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"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

The Australian Light Horse Studies Centre aims to present an accurate history as chroniclers of early Australian military developments from 1899 to 1920.

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Tuesday, 23 December 2008

The Battle of Magdhaba, Sinai, December 23, 1916, 3rd LHMGS, AIF, War Diary Account
Topic: AIF - 3B - 3 LHMGS

The Battle of Magdhaba

Sinai, 23 December 1916

3rd LHMGS, AIF, War Diary Account

War Diary account of the 3rd LHMGS, AIF.

The transcription:

22 December 1916

1800 - Moved to a point 2 miles south east of El Arish to draw rations.

23 December 1916

0100 - Marched down Wadi el Arish to Magdhaba.

0700 - Arrived in sight of Magdhaba.

0830 - Two Sections (four guns) were attached to 8th and 10th Light Horse Regiments and two Sections were held in reserve.

1000 - Attacked enemy position. The disposition of the8th and 10th Light horse Regiments and the nature of the country (which is very flat) were unsuitable for Machine Gun support. The two Sections in Reserve were brought up into the firing line and were able to support the attack.

1530 - Magdhaba was taken but fighting continued till dark with snipers and small isolated parties of the enemy. Our total casualties were - one horse killed and four horses slightly wounded.

1800 - Watered horses and moved to a point about two miles north west of Magdhaba in the Wadi el Arish to draw drinking water.

2300 - Marched to Bir Lahfan.

24 December 1916

0300 - Arrived at Bir Lahfan and drew rations.

0430 - Marched out on Bir Masa'id.

1000 - Arrived Bir Masa'id.

Roll of Honour

Lest We Forget

Further Reading:

3rd Australian Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron, AIF

3rd Australian Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron, Roll of Honour

The Battle of Magdhaba

The Battle of Magdhaba, Sinai, December 23, 1916, Roll of Honour, Australia and New Zealand

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Citation: The Battle of Magdhaba, Sinai, December 23, 1916, 3rd LHMGS, AIF, War Diary Account

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST

Updated: Sunday, 22 November 2009 12:43 PM EAST

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Saturday, 11 October 2008

The Battle of Beersheba, Palestine, 31 October 1917, 3rd LHMGS, AIF, Unit History Account
Topic: AIF - 3B - 3 LHMGS

The Battle of Beersheba

Palestine, 31 October 1917

3rd LHMGS, AIF, Unit History Account

Officers of the 3rd Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron, Tripoli, December 1918

Lieutenant Clarence George Woods, formerly from the 8th LHR and transferred to the 3rd Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron, compiled a unit history which remained an unpublished manuscript but it included a section specifically related to the battle of Beersheba and is extracted below.

Woods, Lt CG, 3rd Australian Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron - Brief History from July 1916 to 1919, unpublished MSS, p. 11:

BEERSHEBA STUNT.

28.10.17

At 1430 of the same date Sqdn in company with Bgde marched on Esani arriving there at 2330, and bivouacing.

29.10.17

At 1700 Sqdn marched with column on KHALASSA arriving 2200

30.10.17

At 0200 1 Sub Section was sent with the 8th Regt on a detached reconnaissance and at 1600 F Subsection was sent to proceed with the advance Regt of the Divn (10th L.H.) At 1630 the Sqdn moved off with Column to Iswaiwin via a I Y N, & N, roads Reference kip Beersheba 1/250000 arriving there 0800 on 31st inst.

31.10.17

Sgdn moved off again at 1200 to BIR SALIM ABU IRGIEG which place was reached at 1500. By that time Beerhseba was being assaulted from three rides and the appearance of our force on the fast resulted in our being heavily shelled from the enemy position, which however caused no casualties to the Sqdn.

At 1700 enemy aircraft flying low bombed our forces in the line behind Tel el Saba, causing great casualties to "A" Sub Section. This Sub Section was practically annilated, the casualties sustained being:

Wounded. 1 Officer & 15 O.Ranks.
Horses: Killed 21 wounded 3. & missing 3.

At 1800 the Sqdn less 3 Sub Sections moved on Tel el Saba and there the remaining Sub Sections were attached to 9th & 10th Regts respectively for outpost duty, while Sqdn set up HQs at a point 1700 yds w of Tel el Saba.

Guns were established in positions which whilst commanding important points of the town could be used with the greatest effect in the event of a counter attack.

During the night Beersheba was entered and cleared of enemy troops, by L.H. patrols.

1.11.17
Guns came into action against enemy aircraft flying low bombing and machine gunning our line. It was reported that one of these planes came down as a result of small arms fire, the Pilot being killed.

Further Reading:

3rd Australian Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron, AIF

3rd Australian Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron, Roll of Honour

The Battle of Beersheba, Palestine, 31 October 1917

Australian and New Zealand Roll of Honour

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Citation: The Battle of Beersheba, Palestine, 31 October 1917, 3rd LHMGS, AIF, Unit History Account

Posted by Project Leader at 6:22 PM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 4 October 2009 9:10 AM EADT

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Wednesday, 17 September 2008

Bir el Mazar, Sinai, 17 September 1916, 3rd LHMGS, AIF, War Diary Account
Topic: AIF - 3B - 3 LHMGS

Bir el Mazar

Sinai, 17 September 1916

3rd LHMGS, AIF, War Diary Account

War Diary account of the 3rd LHMGS, AIF.

The transcription:

16 September 1916

Hod Salmana - Aircraft very busy. Enemy planes machine gun opened fire, no casualties in Squadron. Watered horses at 1530 and moved with Brigade at 1800 to a point east about 6 miles. One Section with 2 Guns was attached to the 9th Light Horse Regiment and one Section with 2 Guns to 10th Light Horse Regiment and moved towards Mazar, arriving on the outskirts of the enemy's camp at 0430 on 17 September 1916.

17 September 1916

The 8th, 9th and 10th Light Horse Regiments and 2 Gun Sections came in contact with enemy at 0600, and desultory firing commenced. The enemy were exceedingly well concealed and no target was obtained for Machine Guns until 0700, when fire was opened with one gun doing duty with the 10th Light Horse Regiment, but observation and results being poor, no other firing by Machine Guns was indulged in. At 0900 the Brigade withdrew.

Second Lieutenant Slattery Killed in Action. No other casualties although the enemy opened up with very heavy fire upon withdrawal of our troops.

Acting Corporal Scott CG No 3269 Australian Medical Corps attached to Machine Gun Squadron returned under very heavy fire to render aid to Second Lieutenant Slattery F, but on reaching this officer, he had succumbed.

Owing to the forced march, the horses were now beginning to feel the want of water and rest. At 1100 the Brigade moved back in the direction of Salmana.

The Machine Gun Squadron reached Salmana at 1700, watered and bivouacked. Man horses had dropped to the rear from fatigue and lack of water during this march.

Roll of Honour

Francis William SLATTERY

Lest We Forget

Additional Reading:

3rd Australian Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron, AIF

3rd Australian Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron, Roll of Honour

Bir el Mazar, Sinai, 17 September 1916

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1919

Citation: Bir el Mazar, Sinai, 17 September 1916, 3rd LHMGS, AIF, War Diary Account

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Tuesday, 24 November 2009 6:12 AM EAST

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Saturday, 9 August 2008

Bir el Abd, Sinai, 9 August 1916, 3rd LHMGS, AIF, War Diary Account
Topic: AIF - 3B - 3 LHMGS

Bir el Abd

Sinai, 9 August 1916

3rd LHMGS, AIF, War Diary Account

War Diary account of the 3rd LHMGS, AIF.

The transcription:

9 August

Left Dhahab at 0300. One Section attached to each Regiment - 8th, 9th, and 10th. In touch with enemy at 0600. All sections opened fire at varying ranges from 800 yards to 1600 yards. The enemy here resisted strongly and were supported by heavy artillery fire. Our Machine Guns were effectively used.

Lieutenant RJ Buckland, Died of Wounds

Sergeant RR Pond, Killed in Action

Lieutenant ANM Brown, Wounded.

Returned to Dhahab, fed and watered. Bivouacked. One section on outpost with 9th Light Horse Regiment.

932 Trooper AA Bell, Killed in Action

46 Trooper AJ Cooke, Killed in Action.

Roll of Honour

Herbert Alexander BELL
Reginald John BUCKLAND
Allan James COOKE
Richard Rowett POND

Further Reading:

3rd Australian Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron, AIF

3rd Australian Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron, 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

Citation: Bir el Abd, Sinai, 9 August 1916, 3rd LHMGS, AIF, War Diary Account

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Friday, 18 December 2009 5:03 PM EAST

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3rd LHMGS, Roll of Honour, Herbert Alexander Bell
Topic: AIF - 3B - 3 LHMGS

3rd LHMGS, AIF

3rd Australian Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron

Roll of Honour

Herbert Alexander Bell

Herbert Alexander Bell's name on the Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial

Herbert Alexander Bell

Service number: 932

Rank: Trooper [Tpr]

Unit: 10th Australian Light Horse

Service: Army

Conflict: 1914-1918

Date of death: 9 August 1916

Cause of death: Killed in action

Cemetery or memorial details: EGYPT 2 Kantara War Memorial Cemetery

War Grave Register notes: BELL, Tpr. Herbert Alexander, 932. 10th Australian Light Horse. Killed in action 9th Aug., 1916. Age 21. Son of John F. and Emma j. Bell, of 2, Oswald St., Victoria Park, Western Australia. Native of Ireland. B. 75.

Source: AWM145 Roll of Honour cards, 1914-1918 War, Army.

A brief military biography of Herbert Alexander Bell from The AIF Project:

Regimental number	932
Place of birth	Moira, Co Down, Ireland
School	Society of Friends School
Age on arrival in Australia	16
Religion	Methodist
Occupation	Warehouseman
Address	Keane Street, Cottesloe, Western Australia
Marital status	Single
Age at embarkation	21
Height	5' 6.5"
Weight	118 lbs
Next of kin	Father, John Tarke Bell, Keane Street, Cottesloe, Western Australia
Enlistment date	13 January 1915
Place of enlistment	Perth, Western Australia
Rank on enlistment	Private
Unit name	10th Light Horse Regiment, 5th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number	10/15/2
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A20 Hororata on 26 April 1915
Rank from Nominal Roll	Private
Unit from Nominal Roll	10th Light Horse Regiment
Fate	Killed in Action 9 August 1916
Place of death or wounding	Romani, Sinai, Egypt
Age at death	21
Age at death from cemetery records	21
Place of burial	Kantara War Memorial Cemetery (Row B, Grave No. 75), Egypt
Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial	7
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records	Parents: John F and Emma J. BELL, 2 Oswald Street Victoria Park, Western Australia. Native of Ireland
Other details	War service: Egypt, Gallipoli Taken on strength, 10th Light Horse Regiment, Gallipoli, 13 July 1915. Admitted to 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance, 20 September 1915 (influenza). Disembarked Alexandria from Mudros, 25 December 1915. Marched out to Serapeum, 26 February 1916. Killed in action, Hassanein action, Suez Canal, 9 August 1916 (Australian & New Zealand Mounted Division). Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Sources	NAA: B2455, BELL Herbert Alexander

Lest we forget

Further Reading:

3rd Australian Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron, AIF

3rd Australian Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron, 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

Citation: 3rd LHMGS, Roll of Honour, Herbert Alexander Bell

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 20 September 2009 8:23 AM EADT

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