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through the pass about one mile south of Jenin. Lieut. Patterson with his sub-section of M.G. was sent to support them but in the poor light, got ahead of the squadron that they were to join. Some little distance down the Nablus road at about 2100 they saw a large body of enemy approaching in the moonlight - 2,800 in fact with 4 guns. The Officer thought it rather a big order for his troop of 23 to take on, but his Corporal, (Lance-Corporal B. George), proferred the advice that it was safer to bluff it out than retire. The Officer agreed. He put a burst of machine gun fire over the heads of the leading troops and called upon them to surrender. At first they demurred. It was their first suspicion that there were any hostile troops in front of them. In fact the Germans afterwards railed against the Turks for the latter's failure to keep them posted as to the situation. But the Turks themselves were equally ignorant. This column now found itself in a narrow gorge, wide enough for the road only, with steep hills on either side, over which single men could climb with difficulty. They were aware that they were being followed from the south. Their advance was blocked by a party of enemy whose strength they could not gauge in the moonlight. Machine gun bullets were whistling over their heads to expedite their decision. There was at the head of the column a German nurse who spoke English fluently. Lieut. Patterson told her that there was an overwhelming force just to his rear. She passed his information on and after a short conference between the enemy leaders, the whole party surrendered. The night passed without further incident, but every available man was employed collecting prisoners and material and in holding the approaches. Over 8,000 prisoners, including many officers of high rank, 5 guns, numerous machine guns, two aeroplane and a vast amount of material and boot of all descriptions had been captured, including a war chest wagon loaded with gold and silver coin. Much material was burned by the enemy, his dumps and aerodrome with 24 aeroplanes burning fiercely all night. Many of the Turkish and German Officer prisoners admitted being taken completely by surprise at our unexpected appearance at the northern exits of Jenin, stating that they thought we must have landed at Haifa, never believing it possible that we could have made such rapid progress up the coast.
Sept. 21.
At dawn while looking around the outskirts of the town in the neighbourhood of the railway station, the Brigadier, A.D.C., and Orderly came upon a batch of 40 Turkish soldiers and a 10 c.m. gun. The former were waiting quietly to be collected. This was duly done by a few men from the 9th Light Horse Regiment who were sent for.
At 0700 the 8th L.H. Regiment arrived and took charge of the prisoners escorting them back to Lejjun. Guards were posted on captured material and patrols sent out to stop looting by Arabs. The streets of Jenin were blocked with abandoned transport, and their loads and stores were littered about. Much looting had been done by the inhabitants. The 10th L.H. Regiment remained on observation of the approaches to the town from the south, south-east and south-west. The Turkish and German hospitals were full with sick and wounded. Guards were posted here and the cases fit to travel evacuated by lorry. A number of motor vehicles had been captured and these proved useful for collecting material and sick and wounded prisoners. Orders were issued for the 9th L.H. Regiment to send down one squadron via Fukua, to reconnoitre country towards Beisan, and capture small parties of enemy reported to be in that area, and for the 10th L.H. Regiment to send one troop south along the Nablus road to gain touch with the 5th L.H. Brigade. During the day a number of enemy stragglers were rounded up and brought in. A and B1 echelons marched in.
Sept. 22.
At dawn the reconnoitring squadron of the 9th L.H. Regiment, (Major Parsons, D.S.O.), moved out through Fukua and swept country to within two miles of Beisan, capturing about 80 prisoners. Our cavalry were observed in that place. While on this reconnaissance Corporal A.H. Todd of A squadron with the right flank patrol, observed a party of 3 officers and 28 other ranks concealed behind a cactus hedge, near the