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[Page 53]
sheep were requisitioned from the surrounding country. Prisoners were organised into companies of 100 each under their own N.C.O's, arrangements were made for the daily cleaning of the area, 3 Syrian Doctors were obtained from amongst the prisoners, the worst of the sick were removed under cover in a neighboring village, and the daily death rate was reduced from 170 to 15. About 1500 died during the period that we controlled the camp. About a week after we took over, Lieut. Col. Todd started to reduce the numbers by daily convoys of 1,000 each down the lines of communication, via the north of the sea of Galilee. These parties could not go regularly but by the end of the month when we handed over, the camp had been reduced to 3,000 or 4,000.
The remainder of 3rd A.L.H. Brigade moved to south of Kaukab on 9th October and bivouaced. The percentage of sick, (chiefly malaria), was alarmingly high, and a number of deaths, (2 diagnosed as cholera), took place.
The medical conveniences at Damascus for the first couple of weeks after our occupation were anything but sufficient. An epidemic of influenza went through the army. Malaria which was in the system of a large number of the members of the Corps after their sojourn in the Jordan Valley developed rapidly. In addition there were 3,000 Turkish and German sick. The Hospitals at Damascus were overflowing when we arrived. The only organisation we had to deal with sick and wounded was the Field Ambulances attached to our Cavalry Brigades. The personnel of these were sick in large numbers. For instance with this Brigade Field Ambulance there should be 6 Medical Officers, there were only 2, one of these was sent to look after a Hospital in Damascus, and the sole survivor was himself very ill, but carried on. The Hospitals were overcrowded, they could take no one but urgent surgical cases, the Ambulances were overcrowded and sick men had to remain in their lines and get such attention as their comrades could give. In the Hospitals and Ambulances patients could not get proper attention, there were few trained orderlies, drugs and invalids' foods were scarce. The local Arab authorities who controlled the local markets and the captured Turkish army stores were the reverse of helpful. They wanted gold for everything they did and at famine price rates. The evacuations from the Units at the time were extremely large. One Brigade evacuated 61% of its personnel in one week in October, another 58%. Another cavalry Division sent away over 40% of its personnel in 10 days. Fortunately there were practically no enemy left after the capture of Damascus, so that the above serious losses by sickness did not have any appreciable affect on the campaign.
The Australian Mounted Division remained in readiness to march to Aleppo and support 5th Cavalry Division, who had continued to pursuit of the remnants of the Turkish armies, and on 27th October, 1918, the Brigade, less 10th Regiment, marched to Jobar, en route to Aleppo. Homs was reached at 0530 on 1st November, 1918, after 5 consecutive long marches - the final one from Nebk, (50 miles), proving a big test for animal endurance. The marches were governed by the question of water on the track. At 1600 on the 31st October, when the Brigade was in the vicinity of Hasie, information was received from General Headquarters that an armistice with Turkey had been arranged from 1200 that day. The news was received remarkably quietly by all ranks. The march to Homs was continued and the Division again concentrated.
The Division, less the 5th L.H. Brigade marched to Tripoli, this Brigade moving on the 6th November. The 5th L.H. Brigade later moved to Baalbek. While at Tripoli Brigadier-General G. De L. Ryrie, C.B., C.M.G., took over the command of the Division, from Brigadier-General W. Grant, D.S.O., who had been temporarily commanding while Major-General H.W. Hodgson, C.B., C.V.O., was on leave in England. About this time the Divisional Commander Major-General H.W. Hodgson, C.B., C.V.O., took over the Command of Desert Mounted Corps.
On the 12th January 1919, the C.-in-C. General Sir E.H.H. Allenby, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., inspected and addressed the Brigade at Tripoli. He was most complimentary in his remarks when addressing the troops. When leaving the Parade Ground he said to me "General Wilson, I congratulate you on your magnificent Brigade".
After handing in most of our equipment and disposing of our horses the Brigade