Topic: AIF - 1B - 1 LHMGS
The Battle of Magdhaba
Sinai, 23 December 1916
1st LHMGS, AIF, War Diary Account
War Diary account of the 1st LHMGS, AIF.
The transcription:
22 December 1916
Brigade concentrating at 1730 for move to Magdhaba. At starting point 1800.
23 December 1916
Waited until 0100 when division moved out. Reached first halting about 3 miles from Magdhaba 0530 - 0600 and waited a little when general advance made up closer to position. 1st Light Horse Brigade moved out to frontal attack across the open - met by shell, machine gun and rifle fire. Deployed into main wadi. When 3rd Light Horse Regiment ordered to make attack on redoubts and trenched. Took four guns into action with Regiment, one on right flank (Sergeant Gordon) two in centre with Lieutenant Kemp and one (early in operations) with Lieutenant Davis on left flank. These guns came into action and afforded good covering fire to the troops which pushed home the attack, especially in the right and left flanks and assisted materially (as evidenced by statements made by Turkish prisoners) in breaking the defence and capture of the position by the 1st Light Horse Brigade. Early in the afternoon a more vigorous offensive being ordered. The Regiments acted accordingly. The balance of guns was thrown into the firing line. But there was not the same opportunity for working as the four guns had in the morning but where ever possible they assisted the troops to advance until all redoubts had been silenced and the trenches captured when the operation was concluded (between 1500 and 1600).
After the conclusion of operations, men and horses fed up, the Brigade concentrated where the Division halted in the morning - where water was issued to the men (such horses as there was water for - being watered at the well near the hospital buildings). The Division left on return journey at 2300 and arrived El Arish at 0530 - 0630 on 24 December 1916.
Roll of Honour
Lest We Forget
Further Reading:
1st Australian Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron, AIF
1st Australian Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron, 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, 1st LHMGS, AIF, War Diary Account
Posted by Project Leader
at 12:01 AM EAST
Updated: Sunday, 22 November 2009 12:44 PM EAST
