Topic: AIF - 3B - 10 LHR
Bir el Mazar
Sinai, 17 September 1916
Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Charles Niquet Olden produced the unit history for the 11th LHR in 1921 called the Westralian cavalry in the war: the story of the Tenth Light Horse Regiment, A.I.F., in the Great War, 1914-1918, which included a section specifically related to the Battle of Bir el Mazar and is extracted below.
Olden, A.C.N., Westralian cavalry in the war: the story of the Tenth Light Horse Regiment, A.I.F., in the Great War, 1914-1918, (Melbourne 1921):
For three weeks the Regiment remained based on Hod Fatir, having made provision for its own local protection by a chain of day and night outposts. Mounted escorts for the never-ending stream of supply and water camels were provided daily, each of the three squadrons taking its turn in rotation. An occasional reconnaissance by the Regiment and sometimes the whole Brigade - the other units of which occupied hods close handy - also marked this period.
The front line at this time consisted of a chain of strong posts running north and south through Hod el Hisha, Bir el Abd, and Hod-el-Bada, and on September 3rd the Regiment moved out from Fatir and took over this portion of the line. Each of the three places named was held by a squadron - "B" Squadron (Major Robertson) with Regimental Headquarters at Bada, "A" Squadron (Captain Timperley) at Abd, and "C" Squadron (Major Grimwood) at Hisha.
The main work consisted of patrol and outposts, but with the exception of an occasional visit from hostile aeroplanes, the line was left unmolested by the enemy. The Turks were now busy forming defences in the vicinity of Mazar, and several reconnaissances in force were carried out, though not with any great success on our part. They were chiefly productive of long rides, sleepless nights, and extreme fatigue of both men and horses without much actual achievement to show for it. Fortunately the casualties were few, being mostly caused by stray shots from German aircraft.
Further Reading:
10th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF
10th 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, 10th LHR, AIF, Unit History Account
