Suez Canal Attack

Egypt, January 28 - February 3, 1915

Hauptmann Wilhelm von dem Hagen

The following is an extract from:

Friedrich Freiherr Kress von Kressenstein, Mit den Tèurken zum Suezkanal, Berlin, 1938, p. 95.

Chapter VI

Translation:

Ismailia - The Attack on the Suez Canal 

One of the dead, much to our sadness, included Captain von dem Hagen, a young, enthusiastic, efficient and an outstandingly courageous officer. I had assigned him to lead a supporting force on the left flank [1.] of the Canal attack; he fell when hit by a bullet to the head while providing covering fire to the Turkish infantry. [2.] The English buried him on the bank of the channel.

Notes:

1. – Hagen’s position was south on the Canal bank providing cover to the pontoon force.

2. -  This was the force which launched the pontoons into the Canal.

German Officers:

The German officers with the Canal Expeditionary Force were:

Colonel Kress

Colonel Trommer

Major Hunger

Major Laufen

Captain von dem Hagen

Captain Gerlach

Captain Heiben

Rittermeister Welsch. 

Further Reading:

Suez Canal Attack, Egypt, Contents

Where Australians Fought, Sinai, 1916-1917

Light Horse Battles

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Citation: Suez Canal Attack, Egypt, Hauptmann Wilhelm von dem Hagen

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 27 April 2009 10:41 AM EADT

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Diaries of AIF Servicemen

Bert Schramm

During part of the course of his military service with the AIF, 2823 Private Herbert Leslie Schramm, a farmer from White's River, near Tumby Bay on the Eyre Peninsular, kept a diary of his life. Bert was not a man of letters so this diary was produced with great effort on his behalf. Bert made a promise to his sweetheart, Lucy Solley, that he would do so after he received the blank pocket notebook wherein these entries are found. As a Brigade Scout since September 1918, he took a lead part in the September 1918 breakout by the Allied forces in Palestine. Bert's diary entries are placed alongside those of the 9th Light Horse Regiment to which he belonged and to the 3rd Light Horse Brigade to which the 9th LHR was attached. On this basis we can follow Bert in the context of his formation.

 Bert Schramm's Diary, 24 April 1919

Bert Schramm's Handwritten Diary, 23 - 27 April 1919

[Click on page for a larger print version.]

Diaries

Bert Schramm

Thurssday, April 24, 1919

Bert Schramm's Location - Zagazig, Egypt.

Bert Schramm's Diary - Things are quiet. Alex and Tom have gone out for two days. All the railway and civil services returned to work today so perhaps things will soon be normal again.

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Zagazig, Egypt.

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - Remainder of "A" and "B" Squadrons less "A" Squadron mounted troop at El Abbasa and "B" Squadron personnel at Belbeis Station exchanged positions.

Darley, TH, With the Ninth Light Horse in the Great War, Adelaide, Hassell Press, 1924.

No Entry


Previous: Bert Schramm's Diary, 23 April 1919

Next: Bert Schramm's Diary, 25 April 1919

Further Reading:

9th Light Horse Regiment AIF War Diary - Complete day by day list

Bert Schramm Diary 

Bert Schramm Diary - Complete day by day list

Additional Reading:

Darley, TH, With the Ninth Light Horse in the Great War, Adelaide, Hassell Press, 1924.

Citation: Bert Schramm's Diary, 24 April 1919

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Saturday, 9 May 2009 7:02 PM EADT

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el Qatiya

Sinai, 23 April 1916

5th LHR, AIF, War Diary Account

The transcription:

22 April 1916

Instructions received to proceed to Katia. Regiment moved out this day at 0545 for Kantara arrived there 1300. Transport came by train. Instructed to leave transport waggons, personnel and horses at Kantara and marched next day to Dueidar.

23 April 1916

0700

Received instructions from 52nd Division (General Lawrence) that Dueidar Post being attacked and to send out one Squadron at once and to follow on with the balance of the Regiment.

0800

"C" Squadron under Major Cameron moved out, reported at Hill 40 (155 Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Legett) were instructed to proceed to Dueidar and pursue enemy.

1215

"C" Squadron arrived Dueidar where Turkish rearguard stiff firing into that post.

1230

"C" Squadron moved South East a distance of 8 miles, did not get in touch with enemy other than two armed men who were taken prisoners.

0830

Remainder of Regiment less Transport moved to Hill 70, reported to Lieutenant Colonel Legett. Left "B" Squadron and the Machine Gun Section there. Moved on to Dueidar with two Companies 4th Royal Scots Fusiliers. On arrival there instructed by Lieutenant Colonel Legett to pursue enemy who supposed to be on foot. Moved East and East South East. Took five prisoners but otherwise not in touch with enemy. Got touch with "C" Squadron. Both Squadrons saw a large number of tracks chiefly of camels estimated at least 500.

1700

Received advice that Turks successfully attacked Katia and moving on Romani and for our two Squadrons to return to Dueidar before dark. Returned accordingly.  "B" Squadron and Machine Gun Section left at Hill 70 rejoined Regiment at Dueidar at about 2000.

Further Reading:

5th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF

5th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour

el Qatiya, Sinai, 23 April 1916

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 26 October 2009 5:10 PM EADT

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el Qatiya

Sinai, 23 April 1916

52nd (Lowland) Division, War Diary Account

23 April 1916

Report from GOC 5th Mtd. Bde, of enemy patrol being fired on near the outpost line at Romani. No casualties reported.

0545

DUEIDAR reports outpost line being attacked from South East. Information transmitted to 155 Brigade.

0553   

DUEIDAR estimated enemy strength 150.

0602

GOC 5th Mtd. –Bde. Informed of the situation.

0605

5th Australian Light Horse Ordered to send one squadron to report to G.O.C, 155th Brigade at HILL 40.

0650

5th Mtd, Bde. informed aeroplanes would go out when mist cleared to examine, situation and would drop message at QATIA to assist his In intercepting the enemy.

0658

Gloucester Yeomanry reported from ROMANI that firing could be heard from Railhead.

0705

Train service beyond Hill 70 stopped till further orders.

0710

DUEIDAR reported enemy had a trench mortar or small gun opposite that place.

0735

5th Mtd. Bde, ordered to endeavour to intercept force attacking DUEIDAR (Message dropped by aeropllane).

0745

5th Australian L.R. Regt. (less Sqd. attached 155 Bde.) ordered to move to HILL 70,

0913

Railway warned that trains for troops and rations would be required during the day.

0955

155th Bde. reported that reinforcements of 2 Coys. RS Fusiliers and 1 troop Yeomanry had reached DUEIDAR and a counter attack was about to be launched. This attack was not delivered as enemy were estimated to be too strong. Aeroplanes reported having dispersed enemy main body of 500 with bombs. Squadron of 5th Aus. LH sent by 155th Bde. to DUEIDAR. Col. LEGGETT reported starting for DUEIDAR to assume command.

1000

Reminder of 5th Aus.L,H, placed under orders of B.O.C. 155th Bde.

1035

Gloucester Yeomanry at ROMANI report having no communication with General Wiggin, but that 5 troops are moving to direction of ABU RAML as enemy reported retiring in South Easterly direction from DUEIDAR Squadron at QATIA reported heavy firing for 3 hours from OQHRATINA.

1053

1st Mtd. Bde. reports heavy flying heard at QATIA,

1054

Colonel Coventry, Commanding WORCESTER Yeomanry wired that he was almost surrounded and required help.

1057

Major Stirling (GHQ Intelligence) wired from ROMANI that QATIA was being heavily shelled by 3 guns.

1102

155th Bde ordered to hold one Battalion in readiness to move BIR ET MALER by road and rail.

1112

O.C. Gloucester Yeomanry informed that his proposal to move 5 troops on Abiu RAML is approved. He is Informed of situation and ordered to act at his discretion.

1140

156th Rde, ordered to send 2 Battns at once to HILL 40 to come under orders of BOC 155th Bde.

1145

One Battn. 155 Bde order by rail from HILL 40 to Railhead, to drop a company at Railhead and proceed to camp near ROMANI to be selected by 5th Mounted Bde.

1154

In accordance with instructions received GOC. Anzac Mounted Division reports having made provisional train arrangements for moving 2 regiments.

1155

Aeroplane reported enemy column, estimated 500, retiring from DUEIDAR, also fighting at QATIA.

1155

Notice given for train for 500 Infantry for 1500.

1159

Major Stirling reports that Colonel Yorke commanding Gloucester Yeomanry, has proceeded to north end of QATIA to assist his squadron, Helio communication interrupted with that Squadron and with the Worcester. Heavy firing at QATIA.

1203

ANZAC Informed that Bde HQ and one regiment will probably be required.

1230

Hill 70 reports arrival of 5th Australian Light Horse (less 1 Sqd.) and departure of 1 Sqd, and M.G. Section.

1248

Major Stirling reports on situation from Information received from wounded sergeant from QATIA. Turks attacking heavily from direction of OGHRATINA - where Worcesters were. Situation serious as regards ammunition.

1255

155th Bde. informed that it is not considered necessary to increase garrison at DUEIDAR for night 23/24th all surplus Infantry to be withdrawn when BOC 155th Bde. considered it advisable.

1400

Major Stirling reported heavy firing still heard at QATIA and that no news of General Wiggin was to hand.

1435

156 Bde reports having despatched 7th R.Scots and 9th Scottish Riffles to
report to BGC 155th Bde.

1515

Major Stirling reports the retirement of our troops all along the front. He had sent out ROMANl Garrison to assist in retirement.

1520

Major Stirling reported surrender of our force at QATIA where Turks were estimated to have 3,000 men.

1525

156 Bde. ordered to hold a Battn, in readiness to move by 1630 train. Major Stirling informed of this reinforcement for Railhead and ordered to inform Battn, already there of the situation and to take what steps he considers advisable.

1545

Major Stirling reports 3,000 Turks moving on ROMANI.

1558

HQ Anzac Mounted Division and remaining Brigade ordered to KANTARA.

1605

157th Bde. Ordered to move to HILL 40 under arrangements to be made direct with 155th Bde.

1607 Anzac Mounted Division reported that 2nd Light Horse Brigade (less 1 Regiment) left SALHIA at noon.

Division Order No. 39 showing disposition of troops attached.

1816

Colonel Walshe from Railhead reports that wounded state force at QATIA has been captured. He is holding a position at Railhead approximately North East South West and is sending forward patrols. Enemy estimated 1,500 strong reported moving on railway.

1830

Colonel Leggett informed that aeroplanes reported party of our troops moving West, 4 miles West of HAMISAH and ordered to get in touch with patrols and to bring them in.
158/

1833

155 Bde ordered to send all available mounted troops to railhead to come under Colonel Lannowe.

1920

Lieutenant Colonel Walshe informed that the 2nd Light Horse Brigade (less one Regiment) would arrive at HILL 70 about 2100, also that on his arrival General Casson would assume command at Hill 40, 70 and of outpost line, 157th Bde. informed.

1925 Colonel Yorke, Commanding Gloucester Yeomanry, reported having moved in direction of RABAH at 10 a.m. and come under heavy fire. He suffered some casualties and decided to withdraw. Touch with QATIA had not been established. A body of horsemen was observed moving South West from QATIA but was too distant to be made out clearly.

1935

Major Stirling reported, on arrival at Railhead, that Colonel Yorke had reached ROMANI with part of two squadrons and wanted a Battn, sent up that night.

1959

GHQ. Propose that 7 aeroplanes; shall bomb QATIA at dawn tomorrow (24th inst.)

1959

Colonel Yorke informed that no infantry could be sent to ROMANl, and that if pressed he must retire on the 3 Battns. at Railhead - also that strong mounted reinforcements would reach Railhead tomorrow.

2015

Telephone message from General Wiggin through DUEIDAR attached.

2042

Anzac Mounted Division wire that they will reach KANTARA at 0350.

2101

Commandant DUEIDAR reports arrival of General Wiggins and Warwickshire Yeomanry from EL NUSS. Enemy were not in touch with him. A troop of 5th Australian Light Horse sent out to help in the wounded.

2105

155th Bde, reports arrival of 157 Bde. at HILL 40.

2115

155th Bde reports arrival of remaining Sqdn. of 5th Australian Light Horse at DUEIDAR.

2158

Report of action at DUEIDAR wired by Colonel Leggett attached.

2240

Wire to Major Stirling to take every possible step towards bringing in wounded from QATIA and elsewhere. Matter left entirely to Stirling's discretion.

2243

GHQ wire that bombs will be dropped on QATIA at dawn tomorrow. Report furnished to GHQ on the operations is attached.

Further Reading:

el Qatiya, Sinai, 23 April 1916

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 26 October 2009 5:11 PM EADT

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Where Australians Fought

Sinai, 1916-1917

Chronology of Australian participation in Sinai Battles, 1916-17

1915

Suez Canal Attack, Egypt, January 28 - February 3, 1915 

1916

The Jifjafa Raid, Sinai, April 10 to 14, 1916

El Qatiya, Sinai, April 23, 1916

Romani, Sinai, August 4 to 5, 1916.

Bir el Abd, Sinai, August 9, 1916.

El Mazar, Sinai, September 17, 1916.

Maghara, October 14, 1916.

El Arish, Sinai, December 20, 1916.

Magdhaba, Sinai, December 23, 1916.

1917

Rafa, Sinai, January 9, 1917.

Further Reading:

Light Horse Battles

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Citation: Where Australians Fought, Sinai, 1916-1917

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 27 September 2009 9:20 PM EADT

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