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heavily shelled and heavy casualties had been sustained by 1st A.L.H. Brigade in men and horses, particularly the latter.
Our horse lines, bivouacs, and watering places were within range of the enemy batteries - some of them were within direct view of the enemy observation posts, and even if they could not see them in the folds of the ground they had no doubt where they were, as the horses had to go to water twice a day. Their planes were frequently over and, no doubt, took photographs of our camps. As the horses had practically no cover from shell fire it was then decided that the whole of the horses, less those of the reserve Regiment with detachment of Machine Gun Squadron bivouaced behind the steep Madhbeh ridge, would be sent back to the Wadi Nueiameh and thus out of range of anything less than 5.9.
8th L.H. Regiment with one section 3rd M.G. Squadron were on right of sub-sector - Muskerah, Musallabeh, and 10th Light Horse Regiment on the left Vise, Vale, View, Vaux, Zeiss and Zerum posts.
There was little enemy rifle or machine gun fire, but enemy artillery was active day and night and there were a few casualties.
The heat and dust of the Jordan Valley, (1,000 feet below sea level), was most unpleasant, and temperatures from 110 to 122 degrees were recorded. There was a plentiful supply of water in the area from the Auja stream, although continually under enemy shell fire. The horses that were in the area had to be watered in this stream and often drew enemy shelling.
All available men in the Brigade were employed in digging and the improvement and wiring of the defenses. The night working parties were continually shelled.
Active night patrolling was carried out in front of all positions but enemy always moved back quickly when encountered. The enemy endeavoured to reconnoitre our positions regularly, especially Musallabeh.
The large number of men sent to hospital with malaria caused concern. Anti-mosquito work had been carried out daily ever since the troops moved into the valley. The work consisted of draining all stagnant pools where practicable, if not, putting oil on them; with regard to running streams, reducing their width by filling in with stones and so making them flow faster and by blocking all side back waters, where water could become stationary. This action was taken with respect of all water under our control, but unfortunately a large part of the stagnant water in the district lay between the two lines and the enemy fired on all parties working thereat. Practically every Officer or man that patrolled over this swampy land, though it was on one night only or who occupied one of the posts on the edge of the swamp, contracted malaria.
Men on sentry wore mosquito gloves and a net but without much avail, a net under such conditions is little protection.
The specially organised system of day and night observation was carried out and no enemy movement passed unobserved.
The enemy was in strength at Baghalat, with advanced positions along Grant ridge from which he sniped. Guns shelling the Brigade were located at Um Es Shert, Red Hill, (large calibre), Wadi Fusril and Chalk Ridge.
The situation remained the same except for a lively bombing encounter on the early morning of 6th August between enemy patrols and ours.
The enemy was noticed preparing defensive positions on left bank and head of the Wadi Melahah, linking up with their Bag Halat system. On nights of 8th and 9th August special patrols of 1 Officer and 6 men from the 9th Regiment were sent to reconnoitre these. To reach these positions it was necessary to avoid and get behind the enemy patrols between Grant Ridge and Wadi Mellahah. These were worked round and our patrols discovered that the enemy manned these positions in strength at night.
On 10th August No. 4 sub-sector was added to command of G.O.C., 3rd A.L.H. Brigade. 1st Battalion, B.W. Indian Regiment took over the garrison from 9th and 10th Regiments in F and G sections on night 13th August.
9th Regiment to Ain Ed Duk and 10th Regiment to cover of high ground S.W. of Madhbeh ridge as supports and 8th A.L.H. Regiment as sector reserve.