Suez Canal Attack

Egypt, January 28 - February 3, 1915

 Official British History Account, Pt 5

The following is an extract from:

MacMunn, G., and Falls, C., Military Operations Egypt & Palestine - From the Outbreak of War with Germany to June 1917, London, 1928, pp. 31 -  33.

Chapter II

NOTE 1.

DISPOSITION OF TROOPS IN THE CANAL DEFENCES, 15TH JANUARY, 1915.

G.O.C., Canal Defences - Major-General A. Wilson.

Chief Staff Officer, Canal Defences - Br.-General A. H. Bingley.

SECTOR I.

(Port Tewfik to Geneffe, both inclusive.)

Headquarters - Suez.

Troops.

30th Brigade (24th and 76th Punjabis,
126th Baluchis,
2/7th Gurkha Rifles).
1 Squadron Imp. Service Cavalry.
1 Coy. Bikanir Camel Corps.
1 Coy. Sappers and Miners.
1 Bty. R.F.A. (T.).
1 Indian Field Ambulance.

Posts in Sector.

Esh Shatt.

1 Coy. Indian Infantry.
1 M.G. Section.

Baluchistan

1 Coy. Indian Infantry.

El Kubri

1 Squadron Imp. Service Cavalry.
1 Coy. Bikanir Camel Corps.
1 Coy. Sappers and Miners.
1 Bn. (less 2 coys.) Indian Infantry.
1 Battery R.F.A. (T.).
2 M.G. Sections (Indian Infantry).

Gurkha

1 Coy. Indian Infantry.

Shallufa

1 Coy. Indian Infantry
1 M.G. Section (Indian Infantry).

Geneffe

14 men, Indian Infantry.

Suez

2 1/2 Battalions (local reserve).

SECTOR II.

(Deversoir to El Ferdan, both inclusive.)

Headquarters - Ismailia Old Camp.

Troops.

22nd Brigade, less 3rd Brahmans (62nd and 92nd Punjabis, 2/10th Gurkha Rifles).
28th F.F. Bde. (51st and 53rd Sikhs, 56th Punjabis, 1/5th Gurkha Rifles).
1 Squadron Imp. Service Cavalry.
Bikanir Camel Corps (less 3 1/2 Coys.).
M.G. Section of Egyptian Camel Corps.
1 Brigade R.F.A. (T.).
1 Battery Indian Mountain Artillery.
2 Field Ambulances.

Posts in Sector.

Deversoir

1 Coy. Indian Infantry.
7 men Bikanir Camel Corps.

Serapeum E.

2 Coys. Indian Infantry.
7 men Bikanir Camel Corps.

Serapeum W.

22nd Brigade (less 2 battalions and one half-coy.).
1 Bty. R.F.A. (T.).
1 Field Ambulance.

Tussum

1 Coy. Indian Infantry.
7 men Bikanir Camel Corps.

Gebel Mariam

Observation Post.

Ismailia Ferry

1 Squadron Imp. Service Cavalry.
Bikanir C.C. (less 3 1/2 Coys.) and M.G. Section Egyptian Camel Corps.
1 Bn. Indian Infantry.
1 Bty. R.F.A. (T.).
1 Section Indian Mountain Artillery.
1 Wireless Section (T.).
1 Field Ambulance.

Ismailia Old Camp

28th Bde. (less one battalion and one coy.).
21st Bty. Indian Mountain Artillery.
(Local Reserve.)

SECTOR III.

(El Ferdan, exclusive, to Port Said, inclusive.)

Headquarters - Qantara

Troops

29th Bde. (14th Sikhs, 69th and 89th Punjabis, 1/6th Gurkha Rifles).
1 Bn. 22nd Bde.
1/2 Coy. Sappers and Miners.
1 Squadron Imp. Service Cavalry.
2 Coys. Bikanir Camel Corps.
2 Batteries R.F.A. (T.).
26th Bty. Indian Mountain Artillery.
Armoured Train with 1/2 Coy. Indian Infantry.
Wireless Section (T.).
Indian Field Ambulance.
Detachment R.A.M.C. (T.).

Ballah

2 Platoons Indian Infantry.

Qantara E.

29th Bde. (less 1 coy.).
1 Squadron Imp. Service Cavalry.
2 Coys. Bikanir Camel Corps.
1/2 Coy. Sappers and Miners.
1 Bty. Indian Mountain Artillery.
Wireless Section (T.).

Qantara W.

Armoured Train, etc.
2 Batteries R.F.A. (T.).

El Kab   

1/2 Platoon Indian Infantry.

Tina

1/2 Platoon Indian Infantry.

Ras El Esh

1 Platoon Indian Infantry

Salt Works

1 Company Indian Infantry.

New Canal Works..

1 Company Indian Infantry

Port Said

1 Bn. Indian Infantry (less 2 coys.).

ADVANCED ORDNANCE DEPOT

ZAGAZIG.

Troops.

1 Bn. 32nd (I.S.) Brigade.

ENGINEER WORK

DEFENCE OF RAILWAY AND SWEET WATER CANAL.

Troops.

1 Troop Imp. Service Cavalry,
1/2 Coy. Bikanir Camel Carps,
1/2 Coy. Indian Infantry.

GENERAL RESERVE CAMP, MOASCAR.

Troops.

31st Brigade (less 1 coy.), (2nd Q.V.O. Rajput L.I., 27th Punjabis, 93rd Burma Infantry, 128th Pioneers).
32nd (I.S.) Bde., less 1 battalion (33rd Punjabis, Alwar, Gwalior, and Patiala Infantry).
Imp. Service Cav. Bd.. (less 3 squadrons and 1 troop).
1 Egyptian R.E. Section (Camels),
1 Egyptian Mountain Battery.
2 Sections Field Artillery with Cavalry Brigade.
3 Indian Field Ambulances.

Previous Chapter: Suez Canal Attack, Egypt, ADVANCE OF THE TURKS, Official British History Account, Pt 4

Next Chapter: Suez Canal Attack, Egypt, ENGINEER WORK ON THE CANAL DEFENCES, Official British History Account, Pt 6

Further Reading:

Suez Canal Attack, Egypt, Contents

Where Australians Fought, Sinai, 1916-1917

Light Horse Battles

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Citation: Suez Canal Attack, Egypt, Official British History Account, Pt 5

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 26 April 2009 11:04 PM EADT

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 German 605th Machine Gun Company (MGC)

War Diary, 16 to 24 June 1916 

The entries

16.VI.16:    

To-day the Turkish troops have the day off excepting bathing and washing clothes. The German troops bathed this morning and in the afternoon some fatigues.

17.VI.16:    

To-day battle training.

18.VI.16:    

This morning home drill. The Turkish details have the afternoon off; the Germans on the other hand have to overhaul the camel saddles. At 8 p.m. we had a route march with camels.

19.VI.16:    

Act. Sergeant-Major Kura came out of hospital to-day and Pte. Beuth came book from the sick tent. We got another 4 Turkish soldiers to-day.

20 .VI.16:    

Drill to-day otherwise nothing new.

21.VI.16:    

Strength of company - 1 officer, 12 N.C.O.'s, 14 men. Drill this morning and the Turkish details have the afternoon off. The Germans on the other hand have to overhaul the camel saddles and cacholets.

22.VI.16:    

At 6 a.m. this morning we moved off with camels and all first line transport for a route march in connection with a field day. Instruction in the afternoon.

23.VI.16:    

The Turkish details have to-day off. They have only to bathe and wash. The Germans have bathing in the morning, and in the afternoon they have to test 2 machine guns.

24.VI.16:  

Early today field firing, but since the ammunition boxes are too low, many cartridges were dented and in consequence there were many stoppages. After the firing several belts were overhauled and the damaged cartridges removed. This afternoon a German armourer arrived and watched the M. guns shooting and ascertained that the rifle oil from Germany was too thin and in consequence soon burnt out. We then got a thicker oil from the Turkish depot with which the machine guns shot very well. As the angle lever of all the locks worked too heavily they had to be adjusted. In several of the locks the mechanism failed as they did not come back.

Previous Page: 605th Machine Gun Company War Diary - 5 to 16 June 1916

Next Page: 605th Machine Gun Company War Diary, 24 June to 2 July 1916

Further Reading:

German 605th Machine Gun Company (MGC) , Contents 

The Battle of Romani

Light Horse Battles

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Citation: 605th Machine Gun Company War Diary - 16 to 24 June 1916

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Wednesday, 15 April 2009 3:46 PM EADT

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1st AUSTRALIAN ARMOURED CAR SECTION, AIF

THE MOTOR DASH ON ALEPPO

Part 2

This is a transcription from a manuscript submitted by Captain E.H. James called "The Motor Patrol". It is lodged in the AWM as AWM 224 MSS 209. This is Part 2.

The Motor Dash on Aleppo - Part 2

After this little delay the column pushed on once more and by evening we had reached the village Seraikin where it was decided to stay for the night. Outposts and machine guns are placed around the camp and everyone took their turns at watching through the night. The village of Seraikin contained an aeroplane depot and we surprised the occupants in time to prevent any planes from rising.

When we arrived at Seraikin we were fortunate in being quick enough to prevent the aeroplanes there from taking off and flying to Aleppo with the information of our proximity. We were specially anxious that the enemy should not know what a comparatively insignificant force was advancing against them. The General wished to use the element of surprise to as much advantage as possible. Near the village we discovered a small gun with a calibre of about 1.5 inches. It was mounted on a small folding carriage something like the German maxim gun tripod. There was also a case of shells. These were something after the style of the Pom Poms and would be under one pound in weight. We put the lot into the back of one of the cars and they came in very useful later on. Next morning we made an early start as usual and proceeded north until we came to Khan Tuman. Here the cars suddenly and unexpectedly ran into a small detachment of Turkish Cavalry. There was a sudden burst of fire from the Lewis Guns and a couple of the Cavalry men fell wounded. Some of the Light Cars then made a rush to head off the horsemen from the direction of Aleppo which they succeeded in doing. The officer in charge and a party of his men were surrounded and they surrendered. A few of the remainder galloped off to the west where they got into some rough timbered country where the motors could not penetrate without a lot of trouble. As they were cut off from Aleppo it did not matter very much what happened to them. After this little episode the force pushed on again and were almost in sight of Aleppo before any serious opposition was encountered.

The flying motor force had been particularly fortunate. First of all the enemy motor vehicles had been encountered and exterminated. Next the aeroplanes had been caught before they had time to rise and then the cavalry patrol had been cut off. So the enemy headquarters had practically received no news whatever of what was happening and the surprise was complete. They were evidently very anxious thinking that something was wrong and were nervous. However, on reaching a position within view of the town it could be seen that the place was alive with troops. Trenches had been dug all round the city and the troops could be seen in these through the field glasses. A couple of armoured cars drove down the road towards the city and encountered a storm of rifle and machine gun fire.

Some batteries of Artillery also opened up with shrapnel and H.E. The general then called a halt and collected his small force under the shelter of a friendly hill for a council of war. He then decided to make as much display of force as possible. The armoured cars manoeuvred on the skyline making as much display and dust as possible. Some of the Lewis guns were taken off the light cars which were also driven about in view. The guns were carried along under cover of some stone walls and rocks so as to get within range of the trenches and make as much noise as possible. In the meantime, our "Brave" allies the Arabs apparently began to think something was doing and could smell loot for the began to collect in thousands on the horizon in every direction. In the distance it looked like an army collecting on the doomed prey.

Several hundred of these Arabs mounted on horseback collected in rear of our cars and one of them who was apparently a man of importance after talking with our interpreter began to harangue his followers with the result that they all sprang into the saddle and rode forward up to the motor car column. Apparently this was not enough for their leader for he began to talk and yell at them seriously for about ten minutes or a quarter of an hour which presumably had the effect desired as they all rode forward on to the skyline. Immediately about ten machine guns and a couple of batteries of artillery opened fire. That was enough. The horsemen all turned tail and galloped until they were out of sight to the yells and jeers of the British and Australian onlookers. It was now our turn to make some show and several parties of machine gunners crept forward with their Lewis Guns. We also carried along our captured Pom Pom and sent across all the little shells from various positions at extreme range. Although they did no damage they made plenty of smoke and noise which was what we wanted for it looked to the Turks that we were bringing artillery up. After this the General decided on a bold stroke and resolved to send a demand to the Turkish Commander in chief to surrender. Accordingly in the afternoon Lieut.. McIntyre of No. 7 Light Car Patrol drove into the enemy's lines in a car under a white flag with documents for the Turkish Commander. No shots were fired at the car, but when the Turkish trenches were reached the car was stopped. McIntyre was blindfolded and taken through on foot to an officer who took him to the Turkish Commander who was very courteous. General MacAndrew's ultimatum requested the immediate surrender of all troops’ arms and war material in the town. In return the General promised safe custody and the best treatment given to prisoners of war.
 

Previous section: 1st Australian Armoured Car Section - The Motor Dash on Aleppo - Part 1

Next section: 1st Australian Armoured Car Section - The Motor Dash on Aleppo - Part 3

Further Reading:

1st AUSTRALIAN ARMOURED CAR SECTION, AIF, Contents 

Australian Light Horse Order of Battle - Outline 

Australian Light Horse Order of Battle

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Citation: 1st Australian Armoured Car Section - The Motor Dash on Aleppo - Part 2

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 13 April 2009 11:26 PM EADT

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Diaries of AIF Servicemen

Bert Schramm

During part of the course of his military service with the AIF, 2823 Private Herbert Leslie Schramm, a farmer from White's River, near Tumby Bay on the Eyre Peninsular, kept a diary of his life. Bert was not a man of letters so this diary was produced with great effort on his behalf. Bert made a promise to his sweetheart, Lucy Solley, that he would do so after he received the blank pocket notebook wherein these entries are found. As a Brigade Scout since September 1918, he took a lead part in the September 1918 breakout by the Allied forces in Palestine. Bert's diary entries are placed alongside those of the 9th Light Horse Regiment to which he belonged and to the 3rd Light Horse Brigade to which the 9th LHR was attached. On this basis we can follow Bert in the context of his formation.

 Bert Schramm's Diary, 8 March 1919

Bert Schramm's Handwritten Diary, 8 - 10 March 1919

[Click on page for a larger print version.]

Diaries

Bert Schramm

Saturday, March 8, 1919

Bert Schramm's Location - Moascar, Egypt.

Bert Schramm's Diary - Things have been quiet. This is a fairly decent camp. There are plenty canteens when one can spend his money. But everyone is fed up with things in this part of the world and all are anxious to get home.

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Moascar, Egypt.

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary -  Commanding Officer's inspection. Arrangements made to send 1,000 all ranks per week from the Division on three days leave to Cairo, first party to leave on 15th inst.

Darley, TH, With the Ninth Light Horse in the Great War, Adelaide, Hassell Press, 1924.

Next: Bert Schramm's Diary, 9 March 1919

Further Reading:

9th Light Horse Regiment AIF War Diary - Complete day by day list

Bert Schramm Diary 

Bert Schramm Diary - Complete day by day list

Additional Reading:

Darley, TH, With the Ninth Light Horse in the Great War, Adelaide, Hassell Press, 1924.

Citation: Bert Schramm's Diary, 8 March 1919

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Wednesday, 6 May 2009 12:56 PM EADT

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Australian Battles, 1899 - 1920

The role of the Light Horse in these battles during this period needs to be placed in that context, ensuring that it is not overstated but also not understated too.

The compiled list is in two parts, the first being a chronological list in strict date order while the second is in alphabetical order. The aim is to allow a ready reference to a specific battle by date or name.

Chronology of Australian Battles, 1899 - 1920

1915

Broken Hill, New South Wales, January 1, 1915.

1919

Merivale Street, Queensland, March 24, 1919.

Further Reading:

Chris Coulthard-Clark, Where Australians Fought - The Encyclopaedia of Australia's Battles, Allen and Unwin, Sydney, 1998.

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Light Horse Battles

Citation: Australian Battles

Posted by Project Leader at 11:01 PM EADT

Updated: Monday, 30 March 2009 6:01 PM EADT

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