"At a mile distant their thousand hooves were stuttering thunder, coming at a rate that frightened a man - they were an awe inspiring sight, galloping through the red haze - knee to knee and horse to horse - the dying sun glinting on bayonet points..." Trooper Ion Idriess
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Sunday, 10 January 2010
The Battle of Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, 25 April 1915, 2nd Infantry Brigade Signals - No. 22 Topic: BatzG - Anzac
The Battle of Anzac Cove
Gallipoli, 25 April 1915
2nd Infantry Brigade Signals - No. 22
2nd Infantry Brigade, AIF, Signals - No. 22
The following is a transcription of the Signal No. 22 of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, AIF, which forms part of a series which illustrates the chaos and problems experienced in executing their role in the landings at Anzac on 25 April 1915.
Aust Div
KB 25 25/4/15 AAA
Begins:
From sound mountain guns appear to be about 224 S but I have no knowledge
The 14th Light Horse Regiment was formed as part of the 5th Australian Light Horse Brigade attached to the Australian Mounted Division on 26 July 1918. This Regiment was formed predominantly from the members of the 1st Battalion, Imperial Camel Corps.
The Battle of Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, 25 April 1915, 2nd Infantry Brigade Signals - No. 23 Topic: BatzG - Anzac
The Battle of Anzac Cove
Gallipoli, 25 April 1915
2nd Infantry Brigade Signals - No. 23
2nd Infantry Brigade, AIF, Signals - No. 23
The following is a transcription of the Signal No. 23 of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, AIF, which forms part of a series which illustrates the chaos and problems experienced in executing their role in the landings at Anzac on 25 April 1915.
Aust Div
KB 29 25/4/15 AAA
Begins:
Sixth Bn reports at one forty firing largely ceased in this front AAA eighth coming up on his right AAA Situation much easier AAA Mountain battery reports at present busily engaged against counter attack from north east perhaps against their Bde
The Second 14th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF, Outline Topic: AIF - 5B - 14 LHR
14th LHR, AIF
14th Australian Light Horse Regiment
Outline
Mock funeral of the ICC conducted by Padre Houston
Formation
The 14th Light Horse Regiment was formed as part of the 5th Australian Light Horse Brigade attached to the Australian Mounted Division on 26 July 1918. This Regiment was formed predominantly from the members of the 1st Battalion, Imperial Camel Corps. This reconstitution of the 14th Light Horse Regiment came from different fundamental roots than the First 14th Australian Light Horse Regiment which was specifically 3rd Divisional Cavalry and subsequently disbanded in September 1916.
In addition to the three active squadrons in Palestine, in Egypt there was the 14th Light Horse Training Squadron which was formed in July 1918. It supplied reinforcements for the 14th Light Horse Regiment.
14th Light Horse Regiment Routine Order No 48, 3 August 1918
[Click on page for larger version.]
Colour Patch
Initially, the only colour separation of the various Australian mounted troops was by use of the pennant. The marker pennants were carried on poles to mark lines troop lines in camps in Egypt. They were not lance pennants as the Australian lancers had red over white pennants on their lances.
Pennant of the 14th Light Horse Regiment
While this pennant was useful in distinguishing horse and troop lines, it failed to identify the individual with a unit. The AIF 1st Australian Division Standing Orders issued in December 1914 ordered the Australian Light Horse Regiments to wear a 4 inch wide [10.2cm] blue armband with the regiment name marked on the band in black lettering.
The earlier systems proved to be ineffective so to assist with identification of the men in the various units within the AIF, Divisional Order No 81 (A) Administration was issued at Mena on 8 March 1915 detailing the Colour Patchs for the various units. Generally, the colour patch was made of cloth 1¼ inches wide and 2¾ inches long and worn on the sleeve one inch below the shoulder seam.
1st Battalion Imperial Camel Corps Colour Patch
The first colour patch for the 1st Battalion, Imperial Camel Corps was a red triangle. This was initially worn by the men from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Camel Companies which became the 1st Battalion.
Second 14th Light Horse Regiment Colour Patch
The 14th Light Horse Regiment as part of the 5th Australian Light Horse Brigade, Australian Mounted Division, carried the Imperial Camel Corps triangle patch with the red Brigade colour as the lower triangle part of the colour patch, while the light blue Regimental colour was on the top. This is illustrated with the above presentation.
Megiddo
In a move that converted the Light Horse into full cavalry, the Australian Mounted Division was issued with swords during August and early September 1918. The Australian Mounted Division went to work training with swords and undertaking cavalry work.
On 19 September 1918 the Battle of Megiddo began. The infantry over ran the Turkish defensive trenches allowing the cavalry to debouch into the Turkish hinterland. The 14th Light Horse Regiment participated in the breakthrough which moved rapidly through the north of Palestine. At the end of the first week, it was obvious that the way to Damascus was open and so a second push occurred on the heels of the first assault. On 1 October 1918, Damascus was taken.
After a rest in Damascus, the 14th Light Horse Regiment moved towards Homs when the Turks surrendered on 30 October 1918.
Return to Australia
14th and 15th LHRs Embarking for Australia from Kantara on the Dongala, 24 July 1919
After the conclusion of hostilities, the 14th Light Horse Regiment was marked to return to Australia. Prior to that action, one of the saddest actions occurred for the Australian Lighthorsemen, they had to farewell their best friends, the horses. All the Light Horse unit horses' health was ascertained with the fit horses being transferred to the Indian Cavalry while those in poor condition were destroyed by the Veterinary units.
On 13 March 1919 the 14th Light Horse Regiment was deployed to assist in suppressing the Egyptian Uprising. When the revolt collapsed, the 14th Light Horse Regiment embarked on the 24 July 1919 for the long voyage to Australia where the unit was disbanded.
Commanding Officers
Lieutenant Colonel George Furner Langley Lieutenant Colonel Aubrey Sydney Nobbs Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Reginald Denson
Decorations earned by the 14th Light Horse Regiment
3 DSO - Distinguished Service Orders
5 MC - Military Crosses
2 DCM - Distinguished Conduct Medals
11 MM- Military Medals
13 MID - Mentioned in Despatches
1 foreign award
Campaigns
As the successor of the 1st Camel Battalion, Imperial Camel Corps, the 14th Light Horse Regiment also inherited the battle honours.
Egypt
Defence of Egypt
Sinai
Romani
Magdhaba
Rafa
Palestine
First Battle of Gaza
Second Battle of Gaza
Third Battle of Gaza
Beersheba
El Mughar
Nebi Samwill
Jerusalem
Jericho
Amman
Es Salt
Megiddo
Nablus
Palestine 1917-1918
Casualties suffered by the 14th Light Horse Regiment
8 killed
War Diary
The Australian War Memorial has put these on line and may be accessed here:
The following list details all the embarkations in support of the 14th Light Horse Regiment, AIF, during the Great War. Each entry details to formation and the ships on which the units embarked with the date and place of embarkation. The detail of the formation is linked to a list of men who embarked upon that ship on the specific date.
Note: Since the 14th Light Horse Regiment had been disbanded in Britain during September 1916, the Reinforcement cohorts were absorbed directly into the 12th Light Horse Regiment.
See:Troop transport ships for information and photographs about the various ships employed in transporting the troops to Egypt.
The Battle of Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, 25 April 1915, 12th Infantry Battalion War Diary Topic: BatzG - Anzac
The Battle of Anzac Cove
Gallipoli, 25 April 1915
12th Infantry Battalion War Diary
War Diary account of the 12th Infantry Battalion, AIF.
The following is a transcription of the War Diary of the 12th Infantry Battalion, AIF, of their role in the landings at Anzac on 25 April 1915.
War Diary Appendix IV
12th Infantry Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade
Account of Action, 25th April 1915
Anzac Cove, Gallipoli Peninsula
Owing to the 12th Infantry Battalion being distributed amongst the three other Battalions of the Brigade, no organisation on landing was possible. The following account had been compiled from information received from the various Companies:-
The Battalion as shown in Appendix 3 landed about 4.10 am on the morning of the 25th April 1915 at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli Peninsula. While loading from destroyers to boats we were heavily shelled from Kaba Tepe and on landing met heavy machine gun and rifle fire from the direction of Fisherman's Hut. Large number of casualties on and before landing. The order of landing from left to right was Headquarters and "A" Company, "D", "B", "C".
"A" Company with two platoons "D" Company pushed forward to 1st Ridge Square 224 H1 - Enemy encountered - bayonet charge made - enemy retired from their trenches, to ridge 1,000 yards away - we pursued and opened fire 350 yards from Ridge. Here Colonel LF Clarke, Commanding Officer, was killed while writing message. Major CH Willmot also wounded. Captain Lalor "D" Company took command - pushed forward over ridge - Enemy discovered in strong force attempting to get round our flank. We retired but meeting reinforcements from 2nd Battalion advanced again. Eventually forced to fall back on to defensive line which was being built up. Captain Lalor and Lieutenant Patterson were killed during the advance with 2nd Infantry Battalion.
Remaining 2 Platoons of "D" Company sent to right flank by Captain Ross to assist in repelling counter attack. Reinforced by 7th Infantry Battalion and moved further to the right and joined 9th Infantry Battalion. The extreme right at 2 pm was enfiladed by enemies artillery but no ground was lost. Remnant retired to beach during night.
"B" Company. Two platoons under Major Smith went forward to centre of position. No.'s 5/8 were sent out to left. Reached Square 224 R 5 at about 9 am and reinforced 10th Infantry Battalion who were occupying enemy's trench. Opened fire on enemy advancing up gully and held position till 8 pm, relieved by 4th Infantry Brigade and retired to beach. Losses heavy owing to being enfiladed by enemy's artillery from the left.
"C" Company under Captain Whitham were sent out to extreme right flank to reinforce 9th Infantry Battalion pushed forward and met enemy about Square 224 S5 retired to ridge Square 224 R7 during this action Lieutenant Munro killed. Captain Witham wounded . Remained in position all night retired to beach 9 am on 26th.
E Hilmer Smith Lieutenant Colonel Officer Commanding 12th Infantry Battalion
War Diaries
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