Topic: AIF - 3B - 10 LHR
The Battle of Magdhaba
Sinai, 23 December 1916
10th LHR, AIF, War Diary Account
War Diary account of the 10th LHR, AIF.
The transcription:
22 December 1916Roll of Honour
0620 - Brigade moved to ½ mile west of El Arish. Drew rations and watered horses.
1800 - Brigade moved out for Divisional Rendezvous in Wadi el Arish, 2 miles south of El Arish to be there by 1700. Rations were very late in arriving at rendezvous. 10th Light Horse Regiment rations issued by 2330.
23 December 1916
0045 - Division marched for El Magdhaba. 3rd Light Horse Brigade centre Brigade.
0800 - Arrived in vicinity of El Magdhaba.
0930 - Brigade received orders to push round right flank of enemy who was believed to be evacuating. New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade on our right. Imperial Camel Corps frontal attack from west. 1st Light Horse Brigade in reserve. 8th and 10th Light Horse Regiments frontline, 9th Light Horse Regiment in reserve. 10th Light horse Regiment pushed east until north of position and then advanced south east successively occupying ridges supported by Lewis and Machine Gun Squadron. Lewis Guns were especially useful.
1130 - A party of enemy were seen advancing from east south east with evident intention of enfilading our advance. Two Troops with one Lewis Gun and a Section from the Machine Gun Squadron were pushed out to deal with it. They drove back enemy who retired completely out of fight. 10th Light Horse Regiment were extreme left of our line as this cleared the left flank of our attack.
1230 - Low ridge overlooking wide plane in which wadi was had been occupied. All available troops were pushed out.
1330 - Reserve 1st Light Horse Brigade attached from north east (on our right).
1345 - Regiment pushed forward mounted at gallop across plain about 1¾ miles wide to make good Wadi el Arish. Came under heavy rifle fire about half way across but pushed on and fire slackened. Wadi was occupied. 290 men including 6 officers, 50 camels and 4 ponies were captured. A party was left to collect same and Regiment pushed on. Extreme left enemy round south of Wadi and faced west. Pushed on for last series of entrenchments into which enemy had fallen back. Advanced at gallop but were me by very heavy fire. Two Troops charged right through enemy and joined up with 1st Light Horse Brigade who were facing east. Lewis and Machine Guns were brought into action and Regiment attacked again mounted.
1615 - Turkish force surrendered. Prisoners captured by Regiment and receipts for same obtained were 722 all ranks, 57 camels (loaded with ammunition, stores etc) and 11 horses.
1700 - Regiment watered at large cistern Magdhaba.
1845 - Brigade marched back to position of deployment 3 miles north west of Magdhaba.
1945 - Brigade halted. Water was issued to men and then horses fed.
2300 - March back to El Arish commenced.
24 December 1916
0430 - Brigade halted to draw rations from camels.
0830 - Brigade arrived at Masa'id.
Benjamin POUNTNEY
Victor Sewell TAYLOR
Lest We Forget
Further Reading:
10th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF
10th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour
The Battle of Magdhaba, Sinai, December 23, 1916, Roll of Honour, Australia and New Zealand
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: The Battle of Magdhaba, Sinai, December 23, 1916, 10th LHR, AIF, War Diary Account
Posted by Project Leader
at 12:01 AM EAST
Updated: Sunday, 22 November 2009 12:49 PM EAST
