Topic: AIF - 3B - 3 LHFA
The Jifjafa Raid
Sinai, 10 - 14 April 1916
White Account
White account of the 3rd LHFA, AIF.
The Transcription:
To: Commanding Officer, 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance
Medical Report on Jif Jaffa Expedition
I beg to submit the following report on the work of the Medical Unit attached to the 9th Light Horse Squadron in its raid on Jif Jaffa from April 11th to 15th.
The medical personnel and equipment (supplied by the 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance) was as follows:1 Medical Officer
4 Mounted bearers (including 1 Corporal)
4 Drivers (including 1 Corporal)
2 Sand Carts, each drawn by 4 horse teams.
Total1 Officer
8 Other Ranks
13 Horses
Camels 61 lying down cacholet (2 patients)
4 sitting up cacholets (8 patients)
1 medical baggage camel, on which were carried:
2 surgical haversacks
1 surgical saddle bag
10 blankets
Medical comforts
The Journey
In the journey from Road Head to the wells at Moiya Harab, a distance of 40 miles, the sand carts were easily able to keep pace with the rapidly moving Light Horse, in spite of heavy loose sand.
Here the sand carts were left with a portion of the Camel Transport, as the route now led through rocky defiles and difficult country, quite unsuitable for any wheel transport.
The medical camels now accompanied the fighting body right to the point of attack, Jif Jaffa, some twenty five miles further on.
In the attack we suffered one casualty killed, and none wounded. We dressed five wounded Turks, four of whom we carried off, the fifth being mortally wounded and dying.
They were transported on sitting up cacholets on camels, back to the wells at Moiya Harab. Here the wounded were placed two in each sand cart. On the return journey I kept the sand carts with the camel transport, so as to move the wounded more quietly and comfortably. The wounded stood the journey well.
The distance both ways was covered by forced marches, and only eleven hours sleep were possible during five days.
The combination of cacholet on camel, for conveyance of wounded over rough country prohibitive to vehicles, and sand carts for transport over sandy country worked well.
Three laying down cases could be placed in a sand cart, and a large number of wounded could be accommodated on transport camels on a return journey.
Specimens of water from different wells along the route, were obtained for examination.
In conclusion, I would like to bring before your notice, the good work done throughout by the medical details, both bearers and drivers.
ER White, Major
3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance
17 April 1916.
Further Reading:
3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance
3rd Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance, Roll of Honour
The Jifjafa Raid, Sinai, April 10 to 14
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: The Jifjafa Raid, Sinai, April 10 to 14, 1916, White Account
Posted by Project Leader
at 12:01 AM EADT
Updated: Sunday, 29 November 2009 5:28 PM EAST
