Topic: AIF - 1B - 2 LHR
The Battle of Rafa
Sinai, 9 January 1917
2nd Light Horse Regiment War Diary Account
2nd Light Horse Regiment, War Diary Account
The following is a transcription of the 2nd Light Horse Regiment, War Diary Account detailing their role at the Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917.
El Arish 8 January 1917
1600 Regiment marched out with ANZAC Mounted Division to make raid on Enemy's entrenched position near Rafa at dawn on 9 January 1917. Bivouacked at Sheikh Zowaiid from 2200 to 2400 thence to about 1½ miles south of position held by enemy.
Rafa 9 January 1917
0600 Arrived about 1½ miles south of enemy's entrenched position near Rafa. Attack commenced at 1000 and after a hot engagement lasted all day. Enemy surrendered at 1730. Our casualties were 6 killed and 20 wounded. (See list attached). We captured 4 Guns, 4 Machine guns and about 1,800 prisoners. Our force left battleground at 2200 and bivouacked at Sheikh Zowaiid.
El Arish 10 January 1917
Force left Sheikh Zowaiid and marched into camp at El Arish at 1230. Regiment in Camp. All officers paraded at Brigade Headquarters at1000 when operations were discussed.
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:
2nd 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, 2nd Light Horse Regiment, War Diary Account
