Topic: AIF - 1B - 2 LHR
Bir el Abd
Sinai, 9 August 1916
2nd LHR, AIF, Unit History Account
Lieutenant Colonel George Herbert Bourne's unit history of the 2nd Light Horse Regiment, AIF, included a section specifically related to the battle of Beersheba which is extracted below.
Bourne, Lieut-Colonel GH, "NULLI SECUNDUS" - The History - of the 2nd Light Horse Regiment Australian Imperial Force - August 1914 - April 1919, (Tamworth 1926), p. 36:
On 8th, we marched out with the object of again attacking the enemy's rear guard at Bir-el-Abd, distant 22 miles. The position was reached at daylight on 9th. A hot engagement was fought, but the Turks were too well prepared for us, and we were obliged to return, for rations and water, nearer our base, viz. - Oghratina. In this engagement the Regimental casualties were:- Killed, one; wounded, ten.
We again had a very warm corner in this action and covered the withdrawal when that, unfortunately, became necessary.
This was the last attempt to molest the Turkish retreat. Had full use been made of our mobility at the outset, not a Turk or a gun would have got away.
Further Reading:
2nd Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF
2nd Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour
Battle of Romani, Sinai, August 4 to 5, 1916
Bir el Abd, Sinai, 9 August 1916
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: Bir el Abd, Sinai, 9 August 1916, 2nd LHR, AIF, Unit History Account
