Topic: AIF - 2B - 5 LHR
Bir el Mazar
Sinai, 17 September 1916
5th LHR, AIF, War Diary Account
War Diary account of the 5th LHR, AIF.
The transcription:
16 September 1916
Report on Operations 16th to 18th September 1916, Fatir to Mazar
This Regiment less on Squadron on outpost, left Hod el Fatir at 0205 on 16th, left Hassaniya with Brigade at 0220. Outpost Squadron joined Regiment at Bada, Brigade arrived at Ge’eila at 1645, arrived Divisional Rendezvous at Mazar Road at 2030. Division left this point for Mazar. This Regiment formed the Advance Guard, "C" Squadron the van guard and two troops from "A" Squadron flank guards to the main guard.
17 September 1916
At point on Southern Road north of Hill 157 the 3rd Light Horse Brigade moved south east at 0245 and the 2nd Light Horse Brigade moved east, this Regiment still forming the advance guard as before, on arriving at a point about a mile west of Point 30 on the Mazar Road the Brigade was halted and instructions were received for the Regiment to reconnoitre the country to the east. On arriving at the line running north and south through Hill 30 our advance screen located two enemy outposts - one on the road and one half a mile to the north. Two Troops then advanced dismounted on the Southern Post and three Troops were sent to outflank it on the right, the Machine Gun Troop taking up a position to cover the advance, one Troop was sent north to Point 50. Before the attacking troops could reach the enemy outposts, the enemy retired on camels. The Regiment then advanced to a ridge overlooking Mazar. Three Troops of "A" Squadron advanced on the right and two Troops of "C" Squadron to the front a thousand yards further on a north and south line. The left flank of the advanced line was within 200 yards of the enemy's trenches and the right flank within 800 yards. Fire, including one Lewis Gun, was opened on the enemy. A message was then received from Brigade that Mazar was said to be to the south and not to advance any further east. At 0610 I intercepted a message from the 3rd Light horse Brigade that it had decided to withdraw. Shortly afterwards, I received a message from Brigade to keep the 3rd Light Horse Brigade in view and conform. On the Regiment arriving at Hill 30, the flank of the Anti-Aircraft Guns could be distinctly seen. This fact was reported, also that our position was a good Artillery Observation Post. An Artillery Officer afterwards arrived and inspected the position, and said he would bring up the Inverness Battery. The Battery, however, took up a position and Observation Post from which the Anti-Aircraft Guns could not be seen. They were not shelled during the day. At 0925 I intercepted a message from the 7th Light Horse Regiment to Brigade that 3rd Light Horse Brigade was retiring and that the 7th Light Horse Regiment was withdrawing less one Squadron which was waiting for the wounded men. I withdrew my advanced Squadrons to the line occupied by Regimental Headquarters. General Chauvel and General Ryrie then arrived at Regimental Headquarters and I was instructed not to retire beyond positions occupied by Guns until satisfied that the 3rd Light Horse Brigade and the last Squadron of the 7th Light horse Regiment had retired. The Regiment then withdrew to a line occupied by Battery leaving the Observation Post overlooking Mazar. I shortly afterwards ascertained that the 3rd Light Horse Brigade and final Squadron of the 7th Light Horse Regiment had withdrawn. The Guns then retired and this Regiment escorted them into the rendezvous. During the latter part of our stay at Mazar the Anti-Aircraft Guns were converted into field pieces and shelled us.
The Regiment marched to a point north of Moseifig where it halted for water. The Regiment les one Squadron was unable to obtain same and moved on to Salmana arriving at 1900, camped there until 0330 the following morning, then moved on to Hassaniya with Brigade. Casualties during these operations: one man killed and three men wounded. The Regiment moved from Fatia to Romani where it remained until 2nd October.
Roll of Honour
Lest We Forget
Additional Reading:
5th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF
5th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour
Bir el Mazar, Sinai, 17 September 1916
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1919
Citation: Bir el Mazar, Sinai, 17 September 1916, 5th LHR, AIF, War Diary Account
Posted by Project Leader
at 12:01 AM EADT
Updated: Tuesday, 24 November 2009 6:07 AM EAST
