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[page 26]
1916
At about midnight on the 15th, 1 A.L.H. Brigade, on another reconnaissance in force, set out for Sineland along the main Sinai caravan route by Ogratina and Debabis. The advanced guard, provided by 2 L.H., reached the hod by 0400, where the force bivouacked during the heat, moving on to Debabis at 2330. At 0200 on the morning of the 16th, 1 L.H. moved out to reconnoitre Bir el Abd, as per operation order No. 7 of 14.6.16. "A" Squadron found the screen, "B" the head of the main guard, "C" the main body and rearguard. "A" Squadron moved round the flank of Bir el Abd at 0400, reporting all clear; patrols were sent out for another 2 miles east along the caravan route, returning at 0545 without having seen any of the enemy. An aeroplane flew over, but left no message. Subsequently we were informed by Divisional H.Q. that air reconnaissance reported 400 Turks at Bir el Abd, the aeroplane having mistaken 1 L.H. for the enemy. From this incident more care came to be taken to form a ring by riding in a circle whenever a plane approached, as a signal as to whom we were. We returned by stages, without off-saddling, to Romani, which was reached by 2130.
During the next few days patrols were sent to Hill 110, night outposts held by alternate Squadrons, and entrenching work at Katib Gannit pushed on with. Lieut. Stewart and 6 other ranks from Tel el Kebir were taken on strength on June 18. Volunteers were called for N.C.Os. to join the Camel Corps which was being formed, but very few of our N.C.Os. cared to go. During this period the enemy had supremacy in the air, having faster and better machines.
On June 21 the Regiment left Romani at 0300 and marched to Ogratina, finding flank and rear guards for the Brigade, which was accompanied by camel transport with water and horsefeed. Ogratina was reached at 0715 and we left it at 2100 and marched to Debabis, the Regiment acting as covering troops while 3 L.H. carried out reconnaissance to the east and south-east for a distance of three miles from Bir el Abd. "B" Squadron acted as screen and the Regiment halted in position for six hours, then moved back to Debabis, arriving there at 1130. Information arrived at midday that one of our 'planes had come to grief north of Bir el Abd, so with empty water bottles and the temperature about 115 degrees in the shade, 1 L.H. counter-marched back