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[page 74]
1918
bombs, which proved to be useful work as on the following day the area was again bombed, though with little success. During May grazing was good and every opportunity was taken to let the horses feed on the natural grasses.
From the high hills across the Jordan occupied by the enemy direct observation was possible and every movement could be plainly seen; later on big naval guns frequently shelled the whole valley.
The unit remained in this Jordan valley camp until May 10, doing various wiring jobs at Ghoraniye bridgehead, making roads, and so on. At 0500 on May 10 orders were received to move to a camp site near Talat ed Dumm. We moved along the old Roman road and arrived by sundown. The transport arrived about midnight, having moved by the Pilgrim Road which was not so steep as the other. Both roads met at Talat ed Dumm where water had been developped and the Anzac Division had its headquarters. The camp site, being some hundreds of feet higher than the Jordan valley, was cooler, but even so the heat was terrific and caused large sick parades. The horses were watered in Wady el Kelt, a swift running trout stream not far from the road. While in this camp 60 cases of comforts were received from the Australian Comforts Fund at Cairo., and needless to say, were appreciated. Four days later, starting at sundown the Regiment marched all night along the old Roman road to a camp named Ramadan, about 3 miles past Solomon's Pools, a little to the south of Jerusalem, the N.Z.M.R. taking over our camp at Talat ed Dumm.
In the new camp, the sunny days were cool, and at night men who had known little sleep down on the Jordan rejoiced in the mountain mists. The horse lines, however, were put down in very stony ground; there was fairly good grazing in the vicinity, the only drawback being that the camp was too far from water. Later on water was discovered in some old native wells and working parties were put on to develop it, and the Anzac Engineers attached to 1 A.L.H. Brigade erected power pumps, but unfortunately on the night of May 20 Bedouins stole oil, spare parts and some troughing. Major Ryrie was sent with the interpreter and troop to investigate in the local villages, but without success. Two G.S. waggons were sent to Kilo 1, Jerusalem, to draw gift stores from the Comforts Fund, which were distributed to all ranks. From this camp leave parties proceeded daily to Jerusalem and Bethlehem.