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[page 88]
1918
The Regiment, less "C" Squadron, reached Kh Fusail at 1400, passing in front of Musallabeh, and saw the strong position the Turks were now evacuating as the general advance on the coast had caused this flank of the enemy to withdraw across the Jordan and, furthermore, the Turks knew by now that the railway behind them had been cut at Deraa by the Arab allies.
Very heavy firing could be heard on the left and the Regiment remained in support of 3 L.H. which was attacking the enemy about Wady Mellahetum Afein. Unfortunately the spot where we camped was the site of an old Turkish hospital and was infested with mosquitoes, for the Turks did not take any steps to combat this menace; there is no doubt that most of our men were infected with malaria here.
Next morning we were ordered to move and by midday had crossed the Um es Shirt ford and halted on the left bank; patrols were sent to Red Hill which proved to have been evacuated by the enemy. At 1520 the Regiment, with the Brigade, marched for Um es Shirt and Es Salt by way of No. 6 Road, all transport moving via the Jericho-Ghoraniye bridge-head and No. 5 Road. Es Salt, headquarters of the Turkish Fourth Army, had been hurriedly evacuated, so we reached it without opposition and fed and watered horses there. The Royal Air Force had effectually bombed the fleeing Turks in the narrow, mountainous roads; dead men and transport animals were lying on either side and considerable work was entailed in clearing the road of waggons, limbers and motor cars. G.H.Q. now ordered Chaytor's Force to cut the retreat of the enemy northwards from Amman and to join hands with Feisal's Arabs.
At midday on September 24 the Regiment moved to Ain Hemar (near el Sweileh) with the Brigade and bivouacked there until 0430 next morning, when we stood to arms and moved in support of the N.Z. Brigade which was attacking Amman from the north and north-west. At 0630 a troop under Lieut. Lumb of "A" Squadron was detailed as escort to two batteries of horse artillery. The route was still very congested and showed signs of the hurried retreat of the enemy.
At 1100 we were ordered to operate on the left of the N.Z.M.R. just north of the Es Salt-Amman road, and to attempt to cut the Hedjaz railway line about Amman station and block all roads. At midday the N.Z. Brigade, anticipating a counter attack, asked for support on its