Topic: AIF - 3B - 9 LHR
9th LHR, AIF
War Diary, 3 May
Pro Gloria et Honore - For Glory and Honour
Regimental March - Marching Through Georgia
The Diary
1914
Monday, May 3, 1914
See 4th Military District, South Australia for militia activities.
1915
Monday, May 3, 1915
9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Heliopolis Camp, Egypt.
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - No Entry.
Carew Reynell Diary - No Entry.
1916
Wednesday, May 3, 1916
9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Serapeum, Egypt.
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - No Entry.
1917
Thursday, May 3, 1917
9th Light Horse Regiment Location - El Khudri
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - Daylight patrols reported all clear at 0500. “B” Squadron continued digging on redoubts at wadi.
At 1030 the 10th Light Horse Regiment arrived and took over the line and at 1200 the Regiment less “B” Squadron returned and the Brigade bivouacked at Khan Yunis. “B” Squadron returning as the patrols were relieved.
1918
Friday, May 3 1918
Es Salt Raid.
9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Es Salt.
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - 0400, “B” Squadron moved forward and occupied Tel el Jaludi with right flank Sq 127 J3 central and left flank in Sq 127 J2a.3.1. Information now received that a strong enemy attack was being made on 8th Light Horse Regiment.
0800 Luxmoore, Captain EM, Officer in Command, “B” Squadron reported that this attack had been repulsed and that 8th Light Horse Regiment had captured 320 prisoners.
Hargrave, Lieutenant LMS, reported a strong enemy movement on his front endeavouring to work round his left flank towards Kefr Huda.
0915 The enemy attacked position held by left flank of “C” Squadron in Sq H11b.8.4 and H12 central. Advanced party of the enemy estimated at 50 to 60 men with about 150 in support. The enemy attack was pressed with great determination. A strong party of bombers advanced to within 15 yards of our post which was held by Masson, Lieutenant GG, one Sergeant, Lance Corporal and twelve Other Ranks including a Hotchkiss Rifle. These put up a plucky resistance but their casualties were severe, caused mostly by bombs. Masson, Lieutenant GG, was slightly wounded; Smith, 189 Sergeant HR, was believed to be badly wounded [now missing]; Baker, 373 Lance Corporal W; and, McGinty, 1159 Trooper SP, were killed and two Other Ranks severely wounded and two Other Ranks wounded. The Hotchkiss Rifle was smashed by a grenade. The enemy were reinforced from their support troops and kept pressing on forcing the post to withdraw about 500 yards. Morrison, 3241 Lance Corporal JR, with a great initiative and determination covered the withdrawal of the wounded. Smith, 189 Sergeant HR, was missed in the withdrawal
On information reaching Regimental Headquarters regarding this attack Daly, Major TJ, moved forward to the front line and on arrival there saw the withdrawal of this post in progress, immediately caused the two left flank troops of “B” Squadron to conform thus securing the line. The right flank troops of “A” Squadron withdrew about 500 yards. Whilst the attack was in progress all Headquarters batmen, grooms and artificers were quickly dispatched to reinforce “C” Squadron. At least twelve of the enemy were killed before “C” Squadron post withdrew.
1100, two extra machine guns arrived and were put into position in Sq h27b.9.7 also “A” Squadron of Sherwood Rangers arrived but were not used until the evening.
1200 Daly, Major TJ, with the Sherwood Ranger Squadron leader made a personal reconnaissance with a view to our recapturing post north east of Kefr Huda but in view of later orders this counter attack did not eventuate.
1600 Orders were issued to the Squadron that the present line running from J3 central - J7 central - H18a - H22 central would be held by night.
Verbal orders were received that the whole Division would gradually withdraw that night down the Umm es Shert track. All squadron leaders were brought to Regimental Headquarters when the Commanding Officer gave the following orders verbally reference the withdrawal of the Regiment tonight. Officer in Command of the Sherwood Rangers Squadron was to reconnoitre a line which he was to occupy covering the northern exits to Es Salt through J25a and b until relieved by 9th Light Horse Regiment. Snipers to remain on track until 2400. The withdrawal to commence at such time that the whole of the Regiment less snipers were to be on a line at H24 and J18 central at 2300. All packs to be sent immediately to Regimental Headquarters. Silence was to be maintained throughout withdrawal.
1730 Two troops of Sherwood Rangers were put into the line to fill a gap between A and “C” Squadrons.
1900 The 2nd Light Horse Brigade who was on the right of “B” Squadron withdrew to a position covering the eastern exits of Es Salt.
2015 Three right flank troops of “B” Squadron were withdrawn to J15d.1, J19b and d. Desultory artillery continued until withdrawal of Squadrons.
2200 All pack horses which had concentrated at Regimental Headquarters were sent forward under Stevens, Lieutenant WJ, to withdraw down the Umm es Shert Track. Sherwood Rangers left Regimental Headquarters to take up their allocated positions.
Regimental Headquarters followed by “B” Squadron withdrew along track to Es Salt. Remainder of Regiment falling in en route. Hahn, Lieutenant HJ, reported that shortly after his troop withdrew from the line the enemy attacked his position with bombs and grenades. Several shells were fired on to “A” Squadron as they withdrew from the line.
2345 “A” Squadron and two troops of “C” Squadron took over line J25a and J25b with the remainder of the Regiment in support in J25 central.
Baker, 373 Lance Corporal W; McGinty, 1159 Trooper SP; Medhurst, 1577 Trooper PW; and, Bockleberg, 101 Trooper FB, all killed in action.
3rd Light Horse Brigade War Diary - As soon as it was dark the 8th Light Horse Regiment rejoined Brigade Headquarters, half mile north - west of Es Salt. The 9th Light Horse Regiment was ordered to retire to a position immediately north of Es Salt and remain there until midnight 3/4th May 1918, covering the tracks northwards from Es Salt, the Regiment then to retire by track No. 13. This Regiment left out small parties on its original outpost line until 2330, where they kept up a desultory fire.
They then fell back on to their Regiment and the Regiment retired by No. 13 track without interference, passing through the 2nd Light Horse Brigade, at 0130, on the No. 13 track. The 10th Light Horse Regiment was ordered to retire from the left flank in a southerly direction until they struck the No. 13 track.
This they did in conjunction with the 3rd Light Horse Regiment, which was holding a position on their left flank. The 10th Light Horse Regiment left out small parties on their original outpost line until 0030. About in hour before they finally left, the enemy made several mild attacks along their front, apparently feeling to see whether the positions were still occupied. They were met, however, with Mills bombs, rifle grenades, and rifle fire, and did not press the matter. At 0430 the Regiment moved on to the Umm es Shert, [No. 13] track, and moved in rear of the 2nd Light Horse Brigade and in due course reported to Brigade in the valley.
The Brigade, [less 9th and 10th Light Horse Regiments], moved from Es Salt at 1945, and got on to No. 13 track and moved on to the position without further special incident. It then came under the orders of the Anzac Mounted Division.
The Brigade remained during the day, as Anzac Mounted Divisional reserve about a mile east of the Auja crossing. From there it moved back to its bivouac near Tel es Sultan at 1900, arriving at the latter place at 2200 on the 4th May 1918. On the Brigade's arrival in the valley on the morning of the 4th, the 8th Light Horse Regiment and one section 3rd Machine Gun Squadron had been sent north along the foothills to reinforce the 4th Light Horse Brigade and remained there holding a portion of the line until that Brigade retired at 1900. The 8th Light Horse Regiment arrived at its bivouac at 0300, on the 5th May 1918.
1919
Saturday, May 3, 1919
9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Zagazig
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - 0800, one mounted troop patrolled to El Ghar and Ku Abaza. Found all normal.
Received instructions from 234 Infantry Brigade to formulate scheme of defence in compliance with orders received from Headquarters, Egypt.
Previous: 9th LHR AIF War Diary, 2 May
Next: 9th LHR AIF War Diary, 4 May
Sources:
See: 9th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Contents
Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, AIF War Diaries of the Great War, Site Transcription Policy
Further Reading:
9th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: 9th LHR AIF War Diary, 3 May
Posted by Project Leader
at 12:01 AM EADT
Updated: Friday, 23 July 2010 11:29 AM EADT
