Topic: AIF - DMC - Anzac MD
The Battle of Rafa
Sinai, 9 January 1917
Anzac Mounted Division Special Instructions
The following is a transcription of the Anzac Mounted Division Special Instructions, of their role at the Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917.
Special Instructions1. With reference to Special Instructions issued in our G.66/29 of 6/1/17.
(a) Cancel para 4. The orders are now that all the Brigade Ammunition Columns march together.
(b) Amend para 5(a) as follows:-
For the Anzac Mounted Division portion of the Divisional Ammunition Column one troop from 3rd Light Horse Brigade. This escort will report to Commander Royal Artillery at the place of Assembly as already ordered.
2. Attention is again drawn to March Discipline. On the long march which will be carried out, it is of the utmost importance.
Seconds in Command of Regiments and Squadrons must always ride in rear of their unit.
Regimental Commanders and Squadron Leaders must from time to time ride back along their units to see that intervals and distances are being kept.
3. There must be no noise, no smoking, and no fires at the halt at Sheikh Zowaiid on the way to Rafa.
4. As soon as possible after the orders for the attack are issued, Brigadiers and Regimental Commanders will select their battle posts from which they will direct the operations. They will communicate the position to higher formations as soon as possible. The maps provided will be used to mark their positions on. They must not leave their battle posts unless they are obliged to. If they do have to leave them they must inform the commander of the formation to which they belong that they are leaving the battle post, and where they are going.
A representative of the staff must at all times be left at the battle post.
5. It is most important that information should be continuous from Regiments to Brigades, Brigades to Divisional Headquarters, and thence to Desert Column Headquarters.
It must be remembered that the Desert Column Commander is entirely dependent on the reports he receives for the action of his reserves, and the time he puts it in.
Lateral Communication must be sent also to formations and units on the right and left.
6. As soon as on position has been taken by any unit, the officer in command must at once rally his unit preparatory for dealing with the next objective.
He must detail small parties to take charge of any prisoners who are taken.
7. in the case of men surrendering, the bolt will be taken from the rifle and kept, and the prisoner made to carry his rifle himself to Sheikh Zowaiid. The bold can be put back afterwards.
If guns fall into our hands the Honourable Artillery Batteries will be called on to arrange to drag them back to Sheikh Zowaiid.
8. It is reported that there are some important papers in one of the houses in Rafa itself. These must be secured in case of the enemy retiring.
9. On arrival at Sheikh Zowaiid the 3rd Light Horse Brigade will detail one Senior Officer who will be left there. His duties will be:-
(a) To command all the fighting troops on Sheikh Zowaiid in case of attack.
(b) to make dispositions for the safety and defence of Sheikh Zowaiid and areas in which water development is going on during the absence of the force.
(Signed) J Gilbert Browne, Lieutenant Colonel
General Staff
Australian and New Zealand Mounted Division
War Diaries
All War Diaries cited on this site should be read in conjunction with the Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, AIF War Diaries of the Great War, Site Transcription Policy which may be accessed at:
Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, AIF War Diaries of the Great War, Site Transcription Policy
Further Reading:
The Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917
The Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917, Roll of Honour
The Palestine Campaign, 1917 - 1918
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: The Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917, Anzac Mounted Division Special Instructions
