Item 01: G. T. Birkbeck diary, 30 September 1915 - 23 April 1919 - Page 58

[Page 58]

standing to arms each morning at 3 a.m., moving out on the 25th at midnight, going on outpost with 1st regt. to hill 320. Patrols fired few shots, captured a Turkish officer & 7 men. Back on the 26th to Gamli.

29: Reconnaissance to El Buggar, seeing scores of enemy troops, but not allowed to fire a shot. N.Z. patrolling on our right. After receiving a good ration of shells from Abdul, returned to Gamli at 10 p.m.
August
2: Once again cleaning irons etc. though we are up each morning at 3 a.m. standing to arms & likely to go out at any moment.
6: Left camp at 10 p.m. reaching Khurbet el Erk at 5 a.m. next day, occupying wadi Emli till dusk. Reconnaissance stunt. Five N.Z. troops left in wadi to make a reconnaissance of enemy positions, going out on foot armed Indian knives & revolvers. Patrolled the wadi till 10 p.m., when N.Z. men returned, having succeeded in passing between enemy's redoubts, reporting large enemy force in occupation. Their's was a brave action bringing in valuable information to Divisional hdqrs. as to position of guns etc. Reached camp at Gamli at midnight on the 7th.