Topic: AIF - 1B - 1 LHR
The Battle of Rafa
Sinai, 9 January 1917
1st Light Horse Regiment War Diary Account
1st Light Horse Regiment, War Diary Account
The following is a transcription of the 1st Light Horse Regiment, War Diary Account detailing their role at the Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917.
Al Risa, 8 January 1917
Regiment paraded at 1530 and moved to Sheikh Zowaiid and bivouacked until 0130 night of 8/9 and then marched on Rafa. "B" Squadron in Advance; "A" Squadron found flank Guards. 15 reinforcements with 25 horses arrived from Kantara attached temporarily to 2nd Light Horse Regiment. Casualties - nil.Rafa, 9 January 1917
1st Light Horse Regiment (less "B" Squadron) attacked Rafa at dawn, being in touch with 2nd Light Horse Regiment on right then New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade covered by guns of Ayrshire Battery and 1st Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron.Enemy strongly entrenched and reserved fire until we advanced along sunken road. Enemy rifle fire commenced 1100. Our line was held up at 1145 when 300 yards west of Mud Hut. At 1300 we pushed on to ridge C5 above Big Tree vide Brigade diagram and took 24 prisoners out of enemy trenches. At this time 1345 Major TEWW Irwin was wounded and we had 1 killed and 13 Other Ranks wounded. at 1400 our advanced troops were shelled by guns on our right thought to be our own. Casualties now 2 killed and 20 Other Ranks wounded. Also Second Lieutenant CA Hordern. Our first aid Regimental Post was in Sunken road under telephone line - see Brigade maps (See: Map of Turkish Trench Works) and Map No. North H36 EIII Rafa (See: Map segment of Rafa 1:125,000) - Our Lewis guns were well forward with their respective squadrons and (1) machine gun was in position in Enemy Trench. At about 1500 our communications were interrupted while 1 mile of cable was got from Signal Officer as we were short and using Helio. Fresh Small Arms Ammunition was here brought up in bags and bandoliers. At about 1600 rapid fire was ordered and at about 1630 the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade was seen coming over Hill 255 Redoubt. 1st Light Horse Regiment charged and Turks surrendered. Our total casualties 2 Officers wounded, 3 Other Ranks Killed and 29 Other Ranks wounded. Particulars of Officers wounded - Major TEWW Irwin, Second Lieutenant CA Hordern. Bivouacked Sheikh Zowaiid night of 9/10 at 2400.
Al Risa, 10 January 1917
Arrived back in camp at 1200. Horses and men showing fatigue. Enemy plane had bombed El Risa during our absence but little damage was done.
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:
1st Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour
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, 1st Light Horse Regiment, War Diary Account
