Topic: AIF - 4B - 11 LHR
The Battle of Maghara
Sinai, 15 October 1916
11th LHR, AIF, War Diary Account
War Diary account of the 11th LHR, AIF.
The transcription:
13 April 1916
7 men and horses were left at Bayud and the Regiment marched out 400 all ranks. 430 horses and 10 mules.
The Column left Bayud in two echelons - No. 1 at 1700. No. 2 at 1800. No. 1 Echelon under Lieutenant Colonel W Grant, 11th Light Horse Regiment comprised the following:1/1 City of London Yeomanry
11th Light Horse Regiment
12th Light Horse Regiment
½ Maxim Gun Detachment, 160th Brigade
Lewis Gun Detachment, 160th Brigade
No. 2 Echelon under Major Langley, Officer Commanding 1st Battalion Imperial Camel Corps was composed as follows:1st Battalion Imperial Camel Corps (less one Company)
Mobile Royal Engineers Detachment
Section Hong Kong and Singapore Mountain Battery
Royal Flying Corps Report Centre
Mobile Signal Unit
Wireless Telegraph Section
Mobile Medical Unit
Small Arms Ammunition Column
Camel Transport Convoy
14 October 1916
Arrived Zagadan at 0010 and bivouacked in a hollow so as not to be observed by the enemy who were known to have an observation post on El Rakwa (Sq D12). The information about the enemy is that the strength is 450 with 7 machine guns and 6 field guns. Operation Order No. 2 states the intention of the General Officer Commanding is to operate against the enemy occupying Bir el Maghara and the area in the immediate neighbourhood to destroy his stores well equipment and ammunition dump; to capture his guns and remove or destroy his telegraphic stores, lines and equipment.
On completion of the operation the Force will retire from the Maghara Hills before dark and bivouac for the night in the vicinity of Rakwa.
The Force will operate on the following general plan. The enemy's posts on Rakwa and Barga will be captured before 0300 without fire action if possible and any telegraph wires will be cut and these places will be held.
The remainder of the force less right and left flanking detachment and escorts detailed later will operate in two columns as follows:
The Right Column will demonstrate against the enemy holding the passes up the Wadi Mashash Barbur - the main Barga, Bir el Maghara Road and the Waid Safat Hameid.
The left Column will turn the east flank of the passes referred to and will gain the high ground overlooking Bir el Maghara 1841 - 1581. The Right Column will not enter the passes until the points just referred to are in our hands.
Special instructions were issued to Officer Commanding right and Left Columns and Officer Commanding detachment.
The composition of the column will be as follows -
(a) Right Column - Lieutenant Colonel W Grant, 11th Light Horse Regiment in command.11th Light Horse Regiment
2 Maxim Guns, 160th Brigade
Signal Detachment
Royal Engineer party for destructional purposes
Advanced Dressing Station
(b) Left Column - Brigadier General SF Mott in command1/1 City of London Yeomanry with 2 Maxim Guns, 160th Brigade
12th Light Horse Regiment (less one Troop) with 2 Maxim Guns, 160th Brigade
4 Lewis Guns 160th Brigade
Signal Detachment
Royal Engineer party for destructional purposes
Advanced Dressing Station
(c) Right Flank GuardOne Company Imperial Camel Corps under special instructions.
(d) Left Flank Guard½ Company Imperial Camel Corps under special instructions.
(e) Zagadan½ Company Imperial Camel Corps
(f) ReserveGeneral Officer Commanding and Staff
1 Troop, 12th Light Horse Regiment
Detachment Royal Engineers
Wireless Telegraph Section
Signal Detachment
Section Hong Kong and Singapore Battery
1½ Companies Imperial Camel Corps
Royal Army Medical Corps Special Detachment
Small Arms Ammunition Column
(g) Camel ConvoyWith escort 1 Company Imperial Camel Corps
The Column left Zagadan at 1900, the Right Column in front with "A" Squadron of the 11th Light Horse Regiment as Advance Guard.
Captain Goldensted of the 1st Battalion Imperial Camel Corps acted as guide as far as Rakwa.
15 October 1916
"A" Squadron was detached to surround Rakwa and capture anyone in it. This was carried out but no enemy were found there. When near Rakwa a dense fog descended on the column which had to halt until it cleared. The fog lifted at 0500 and the Right and Left Columns moved on from the southern point of El Rakwa (1410) in a south east direction. The fog settled down again and it was very thick when the columns reached the Wadi el Masagid at 0600. Several shots were fired as the head of the column reached the wadi, probably by Bedouins, which warned the Troops of our approach.
Owing to the density of the fog it was impossible to locate the exact position of the pass, so the column was retired to a position behind a sand dune north of the Wadi el Masagid and two Troops of "B" Squadron were sent forward to reconnoitre. These troops captured 7 Turks and 4 Bedouins at the foot of the hills. It was hear from these prisoners that all the field guns had been removed to El Arish and that the Germans had four machine guns in the position.
In consultation with the Commander of the Left Column (Brigadier General SF Mott), it was decided that the original order of the General Officer Commanding could not be carried out and a message was sent to hem to that effect. He approved of the change of plan which was that the Right Column should attack the hills to the right of the pass (i.e. hills 1046, 1121 and 1211), and the Left Column attacked up the slopes of 935 on the left of the pass. The fog lifted just as the troops moved across the flat to the foot of the hills to attack.
At this time Lieutenant Gee's Troop was some distance up the pass and it had to gallop back under fire from Machine Guns. "B" Squadron galloped to the foot of Hill 1121, and worked up it dismounted. "C" Squadron and the Machine Gun Section and 2 guns of the 160th Brigade Machine Gun Company went to the hill north west of the latter.
The Machine Guns drove the enemy out of his sangars on Hills 1121 and 1211 and enabled "B" Squadron to advance up 1121. "C" Squadron meantime cleared Hill 1046.
The Section of the Hong Kong and Singapore Battery shelled the crests of these hills and shot very accurately.
At 0930 "A" Squadron rejoined after clearing Rakwa, and were held in reserve at the foot of the hill north west.
The Left Column advanced partly up the slopes of 935 in conjunction with the movement of the Right Column, but as the Commander saw that it was impracticable to carry the almost impassable slopes in the time allowed for, he wired to the General Officer Commanding and was ordered to retire. This order was also received by the Right Column at 1000, so no steps were taken to press the attack further. The positions won were held till a badly wounded man No. 308 Trooper Leswell of "B" Squadron was brought down the hill, and during this wait 4 unwounded and 1 wounded Turks were taken from the sangar on top of the hill by Major Parsons.
The Right Column was clear of the field of action by 1200. The whole Column moved for the dump which had been established at 1300 on the north west end of Rakwa, and the horsemen who were last reached there at 1600 then watered.
Our aeroplanes bombed Maghara throughout the morning. One Company Imperial Camel Corps (12th Company) occupied Gebel el Barga and one section of the Imperial Camel Corps was sent from Rakwa to Gebel el Lagma during the morning. The latter returned the same evening after engaging some Bedouin, but the former held their position until the Column moved the following day. Our casualties were No. 308 Trooper F Leswell died of wounds; and No. 4 Orderly Room Sergeant GW Nutting wounded in the neck; also two horses killed.
16 October 1916
Left Rakwa at 0930 in two Echelons - Horses and Camels. 12 Light Horse Regiment formed Rear Guard, and arrived at Zagadan at 1230.
17 October 1916
Left Zagadan at 0830, and arrived at Bayoud at 1300. The Regiment acted as Rear Guard to the Column.
The whole of the water and supplies for the 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th had to be carried on the camels from Bayoud and a dump was made one day in advance at Zagadan. 6 gallons of water per horse and 1 gallon per man were provided, and this proved ample for the requirements. 20 pounds of compressed forage were issued for the horses and they thrived very well on it. 230 rounds small arms ammunition in addition to ⅔ of a day's ration and forage, overcoat and men's blanket were carried on the horses.
Roll of Honour
Lest We Forget
Further Reading:
The Battle of Maghara, Sinai, 15 October 1916
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: The Battle of Maghara, Sinai, 15 October 1916, 11th LHR, AIF, War Diary Account
Posted by Project Leader
at 12:01 AM EADT
Updated: Tuesday, 1 December 2009 9:03 PM EAST
