Topic: AIF - 3B - 3 LHB
The Jifjafa Raid
Sinai, 10 - 14 April 1916
Operation Order No. 6
Operation Order No. 6 by Brigadier General JM Antill, CB, GOC, 3rd ALH Brigade
The transcription:
Secret
Third Light Horse Brigade
Operation Order No. 6
By Brigadier General JM Antill, CB, GOC, 3rd ALH Brigade
1. Information and IntentionTo verify the reports of Agents and Air Service as to the existence of a small Turkish Post at Jifjafa (not exceeding 40 men, including workmen.)
To destroy at least two wells over which gyns have been erected, and if possible capture the Post.
A telephone line has been observed which apparently stops about 1 mile north east of the main post.
To report further upon:-(a) Water in vicinity of country traversed.
(b) Works and defences if any.
(c) Further information of military value.
(d) Effect capture if possible of enemy personnel or inhabitants.
2. Detail of Troops
Commanding Officer - WH Scott, 9th Light Horse
Staff Officer, Captain AE Wearne, 8th Light Horse(1) One Squadron of 117 all ranks of 9th Light Horse and 5 spare horses. (1 Officer and 12 Other Ranks - 8th Light Horse.)
(2) 24 Bikanir Camel Corps and 1 Interpreter, for escort duty and despatch riding.
(3) Detachment of Engineers, for demolition and water duties.
(4) WT Wireless Pack Detachment(to be provided by General Headquarters as a self contained unit, carrying 5 days water and supplies.)
(5) Detachment Royal Flying Corps for communication with Air-Craft. This detachment will require 2 horses, 2 riding camels and 2 pack camels, to be supplied by Officer Commanding 10th Light Horse, and Camel Transport Corps respectively.
(6) Officer Commanding 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance will detail one Medical Officer and Orderly to accompany the Column. 5 Camels equipped with sitting up cacolets will accompany this unit, also 2 sand carts furnished complete by Assistant Director of Medical Services 4th Infantry Division (less 8 horses and 2 Drivers furnished by 3rd Light Horse Brigade).
(7) Officer Commanding 9th Light Horse will detail a Machine Gun Detachment of 1 Officer and 4 Other Ranks as part of the command, but to be included in the above numbers. (Pack Equipment for carrying the Gun is being arranged for.)
(8) Captain Macaulay (GSO 3, 2nd Anzac) will accompany the Column as Intelligence Officer and Arabic Interpreter.
3. Camel Transport.
Officer Commanding Camel Transport Corps will provide:-
Camels to carry food, forage, and water for the whole of the Column (less Wireless Detachment). The numbers required for this detail are being communicated direct to the Officer Commanding Camel Transport.
4. Starting Points
Road head east of Railhead for Fighting Troops, No's 1, 3, 6, 7, and 8.
Supply Depot at Railhead for Camel Transport and other Details No. 2, 4, and 5. (Times hereafter.)
5. Movement of Troops
1st Day, 11 April 1916Column will assemble at Starting Point at 1345, leaving at 1400 to reach the Bivouac occupied by Reconnaissance Party of 21 March 1916 situation in the Wadi um Muksheib, some 6-8 miles from Moiya Harab at 0200 12 March 1916. There is will rest until 0800.
At the above point the Camel Transport should be in waiting.
2nd Day, 12 April 1916Leave Bivouac at 0800 and proceed to the water at Moiya Harab or north east of that place, where it will rest until 1400, when the Column will continue its march to Point 1340 north east of Moiya Harab and bivouac for the night
3rd Day, 13 April 1916From Point 1340 the objects of the Reconnaissance will be carried out, returning to Point 1340 on completion - Bivouac, and if the circumstances permit, remain until early morning, thence to water by 0700.
4th Day, 14 April 1916Feed and water at cistern, and continue march to Bivouac of 11 April 1916, arriving about noon, rest until evening, and continue return march.
5th Day, 15 April 1916Arrive at Starting Point early hours of 15 April 1916.
6. Movement of Camel Transport
With an escort of 20 Bikanir Camel Corps and Interpreter, the Camel Train will leave the Starting Point at 1400 on 10 April 1916, and following a Programme compiled by Officer Commanding Camel Transport reach the Bivouac mentioned in Paragraph 5. 1st Day at 0200 on 12 April 1916.
From here it will move under orders of Officer Commanding Column, and in conjunction with the same.
It will accompany the Column as far as Point 1340 (less Camels it has dropped at Posts formed). As soon as possible after the return of the Reconnaissance to Point 1340 all Camels will be started on return march and every effort made to move them out of danger zone.
Note:-The above itinerary (once on the move) is subject to circumstances.
7. Ammunition
200 rounds Small Arms Ammunition per man will be carried, and 5 boxes for the Machine Gun.
8. Supplies and Water
Officer Commanding Supply Depot will arrange for the following:-(1) Rations and forage for Men, Horses, Natives and Camels, for 5 (five) days.
(2) Water for European personnel for the whole period, one day's water for Natives and Horses at 5 gallons. Native personnel, horses and camels, will depend on water supply at Moiya Harab after the first day.
(3) One emergency ration will be carried by all ranks, which is not to be used without order from Officer Commanding Column.
(4) Water Bottles will be filled.
(5) One feed will be carried on the horse.
9. Tools, etc.
10 Shovels and one Bale Sand Bags will be carried on Camel Transport, to be supplied by Royal Engineers.
A Rotary pump, 20 feet hosing, and 40 feet canvas troughing will be taken. To be supplied by Commanding Officer, Royal Engineers.
10. Dress
Marching Order - one empty sand bag will be carried in lieu of picket bag.
11. Communications
By Wireless and 3 Signallers carrying Helios, Lamp and Flags.
(The above 3 men will be included in the 130 all ranks.)
A Post will be arranged for, and to be situated on the front line to communicate with the Column on its return. Brigade Headquarters to be advised as soon as in touch.
12. Aeroplanes
Co-operation by Aeroplane is being arranged for.
13. Reports
Officer Commanding Column will report to Headquarters by Wireless as opportunity offers, his movements, result of enterprise, and time of return start.
Signed CC Dangar, Captain
Brigade Major, 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade.
Further Reading:
Reconnaissance to Muksheib by Captain Wearne
The Jifjafa Raid, Sinai, April 10 to 14
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: The Jifjafa Raid, Sinai, April 10 to 14, 1916, Operation Order No. 6
Posted by Project Leader
at 12:01 AM EADT
Updated: Sunday, 29 November 2009 8:51 AM EAST
