MacNamara diary, 19 August 1916-29 May 1919 / John Patrick MacNamara - Page 155
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[Page 155]
the coast & we hope in a few days to have the whole Turkish army surrounded in the Mts.
Sept 20th
Had hardly got into bed last night when we had to pack up again & go on another 6 or 7 miles as the enemy was retreating so fast as to get out of range. On the way passed through Kalkilieh, a fair sized village & the Turkish railhead.
Went into position just near a place called Hableh & alongside our position are 3 enemy field guns, the gunners of one of the guns having been bayoneted at their guns. We are in the hills now & tis very rocky & uneven.
The enemy seems to have retreated so fast during the day (yesterday) that they don't know exactly where he is.
Did not get a wink of sleep last night as we did not get into this position until just before daybreak. One big advantage about travelling at night now is that the moon is almost full. We did not fire a shot all day as we were probably out of range when we got here.
Just heard that our L. Horse at 10 am this morning were 10 miles from Haifa & that yesterday this Corps alone - 21st - took 5,000 prisoners & 70 guns.
We are at least 20 miles behind the front line now & expect to get a full nights sleep tonight.