Item 02: Robert Valentine Fell diary, 1 January-31 December 1917 - Page 25
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[Page 25]
January 1917
Tuesday 9
Arrived at daybreak. Halted for 1 hour whilst LH attacked their outposts. Moved on to scene of battle. Got shelled from Turkish battery. Had to move camels out of range. We then went into action dismounted. Fighting very hot. Our men dropping fast. Got a bullet thro my tunic singlet and cardigan – just grazed my right shoulder. Arm useless for a while. Company still advancing. Arm got better so I advanced in their track on my own. Plenty bullets flying round caught up to my section. Opened fire at 1100 yds. I was in charge of No.3 Lewis gun. My gunner shot in right arm alongside me. Joined up No 2 gun. Range now 500
fought all day under frontal and enfilading fire. 4 men and 1 officer shot 15 yds away from me. Several of our men wounded . Sgt P K Foster killed. Final sustained attack all along the line and Turks surrendered at 4.45 pm.
Came back to camels 3½ miles away. Taubes had bombed the camels continuously several camels killed. My sections total 1 killed 8 wounded. Coys total 2 killed 1 officer and 16 men wounded. Moved off in the darkness back to El Arish.
January 10
Halted at 12 MN at Sheik Zoweid for a few hours rest. Up at 5 am and away again. Arrived