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[Page 52]
GUNS AND MACHINE GUNS. 20th September to 2nd October.
| Date | Place. | Number. | Description |
| 30/9/'18 | Sasa | 7 | Mach. guns. |
| 30/9/'18 | Sasa | 2 | 77 m/m. fld. guns |
| 20/9/'18 | Jenin | 1 | 20 c/m. gun. |
| 20/9/'18 | Jenin | 5 | 77 m/m. guns. |
| 20/9/'18 | Jenin | 45 | Mach. guns. |
| 20/9/'18 | Jenin | 4 | Auto. rifles. |
| 1/10/'18 | Er Rabue station | 4 | 77 m/m. guns |
| 1/10/'18 | Er Rabue station | 2 | Mount. guns. |
| 1/10/'18 | Er Rabue station | 2 | Howitzers. |
| 1/10'18 | Er Rabue station | 30 | Mach. guns. |
| 1/10/'18 | Duma | 50 | Mach. guns. |
| 1/10/'18 | Khan Kussier | 30 | Mach. guns. |
| 2/10/'18 | Kosh Metwal Chiftlik | 3 | Mount. guns. |
| 2/10/'18 | Khan Ayash | 2 | 77 m/m. fld. guns |
| 2/10/'18 | Khan Ayash | 1 | Mount. guns. |
| 2/10/'18 | Khan Ayash | 26 | Mach. guns. |
| 2/10/'18 | Khan Ayash | 12 | Auto. rifles |
| Total Guns | 22 | ||
| Total Machine Guns | 188 |
Amongst the vast amount of stores, transport and material of all descriptions captured, was a large quantity of gold, and silver bullion, (estimated at £200,000), and a great quantity of Turkish Treasury Notes. These were all handed in to Division.
EXPENDITURE OF S.A.A. AMMUNITION, 103,000 rounds.
Oct. 3.
On 3rd October Brigade bivouaced in the vicinity of Duma and moved to south-west of El Mezze on 5th October. One squadron 9th Light Horse Regiment was left at Duma to watch Homs road and other approaches to Damascus. While on this duty they collected 3 more mountain guns abandoned by the enemy. 10th Light Horse Regiment less two squadrons, with 2 squadrons of 8th Light Horse Regiment moved to Kaukab and took over guard of over 16,000 prisoners.
The condition of these prisoners when taken over by us was lamentable. Prior to capture they had been marching for some 10 days - a beaten army. Their supply system had of course, at once, broken down - they were practically starved. They had been closely pursued by the British cavalry, continually bombed by our aeroplanes, and hard pressed by the local Arabs. As soon as these last saw how things were going they swarmed in for loot and revenge. Stragglers, or small detached parties of the fugitives were attacked and usually killed. The result of this stress was that the fugitives were physically and mentally exhausted - 3,000 of them were sick. When we took them over they were in a mob under some scattered palm trees near Kaukab on the bank of a creek. They had no cover even for the sick. There were a large number of Officers with them but they were also in a dazed condition and would not make the slightest effort to organise, or ameliorate the condition of the men. Few of the men had blankets, they had no medical organisation. There were no drugs, bandages, or food fit for sick men, no sanitation. Food for the prisoners was scarce. Men were dying at the rate of 170 a day. Lieut.-Colonel Todd took the control of the compound in hand and soon put a different complexion on the matter. Very little assistance could be obtained from the local Arab authorities of Damascus, who had taken possession of the Turkish Army Stores. They demurred from doing anything, unless paid exorbitant rates in gold. They did not like English paper money. However, by bluff and threats, blankets for the men were got out of them,