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On numerous occasions the opposing horsemen met, but unless the enemy came out in overwhelming numbers, as they did on a few occasions, they would never stand up to our mounted troops. Many were the ambushes laid for their patrols, some of which were successful, others were not, as the Turk was very careful about getting into trouble. Small parties of our men were left out at nights in huts and gullies, their horses being sent miles back to cover. On other occasions the Mounted troops, including this Brigade, formed strong covering parties to enable General Officers, Artillery Officers, and Survey Officers to reconnoitre the country to within range of the enemy guns on their Beersheba positions. Raids were also made on their advanced works near Beersheba and Irgeig. A raid was made upon their railway at Asluj, where every rail in 17 miles of line was detroyed with gun cotton. In September and October these reconnaissances, particularly, those toward the south and south west of Beersheba, were more frequently carried out.
The Command-in-Chief decided to attack the Turkish centre at Sheria, first obtaining possession of Beersheba. The necessary steps were taken to cause the enemy to believe that the main attack would be at Gaza. Documents since captured from the enemy have proved that the enemy were deceived as to General Allenby's intention. October 31st was appointed the day for the attack on Beersheba, ("Z day"). The preliminary operations for this offensive began on the 20th October. Shortly after that date the 2nd Light Horse Brigade proceeded to Asluj, 17 miles south of Beersheba to develop water. It was the intention of the Commander-in-chief that the Desert Mounted Corps should march round the south of Beersheba, and attack that place from the east and northeast, while the infantry would attack it from the west.
On 27th October Lieut. Col. L. C. Wilson, C.M.G., then commanding the 5th Light Horse Regiment, was appointed to command this Brigade. The Brigade had been for some time prior to this, commanded temporarily by Lieut. Col. L. C. Magyar, V.C., D.S.O., during the absence on leave of Brigadier-General Royston, C.M.G., D.S.O. This last mentioned Officer decided not to return to Egypt.
On 27th October the Turkish force at Beersheba, no doubt, noticing signs of activity on this flank, pushed out a strong reconnaissance. At 0830 on this morning, this Brigade was ordered out to support the 8th Mounted Brigade, who were being heavily attacked by enemy infantry and cavalry on the outpost line, point 720-630 and 550, (Ref. Map Beersheba 1/125.000). The Brigade passed clear of the wire entanglements on the east of Wadi Ghuzzee at 0945. The 10th Light Horse Regiment was despatched at the trot to move on El Buggar from the south. On arrival of the remainder of the Brigade at the command post of the 8th Mounted Brigade, that Unit reported that the enemy had surrounded the position at point 630 and 550, but that one squadron was still holding out on point 720. The 9th Regiment, with 2 machine guns, moved at once to support the squadron on point 720. Shortly afterwards the Turks surrounded the Yeomanry on point 720 and captured the position - the garrison behind annihilated. At 1530 the 9th Light Horse Regiment was under instructions to counter attack point 720 but a patrol of the Regiment occupied it at 1600. Orders were received that the infantry, would take over under cover of darkness. This taking over was completed at 2300 and the Brigade returned to Bivouac at 0400 on 28th. Orders were now received for the concentration of the Australian and New Zealand Mounted Division and the Australian Mounted Division at Asluj, on the night of the 30th, with a view to those two Divisions being to the east of Beersheba on the morning of the 31st October.
All ranks had been given to understand that the success of the Commander-in-Chief's plans would depend to a considerable extent on the achievements of the mounted troops, at the initial stages in the flanking and enveloping movement set them. A thorough preparation had been made.
At 1500 on the 28th of October, all transport of the Brigade was formed up at Um Urgan, in column of route, ready to join up with remainder of Divisional Transport, at Fara, and proceed to Esani - a march of 11 miles.
It may be here remarked that the Brigade and Regimental Transport is for the purpose of ease in handling divided into three categories, viz:-
A. Echelon - consisting of water carts and limbered wagons carrying reserve