11th Light Horse Regiment, AIF account about its participartion within the Jordan Valley

The 11th LHR horse lines just before the bombing raid of 7 May 1918

[From:  Hammond, History of the 11th Light Horse Regiment, p. 112.]

Hammond, EW, History of the 11th Light Horse Regiment, Fourth Light Horse Brigade, Australian Imperial Forces, war 1914-1919, (Singapore 1984), pp. 120 - 5:

CHAPTER XVII.

JORDAN VALLEY (Continued).

The Valley of the Jordan forms one of the most remarkable depressions on the face of the earth, being wholly below the level of the sea. The lake of Tiberias, at its northern end, is 300 feet below sea level, and the Dead Sea, at its southern extremity, is 1,300 feet below sea level. The distance between these two points in a direct line is 70 miles, but the River Jordan follows a course 200 miles long in its crooked windings before it enters the Dead Sea. The floor of the valley varies in width from 4 to 15 miles, and on the east and the west the mountain ranges of Moab and Judea, respectively, rise to a height of 4,000 feet, the former terminating in the purple-tinted peak of Mount Nebo, where, according to tradition; Moses stood when shown the "Promised Land." The Jordan River discharges more than six million gallons of water per day into the Dead Sea, which has no physical outlet, the level being maintained by evaporation alone. The saline content of the Dead Sea is approximately 24 per cent., and fish swept into it by waters of the Jordan are unable to exist and very soon their bodies become mummified by the chemical action of the waters.

The course of the river is marked by a thin line of willow trees, and in places throughout the valley the lesser waterways support straggling patches of willow and tamarisk, but for the most part the plains on either side of the river are parched. barren and uninviting. The summer temperature rises as high as 127 degrees (F.), and rarely falls below 100 degrees (F.).

The Arabs who make their homes in the valley evacuate to the higher regions of Judea in the summer months, believing the place to be uninhabitable at that time, and so, like the Courts of Jamshyd, the valley is left to the ravages of beast and reptile. Packs of starving jackals trot back and forth snarling and fighting amongst themselves for want of a more lucrative occupation, and the nights are made hideous by the terrifying laughter of the fierce hyena. The stony hillsides, the dry wadis, and the swamps along the waterways are infested with snakes, scorpions and a loathesome variety of hair- black spider the size of a man's hand. The Diggers instinct for gambling throve amidst these hazards, and many a piastre was won and lost on the fierce conflicts staged by the soldiers between scorpions and spiders that fought to the death in a tin hat or a regimental washing dish. These "trial bouts" were noisy affairs, being staged to the accompaniment of excited barracking by groups of soldiers, who, having placed their bets where fancy dictated, clustered around the "arena" to urge their champion to greater effort.

We were told that the super-venomous reptile known as the "asp" infested that wilderness, and that the scientific squad at military headquarters in Jerusalem required specimens for research purposes. "Any man who brought one in alive," the order concluded, "would be suitably rewarded," and next day every Digger who was not actually in the firing line could be seen tramping to and fro across the hillsides with a forked stick in his hands.

I have often wondered what the Arabs thought of the landscape, when they returned after the summer of 1918, to find all those overturned stones as though nature, in a whimsical mood, had conducted a giant flip-flap throughout the valley. Literally, no stone was left unturned in the treasure hunt for asps, and besides many other varieties of snakes and even lizards were brought in for classification and award. It was not long before a frantic note came down from the "Scientific Squad" cancelling the order for "live snakes," and some of our boys who visited the laboratory at Jerusalem about that time with their own particular discoveries were asked by an Australian assistant whether they thought he was "runnin' a flamin' sideshow."

Our sergeant-major threatened to "crime" the next "bloke" who brought in a live snake, but we think his ultimatum was prejudiced by the action of a signaller from Crow's Nest, Queensland, who, having captured an 8 foot black snake on the bank of the Auja River, left it tied to a stick in the sergeant-major's bivvy while he went in search of the adjutant to claim his reward.

"How was I to know," he said, in explanation afterwards, "that the S.M. would get back to his tent before I did?"

The dust and heat in the valley were terrific, and with inadequate rations and myriads of flies and mosquitoes to harass us, the health of the troops became seriously jeopardised. The slightest scratch was converted by conditions into an angry, vicious sore overnight, and almost every trooper was a daily visitor to the A.M.C. tent with major or minor ailments. Boils were prevalent and by reason of their anatomical situation reduced a fair percentage of the horsemen to the ground-level of the "foot-sloggers."

Occasionally we swam in the sluggish brown waters of the Jordan or rode down to the "sea" for a brief respite from the heat and dust. Old Arabs who haunt the shores of the Dead Sea will tell you with a great show of superstition and awe, that no bird will fly across its waters lest it be struck dead by some malign and sinister influence that pollutes the air above and around it, a deadly legacy, they presume, arising from the ashes of Sodom and Gomorrah. The explanation, however, is both simple and complete. There is no fish life in the waters of the Dead Sea, and consequently no bird life above it; but when we proffered this theory to an ancient Arab he merely shook his old head and made gestures of pity in favour of our ignorance.

The Mount of Temptation, with its frowning convulsions, rose at the back of and almost overshadowed our camp, and near the top, cut into the cliff face, we could see a Greek monastery.

In places the building overran the cliff wall, depending for support on stout beams and props, and from the valley below it resembled nothing so much as a pigeon house.

Jericho is a small straggling village of mud huts, set in a shimmering world of unreality, and there is no trace of the famous balsam gardens of Cleopatra's day. There were signs of old Roman roads winding out of the valley, but where in Palestine are such roads not to be found?

On 11th May the Regiment relieved the I.C.C. in a section of the defence line Musallabeh-Abu Tellal, and we immediately entrenched and began consolidating the position. The Turks shelled the position freely, but made no decisive attack upon it. Every afternoon we were shelled by a long range gun known to the troops as "Jericho Jane." The gun was well placed in the hills at Shunet Nimrin, about ten miles east of the river. A batch of reinforcements which joined the Regiment here comprised about 30 Australian aboriginals who, as it was proved later, made good soldiers and did not hesitate to mix it with Abdul whenever an opportunity offered. Being gifted with good sight and hearing, legacies of their Australian environment, they were extremely efficient on outpost duty, although there was probably some justification for the troop-sergeant who said "the cows can hear too well for my liking." It appears he had taken four of the black boys out on a "listening post" one night and they heard so many suspicious sounds, inaudible to anyone else, that the sergeant was compelled to "stand to" all night.

We conducted vigorous patrols in this area until relieved on 8th June, when we marched, via Jerusalem, to a camp at Solomon's Pools, near the town of Bethlehem, arriving there on 13th .June. On the 15th, Lieut.-Colonel J. W. Parsons, D.S.O., reported from Australia and resumed command of the Regiment.

BETHLEHEM.

The camp site was well chosen amidst green swards and smiling fields, presenting a restful and intriguing contrast to the dusty, wrinkled face of the Jordan Valley. The ancient brown road to Hebron wound up a pleasant hill close to our horse lines, and late in the evening Arabs, in picturesque garb, passed by with their herds of black goats, bound for the market places of Bethlehem and Jerusalem, just as their ancestors did in the days of Abraham. A field of green barley, leaning to the road, recalled the immortal romance of Boaz and Ruth.

Organised parties visited the holy places in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and the ancient walls of David's city echoed and re-echoed to the tread of riding boots and the age-old flagstones flung back the musical tinkle of spurs as Light Horsemen followed their guides from one holy place to another. They walked the road to Calvary and stood in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, listening in silent reverence to the simple story of "the Man who came out of Nazareth": with equal reverence they would pile their spurs and leggings and boots at the entrance to the Dome of the Rock, and follow the Moslem guardian noiselessly on stockinged feet into that grand monument of Islam Piety, the Mosque of Omar, there to gather round a slab of black rock that once formed part of the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. Is it any wonder that it was found so easy, amidst these surroundings, to conjure visions of Solomon the Great, and of Hiram, King of Tyre.

Of all the places in Jerusalem, from a spiritual point of view, there is none quite like the Garden of Gethsemane. To walk in the cool, soft shadows cast down by the old old olive trees, and to hear the wind whispering in the stately cypress along the terraces is an experience never to be forgotten. Over everything in the garden there is a calm and restful sensation of infinite peace, and the little borders of rosemary, emblem of fidelity, seem to coerce one to the knowledge, that here at least. In this hillside garden there is sublime and absolute evidence of the earthly presence of Him who walked that way.

In Gethsemane the poet's words are clothed with a new and more beautiful significance:

One is nearer God's Home in a garden,
Than anywhere else on earth.

Trooper A. M. Downie.
Driver W. Emmert
Trooper A. J. Smith.

[See note below - ed..]

Animal casualties were six horses killed and eight wounded.

History relates that Mark Antony transported snow from the heights of Mount Hermon to freeze the drinks he served to Cleopatra in Jericho, but it was left to an enterprising supply officer to bring BEER to the thirsty Diggers in the Jordan Valley in the summer of 1918. The official Field Diary records the event thus:

Place: Jericho, Jordan Valley. Date: 3rd August, 1918.
Hour: 1800 (6 p.m.).
Summary of Event: 12 cases of beer received for 11th Regiment.
Remarks: Nil.

Note regarding casualties of the Battle at Abu Tellul, 14 July 1918.

The known casualties from all units are listed below.

BELL Clive Roy 836 Pte 12 LHR/4 LH MGS WIA 14-7-18
BIRCH Charles Napier 66 Cpl 4 LHR WIA 14-7-18
BODEY William Albert 3779 Pte 4 LHR WIA 14-7-18
BROUGHTON David Blakeney Rhys Lt 5 LHR WIA 14-7-18 at Wadi Mellahah
BROWN William Thomas 2312 Pte 4 LHR/4 LH MGS WIA 14-7-18
CAVE Terrance 50 Pte 4 LHR/4 LH MGS WIA 14-7-18
DENNY Henry Thomas 3415 Pte 5 LHR WIA 14-7-18 at Wadi Mellahah
GWYNNE James 1402 Pte 5 LHR WIA 14-7-18 at Wadi Mellahah
HARRIS Hampton Roland 892 Sgt 11 LHR WIA 14-7-18
HIGSON Ebenezer Thomas 75 Pte 7 LHR WIA 14-7-18 at Wadi Mellahah
JONES Daniel 1356 Pte 5 LHR WIA 14-7-18 at Wadi Mellahah
JONES William Richard 1890 Pte 11 LHR WIA 14-7-18
KNOX Albert James 2377 Pte 12 LHR/1 LHR WIA 14-7-18
LAWLESS-PYNE John Lindsay 1438 Pte 5 LHR WIA 14-7-18 at Wadi Mellahah
LINTON Phillip Geoffrey 342 Pte 12 LHR/4 LH MGS WIA 14-7-18
MACANSH John Donald 185 A/Sgt 5 LHR WIA 14-7-18 at Wadi Mellahah
MacDONALD Alan Finlayson 2283 Pte 2 Remts/11 LHR WIA 14-7-18
MARSHALL Charles 303 Lt 5 LHR WIA 14-7-18 at Wadi Mellahah
MARSHALL Claude Herbert 3787 Pte 1 LHR WIA 14-7-18
MATTHEWS John Victor 887 Pte 5 LHR WIA 14-7-18 at Wadi Mellahah
McENIRY Noel 1902 Pte 05 LHR WIA 14-7-18 at Wadi Mellahah
O'CONNOR William 387 Pte 11 LHR/4 LH MGS
POINTON Percy Charles 865 Pte 11 LHR WIA 14-7-18
SCRYMGEOUR James Tindal Stuart 3438 Pte 2 LHR WIA 14-7-18
SMITH Alfred John 584 Pte 11 LHR WIA 14-7-18 DoW 14-7-18
SMITH Arthur Vincent 478 Pte 5 LHR WIA 14-7-18 at Wadi Mellahah
UPTON Charles Edward 1669 Pte 1 LHR WIA 14-7-18

Acknowledgement: Many thanks to Steve Becker for providing this information and allowing it to be published on this site.

Further Reading:

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Posted by Project Leader at 8:41 PM EAST

Updated: Saturday, 8 November 2008 12:40 PM EAST

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11th Light Horse Regiment, AIF account about its participartion within the Second Es Salt Raid

97 Corporal Roger Horatis Lyall Bligh, DCM.

[From: AWM  P03265.001]

Ernest W. Hammond, in 1984, produced the unit history for the 11th LHR called the History of the 11th Light Horse Regiment, Fourth Light Horse Brigade, Australian Imperial Forces, war 1914-1919, which included a section specifically related to Second Es Salt Raid and is extracted below.

Hammond, EW, History of the 11th Light Horse Regiment, Fourth Light Horse Brigade, Australian Imperial Forces, war 1914-1919, (Singapore 1984), pp. 108 - 119:

CHAPTER XVI.

JORDAN VALLEY ENGAGEMENTS

Late in March, 1918, a British force comprising the Anzac Mounted Division, the 1st, 2nd and 4th Battalions of the Camel Brigade, the 60th Division of Infantry, the New Zealanders, and other details, crossed the River Jordan and raided the Turkish strongholds in the towns of Es Salt and Amman, nestling in the mountains of Gilead and Moab. The weather at that time was extremely bad, and besides the expedition was fraught with many unforeseen difficulties regarding the transportation of guns and supplies, to say nothing of the fact that our troops were outnumbered to an alarming degree, and in this respect the Turks on the western side of the Jordan, at Nablus, played an important part. The fighting at Es Salt and Amman was scarcely under way before strong detachments of enemy reinforcements were rushed over from the Nablus area, crossing the Jordan at the Jisr ed Damieh bridge, and, following a well defined track across the hills, poured into Es Salt, where our troops suffered many casualties and hardships in the subsequent withdrawal.

On 20th April the Commander-in-Chief's plans for a second raid into Gilead became known. General Allenby's scheme was an ambitious one, directed at gaining control of a large area east of the Jordan, which would mean the isolation and capture of approximately 7,000 Turks said to be in that sector. This history is not concerned with the story of the operation as a whole, but must confine itself to that phase of the battle in which the 11th Regiment played an important and active part.

The 3rd Light Horse Brigade, under the command of General L. C. Wilson, was to move along the Damieh-Es Salt track and ride with all speed on the town of Es Salt and effect its capture. It was estimated that there was a force of 5,000 Turks in the Nablus sector, west of the Jordan, and to prevent reinforcements being sent across to Es Salt, as was done in the last raid, it was decided to seize the Damieh Crossing, deny its use to the enemy, and plant a force astride the road to Es Salt. This task was allotted to General Grant's 4th Light Horse Brigade, which was ordered to gallop up the valley on the eastern side of the river at dawn on the morning of the 30th and to take up the position outlined above.

On the evening of April 27th, the lath Regiment, with other unit; of the 4th Brigade, moved to a bivouac area near Jericho, and preparations were made for the coming offensive. On the 28th steel helmets were issued to all ranks, this being the first occasion on which they were used by this Regiment. That night voluntary - Church parades were held for all denominations, and these undisguised "eve of battle" services lent solemnity to the occasion. The 29th passed gaiety, the men and horses resting as much as possible, and at 7.30 p.m. the Regiment mounted and moving quietly down to the Jordan, crossed the pontoon bridge at Ghoraniye. After assembling on the eastern bank of the ricer, we passed through the wire defences and bivouacked on the outpost line. Here we rested for two hours, and with a fine disregard for the future, immediate or otherwise, the troopers flung themselves down at their horses' feet and were soon fast asleep.

IG-GOR-EE FLAT.

There is an expression in the Arabic language which sounds as near as possible to the arrangement of English syllables shown in the first word of this sub-title. Its English equivalent is "go quickly" or colloquially "hurry up," The Australian soldier ranks high as a nomenclator and the scene of the action in which we are now to take part was for ever afterward, unofficially known as "Ig-gor-ee Flat." Whether or not the scene of the battle was aptly named shall be left to the judgment of the reader.

At 3 a.m. the camp was astir, and mounting we rode forward. From here to our objective-the Damieh Crossing-is 15 miles, and that distance must be covered as silently and as quickly as possible. The plain, which is five miles wide at its southern boundary, is narrowed down to three miles opposite the Damieh bridge by the encroachment of the mountains in the east and a series of low mud hills on the river bank. As, we advanced we encountered patches of scrub and clumps of low bushes but after travelling a distance of three miles the trees and shrubs disappeared and we rode on to open clay flats and low ridges broken up by numerous small wadis. The pace was quickened from a walk to a trot, and as day broke over the valley we were revealed to the Turkish gunners on "Red Hill," a prominence on the river on our left, which dominated that section of the plain. The whole brigade now moved at a steady hand gallop in open formation, and very soon shrapnel shells began to burst over the lines of galloping horsemen. One of the first shells fired wounded General Grant's horse, but he quickly changed to another mount. As we came through the bottle-neck formation opposite "Red Hill," and thus drew clover to the enemy, his machine guns and rifles came into action, but the pace saved us from serious casualties. After passing "Red Hill" the screen of the 11th captured a Turkish officer and two other ranks who were apparently the rearguard of a party which had been patrolling the plain and were unable to escape. A mile further on we encountered a detachment of Turkish Cavalry, which fled in disorder towards the hills. At this time the Regiment drew rein, falling back into supports, whilst the 4th Regiment acted as advance guard. Nursing our horses over the rough and broken ground now encountered, we moved at an easier gait and finally arrived at our objective at 7.30 a.m. That race along the valley of the Jordan in the early hours of 30th April was perhaps this Regiment's most striking example of "running the gauntlet," and in reference to the gallop the official historian says: "The safety of galloping horses in open formation under shell-fire was never more strikingly demonstrated. In the long gallop only six men were killed and seventeen wounded."

After halting for a few minutes on the Damieh-Es Salt road, during which time the telephone lines were destroyed, the Regiment pushed on a further two miles to the Wadi Nahr Zerka, where the horses were watered. We came upon a large Bedouin encampment in the bed of the wadi and found that the male members of the tribe were armed with rifles of English and German pattern, and that they carried a plentiful supply of ammunition. We had heard stories of the ghoulish tendencies of the wandering tribes of Bedouins and Arabs east of the Jordan, and could well believe that many of these murderous looking individuals were qualified for the role.

When we arrived numbers of them were standing in the water holes, filling their goatskin water bags and polluting the small stream unnecessarily. Our men ordered them out of the stream, and as they came to the banks booted them unceremoniously until they slunk off to their camp. Despite this treatment, or perhaps because of it, they showed no signs of hostility towards us, which was fortunate-for them.

During the race up the valley, a mule loaded with signalling gear was wounded by shrapnel, and realising that the valuable equipment must not be abandoned, Sergeant Kempster and Signallers D. Ryan and T. Darcy, acting with great presence of mind, galloped after and captured a spare pack animal that had broken away from one of the brigade sections and was running free on the plain. The packs were changed under intense gunfire, and at the gallop the party overhauled and rejoined its unit. It was a commendable job carried out smartly without the loss of a single article of the equipment.

Incidentally, the blue mule, which had been with the Regiment more than two years and had become a familiar and likeable animal, wandered slowly back to the base camp at Jericho, where a kindly bullet, fired by a veterinary officer, ended its suffering.

At 8.30, the watering of the horses having been completed, "B" Squadron of the Regiment, under Major Costello, was sent to reconnoitre towards the river with instructions to engage the enemy holding the bridge head at Damieh if that were found expedient. A strong force was holding the bridge and the slender line of the squadron was unable to approach nearer than a distance of 2,000 yards. There was much enemy activity at the crossing, and on the slopes beyond the river where detachments of cavalry and infantry could be seen hurrying down to the bridge. Quite suddenly a mixed force of cavalry and infantry, numbering 500, crossed the river and moving northwards through the broken country vigorously attacked the right flank of Major Costello's force. Two troops from "A" Squadron were rushed in to strengthen the line, but the attack on the flank threatened to develop into an enveloping movement and Major Costello decided to withdraw his force eastward while still keeping the enemy engaged. The movement was carried out successfully, our force gaining touch with the left flank of the 4th Regiment, and the combined force checked the enemy advance.

At 1 o'clock the remainder of the Regiment was ordered to return and take up a position on the Damieh-Es Salt road, and while doing so were shelled by the enemy continuously for a distance of two miles. The Brigade now formed a "half-moon" position, with both flanks resting in the foothills and its segment bisecting the Es Salt road on some rising ground. Orders were issued that the men should entrench themselves and build sangars. "B" Squadron was relieved during the afternoon, and rejoining the Regiment remained in reserve. The night outpost line was occupied by "C" Squadron under Major Munro, and patrols were pushed forward towards the river. "A" Squadron, under Major Loynes, occupied the main defence line.

Meanwhile General Wilson's 3rd Brigade had climbed the goat tracks, leading their horses, bound for Es Salt, and every man of the 4th Brigade was conscious of the importance of preventing enemy reinforcements from crossing the hills in their wake.

Late in the afternoon Colonel Bailey, commanding officer of the Regiment, rode through his line inspecting the various posts, and in summing up he informed brigade that the Regiment's position was anything but satisfactory. Early next morning he reported the massing of Germans and Turks at the bridge head and other signs of an impending attack. At that time the brigadier and the commanding officers of other units engaged could not see eye to eye with our commander, but subsequent events rapidly proved his judgment to be correct.

The night of the 30th passed quietly, but at 6 a.m. on the morning of the 1st of May a force of 1,500 Turks attacked a squadron of the 1st Light Horse Regiment near Red Hill, and "B" Squadron of this Regiment under Major Costello was sent to reinforce them. At 7 o'clock our outposts and patrols had fallen back on the main body, reporting decisive movements of enemy troops and that the enemy appeared to be massing at the bridge head preparatory to an attack. At 8 o'clock his artillery went into action and effectively shelled our guns and pack animals. Simultaneously his infantry attacked our line in extended formation in successive waves, and deploying to his right threatened to envelop our left flank. The total enemy force engaged was estimated at 5,000, whilst the 4th Brigade had not more than 800 rifles available for the firing line. The situation was extremely tense and uncomfortable. Every available man was rushed into the firing line. Details from regimental headquarters were formed into a troop to strengthen the left flank. Horseholders took over eight horses each, the practice under ordinary conditions being one man to four horses. Two armoured cars attached to the brigade came into action and one was immediately destroyed by a direct hit from a shell. The other poured a steady stream of fire into the advancing Turks and accounted for many casualties. Our troops at Red Hill were overwhelmed and swept from their position. A message was received from the 12th Regiment that they intended to withdraw from their position to high ground further east, a very necessary move, and that a dismounted rearguard action was being fought. As soon as the 12th completed the movement, the 11th began to retire to conform to the new line. A desperate rearguard action was fought in which the enemy paid dearly for every yard of ground he gained. Whilst the action was at its height, Major Costello, who had led "B" Squadron to the relief of Red Hill, noticed the manner in which the attack was developing, and moving his squadron northwards he engaged the right rear flank of the enemy. This movement was carried out smartly and fearlessly, and though tempered with risk was regarded as a masterpiece of strategy and fulfilled the purpose of its intention-that of easing the pressure on the Regiment's front to enable the main body to withdraw more readily and with less risk of casualties. Eventually the complete withdrawal was accomplished, but not without much hard riding over country that would test the nerve and ability of any horseman.

Major Costello was specially mentioned in despatches for his brilliant field work that day and for the fearless manner in which he led his squadron. He was recommended for the Military Cross. During the engagements Signal Corporal Bligh carried despatches to "B" Squadron under heavy fire across open ground, and although wounded he completed his task, showing great courage and endurance. For this action he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Trooper Kirwan was mentioned in despatches for good work and devotion to duty during the engagement, he having carried despatches under fire. Various positions were occupied by the Regiment along the foothills to check the onward rush of the enemy, and on one occasion Major Loynes collected a few men from Regimental Headquarters, who, armed with rifles and one Hotchkiss gun, delayed the enemy advance in that sector for about fifteen minutes. Eventually the Regiment took up a line on a ridge studded with rocky outcrops on the southern bank of the Wadi Abyad, and situated about one mile north of the Umm es Shert - Es Salt road, and here at 12 noon we commenced to establish a definite line of resistance by building sangars and otherwise consolidating the position.

The Es Shert road was now the only one available to the 3rd Brigade in its return to the valley from the Es Salt raid, and there was therefore a deep significance in the Divisional Commander's order that we must hold our present line at all costs. During the afternoon our position was heavily shelled and the Turkish machine guns played a "devil's tattoo" on the rocky defences along the whole of our line. Directly to our front, between the opposing lines, and 300 yards away, there was an isolated fiat-topped hill known as "Table Top," which rose abruptly from the northern bank of the wadi. Its sides were steep but not precipitous, and its isolation prevented it from becoming an integral part of either of the opposing lines. We could not afford to place a strong force on "Table Top" to be directly and openly exposed to the enemy guns, and on the other hand the use of a valuable spring of water at its southern base would be denied to us should the enemy occupy ii. A small force well placed on its summit we reasoned might readily deter the boldest enemy from attempting to storm its heights, and accordingly it was occupied by two troops, one from the 4th Regiment under Lieutenant W. J. Birkett-Vipont and a troop of twenty men of "C" Squadron of this Regiment under Lieutenant L. A. Gordon. The enemy was active throughout the day, and at 4 p.m. a force of about 300 strong, assisted by machine guns on either flank, made a vigorous attack at Table Top. Shortly after the attack commenced a troop from "A" Squadron, under Lieutenant P. McCowan, was sent in to reinforce the position. They had scarcely reached the top when the enemy, creeping up the opposite slopes, rushed the summit, determined to sweep all before him by sheer weight of numbers. As he came into the open our men poured a steady stream of fire into his ranks, and before he could re-form the Light Horsemen leapt from cover and routed him with the bayonet. In a few moments the Turks reorganised and returned to the attack with renewed vigour and fresh reinforcements, but once more he was driven off by a magnificent bayonet charge that almost carried the victors down the north western slope. The enemy left behind more than 100 dead and wounded, grim evidence of the fierce fighting that took place. Both of our officers were wounded but remained on duty. In a short time the enemy came back to the attack for the third time, and being armed with a plentiful supply of hand grenades he succeeded in bombing our men from their position, and our force retired, taking their wounded with them. An extract from Col Bailey’s field report, commenting on the fighting at Table Top, reads:-

"Lieutenant Gordon did magnificent work, showing coolness and determination throughout. Lieutenant McCowan fought brilliantly in a hand-to-hand with the enemy. His work was splendid. Though heavily outnumbered every NCO and man played his part courageously."

The Commonwealth Official Historian refers to the incident in the following terms:

"On the afternoon of the 2nd the enemy heavily assaulted the position (Table Top) under effective covering fire. Twice the stormers reached within bombing distance of the Australians; each time the Light Horsemen advanced and met them with the bayonet in the open, and they were driven off leaving about 100 dead and wounded on the slope. But the third rush was irresistible: the Light Horsemen were forced from their posts and retreated slowly, bearing their wounded. The Australian machine guns then came into play and cut down the Turks in large numbers. One party of 40 was completely wiped out. This little enemy success denied a valuable spring of water to Grant's men, and afterwards the supply ran short and the troops suffered acutely in the intense heat."

Lieutenants Gordon and McCowan were awarded the Military Cross for their gallant conduct and the fearless manner in which they led their men throughout the engagement. During the attack Sergeant George W. Smith was sent in with a troop to reinforce the defenders of Table Top; and he led his troop with dash and determination in a bayonet charge against the enemy. He was awarded the Military Medal for this action. Lance-Corporal C. W. S. Cooper, armed with a Hotchkiss gun, was very prominent in the fighting and accounted for a great number of the enemy. Although hard pressed by the Turks at close range he held his ground until his last round was spent. For his coolness, initiative and daring he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Reporting on the engagement afterwards, Lieutenant McCowan and Lieutenant Gordon both referred in glowing terms to the magnificent courage displayed by every man under their command who clambered up the slopes of "Table Top" on that sweltering afternoon.

Flushed with the ultimate success of their raid on "Table Top," the Turks swarmed over the plateau in full possession, but their triumph was short lived. As soon as our men had rejoined the main body, we opened fire with machine guns and rifles, transforming the plateau into a veritable hell, and presently the enemy deserted the crest and took cover behind boulders on the sloping sides. Throughout the following day our position was heavily shelled, and it was found impossible to water the horses until after darkness had set in. Late that night our horses were withdrawn and hidden in wadis out of range of the Turkish guns.

At 3 o'clock on the morning of the 3rd there was a general "stand to" throughout our line, as we fully expected an attack, but ft did not develop beyond a small and somewhat abortive skirmish on our left, which was quickly quelled by the 12th Light Horse Regiment and a section of machine guns from this Regiment.

At 6 o'clock the leading troops of the 3rd Brigade which had been operating at Es halt, came into view over the crest of the hill at our right flank rear and began their slow and tedious descent to the valley below. We enjoyed some measure of satisfaction in the knowledge chart the purpose of our wild ride across "Ig-gor-ee Flat" had been fulfilled. We had kept faith with our robbers of the 3rd Brigade by giving them safe conduct down the Umm es Shert road, the only one now open to troops retiring from the Es Salt area.

At 8 a.m. great activity was reported in the enemy lines in the vicinity of Table Top, Red Hill and Damieh bridge head, and large parties of troops began massing in the wadis east and north-east of Table Top. An hour later the enemy opened fire with shrapnel and high explosive shells, the marksmanship being excellent. One shell landed in the centre of our forward dressing station, wounding nine other ranks, including the whole of the medical personnel excepting Capt. Murray, medical officer, and one medical orderly. Inspired by the splendid example of their leader, Captain C. W. Murray, medical officer, the men of the A.A.M.C. worked tirelessly throughout the engagement, and it was regrettable that they should meet with disaster in the eleventh hour, or what might be aptly termed "the moment of victory."

The shelling continued without abatement for some time, and when it did finally slacken the enemy machine guns and rifles came into action. At 10 o'clock we heard heavy fighting on the right and were informed by the 4th Regiment that the enemy was attacking their advanced squadron, which was being recalled from its isolated position. "C" Squadron of the 11th Regiment, under the command of Major Munro, was in touch with the 4th Squadron mentioned above, and therefore had to retire also. In doing so they carne under the fire of machine guns On the eastern slope of Table Top and Major Munro and Lieutenant Hiron were both severely wounded.

Lieutenant Gordon then took charge of "C" Squadron and the movement, was completed, Before Major Munro was wounded he appealed for artillery fire to silence a particular machine gun on Table Top which was harassing his retirement. The message was flashed from the squadron to Regimental Headquarters, and from there to brigade, and in less than three minutes our artillery went into action, its shells screeching low over our heads as they peppered the slopes of Table Top. Those of us who had read the message as it passed through marked the position of the bursting shells with interest, and ere long the offending machine gun became ominously quiet. A forward observation post reported a direct hit.

After a time the attack slackened somewhat, although reports continued to arrive stating that the Turks were massing north-east of Table Top. As stated previously, our venture up the valley had fulfilled its purpose and nothing now remained but that we should withdraw as quickly and as secretly as possible. Meanwhile, Lieutenants Farlow and Bartlam had brought the horses to a wadi close to the firing line and the withdrawal began. Major Loynes, Captain Gee and Lieutenant Barton remained with a small party to cover the retirement. Before leaving the line each man was issued with bombs in case the enemy decided on a last minute rush, for he, too, must surely guess at our retirement. Happily enough the bombs were not required that night and the retirement was executed without a casualty, the Regiment arriving at its bivouac area near Jericho at 3.30 a.m.

For conspicuous service during the engagement the undermentioned officers and N.C.O.'s received a special mention in the Commander-in-Chief's despatch:

Captain C. P. Stumm, M.C.
Lieutenant C. J. Clifford, M.C.
Lieutenant A. Y. Bartlam.
Corporal C. W. W. Grieve.
Corporal F. W. Robinson.

In commenting upon the critical stage of the battle on the 1st of May, the Official Historian says: "It was a grim race between Turks marching on the level plain and the men leading (and alternately riding) their horses on the heights. Twice Bailey (Colonel Bailey, officer commanding 11th Regiment) was forced from his ground, but each time, with the assistance of the horses he succeeded in breaking clear of the confident enemy thousands, and in taking tip a fresh position. In these movements he was supported by part of the 12th Regiment in the lower hills. As he was driven to a position in the foothills almost due east of Red Hill, with his left extending towards the river, the men retiring along the side of the range began to emerge to his assistance. A strong firing line, rapidly built up, checked the advance and saved the day."

We were not always fortunate enough to hear an expression of the enemy's point of view of a particular “scrap," and were therefore keenly interested in the remarks of a Turkish officer captured at Nazareth some time later. Referring to this engagement in the Jordan Valley he said: "You know we were sure that we would capture or destroy your whole force in the Jordan Valley in May. We had seen the Australian horses many times; we knew they were big, and our German officers told us they were clumsy and could not travel in rough country, but," he added ruefully, "you Australians rode your `big' horses where Turkish soldiers could not walk."

The Turkish officer's eulogy applied to both horse and rider, but the Light Horseman will tell you that his success at all times depended largely upon the faithful mount that never once failed to respond gallantly despite the terrors and rigours of a hard campaign.

The following is an extract of a letter of appreciation received from the General Officer commanding the Australian Mounted Division on the recent fighting:

"On conclusion of recent operations, I wish to place on record the fine performance of the 4th Brigade from start to finish. The rapid advance in the first instance was of paramount importance and was carried out with exceptional dash and spirit, thereby enabling the objective to be reached without much trouble. The skill and energy shown by leaders in holding a long line with comparatively few troops, the keenness and determination of all ranks to seize every opportunity to make captures and inflict loss to the enemy, kept them at a respectful distance, and no doubt helped in a very difficult operation of withdrawal to he carried through so successfully. "1 thank all ranks for their good work, and fully realise the fatigue and discomfort that the men were put to by moving over long distances on foot, lack of sleep and food, and how cheerfully they all responded.
"(Signed) H. W. HODGSON,
"Major General,
"Commanding Australian Mounted Division."

The succeeding (lay was spent in reorganising the unit, and at 10 p.m., following a report that the enemy had broken through our line west of the Jordan, we saddled our horses in readiness for a ride to the scene of the trouble. After "standing to" for some time we were advised that the enemy had been driven off and we were ordered to return to the bivouac area.

At 5 o'clock on the morning of the 7th, a squadron of enemy aeroplanes, numbering ten, flew over the camp and bombed the Regiment and the whole of the mounted troops in that area. Eventually they were driven off by machine gun and rifle fire, but not before eleven of our men were wounded by bombs and a number of horses were killed or wounded.

The following casualties in personnel and animals were suffered by this Regiment during the operations extending from 29th April, 1918, to 8th May, 1918:

Killed .. .. .. .. 13
Wounded .. .. 68
Wounded and missing .. .. 5
Horses: killed . . 32  and 43 wounded.

The names of those who are mentioned hereunder made the supreme sacrifice:

L/Cpl. J. W. Baxter.
L/Cpl. A. J. Lake.
L/Cpl. C. A. Mausolf.
Trooper W. H. Bain.
Trooper R. Black.
Trooper W. J. Burton.
Trooper H. H. Farlow.
Trooper L. J. P. Golik.
Trooper S. McG. Johnston.
Trooper F. W. Paterson.
Trooper C. Powell.
Trooper J. Waiters.
Trooper T. S. Wright.

Posted by Project Leader at 12:50 PM EAST

Updated: Thursday, 6 November 2008 12:58 PM EAST

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Lesson 11 Aboriginal Light Horsemen

Resource - 11th Light Horse War Diary Index for 1918 - 1919

One of the few primary source documents available which details the daily activities of a unit is by through the War Diary. Here is an example.

[Click on document for larger version.]

[From: AWM4, 10/16/33 - June 1918]

1 June 1918. The action is taking place in the Jordan Valley. Zoo and Vaux are two outposts overlooking Turkish positions. They also constitute the fromt line. At 4pm , the Turkish artillery fires two shells amongst a group of horses being led by the horseholders, possibly for the purposes of watering them. 2430 Pte John Johnston was badly wounded by the shelling and removed to the 4th Light Horse Field Ambulance for care. It was here that he died.

To put the story into a visual context the map below illustrates the location Zoo and Vaux outposts as mentioned in the War Diary entry.

[Click on document for larger version.]

Zoo can be found near the intersection marked "15" while Vaux is near the intersection marked "9". The location of this map is in the Jordan Valley north of Jericho and west of the Jordan River.

Below is a brief index of the  relevant 11th Light Horse Regiment War Diaries. The War Diaries are located on the Australian War Memorial site but for convenience, those months referred to in the chronology of Aboriginal soldiers from the 11th Light Horse Regiment are only listed here.

1918

AWM4, 10/16/28 - January 1918 (1.9Mb PDF file)
AWM4, 10/16/29 - February 1918 (1.3Mb PDF file)
AWM4, 10/16/30 - March 1918 (1.8Mb PDF file)
AWM4, 10/16/31 - March - April 1918 (3.2Mb PDF file)
AWM4, 10/16/32 - May 1918 (2.2Mb PDF file)
AWM4, 10/16/33 - June 1918 (1.4Mb PDF file)
AWM4, 10/16/34 - July 1918 (1.8Mb PDF file)
AWM4, 10/16/35 - August 1918 (1.2Mb PDF file)
AWM4, 10/16/36 - September 1918 (3Mb PDF file)
AWM4, 10/16/37 - October 1918 (1.2Mb PDF file)
AWM4, 10/16/38 - November 1918 (0.8Mb PDF file)
AWM4, 10/16/39 - December 1918 (1.3Mb PDF file)

1919

AWM4, 10/16/40 - January 1919 (1.4Mb PDF file)
AWM4, 10/16/41 - February 1919 (1.7Mb PDF file)
AWM4, 10/16/42 - March 1919 (1.9Mb PDF file)
AWM4, 10/16/43 - April 1919 (2.4Mb PDF file)
AWM4, 10/16/44 - May 1919 (1.5Mb PDF file)
AWM4, 10/16/45 - June 1919 (1.9Mb PDF file)
AWM4, 10/16/46 - July 1919 (1.9Mb PDF file)
AWM4, 10/16/47 - August 1919 (1.6Mb PDF file)

Further Reading:

Listing of Aboriginal Servicemen Biographies on this site

Reveille Articles on Aboriginals in the AIF

Posted by Project Leader at 10:42 AM EAST

Updated: Thursday, 6 November 2008 5:21 PM EAST

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Lesson 11 Aboriginal Light Horsemen

Resource - Light Horseman Service Record - Essential Pages

2427 Pte Joe Fitzroy,  11th Light Horse Regiment, 20th Reinforcement

[Click on document for larger version.]

The front cover of the Attestation Paper of Persons Enlisted for Service Abroad provides the reader with the following information:

• Service Number,
• Surname,
• Given Names,
• Age,
• Employment,
• Married or Single,
• Next of Kin Relationship,
• Next of Kin Name and Address,
• Enlistment Date.

This information is vital as it identifies the specific soldier and in case of death or injury, allows the relatives to be informed. The next of kin was important for another reason. Each soldier was compelled to give an allotment of their daily wage to the person nominated as the next of kin. This was an essential financial consideration.

Once this information was gathered, the second page dealt with an oath to the King. The next page to give information was page 3.

[Click on document for larger version.]

The third page of the Attestation Paper of Persons Enlisted for Service Abroad provides the reader with the following information:

• Height,
• Weight,
• Chest Measurement
• Complexion,
• Eyes,
• Hair, 
• Religion.

The health of the potential soldier was important as the life was particularly strenuous. The ability to carry heavy weights for great distances was most important.

The next form that is most common in the Service File is the B103, the  Casualty Form - Active Service. Every movement of the soldier is recorded. The reasons for this are fourfold.

1. The location of the soldier at any one time was essential to establish where his rations were to be drawn.

2.  The form established the entitlements to drawing pay at a particular level. A soldier in the field was allowed to draw pay but when in hospital was not allowed to draw their pay as it was considered that everything to assist the soldier's recovery was provided.

3.  By tracking the movements of the soldier, it allowed early detection of desertion if that were to occur.

4. At the end of the war, the chronology of this form was used as the basis for post war entitlements such as medals, pensions, repatriation assistance, access to hospitals and any other service available for an ex-serviceman for the rest of his life.

The B103 may be as simple as one sheet or multiple sheets. It depended upon the individual serviceman.

To assist in understanding this particular form in relation to the men from the 11th LHR, Lesson 11 Resource, a list of terms and names are available at the Index to Common B103 Terms. The link is below.

[Click on document for larger version.]

The front of the B103, the  Casualty Form - Active Service provides the reader with the following information:

• Regiment
• Rank on Enlistment,
• Terms of Enlistment,
• Embarkation Date,
• Embarkation Port,
• Embarkation Ship,
• Date Taken on Strength.

As can be seen, the form is a chronology of the man's service in the AIF. All B103 forms in every service file is similar. 

In this case the man has two pages to the form. To finish his story, the page will be turned over. 

[Click on document for larger version.]

The back of the B103, the  Casualty Form - Active Service provides the reader with the following information:

• Chronology,
• Fate,
• Date.

Once the B103, the  Casualty Form - Active Service was completed due to the expiration of service, any transactions during subsequent to service were recorded on a flimsey called Transferred to Australian Imperial Force D and it was here that all post service information was maintained.

[Click on document for larger version.]

Page 1 of the Transferred to Australian Imperial Force D provides the reader with the following information:

• The last rank held in the AIF,
• The date of Discharge,
• The place where Discharged,
• The eligible medals awarded to the serviceman.

Information on this form depends upon the individual. This particular form can at times run into many pages.

2427 Pte Joe Fitzroy, a brief military biography from The AIF Project:

Joe FITZROY

Additional Research:

To understand the terms employed in the B103, the  Casualty Form - Active Service, an index is available here:

Index to Common B103 Terms

For those interested in further study on this man, the following internet resources are available:

ADFA Summary - This is a cameo summary of his service record.

http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8080/showPerson?pid=98843

National Archives - This is the complete service file of 2427 Pte Joe Fitzroy

http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=3910932&I=1&SE=1

Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial carries two biographical data bases - the Embarkation Roll and the Nominal Roll which was closed in August 1919.

Embarkation details:

http://www.awm.gov.au/nominalrolls/ww1/embarkation/person.asp?p=42545

Nominal Roll:

http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/awm133/17/17-070.pdf

Further Reading:

Listing of Aboriginal Servicemen Biographies on this site

Reveille Articles on Aboriginals in the AIF

Posted by Project Leader at 9:20 AM EAST

Updated: Thursday, 6 November 2008 9:24 AM EAST

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Lesson 11 Aboriginal Light Horsemen

Resource - Light Horseman Service Record - Essential Pages

2426 Pte Harry Doyle,  11th Light Horse Regiment, 20th Reinforcement

[Click on document for larger version.]

The front cover of the Attestation Paper of Persons Enlisted for Service Abroad provides the reader with the following information:

• Service Number,
• Surname,
• Given Names,
• Age,
• Employment,
• Married or Single,
• Next of Kin Relationship,
• Next of Kin Name and Address,
• Enlistment Date.

This information is vital as it identifies the specific soldier and in case of death or injury, allows the relatives to be informed. The next of kin was important for another reason. Each soldier was compelled to give an allotment of their daily wage to the person nominated as the next of kin. This was an essential financial consideration.

Once this information was gathered, the second page dealt with an oath to the King. The next page to give information was page 3.

[Click on document for larger version.]

The third page of the Attestation Paper of Persons Enlisted for Service Abroad provides the reader with the following information:

• Height,
• Weight,
• Chest Measurement
• Complexion,
• Eyes,
• Hair, 
• Religion.

The health of the potential soldier was important as the life was particularly strenuous. The ability to carry heavy weights for great distances was most important.

The next form that is most common in the Service File is the B103, the  Casualty Form - Active Service. Every movement of the soldier is recorded. The reasons for this are fourfold.

1. The location of the soldier at any one time was essential to establish where his rations were to be drawn.

2.  The form established the entitlements to drawing pay at a particular level. A soldier in the field was allowed to draw pay but when in hospital was not allowed to draw their pay as it was considered that everything to assist the soldier's recovery was provided.

3.  By tracking the movements of the soldier, it allowed early detection of desertion if that were to occur.

4. At the end of the war, the chronology of this form was used as the basis for post war entitlements such as medals, pensions, repatriation assistance, access to hospitals and any other service available for an ex-serviceman for the rest of his life.

The B103 may be as simple as one sheet or multiple sheets. It depended upon the individual serviceman.

To assist in understanding this particular form in relation to the men from the 11th LHR, Lesson 11 Resource, a list of terms and names are available at the Index to Common B103 Terms. The link is below.

[Click on document for larger version.]

The front of the B103, the  Casualty Form - Active Service provides the reader with the following information:

• Regiment
• Rank on Enlistment,
• Terms of Enlistment,
• Embarkation Date,
• Embarkation Port,
• Embarkation Ship,
• Date Taken on Strength.

As can be seen, the form is a chronology of the man's service in the AIF. All B103 forms in every service file is similar. 

In this case the man has two pages to the form. To finish his story, the page will be turned over. 

[Click on document for larger version.]

The back of the B103, the  Casualty Form - Active Service provides the reader with the following information:

• Chronology,
• Fate,
• Date.

Once the B103, the  Casualty Form - Active Service was completed due to the expiration of service, any transactions during subsequent to service were recorded on a flimsey called Transferred to Australian Imperial Force D and it was here that all post service information was maintained.

[Click on document for larger version.]

Page 1 of the Transferred to Australian Imperial Force D provides the reader with the following information:

• The last rank held in the AIF,
• The date of Discharge,
• The place where Discharged,
• The eligible medals awarded to the serviceman.

Information on this form depends upon the individual. This particular form can at times run into many pages.

2426 Pte Harry Doyle, a brief military biography from The AIF Project:

Harry DOYLE

Additional Research:

To understand the terms employed in the B103, the  Casualty Form - Active Service, an index is available here:

Index to Common B103 Terms

For those interested in further study on this man, the following internet resources are available:

ADFA Summary - This is a cameo summary of his service record.

http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8080/showPerson?pid=83307

National Archives - This is the complete service file of 2426 Pte Harry Doyle

http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=3520808&I=1&SE=1

Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial carries two biographical data bases - the Embarkation Roll and the Nominal Roll which was closed in August 1919.

Embarkation details:

http://www.awm.gov.au/nominalrolls/ww1/embarkation/person.asp?p=42544

Nominal Roll:

http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/awm133/14/14-146.pdf

Further Reading:

Listing of Aboriginal Servicemen Biographies on this site

Reveille Articles on Aboriginals in the AIF

Posted by Project Leader at 8:36 AM EAST

Updated: Thursday, 6 November 2008 8:43 AM EAST

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