Topic: AIF - 1B - 3 LHR
Bir el Mazar
Sinai, 17 September 1916
Frank M Blackwell and DR Douglas produced a unit history in 1950 called The Story of the 3rd Australian Light Horse Regiment. This story has subsequently been reprinted by Lieutenant Colonel Neil C. Smith AM with upgraded information in which included a section specifically related to the Battle of Bir el Mazar and extracted below.
Blackwell, FM, The Story of the 3rd Australian Light Horse Regiment, (Adelaide 1950), pp. 70-2:
On September 15th the Regiment (less "A" Squadron) left camp with the Brigade to act as a covering force to the 2nd and 3rd Brigades and a company of Imperial Camel Corps, who were to attack at Bir- el Mazar. "A" Squadron was detailed to act as escort to the camel transport and left camp at 7 a.m. for Negiliat.
The Brigade arrived at Bir el Abd at 5 a.m. on the following morning and remained there all day. While here an enemy plane reconnoitred the position and drove off one of our machines. The enemy plane had previously been at railhead and apparently had exhausted its load of bombs.
On the 17th the Regiment left Bir el Abd and reached Salmana at 5 a.m., watered the horses, and then moved on to near Mazar, some 12 miles east. Here a halt was made, and at about l p.m. the Brigades which had been engaged in this small action passed through having taken 30 prisoners. On the return journey Bir el Abd was reached at 8.30 p.m., and camp was made for the night. "A" Squadron passed through at 3 a.m. escorting the large camel transport column, and also the 30 prisoners captured at Mazar.
The following morning, the Regiment left for Romani at 9 a.m., passing through Kirba, where a halt was made for 1½ hours, and here the horses were inspected by General Butler, the officer in charge of Veterinary Services. Romani was finally reached at 6 p.m.
Further Reading:
3rd Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF
3rd Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour
Bir el Mazar, Sinai, 17 September 1916
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: Bir el Mazar, Sinai, 17 September 1916, 3rd LHR, AIF, Unit History Account