DMC

Desert Mounted Corps

General Allenby's Despatches, Part 2

Field Marshal Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby, 1st Viscount Allenby GCB, GCMG, GCVO.

A BRIEF RECORD OF THE ADVANCE OF THE EGYPTIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE UNDER THE COMMAND OF GENERAL SIR EDMUND H. H. ALLENBY. G.G.B.. G.G.M.G.

JULY 1917 TO OCTOBER 1918.

Compiled from Official Sources.

THE ADVANCE OF THE HEADQUARTERS. Mounted Troops.

1/lst Worcester Yeomanry (attached from XXth Corp Artillery.

10th (Indian) Mountain Artillery Brigade, R.Gr:A. 29th, 32nd, 39th (Indian) Momitain Batteries.

Machine Qun Corps.

Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, Light Car Patrols. No. 2 Light Armoured Car Battery.

Sial Service.

" W " Corps Signal Company.

"BS," "KK," " AO," Cable Sections, and "DJ" (Indian) Cable Seotioa. 103rd (Indian) Airline Section. D.C. Cable Section.

Desert Mounted Corps Wireless Troop (formed from No. 9 Wagon W/T Section and Lon- don Pack W/T Section). Australian Airline Section (disbanded, 23/8/18). Australian Imperial Force Cable Section (disbanded, 23/8/18). Australian Moimted Divisional Signal Company (disbanded, 23/8/18).

Engineers.

"D" Field Troop and Bridging Train, Australian Engineers. Desert Mounted Corps Pontoon Park (8 Pontoons).

Infantry.

20th Indian Infantry Brigade. 2/155th Pioneers.

Royal Army Service Corps.

Nos. 3 and 5, (Egypt), Mobile Eepair Units. Corps Troops Supply Column (Supply details only).

Royal Army Ordnance Corps.

No. 38 Ordnance Mobile Workshop (light).

Corps Troops Supply Column (Ordnance details only).

Miscellaneous.

No. 1032 Area Employment Company.

Brief Record of Service.

Organized on Aug. 12, 1917, from the "Desert Column " which had been engaged throughout the advance from the Suez Canal at Romani, Maghdeba, Rafa and at the 1st and 2nd Battles of Gaza, the Corps has taken a prominent part in the several advances through Palestine and Syria.

The envelopment of the Turkish left flank resulted in the capture of Beersheba by the Austrahan Mounted Division on Oct. 31, 1917. During the advance through PhiKstia, the Corps, operating in front of the infantry, captured many important points, such as Deir Sineid and Huj (Nov. 8), Akir and Abu Shusheh (Nov. 15). When the infantry attack swung eastward through the Judsean Hills, Australian and New Zealand troops continued to push northward against ever-stiffening resistance, capturing Ramleh on Nov. 15, and occupying Jaffa and Sarona on Nov. 16 and 17 respectively. The Yeomanry Mounted Division, covering the left flank of the XXIst Corps, advanced up the Valley of Ajalon to Bethhoron. The capture of Neby Musa and Jericho was effected in co-operation with the XXth Corpa on Feb. 21, 1918, and two important raids (Amman, March 21 to April 2, and Es Salt, April 29 to May 4), provided heavy fighting, in which infantry of the London Division co-operated. Subsequently, the Desert Mounted Corps was engaged at the Ghoraniyeh bridgehead and at other points in the Jordan Valley.

Hard marching and occasional stiff fighting were experienced in September, resulting in the capture of Jenin (Sept. 20), Nazareth (Sept. 21, after having been successfully raided on Sept. 20), Haifa (Sept. 23), Semakh and Tiberias (Sept 25), and Damascus (Oct. 1), the last-named in conjunction with the Sherifian forces. Rayak was occupied on Oct. 5, and, after a brief halt, the rapid advance was continued. Horns, Hama, and Aleppo being reached on Oct. 15, 22, and 26, respectively.

EGYPTIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ' 41 Locations of Cobps Hbadqtjartees.

Abasan (three miles east of Khan Yunus) from Aug. 12,1917 Esani (twenty miles south-south-east of Gaza) Oct. 28, 1917 Asluj (fifteen miles south of Beersheba) „ Oct. 30,1917 Beersheba ,, Nov. 1, 1917 Tel esh Sheria •. ... „ Nov. 7, 1917 Khurbet Muntaret (near Muntaret el Kaneitera) „ Nov. 8, 1917 Hill 331 (near Julis) , Nov. 10. 1917 Yebna „ Nov. 14, 1917 Khurbet Deiran (near El Kubeibe) ... „ Nov. 16, 1917 Talat ed Dumm April 26, 1918 Jericho from April 30, 1918 Talat ed Duiiim , May 6, 1918 Jerisheh (near Sarona) Sept. 16, 1918 El Lejjun (six miles west of El Afule) Sept. 20,1918 Tiberias , Sept. 27, 1918 Rosh Pina (near Safed) Sept. 28, 1918 El Kuneitra , Sept. 29, 1918 Kaukab Sept. 30,1918 Damascus Oct. 1, 1918 Beirut Oct. 30, 1918 Tripolis Oct. 31, 1918 Horns „ Nov. 1, 1918 XXth CORPS.

Commander.— M&jor-Gen. (temp. Lieiit.-Gen.) Sir Philip W. Chetwode, Bt., K.C.B., K.C.M.G., D.S.O.

Brigadier- General, General Staff. — Bt. Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) W. H. Bartholomew, C.M.G., D.S.O., R.A., f.s.c. (relinquished, April, 1918). Bt. Lieut.-Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) A. P. Wavell, C.M.G., M.C., Royal Highlanders, p.s.c.

JDejnUy Adjutant and Quartermaster- General. — Bt. Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) E. Evans, C.M.G., D.S.O., Wiltshire Regt. A.D.C. (relinquished, Jan., 1918). Lieut.-Co). (temp. Brig.-Gen.) C. W. Pe.rless, C.M.G., D.S.O., South Wales Borderers, p.s.c.

General Office Commanding, Royal Artillery.- — Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) A. H. Short, C.B., C.M.G.

General Officer Commanding, Corps Heavy Artillery.— Lieut.-Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) P. de S. Burney, C.B. (R. of 0.) Chief Engineer.— Bt. Lieut. Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) R. L. Waller, C.M.G., R.E.

HEADQUARTERS.

Mounted Troops.

1/lst Worcester Yeomanry.

Artillery.

9th Mountain Artillery Brigade, R.G A. : 10th, 12th, 16th Mountain Batteries.

Hong-Koag and Singapore Mountain Battery, R.G. A.

61st Brigade, R.G.A. ; 379th, 420th, 443rd Siege Batteries (ceased to belong to E.E.F., 21/5/18.) 96th Brigade, R.G.A. ; 91st Heavy Battery ; 300th, 378th, 38ard, 440th, 445th Siege Batteries. (445th Siege Battery ceased to belong to E.E.F., 4/4/18.). 97th Brigade, R.G.A. ; 195th Heavy Battery ; 134th, 201st, 334tb, 421st, 422nd Siege Batteries. (201st Siege Battery ceased to belong to E.E.F., 7/5/18.) 103rd Brigade, R.G.A. ; 10th Heavy Battery ; 205th, 387th, 392nd Siege Batteries. Nos. 1, 2, 3 (Medium), Trench Mortar Batteries, R.A Machine Qua Corps.

Half Machine Gun Company, Cape Corps.

Easfaeers.

No. 13 Pontoon Park, R.E.

220th Army Troops Company, R.E.

" V " Section (Sound Ranging) 7th Field Survey Company, R.E.

Sigaal Troops.

" V " Corps Signal Company, R.E.

N 24 Airline Section, R.E.

" AG," " BQ," " BR," Cable Sections, A.E.

No. 1 Signal Section, Corps Heavy Artillery, R.E.

42 THE ADVANCE OF THE Royal Army Service Corps.

(a) Mechanical Transport : — Nos. 811, 963, 964, 966, 980, 983, 990, 1007, 1008, 1030. 1072 M.T. Compauiea (attached Heavy Artillery). Nos. 12 and 13 (Egypt), Mobile Repair Unita.

(6) Horse Transport : — Corps Troops Train.

(c) Camel Transport : — " N," " U," " V," Companies.

Royal Army Ordnance Corps.

Nos. 52, 58, 60, Ordnance Mobile Workshops (light). Corps Troops Supply Column (Ordnance details only).

Miscellaneous.

No. 1000 Area Employment Company.

Brief Record of Service.

The Corps vras formed on Aug. 2, 1917, and took over the line on the right of the XXIst Corps. In the advance into Philistia, the Turkish defences west and south-west of Beersheba were carried on Oct. 31, and during the following week the enemy was swept from strong positions in the battles of Khuweilfeh, Sheria, and Hareira. At the beginning of December, the XXth Corps relieved the XXIst in the Judaean Hills, captured Jerusalem on Dec. 9, and, in the last days of the year, pushed northward astride the Jerusalem-Nablus road against powerful resistance. Jericho was captured on Feb. 21, 1918, (in co-operation with Desert Mounted Corps), and a northerly advance, entailing stiff fighting over diflScult ground, was made in March.

A portion of the Corps co-operated with cavalry of the Desert Mounted Corps in the Amman raid (March-April) and the Es Salt raid (April-May).

The commencement of the final operations of the campaign was a vigorous attack, covered by a feint on the night of Sept. 18-19, and during the following week the XXth Corps drove the Turks northward and westward across the rugged hills of Mount Ephraim, into the areas where enemy resistance had been dislocated and disorganized by the rapid movements of the XXIst and Desert Mounted Corps.

Locations or Corps Headqttartehs.

Deir el Belah (beach) from Aug.

2, 1917 •Junction Station from Nov.

23, 1917 Wadi Selka (south-east of Deir el *Latron Nov.

28, 191T Belah) Aug.

18, 1917 Jerusalem Jan.

3, 19ia El Fukhari Sept.

3, 1917 Ram Allah Sept.

19, 1918 *E1 Buggar , Oct.

30, 1917 *Huwarah , Sept.

22, 1918 *Beersbeba Nov.

2, 1917 Nablus - Sept.

24, 1918 ?Gaza (B«d Housfe) , Mov.

18, 1917 Haifa Oct.

29, 191* * Advanced Headquarters.

XXIst CORPS.

Commander. — Major-Gen. (temp. Lieut.-Gen.) Sir Edward S. Bulfin, K.C.B., C.V.O.

Brigadier- General, General Staff. — Bt. Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) E. T. Humphreys, D.S.O., LancasLue Fusiliers, p.s.c. (relinquished, Feb., 1918). Bt. Lieut.-Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) H. F. Salt, D.S.O., R.A., f.s.c.

Deputy Adjtttant and Quartermaster- General. — Bt. Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) St. G. B. Armstrong, R.M.L.I. p.s.c.

General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery. — Bt. Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) H. A. D. Simpson Baikie, C.B., C.M.G., R.A., p.s.c.

General Officer Commanding, Corps Heavy Artillery. — Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) 0. C. Willi amson-0swali>».

C.B., C.M.G., R.G.A.

Chief Engineer.— JAblJoi (temp. Brig.-Gen.) R. P. T. Hawksley, C.M.G., D.S.O., R.E.

EGYPTIAN EXPEDITIONAEY FOKCE 43 HEADQUARTERS.

Mounted Troops.

Composite Yeomanry Kegiment (" A " Squadron, Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry, and " A " and " B " Squadrons, 1/lst Herts. Yeomanry). 54th Divisional Cj'clist Company.

Artillery.

8th Mountain Artillery Brigade, K.6.A. : 11th, 13th, 17th Mountain Batteries. ' 95th Brigade, R.G.A. ; 181st Heavy Battery ; 304th, 314th, 320th, 322nd, 394th Siege Batteries. (320th and 322nd Siege Batteries ceased to belong to E.E.F.. 4/4/18.) 100th Brigade, R.G.A. ; 15th Heavy Battery ; 43rd, 292nd, 423rd Siege Batteries. ' (292nd and 423rd Siege Batteries ceased to belong to E.E.F., 7/5/18.) 102nd Brigade, R.G.A. ; 189th, 202nd Heavy Batteries ; 209th, 380th, 424th Siege Bat- teries. (424th Siege Battery ceased to belong to E.E.F., 3/1/18.) Nos. 55, 121, 123 Anti-Aircraft Sections, R.A.

Nos. 4, 5, 6 (Medium), Trench Mortar Batteries, R.A.

Engineers.

14th A.T. Company, R.E.

" N " and " NN " Sections (Sound Ranging) 7th Field Survey Company, R.E.

28th Observation Group, 7th Field Survey Company, R.E.

Signal Service.

" U " Corps Signal Company, R.E.

N 21 Airline Section, R.E.

" DH " (Indian), " HH " and " GY " Cable Sections, R.E.

No. 12 Pack W/T Section, R.E.

No. 2 Signal Section Corps Heavy Artillery, R.E.

Infantry.

2nd Battahon Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (ceased to belong to E.E.F., 7/5/18). 2/107th Pioneers.

Royal Array Service Corps.

(a) Mechanical Transport : — Nos. 810, 904, 951, 952, 955, 965, 967, 982, 984, 988, 989, 1031, 1032, 1073' M.T.

Companies (attached Heavy Artillery). (Nos. 810, 1031, 1032 Companies ceased to belong to E.E.F., 21/5/18.) Nos. 1 and 2 (Egypt), Mobile Repair Units.

(b) Horse Transport : — Corps Troops Train.

(c) Camel Transport : — " C," " H," and " R " Companies.

Royal Army Ordnance Corps.

Nos. 37 and 59 Ordnance Mobile Workshops (light). Corps Troops Supply Column (Ordnance details only).

Miscellaneous.

No. 1031 Area Employment Company.

Brief -Record of Service.

The Corps was organized on Aug. 12, 1917, and took over the Coastal and Sheikh Abbas sectors, which it held until the general advance started. Gaza was captured on Nov. 7, and the rapid advance through Philistia into the Juda3an hills (in co-operation with the Desert Mounted Corps), carried the troops of the XXIst Corps to within five miles of Jerusalem by Nov. 21. During this advance the nature oi the fighting chan2;ed from trench warfare to open warfare, and then to hill fighting. In December, on relief by the XXth Corps, the XXIst relieved the Desert Mounted Corps on the new line from Midieh to the sea. The crossing of the Auja, in Dec, 1917, and the difficult hill fighting around the Wadi Ballut, in March and April, 1918, advanced the line to an average depth of six miles.

44 THE ADVANCE OF THE On Sept. 19, the right of the strong Turkish defensive system was broken in the battle of Sharon Kefr Kasim, Jiljulieh, Tireh, and Tul Keram were captured, and the flank rolled up to allow the mounted troops to carry out the envelopment required of them.

After a brief halt at Haifa, the advance northward was continued on Oct. 1, and as the result of hard marching, Beirut and Tripolis were occupied on Oct. 8 and 18 respectively.

Locations of Corps Headquaetbes.

Deir el Belah from •Raspberry Hill (2 miles east of Deir elBelkh) , •Deir Sineid „ ?Jewish Colony (near Beit Duras) ... ,, •El Kukab ... „ Bir Salem (Geiman Orphanage, near , Ramleh) >, Aug. 12, 1917 Nov. Nov. Nov.

1, 1917 U, 1917 14, 1917 Nov, 10, 1917 Nov. 28, 1917 ? Advanced Headquarters.

Jaffa Jerisheh (near Sarona) ?Sabieh *Tul Keram Haifa Beirut from Jan.

4, 1918 April 1.

1918 Sept.

19, 1918 Sept.

21.

1918 Sept.

28, 1918 Oct.

8.

19ia Commander.

CHAYTOR'S FORCE.

(During Operations, Sept. 19 to Oct. 31, 1918).

-Col. (temp. Major-Gen.) Sir E. W. C. Chaytor, K.C.M.G., C.E., p.s.c, A.D.C. (And Staff of the Australian and New Zealand Mounted Division.) HEADQUARTERS. Mounted Troops.

Australian and New Zealand Mounted Division (less one Squadron), Artillery.

A/263 Battery, R.F.A.

No. 195 Heavy Battery, R.G.A.

29th and 32nd (Indian), Mountain Batteries, R.G.A No. 6 (Medium) Trench Mortar Battery, R.A.

No3. 96, 102, 103 Anti-Aircraft Sections, R.A.

Engineers.

Detachment No. 35 A.T. Company, R.E.

Infantry.

38th and 39th Battalions Royal Fusiliers.

20th Indian Brigade.

1st and 2nd Battalions British West Indies Regiment.

Brief Record of Service.

The Force, constituted as above, held the eastern end of the British line, including the Ghoraniyeh bridgehead.

East of Jordan. Sept. 22. — The 2nd Light Horse Brigade captured Tel er Rame, a Turkish strong post seven miles south- Sept. 18 West op Jordan. „ 19. — The 2nd British West Indies Regiment captured ridge south of Bakr Ridge, and on the following day n 20. — captured Bakr and Chalk Ridges, while 1st British West Indies Regiment captured Grant Hill and Baghalat, and the Auckland Mounted Rifles seized Kh. Fusail and Tel Sh. edh Dhiab.

„ 22. — The 38th Battalion Royal Fusiliers advanced to Mankattat el Malla'ha and, with the assistance of two companies of the 39th Battalion, cap- tured the ford at Umm esh Shert.

Further north, the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade captured E! Makhruk and Abd el Kadir, taking 500 prisoners, including a Divisional Commander, and blocking the im- portant road vid the bridge at Jisr ed Damieh, between Nablus, west of Jordan, and Es Salt on the east. The bridge itself was captured by the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade and 1st British West Indies Regiment. 1st Light Horse Brigade and 2nd British West Indies Regiment were engaged near Mafid Jozeleh.

n 23. — All enemy opposition ceased on west bank of Jordan east of the Ghoraniyeh bridge.

23.— The 1st Light Horse, with 2nd British West Indie* Regiment, captured Mafid Jozeleh, and the 2nd Light Horse took Kabr Mujahid, while the New Zealand Mounted Rifles, having crossed the Jordan, pushed rapidly eastward and seized EsSalt.

24. — Ain es Sir and Ain Hemar occupied by 2nd Light Horse.

25. — The Auckland Mounted Rifles succeeded in cutting the Hejaz Railway near Kalaat ez Zerka, and the 2nd Light Horse and N.Z.M.R. Brigades and the 1st A.L.H. Regt. captured Amman, the Canterbury Mounted Rifles taking a prominent part in this latter engagement.

26. — The 1st Light Horse captured Kalaat ez Zerka, and 2nd Light Horse cut the railway north of Ziza Station.

27. — 1st Light Horse engaged a body of the enemy north of Wadi el Hammam, taking 300 prisoners and two machine guns.

29. — The Maan garrison, consisting of 4,066 officers .and men, with twelve guns and thirty-five machine guns, surrendered to the 2nd Light Horse Brigade near EI Kastal.

EGYPTIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE 45 FRENCH DETACHMENT.

(Detachement Franjais de Palestine et Syrie.J Commander.— Col P. de Piepape, C.B. . .

HEADQUARTERS.

Regiment of Tirailleurs, consisting of 7th Battalion 1st Tiraillcnirs and 9th Battalion 2ad Tirailleurs, Algerians, with section of 2 guns. Eegiment Legion d'Orient, consisting of 1st and 2nd Battalions Armenians, and 23rd Company Syrians, with section of 2 guns. 5th Garrison Battalion of 115th Territorial Regiment. 3rd Battalion Legion d'Orient.

Cavalry.

Two Squadrons, 1st Reghnent of Spahis.

Two Squadrons, 4th Regiment Chasseurs d'Afrique. .

One Machine Gun Troop (dismoimted).

Artillery Group.

1st Battery.

14th Battery of 5th African Field Artillery Group. 30th Battery of 2nd Mountain Artillery Regiment. 30th Mixed Munition Section.

Engineers.

19/6 Company 2nd Engineer Regiment (three sections Sappers and Miners).

Signals.

Signal Section of 8th Engineer Regiment (4th Section of above Engineer Company).

Artillery and Engineer Services.

Subsidiary Depots of the main Artillery and Engineer Base Depot at Port Said.

Medical Service.

Nos. 2/T and 3,/P Mountain Ambulances.

Stretcher-Bearer Group.

No. 2 Field Hospital and CCS.

Advanced Depot of Medical Stores and Material.

Supply Section of Detachment. M.T. Section.

Transport of Material.

Military Police.

Three mounted, and one dismounted "Brigades." Brief Record of Service.

1918. Cavalry. 1918. Tntantrt.

Sept. 18. — At Jaffa. Sept. 18.— The infantry of the detachment held the ridge „ 19. — Advanced in co-operation with 5th Australian north of the Wadi Ballut, with a front of nearly Light Horse, crossed the Tul Keram-Haifa road, 6,000 yards, between Rafat and Kh. Umm el capturing an enemy battery and seizing a con- Ikba ; with 10th Division on its right, and voy of guns, supplies, and a detachment of the 54th Division on its left.

Turkish Field Treasury. , ,,...,.

20.-Co-operated with 5th Australian Light Horse in " 19- -0430.-The attack started, and in spite of vigorous the successful raid to cut the Tul Keram-Jenin resistance. Three Bushes Hill railway. 0515. — was stormed, and this initial success was 21. — Entered Nablus in face of determined resistance followed by the capture of and captured 700 prisoners, two guns and nine machine guns. . 0545. — Scurry Hill. In this brief action, 212 27. — Carried out a demonstration against enemy hold- prisoners (including sixteen oflScers) and ing the Jordan crossing near the village of nine machine guns were taken.

Mishmar Hayarden, and forded the river 700 0700.— Deir el Kussis reached, but as the position yards south of Jisr Benat Yakub. was exposed and the situation uncertain, 29.— Involved in severe night fighting at Sasa, where ji advanced point was not held.

two guns and several machine guns were cap- txired. 1415- — Two Cairns Hill captured and the enemy 30.— Moved, dismounted, along the hills of Kalabet el driven into the Wadi Ayun.

Mezza, brushing aside all opposition, and 2350.— Deir el Kussis, which had been reoccupied- blocked the gorge N.W. of Er Rabne, and oo- - captured and consolidated.

operated with 6th Light Horse Brigade in capture of 4,000 prisoners. 0500.— Arara and Zawieh captured.

Oct. 19. — Left Damascus for Beirut. Oct. 8.— Haifa reached and on Oct. 20. — the Detachment entered Beirut.

46 THE ADVAICE OF THE ITALIAN DETACHMENT.

(Distaccamento Italiano di Palestina.) Com>nrtw

Royal Carabinieri Company.

Bersaglieri Company.

Cacciatori Company.

Mounted Carabinieri Platoon.

Port Said Base and Composite Plation.

Special Platoon.

Ex-Prisoners-of-War Company.

Brief Record of Service.

The Italian Palestine Detachment was formed on July 1, 1917.

On Nov. 8 and following days, it formed part of the mobile column known as the Composite Force, and took part in the capture of the Atawineh Redoubt Trench System and the advance nortli of Gaza.

The Detachment was present at the fall of Jerusalem, and furnished a Guard of Honour at the official entry of General Allenby on Dec. 11 ; since when important guard duties have been continuously performed at Jerusalem, Junction Station, Jaffa, and other centres.

4th CAVALRY DIVISION.

(Late 1st Mounted Division, late Yeomanry Mounted Division.) Commander. — Major-Gen. Sir G. de S. Barrow, K.C.M.G., C.B., j).s.c.

lOfh Cavalry Brigade (late 6th Motinted Brigade, late l/2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade) : — Commander. — Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) T. M. S. Pitt, 2nd County of London Yeomanry (relinquished, Julv, 1918).

Bt. Lieut.-Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) C. A. C. Godwin, D.S.O., 23rd Cavalry, LA. (relin- quished, Aug., 1918).

Bt. Lieut.-Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) R. G. H. Howard- Vyse, C.M.G., D.S.O., Royal Horse Guards, p-sx. (relinquished, Sept., 1918).

Lieut.-Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) W. G. K. Green, D.S.O., 36th Jacob's Horse, LA.

l-/lst Dorset Yeomanry, 2nd Lancers, 38th Central India Horse.

1/lst Bucks Yeomanry and 1/lst Berks. Yeomanry (ceased to belong to E.E.F., 19/6/18).

10th Cavalry Brigade Signal Troop, R.E.

17th Machine Gun Squadron.

llfh Cavalry Brigade (late 8th Mounted Brigade, late 1/lst London Motmted Brigade) :— Commander.— Co\. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) A. H. M. Taylor, D.S.O., (relinquished, Sept., 1917).

Bt. Lieut.-Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) C. S. Rome, D.S.O., 11th Hussars (rehnquished, June, 1918). Bt. Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) C. L. Gregory, C.B., 19th Lancers, j).s.c.

1/lst County of London Yeomanry, 29th Lancers, 36th Jacob's Horse.

1/lst City of London Yeomanry, and l/3rd County of London Yeomanry (ceased to belong to E.E.F., 2/7/18). ] 1th Cavalry Brigade Signal Troop, R.E. 21st Machine Gun Squadron.

121h Cavalry Brigade (late 22nd Mounted Brigade, late 1/lst North Midland Mounted Brigade) :— Commander. — Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) F. A. B. Fryer (relinquished, Dec, 1917).

Bt. Lieut.-Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) P. D. Fitzgerald, D.S.O., 11th Hussars, f.s.c. (re- linquished, April, 1918). Lieut.-Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) J. T. Wigan, C.M.G., D.S.O., Berks. Yeomanry.

EGYPTIAN EXPEDITIONAKY FORCE 47 l/lst Staffordshire Yeomanry, 6th Cavalry, 19th Lancers.

1/lst Lincobishire Yeomanry and l/lst East Kiding Yeomanry (ceased to belong to E.E.F., 2/7/18). 12th Cavalry Brigade Signal Troop, R.E. 18th Machine Gun Squadron. Corps Cavalry Regiment. l/2nd County of London Yeomanry (ceased to belong to E.E.F., 28/5/18).

Divisional Troops.

20th Brigade, R.H.A. (l/lst Berks., Hamps., and Leicester Batteries, and Brigade Ammuni- tion Coh-mn. 4th Field Squadron (late No. 6), R.E. 4th Cavalry Division Signal Squadron, R.E.

4th Cavahy Divisional Train (Nos. 999, 1000, 1001, 1002 Companies, R.A.S.C). 10th, 11th, 12th Cavalry Brigade Mobile Veterinary Sections.

Brief Record of Service.

The Yeomanry Regiments of which the Yeomanry Division was composed left England in 1915, and served as detached brigades and regiments on the Egyptian, Gallipoli and Salonika fronts : and with Desert Column took part in the advance from the Suez Canal, culminating in the battles of Gaza in March and April, 1917.

On the reorganization in Aug., 1917, it joined the Desert Mounted Corps as the Yeomaru-y Division. Six regiments were withdrawn in April, 1918, for service as machine-gunners on the Western Front, the vacancies being filled by Indian Cavalry Regiments. The division was renamed "4th Cavalry Division" in July, 1918, and 6th, 8th, and 22nd Moxmted Brigades became 10th. 11th, and 12th Cavalry Brigades, respectively.

Yeomanry Mounted Division.

1917. Oot. 26. — The Division was detached as Army Reserre, and concentrated about Hiseia and Shellal, but 8th Mounted Brigade was lent to Australian Mounted iJlvision and held an outpost line from near El Buggar north-westward to Point 280 near Kh. Umm Rijl, a length of twelve miles. The right of this line was held by Ist County of London (Middlesex) Yeomanry, w4th 3rd County of London Yeomanry on the left, and City of London Yeomanry in reserve at Karm.

„ 27. — Middlesex Yeomanry were heavily attacked at 0415 by a force of all arms estimated at 3,000- 4,000. The garrison at Point 630, although al- most surrounded by 0515, defended the posi- tion throughout the day against repeated assaults, until relieved by infantry of 158th Brigade at 1000. 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade were ordered up from Shellal to support the squadron holding the knoll Point 720, but, before they could arrive the post was subjected to concentrated shell- fire and overwhelmed by a combined mounted and dismounted attack. The reserve regiment frustrated an attempt to break through between Points 720 and 630, and at du.sk when the enemy withdrew, former position was reoccupied. Nov. 8. — The division moving north-eastward, as a part of "Barrow's Detachment," encountered stiff re- sistance at Kh. Mujeidilat. City of London and Middlesex Yeomanry attacked but were unable to dislodge the enemy and orders were received to break oif the action and march to Tel esh Sheria.

„ The division moved vid Huj, Zeita, and El Mejdel, to 11 and „ 12. — relieved Australian and New Zealand (Anzac) Division along the Wadi Sukereir between 52nd Division and the sea.

„ 13. — 6th and th Mounted Brigades occupied Beshshit and Yebnah respectively in conjunction with the infantry attack on Katrah and El Mughar. Patrols found Kubeibeh and Zemukah strongly 1917 Nov.

13. — held and the infantry advance was checked near El Mughar. 8th Mounted Brigade moved on Zemukah and Kubeibeh ; 22nd Brigade was held in readiness to attack Akir as soon as El Muharg was taken ; while 6th Brigade were ordered to attack the ridge running north-east from El Mughar. At 1500 Royal Bucks Hussars and Dorset Yeomanry charged the El Mughar ridge from the Wadi Jamua riding 4,500 yards across an open plain devoid of cover, and subjected throughout to galling shell, machine-gun, and rifle fire. The whole hostile position was cap- tured and consolidated by 1530 and 1,096 pri- soners, two field guns, aad fourteen machine guns talen. (Later in the evening the village was cleared and two squadrons Berkshire Yeo- manry captured a further 400 prisoners.) 22nd Mounted Brigade attacked Akir at 1530, but were held up until nightfall. This brigade rounded up seventy-two prisoners and a machine gun retiring from the El Mughar Ridge.

14. — Middlesex Yeomanry (8th Mounted Brigade) occupied Zemukah and Kubeibeh at dawn. Imperial Camel Brigade, attached, remained about Zemukah and Kubeibeh to watch the north, while the division moved east on Kh. Selmeh, Naaneh, and Bir Ghazlun. 22nd Brigade took Naaneh at 1430 with sixty prison- ers and one gun, and demolished one mile of railway to the south.

15. — The Sidun-Abu Shusheh Ridge, attacked at 0700 from south-west and north-west by 6th and 22nd Mounted Brigades, with one battalion Imperial Camel Corps Brigade attached, was strongly held. Leicestershire and Berkshire Batteries, R.H.A. , assisted by 75th Divisional Artillery, covered the advance, but the position was only taken at 0900 after a stubborn re- sistance, when a mounted charge by Dorset Yeomanry routed the enemy with the loss of 360 prisoners and one gun. Over 00 Turks were killed in this engagement.

48 THE ADVANCE OF THE 1917.

Nov.

18 to »» 19 ft 20.- ft 21.- 25.

26.- 27.- 28.— i „ 29 to ., 30 Nov. 30 1918. April 24.- May 2.—' May to July Brigades pushed forward into the Judiean Hills, along rock-strewn wtdis, and by tracks which existed only in name. Little enemy opposition was encountered but difficulties of terrain ren- dered rapid movement impossible.

Strong organized resistance was encountered around Beitunia.

0th Mounted Brigade renewed its attack on Beitunia, supported by Lincoln Yeomanry (22nd Brigade), but were opposed by fresh troops brought from Aleppo, numerous and well- trained, who counterattacked and forced a withdrawal. Meanwhile, East Riding Yeomanry (22nd Brigade) were held up at Ramallah, and the division was ordered to fall back on Beit Ur el Foka and Beit Ur et Tahta.

-Iveicester Battery, R.H.A., by superhuman efforts man-handled their guns up to Foka, and •Berkshire Battery arrived at Tahta.

¦An enemy force 400 strong, supported by a howit- zer battery, attacked Sh. Abu ez Zeitoun, one mile east of Foka. _The garrison (6th Mounted Brigade) held out throughout the day although outnumbered seven to one. At the same time, 200 Turks attacked the left of 8th Mounted Brigade near Beit Dukka, and 2,000 hostile in- fantry were known to be concentrating at Bei- tunia. 7th Mounted Brigade (Corps Reserve) were sent up from Zemukah in support, made a forced march, and arrived at Tahta at 0500. A strong attack was launched against 22nd Brigade at 0630, but Sherwood Rangers and South Notts. Hussars (7th Brigade) reinforced and the attack was held. 155th Brigade (52nd Division), ordered up to cover the left flank of the defence, arrived at 0900. Meanwhile the post at Zeitoun, after a most stubborn resistance, was overwhelmed at 0800, and the brigade was forced to fall oack to the ridge between Foka and Tahta. The attack on 7th Mounted Brigade was re- newed after dark, but, with assistance from l/7th Scottish Rifles (52nd Division), the attack was beaten off.

Australian Mounted Division came up on the left ; 52nd and 74th Divisions relieved the Yeomanry, who, after ten days arduous fighting over di£B- cult ground, went into bivouac for rest and refitting at El Mughar.

(The division was inspected by the Com- mander-in-Chief in December ; January was spent in refitting and training ; and February in salvage work on the old trench lines south of Gaza. In March the division moved up to the Wadi Sukerier, but, on April 2, returned to Belah for reorganization.) 0th Mounted Brigade, with Middlesex Yeomanry and Mysore Imperial Lancers, were ordered to march to Jordan Valley to take part in the Es Salt raid, and reached the point of concen- tration on April 29.

•The brigade crossed the Jordan in support of Australian and New Zealand Mounted Troops, who were holding a defensive flank northward to cover the withdrawal from Es Salt. The brigade was not engaged and re-crossed the river during the night Slay 3-4.

(During the following week the remainder of the division reached the valley ; the Indian regiments, to replace the units withdrawn, arrived ; and the reorganization was complete.

Constant patrolling and consolidation of defences were carried on in the heat and dust of the Jordan Valley. The enemy was completely dominated ; seventy prisoners were captured, and over W)0 Turks killed or wounded in patrol encounters.

4th Cavalry Division.

1918.

Julv Aug.

19. — The division went into camp at Ras Deiran to rest and recoup. 8. — Division returned to the Jordan Valley, and once more took over patrol duties. 29th Lancers and 3Gth Jacob's Horse (11th Cavalry Brigade) were engaged in successful patrol encounters. Climatic conditions improved and training oould be carried on. Sept. 18. — Concentrated in the orange groves near Selmeh.

„ 19. — Divisional artillery supported the infantry attack, and pioneer parties advanced in rear of 7th Division to cut gaps in the wire and flag the routes for the cavalry through the captured defences.

11th Cavalry Brigade passed through the wire at 0858, and moved rapidly northward to thd Kakon-Liktera switch line, where the advanced guard came under fire. The position was galloped by Jacob's Horse and 250 prisoners taken. By 1800 10th Brigade was moving on Kerkur, 12th Brigade was at Jelameh, head- quarters and 11th Brigade at Tel ed Dhrur. 2nd Lancers (10th Brigade) advanced up the Kerkur-Lejjun defile, and at 2145 No. 11 Light Armoured Car Battery was attached to the Lancers to reconnoitre the Musmiis Pass, which was found clear.

„ 20. — Lejjuu was occupied at 0330 and two hours later 2nd Lancers and the armoured cars moved on El Afule. On debouching from the Pass the Turks were encountered in strength astride the road. One squadron and the cars held the enemy in front while the remainder of the regiment charged their left flank, killing or wounding forty-six and capturing 470. 12th Brigade occupied El Afule at 0800, and cap- tured ten locomotives, fifty trucks, and three aeroplanes, while the armoured cars captured twelve lorries driven by Germans endeavouring to escape by Beisan. By 0900 all railway lines radiating from El Afule had been cut, and the division moved on Beisan at 1300, leaving one regiment to hold all roads to the north. 10th Brigade reached Beisan at 1630 (having cap- tured 800 prisoners en route), and galloped over all opposition, taking 100 prisoners and three 15cm. howitzers which were manned to cover the roads to south and east. The division concentrated at Beisan at 1800, and 19th Lancers (12th Brigade) were sent by a difficult mountainous road to hold the Jordan crossing at „ 21. — Jisr el Mujamia, where they arrived at 0800. South of Beisan 38th Central India HorSe (10th Brigade) captured 158 prisoners as the result of a moonlight charge. All roads in the neigh- bourhood were picquetted and 3,000 were made prisoner or gave themselves up to our patrols during the night.

„ 22. — Jacob's Horse crossed the Jordan at Jisr Esh Sh. Hussein to patrol the east bank and to round up fugitives. No. 11 Light Armoured Car Battery left to join Desert Mounted Corps Headquarters.

„ 23. — Central India Horse relieved 19th Lancers at Jisr el Mujamia. At 0000 11th Brigade moved south along both banks of the Jordan to cut off the retreat of Seventh Turkish Army. Patrols of 29th Lancers were fired on at 0830, from the direction of Makt Abu Naj, by a force covering the ford. Middlesex Yeomanry moved around the enemy's left flank while two squadrons 29th Lancers charged a mound forming the centre of the hostile position and captured EGYPTIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE 49 1818.

Sept. 23. — 800 prisoners and fifteen machin* guns. Two charges by Jacob's Horse on the left bank were held, and the Hampshire Battery was ordered op. The battery came into action in the open, but was immediately subjected to a heavy and aocnrate fire from two concealed enemy batteries. The situation was cleared by a squadron of Middlesex Yeomanry, who forded the rixer at Makt. Fataballah and charged the guns, putting theaa out of action. The enemy thereupon withdrew, abandoning large quantities of stores and suffering heary casualties from machine- gun fire.

24. — The march southward continued. Middlesex Yeomanry encountered a hostile advanced guard, estimated at 1,200 with numerous machine guns, in the Wadi Maleh. Hampshire gun&ers came into action and the Turks were driven back to the Jordan in hopeless rout, exposing the main body to immediate attack. On the west bank 4,000 prisoners (including Rnshdi Bey, commanding 16th Division), twenty -nine machine guns and 8,000 rifles were taken, and the few Turks who got away across thu river were driven into barren and waterless country. A further 1,000 prisoners were rounded up by Dorset Yeomanry at Ain el Baida.

„ 36. — Divisiem concentrated at Bcisan with 10th Brigade at tTisr el Mujamia, in preparation for operations east of Jordan.

„ 20.— lOthBrigade engaged enemy holding a line through Zebda-Irbid-Beitras. One squadron 2ndLancerH covered deployment, while remainder of the regiment fought its way round the north flank. Central India Horse captured Zebda, and by nightfall Irbid was closely invested on north, west, and south.

12th Brigade moved to Esh Shuni, and Divisioaal Hea'iquartert tad 11th Brigade to Jisr el Mujami*.

1918. Sept. 27. — Irbid was evacuated during the night, and lOth Brigade followed up the retreat and forced an action at Er Remte. Dorset Yeomanry at- tacked from west and south-west at 1035, while remainder of brigade worked ronnd under cover to cut the line of retreat east to Deraa. The enemy counter-attacked Dorset Yeomanry, but the advanced squadron was withdrawn, mounted, and launched upon the counter-attacking force. Twenty-five of the enemy were killed in the charge and the rest fled in disorder to the village. A charge by Central India Horse near Tuiele was equally successful, and by 1150 the Turks were in full retreat leaving 187 prisoners and over twenty machine guns and automatic rifles in our hands.

During the night patrols gained touch with Sherlfian troops operating against Deraa.

„ 28. — The Division moved on Deraa which was found to have been occupied by the Sherifian Army. 10th Brigade remained about Deraa and the rest of the division moved to Mezerib.

„ 29. — Division marched north along the Haj road with Sherifian Army on the right.

„ 30. — 11th Brigade, acting as advanced guard, reached Khiyara at 1700, where it was shelled from the Jebel el Mania and an enemy column was seen retiring on Kiswe. The village was cleared by a mounted charge, one regiment was sent in pursuit, while the brigade pushed forward on Khan Denun. Some of the enemy escaped up the steep slopes of Jebel el Mania and the rest retired in disorganized rout on Kiswe. Oct. 1. — The Division camped in the neighbourhood of Daraya, having covered 140 miles over di£Scnh country in six days.

„ 6 The march was continued vid Khan Meizelun, to Zebdani, and Shtora, to Baalbek, whence 12th „ 15 Brigade pushed on to Lebwe.

(Total prisoners taken from Sept. 19 to Got. 16 were approximately 20,000.) 5th CAVALRY DIVISION.

(Late 2nd Mounted Division.) Commander. — Major-Gen. H. J. M. MacAndrew, C.B., D.S.O. 13th Cavalry Brigade (late 5th Mounted Brigade).

Commander. — Bt. Lieut.-Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) P. D. Fitzgerald, D.S.O., llth Hussars (relinquisbed, Dec, 1917).

Bt. Lieut.-Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) P. J. V. Kelly, C.M.G., D.S.O., 3rd Hussars (relin- quished, Oct., 1918).

Bt. Ideut.-Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) G. A. Weir, D.S.O., 3rd Dragoon Guards.

1/lst Warwickshire Yeomanry (ceased to belong to E.E.F., 19/6/18). 1/lst Gloucester Yeomanry, 9th Hodson's Horse, 18th Lancers. 13th Cavalry Brigade Signal Troop, R.E. 19th Machine Gun Squadron.

i4th Cavalry Brigade (late 7th Mounted Brigade).

Cmnumder.—Utut.-Col (temp. Brig.-Gen.) J. T. Wigan, C.M.G., D.S.O., Berks. Yeomanry (re- linquished, Dec, 1917). Lieut.-Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) G. V. Clarke, D.S.O., City of London Yeomanry.

1/lst Sherwood Rangers, 20th Deccan Horse, 34th Poona Horse. 14th Cavahy Brigade Signal Troop, R.E, 20th Machine Gun Squadron.

60 THE ADVANCE OF THE ISth (Imperial Service) Cavalry Brigade (late I.S. Cavalry Brigade). Commander . — Lieut. -Col. (temp. Brig. -Gen.) C. E. Harbord, D.S.O., 30th Lancers, I. A.

Jodhpore I.S. Lancers, Mysore I.S. Lancers, Ist Hyderabad I.S. Lancers. 15th Kathiawar I.S. Signal Troop. Imperial Service Machine Gun Squadron.

Divisional Troops.

Essex Battery, R.H.A., and Brigade Ammunition Column (less 2 Sections).

5th Field Squadron (late No. 7), R.E.

5th Cavalry Division Signal Squadron, R.E.

5th Cavalry Divisional Tram (Nos. 1103, 1044, 1104, 1105 Companies, R.A.S.C.).

13th, 14th, and 15th (I.S.), Cavahy Brigade Mobile Veterinary Sections.

Brief Record of Service.

5th Cavalry Division, after serving with the British Expeditionary Force in France, landed in Egypt in March, 1918. The Division was brought up to strength by the inclusion of Yeomanry and Imperial Service Cavalry, who had been serving with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, and joined Desert Mounted Corps on July 2.

1918.

Sept. 18. — Division was concentrated in the orange groves north-west of Sarona, in preparation for the attack.

„ 19. — At0430divisional artillery was inaction to support the advance of 6()th Division.

13th Brigade crossed Nahr el Falik and ad- vanced to the line Tel ed Dhrur-Liktera-the Sea. A column of the enemy was engaged at 1100, and 250 prisoners and four guns captured. At 1815 the brigade left Liktera with Divisional Headquarters for Jarak.

I4th Brigade crossed Nahr Iskanderuneh at 1100 and pushed on towards Jarak; while 15th Brigade, with artillery and transport column reached Liktera at 1500. „ 20. — 13th and 14th Brigades reached Jarak at 0100, having left a squadron of 9th Hodson's Horse (13th Brigade) to guard the left flank of troops advancing throtigh the Wadi Arah. The column reached El Mezrah and Nazareth at dawn, after cutting the El Afule-Haifa railway, having marched fifty miles in twenty-two hours. The enemy were attacked north of Nazareth by 13th Brigade, who withdrew to El Afule with 1,200 prisoners. El Afule was attacked from north by 14th Brigade and captured in conjunction with 4th Cavalry Division.

., 21. — Nazareth was reoccupied by 13th Brigade after a sharp engagement, and reconnoitring patrols were sent out to Kefr Kenna and Sepphoris. 14th Brigade marched to Jenin at 0400, to co-operate with Australian Mounted Division. This Brigade returned to HX Afule at 1530, and with 15th Brigade, who had arrived at 0100, picquetted the line El Afule-Shutta Station.

.1 22. — Nazareth was attacked at 0530 by a force of 700 Turks from Haifa. After a sharp fight 18th Lancers (13th Brigade) charged the enemy capturing 31 1 prisoners and four machine guns.

,. 23.— 13th Brigade with No. 11 Light Armoured Car Battery and No. 1 Light Car Patrol, left Nazareth at 0500 and, at 1300, captured Acre after a short engagement, taking 259 prisoners and two guns. 14th and 15th Brigades turned over their line to 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade and marched on Haifa vid Jebata and Jeida at 0500. 15th Brigade were engaged by Turkish artillery covering Haifa, at 1015; 14tb Brigade, with Divisional Headquarters, occupied the Kiflhon railway bridge and " Harosheth of the 1918. Sept. 23. — Gentiles " at midday ; and at 1400 Jodhpore and Mysore Lancers, supported by " B " Battery, H.A.C., attacked Haifa in face of strong resistance.

The town was captured at 1500, after street fighting, and 1,351 prisoners, seventeen guns, and eleven machine guns fell into our hands.

„ 25. — 13th Brigade returned to Kefr Kenna, leaving a squadron of Gloucestershire Yeomanry in Acre.

„ 26. — Division was relieved by 2nd Leicesters (7th Division), and, less 1/lst Sherwood Rangers, left Haifa at 0500 for Kefr Kenna, where it concen- trated at 0700.

„ 27. — Left Kefr Kenna (0300) and arrived at Tiberias at 0700. After a halt pushed on to a point north of the road between Mishmar Hayardon and Mahanayim.

„ 28. — (Jrossed the Jordan at Jisr Benat Yakub and reached El Kuneitra at 2030.

„ 29. — Left El Kuneitra at 1800, in rear of Australian Mounted Division.

„ 30.— Entered Sasa at 0830.

1200. — 13th Brigade seized Jebel el Aswad astride ICiswe-Damascus road, engaged the enemy and, having out their line of retreat, advanced to Kaukab. l'?00. — This Brigade captured Kiswe taking 576 prisoners and four guns, and rejoined Division at Kaukab on arrival of 4th Cavalry Division from Deraa. Night dispositions. — Divisional Headquarters and 13th Brigade at Kaukab; 14th Brigade astride Kiswe-Damascus road, and 15th Brigade about Khan esh Shiha. Oct. 1. — 0600. — Division concentrated and moved into positions east of Damascus, with 13th Brigade on Barada, and Division in touch with Australian Mounted Division on the north. (During period Sept. 19 to Oct. 1, captures totalled 9,934 prisoners, twenty -seven guns, and twenty machine guns, exclii'ing guns abandoned by the enemy.) „ 4. — Division (less 1/lst Sherwood Rangers and 1st Hyderabad Lancers), concentrated atElJudeide with No. 12 L. A.C. Battery and No. 7 L.C. Patrol.

„ 5. — Marched vid Katana to Khan Meizelun (siiteoa miles) and occupied ¦ „ 6.— Rayak at 1400.— IStli Brigade captured Zahle (twenty-one miles) at 1500, with 177 prisoner* s and two guns.

„ 7. — Armoured car reconnaissance to Beirui EGYPTIAN EXPEDITIONAEY FORCE ei 1918. Oct. 10. — Armoured c&r reconnaissance to Baalbek.

„ 11. — 13th Brigade occupied Baalbek.

„ 12. — Remainder of Division arrived at Baalbek and divided into two columns. Column " A," Divisional Headquarters with 15tb Brigade and Armoured Cars ; Column " B," 13th and 14th Brigades. Columns marched as follows : — "A" "B" „ 13. — Lebwe (twenty mile«).

„ 14. — El Kaa (sixteen miles). Lebwe.

„ 15. — Kussier (thirteen miles). El Kaa.

Armoured Cars entered iloms.

„ 16. — Horns (eighteen miles). Kusseir.

„ 17. — The division concentrated north-west of Homs at midday.

„ 19. — 15th Brigade, with No. 5 Field Squadron, R.E., advanced to repair the Orontes Bridge at Er Rastan (eleven miles).

„ 20. — Divisional Headquarter.!!, with Noe. 2, 11 and 12, L.A.C. Batterio, and Nos. 1 (Australian), 2, and 7 L.C. Patrols joined 15th Brigade at Er Rastan, forming Column " A." Remainder of Division formed Column " B." „ 21. — Column "A" advanced through Hama to Zoi Defai (twenty miles).

„ 22. — Armoured Cars arrived at Ma'arit en Na'aman at 1230 and two hours later engaged enemy car.s near Khan es Sebil. A running fight for fifteen miles ensued, resulting in the capture of tweve prisoners and two cars. A point four miles north of Seraikin was the end of the day's run.

Column "A" reached Khan Shaikhun (twenty- one miles).

1918. Oct. 23. — The Cars engaged enemy cavalry near Khan Tuman, and at 1000 reached Aleppo and summoned the city to surrender. This was refused.

Column " A " reached Ma'arit en Na'aman (sixteen miles), and Column " B " marched to Khan Shaikhun.

„ 24. — Armoured Cars reoecupied Khan Tuman at 0700, reconnoitre 1 towards Aleppo and Turmanin, and withdrew to Zirbe.

Column "A" reached Seraikin (eighteen and a half miles), and Column " B " reached Ma'arit en Na'aman.

„ 25. — The Armoured Cars engaged bodies of the enemy near Aleppo and Turmanin during the morning.

Column " A " arrived at Turmanin and 15th Brigade relieved the Cars while Column "B" reached Seraikin.

,, 26. — 0700. — 15th Brigade engaged astride Aleppo- Aleiandretta road. Mysore Lancers and two squadrons Jodhpore Lancers charged the enemy. 1000. — Divisional Headquarters with Armoured Cars entered Aleppo (which had surrendered to Sherifian tro(ips) followed at 2030 by 14th Brigade which had pushed on rapidly from Khan Tuman.

„ 28. — 13th Brigade holding Aleppo-Alexandretta road, and 14th Brigade at Muslimiyeh Junction, having relieved Sherifian troops. (During operations Oct. 2 to Oct. 28, 821 prisoners, eighteen guns, and much railway and other material were captured.) AUSTRALIAN MOUNTED DIVISION.

Commander.— Col. (temp. Major-Gen.) H. W. Hodgson, C.V.O., C.B.

3rd Australiaa Light Horse Brigade.

Commander. — Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) J. R. Royston, G.M.G., D.S.O. (relinquished, Oct., 1917).

Lieut.-Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) L. C. Wilson, C.M.G., 5th Australian Light Horse Regt. 8th, 9th and 10th Regiments, Australian Light Horse, 3rd Australian Light Horse Signal Troop. 3rd Australian Machine Gun Squadron.

4th AustraliaH Light Horse Brigade.

Commander. — Lieut.-Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) J. B. Merebith, D.S?0., 1st Australian Light Horse Regt. (relinquished, Sept., 1917). Lieut.-Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) W. Grant, D.S.O., 11th Australian Light Horse Regt. 4th, 11th and 12th Regiments, AustraUan Light Horse. - 4th Australian Light Horse Signal Troop. 4th Australian Machine Gun Squadron.

5th Australian Light Horse Brigade (late Imperial Camel Corps Brigade).

Commander. — Lieut.-Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) G. M. M. Onslow, D.S.O., V.D., 7th Australian Light Horsa Regt.

14th, 15tli and 16th Regiments, Australian Light Horse. 5th Australian Light Horse Signal Troop. 2nd New Zealand Machine Gun Squadron.

Divisional Troops.

19th Brigade, R.H.A. (" A " and " B " Batteries H.A.C., 1/lst Notts. Battery, and Brigada Ammunition Column). 2nd Field Squadron, Australian Engineers. 2nd Signal Sqiiadron, Australian Engineers.

Australian Moimted Divisional Train (Nos. 35, 36, 37, 38 Companies, Australian A.S.C.). 5th, 8th and 9th Australian Mobile Veterinary Sections.

62 THE ADVANCE OF THE Brief Record of Service.

In July, 1917, the Australian Mounted Division, at one time known as '' The Imperial Mounted xwision," consisted of 3rd and 4th Australian Light Horse, and 5th Mounted Brigades, all of which had served on Gallipoli. The last named became 13th Cavalry Brigade and left the division Aug. 22, 1918, the vacancy being filled by 5th AustraHan Light Horse (formerly Imperial Camel Corps), Brigade. (See page 72.) Divis 1917.

Sept. 18. — The division relieved Yeomanry Division with an outpost line through Bir el Esani-Kh. Khasif- Abu Shawish.

.. 24 to Oct. 24 .. 27.

Continual reconnaissances and patrols.

Middlesex Yeomanry (1st County of London) of 8th Mounted Brigade (attached) heavily attacked near El Buggar at dawn by a force estimated at 3,000-4,000. In spite of heavy casualties the attack was temporarily successful and 9th and 10th Regiments {3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade) were sent forward in support. They were ordered not to counter-attack however, and the position was re-taken by infantry of 53id Division after nightfall. „ 29. — Concentrated at Khalasa for the attack on Beersheba. „ 31. — 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade strongly en- gaged in supporting Australian and New Zealand Mounted (Anzac) Division in attack on Tel el Saba. 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade galloped over strong Turkish positions, demora- lized the enemy, and captured Beersheba at 1800 with 1,148 prisoners. 5th and 7th Mounted Brigades came up in support and junction was effected with Anzac Division on the outpost line. Nov. 2. — 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade rejoined Division, and 5th Mounted Brigade was attached to Anzacs. 8th Regiment (3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade) in action at Khuweilfeh. „ 4-5. — 7th Mounted Brigade attached. Outpost line, Wadi Hanafish-Hiseia, taken over from Yeo- manry Division. „ 7. — Advanced through Irgeig. Stiff fighting at Sheria, where 11th Regiment (4th Australian Light Horse Brigade) pushed the enemy back and beat off a counter-attack, thus assisting the concentration of 60th Division. „ 8. — Sharp fighting and troop actions by all regiments of 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade resulted in the capture of several guns. 12th Regiment (ith Australian Light Horse Brigade) effected junction with Imperial Service Cavalry (XXIst Corps) at Beit Hanum as the result of hard riding. One mile west of Huj ten troops of Warwick and Worcester Yeomanry (5th Mounted Brig.ide) charged a strong posi- tion, the garrison of which was delaying the advance of 60th Division. The charge was completely successful and eleven guns and four machine guns were taken. „ 9.— Marched vid Tel el Hesi to Arak el Menshiye where a counter-attack by an enemy column was repulsed. „ 11.— 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment occupied Summeil. Contact was established with 75th , Division. „ 12.— 9th Australian Light Horse Regiment occupied Berkusie. The outpost line through Zeita- Berkusie was slightly withdrawn in conse- quence of a heavy attack against 5th Mounted Brigade and 9th Australian Light Horse Regiment. The 8th and 10th Regiments sup- ported, the attack was held, and the original positions re-occupied during the night. The 2nd Australian Light Horse Brigade tem- porarily joined the Division and was engaged at Kezaze. „ 13.— 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade advanced, protecting right flank of 75th Division, and occupied Tel et Turmus after sharp fighting. In carrying out this operation the brigade waa compelled to move across the enemy's front.

1917.

Not. 14. — 4th Regiment (4th Australian Light Horse Brigade) captured Et Tine with large . quantities of ammunition and stores. 7th Mounted Brigade and the 2nd Australian Light Horse Brigade co-operated with 75tli Division in the capture of Junction Station. ,, 18. — Operating around Amwas and Latron. In touch with Yeotnanry Division on the left (north). (5th Mounted Brigade and 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment, attached to XXIst Corps carried out valuable patrols over most difficult country. Later, on withdrawal of XXIst Corps, tliese units passed under orders of XXtli Corps and were employed to form link between 53rd and 60th Divisions during the final advance to Jerusalem). „ 28. — 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade took ovei part of line (and came under Yeomanry Division) at Beit ur et Tahta. ,, 29. — 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade relieved the 155th Brigade (52nd Division) at El Burj. „ 30. — 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade and 7th Mounted Brigade rejoined division, which now held the line, EI Burj-Beit Sira.

(During the month the division captured 1,804 prisoners, thirty-five guns, and eight machine guns.) Deo. I. — A strong enemy attack was checked only when within thirty yards of the line held by 8th Australian Light Horse Regiment. A party of Gloucester Yeomanry (5th Mounted Brigale), and two companies l/4th Royal Scots Fusiliers (52nd Division) were sent up in support and the attacking force was surrounded and captured. 112 un wounded and sixty wounded prisoners were taken, and over 100 dead were buried. (This attack was made by the 190th Assault Battalion, and a prisoner captured subsequently stated that the whole battalion had been killed or captured). ,,26-28. — The line was advanced 1,500 yards with very little opposition. On Dec. 27 patrols assisted the advance of 29th Infantry Brigade by demon- strations against right flank of enemy's positions 1918. on Namah Ridge.

Jan. 1. — Relieved by 10th Division and moved back to Deir el Belah, leaving 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade in the line until Jan. 6 to fill the gap between XXth and XXIst Corps. Jan. to I Spent in refitting, extensive training, and salvage March ) work on the old trench systems south of Gaza. „ 14.— -Division inspected by H.R.H. Duke of Connaught, K.G. Apl.1-26. — Moved vid Selmeh and Talaat ed Dumm to Jericho, which was the point of concentration for the projected raid on Es Salt. „ 30. — 5th Mounted Brigade, on the Umm esh Shert- Es Salt track, reached its first objective with little opposition. 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade, in position astride the Jisr ed Damieh- Es Salt track, sent forward 11th Regiment, who found the enemy holding the Jisr ed Damieh Bridgehead in great strength and could not advance, but 1st Regiment (attached) captured Red Hill at 1225. 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade moving eastward was held up by fire from enemy works covering Es Salt, but these were stormed by 9th and 10th Regiments dis- mounted, while 8th Regiment galloped along the road and forced it's way into Es Salt at 1800 in face of stubborn resistance. One troop pursued the enemy for two miles along teh Amman road, riding down and capturing several EGYPTIAN EXPEDITIONAEY FORCE 63 April 30 parties. 3f)0 prisoners, twenty-nine machine guns, and large quantities of material were taken.

May 1. — Enemy attacked 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade, who inflicted heavy casualties, but were forced to withdraw by overwhelming numbers.

„ 8-3. — 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment was attacked four times during the night, but suc- ceeded in beating off the enemy with heavy losses.

„ 3. — An attack was launched at dawn against 8th Regiment supported by one squadron of Sth Regiment. This attack also was repulsed and 319 of the enemy were cut off and captured.

„ 4. — The division was withdrawn wast of the river and took over the left sector of the Jordan Valley defences. Continual consolidating and active patrolling carried on. Close contact with enemy was main- tained throughout, but the weather was very hot and trying and a good deal of sickness ensued. During this period all brigades were witlidrawn for a time to the Bethlehem-Solomon's Pools May and June „ 14 to July 13 .. 14.

„ 20.- Ang. 23.- „ 27 to Sept. 17 „ 18.- „ 19.- „ 20.- „ 23.- „ 24.- „ 25.- -4th Australian Light Horse Brigade assisted Anzac Division to repulse an attack in the Musallabeh Salient.

-Australian Mounted Division took over the left sector of Jordan Valley defences from Anzac Division. There was no especial activity, but troops suffered considerably with malaria.

-Relieved by Anzac Division and moved to the Ludd-Ramleh area.

Continuous training was carried out, and tho division was armed with swords.

-5th Australian Light Horse Brigade, having the French Cavalry attached, was placed under command of 6Uth Division ; the remainder of the division was concentrated south of Selmeh.

-Moved (less 5th Australian Light Horse Brigade) to Nahr Iskanderuneh -and Lejjun. 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade (less 8th Regiment) pushed on to Jenin, where 10th Regiment swept in from the north, de- moralising the enemy and capturing 4,000. A German force put up a fight after dark but were caught by machine-gun fii'e and sur- rendered. (Total captures in the neighbour- hood of Jenin included 8,000 prisoners, five machine guns and much booty ; and twenty- four aeroplanes, burned by the enemy, were found in the aerodrome.) -Divisional Headquarters and 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade arrived at El Efule at 0945. A squadron of 9th Regiment recon- noitred to near Beisan and took 80 prisoners.

-4th Australian Light Horse Brigade marched vid Beisan to Jisr Mejamie, and pushed on to -Semakh, reaching the outskirts of that place at 0425. The enemy were found to be in force, but the Brigade Commander decided to attack at once, without waiting for reinforcements. The 11th Regiment attacked from the east supported from the south by the fire of the machine-gun squadron, while one squadron of 12th Regiment worked round and attacked from the west. Several charges were pressed home and the- defenders driven back into the town. Desperate hand-to-hand fighting cul- minated at tho railway buildings which were fiercely defended for an hour, but by 0600 Semakh wa.s captured with 389 prisoners (of whom 1 50 were Glermans). The enemy casualties also included seventy killed and fifty wounded. Strong patrols sent up the Yarmuk Valley by the 12th Australian Light Horse Regiment meanwhile had found the enemy occupying strong positions. Tiberias was captured after a sharp fight by squadrons of 3rd and 4th Brigades, who had attacked the town from the west and south simultaneously. Two cars of 1918. Sept. 25 11th Light Armoured Car Battery co-operated in this engagement.

[Meanwhile 5th Australian Light Horse Brigade with cavalry of the French Palestine Detachment (Regiment Mixte de Marche de Cavalerie) at- tached, were engaged near Tul Keram where 3,000 prisoners were taken (Sept. 19), and the Tul Keram-Jenin railway was cut near Ajjeh (Sept. 20). On Sept. 21 Nablus was captured 1345 and junction effected with XXth Corps at Balata an hour later. The brigade moved to Zerin to rejoin the division (Sept. 24), and on arrival there sent forward 15th Regiment in support of 4th Brigade at Semakh.] „ 27. — The march on Damascus commenced. The bridge over the Jordan at Jisr Benat Yakub had been blown up, and enemy held high ground east of the river with many machine guns. A crossing vi'as effected both north and south of the bridge, however, and seventy prisoners and four guns captured.

„ 28. — El Kuneitra reached before nightfall.

„ 29. — 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade (less two regiments) remained at El Kuneitra ; rest of division moved off with 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade leading at 1500. Enemy oppon- tion was encountered near Sasa, and the c( Uatiy was very difficult for mounted work, but „ 30. the brigade forced its way through, capturing twenty-five prisoners, two guns, and seven machine guns. 4th and 12th Regiments (form- ing Bourchier's Force) continued the pursuit, taking 350 prisoners, one gun, eight machine guns, and 400 rifles, and at 1116 attacked the Kaukab line, which was held by 2,500 rifles and numerous machine guns. After a preliminary bombardment, 4th Light Horse Regiment made a frontal charge on tho position whi'e I2lh Regiment attacked the enemy's left flank. This co-operation was entirely successful, and seventy- two prisoners and twelve machine-guns were taken on the spot. The greater proportion of the defenders were ridden down and captured later, in the direction of Daraya. Meanwhile, 5th and 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigades moved rapidly towards north-west of Damascus until held up at El Mezze Heights by heavy shell and machine-gun fire, but the 19th Brigade, R.H.A., silenced most of the opposition. The French Cavalry moving dismounted along the hills of Kalabet el Mezze, blocked the gorge north-west of Er Rabue and captured 4,0C0 prisoners, in conjunction with 14th Regiment. 3rd Brigade, delayed at Salahiye by heavy opposition, defeated an enemy column and Oct. I. — pushed on towards Damascus, captured en route a loaded train with 483 prisoners, eight guns, and thirty machine guns, and passed through the city at 0000. This brigade fought contin- uously throughout the day, and seized enemy positions at Maraba, Duma, and Kusseir.

„ 2. — 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade pursued a force escaping north-east, and after riding h*rd for six miles, charged the column before the guns could be unlimbered, or machine guns brought into action. 1,500 prisoners, including a Divisional Commander, three guns, and twenty- six machine guns, were captured within an hour of being sighted.

(Total capture.«i, in the advance on, und occu- pation of Damascus, were over 25,000 prisoners, thirty-nine guns, 254 machine guns, •nd nine- teen automatic rifles.) „ 4. — Division concentrated in and around Damascus.

„ 19. — French Cavalry left to rejoin the French Palestine Detachment at Beirut.

„ 27. — Left Damascus for Homs and concentrated there on November 1.

54 THE ADVANCE OF THE AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND MOUNTED DIVISION.

Commander.— Col (temp. Major-Gen.) Sir E. W. C. Chaytor, K.C.M.G., C.B., p.s.c, A.D.C.

ist Australian Light Horse Brigade.

Commander.— Col (temp. Brig.-Gen.) C. F. Cox, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O.

1st, 2nd and 3rd Regiments, Australian Ligiit Horse. 1st Australian Light Horse Signal Troop. 1st Australian Machine Gun Squadron.

2nd Australian Light Horse Brigade. Commander.— Col (temp. Brig.-Gen.) G. de L. Eyrie, C.B., C.M.G.

5th, 6th and 7th Regiments, Australian Light Horse. 2nd Australian Light Horse Signal Troop. 2nd AustraUan Machine Gim Squadron.

New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade.

Commander. — Lieut.-Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) W. Meldrum, C.M.G., D.S.O., Wellington Mounted Rifles.

Auckland, Canterbury, and Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiments. No. 1 New Zealand Mounted Rifles Signal Troop. 1st New Zealand Machine Gun Squadron.

Divisional Troops.

18th Brigade, R.H.A. (Inverness, Ayr, and Somerset Batteries, and Brigade Ammunition Column.) Australian and New Zealand Field Squadron. 1st Signal Squadron, Austrahan Engineers. Australian and New Zealand Mounted Divisional Train (Nos. 32, 33 and 34 Companies,.

Australian A.S.C., and No. 4 Company, New Zealand A.S.C.). 6th and 7th, Australian, and No. 2 New Zealand Mobile Veterinary Sections.

Brief Record of Service.

The Australian and New Zealand Mounted Division, widely known as the " Anzac Mounted Division," was formed in March 1916 of Australian and New Zealand Brigades that had served in Gallipoli and landed in Egypt, December 23-31, 1915.

The Division took part in the advance from the Suez Canal, being engaged at Romani, Maghdaba and Rafa before taking part in the first and secon.l battles of Gaza in March and April, 1917, as part of the Desert Column. It joined Desert Mounted Corps on formation of the latter in August, 1917. and throughout subsequent operations retained its Order of Battle unchanged.

1917. 1917.

Oct. 30. — Concentrated at Asluj, fifteen miles south of Nov. 2 J During this period there was continuous fighting Keersheba. to ' in difficult country. 2nd Light Horse Brigade „ 31. — 2nd Australian Brigade struck from east and „ 5 ) supported by Ayrshire Battery, moyed on Dhu- took its first objectives, Bir ol Hammam heriyeh, astride the Hebron road, in constant and Bir Salim Abu Irgeig, by 0800, without touch with Turkish 3rd Cavalry Division, encountering serious opposition. Resistance lat Light Horse and New Zealand Brigades, stiffened considerably but Tel es Sakaty was with 7th Mounted and Imperial Camel Corps captured at 1300, and the Brigade was astride Brigades and 8th Light Horse Regiment at- the Beersheba-Hebron road by 1350. Tel es tached, were severely engaged in the neigh- Saba was strongly held against attacks by bourhood of Ras en Nagb and Tel Khuwellfeh.

1st Light Horse Brigade and New Zealand 7th Mounted Brigadi! captured the former, with Mounted Rifles Brigade, assisted by units of eleven prisoners and two guns.

Australian Mounted Division. This position „ C ) New Zealand Brigade experienced severe fighting was carried at 1500, and, by 1800, the Division, to > in the capture and subsequent defence of Tel with 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade at- ,, 7 ) Khuweilfeh, in co-operation with 53rd Division, tached, held an outpost line through Bir el „ 7. — 1st Light Horse Brigade captured the station east Hammam-Bir es Sakaty-just north of Beer- of Kh. Umm Ameidat (on the Jerusalem- sheba. Beersheba line), and took 300 prisoners and Not. 1. — 179 prisoners and four machine guns were cap- much material. Anzac units were also engaged tured as the result of aji advance of five miles intheneighbourhoodof Tel Abu Dilakh. Enemy to the Bir el Makruueli-Towal Abu Jerwal line. rearguards fought stubbornly, making full use of 1st Light Horse and New Zealand Brigades machine guns, and progress was slow, were involved in severe fighting in advancing m 8. — Lack of water compelled vigorous action to ae- on Tel Khuweilfeh and Ain Kohleh. cure supplies, and the Division (less New Zealand EGYPTIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE 65 1917. Nov. 8 „ 10. -1 11.- 12.- „ 14.- „ 15.

„ 16.

„ 17.

„ 19.

„ 24.

„ 25.

Deo. 1 to .. 6 21 to 23 1918.

Feb. 18, Brigade, but with 7th Mounted Brigade at- tached), fought its way Into the Wadi Jemma- meh and took 300 prisoner.s and two guns. 7th Mounted Brigade was oounter-attaclied near Tel Hudeiwe, but repulsed the enemy with heavy losses. •An advance of ten miles enabled the Division to occupy aline from Arali el Menshiye through Es Suafir osh Sherkiye to Beit Duras, in close touch with main Turkish rearguard. -Esdud was captured, and ¦1st Light Horse Brigade and Inverness Battery waa engaged with enemy rearguards at the Jisr Esdud bridgehead. 1st Light Horse Regiment was prominent in this fighting, in which the enemy made full use of machine guns, supported by heavy artillery at long range. -1st Light Horse Brigade captured Tel el Murre, and supported 52nd Division in the attack on, and capture of, Burkah. New Zealand Brigade (detached since Nov. 7), rejoined the Division, and the Imperial Camel Brigade temporarily took the place of 2nd Light Horse Brigade, which had joined the Australian Mounted Division, and was engaged near Kezaze on Nov. 12th -13th, and at Junction Station on Nov. H. New Zealand Brigade were heavily engaged at Ayun Kara (Rielion le Zion). The enemy counter-attacked in force, and were only re- pulsed by the Auckland and Wellington Regi- ments at" the point of the bayonet. Ramleh and Ludd were taken by 1st Australian Light Horse Brigade, who captured 360 prisoners. ¦New Zealand Mounted Rifles occupied Jaffa without opposition ; and ¦patrols from this brigade passed through Sarona and reached Nahr el Auja. but failed to bring the retreating enemy to action. ¦Patrols to Rantieh located enemy redoubts at Nebi Tari and trenches at Kh. Hadrah on north bank of Nahr el Auja. -New Zealand Brigade crossed the Auja and cap- tured the advanced line through Kh. Hadrah and Sh. Muannis. ¦The enemy fiercely counter-attacked Kh. Hadrah at 0300 and at 0800 forced a withdrawal to the old line south of the Auja. Sh. Muannis was also abandoned to an overwhelming force during the morning.

The line Yehudieh-Jerisheh-south bank of the Auja to the sea, held by Anzao Divison (less Ist Light Horse Brigade, but with Imperial Camel and IGlst Infantry Brigades attached), was consolidated in expectation of a general hostile attack. The Turks were content, how- ever, to hold their positions, and the attack did not materialize. Bald Hill, an important position one mile south- west of Mulebbis, was successfully raided by 2ud Light Horse and Camel Brigades. Sharp lighting and considerable hostile shelling was ex- perienced, particularly by 6th Light Horse Regt. (The division captured 3,553 prisoners, twenty- one guns, and twenty-one machine guns during the period Oct. 31 to Dec. 7.) \ 1st Light Horse Brigade supported 54th Division / in the advance to Mulebbis, and Auckland and } Wellington Regiments supported 52nd Division ) in the crossing of the Auja.

The period for necessary rest and refitting was cut short by the concentration for operations in the Jordan Valley.

— Wellington Mounted Rifles were at Deir Ibn Obeid, while Divisional Headquarters with 1st Light Horse Brigade and remainder of New Zealand Brigade were concentrated about Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

Mch ¦ 7 to *f 15 9$ 23.

1918. Feb. 19. — Anzao unita moved eastward through desolate country to El Muntar, gix miles from the Dead Sea. „ 20. — Tubk el Kaneitera and Jebel el Kahmun were strongly held, and accurate shell and machine- gun fire from the direction of Neby Musa delayed the advance. The first two positions were cap- tured shortly after noon, however, by a dis- mounted attack along narrow mountain tracks through precipitous country. „ 20 1st Light Horse Brigade pushed on through the gorge of the Wadi Kumran to the plain ou north-west shore of the Dead Sea, and took up a line along the Wadi Jofet Zebea at 1 800. New Zealand Brigade, in co-operation with 2/14th London and 1 0th Mountain Battery, occupied Neby Musa. „ 21. — 1st Light Horse Brigade reached Jericho at 0820, and immediately sent out patrols to El Ghor- aniyeh (where the Turks were found holding a bridgehead on the west bank of the Jordan), and to the Wadi Aujah.

One squadron New Zealand Mounted Rifles occupied Rujm el Bahr, a Turkish Base on the northern shore of the Dead Sea. 1st Light Horso' Brigade and Inverness Battery were engaged in the Wadi Samieh, on the ri!»ht flank of 53rd Division. -Auckland Mounted Rifles crossed the Jordan at Hajlah at 0400, to clear the east bank of the rivtr. Several enemy detachments were gal- loped down, and the high ground covering Ghor- aniyeh secured by noon, with the capture of sixty-eight prisoners and four machine guns. Meanwhile one regiment of 1st Light Horse Brigade also crossed the river at Hajlah. and was engaged in clearing the country to south and south-east. 24. — 1st Light Horse Brigade, about one mile north of El Mandesi ford, covered the left flank of 60th Division, while the remainder of the mounted troops moved oast and north-east from Hajlah. Infantry turned enemy's right flank, and, with a squadron of Wellington Mounted Rifles in advance, pursued them up the Es Salt road. 2nd Light Horse Brigade reached Rujm el Oshir during the afternoon, but advance was seriously delayed by the state of the track, which was im- passable for wheels and almost so for mounted men. New Zealand Brigade advanced by the Wadi Jofet el Ghazlaniye towards Es Sir. 25. — The head of the column arrived at Ain Hekr about 0530 and concentrated there all day, being much delayed by bad tracks and wet. Naaur was reached by 2nd Light Horse Brigade at 1030, and New Zealand troops occupied Es Sir, but progress was very slow on account of the mud. Es Salt, evacuated by the enemy, was occupied by 3rd Light Horse Regiment at 1800. 26.— 2nd Light Horse Brigade pushed out patrols north ot the Es Salt — Amman road and cap- tured 170 prisoners. It was necessary to rest the greater proportion ot the horses, but a raiding party reached the Hejaz Railway, seven miles south of Amman, and blew up a section of the line during the night. 27.— Division left for Amman at 0900. New Zealand Brigade reached Ain Amman at 1030, and 2nd Light Horse Brigade, on their left, were three miles from Amman Station. New Zealand Brigade cut the railway south of Amman at 1500, but 2nd Brigade were held up and only reached the line during the night, when a demolition party succeeded in blowing up a two-arch bridge. 28.— 1st Light Horse Brigade engaged an enemy column moving along the Jisr ed Damieh track towards Es Salt. Heavy fightmg followed a general attack on Amman, aad a determined enemy.

66 THE ADVANCE OF THE 1918. Moh. 28 well supplied with machine guns, held up our advance in the aftei-noon and 29. — throughout the following day. ,1 30. — A sudden attack was launched against the whole hostile position at 0200, and at 0430 New Zea- land troops captured part of Hill 3039 (a dominating feature south-east of the village), aad took six machine guns, hut it was found impossible to clear the hill. New Zealand patrols entered the village and some house-to- house fighting ensued. Hill 3039 was heavily counter-attacked at 1100, and, though the attack Was broken up, the defence was subjected to continual shelling throughout the day.

Meanwhile strong hostile reinforcements had arrived in the vicinity of Kefr Huda, and were threatening Es Salt from north-west. During the fighting that ensued 3rd Light Horse Regi- ment captured three machine guns and killed or captured seventeen Turks in a skirmish.

Orders were received for a general retirement, and „ 3!. — 2nd Light Horse Brigade covered the withdrawal of 181st Infantry Brigade through Es Sir.

(460 prisoners were taken by the Division during the Amman raid, March 23-31.) April 3. — 1st Light Horse Brigade and 5th Regiment (2nd Brigade) took over the Glioraniyeh bridgehead from 2/17th and 2/19lh London. „ 11. — Enemy attacked the Ghoraniyeh bridgehead in strength at 0445 and throughout th» day. The attacks were launched along the Wadi Nimrin, 1918. April H and were all repulsed with very heavy losses.

3rd Light Horse Regiment attempted to envelop* a hostile force from north and south but found the enemy echeloned in depth and, coming under heavy shell and machine-gun fire, withdrew.

2nd Light Horse Brigade (less 5th Regiment) supported Imperial Camel Corps Brigade, wh» were heavily attacked by German troops at Musallabeh. „ 30 ) During the raid on Es Salt, 1st and 2nd Light f Horse Brigades, attached to Australian Mounted f Divwion, were involved in heavy fighting around May 4. ) Es Salt, while New Zealand Brigade, with other mounted imits fought several severe actions on the line Red Hill (east of Jordan) to the foothills. July 14. — A determined attack on the Mumllabeh salient,. -¦Vbu Tellul-The Bluff, was repulsed by Ist Light Horse Brigade and 5th Regiment, sup- ported by New Zealand Brigade. Wellington I.Iounted Rifles were prominent in this action. 2nd Light Horse Brigade (less 5th Regiment) also beat off an attack in the Wadi Mellahah. 377 Germans and 71 Turks were captured, and 180 enemy dead counted, as the result of the day's fighting. Sept. 19 ) Aaz»o Division, as part of " Chaytor's Force " to > (?."•). was engaged in the Jordan Valley ; seized „ 29 ) Shunet Nimrin, Es Salt, and Amman ; cut the Hejaz Railway ; and, in co-operation with other units under General Chaytor's Command, cap- tured 10,000 prisoners, fifty-five guns, 169' machine guns, and 800 tons of ammunition.

3rd (LAHORE) DIVISION.

Commander. — Major-Gen. A. K. Hoskins, C.M.G., D.S.O., p.s.c.

Commanding, Royal Artillery. — Bt. Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) H. R. Peck, C.M.G., D.S.O., R.A.

7th Infantry Brigade.

Comm,%nder.~Bt. Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) S. R. Davidson, C.M.G., 47th Sikhs, I.A.

1st Battalion Connaught Rangers, 27th and 91st Punjabis, 2/7th Gurkha Rifles. 7th Light Trench Mortar Battery.

8th Infantry Brigade. Commcmder.— Col (temp. Brig.-Gen.) S. M. Edwardes, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., I.A.

1st Battalion Manchester Regiment, 47th Sikhs, 59th Scinde Rifles (F.F.), 2/124th Balu- chistan Infantry. 8th Light Trench Mortar Battery.

9th Infantry Brigade; Commander. — Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) C. C. Luard, C.M.G.

2nd Battalion Dorset Regiment, 93rd Infantry, 105th Mahratta, Light Infantry, 1/lst Gurkha Rifles. 9th Light Trench Mortar Battery.

Divisional Troops.

4th Brigade, R.F.A. (7th, 14th and B/69th Batteries). 8th Brigade, R.F.A. (372nd, 373rd and 428th Batteries). 53rd Brigade, R.F.A. (66th, 374th and 430th Batteries). 3rd Divisional Ammunition Column. 20th and 21st Companies, 3rd Sappers and Miners. 65th Field Company, R.E. 3rd Divisional Signal Company, R.E.

EGYPTIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE 57 3rd Divisional Machine Gun Battalion (Nos. 131, 132, 133 Companies).

l/34tli Sikh Pioneers.

3rd Divisional Train (S. & T.).

No. 3 Mobile Veterinary Section, Brief Record of Service.

The 3rd (Lahore) Division served on the Western Front in 1914-15 ; in Mesopotamia 1916-17 ; and landed in Egypt in April, 1918. In June, 1918, the division joined XXIst Corps, and relieved 54th Division in the front line, from Kh. Umm el Ikba to near Tel el Mukhmar, a length of nearly eight miles.

1918. Aug. 19 105th Mahratta Light Infantry (9th Brigade), 8upj)0rted by an artillery barrage, raided an enemy post on the west slope of Brown Hill, and killed or captured the whole garrison. The post was stormed at 0225 in face of gallant resistance, particularly on the part of machine- gunners, who stuck to their guns to the last. The raiders returned to the British lines by a circuitous route to avoid the heavy hostile barrage of H.E. put down in front of Brown Hill.

Sept. 19. — The Division attacked on a front of 1,800 yards, with 54th Division on the right and 75th Divi- sion on the loft. 7th Brigade attacked Bir Adas and Fir Hill ; 9th Brigade attacked the strong trench system on Brown Hill ; while 8th Brigade moved towards Jiljulieh in reserve. In the right attack 2/7th Gurkhas captured trenches north-west of Bir Adas, and 27th Pun- jabis were equally successful on the west of Fir Hill, while 1st Connaught Rangers carried the main Fir Hill defences against considerable resistance ; and by 0700 the brigade was ad- vancing through Kefr Saba. On the left 2nd Dorsets and 1/lst Gurkhas seized Brown Hill and Hill 283 respectively, and by 0630, having pierced the enemy defences to a depth of two miles, the brigade was swinging eastward to- wards the foothills.

8th Brigade was ordered to attack Jiljulieh and Railway Redoubt. Both positions were stubbornly defended, but 2/124th Baluchis stormed the Redoubt at 1030, and, at 1100, 1st Manchesters swept the enemy from the village. The whole of the enemy front line positions were captured by 1200, and the Divi- sion advanced eastward on a north and south line through Hableh. 9th Brigade on the left was strongly engaged (particularly 105th Mah- rattas) in the advance to and capture of Jiyus, and, after being held up for a time, 1/lst Gurkhas advanced in co-operation with right flank of 7tb Division.

By nightfall the Division held a line about two miles west of Kh. Kefr Thilth and Azzun on the right, with its left resting on Jiyus.

1918. Sept. 20.

Brigades moved at 0500, and made steady progress in spite of vigorous resistance by enemy rear- guards and howitzer fire from the direction of Kefr Thilth and Azzun. The greatest opposi- tion was experienced along the line of the Wadi Azzun, and 47th Sikhs and 59th Scinde Rifles were heavily engaged on the high ground north • and south respectively. Azzun and Kefr Thilth were taken by 1100, and a company of 2/7th Gurkhas was left to clear the former of snipers. A large quantity of war material was abandoned by the enemy along the Azzun road, and at El Funduk Connaught Rangers captured six field guns, five mountain guns, two machine guns, 150 wagons, and 250 animals.

The Division halted for the night on the line El Funduk-Kuryet Jit-Kcfr Kaddum. 21. — The advance was continued in a north-easterly direction, the only opposition experienced being from the direction of Nablus on the 9th Brigade front. Kussein was reached about 0730, but 93rd Burma Infantry had a hard fight for Hill 2533, a prominent feature two miles west of Nablus (or Shechem). This important posi- tion was captured at 1115 after a stifi climb under fire, and, as it afforded direct observation on Nablus, 3rd Divisional Artillery were able to shell enemy guns in action and transport columns, and assist 5th Australian Light Horse Brigade to capture this hub in the Turkish communications.

By 1915 all the Divisional objectives had been taken, and a line was occupied facing east astride the Tul Keram-Nablus road through Beit Udhen-Zawata-Jennesinia-NusfJebil, join- ing up with 7th (Indian) Division near Samaria.

(During the period .Sept. 19-21, 1,366 prisoners and seventy guns were captured and recorded ; but the actual numbers taken probably much exceeded these figures.) 24. — 7th Brigade marched to Jenin, where it was at- tached to Desert Mounted Corps, and garrisoned Jenin, El Afule, Nazareth, and Beisan for a week. 29. — Divisional Headquarters, with 8th and 9th Bri- gades concentrated at Hableh ; and 7th Brigade at Semakh.

7tli (INDIAN) DIVISION.

Commander.— MsLJoT-Gen. Sir V. B. Fane, K.C.I.E., C.B.

Commanding, Royal rtiZfery.— Lieut. -Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) E. C. ]\LiSSY, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., R.A.

I9th lafantry Brigade.

Commamfer.— -Lieut.-Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) E. J. M. Wood, D.S.O., 97th Infantrv, LA. (relinquished, April, 1918). Bt. Lieut.-Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) G. A. Weir, D.S.O., 3rd Dragoon Guards (relinquished Oct., 1918). Bt. Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) W. S. Leslie, D.S.O., 31st Punjabis, LA., f.s.c.

1st Battahon Seaforth Highlanders, 28th and 92nd Punjabis, 125th Napier's Rifles. 19th Light Trench Mortar Battery.

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Further Reading:

Desert Mounted Corps

The Desert Mounted Corps, Roll of Honour

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

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Updated: Sunday, 26 September 2010 4:44 PM EADT

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