Topic: AIF - NZMRB - NZMFA
The Battle of Rafa
Sinai, 9 January 1917
New Zealand Mounted Field Ambulance, War Diary Account
New Zealand Mounted Field Ambulance, War Diary Account
The following is a transcription of the New Zealand Mounted Field Ambulance, War Diary Account detailing their role at the Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917.
Masaid 8 January 1917
1200 Mobile Section left Masaid with Brigade at 1200. With other Brigades intention was to attack the enemy positions at Magruntein, Shokh el Sufi and Rafa at dawn on January 9th.
1515 Reached rendezvous at a spot about 2 miles east of the Wadi El Arish.
1630 Moved off in Column of Ambulance, ie, all ambulance followed the Brigades and not each with its own Brigade.
2330 Arrived at Sheikh Zowaiid.
Rafa 9 January 1917
0130 Left Sheikh Zowaiid.
0400 Arrived Point 250 and halted there till daylight.
0700 Joined up with New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade which moved forward to Point 350 on Rafa Map - immediately north east of Shokh el Sufi.
1000 Dressing station opened at a point on Rafa map due south of "I" in Shokh el Sufi. Assistant Director Medical Services and Brigade notified as to its position.
1400 Cases arrived slowly up till 1400 and then steadily increased in number. Wounded on arrival were dressed, fed and in most cases given anti-Actrime serum.
1400 First convoy of wounded despatched to Sheikh Zowaiid - consisting of slightly wounded cases and Turks.
1700 Received warning from Assistant Director Medical Services Anzac Mounted division to be ready to move at short notice the Tent Division. Wounded were accordingly loaded on to camels as rapidly as possible, and equipment was partially loaded on to the baggage camels.
Order sent to Officer Commanding unit transport to evacuate all cases collected as rapidly as possible.
1720 Received order from Divisional Headquarters to withdraw as soon as possible. Order sent to Officer Commanding unit transport to send sand carts in the direction taken by New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade (which was commencing to withdraw) and not to send any further carts to New Zealand Receiving Station which had received orders to close.
1735 A Troop arrived from Divisional Headquarters, the officer of which had authorisation to act as rearguard to the New Zealand Mounted Field Ambulance. Order received from General Royston to withdraw immediately.
1800 Left Karm el Sufi and joined main body of troops now en route to Sheikh Zowaiid.
1810 Reported to Assistant Director Medical Services Anzac Mounted Division.
2320 Arrived at Sheikh Zowaiid. Wounded transported to 1st Australian Light Horse Dressing Station.
Sheikh Zowaiid 10 January 1917
0815 New Zealand Mounted Field Ambulance left for Masaid which was reached at 1600.
As at Magdhaba the number of sand carts was inadequate and provision for more lying down carts would make work of evacuation easier and more satisfactory in every way. The general transport taken proved to be ample.
Summary of wounded at Rafa Action
Many cases were collected and evacuated to another Ambulance unless seen by a New Zealand Mounted Field Ambulance Officer, such cases not included.Officers - 7
Other Ranks - 60
Total - 67
Proportion of serious cases seemed about the same as at Magdhaba.
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:
New Zealand Mounted Field Ambulance
New Zealand Mounted Field Ambulance, 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, New Zealand Mounted Field Ambulance, War Diary Account
