Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 23]
moving out on operations on 28th November, and had not yet been reinforced, consequently the above line could only be thinly held. 8th Light Horse Regiment took over the right sector and 9th Light Horse Regiment the left sector. During night 29/30th November the Brigade were sniped at and shelled intermittently from Shilta and Suffa.
Nov. 30.
At stand to arms at 0430 the situation was quiet and remained so throughout the day. Very little enemy activity was observed with the exception of an occasional burst of machine gun fire from Shilta, and intermittent shelling by 2 small field guns from Suffa.
At 1900, 4th Light Horse Brigade took over the right half of the line held by the 3rd Light Horse Brigade. The 8th Light Horse Regiment and 9th Light Horse Regiment closed on the left of the 9th Light Horse Regiment and the section of the line now held by the Brigade was strengthened.
On 155th Infantry Brigade being relieved from the line, 1/4th R.S. Fusiliers under Lieut.-Col. Stewart Richardson, remained as reserve to the 3rd A.L.H. Brigade. At 2200, 29th November this battalion reverted to the command of the 52nd Division, but remained in the vicinity of B.H.Q. at El Burj.
The strength of the Brigade in personnel and horses at the time was as follows:-
| In the hills | At Deiran with led horses | ||||||
| Off. | O/rs. | Horses | Off. | O/rs. | Horses | ||
| B.H.Q. | 4 | 19 | 13 | 1 | 13 | 35 | |
| Scouts | - | 13 | - | - | 4 | 18 | |
| 3rd Sig. Troop | 1 | 20 | 1 | - | 17 | 39 | |
| 8th L.H. Regt. | 16 | 198 | 46 | 6 | 160 | 443 | |
| 9th L.H. Regt. | 13 | 206 | 50 | 9 | 169 | 439 | |
| 3rd M.G. S. | 7 | 94 | 57 | 1 | 103 | 226 | |
| 3rd L.H. F.A. | 4 | 43 | 30 | 2 | 29 | 62 | |
| 3rd Field Troop | 1 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 38 | 58 | |
| Totals | 46 | 601 | 201 | 20 | 542 | 1320 | |
| Gloucester Yeo (Two squads) | 8 | 127 | 38 | 5 | 90 | 283 | |
| Grand Total | 54 | 728 | 239 | 25 | 632 | 1603 | |
10th Light Horse Regiment detached with 60th Divn. Notts Battery detached with 54th Division.
The weather was remaining fine and dry. Bivouacing in the stoney hills was a new experience. Men not actually on observation post gained good rest during the day.
An enemy attack on that part of the line now held by the Australian Mounted Division was expected and preparations were made for such by getting reserve of ammunition sent into the lines. Every available rifle man was now either in the front or support line. Transport horses and vehicles of the Brigade were grouped together and remained under cover of the high hills 500 yards S.W. of El Burj. Although the enemy had shelled this area intermittently throughout the day no casualties were incurred. The majority of the enemy shells burst to the rear.
From 2000 to 2400, 30th November, the situation was very quiet, the enemy only occasionally sniped and shelled at positions, but no incident happened either during the day or evening which pointed to the determined attack, which the enemy made on our position soon after midnight.
1st Dec.
At 0100 from the post of the 8th Light Horse Regiment on the extreme right of the Brigade sector considerable movement in its immediate front was observed and reported.