[Page 42]
village of Jelbon. After reconnoitring their position, the patrol charged them with drawn swords, upon which the enemy promptly surrendered. The troop of 10th L.H. Regiment, (Lieut. Doig), pushed south along the Nablus road, as far as Ajje, but did not gain touch with the 5th L.H. Brigade. These detachments joined the Brigade later at Afule. At 1330 the Brigade marched off for Afule, with orders to report to the 5th Cavalry Division at that place for instructions. Meanwhile we had been advised that the 8th L.H. Regiment having handed over prisoners at Lejjun, had received direct orders to march to Nazareth, and there relieve a Brigade of the 5th Cavalry Division. Orders from the 5th Cavalry Division were for 1 Regiment, (10th L.H. Regiment), to relieve a Brigade of the 5th Cavalry Division of the line Shutta-Zerin and for one Regiment (9th L.H. Regiment), to take over all guards and duties at Afule, 3rd L.H. Brigade were to be responsible for administration of Afule. 8th L.H. Regiment were in occupation of Nazareth and were responsible for administsration there. The Brigade arrived at Afule at 1700, watered and fed. 9th and 10th Regiments then moved out and carried out reliefs as above, all being completed by 0300.
Sept. 23.
Dispositions remained unchanged. Two squadrons of the 10th Regiment were employed in escorting 4,000 prisoners taken by 4th Cavalry Division from Shutta to Afule, where 9th L.H. Regiment provided guards for them. The 10th Regiment pushed a patrol out beyond Tumrah, but found no signs of the enemy. The 8th Regiment and 4 machine guns at Nazareth were disposed so as to cover the Tiberias and Acre roads, and found the necessary picquets and guards in the town to protect the captured material and maintain order. A patrol from this regiment to Kafr Kenna, reported all clear, but refugees stated enemy were in strength at Tiberias.
Sept. 24.
The 8th Regiment pushed out patrols to Ailut, and Beit Lahm, and reported all clear. The 10th Regiment escorted 4,000 more prisoners from Shutta to Afule, after which the Regiment withdrew from the line Shutta-Zerin, which was then taken over by the 5th L.H. Brigade, and came into bivouac near B.H.Qrs. Orders were issued for the 8th Regiment to send one squadron from Nazareth at dawn the next day to reconnoitre Tiberias.
Sept. 25.
"A" squadron of the 8th L.H. Regiment, (Major McPherson, M.C.), left Nazareth at 0500 and moved to reconnoitre Tiberias. A transmitting station from the Brigade Signal Troop, with an escort of one troop of the 10th Regiment, (Lieut. A.B. Gollan), was at the same time despatched to Mt. Tabor, 8 miles north-east of Afule. This hill - 1843 ft. in height - is the most commanding point in the whole district and through it touch could be kept with any patrol. The squadron lost visual touch with its Regimental Headquarters at Nazareth very shortly after leaving that place. A motor cyclist was attached to the squadron for carrying despatches. Tiberias is about 18 miles north-east of Nazareth, on the western shore of the lake of Tiberias, and about 6 miles north from Semakh, on the extreme southern end of the lake. The main road from Semakh to Damascus runs up the western side of the lake and through Tiberias. The 4th L.H. Brigade were to attack Semakh at daylight on the 25th and advance up the western side of the lake. At 0900 the squadron reached Lubieh, and communications were established with the Brigade transmitting station on Mt. Tabor by heliograph. From this point the country was more difficult, and the heights and roads on the left flank had to be picquetted, as it was known that the enemy had considerable forces in the vicinity of Safed. The light armoured motor battery reported to the squadron at Kurn Hattin. The patrols were approaching Hajaret En Nusara, and no resistance had been met with. When the enemy had discovered the presence of our troops on Nusara, which overlooks the town and is about 1500 feet above sea level, patrols were sent by them to try and ascertain our strength. These patrols were soon cut off by our mounted men and captured, and as all natives were prevented from entering the town, the Turks had no information as to the number of our troops in that locality. One troop under