Topic: BatzP - 3rd Gaza
The Third Battle of Gaza
Palestine, Z - 5, 26 October 1917
Egyptian Expeditionary Force War Diary Account
War Diary account of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, Z - 5, 26 October 1917.
The transcription:
Kelab, 26 October 1917
0635 - Desert Mounted Corps report all clear and situation normal.
0832 - Wire from Desert Mounted Corps saying that one Brigade group of 53rd division moved out position by 2200 last night covering railway construction.
For position of troops for the day see Appendix A.
0805 - XXI Corps reported that our artillery had carried out the bombardment of Out Post Hill according to programme.
1137 - Report received from Desert Mounted Corps that an enemy aeroplane flew within 1,000 feet over railway north of Basal flying north east.
1240 - XX Corps wire that General Officer Commanding XX Corps had assumed command as required in Paragraph 3 of Force Order No. 52 of 17 October 1917.
1230 - Instructions were issued to all concerned with regard to the reporting by priority wire of any bombing or machine gunning of our troops by hostile aircraft.
1807 - XX Corps reports situation normal and that there was considerable enemy movement on hills across Wadi Imlieh about 1100 this morning.
1800 - Desert Mounted Corps report all clear.
1800 - Wire received from XXI Corps that 2 Deserters had surrendered.
1950 - Evening report to London and Baghdad. All well, nothing special to report.
0400 - Rear Admiral Egypt and Red Sea that he was preparing his orders in accordance with Force Order No. 54 and they refer to list of targets mainly as finding suitable targets and notifying certain targets which must not be used at certain times. (2000 after).
Instructions sent to General Officer Commanding Desert Mounted Corps to place on Squadron of the Yeomanry Mounted Division at the disposal of General Officer Commanding XX Corps from midnight Z-1/2 until the Yeomanry Mounted Division are withdrawn from General Headquarters Reserve.
Wrote Colonel Newcombe with reference to his move from Auja to Asluj.
Circular Memorandums with regard to Signal Addresses and Signal Traffic - wire issued to all concerned.
Orders were issued for the move of Detachments of the 569 BAT Company Royal Engineers from Kantara and Kelab to Rafa when they are to report to Officer Commanding 46th Base Park Company Royal Engineers.
Sources:
See: Egyptian Expeditionary Force War Diary, 26 October 1917, AWM4, 1/6/18 Part 1
Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, AIF War Diaries of the Great War, Site Transcription Policy
Further Reading:
The Third Battle of Gaza, Palestine, Z - 5, 26 October 1917
The Third Battle of Gaza, Palestine, Z - 5, 26 October 1917, Roll of Honour
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: The Third Battle of Gaza, Palestine, Z - 5, 26 October 1917, Egyptian Expeditionary Force War Diary Account
