Primary tabs
Transcription
[page 54]
1917
53
along the telephone line and bivouacked south of Tel Ahu Haraze.
Next morning we moved on to the beach and just had time to swim the horses when orders came to move at 1300. Yebna was reached at sundown, "A" Echelon transport arriving an hour later. Fifteen of the worst of the horses were sent to the M.V.S. We moved from Yebna in the early morning end watered the horses at a village named Ras Deiran, a Jewish colony with comfortable houses and flourishing orchards and orange groves.
The Regiment stood by until the artillery shelled the enemy's position and at 1520 orders were received to advance on Ramleh, but the attack was cancelled and at 1715 we were ordered to move east one mile and take up an outpost line, with the 8th Mounted Brigade on the right and 3 L.H. on the left. "B" Echelon transport joined the Regiment on this date.
The infantry were now definitely turning their faces eastward towards the passes leading up to Jerusalem, while the bulk of the mounted troops crossed over to the west and carried on the advance up the maritime plain.
Next day, November 15, after early morning patrols reported all clear for a distance of 2 miles, the Regiment moved out in conjunction with 2 L.H. and the Yeomanry Division with instructions to occupy tactical points west of Ramleh. At 1145 Ramleh was occupied without opposition, a squadron of 2 L.H. being the first to enter; 1 L.H. then pushed on and occupied Ludd at 1330. The enemy were seen to be retreating in a north-easterly direction on the outskirts of Ludd and "B" Squadron under Lieut. W.H. James was ordered forward to attack the rear of the enemy's column. "A" Squadron under Capt. E.C. Bettye was sent to cover the left flank of "B" Squadron and in spite of heavy hostile artillery and machine gun fire the following were captured:- 14 Turkish officers, 2 German and 283 Turkish other ranks, 4 machine guns and a damaged motor car.
Lieut. W.H. James showed great gallantry and dash collecting prisoners close up to the enemy's rearguard, and later was awarded the Military Cross for his work on this and other occasions.
The enemy continued to shell and many of their own men were killed whilst being brought in.