The Australian Light Horse,

Militia and AIF

Mounted Rifle Tactics, Part 9, Conclusion

Cape Mounted Rifleman

[Drawing from 1904 by Richard Caton Woodville, 1856 - 1927.]

The following series is from an article called Mounted Rifle Tactics written in 1914 by a former regimental commander of the Cape Mounted Riflemen, Lieutenant-Colonel J. J. Collyer. His practical experience of active service within a mounted rifles formation gives strength to the theoretical work on this subject. It was the operation of the Cape Mounted Riflemen within South Africa that formed the inspiration for the theoretical foundations of the Australian Light Horse, and was especially influential in Victoria where it formed the cornerstone of mounted doctrine. 

Collyer, JJ, Mounted Rifle Tactics, Military Journal, April, 1915, pp. 265 - 305:

Mounted Rifle Tactics.

VII - Conclusion

This brings us to the close of our discussions on mounted riflemen. I have endeavoured to refrain from elaborating points from the text-books, though adhering to their teaching, and to put forward some general principles which seem to me worthy of consideration and examination if the arm -mounted riflemen-is to be used to the great effect which is undoubtedly possible. I have also tried to make use of what is a great advantage to the mounted troops of the Union, the experiences of war in South Africa in which mounted riflemen formed the bulk of the contestants some ten years ago.

I am convinced that in a calm and temperate analysis of those experiences and the acceptance of sound principles, and rejection of defects, the mounted riflemen of South Africa will find teaching which will make them the equal of any body of the arm in the world. As years go on the actors in the last war-who are now at hand to advise and teach-will pass, and it is essential that the teaching should be laid down now, that the experience may in the future prove a real support of the military forces of the Union.

 

Previous: Part 8, Reconnaissance 

Next: The Light Horse

Further Reading:

The Light Horse

Australian Light Horse Militia

Militia 1899 - 1920

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST

Updated: Thursday, 10 December 2009 8:33 AM EAST

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The Battle of Anzac Cove

Gallipoli, 25 April 1915

Canterbury Infantry Battalion War Diary 

The following is a transcription of the War Diary of the Canterbury Infantry Battalion, of their role in the landings at Anzac on 25 April 1915.

24 April 1915

Lemnos

6.30 pm - HMT Lutzow left inner harbour and anchored outside. Leaving for Kaba Tepe at midnight 24/25.



25 April 1915

Anzac Cove

Battalion less 11th and 13th Companies landed under shrapnel fire. No casualties. Disembarkation completed at about 12.30 pm.

Received Brigade Orders to prolong left of Australian Division rendering whatever assistance possible. Auckland Battalion supporting.

Walker's Ridge

The order was at once carried out under heavy shrapnel fire. Companies got separated on arriving on the top of Plugge’s Plateau.

Plugge's Plateau

2 pm - Urgent message received from Major Stuckey Auckland Battalion that his left was being turned and ammunition had run out. Captain Critchley-Salmonson collecting a small party of New Zealand and Australians, proceeded to Walker's Ridge and finding the left not held occupied it with his left flank on the beach.

Parties of Australians retired through the position during afternoon and evening.

6.30 pm - Lieutenant Colonel Stewart reported killed. Major Loach assumed command Brigade Headquarters informed.

Walker's Ridge

Received message from Divisional Headquarters that Major Loach with two Companies was being sent to reinforce the left.

9.30 pm - Major Loach with 12th and 13th Companies arrived. These companies should have disembarked at 12 noon but the transport conveying them did not arrive at her anchorage till 5 pm.

At this time a local reserve consisting of details from 1st and 2nd Companies was being collected on the beach.

The Battalion dug in during the night and maintained the line.

List of Casualties:

Officers -
Lieutenant Colonel D McB Stewart, killed.
Major D Grant, killed.
Lieutenant OH Mead, wounded slightly.
Lieutenant JC Hill, wounded.
Lieutenant Barclay, wounded and missing.

Other Ranks, 21 killed, 87 wounded, 100 missing.


26 July 1915

Walker's Ridge

Strengthened position and re-organised.

2 pm - Officer Commanding 2nd Battalion Australian Regiment which was holding a position on the left front ordered Major Loach to reinforce his left. The 12th Nelson Company was ordered to do this but were checked on account of two platoons 2nd Battalion Australian Regiment who were retiring from the ridge. Eventually the position was re-established at 6.30 pm. The whole position was strengthened during the night. Desultory firing lasted till 3 am 27 April 1915.

6 pm - Casualty - Officers - Lieutenant HF Fitch, killed.

Water and ammunition supply were the greatest difficulties which had to be contended with. This was chiefly due to the nature of the country and having to be man handled a long distance.

 

War Diaries

All War Diaries cited on this site should be read in conjunction with the Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, AIF War Diaries of the Great War, Site Transcription Policy which may be accessed at:

Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, AIF War Diaries of the Great War, Site Transcription Policy 

Further Reading:

The Battle of Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, 25 April 1915

The Battle of Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, 25 April 1915, Canterbury Infantry Battalion, Roll of Honour  

The Battle of Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, 25 April 1915, NZEF Roll of Honour

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST

Updated: Tuesday, 13 April 2010 9:33 PM EADT

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The Battle of Amwas

Palestine, 18 November 1917

Outline

The action at Amwas.

[From: Gullett, p. 490.]

As a preliminary to the advance of the 75th Division into the hills, the Australian Mounted Division on November 18th forced the enemy from Latron by a flanking movement on the north. The Turks were reported to be evacuating Jerusalem, and Chauvel ordered Barrow with his yeomanry to move rapidly on Bireh and cut off the retreat. Hodgson was to attack the Latron-Amwas position early in the afternoon and. if successful, to push on towards Bireh, on the right of the yeomanry. The 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade on the left was to endeavour to outflank Latron from the north and north-east while the 4th Brigade made a direct assault.

In the distance following the mountains is the road from Latron in the foreground to Amwas.

This day's operations served to bring home to all leaders the nature of the task ahead. As Scott with the 9th Regiment on the flank pushed into the hills on his enveloping movement, he came under brisk fire from machine-guns and light artillery. No Turks showed on the dark, harsh hills ahead, but each approach was evidently watched and guarded. For some hours the 8th and 9th Regiments probed fruitlessly at the frowning ramparts. So steep and rocky was the ground that the horses had frequently to be led. After much difficulty, the Notts Battery was brought forward, and was rewarded with a good target on four enemy guns near Amwas; these the gunners silenced at a range of 5,000 yards, and they were next day found by the British infantry. Towards evening, as the result of a striking change in Bulfin's tactics, the 3rd and 4th Brigades were withdrawn. On the left the Yeomanry Division had made indifferent headway towards Bireh. Like the Australians, they found the country impossible for mounted action. Shilta had been occupied, and the troops had advanced within two miles of Beit ur et Tahta (Lower Bethoron); but the batteries of horse artillery had found the old track impossible for wheels. Some of the guns were man-handled for miles, and the Hong Kong and Singapore Battery, mounted on its stalwart camels, climbed almost as far as the advanced troops. In the face of the opposition everywhere met by the Australian and Yeomanry Divisions it was obvious that a mounted advance was impracticable. As of old, Jerusalem, if it was to be won, must be assailed by infantry.

Bulfin decided to attack Latron on the following day with the 75th Division, while the 52nd Division was to strike into the hills by the Beit Likia on its left. The light horse were not to play an active part in the capture of Jerusalem. Yet the advance into the hills by Wilson's brigade on the 18th provided a good example of the effect of that sort of enveloping movement which can he made only by mounted troops, even though it is not at the time attended by material results. A patrol o€ Scott's advanced troops under Sergeant G. G. Masson had penetrated as far as Yalo a native village about five miles almost due east of Amwas.

Next morning, when the 75th Division moved on Latron, they found the position evacuated; the Turks, fearing that isolation and capture would follow the thrust to Yalo, had abandoned strongly-held ground, and the men of the 75th were saved severe fighting and heavy casualties.

Extracted from H.S. Gullett (1944) The Australian Imperial Force in Sinai and Palestine, Sydney: Angus & Robertson, pp. 489 - 491. 

Further Reading:

The Battle of Amwas, Palestine, 18 November 1917

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST

Updated: Friday, 19 November 2010 4:44 PM EAST

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The Battle of Anzac Cove

Gallipoli, 25 April 1915

Roll of Honour

Wellington Infantry Battalion

Roll of Honour

 

Philip Gardner TATTLE, Wellington Infantry Battalion.

 

Lest We Forget

 

The Battle of Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, 25 April 1915

The Battle of Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, 25 April 1915, NZEF Roll of Honour 

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST

Updated: Tuesday, 13 April 2010 10:08 AM EADT

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The Jifjafa Raid

Sinai, 10 - 14 April 1916

 Mapping the Jifjafa Region

[Click on map for larger version.]

[Click on map for larger version.]

Further Reading:

Reconnaissance to Muksheib by Captain Wearne

Jifjafa Raid Progressive Maps

The Jifjafa Raid, Sinai, April 10 to 14

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST

Updated: Sunday, 29 November 2009 7:54 AM EAST

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