

155th Bde. informed that it is not considered necessary to increase garrison at DUEIDAR for night 23/24th all surplus Infantry to be withdrawn when BOC 155th Bde. considered it advisable.

1400

Major Stirling reported heavy firing still heard at QATIA and that no news of General Wiggin was to hand.

1435

156 Bde reports having despatched 7th R.Scots and 9th Scottish Riffles to
report to BGC 155th Bde.

1515

Major Stirling reports the retirement of our troops all along the front. He had sent out ROMANl Garrison to assist in retirement.

1520

Major Stirling reported surrender of our force at QATIA where Turks were estimated to have 3,000 men.

1525

156 Bde. ordered to hold a Battn, in readiness to move by 1630 train. Major Stirling informed of this reinforcement for Railhead and ordered to inform Battn, already there of the situation and to take what steps he considers advisable.

1545

Major Stirling reports 3,000 Turks moving on ROMANI.

1558

HQ Anzac Mounted Division and remaining Brigade ordered to KANTARA.

1605

157th Bde. Ordered to move to HILL 40 under arrangements to be made direct with 155th Bde.

1607 Anzac Mounted Division reported that 2nd Light Horse Brigade (less 1 Regiment) left SALHIA at noon.

Division Order No. 39 showing disposition of troops attached.

1816

Colonel Walshe from Railhead reports that wounded state force at QATIA has been captured. He is holding a position at Railhead approximately North East South West and is sending forward patrols. Enemy estimated 1,500 strong reported moving on railway.

1830

Colonel Leggett informed that aeroplanes reported party of our troops moving West, 4 miles West of HAMISAH and ordered to get in touch with patrols and to bring them in.
158/

1833

155 Bde ordered to send all available mounted troops to railhead to come under Colonel Lannowe.

1920

Lieutenant Colonel Walshe informed that the 2nd Light Horse Brigade (less one Regiment) would arrive at HILL 70 about 2100, also that on his arrival General Casson would assume command at Hill 40, 70 and of outpost line, 157th Bde. informed.

1925 Colonel Yorke, Commanding Gloucester Yeomanry, reported having moved in direction of RABAH at 10 a.m. and come under heavy fire. He suffered some casualties and decided to withdraw. Touch with QATIA had not been established. A body of horsemen was observed moving South West from QATIA but was too distant to be made out clearly.

1935

Major Stirling reported, on arrival at Railhead, that Colonel Yorke had reached ROMANI with part of two squadrons and wanted a Battn, sent up that night.

1959

GHQ. Propose that 7 aeroplanes; shall bomb QATIA at dawn tomorrow (24th inst.)

1959

Colonel Yorke informed that no infantry could be sent to ROMANl, and that if pressed he must retire on the 3 Battns. at Railhead - also that strong mounted reinforcements would reach Railhead tomorrow.

2015

Telephone message from General Wiggin through DUEIDAR attached.

2042

Anzac Mounted Division wire that they will reach KANTARA at 0350.

2101

Commandant DUEIDAR reports arrival of General Wiggins and Warwickshire Yeomanry from EL NUSS. Enemy were not in touch with him. A troop of 5th Australian Light Horse sent out to help in the wounded.

2105

155th Bde, reports arrival of 157 Bde. at HILL 40.

2115

155th Bde reports arrival of remaining Sqdn. of 5th Australian Light Horse at DUEIDAR.

2158

Report of action at DUEIDAR wired by Colonel Leggett attached.

2240

Wire to Major Stirling to take every possible step towards bringing in wounded from QATIA and elsewhere. Matter left entirely to Stirling's discretion.

2243

GHQ wire that bombs will be dropped on QATIA at dawn tomorrow. Report furnished to GHQ on the operations is attached.

Further Reading:

el Qatiya, Sinai, 23 April 1916

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 26 October 2009 5:11 PM EADT

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