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[Page 16]
9th L.H. sector). Enemy fired many flares from the direction of Summeil throughout the night.
Nov. 11.
At 0430 the Brigade stood to arms. The situation was quiet. The 10th A.L.H. Regiment took over the outpost line from 9th and 8th L.H. Regiments who on relief proceeded to water at Arak El Menshiyeh, and draw rations.
At 0500 patrols from 9th L.H. Regiment and Brigade scouts were pushed forward from the outpost line to reconnoitre Summeil, and at 0600 occupied that place and found it clear of the enemy.
At 0730 patrols were in communication with Yeomanry Division on the right and 4th A.L.H. Brigade on the left. The situation along the entire front remained quiet, and no enemy activity was observed.
At 0930 enemy was observed in strength holding high ridge 1½ miles north-east of Summeil, and commenced shelling Summeil from a position on high ground about 3 miles east. Patrols reconnoitred further forward, and came under heavy rifle and machine gun fire from these positions, and also from the high ridge 1 mile further north. It was now seen that the enemy had re-organised and was determined to make a stand with this rear guard. 10th A.L.H. Regiment was ordered to carry out active patrolling, making itself as conspicuous as possible, without becoming seriously engaged, the object to attract attention to a line then held while the remainder of the Division moved north.
At 1700 10th A.L.H. Regiment occupied night outpost line Arrak El Menshiyeh to Summeil, linking up with the 5th Mounted Brigade on the right and 4th A.L.H. Brigade on the left, and were relieved by 8th L.H. Regiment by 2400.
Nov. 12.
At stand to arms at 0430 the situation along the Divisional front was still quiet and at 0600 one squadron 9th L.H. Regiment under Major Parsons moved from Felujeh to reconnoitre Berkusie from the S.E. 8th L.H. Regiment maintained a line of observation posts and watched for any enemy movements on the roads leading from Arrak El Manshiyeh - Beit Jibrin road. Dust had been observed rising from direction of Jibrin since daylight.
At 0830 the reconnoitring squadron of 9th L.H. Regiment occupied Berkusie without encountering enemy opposition. Information was here gained from the inhabitants that enemy estimated at 5,000 in strength, with machine and field guns had withdrawn to Tel El Safi at 2200 on the previous night.
Watering of as many horses of the Brigade as possible was now aimed at. The supply at Ijseir and Hatte was very limited, and at 1330 when orders were received from Division for the Brigade to be prepared for immediate action, very few horses or men had been given a drink.
About 6,000 enemy infantry were now reported to be advancing from Et Tine. Troop trains were observed unloading infantry and enemy cavalry were moving to the west of Balin. Orders were received from Division for one Regiment to move to a point one mile S.W. of Summeil, and support 5th Mounted Brigade which was to meet the enemy advance at Balin. The enemy appeared in strength all along the front and threatened a determined attack. The Notts battery co-operated with all batteries of the Division in maintaining fire against the enemy, whose advance was being covered by his own artillery from many batteries.
The role of our Division was to hold firmly the right flank of the general advance so that the centre and left could push forward without anxiety for their right flank. From enemy documents since captured the advance of the Turks just mentioned was an organised attack on our right flank. They hoped that it would be successful. If it had, it would have seriously affected the advance of the rest of our forces now moving northwards on our left and along the coast.
At about 1400 the enemy attack had developed.
5th Mounted Brigade was being heavily pressed by the enemy. 9th Light Horse Regiment was now holding Berkusie ridge, and although attacked time after time,