MacNamara diary, 19 August 1916-29 May 1919 / John Patrick MacNamara - Page 161
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[Page 161]
Oct 4th
Received orders unexpectedly last night to proceed to Haifa (4 days trek) & left this morning at 0900. Travelled slowly during the day as the horses are weak on account of being on ½ rations & camped at 4.30 pm near an excellent water supply, having come about 13 miles.
Todays journey brings us near the end of the plain of Sharon & tomorrow we will be in the hills again. During the whole day we passed through cultivated land which had only quite recently harvested. The crop is not unlike sorghum in many respects & though I am not certain I think it is a grain called "Doura".
Had a heavy shower of rain this morning shortly before leaving. The ponies are in great fettle & are picking up wonderfully.
Oct 5th
Reveille was at 03.00 am this morning & we were on the road before 4.30, it being still dark. After the first 4 miles we halted for an hour or so at the foot of the hills. It was a very steep pull for a mile or so & it took about 2 hours to get all the guns & waggons etc up.