The Battle of Beersheba

Palestine, 31 October 1917

8th LHR, AIF, War Diary Account

War Diary account of the 8th LHR, AIF.

The transcription:

Operations

31 October 1917

0700 Took up line 1210-1180-1280 and made dispositions for attack on Beersheba. Linked with 7th Mounted Brigade on left and New Zealand Mounted Rifles on right.

Ras Ghannam redoubt was held very strongly by enemy and the main attack was made on Tel el Saba which fell at 1500.

The Regiment was relieved at 1500 moved to Desert Corps Headquarters wherein instructions were given to join the 5th Mounted Brigade.

At 1730 enemy aeroplanes raided and bombed various bivouacs. Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Cecil Maygar VC was wounded also Captain James Sproat and 2 Other Ranks, whilst 2 horses were killed and several wounded.

Major Archibald McGibbon McLaurin assumed command and Regiment proceed to Wadi Saba to water. There touch was gained with 3rd LH Bde and coming under the orders of this Brigade, Regiment was ordered to bivouac for the night in Wadi Saba.

Casualties in firing line at Ras Ghannam were 1 man (1571 Tpr John Henry Gallagher, "C" Squadron) seriously wounded and one horse killed.

 

Roll of Honour

Leslie Cecil MAYGAR

Lest We Forget

Posted by Project Leader at 9:54 PM EADT

Updated: Monday, 5 October 2009 9:10 AM EADT

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 The Battle of Beersheba

Palestine, 31 October 1917

8th LHR, AIF, Unit History Account

Austin, TS, The history of the 8th Light Horse Regiment A.I.F. :   

BeershebaThe 28th proved a busy Sunday. By 1200 the camp was dismantled and the Regiment all packed and ready to move on the Beersheba offensive. Our first job proved to act as escort to the main convoy to Khalasa and at 1500 that afternoon the foot of Tel el Fara presented a wonderful scene. Parks of supply wagons, ammunition limbers, and guns were formed up in the vicinity, covering acres of ground. Busy staff officers and horsemen were to be seen galloping hither and thither giving orders and sorting the many different units into their respective places in the column. This convoy is probably the record convoy of the war. It carried all the supplies and materials to be used by the Mounted Divisions in their attack on the east and S.E. side of Beersheba - a brilliant stroke which did much to crown with success the first of General Allenby's offensive in Palestine.

The column got safely started by 1700 on the road to Esani, 8 miles distant and which was to be our first halting place. As the wagons strung out the column covered a length of 6 miles, there being 307 4 wheeled vehicles, besides innumerable horses, pack mules and donkeys and the head of the column was almost at Esani before the rear had got clear of the Wadi Ghuzze. Thanks for a very bright moon, everything went off without a hitch. On reaching Esani fresh orders were received and the column was broken up, "B" Squadron going on to Khalasa with a large portion whilst the rest of the Regiment went in to bivouac near Tel Itweil. On the 29th. Brig. General Wilson assumed command of the Brigade and Lieut. Col. Maygar rejoined the Regiment.

Four N.C.O's were granted commissions to complete establishment, namely:- Sgt. C.G.T. Williams, Sgt. H.A. Patterson, Sgt. E.M. Jenner and L/Cpl. F. Moore. The Brigade moved on to Khalasa at 1700 and reached there at 2230. Horses were watered and "B" Squadron rejoined. The Regiment received orders to report to Anzac Mounted Division at Asluj before 0500 on the 30th. and our trek was resumed for that place. Asluj was reached in darkness at 0400 and after reporting to Headquarters there a bivouac site was selected on the North side of
the town near the railway station. A spell was made up to 1700 when the Regiment joined the Divisional column in its march to the east of Beersheba, When just North of Iswaiwan, the Regiment branched off and though not in touch again came under the command of the Australian Mounted Division. By 0700 on the 31st. we had taken up the line running through points 1210, 1180, and 1280 (Sq.Q) which were our place in the dispositions for the attack on the town which could be plainly seen about 3 miles to the N.W. Ras Ghannam redoubt which appeared very strongly held was about 1500 yards directly West. We were linked with the 7th. Mounted Brigade who were some distance to the South of this redoubt, and on our left, whilst on our right were the N.Z.M.R. extending towards Khashim Zanna.

The line advanced slightly but was ordered not to go further forward as the rest of Australian Mounted Division would be up in the afternoon. Patrols were thrown out in endeavours to gain information and a good deal of fire was exchanged between both side. Our casualties were light, 1 man and 1 horse being killed. Meanwhile the attack on our right was developing and concentrating an Tel el Saba, a feature in the Wadi bed about 2 miles due East of the town. This place which was very strongly held fell to the New Zealanders and the 1st. Light Horse Brigade at 1800 after a very determined and bloody fight. Its fall helped very greatly in the capture of other redoubts, The 4th Brigade took over the line held by the Regiment at 1600, and soon after from here made their magnificent charge over the trenches and captured the town and many prisoners. The Regiment was ordered to report to Desert Mounted Corps Headquarters at the rear of Khassim Zanna and arrived there at 1730. Just then 2 enemy aeroplanes swooped down and as there were very many troops and transport vehicles concentrated there a good target presented itself to them and of which they took full toll. At a very low altitude, they bombed and machine gunned assn .mod horses, causing a large number of casualties to our side. Lieut Col. Maygar was seriously wounded by a bomb bursting almost under him, and his horse, also wounded, bolted into the darkness and confusion and we never saw the Colonel again. After much searching his horse was found covered in blood and news was obtained that the Colonel had been got safely to hospital, though he succumbed at Karm two days later. Capt. Sproat and 2 Other Ranks ware also hit, while 2 horses were killed. Neighbouring Units suffered much more heavily.

Major McLaurin took command and the Regiment moved in the darkness to the wadi near Bir Haman, where the houses were watered. The 3rd. Brigade was picked up by the flash at a signal lamp and after an hours spell we moved to a bivouac about a mile east of Tel el Saba. At dawn the next morning enemy aeroplanes again raided, but the horses had been scattered over a wide area and presented poor bombing targets. Luckily the men were standing to arms at the time and rear quickly formed into position where good fire control was obtained on the machines. One machine flying extremely low was caught by a terrific burst of fire and subsequently fell among the hills just to the north, the pilot being found dead.

Orders ware received from BHQ to gain up and this was done by 0800 at new site half a mile west of the Tel. A good days rest was enjoyed here, the horses obtaining a plentiful supply of water and the men fresh rations.

Posted by Project Leader at 6:47 PM EADT

Updated: Saturday, 3 October 2009 10:22 AM EADT

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Bir el Mazar

Sinai, 17 September 1916

Austin, TS, The history of the 8th Light Horse Regiment A.I.F. :   

On the 11th of September, after a most enjoyable respite, the Brigade moved North and relieved the New Zealanders at Amara. We had just settled there when the orders for the operations against Mazar were received. On the fourth day after our arrival, we moved in Brigade Column through Bir el Abd to Salmana, reaching there at 0600 after travelling all night. We rested there throughout the hours of daylight, the only incident of note being an air raid by an enemy plane which machine gunned the camp, causing a few casualties. At 5 p.m. we were off again and heading straight for Mazar across the sandy waste. Going at a good pace, the 29 miles of waterless stretch was got over in good time, and then dawn we were making for positions south of the Turkish redoubts. By 6 a.m. we were attacking, but arrangements had miscarried with some of the other Units, and they were not up in time to co-operate. Desultory fighting went on throughout the morning, and we approached to within 600 yards of the enemy redoubts. A heavy machine gun and rifle fire was being put up from here but our casualties were light. Our aeroplanes were doing excellent reconnaissance work, and reported that the enemy were evacuating their positions. However the scheme was abandoned and all forces were withdrawn before noon and the long trek back to Salmana began. half way on the route we were met by a small camel convoy and men and horses obtained a small drink. Salmana was reached at 8 p.m. in the evening and after the horses had been given their fill at the wells, bivouac was made for the night. We left for Amara at 8 a.m. the next day.

Further Reading:

8th Light Horse Regiment, AIF

8th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour

Bir el Mazar, Sinai, 17 September 1916

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Citation: Bir el Mazar, Sinai, 17 September 1916, 8th LHR, AIF, Unit History Account

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Tuesday, 24 November 2009 6:15 AM EAST

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Bir el Mazar

Sinai, 17 September 1916

8th LHR, AIF, War Diary Account

War Diary account of the 8th LHR, AIF.

The transcription:

16 September 1916

Amara - Brigade moved out at midnight arriving at Salmana at 0600 and bivouacked for the day. At 1700 moved off in the direction of Mazar arriving at 0600 on 17th.


17 September 1916

Mazar - 0600 - Brigade attacked from south and 2nd Light Horse Brigade from the east. Enemy strongly entrenched but not too large numbers. They had no artillery but later shelled us with their Anti-Aircraft Guns. Owing to the non arrival of Camel Corps on our right as expected, we withdrew at 0800. Enemy reported to be evacuating Mazar.

Salmana - Bivouacked for the night, left at 0400 on 18th.

18 September 1916

0400 - Returned to Amara.

Roll of Honour

 

Lest We Forget

Additional Reading:

8th Light Horse Regiment, AIF

8th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour

Bir el Mazar, Sinai, 17 September 1916

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1919

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Tuesday, 24 November 2009 6:08 AM EAST

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Bir el Abd

Sinai, 9 August 1916

8th LHR, AIF, War Diary Account

The transcription:

9 August

Moved out as advance guard to Brigade, "C" Squadron vanguard in direction of Salmana, New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade attacking Bir el Abd.

Enemy encountered holding strong position south of Bada, including a redoubt.

Regiment heavily engaged all day trying to drive them out. Enemy strong in artillery and machine guns. Enemy made strong counterattack at dusk but was beaten off. Relieved by 10th Light Horse Regiment about 2000 and returned to Hillali at 2200.

Casualties

Killed - Second Lieutenant Buckland and 6 Other Ranks.

Wounded - 33 other ranks, 5 of whom subsequently died of wounds.

Roll of Honour

Edward Maddern BAWDEN

Walter John James BLOOMFIELD

John Reginald BUCKLAND

Arthur Lovelock CHAMBERS

William Leonard CLYNE

James Alexander ELLIOTT

William Bloomfield HELMS

Richard HOBLEY

Victor James LAMB

James David MARSHALL

Gordon Eric McCOOK

Archibald Samuel SHAW

Lest We Forget

Further Reading:

8th Light Horse Regiment, AIF

8th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour

Battle of Romani, Sinai, August 4 to 5, 1916 

Bir el Abd, Sinai, 9 August 1916

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Friday, 18 December 2009 5:01 PM EAST

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