Topic: AIF - 1B - 1 Sig Trp
The Battle of Rafa
Sinai, 9 January 1917
1st Troop, War Diary Account
1st Signal Troop, War Diary Account
The following is a transcription of the 1st Signal Troop, War Diary Account detailing their role at the Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917.
El Arish 8 January 1917
1630 Signal Troops moved out with 1st Light Horse Brigade to attack Rafa via Sheikh Zowaiid.
Rafa 9 January 1917
0930 1st Light Horse Brigade went into action taking up position south of enemy entrenchments with New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade on right and 3rd Light Horse Brigade on our left. Brigade Headquarters was established on a ridge ¾ of a mile from Divisional Headquarters and a line was laid to 1st Light Horse Regiment who occupied a ridge about 2 miles north of Brigade Headquarters.
1015 About 1015 the 2nd and 3rd Light Horse Regiments moved forward and took up positions on the right and left of 1st Light Horse Regiment these two regiments were connected by lateral lines laid from each respective Regimental Headquarters to 1st Light Horse Regiment Headquarters. Brigade Headquarters then moved forward and occupied position previously held by 1st Light Horse Regiment and a line was then laid from the old position to Division Headquarters thus connecting the Regiments and Brigade Headquarters to Divisional Headquarters by telephone.
1730 Enemy position carried at about 1730 and as Brigade was under orders to withdraw to Sheikh Zowaiid as soon as possible the 4 miles of D1 Telephone cable had to be left we left Rafa for Sheikh Zowaiid at 1930 arriving there 0130 watered horses and bivouacked for night.
Sheikh Zowaiid 10 January 1917
Left Sheikh Zowaiid for El Arish and returned to cam at 1215.
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 Light Horse Signal Troop, AIF
1st Light Horse Signals Troop, 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 Troop, War Diary Account
