Primary tabs
Transcription
[page 39]
1917
many tents were blown down and tracks were soon obliterated.
CHAPTER 6.
February - October, 1917.
British failure at Gaza
- Chetwode looks to Beersheba,
the Turkish left flank --- General Allenby takes over command of British Army in Palestine.
The 1st Light Horse remained at Bayoud for a month, during which time another batch of officers was sent to Zeitoun, and a proportion of the men were granted leave to Cairo. Saddlery was cleaned, fresh remounts arrived and the unit's strength was made up by reinforcements from Moascar.
Seventy camels were taken on strength as transport animals on March 13, and 1 L.H., less "A" and "C" Squadrons who joined us next day, marched out to Ge'eila. Four days later the Brigade was met at Salmana, and the whole proceeded to el Arish once more, camping this time on the beach. On March 22 Lieut. S.M. Moore and his troop were detached and sent to Bardawil. While we were at el Arish, Hotchkiss gun firing was practised by every man in the Regiment; live bomb throwing was also taught.
We carried out usual routine duties until April 6, when a move was made to Khan Yunus which was occupied without opposition next day. As the sand was giving way to firmer ground, portion of the regimental transport was sent up by rail and 12 drivers, 3 G.S. wagons, 23 draught horses were taken on strength. While we were at Khan Yunus an aeroplane fired on the Camp, doing little damage, so Hotchkiss guns were set up on sandbags for anti-aircraft work. There was more practice to speed up the men in loading the Hotchkiss guns on the pack-horses and in "action from pack".
On April 12 we relieved the Worcester Yeomanry on the outpost line and remained in position for twenty-four hours, being then relieved by the Bucks Yeomanry.