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Tuesday, 23 December 2008
The Battle of Magdhaba, Sinai, December 23, 1916, ICC, AIF, War Diary Account Topic: AIF - 5B - ICC
The Battle of Magdhaba
Sinai, 23 December 1916
ICC, AIF, War Diary Account
War Diary account of the ICC, AIF.
The transcription:
22 December 1916
Brigade moved out at 1000 and proceeded with Anzac Mounted Division to Magdhaba, 18 miles up the wadi.
23 December 1916
Brigade arrived at 0800. Magdhaba was found strongly held by 2-3,000 Turks composed of Mohammedans Syrians. Enemy engaged and position captured at 1600. Prisoners captured 1,200. Brigade casualties 29 (1 Officer wounded, 2 Other Ranks Killed, 25 Other Ranks wounded).
24 December 1916
Brigade marched from Magdhaba at 0400 and returned to its bivouac in Wadi, 1½ miles south east of El Arish at 0930. Brigade Supply Column joined Brigade. Brigade formed a line of observation posts on hills east and south of El Arish, one Company being detached at Bir Lahear 7 miles up the Wadi.
The Battle of Magdhaba, Sinai, December 23, 1916, RHA HQ, Anzac MD, AIF, War Diary Account Topic: AIF - DMC - Anzac MD
The Battle of Magdhaba
Sinai, 23 December 1916
RHA HQ, Anzac MD, AIF, War Diary Account
War Diary account of the ICC, AIF.
The transcription:
Appendix
Reporton the Royal Horse Artillery, Australian and New Zealand Mounted Division.
23 December 1916
Reference 1:125,000, El Arish and Kossaima Sheet.
0100 - The Inverness Shire Battery with three first line wagons from Division Ammunition Column and Somerset Battery with four first line wagons found by Leicestershire Battery, marching in rear of the leading Brigade, left the rendezvous south of El Arish.
The complete section of the Divisional Ammunition Column left camp and marched to Bir Lahfan with an escort formed by Leicestershire Battery.
0600 - The Column halted. Commander, Royal Artillery accompanied General Officer Commanding (Major General Chauvel) in his reconnaissance.
0830 - Operation orders received. These were slightly modified by General Chaytor's force pushing on to intercept the enemy, reported by aeroplane to be retiring. The batteries then cooperated.
0950 - Inverness Shire Battery came into action behind a ridge about three miles due north of El Magdhaba, against positions of two enemy guns indicated by the dust of discharge, about six hundred yards due east of "White houses".
1000 - Somerset Battery came into action in a position further east with a view to being more favourably placed should reported enemy retreat materialise. They opened fire on parties seen moving north of the White Houses, they also engaged the guns above mentioned. At this time they were silenced, but all through the action they fired spasmodically, having as reported by aeroplane, changed their position, confirming our observation.
The Inverness Shire Battery now fired on a ridge about half a mile west of the White Houses, from which fire appeared to be directed on Imperial Camel Corps. Meanwhile the Somerset Battery fired on parties south of White Houses as asked for by Brigadier General Royston.
1230 - Inverness Battery fired on ridges where enemy movement had been noticed, east of White Houses. Targets were very indistinct, partly owing to mirage effect as at four o'clock in the afternoon a much clearer idea of the position was possible that there was during the heat of the day. Also the enemy position was particularly well suited to concealment of their works. It apparently comprises several indefinite partial ridges. A Forward Observation Officer was sent out but owing the fact that the ground in front of the position was dead flat, got no better view than that from the original observation station. He was able, however, from information gathered from officers commanding the attack to give useful help. Owing to the nature of the battle which was essentially a quickly carried out cavalry attack, it was impossible to have close cooperation between the attacking parties and the Batteries. Valuable assistance was however rendered by the Royal Flying Corps, especially by one officer who rode up to the Commander, Royal Artillery's position and drew a sketch of the enemy position. To emphasise the difficulty of observation, he was unable to recognise position of the ground that he had seen clearly from the air. He ascended quickly and dropped a smoke ball over their main redoubt.
1400 - At this time, as the Somerset Battery was not in a better position to observe they were brought up on the right of the Inverness Shire Battery with a view to closer cooperation.
1500 - A team was seen coming up about a half mile east of the White Houses and the gun came into view, fire was brought to bear and a direct hit obtained.
1520 - Both Batteries stopped firing.
1700 - Both Batteries started back for El Arish under escort one Squadron, 1st Australian Light Hors Regiment an reached there about 2400
I consider the fact that these batteries, after a long and trying march mostly by night, returned with their teams undistressed and with only one mule slightly galled, reflects the greatest credit on the previous training and consistent trouble taken by all ranks in these batteries.
The Battle of Magdhaba, Sinai, December 23, 1916, 1st LHR, AIF, War Diary Account Topic: AIF - 1B - 1 LHR
The Battle of Magdhaba
Sinai, 23 December 1916
1st LHR, AIF, War Diary Account
War Diary account of the 1st LHR, AIF.
The transcription:
22 December 1916
Regiment moved out 1830 for Magdhaba 23 miles
23 December 1916
Attacked Turkish position at 0630, "A" Squadron escorted Ayrshire Battery, "B" Squadron reserve and "C" Squadron reinforced right flank at 1500. Turks surrendered with following war material - 4 mountain battery guns, 2 boxes spare parts, 1 stretcher, 34 bags containing small arms ammunition, bandoliers, bayonets and shovels, 1 box component parts, oil engine, 7 boxes small arms ammunition, 13 Turkish fantasses, 1 box machine gun belt, 712 rifles, delivered by Colonel Granville to Headquarters.
24 December 1916
Headquarters and "C" Squadron remained at Magdhaba to clear battle field, bury the dead and destroy all material not transported. "A" Squadron returned as escort to Ayrshire Battery, "B" Squadron with Brigade, "C" Squadron with Headquarters escorted camels as per list during night of 24/25 December. Casualties nil.
The Battle of Magdhaba, Sinai, December 23, 1916, 2nd LHR, AIF, War Diary Account Topic: AIF - 1B - 2 LHR
The Battle of Magdhaba
Sinai, 23 December 1916
2nd LHR, AIF, War Diary Account
War Diary account of the 2nd LHR, AIF.
The transcription:
23 December 1916
0600 - The Anzac Mounted Division from El Arish arrived and engaged the enemy in a strong entrenched position at Magdhaba. After a hot engagement the last redoubt was taken at 1630 and the enemy surrendered. Our casualties in the Regiment were one killed and eight wounded. List attached. List of prisoners taken and killed and guns and stores attached. At 2200 the Regiment marched back to El Arish. Captain Stodart escorting prisoners.
List of Enemy Killed and Wounded, and Stores captured at Magdhaba on23 December 1916.
97 Turks killed and buried by us; 1290 Prisoners taken including 40 wounded and 45 Officers; We also captured about 40 horses and 60 camels; 4 Mountain Guns and personnel; About 1,000 rifles; 100,000 rounds small arms ammunition; and, A quantity of military stores and equipment.
Casualties, 23 December 1916.
399 Corporal Waddell, GM, Killed in Action.
2891 Private Tapnell, HC, Wounded in Action.
1077 Private McBride, JC, Wounded in Action.
753 Sergeant Allen, F, Wounded in Action.
806 Lance Corporal Young, T, Wounded in Action.
2885 Private Pollock, R, Wounded in Action.
968vPrivate Shader, AE, Wounded in Action.
2833 Private Sutton, GW, Wounded in Action.
1449 Private Munro, HC, Wounded in Action.
24 December 1916
0600 - Regiment, less "C" Squadron and two Troops escorting prisoners arrived at El Arish. Captain Stodart and two Troops "B" Squadron with prisoners arrived at 1400.
The Battle of Magdhaba, Sinai, December 23, 1916, 10th LHR, AIF, War Diary Account Topic: AIF - 3B - 10 LHR
The Battle of Magdhaba
Sinai, 23 December 1916
10th LHR, AIF, War Diary Account
War Diary account of the 10th LHR, AIF.
The transcription:
22 December 1916
0620 - Brigade moved to ½ mile west of El Arish. Drew rations and watered horses.
1800 - Brigade moved out for Divisional Rendezvous in Wadi el Arish, 2 miles south of El Arish to be there by 1700. Rations were very late in arriving at rendezvous. 10th Light Horse Regiment rations issued by 2330.
23 December 1916
0045 - Division marched for El Magdhaba. 3rd Light Horse Brigade centre Brigade.
0800 - Arrived in vicinity of El Magdhaba.
0930 - Brigade received orders to push round right flank of enemy who was believed to be evacuating. New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade on our right. Imperial Camel Corps frontal attack from west. 1st Light Horse Brigade in reserve. 8th and 10th Light Horse Regiments frontline, 9th Light Horse Regiment in reserve. 10th Light horse Regiment pushed east until north of position and then advanced south east successively occupying ridges supported by Lewis and Machine Gun Squadron. Lewis Guns were especially useful.
1130 - A party of enemy were seen advancing from east south east with evident intention of enfilading our advance. Two Troops with one Lewis Gun and a Section from the Machine Gun Squadron were pushed out to deal with it. They drove back enemy who retired completely out of fight. 10th Light Horse Regiment were extreme left of our line as this cleared the left flank of our attack.
1230 - Low ridge overlooking wide plane in which wadi was had been occupied. All available troops were pushed out.
1330 - Reserve 1st Light Horse Brigade attached from north east (on our right).
1345 - Regiment pushed forward mounted at gallop across plain about 1¾ miles wide to make good Wadi el Arish. Came under heavy rifle fire about half way across but pushed on and fire slackened. Wadi was occupied. 290 men including 6 officers, 50 camels and 4 ponies were captured. A party was left to collect same and Regiment pushed on. Extreme left enemy round south of Wadi and faced west. Pushed on for last series of entrenchments into which enemy had fallen back. Advanced at gallop but were me by very heavy fire. Two Troops charged right through enemy and joined up with 1st Light Horse Brigade who were facing east. Lewis and Machine Guns were brought into action and Regiment attacked again mounted.
1615 - Turkish force surrendered. Prisoners captured by Regiment and receipts for same obtained were 722 all ranks, 57 camels (loaded with ammunition, stores etc) and 11 horses.
1700 - Regiment watered at large cistern Magdhaba.
1845 - Brigade marched back to position of deployment 3 miles north west of Magdhaba.
1945 - Brigade halted. Water was issued to men and then horses fed.
2300 - March back to El Arish commenced.
24 December 1916
0430 - Brigade halted to draw rations from camels.
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