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[page 30]
1916
The remainder of 1 L.H. struck a line covering the two re-entrants on the north of Mount Meredith.
The enemy was in force and we came under heavy rifle and machine gun fire, also shrapnel from a mountain battery which the Turks brought well up on camels. At 1000 the Regiment fell back gradually to Bir el Maler, the infantry having by this time come up. We remained in reserve until 1700 and then took up an outpost line on the south-east of the hods near Bir Abu Diyuk, casualties up to this time being Lieut. McQuiggan and 9 other ranks killed, Captains Weir (Adjutant), Fitzpatrick (Q.M.) G.H.L. Harris, M.C., 2/Lieut. W. Nelson (Signal Officer) and 26 other ranks wounded. During the action enemy aircraft "spotted" for their guns, and dropped bombs, grenades and a few darts though without doing much damage.
Next day, 1 L.H. at 0400 started to drive towards Hod el Enna, with 6 L.H. on the left and the New Zealand M.R. Brigade on the right; we took 20 prisoners, one machine gun and four boxes of 18- pounder ammunition. The enemy had withdrawn under pressure to Katia. At 1430 on August 5 the following commenced an attack on Katia: 1 and 2 A.L.H. Brigades, N.Z.M.R. Brigade, 5 Mtd. Brigade. The Regiment dismounted on the western edge of the Katia swamp, occupying a frontage of 250 yards (with the left flank about the first 'a' in 'Katia'). We advanced from 300 to 600 yards into the swamp, the enemy holding all the high ground east of Katia by machine gun and rifle fire. The dismounted strength of 1 L.H. was only 150 all ranks, and 41 horses had been killed or were missing, so at 1830 the line commenced to withdraw and the Regiment returned to Romani, both men and horses being badly off for water. During the day the camp was again bombed and shelled by the enemy.
Fatigues were sent out next day to bury the dead and Lieut. Max B. Wright and 20 men was sent to escort camels loaded with water and rations for Divisional H.Q., which were now at Katia since the place had been evacuated by the Turks.
At 1415 on August 8 the Regiment now 236 strong, with "A" Squadron of 3 L.H., left Romani for Katie as advanced guard to the 1st and 2nd Brigades which were both under Brigadier-General J.R. Royston, C.M.G., D.S.O., the object being to cut off the Turks at Bir el Abd. The force moved along the caravan route to Hod el Khibba, thence in a night march