Topic: AIF - DMC - British
Battle of Romani
Sinai, August 4 to 5, 1916
42nd Infantry Division War Diary Account
The transcription:
1 August
The 42nd Division was disposed as follows:
Gilban127th Infantry Brigade
"A" Squadron, Duke of Lancaster’s Yeomanry
One Battery, 212th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
3rd East Lancashire Field Company, Royal Engineers
3rd East Lancashire Field Ambulance
Hill 70125th Infantry Brigade
1st East Lancashire Field Company, Royal Engineers
1st East Lancashire Field Ambulance
Hill 40126th Infantry Brigade, less one Battalion
2nd East Lancashire Field Company, Royal Engineers
2nd East Lancashire Field Ambulance
Kantara DefencesOne Battalion, 126th Brigade
Kantara East212th Brigade Royal Field Artillery less one Battery
One Section Divisional Ammunition Column
Ballah210th Brigade Royal Field Artillery
One Battery, 211th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
Detachment Divisional Ammunition Column
El Ferdan211th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, less one Battery
213th Howitzer Brigade
One Section, Divisional Ammunition Column
2 August
Lieutenant Colonel Dudgeon, 42nd Divisional Royal Artillery took over command of Kantara Defences in place of Brigadier General Wiggin 5th Mounted Brigade. 5th Mounted Brigade placed under orders of 42nd Division and Brigade Headquarters moved to Gilban.3 August
5th Mounted brigade sent one squadron to Pelusium to afford local protection to the Battalion, 127th Brigade, who are to work there. This Squadron will also patrol railway and pipe line from Pelusium towards Gilban. In view of the enemy's advance, all units were ordered at 1300 to be ready to move at short notice. Remainder of 5th Mounted Brigade moving to Gilban.4 August
At 13150 G.180 was sent out. At 0535 5th Mounted Brigade and 127th Brigade were ordered to move to Pelusium and 5th Mounted Brigade to carry out the duties laid down in 42nd Division Operation Order No. 24 of 3rd inst.At 0830 New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade moved across our front in the direction of Mount Royston to support Anzac Mounted Division.
At 0900 125th Brigade and attached troops were ordered to follow 127th Brigade by rail and concentrate at Pelusium.
At 1055 5th Mounted Brigade reported being in touch with enemy, strength about 2 Battalions, advancing on the line Negeirat Ali to Bir um Ziyad.
At 1200 situation was as described in No. 3 Section message H.O. 353. 127th Brigade warned to be ready to move once in support of Anzac Mounted Division's right flank in the direction of Mount Royston.
The order to move was sent to the 127th Brigade at 1445 and was received by them at 1527 as the last Battalion was detraining at Pelusium.
At 1530 127th Brigade reported their advance had commenced.
126th Brigade with attached troops were ordered to move to Gilban and to come under orders of No. 3 Section as Section Reserve. Arrangements for the night 4th/5th are contained in G. 831.At 1700 127th Brigade gained touch with New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade and was supporting their attack on Mount Royston.
At 1800 127th Brigade were in possession of sand ridge running north from Mount Royston and had taken prisoners and pushing on to Wellington Ridge.
At 2000 127th Brigade had two Companies holding Mount Royston and established touch with 7th Light Horse Regiment. Brigade Headquarters established on sand ridge south west of Abu Diyak.
At 2000 Brigadier General Lord Tullibardine, MVO, DSO took over command of Kantara Defences and Outposts and Ballah Sub-Section, and Divisional Headquarters moved to Pelusium.
At 2125 127th Brigade reported all quiet. Prisoners taken 7 officers, 335 men, also 2 horses, 44 mules, and many rifles and ammunition.
At 2200 155th Brigade had finished detraining and were concentrated at Pelusium.
5 August
42nd Divisional Headquarters were established at Pelusium at 0020. The result of the day's operations were as contained in No. 3 Section, GS 192.At 0200 G.4. was sent out, but was not received by 127th Brigade. At 0245 G.5. was sent out which did not reach 127th Brigade till 0540 when the advance began.
At 0945 127th Brigade had reached Hod el Enna and were in touch with Mounted Troops in front. Men were very exhausted, so halt was ordered. 125th Brigade halted at Hod es Seifaniya. During the advance, guns and cable wagons had become stuck in the sand drifts and had to be temporarily abandoned until fresh teams could be brought up. 5th Mounted Brigade was under orders of Anzac Mounted Division. G.48 was sent out at 1715. Duke of Lancaster’s Yeomanry and Bikanir Camel Corps joined division at Hod es Seifaniya. G.58 was sent out.
6 August
At 0400 advance was continued. Divisional Headquarters moved at the same time to 1 mile west of "Q" in Qatia where touch was obtained with 52nd Division. Qatia was reported all clear and 42nd Division took up the line Qatia to Mamluk.125th Brigade took 5 prisoners and 127th Brigade took 16 prisoners. Divisional Headquarters were established at Qatia. Orders were received for the line to be maintained throughout the night; each Brigade finding their own outposts. Cavalry were withdrawn to the flanks of the infantry.
Roll of Honour
Battle of Romani, Sinai, August 4 to 5, 1916, Roll of Honour, British Forces
Lest We Forget
Further Reading:
Battle of Romani, Sinai, August 4 to 5, 1916, Roll of Honour, British Forces
Battle of Romani, Sinai, August 4 to 5, 1916
Bir el Abd, Sinai, 9 August 1916
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: Battle of Romani, Sinai, August 4 to 5, 42nd Infantry Division War Diary Account
