Topic: AIF - 1B - 1 LHB
Bir el Mazar
Sinai, 17 September 1916
1st LH Bde, AIF, War Diary Account
War Diary account of the 1st LH Bde, AIF.
The transcription:
Report on movements of First Australian Light Horse Brigade acting as reserve for the force operating against Bir el Mazar for the period 15 to 18th September 1916.
This Brigade left Romani Camp at 1900 on September 15th and marched to Bir el Abd arriving there at 0510 on September 16th., bivouacked at Bir el Abd for the day and moved out for a point 9 miles east of Salmana at 0230 on 17th. Arrived Salmana at 0345 and left, after watering, at 0500, arriving at point 9 miles east of Salmana at 0830. The Brigade bivouacked at this point until 1245 and then returned to Bir el Abd watering at Bir Salmana en route and arriving at Bir el Abd at 2010. The Brigade left Bir el Abd at 0900 on 18th. September and marched to Romani arriving in Camp at 1730.
Escorts
During the operations the following escorts were provided.
One Squadron from 3rd Light Horse Regiment reported at Hod en Negiliat at 1400 on 15th September to act as escort to Camel Convoy proceeding to Bir el Abd. On arrival of the Brigade at Bir el Abd, this Squadron was sent forward leaving Bir el Abd at 0900 on 16th September, to take charge of all camels at Salmana and to send two Troops to escort the camels of the 2nd Light Horse Brigade from Hod el Ge'eila to Salmana, being relieved at Bir el Abd by one Squadron of 2nd Light Horse Brigade which acted as escort to all camels accompanying the Brigade to point 9 miles east of Salmana. On arrival at Salmana all first line camels, with exception of ammunition camels, were cut out of the convoy and parked until the return of the Brigade.
The convoy which accompanied the Brigade to point 9 miles east of Salmana consisted of:-
(a) Camels carrying Regimental Lewis Gun and Machine Gun Small Arms Ammunition.
(b) 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Brigade Ammunition Columns.
(c) Camels carrying water for men and horses of 2nd and 3rd Light Horse Brigades.
(d) Camels carrying the technical equipment of 1st Field Troop Engineers.
I beg to report that 1st Field Troop Engineers was detained at point 9 miles east of Salmana and no arrangements made to water this Brigade at Bir el Abd on its return. All the pumps belonging to the Brigade were with the 1st Field Troop Engineers.
Additional Reading:
1st Australian Light Horse Brigade
Bir el Mazar, Sinai, 17 September 1916
Bir el Mazar, Sinai, 17 September 1916, Roll of Honour
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1919
Citation: Bir el Mazar, Sinai, 17 September 1916, 1st LH Bde, AIF, War Diary Account
Posted by Project Leader
at 12:01 AM EADT
Updated: Tuesday, 24 November 2009 6:18 AM EAST
