Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 64]
wounding five men before they stopped firing. After solid fighting all day, the N.Z. & Aust mounted brought off a fine bayonet charge, carrying the enemy's main redoubts . The 12th made a fine mounted charge, but the main positions had already fallen, so they swept on, capturing 20 guns & 400 prisoners. By 5 p.m. it was over, the first regiment entering the town at 5.50 p.m. How our men ever took the position is wonderful, as the Turks had very strong posts, well manned & supplied by plenty of guns. Total captives; 3000 prisoners; 49 guns; hospital & staff, also rolling stock, war materials & ammunition dumps. At dusk four taubes flew over bombing; 23 of 3rd [indecipherable] wounded [indecipherable] & killed, 9 men killed & 17 wounded of our Brigade transport column, also destroyed 70 horses. Fearful sight; men's remains lying everywhere. Our squadron only had 2 men hit all day. Camped in wadi on outpost duty.
November
1: Stand to arms at2 a.m. Taubes bombed at day break, only one hit by rifle fire. 4th L.H. [indecipherable] had 9 wounded & 5 killed. Still in wadi, 1st regt. on outpost.
2: Stand to 3 a.m. Taubes bombed N.Z. ambulance causing 7 casualties. At 10 p.m. we saddled up after drawing 48 hours food for man & beast. Ber Sheba area is now clear of all enemy posts.