Topic: AIF - NZMRB - AMR
Battle of Romani
Sinai, August 4 to 5, 1916
AMR, War Diary Account
The transcription:
3 August
Duty Regiment.
Operation Order by Brigadier General Chaytor received at 1700 for Regiment to proceed to Dueidar in support of 5th Light horse Regiment on reconnaissance to Bir Nagid. The Regiment, less 11th Squadron, and one Section New Zealand Mounted Rifles Machine Gun Squadron (Lieutenant Hinman) left Hill 70 at 2200 and arrived at Dueidar and relieved 5th Light Horse Regiment at 2400.
4 August
Dueidar. Patrols sent out to Hill 331 and Hill 383 at 0230. Patrol reported all clear at 0430. Report received from 5th Light horse Regiment at 0700 that Nagid was clear. Message received at 0900 from Brigade headquarters for two Squadrons less two Troops (4th Squadron) to proceed in direction of Canterbury Hill and rejoin main body on the way. Captain Ranstead, Lieutenant Martin, two Troops (4th Squadron) detailed to remain at Dueidar and send out patrols on the Dueidar - Qatia road. The Regiment rejoined the Brigade at 1030. Enemy reported on our right flank at 1100 holding Mount Royston.
Verbal order receive from General Officer Commanding for the 3rd Squadron to advance on Royston with Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment on left flank and Yeomanry on right. Two Troops, 4th Squadron and Machine Gun Section (under Lieutenant Hinman) under the command of Major McCarroll went up in support of 3rd Squadron at 1300. On arrival of supports, steady advances were made. Order Signal message received from General Officer Commanding that a general attack would be made on the enemy position at 1645.
1700. The enemy put up numbers of white flags and 3 Officers and 152 Other Ranks surrendered. Mount Royston taken at 1730 and by 1830 practically a whole Turkish Force in the vicinity of Royston surrendered. Approximately 1,000 prisoners, rifles, quantity of ammunition and four Mountain Guns were captured by Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment, Composite Yeomanry Regiment and Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment. Orders to withdraw received at 1900 and rendezvous at Pelusium on arrival of infantry of 52nd Infantry Division. Arrived at Pelusium 2100.
Casualties:
Killed in Action: 2 Other Ranks, 3rd Squadron.
Wounded: 4 Other Ranks, 3rd Squadron; 2 Other Ranks, 4th Squadron.
5 August
Pelusium
The Regiment moved out from Pelusium with the Brigade at 0600 and furnished all protection on the march. Arrived Bir en Nuss 0730 where the 4th Squadron (less two Troops) and 2 Troops of 4th Squadron rejoined the Regiment. Report by the Officer Commanding 11th Squadron received at 0800 that Second Lieutenant Martin and 7 Other Ranks were missing from outpost at Abu Raml on night of 3 August and believed to be prisoners of war. The Regiment left Nuss with the Brigade at 1030 in the direction of Qatia. Verbal attack orders received at 1400 to attack the south west corner of the hod with the 5th Light Horse Regiment on the left flank and the 3rd Light Horse Brigade on the right flank, Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment in reserve. The attack commenced at 1430, and as the 3rd Light Horse Brigade did not come upon our right, Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment took the right flank. The fighting continued through the afternoon and at 1800 the 11th squadron was withdrawn from the position held by the Regiment and sent out on the right flank to reinforce Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment. Orders to withdraw received from the General Officer Commanding Force at 1900 and rendezvous at a point 2 miles west on Qatia - Duiedar road. Lieutenant Johnson and 13 men (3rd Squadron) remained at Qatia as listening post. On arrival at rendezvous point the Brigade moved back to Katib Gannit. Arrived at 2330 and bivouacked for the night.
Casualties:
Wounded: Second Lieutenant T. Dale-Taylor.
2 Other Ranks, 3rd Squadron
4 Other Ranks, 11th Squadron
6 August
Katib Gannit. The Regiment left Gannit with the Brigade at 0630 and furnished advance and flank guards to the Brigade on the march.
Qatia. Being reported all clear the Brigade moved in towards Oghratina with instructions from the General Officer Commanding for the Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment to locate enemy. Advanced scouts got into touch with the enemy at 1100 holding long ridge and line Rodha - Dhaba - Dhakar and also ridge one mile south of road. Our advanced screen kept in touch with the enemy all day. Enemy guns opened heavy fire on us at 1530 and continued fire until 1830. Orders to withdraw to Rabah receive at 1900 and arrived there at 1930 and bivouacked for the night. No casualties.
Roll of Honour
Lest We Forget
Further Reading:
Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment
Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment, Roll of Honour
New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade
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, 1916, Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment, War Diary Account
Posted by Project Leader
at 12:01 AM EADT
Updated: Monday, 26 October 2009 10:34 AM EADT
