Primary tabs
Transcription
[page 46]
1917
45
On July 22, 1 L.H. left Gamli at 2330 for Khasif with the intention of cutting off Turkish patrols; we sighted about 40 Turks but, warned by vedettes on hills they retired hurriedly. Squadrons continued patrolling by turn and never a day passed without us being in touch with the enemy.
Once more, on July 26, the Regiment left camp to try to scupper the Turkish patrols, and marcched all night, getting into position at 0250 in the hills to the right of Khasif. At 0630 "C" Squadron reported that an enemy patrol had moved up to a hut where Lieut. Gregory with a Hotchkiss gun and the dismounted men of his troop were lying in wait. Fire was withheld until the enemy discovered the ambush, when they retired hastily; one Turkish Officer and two horses were killed and some of the others were wounded; one N.C.O. was captured. The hut was a favourite place for our patrols to leave propaganda at, but the Turks were so illiterate that most of the papers contained illustrations, a favourite one being that of a cow labelled "Turkey" being milked by a German.
On July 28 the Regiment took over the strongposts at Ghabi from 6 L.H. These strongposts were self-contained as to rations and water, and orders were given to hold out if attacked. We improved the fine trenches and extended the barbed wire entanglements around one of the posts. These works were on the extreme right of the British line, and despite rumours the Turks never made a real attack on them.
Lieutenants C.S. Frost and W.T. Morrice with 33 other ranks arrived from Moascar on August 1 as reinforcements. On August 4 the Canterbury M.R. took over the Ghabi works and we marched back to Gamli. A day later, at 2100 the Regiment set off on another reconnaissance; one troop drew fire early in the morning and detachments eventually brought back information that infantry and a troop of cavalry were holding a position near the junction of Wadys Imlieh and Hannafish. The Regiment returned to camp and next day moved to Shellal where it was deloused. Further innoculation against cholera followed. Men worst affected with septic sores were now being sent to the rest camp at.Port Said.
On August 12 the Regiment moved out at 1530 with the Brigade in an easterly direction to find out the strength of the enemy south and east of Beersheba. We moved through Bir el Essani and Abu Ghalyun