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[Page 21]
which was to advance up the Hebron road past Bethlehem and attack Jerusalem from the south and from the south-east.
On 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th December active patrolling was continued.
On 8th December the final assault on Jerusalem by 53rd Division on the right and 60th Division on the left with 10th Light Horse Regiment linking up both Divisions was launched; all ranks of 10th Light Horse Regiment had been engaged on continuous duties for many days and nights, during which time rain and wind squalls prevailed. The thoughts of entering Jerusalem counteracted all personal discomforts. Later on, the night of 8th December, troops of the 53rd Division, succeeded in entering the city after strenuous fighting. The weather remained wet and squally.
On 9th December the 10th L.H. Regiment entered Jerusalem, and established themselves as the first mounted British troops in the Holy City.
On 10th and 11th December the 10th Light Horse Regiment carried out strong reconnaissance towards Awata-Hazmeh-Jeba and Ran, drawing heavy enemy fire on each occasion when these places were approached. Although Jerusalem had been captured from the Turks, the enemy had not fallen back to any considerable extent, and a counter attack was prepared for.
At 1200 on 11th December the formal entry by British troops into Jerusalem, headed by the Commander-in-Chief, General Sir Edmund Allenby, G.C.B., was made. Military and political representatives of France and Italy and all British Dominions with troops on the Palestine front accompanied the C.-in-C. Captain H.V. Throssel, V.C., and 30 other ranks of the 10th Light Horse Regiment represented Australia in the allied armies, which formed up at the Jaffa gate for the entrance of the procession into the Holy City.
At 0730 on 13th December the 10th L.H. Regiment became detached from 20th Army Corps, and marched out of Jerusalem en route to join 3rd Light Horse Brigade which had been operating dismounted in the hilly country in the neighborhood of El Burj since 29th November. In passing General Headquarters the Commander-in-Chief took the salute of the Regiment and thanked the Commanding Officer on behalf of the Regiment for its valuable work in co-operation with the infantry leading up to the fall and occupation of Jerusalem, and congratulated Lieut.-Col. Todd, D.S.O., on having the honour of commanding the first British Cavalry Regiment to enter Jerusalem.
At 1615 on 13th December Latron was reached where horses were watered and rations and forage drawn, and the Regiment bivouaced for the night. At 0830 the Regiment moved from Latron and re-joined 3rd Light Horse Brigade at 1120 at Hariyeh. The Brigade was now operating as a dismounted unit, and 10th Light Horse Regiment horses were sent back to Katra with proportion of 1 man to 4 horses.
On the detachment of 10th Light Horse Regiment and attachment of Gloucester Yeomanry Regiment, on 20th November, orders were received for the Brigade to move back to Mejdel the following morning.
Nov. 21.
Reference map - Palestine 1/63360, sheet XVI.
At 1000 the Brigade, less 10th Light Horse Regiment, with Gloucester Yeomanry attached moved from garden well in vicinity of Junction Station en route for Mejdel, a march of 20 miles. The Brigade reached Mejdel and bivouaced. The weather now was fine, the ground was boggy and transport difficulties were experienced.
A plentiful supply of water was available and supplies were received regularly. The re-fitting of the Brigade and clipping of horses were proceeded with.
A party of representatives from each Unit of the Brigade was sent back to the Brigade dumps at Gamli and Shellal, to procure men's blankets, bivvies, and stores, urgently required, and which could not be readily procured from Ordnance. The weather remained fine. The camping area at Mejdel was well drained, and the effects of the previous heavy rains were not experienced.
A large mail, letters, papers and parcels were received on the 26th November, the first for over a month. The contents of the parcels were very highly appreciated.