Topic: AIF - DMC - 1 Sig Sqn
The Battle of Rafa
Sinai, 9 January 1917
1st Signal Squadron, War Diary Account
1st Signal Squadron, War Diary Account
The following is a transcription of the 1st Signal Squadron, War Diary Account detailing their role at the Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917.
El Arish 8 January 1917
Marched out with Divisional Headquarters to attack on Rafa. Halted Sheikh Zowaiid.
Rafa 9 January 1917
Moved on at 0130 on 9th, arrived Karm ibn Musleh at dawn. Action opened. Divisional Headquarters moved to El Gubba 0900. Action continued to 1700. Position taken with bayonet. Communications established as detailed in Signal Order No 23 Attached. The extreme ??? of the additional pack telephone equipment was manifest. Visual Signalling was used in the early stages of the fight quite a lot. Cable ??? employed from 1300 to 1645 transporting Small Arms Ammunition from Divisional Ammunition Column forward dump to Brigades. Two trench wireless sets employed in the fight did not prove satisfactory owing to faulty accumulators since remedied. Upon occupation of Rafa portion of our Troops marched back to Sheikh Zowaiid, Necessary arrangements made for maintaining touch during night with Rear Guard.
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 Signal Squadron, AIF
1st Australian Light Horse Signal Squadron, AIF, 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 Signal Squadron, War Diary Account
