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[page 20]
captured by the light horse, although the armoured cars were more successful. During April 1 L.H. continued to hold what was known as the Minia Section, doing day and night patrols. The men played the game and no damage to crops or inhabitants was reported, and when early in May we entrained for the Sinai front one influential Arab in saying farewell spoke thus : "All the people of my villages speak well of your men and the children remember them in their prayers". During the month of April Capt. F.V.Weir was attached to the Highland Mounted Brigade (with H.Q. at Sohag) as Staff Captain and Commandant of Sohag, rejoining 1 L.H. at Hill 70 during the second week in May. On May 3 "A"Squadron less one troop, under Major W.S.Lawry, marched out from Ezbit Sidouan to el Wany Essa. leaving "B"Troup at Ezbit Sidouan. El Wany Essa is a small village just on the edge of the desert; a big camp has been formed there as the advanced base for operations against the Senussi.
It had been decided to push across the barren, waterless desert to an oasis occupied by the Senussi, and for this purpose blockhouses, much after the style of those used in the Boer War, were being erected. Thousands of camels were in use, the work of erecting the blockhouses being carried out by the Egyptian Labour Corps. The light horse were not to participate in this campaign, however, as word had been received of the Turkish attack on the outposts on the Sinai Peninsula.
"A"Squadron carried on outposts and patrols until relieved by the Yeomanry on May 12, proceeding on the following day to rejoin the Regiment on Sinai.