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[page 79]
1918
Vale and View posts was commenced during the night. On July 9 Capt. C.S. Molesworth, R.M.O., marched out to the 2nd. Stationary Hospital at Moascar and his place was taken by Capt. N.B. Hall; Capt. F.M. Mack went on leave and Lieut. S.E. Gregory assumed command of "B" Squadron. 2/Lieut. D.M.M. O'Connor having passed the Cadet Course and received his commission was posted to "C" Squadron.
Most of the wiring was now completed, but the squadrons worked each night at building sangars on Musallabeh and Vyse posts. Scorpions were found under most of the rocks, but although many men were bitten in the dark, none had to be evacuated; another plague, found in the rocky ground adjoining the swamp near el Maskerah, was snakes.
Another batch of 41 reinforcements was taken on strength on July 12, and 61 cases of gift stores were received from the A.I.F. Comforts Fund. Next day the bivouac area was shelled from the direction of the Jordan, one man being killed and three wounded.
A strong but unsuccessful attack by the enemy at Abu Tellul on July 14 was intended as the preliminary blow of a scheme desired to overwhelm General Chauvel's entire force in the valley. It was the last deliberate offensive attempted against the British in Palestine, and it was the only occasion in the campaign in which German infantry were used as storm-troops, so its failure could not but have a bad effect on their allies, or dupes, the Turks.
At 0315 on that day 1 L.H. received orders from the Brigade to stand to arms as the enemy were attacking the 2nd and 3rd Regiments in the lines recently held by us. At the same time the enemy commenced shelling our bivouac area. The enemy had penetrated between the forward posts, but the men of the 2nd and 3rd were still holding on grimly to the posts themselves. As soon as the position was clear and Brigadier-General Cox was aware the Germans were advancing on Abu Tellul with the light horse posts still standing in their rear, "Get to them, Granny" was his order to our C.O. We were all ready, waiting with our horses where we had moved them to avoid the shell fire.
At 0315 the enemy had been reported to be in strength on The Bluff and Abu Tellul. At 0345 "B" Squadron under Lieut. Gregory was ordered forward to Abu Tellul Nos. 3 and 4 Posts, to prevent the enemy occupying these