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[page 70]
1918
Brigade, accompanied by Lieut. G.H.S. Cundy and a troop of 30 other ranks from 1 L.H., set out from Ghoraniye on the night of April 25/26 to get in touch with the Hedjazis at Maain, a few miles beyond Madeba. They marched all night through hostile country, by compass bearing only, and reached Maain before dawn. At 1115 a messenger reached us from Lieut. Cundy stating that he was held up by a superior enemy force. Lieut. Ross was out patrolling and intercepted the message, so he immediately pushed forward to Lieut. Cundy's assistance. The Regiment was ordered out at the gallop, - "C" Squadron being sent direct to a certain crossroads (127/T/27), "B" Squadron acting as left flank guard, and "A" Squadron following as support. At 1240 another messenger reached us from Candy, who stated he had pushed his way through the enemy and was making his way to a ford across the Jordan; also he requested the sand carts to be sent out to pick up his wounded. "A" and "B" Squadrons were ordered to stand by end the C.O. pushed forward with "C" Squadron to the ford where Cundy and troop were met. Cundy reported having reached Maain where he learned that the enemy knew of his whereabouts and were advancimg to cut off his retreat. Feisal's people had not got this far, as had been reported. The Arabs interviewed appeared to be friendly but immediately he started on the return journey, they commenced to fire their rifles as they dreaded retaliation by the Turks if they were known to be friendly to us. The track was over precipitous rocks and the little force was held up for some time by infantry and cavalry but eventually drove them off with casualties. Our casualties were 2 men wounded, 3 horses killed and 3 wounded.
That night orders were received that the Regiment was to be ready to go to the relief of the 2nd Brigade in the morning; later this order was cancelled, and we continued our day and night patrols, inflicting cesualties on the enemy with an occasional man and horse of our own being wounded.
On April 28 the 2 A.L.H. Brigade took over the section from Makhadet Hajla to Buthnet Halhul, which included the Regiment's position, and Capt. M.E. Wright remained with the 2nd Brigade until May 1, Lieut. Rogers taking over the duties of Adjutant for 1 L.H. Next day we crossed to the west bank of the Jordan and bivouacked.
The Regiment had orders to attack Um es Shert at dawn, this to be