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[Page 46]
crevices several feet deep, and the leaders were at a great disadvantage in not having had an opportunity of making a daylight reconnaissance. "B" squadron were ordered to clear the hill nearest the main road on the right of the enemy position and to fire a red flare, when the first crest was clear of the enemy. When the red flare was fired it was found that the enemy were still holding the intervening higher ground on about a mile frontage, and the least movement on the road started heavy enemy machine gun fire, the guns having been laid during the daylight. At 2200 green flares were observed in direction of "A" and "C" squadrons and at 2230 Major Daly reported by telephone that he had gained the ridge on extreme left of enemy position, and "A" squadron were working along ridge. The enemy were too strong for the 9th Regiment to deal with and the 10th Light Horse Regiment were sent forward to support the 9th Light Horse Regiment by attacking the enemy's right flank. The main strength of the enemy lay in his machine guns, with which he was able to put a very effective barrage on the road. At 2200 two troops of "C" squadron 10th Light Horse Regiment went forward to get in touch with the 9th Regiment. In doing so they encountered an enemy post on an advanced crest line. This post they captured with one machine gun. Three of the enemy were killed. Lieutenant Gwynne, D.C.M., was here wounded.
Sept. 30.
At 0200 as the 9th and 10th Light Horse Regiments were making only slow progress, 8th Light Horse Regiment, (less 1 Squadron) was sent in dismounted to storm the enemy position frontally from the road. Co-operation by the 9th and 10th Light Horse Regiments was arranged for as far as darkness time, and the exceedingly rough nature of the ground permitted. By 0300 the 8th Light Horse Regiment had captured the enemy position with five machine guns, and a few German prisoners. During the advance, the Regiment was subjected to a heavy rifle and machine gun fire. The enemy beat a hasty retreat towards Damascus, vigorously pursued along the road by the 10th Light Horse Regiment. The advance was again held up temporarily about one mile south of Sasa. The vanguard with two machine guns attached dismounted and rushed the enemy, who then broke and made off towards Sasa in motor-lorries, which had been brought up behind their lines. In the course of this pursuit the 10th Light Horse Regiment captured two 77 M.M. field guns, 2 machine guns, one motor lorry and about 20 prisoners. The Brigade had orders that from dawn onwards the 4th Light Horse Brigade would form the Divisional advance guard, while the 3rd Light Horse Brigade assembled after the action just concluded. Shortly after the 4th Light Horse Brigade took up the pursuit they overtook and captured several hundred fugitives. At 0645 all troops of the Brigade had reached Sasa, and at 0730 the Brigade marched following the remainder of the Division. On arrival at Khan Esh Shiha, Divisional orders for the approach on Damascus were received. The 5th Light Horse Brigade, closely followed by the 3rd Light Horse Brigade were to outflank the town by moving via Katana, north easterly along the foothills of Kalabat El Mezze. Bourchier's force, (two Regiments of 4th Light Horse Brigade), were to move directly on the town via Daraya. Soon after this movement commenced enemy machine gun fire was heard directed against Bouchier's force from the vicinity of Kaukab. The 19th Brigade, R.H.A. engaged these machine guns, the 5th and 3rd Brigades meantime pressing on to their objective at the trot. When a point half a mile north of Mudhamiye had been reached, troops of Bourchier's force, were observed galloping the enemy's position, supported by the fire of the R.H.A. batteries. Away to the east could be seen shrapnel bursting, no doubt from the artillery of the 14th Brigade of the 5th Cavalry Division sent across to intercept the Turkish third cavalry division retreating on Damascus. The 5th and 3rd Brigades pressed on, until at a point about 1½ miles south west of El Mezze the French Cavalry Regiment which was leading was held up by machine gun fire from the garden west of the southern end of the town. The R.H.A. batteries were brought up and engaged these machine guns - the 3rd Light Horse Brigade remaining halted ready to support the 5th L.H. Brigade when and where required. The enemy machine guns concealed in the gardens were difficult to locate and swept the open ground over which any direct advance would have to be made. About 1530 orders were received that the 5th L.H. Brigade were to turn into the hills on their left and cut the road and railway