TH E SERG EANT . — For him th e desert holds no secrets ev e n tha t whi c h i s b e o n B e ou ns i s not ro m him im s v er mi ner y d d i hid f , J Liddy , il ro m r k w Sou W es B o en H Ne a . f ill , th l ! Frontispi ece fl The

D e s e r t C a m p a ig n

By 9 0 o

W. T . M assey u o y Ofi cial Co rre spo nd ent of Lo ndo n Newspape rs w ith the Egyptian Expeditionary F o rc e

With Illustrations from Drawing s by J ame s M c B ey O fi c ial A rtist w ith the Egyp tian Exped itio nary Fo rce

15 ! y

x. w

’ G . P . Putnam s Sons

New York and Lond on (the i mickerbocket p ress 1918

MY MANY STERLING FRIENDS

IN THE EGYPTIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

FOREWORD

I WAS prompted to write thi s book by a sentence in a letter received from a colleague on the Western n a n n man e n h a o Fro t , thi ki g , who som mo t s g expressed the hope that the war in Eg ypt would n be e en the o o out wa soo ov r , for th g od b ys your y n will be able to c ome to Fra ce to see what war is . ’ That betrayed a lack of knowledge of the Army s in and a a e ear work Egypt , from wh t I h v h d from an e not the ea an e n e e m y sourc s , l st import t b i g l tt rs received by soldiers from friends at home and on the es e n n am a a ec oe the n W t r Fro t , I fr id it h s opi in r th Lon ion generally held B itain . All e great d on ne a e me the n u of e e n wsp p rs , who did ho o r s l cti g me to act as their c orracp ond ent with the Eg yptian e na e a e een ene u in the Exp ditio ry Forc , h v b g ro s amount of sp ace allotte d to the labo urs of this

e a. ea the ne s a e a e re Forc , but good d l w p p rs h v corded has been forgotten in the ever-changing picture of all the b attle fronts . The epic fights for German strongholds on the e e n r n the r es na n o W st r F o t , st uggl for domi ti g p si n the ense e ec a n of ate t and tio s , t xp t tio str gic vic ory not e e a a a n ha e a e the m r ly t ctic l g i s , v m d public look wi th only half-c losed eyes to the lesser field in vi Foreword

and n en a e e n e en e n Egypt , to co c tr t th ir i t llig c upo the ebb and flow of fighting in the wider area where b the ultimate decision is to be reached . It would e surprising if the people at home did not focus their a en n n the e e n ne e e e tt tio upo W st r li s , for th r th ir hopes are highest and the prospects most justify h Yet e t e belief that triumph will be ours . th y should be brought to realise the deep importance of the campaigns in Egypt and the far- reaching effe a has been a i e e e e e ct of wh t ccompl sh d th r , wh r battles won and the preparations made for further enemy defeats have prevented possible defections e e and r e and a e e in e e of p opl s t ib s , h v h ld ch ck som d angerous elements in the E ast . Perhaps thi s little hurried efiort of mine will d o somethi ng to give our people a better understand ing of the really great eff ort the Army in Egypt has made to serve Imperial interests by keeping open the Gateway between East and West . With thi s obj ect I shall carry the story down to the battle of a a hi e e e the the na Pen R f , w ch j ct d Turk from Si i insula and gave back to Eg ypt every foot of its

territory .

IN S N PALE TI E ,

e temb 1 1 . S p er, 9 7 NOTE ON JAMES MCBEY

MR. AMES MCB EY was o n in 188 at ew J b r 3 , N

e een e . burgh , Ab rd shir e e e in a an at e een he was Whil mploy d b k Ab rd , already acquiri ng the skill in etching whi ch ensured hi s rapid succes s when he decided in 1910 to aban e for e d on a comm rcial career that of an artist . H profited by his new-found liberty to travel in

an a n and . e n are Holl d , Sp i , Morocco His tchi gs ize e and he has a e much pr d by coll ctors , dd d to his reputation by success ful exhibitions of water

colour dr awings . He was on a e e e in an e ctiv s rvic Fr c prior to April , 1 1 en he e a e one the ofi cial ar 9 7 , wh b c m of tists appointed to mak e war drawings of contemporary a n e e a e for and hi storic l i ter st . H st rt d Palestine in Ma and a a e the an edi y , is tt ch d to Egypti Exp tionary Force . The illustrations in thi s book appear by p er

n . mission of H . M . Governme t

CONTENTS THE CANAL CAMPAIGN

— H OF E I. T E DEFENCE GYPT

—C S SS III. EA ELE VIGILANCE — IV AN OFFENS IVE DEFENCE —THE S W V . DE ERT RAIL AY — W FOR S VI. NILE ATER TROOP — VIL EARLY PREPARATIONS —A S B ST VIII . DE ERT ATTLE IN AUGU “ ” X — S S I . ALLAH , FINI H AU TRALIA — E S TO E S X . YE THE A T — E B OF ACHDAB A XI. TH ATTLE M — XII. THE RAFA VICTORY — S OF S XIII . FIR T VIEW THE PROMI ED LAND —AN OF SM XIV ARMY SPORT EN . IN THE LIBYAN DESERT

— S S SSI XV . THE CAMPAIGN AGAIN T THE ENU — ON M XVI. THE MARCH SOLLU — XVII . DESERT DRIVES —THE S N XVIII . DA H O SIWA INDEX

ILLUSTRATIONS

THE SERGEANT — For him the desert holds no secrets even that is e on B ed oums Is not rom him im which b y d hid f , J s lver miner rom ro en ll New Sou Liddy, i f B k Hi , th Wales.

LAKE TIM SAH

the a t e e tr e ri l l In dist nc e on h x em g ht i es Ismai ia. ear ere the anal o ns th e la e was ormerl an N , wh C j i k , f y E R. . ar P k.

A LISTENING POST IN THE DESERT

ense and mmova e l e s ones s ul ure in the T i bl , ik t c pt d — ese n an an ers the ears of the anal os d rt, I di L c C P t

lie out on the san all n . Wh le ree at one d ig ht i th w ch ,

sleeps.

UNLOADING WOOD RE an . . ar at a ase the t an a our At P k B , Egyp i L b

al s re of the eser a lwa The A typ ic t tch D t R i y . u l n is u n f b i di g sed as a O fice. X1 xii Ill ustrati ons

OFFICE OF THE INLAND WATER TRANSPORT

The flee s of o s dahabias l ers and u s t dh w , , ig ht , t g carrying stores on the Canal and the D elta are under the a mini s ra on of th e n an a e rans r d t ti I l d W t r T po t . On the a e is ann e the ue Canal the exa os t bl pl d S z , ct p i tion of each boat being indicated by various lead

A PONTOON B RIDGE

One of the on oon r es a ross the ez ana p t b idg c Su C l . Th e onva es en ra o s on the le are in an E c l c t t ct r ft R. .

Park.

STRANGE SIGNALS

On the al a n or zon a n film a aren l p pit ti g h i ti y , pp t y - smo e r ses and is one. ns an l th e us ra ne k , i g I t t y b h t i d — — B ut eyes e birds wait focuss ed . it do es not

a en a a n. e ouins e a s. e a s onl h pp g i B d , p rh p P rh p y

THE HILLS OF ROMANI

om ere near a a the ur s a a was Fr h , K ti , T ki h tt ck laun e over th e unes on oman n in ne ch d d R i , lyi g li with t r Th e s allo r en e th e bush in he foreg oun d . h w t ch s r u b the r er eomanr he e shown were d g y Wo cest Y y .

MEHAMDIYA

From the Roman ruins :the Hospital on the beach is

ROMANI (KATIE GANNIT) Th e hig hest Of the hills of drift sand facing the a a a n ur n the a le oman an e K ti Pl i . D i g b tt Of R i it ch g d os several was use as an o se va its p ition feet . It d b r tion post until the Turkish artill ery concentrat ed on On the le is ell n ton e a ure in the it . ft W i g Ridg , c pt d early morning of the sth August by the Australian orse an e m f th 2d vi sio Lig ht H d th en O e 5 Di n. Ill ustrati o ns xiii

FACIN G

DUIEDAR

' In the ore roun is the Well alle ose s ell on f g d c d J ph W , th e ancient caravan road between Egypt and Pales e On the a6th r l th e e ou was a a e b tin . Ap i r d bt tt ck d y n ne un e ur s who ere ea en Ofi b the ar i h dr d T k , w b t y g rison of five hundred Royal Scots Fusiliers .

NO . 6 S ROMANI . PO T Along the front Of the Romani sand-hills rig ht to the sea are still what remains of the chain Of posts or redoubts which resist ed the attack of th e Turks in th e er e n in u us of 1 16 ou now e are fi c fig hti g A g t 9 , th g h th y but tumbl ed mounds Of sand from which protrude n re sandbag s and rivetti g wi .

A HOSPITAL WARD

A ysen ery war of the grea eneral ospi al at d —t d t G H t Port Said the adapted new building s of th e Suez

Canal CO .

’ e ni h B Th g ht as been qui et . y five O clock the camp is as r and the lan e s and ossess ons are olle e ti , b k t p i c ct d .

KATIA

er e r sas rous a a on oman the ur s Aft th i di t tt ck R i , T k re rea e to the a a Oas s i e o u ll t t d K ti i , wh ch th y cc pied ti r ven out b m d i y ount ed troops and Scottish Terri torials ursu n em a e th l p i g th ft r e batt e.

NOON

For m ay a al is alle en the amels are idd h t c d , wh c “ ” unsa le and B ivv s u l m ovise dd d , y q ick y i pr d . I ll ustrati ons

A LONG PATROL IN THE DESERT OF SINAI

e o e a l the amels are sa e oa e B f r d y ig ht c ddl d , l d d with rations for the camels and rations and water for th e men and the s ar is ma e as the as e n to , t t d E t b g i s

As the men r e out o a s the a n two of i w r w , hem — d t d d t the u — g ides draw ahead .

For our a er our ave een v s le two rees h ft h h b i ib t , to wards which the Patrol has b een making so as to rea em b sunse for es e em es th e a ch th y t , b id th li w di, th - f e camping g round or th e ni g ht . Th e ame s are i e e ause s n e a n e ave c l t r d, b c i c d w th y h - m ove e en ni ne les of eav san all as en . c r d tw ty i h y d , c t

A MORNING MIST Sometimes of a morning a de ns e mist sweeps slowly alon rou at n ervals the sun a ears li e g , th g h which i t pp k v r on a e f a a sil e disc sh et o l e d .

in th ueenslan che Th e last nig ht e desert. A ! d f ar f urr ull prep es a dis h o c ied b y .

BACTERIA In the laboratory of a Fi eld Hospital the London specialist and hi s assistant (an ex-grocer) examine the n a u e co t ents Of test t b .

B IVOUACS Patch es of priceless shade are obtained by stretching blank ets on th e butts of rifles stuck in th e sand by the e a one s as e s wa e an as es fix d b y t , with, w ig ht , t r f t i ,

sa l e a s and sa es . dd b g , ddl

T he D esert Campaig ns

T HE CANAL CAM PA I GN

CHAPTER I

THE DEFEN CE OF EGYPT

outbreak of war brought to those charged with watching over the interests Of Egypt no e an e e e e e W the s n littl xi ty . Th y w r l ft ithout tro g

u in an of ene a e hi e g id g h d Lord Kitch r , c ll d to gh r duties in the Statefi With a class of Egyptians ’ a ea e o ene s esen e th t f r d him , L rd Kitch r pr c would

a e had an an n en e and u h v import t i flu c , tho gh many tried men well versed in the Egyptian a a e e a ne e n e e was a a a ch r ct r r m i d b hi d , th r lw ys s of t u e In the n e e e the war an ri k ro bl . wi t r b for extraordi narily large numb er of Germans vi sited not all of e e e en the ene Egypt , th m m r ly to joy b fits

the a n e a e and e a nl all of Of b lmy wi t r clim t , c rt i y them did not come to develop commercial int er e e s sts . Th re i more than a suspicion that some Teutoni c trippers sowed seeds of rebelli on which 2 The D esert Campaigns

were to germinate when the Kaiser drew the sword in e and the a e was due e Europ , if crop f il d it mor to the alertness of British Officers and Officials in the G e n en and at the s es en ov r m t Briti h R id cy , than from a want of fertility Of the soil in which

the see was s a e The a na s d c tt red . N tio li t party was a a un n s an n the pr ctic lly morib d , otwith t di g s a h es of the e e as but its ymp t i for it Kh div Abb , adherents su ddenly emerged from their holes and

ne in u u 1 1 and e a e se n cor rs A g st , 9 4 , th y t lk d ditio a ne ne e e e a e e The with bold ss v r b for tt mpt d . cafes where Egyptians of the efiendi class c on

re ated e e e at n and e na e g g w r fill d ight , som tiv s hi gher in the social scale visited the bars of the

ea di n e and en . e e e the two l g hot ls , Op ly xpr ss d Opini on that the British Empire had passed its z enith and that the great German peopl e woul d

e n a a spe dily bri g bout its downf ll . Some natives showed their anti- British feelin g on the s e al s and in a ns and was n id w k tr i , it o ly tact and un cea sing watchf ulness which prevented u O u f un a e a e p blic incidents f an n ort t ch ract r . A a was a a at ns an n e w i was bb s w y Co t ti opl , h ch a a s an e and the e e li S s h ppy circum t c , r b l ous pirit lacked a lea der and feared the consequences of ’ a s n The eflendi s is s a e an hi s ri i g . growl h rp r th

e e e e e an ene su e in bit . Th r w r m y my bj cts Egypt at hi s e e e e fan the a na t tim . Th y h lp d to N tio list fla e and the ea e es of the e an m , rly succ ss G rm armies were always known and spread in the

a aa s n e e our Ofli cial e r and b z r lo g b for r po ts , our The D efence Of Egypt 3 retreat from Mons was magnified into an Over whelming defeat and the b eginning Of the end of s e the Briti h Empir . The arrival Of the East Lancashi re Territorial Division in Cairo at the end of September was very welcome to the Residency and to General n ax e di d not s the na e Sir Joh M w ll , but it top tiv e In a e a al n of ua and chatt r . pl c Of b tt io s G rds Highlanders whi ch Egyptians had b een accustomed e a as a e a e sam e e a oo to r g rd v r g pl s Of Imp ri l tr ps , they saw a division of half - trained and not too well -e qui ppe d men straight from their professions and a e in n ll - e s and mi ne tr d s tow , mi work r rs ,

an of e e a a had a e e m y th m , whos d ily l bour m d th m

ee The na e ot e pal e Of ch k . tiv could n realis how these good fellows were fired by patriotism ; they

u e u a a ea an e nl and e a e j dg d by o tw rd pp r c o y , d cl r d “ es e are not s d e e are s ee e Th ol i rs , th y hopk p rs dr es e in n e e e e s s d u iforms . Th r w r Briti h critics , “ ’ too and a e a e run s a n , to r m rk , Th y m ll , do t

e ? an n an A ene a on hi s wa th y I di rmy g r l , y through “ an e ans e e : Yes a is e Egypt to Fr c , w r d , th t tru , but w s had the d ne a n e I i h I goo fortu to tr i th m . The s is e e and a s in pirit th r , m rk my word , two months their improvement will be so great you ” not n e the e n will k ow th m for sam me . Th at essi na ni n was a ne out and prof o l Opi o mply bor , the 42 d Division on proceeding to the Dardanelles e ehi n a e of e ua e l ft b d it r cord soldi rly q liti s , good e a u and di ine of the o n b h vio r , scipl worthy C u ty a a ne and Of a n P l ti Brit i . 4 The D esert Campaigns

The entry of Turkey into the war was another a a i e the ea e e ne wkw rd t m , but worst f rs w r go when we began to round up and intern enemy i i an and e a few an i c i e civ l s , with th m Egypti m s h f a e e the n an a a Of m k rs , whil co st t rriv l troops from n a the on the a ne and the a e I di , victory M r , f ilur of the e an e to a e a s the G rm hord s t k P ri , which natives had been assured was almost an accom lished a a e the e e ea se the ea n p f ct , m d p opl r li s li g

the a e the e was not et of f t Of British Empir y . I arrived in Egypt when the concern Of Officials had been greatly lessened by the improvement in the saw the a an and outlook . I first Austr li New Zealand troops to take part in the war set “ in and e e and an -no foot Egypt , th ir physiqu st d ” nonsense attitude greatly impressed the people with the fact that we were determined to go the war and a the e n through with , th t Moth r Cou s n n e try had a mighty re erve i Brito s ov rseas . u e e e e n e en e or e Tho gh th r w r u d rcurr ts , mor l ss n en the the ana ea in stro g , wh Turks got to C l rly

the n ea and en the G an e followi g y r , wh r d Sh ikh the en ss e a e an en ene the Of S u i b c m Op my , Egypt ian people from an uncertain quantity became an For the e has an well in h d . this Empir to th k

the f a s the es en and e a e O fici l Of R id cy , , p rh ps mor a a ene a a e andi n the p rticul rly , G r l M xw ll , comm g e in e o and was forc s Egypt , whos p licy , firm just , based on a deep knowledge Of the Egyptian

a a e and was a e to e e our e ch r ct r , fr m d s rv high st at a in at the e was not int erests po t which , tim , The D efence Of Egyp t 5

- n i the an over strong li k n Imperial chain . Sir ’ John Maxwell s initial success had an important ea n on u e e en and hi s s e n b ri g f tur v ts , work , t rli g as was e b e at the e b e e en e it h ld to tim , will v mor

s th on e a e highly apprai ed as e years roll . W h v not always been so fortunate in the choice of our a n s a in dmi i tr tors Egypt . On the Young Turk party arriving at a decision

i S e n e e a e a wh ch p lt rui for Turk y , it b c m vit lly necessary to prepar e for the d efence Of the Suez ana ll s s a hi a nne n the C l . At a co t th t ghw y co cti g seas and countries Of East and West mu st be e en and was s as u the n e n k pt Op , it ju t m ch co c r Of neutrals as Of the Allies that no enemy hand s as An one has een nne hould gr p it . y who b pi d to the banks Of the Canal as I have must realise the a dvantage our hold on the wat erway has been to ne a n es i n ne a a utr l cou tri . Sh ps flyi g utr l fl gs , es e a u ea e a e a se u p ci lly D tch st m rs , h v p s d thro gh ee a en e e and the eal d ply l d with comm rc , w th of these nations has been in crea sed by the accumula

n ea y a es e a e ne s tio Of h v r t for fr ight ch rg d by ow r , and the profits Of dealers in the commodities the

S a e We the ana e en es in hips c rri d . took C l d f c

an in e e a u a s n li a h d Nov mb r , ltho gh tro g mi t ry element believed no seriou s att empt to g et to the

ana u e e b e a e n es e a u C l wo ld v r m d . I co f s th ir rg ments at the time convinced me Of the imp ossibil ity of an a dvance to the Canal by any sub stantial

su se en e en s e a en body , but b qu t v t prov d th t giv es u e and men the eser ina c an b e r o rc s , d t Of S i 6 The D esert Campaigns

e a es s as was a e n cross d by rmi ju t it by N pol o , by a e and the a s of the an Moh mm d Ali , by w rrior en n s n ci t ki g . Ge eral Maxwell accepted a scheme

e a e a nal n e pr p r d by Sir Murdoch M cdo d , U d r e e a in an en nee S cr t ry for Public Works Egypt , gi r who has planned nearly all the improvement s eff ected in the country since the Assou an dam wa s ene in the u i n of he had a en Op d , b ild g which t k a e e ns e a as of the n rt e n v ry r spo ibl p rt . E t o h r end of the Canal to b eyond Pelusium the desert is e the e e of the se was e e b low l v l a . It d cid d to

s a ea ns ea en n a anne flood thi r , but i t d of Op i g ch l the san nes on the s e through low d du hor , Sir Murdoch proposed that the Canal bank should b e cut in a few places to flood many miles of the desert so as to make a water defence to the Canal

s e e n or en les of en for om ight ee tw ty mi its l gth . Thi s was a comparatively simple matt er in exp ert

an and at the s a few u an san a s h ds , co t of tho s d db g , and some cheap labour many troops were spared for other sections which could not b e so readily n hi e e the en of n defe ded . T s r duc d l gth fro t to

e een s and se en es and of en b tw ixty v ty mil , this l g th the Bitter Lakes should be omitt ed becau se naval p atrol launches took over the duty of gu ardi ng

e few e en e e e i and en th m . A d f c posts w r bu lt

en e on the ea an e e a n e es tr ch d st b k to cov r c rt i f rri , but the main defences in the early days were on the west b ank and consisted of trenches from whi ch attempts to cross the water coul d b e re elled The a a and the s ee a e ana p . r ilw y w t w t r c l ,

8 The D es ert Camp aigns

a on e nna san e and s n Ar bs r co is c s , oo after the middle of the month there was no doubt that a s ubstantial enemy force was in Sinai and moving

vvest .

General Maxwell had to find new troops for

the ana ne . e e e e en la e C l zo Th r w r pl ty avai bl . On the Canal were battalions of Indi a regulars and e en s e a e e s e r gim t of Imp ri l S rvic troop . Th y e e e and en a anv one w r v ry good , it w t h rd with met a a and di d not n the ass who p trol k ow p word . Here is an instance of the way Indi an troops took o s An ol n an e . d en mi ne a a n ch c fri d of , C pt i

a li n of the an n an a a n W l gford , Auckl d i f try b tt lio , went to the Canal and off ered to try to snipe a German ofli cer who had been noticed in the desert a u e or ten i es e a e bo t ight m l from S r p um . Wall in ord was the man the h d s g f for job . I a een him in thr ee consecutive shoots for the Army Rifle a ns at s e on al of 101 Ch mpio hip Bi l y put tot s , ’ 10 and 10 i es s e a e 3 , 5 (h gh t po sibl ) , world s r cord

i has ne e een a a e and he a e wh ch v r b ppro ch d , ft r wards di d such fine work on Gallipoli that the “ e an the e a out n G rm s with Turks us d to c ll , Bri g ” ’ a n let see him Wa li out your W lli gford ; us . l ng ford with another New Z ealand offi cer dug them selves in on a sand dune and waited for the German

Ofi cer He a e not a a of n an . c m , but p trol I di el e the f cam ry rode up and ask d who o ficers were . all n the e a a but the a e was W i gford told j m d r , l tt r

n n n e sa in e e an ea u co vi c d , y g som G rm s could sp k o English and could g et hold f British uniforms . The D efence of Egypt 9

The officers would have to give up their arms and e es The New ea an fi e go in und r arr t . Z l d of c r with

a n an e e s the a e who W lli gford w t d to r si t , but l tt r , had been in India and knew the j emadar would a out hi s e the e e saw was e e c rry ord rs to l tt r , it us l ss ’ e u a n and the a n n e edi n xpost l ti g , d y s s ipi g xp tio ’ ended with the return of the Ofli cers rifles at the ne o xt p st . CHAPTER II

THE TURKS REACH THE CANAL

an ur and e a n an WITHOUT y h ry , c rt i ly without y ela a e di s a e n e en s e e en the bor t pl y , r i forc m t w r s t to New ea an an a a n Canal . Z l d d Australi n b att lio s went to the Canal zone; greatly to their satisfac n and one a a s e was a e e an tio , lw y f lt it pity th s gr d fellows di d not g et the Opportunity of showing e n a ue in the e e s th ir fighti g v l d s rt . Without wi h in b e as ma sa a a saw in g to bo tful , I y y I lw ys it e and the n n e a e se th m , high Opi io I form d ft r clo association with them during training has been n r e e and e a a n in a an e co fi m d ov r ov r g i G llipoli , Fr c , and in na The Sw tsure cea n Mi nerva . O Si i if , , , and Cli o a n in the ana and took up st tio s C l , two en a s als had a a in the e en e the Fr ch w r hips o p rt d f c , Re ain ea s a e ne in the a a g , which two y r l t r joi d tt ck on a a a n the es o n es un G z , h vi g b t pportu iti for g e e al nery by her station in Lak Timsah . Dj m as a was in an of the r s and P h comm d Tu k , with him was the German Major von d er Hagen . u n the as a of anua the ene ee D ri g l t d ys J ry my , f l in wa n a few mile the ana g his y , got withi s of C l IO The T urks Reach the Canal 11

In in several places . the northern section a body sat down across the old caravan route to El s a ou five ile ea s of an a a e Ari h b t m s t K t r , dug th m se es in and a e a l a a one n n lv , m d s ight tt ck mor i g e w al on a ana . e as a e s , C l post Th r so littl kirmish at u r s u of the e e a e e K b i , o th Littl Bitt r L k , whil other p arties appeared near the ferry at the po int where the Canal ent ers Lake Timsah from the n at e an and at e a e s e orth , El F rd , S r p um , oppo it which places the enemy showed a desire to di g nd e in the san a a a a a . e a d w it tt ck How v r , th t

t hi s n en n On the n n of Pe was no i t tio . mor i g bru ar d he a e e n of a a n an a a y 3 , m d f i ts tt cki g K t r , s a li a e s and e dan e hi s I m i F rry Po t , El F r , whil main attack was launched b etween Toussoum and e a e of a e sa and e S r p um , south L k Tim h dir ctly ea st of the b eautiful line of trees which refresh ’ the traveller s eye as his Ship p roceeds south a the ea e e tow ds Gr t Bitt r Lak . r _ ' A few hundred yards away from the Canal s a n at Tou ssoum the a e ee e t tio , Turks m d thr v ry e e ne a e et a s was a d t rmi d tt mpts to g cro s . It e -c sen n s ess u the a l a w ll ho poi t , for , if ucc f l , r i w y from Ismailia to Suez and the line between Port a and a e e n ea s an e and the S id C iro w r withi sy di t c , s ee a e ana was e se en a a e w t w t r c l lik wi Op to d m g . al - as r ee ll e e a n At h f p t th , fu y two hours b for d w , some Turks carried a few light steel pontoons down a a ne and a n na ere r vi l u ched them in the Ca l . Th were some pontoons also put in the water north and hi n The e en e e ea o south of t s poi t . d f c h r b uts 12 The D esert Campaigns was in the an of ne e e an an h ds Colo l G ogh g , comm d in the Indi an n an and the n an g i f try , to colo el d

a e a a . . a his brig d m jor , M jor T N . S . M How rd full credi t is due for breaking down what was 1mquestionably a very cl everly planned effort to et a e the anal and our ea ne af i g strid C stop s bor tr f c . Hea dquarters app arently thought the real attack was in e e e e e e e e e s e com g som wh r ls , for th r w r om s n s ua n to the n and promi i g it tio s orth , though ’ S erapeum is well within an hour s journey from

a l a e e we had ns e a e e e e Ism i i , wh r co id r bl r s rv s , it was thirt een hours before reinforcement s arrived

t was the a e n an a e a Serapeum . It N tiv i f try brig d ’ e e the h e and ne which wr ck d Turks op s , Colo l Geoghegan and Major Howard were responsible for the dispositions whi ch made our success ss e po ibl . The pontoons carried by the Turks were light an a a a en e a andle on h dy cr ft , with bout doz m t l h s the inside of the gunwales to enabl e them to be e ea e e a of e e e n the lift d sily . S v r l th m w r put i to a e and anne e r s n an d e w t r m d , whil Tu ki h i f try ployed left and right of the gully and poured a heavy rifle and machi ne- g un fire to cover the n On the e an e e e a en crossi g . w st b k w r d t chm ts of the Punj abis under Major Skeen in one place and a a n an i n an e and e en C pt i Morg oth r , from th ir trenchments the Punj abis fired at the pontoons and fire ur or five e a n e the e n . ig or d cov ri g Fo , p rh ps e of the n n e e e e mor , po too s w r so riddl d with bull ts

a e e and sank the e th t th y fill d , but two got to w st

14 The D esert Campaigns was a good deal of sniping during the night which not a e e the a n ene r e could h v com from m i my fo c , and a a a an n a s ne d a en M jor M cl chl , Pu j bi , xt y w t out ee the eas n H to sw p t ba k . e completely sur

n e a ns e a e a and a e e rou d d co id r bl p rty ch rg d th m , e e th e en e e n wh r upon e whol surr d r d . Amo g the ea was a von der a en who was a r n d d M jor H g , c r yi g a white flag rolled in a khaki canvas case and

as ene his s a a a a e s f t d to c bb rd . It is ch r ct ri tic of the chivalry of ou r officers that they thought the

w b e u se in n a h n an flag as to d ight m rc i g . M y of

e e e was be ut. a s nis e u se An us b li v it to p to i t r . y von d er a en was en a m a ne al how, H g giv ilit ry fu r , and a cross enclosed in a barbed -wire entanglement now a s hi s a e on the of the ea an m rk gr v top st b k . Ap art from a numb er of small encounters with the in ina a e e e a e an Turks S i , which r r ly w r l rg r th f a of a s e e was e n in the a f irs p trol , th r littl doi g

n l ne a n e a e e a Ca a zo for lo g tim ft r F bru ry . I cannot speak of the work in Egypt during the n ne n s l 1 1 e au e a i mo th from Apri , 9 5, b c s It ly n e e the war and e a e our all and en e t r d b c m y , I w t to the Italian front to l earn at first hand how the cheerful soldi ery of that country l aughed at and

n e e un a n and e e and e co qu r d mo t i s pr cipic s , fir d an n ense a e e a e e by i t p triotism , strov to lib r t th ir blood brothers in the Trentino from the Austrian e en a a the n n a the yok . I w t w y with co victio th t

r a n sse the na ese Tu ks , h vi g cro d Si i D rt with men and the a e of e a e fought b ttl S r p um , would e a a a n n e in n e s a com b ck g i , stro g r umb r , prob bly , The Turks Reach the Canal 15 and fortified with the exp erience gained in their a e e e the ana The s e first tt mpt to s iz C l . umm r a e a ui e en was in n an p ss d f irly q tly , but wh I E gl d in e e e 1 1 e e was er eal n e n D c mb r , 9 5, th r v y r co c r in responsibl e quar t ers as to what was about to in a in 1 a en . e ar 16 h pp Egypt E rly F bru y , 9 , I had the honour to b e selected by all the London papers to represent them as war correspondent the e e anean e na e with M dit rr Exp ditio ry Forc , and e ne find a new and as I r tur d to Egypt to , if a c an ma a e the ri s a n e ivili I y m k c tici m , sou d r scheme for defending the Canal and Egypt about be n e a n to put i to Op r tio . CHAPTER III

CEASELESS VIGILANCE

SOME engagements in the prec eding summer I write up from the ofli cial despatches of Major n h Gene a e . t e an e of th r l Al x Wilso , comm d r e Canal

e en e se e e e not en e e ea e d f c s , who duti s w r r d r d si r by the almost weekly change in the composition s The en n of hi s forc e . urg t ecessity for more troops for the D ardanelles call ed for some of the e a e and a e e e n on the ana b st brig d s b tt ri s s rvi g C l . e a a n en e a a e in Som b tt lio s w t to M sopot mi , oth rs the heat of the summ er responded to an immedi ate

a en e e the had had a su es s c ll from Ad , wh r Turks cc hi nea e the e w ch rly brought th m to port , whil small er exp editions were sent down the Gulf of Suez to Abu Zenima and to Tor where the presence

th en au se be Vl ilant The of e emy c d us to g . troops desp atched to take the place of those sent off on e e an s e e e e had oth r rr d w r quit good , but th y ea n a new in the e e and the a f to l r job d s rt , st f during the trying hot months of the summer had a great deal more to think about than the mere a a the arrangement of p trols to w tch Turks . This 16 Ceasel ess Vigil ance I7

a e e e n e the u e e but work c m v ry littl u d r p blic y , every word of praise whi ch General Maxwell be s n s i e the There is tows upo it is ju t fi d to full . no doubt that the heavy losses inflicted on the at e a e m and the e e suff e e Turks S r p u , loss s th y r d in the arduous march across the barren desert b ack ale ne e en e a e n e u a a to P sti , pr v t d s co d s rio s tt ck n the anal in 1 1 n e a was the o C 9 5. A oth r f ctor a a n in all e e a e ur a e c mp ig G ipoli , wh r l rg T kish rmi s e e en a e and the a ane e ex w r g g d , though D rd ll s edition a e in e i a e e um p f il d its imm d t obj ct , it doubtedly di d stop an army moving against Egypt en we e e not e a e ee and u wh w r pr p r d to m t it , co ld not be adequately prep ared to meet it b ecause of the a s a e on the e e ea es c ll m d forc s from oth r th tr . There was qu ite a brilliant littl e show at Toron e a l th The as a an n s F bru ry g . v t qu r ti e tation set up for watchi ng the health of Mecca pilgrims was a s ne 1 0 men the an g rri o d by 5 of Egypti Army , and the u s e e r ea enin the a e O T rk w r th t g pl c . n the 12 th half a b att alion of the Gurka Rifles un der

e enan - ne a ane e a e on . . Li ut t Colo l H ld mb rk d H M S . Minerva at e a e at Tor in the a ur s Su z , rriv d d rk ho , and e e the ne of e esen e , b for Turks k w th ir pr c , a a e at a n s o the ene e n e tt ck d d w , ixty f my b i g kill d and 102 a en s ne sse e e nl t k pri o rs . Our lo s w r o y one e and one n e The ess n was kill d wou d d . l o

e u au Tor s a e v ry thoro ghly t ght , for , i ol t d though has een e in e e ea e e e sin e it is , b l ft p rf ct p c v r c . Towards the end of March an infantry p atrol a e n n a 00 from Kubri c m i to co t ct with 4 Turks , 18 The D esert Campaigns part of a body of 1000 men who were subsequently found to b e entrenching about ten mil es from the

an l e enan - B i a . ne o sra on C V . . C Li ut t Colo l g , , took out a column on the 2 3d consisting of the Lanca s i e a e EA s a ns s R. dr of an . e h r B tt ry , two qu o L c r , a e a en of the ane a e the d t chm t Bik r C m l Corps ,

and a a a al n of the Gur as The k . Sikhs , h lf b tt io enemy suff ered about fifty casualties and left their en e r e e a e ui en and tr ch s hur i dly , th ir c mp q pm t fl e a n n a n n our an much ri mmu itio f lli g i to h ds . The enemy continued to threaten p in- pricks on our e en e and i es of u s e i es d f c s , bod T rk som t m n e in a n e or s e e e a umb r g hu dr d two , om tim s ov r u san e e e uen se e i n tho d , w r fr q tly ob rv d with strik n s n e o the anal e e e al s i g di t a c f C . Th y w r way a a e and i s e se eas a and not a e tt ck d d p r d tw rds , llow d

e a e s n e en e or e a e o s ns tim to m k tro g d f c s , pr p r p itio ,

a n a n e se es in e to m i t i th m lv th m . If the summer proceeded without any fighting o r an e the a of a l n at n f impo t c , tri ls p trol i g ight

e e ns an and the had a ea t e w r co t t , troops h vy h . Three or four events served to illustrate the ne cessity for unceasing vigil ance during thi s period o a a en a nes was a a s e e f pp r t sl ck s . It lw y susp ct d

a the e in the a e e e and th t Turk , foil d tt mpt to s iz

the ana u a e ne in the hold C l, wo ld try to pl c mi s n hi t c a e a and s n a s s he trafli . w t rw y , by i ki g p , top The us n e e e un e On s picio s w r w ll gro d d . April

8th a a e a ni n the a an of oo e p trol , x mi g bro d b d sm th d sand whi ch was nightly drawn down the whol e

en of the anal n e s e o - n l gth C , otic d om fo t pri ts

CHAPTER IV

AN OFFENSIVE DEFENCE

AFTER Lord Kitchener had paid hi s memorable s a he a e vi it to G llipoli c m to Egypt , which , from n ass a n was n to a a e lo g oci tio s , bou d hold firm pl c in h s war n s e w s e e i a xietie . At that tim it a b li ved the Germans were sending four or six divisions to Constantinople to form the backbone of a Turkish army to march across the Sinai D esert and the e ana a a e of trafi c try to cut Su z C l , th t rt ry b etween East and West describ ed by the Kaiser ‘ ” t u a h s o as he j gul r vein of t e Briti h Empire . L rd ene en the ana saw the e en e Kitch r w t to C l , d f c s , and is credited with the remark made to a distin “ ui shed ene a : Are ou e en n the ana g g r l y d f di g C l , ” or is the Canal defendin g you ? That brief ques tion so a dmi rably sums up the situation as it was in at the e of the e a a n of a Egypt tim v cu tio G llipoli , be n e e one that it deserves to true . I k ow th r is s chool of military thought whi ch strongly sup ports the view that Our best policy was to allow the Turk to encount er the difficulties of the desert and ee him on the anal or n a few to m t C , withi 2 0 An Offensive D efence 2 1

ene a n ax el a miles of it . G r l Sir Joh M w l s id to “ me at the end of 1914 ' The desert is our great ” ll th in th d a and ea e e en . e e lly , it wi b t Turk Th r e in a a ee the a a of is much forc th t , I gr , but tt ck e ua 1 1 e a the ul n F br ry , 9 5, prov d th t Turk co d bri g a sub st antial body of troops over the desert and s i n in the anal and as the hold up h ppi g C , if , Turk a e a e edi n was in the na e a cl im d , th t xp tio tur of

e nna san e en 6 - n n e e a e r co is c , wh i ch gu s w r h ul d into action and hi t one of the ships of the Indi an a ne in the a e a the n e e a ne M ri w t rw y , k owl dg g i d during the march was of great value for any future a a And we a e a ne a ea and a al tt ck . sc rt i d y r h f l at er at the battl e of Romani (whi ch is not much more than twenty -five miles from Port S aid) that knowledge was brought into such practical u se that 8 - inch as well as 6- inch guns were transported over the desert a hundr ed miles from any Turki sh a a r ilw y . It is cl aim ed by the critics of the scheme whi ch Sir Archib al d Murray lost no time in putting into ’ e a n a the u s un s hi n op r tio , th t if T rk big g got wit

an e the ana e ul not a a e a r g of C l th y co d d m g it , th t no n - an e fire ul ea its an s and lo g r g wo d br ch b k ,

a the s a e o s n a ee a th t topp g f hi ppi g for w k , fort n or a n s e as an a e ight , mo th , till uch tim w t of w t r and su es e e th r e e was ppli comp ll d e Tu k to r tir , of no nse u en e hi e a e e co q c . To t s I r ply th t th r is no cert ainty that if the Turks once stopped tramc in the anal e ul e e a s es C th y wo d v r l ck uppli , for if they scored such a su ccess th ey would concentrate 2 2 The D esert Camp aigns

n e all their energi es on holdi ng the adva tag . Fur e no mi l a en shi u e en the th r , it ry c sor p wo ld pr v t ne ea i n the e e in a e of ws r ch g p opl Egypt , th t hom s u exaggerations based on a sub trat m of fact . Egyptian Opinion strongly lea ns on the winning s e and the e a in we are e in id , r g rd which h ld Egypt

e ause our s en and not. the as n is b c of tr gth , for l ti g

w n the eo e An n e u en good e have do e p pl . u d rc rr t of di saffection wou ld have b een inconvenient ; open reb ellion would have compelled the retention of the whole of the troop s in the country in the s n 1 16 The us a an and New Zea pri g of 9 . A tr li s l anders and some of the divisions of tried troops

e e en nee e on the es e n n And w r urg tly d d W t r Fro t . then what woul d have b een the consequ ences in

n a in an s an in e a the a was I di , Afgh i t , P rsi , if f ct established that the Turks had got the British Empire by its Suez Canal throat ? How could we u l our in es o ami a was en s pp y Army M op t , which th , as we a e a had the a n of ea n n in e ft rw rds p i l r i g , sor s ai a of n n a n ans tr ts from l ck mu itio s , r tio s , tr port ,

edi al e and f ? The ndi an m c suppli s , com orts I Army

a ne had e es en n and on m chi hop l sly brok dow , Britain the Mesopotamian Army had almost e i e n to e u e . a e een t r ly r ly for its s ppli s I h v s , n n the a e s of the anal all r s chur i g up w t r C , so t and conditions of craft bound for the river waters — which fall into the Persian Gulf London County “ n i enn ea e s e a l a Cou c l p y st m rs , p ci lly bui t sh llow draught vessels capabl e of carrying much mate ri a and an e e - in i l , m y oth r w ird look g ships wh ch An Offensive D efence 2 3 had braved the perils of the wider seas to succour and sustain the gallant army fighting against the Turk and against nature in a torrid and ea e o e a ns e e we unhealthy th tr f Op r tio . W r to ’ risk a day s delay in sending forward h elp to thi s sorely -tried force ? ene al a a n the e e a hi s G r Murr y , t ki g wid Vi w th t responsibilities were for the whole Empire and not al ne a le the s a e e for Egypt o , t ck d tr t gic probl m “ in n e a and o n at the by th ki g Imp ri lly , , lo ki g na e Of su se u en e a ns few ll sa he tur b q t Op r tio , wi y w n n the s e uen as wro g . To my mi d mo t loq t proof that he was ab solut ely right is to be found in the e en of ul and u u s en the s v ts J y A g t wh Turk , with an en e se hi all i a men s a e t rpri w ch m lit ry mu t dmir , brought some men and heavy gu ns up to Romani a cross an exceedi ngly difli cult piece of

n a e e en es And ese and s a . d rt , tro gly tt ck d our d f c he e u a h ten a s a u a asse k pt p fig t for d y , ltho gh h r d

s e the nes e u a a al in the by om of fi t irr g l r c v ry world . The new strat egic pl an m eant vast expendi ture in ne and a but se e the sa e of mo y l bour , it cur d f ty the ana at eas n the war and e a s C l l t duri g , p rh p ,

all e The as e a a n u for tim . v t work Of pr p r tio co ld not b e more strikingly illustrate d than by realis in a was ne in a n a a s and a s g wh t do m ki g r ilw y ro d ,

a n n e ne for a e su and the l yi g dow pip li s w t r pply , quantities of material used on the eastern defences of The has e n t Egypt . good work gon o a an ever a e e a e a e the a a en s e e cc l r t d p c ; r ilw y , th om mil s

S of s has een u out a a hort El Ari h , b thr st to R f , 2 4 The D esert Camp aigns on the - an n e an n Turco Egyp ti fro ti r , to Kh Yu us , and e el e a us s of a a an e to D ir B l r j t hort G z , oth r

e en es . es a e ne a too s v ty mil Pip h v go forw rd , , and th e amount of sandbags and barb ed wire nee e and su e has n en s d d ppli d grow ormou ly . A glan ce at the map shows the extent of ground e e cov r d . The engineering work whi ch had to be under t aken shows how the Sinai D esert has b een throb n e and n us bi g with lif i d try . It is d ue to the troops engaged in Egypt that peopl e at home should know the extent of the labour which fell u pon them during a very trying er was not all ne for a man in the p iod . It ho y an e na e e n Egypti Exp ditio ry Forc . My corr spo d ent in an e a e e er e e n a ene Fr c bov r f r d to , b i g g rous man ll a n le e his e en he ea n , wi ck ow dg rror wh l r s o the a s the e in One n f tri l of soldi r Egypt . ight in Ma 1 1 sat ne an s al an a i e y , 9 7 , I xt Au tr i brig d r at a a e s of the n e film in a priv t how A cr C iro . Seeing men and horses ploughing through a sea of mu d the brigadi er remarked : We are lucky

b ou o a mi a e not our a e e t f . to th t If I st k , br v boys in France looking at any true pictur e of troops in the desert would make precisely the Y t a e too of a e en . e can s m comm t , you h v much the ese e e are u s al an and New d rt . Th r A tr i s

eal an e e e n n the n Z d rs who , xc pti g duri g mo ths they were fighting a desperately uphi ll battl e on

all a e een in e e G ipoli , h v b Egypt from Nov mb r ,

- 1 1 da . 9 4 , till to y An Offensive D efence 2 5

e r a n a e a l too A T r itori l Divisio c m from G l ipoli , , and from early in 1916 were in Sinai and Pal estine working as no other troops in the desert ever e and not a a e n e s a e toil d , lw ys g tti g th ir full h r Of fighting because for a long time the elusive Turk nl be a e e en could o y brought to b ttl by hors m . Some Yeomanry had almost as extensive an ex erience of e in the an a e and the p lif s dy w st s , Divi l se e e a s n had r e s . sio s sho t r, but til v r , tri l Persons sitting at home at their ease during the abnormal winters of 1915 and 1916 mi ght envy th n saw the sun e e d a e e e me who v ry y . To th s I would say not a day passed in Egypt without o s mi b e e e a some trial for the tro p . It ght m r ly long march through heavy sand entailing nothi ng a a u e e was a i e en six more th n f tig e . Th r t m wh miles a d ay in marchi ng order was considered the

s n an in the ea e n ese utmo t limit for i f try st r d rt .

One d a en a e n u n the a e y , wh tr v lli g light , d ri g b ttl of an a e e e e and u Rom i , I tr mp d tw lv mil s co ld et n e e e me the end of g obody to b li v . At it I chanced upon the Ea st Lancashire troops at Can terbur n and u not e y Sidi g , co ld mov for two hours . Yet I have been a walker and runner from my

was es e a e a on n B ri h youth up . I fr h r ft r L do to g ton al n aine an at the n s of a w k , u tr d , th fi i h th t

e e e e es And was not a n a d s rt tw lv mil . I c rryi g

i the e o the - s e The s xth of w ight f foot logg rs . fatigue of marchi ng with the sun overhead was no al Nor w s a light tri . a the incess nt digging .

In the ea a e e an a was rly d ys , b for Egypti l bour 2 6 The D es ert Camp aign

u in su e en the of the s di e bro ght to ppl m t work ol r , the sight of a spade must have sickened the hearts of our men a d a the e ernal n . E ch y brought t rou d sa s n Of nd hovelli g . For eighty miles on the eastern Side Of the Suez Canal there wa s a deep line of trenches and re

e e e n t e n s ar in h . o a u t e doubts Th y w r cl , h p c ts

a o s TO a e a en e f ce f the de ert . m k tr ch thr e feet

e ou had en s e een ee n wid y to Op om fift f t Of grou d , put in battens with canvas backs and anchor

e and en e the s a es e n the th m , th r fill p c b hi d with

s And en a was ne a n excavated oil . wh th t do ti y rent in the canvas allowed sand to filter through at such a rat e that a portion of the trench would be

n en - s an a n a e filled i in tw ty four hour . S db g gi g ft r the en was cut and u i n of e was tr ch , b ild g r doubts , an e a a en the a seen oth r ph se of h rd work . Wh kh m

e as al a s e at n er als a bl w , it w y do s i t v from M rch

Ma a e se es of en e u be n to y , whol ri tr ch s wo ld fou d

e e ll e in a n and the a e of compl t ly fi d up ight , g m

l n e a es e e en shovel i g had to b gin fr h . Som tim s wh the wind was carrying with it so much of the

e e a the sun was i en the s d s rt th t h dd by du t clouds , the e e a e en u 11 and 120 e ee t mp r tur w t p to 5 d gr s , ’ ne s s n e a e a e and the a o ki b c m hot , lips cr ck d , d ily scanty allowance of water did not relieve parched

a an the a had thro ts for hour . Still d ily work to b e ne and n no e e as en do ight brought r li f, for oft as not someone had to b e astir with a mallet to drive down tent pegs whi ch were continually ut th a en e the drawn o by e bl st . Th follow d sum

An Offensive D efence 2 7

For a s in une 1 16 the a e mer ea . h t four d y J , 9 , sh d temperature Officially recorded at General Head a e ari e e een 11 and 11 e ee and qu rt rs v d b tw 4 7 d gr s , for fifty -six consecutive days the maximum shade e a ur e was ne e es an 100 e ees temp r t v r l s th d gr . H was n ce a e e n a e im G . . ! . i ly pl c d , ov rlooki g L k T sah and e e e e ee and a en a ou the , th r w r tr s g rd s b t

n hi n a the ea was out e e buildi g . T k wh t h t th r e n the an n ea a e in the ese e e b hi d d ci g h t h z d rt wh r , i a e en a ni n a man et n b ll t t without li g , would g

e n e he e a el e In the sunstrok u l ss wor h m t . hot

s en no di e sa e the sen and the hour , wh sol r v try en ne and ans o e e the en gi tr p rt driv rs work d , t ts

e e n ea a and e nly a e se w r u b r bly hot , r st o c m to tho

es e u a an e as a s ns a e who dug hol or fix d p bl k t u h d . And the fli es ! They penetrat ed everywher e j ust as the sun di d and s of u s the an , though to mo t s d see e e e s e s s en on our m d to s ttl with mo t p r i t cy food , et the e e se r e so and he was a y fli s lik wi t i d to do , an l sa e na lucky m who cou d y th m y . y in a a n n in e e was Trul , c mp ig i g Egypt th r th For a n th much to try e t emper . lo g time e

e e out of the war u e and had alm s soldi r f lt pict r , o t e se h e see a u persuad d him lf e would nev r T rk . But he plodded on with the great goo d humour of as as een as the n ns ermi e his cl s , k co ditio p tt d , “ ” W n e - e a e s n u e e illi g, w ll b h v d , tro g , with D ty v r hi s a He en e the al of f . ea o w tchword dur d tri s h t , ’ o was 0 n s in n e c ld (for it icy cold ight wi t r) , of

s of e He e e en an . thir t , fli s , of s d murmur d fr qu tly , but his murmur was a mild grouse which meant 2 8 The D esert Camp aigns he was a e an he u a e e h ppi r th wo ld h v you beli ve . His behaviour was worthy of the tradi tions of s e e s ? the Briti h soldi r . What high r prai e than that What troops were they who earned this good ? e In e e as ee es r port Eg ypt , wh r E t m ts W t , Imperial interests were served by every limb a e a e e except Canad . P rh ps v n that exception s u not b e made e au se a e ndlan ho ld , b c N wfou d ’ f fi e was on the anal n a s e a s s O c r C doi g p ci li t work , and several C anadi an ofli c ers proved spl endi d s the ese a a no n organi ser of d rt r ilw y . But Ca adi an ni was in we e e e u t u t Egypt , which r gr tt d , tho gh he pleasure of seeing the Canucks woul d not have comp ensated u s for the fact that those sterling fellows woul d have had to be withdrawn from the front in France where they were always leaving th H We ha s e a on e un . d n s th ir m rk E gli h , Scotti h , — s and e a al n a e es e en Iri h , W lsh b tt io s , b tt ri r gim ts

se en nee s a ul an e and e se Of hor , gi r , mb c s , oth r rv a n in the s al an n ices . E ch colo y Au tr i Com o

ea had an e men se and w lth m y r gi ts of hor foot .

had New e al an and a e a few n So , too , Z d , ft r mo ths the Maori population was represent ed by a b at

al n a e of Af ans was in t io . A brig d South ric

e e a e e e e o u Egypt for a time . Th y b c m xtr m ly p p lar with all the troops of the mother and daughter na ns e di d e e ean and tio , for th y th ir job v ry cl ly

u hl e had no s al a thoro g y . Th y wi h to t k bout it af e was ne n i a e e e e men t r it do . From I d th r w r

Gurkas i s B ikaners an a k e a es . of m y w rli r c , S kh , , n a and e a e e e Pu j bis , Imp ri l S rvic troops suppli d by An Offensive D efence 2 9

loyal native pri nces fought and entrenched on the en the war was n a few n Cana l wh o ly mo ths Old . The Tea Planters of Ceylon came to Egypt as a a n the a al n has n n rifle corps . As u it b tt io lo g si ce e e e e e of the as be n lost . Its m mb rs w r cl s from oo f e e and all e e e a e which g d O fic rs com , w r p rsu d d — — some with much difli culty to take up commis n The a the an and file e a e sio s . l st of r k b c m ’ ene al Birdwood s d a on the en n a G r bo ygu rd P i sul . From Singapore and Hong - Kong we had a moun tain b attery : ask the Anzacs what they think of e The n i e al en a n . e a a th m W st I d s so s t b tt lio , and if for a long period our dark brothers from the West were doing the almost thankless duty

of a a -oi -all- e a e the sa milit ry m ids work , th y h v tis a n of n n e di d e f ctio k owi g th y it w ll . Thus from ’ acro ss the seven seas the Empire s manhood came to Egypt to stand sentinel over the narrow water line which brings us togeth er more closely than na e di d and hi n n of a e and ee tur , t s u io r c s cr ds a ene the mi n of all and e a bro d d ds , will yi ld fruit ’ fu l return when the Empire s needs are discussed in ea e e in all a e the e p c tim qu rt rs of glob . CHAPTER V

THE DESERT RAILWAY

IN competition with narrow- gauge railways in the somewhat hard western desert the motor c ar was n ea a e but the sel - e e ehi e u b t bl , f prop ll d v cl was hopeles sly out of it with the main line of rail wa in the n en nsul a ns the nar y Si ai P i a . Ag i t row gauge lines in the central and southern sections e e a s had een a e the car and wh r ro d b m d , light

e e eas s but in the n motor lorry w r ily fir t , lo g jour ney to the frontier and into Pal estine the railway was so supreme that no other means of land trans

was ea e Of e e of u e the port dr m d , xc pt , co rs , supply a n of a e a ea e e e a tr i s c m ls from r ilh d , wh r v r th t t n u b e he e . might for mom t It is do btful , how e e e e the s an uine en nee e e v r , wh th r mo t s g gi r v r believed thi s single line could do the amount Of w n The an a work which as thrown upo it . st d rd gauge railway running from Kantara to Palestine was the keystone of our strategic structure in E ast ern was the a ne the a e e Egypt . It b ckbo , rt ri s , the l e of the nn n e very if blood Army . Ru i g ov r it were London and South -Western engines and 30

3 2 The D es ert Camp aigns

e a e was and en e D lt , th ir food good pl tiful , th y had uniforms and blankets provided for them and en s ee in the n t ts to l p . At e d of every three ’ n ten a ea e on ee as e was en mo ths d ys l v fr p s s giv , “ ” and the gangs going to their Blighty made one — of the cheering sights of the line tra inloads of a a u e e l of ne s n n h ppy l bo r rs with pock tsfu mo y , i gi g and clapping hands and waving anything they a e in the s a e of a fla Th . e e could m k h p g Offic rs , — by tactful control there was not the slightest — semblance of Oppression had got the most out of e and the had e ea ne th m , Gyppy w ll r d his a holid y .

In the ea a en a ur s rly d ys of August , wh T ki h ’ n ran n a rne ne at an a divisio i to ho t s st Rom i , th t s n the a e construc place wa railhead . Duri g b ttl n was e e a e the tio stopp d , but imm di t ly Turks retraced their steps from Bir el Abd the work Of n n e a e track laying was resumed . Co structio b c m slower near El Arish b ecause the ground was softer a e e ma not and less suitable for a r il bed . Th r y have b een many engineering obstacles on the e but an ne had be a e rout , s d du s to void d or cut , and emb ankments built up of sand required care ful a hi n l the ne had a ea w tc g , whi st li to c rry h vy a traffic immedi ately rails were l id . At El Arish a a u had be a e o e the a s Vi d ct to m d v r W di Ari h , the e n i on e a Old riv r of Egypt , dow wh ch som d vs ea in winter a spate half a mil e wide rushes to the s . The first line was carried over on sandbag founda n e a e the a s a n o tio s , b c us milit ry itu tio w uld brook

The D esert Railway 33

but the e anen a u now in use e a . no d l y , p rm t Vi d ct is Aft er the second battle for Gaza our wide front ne ess a e e e e en s and the ne c it t d furth r d v lopm t , li a na anne is much bigger th n origi lly pl d .

Our a e en e e a an a forw rd mov m t r quir d th t K tar , formerly merely a quarantine station with two ul b e t n e and a e s a n . hous s mosqu , ho d buil i to tow ase We now see ea It was an import ant b . gr t wharves at which ocean- going st eamers discharge their freight s without the slightest interference to

ffi n the anal e e are e a s tra c o C . Th r four bridg s cro s th n 0 a e the a a es hi s e e Ca al . T m k ppro ch to t f rry the s ee a e ana had be di e e al w t w t r c l to v rt d , though the Operation was not allowed to stop the flow of water int o reservoirs prior to b eing filtered the o an a a the l a n an for tr ops . At K t r big fi tr tio pl t is all- an as are the - se and s n import t , pump hou ipho s

a n the a e al n the bed of the ana c rryi g w t r o g C l .

e e we a e the al n nee a de H r , too , h v Roy E gi r p rk n RE s 1 00 na e e e e the . e e ar e f c s , . tor s ( 4 tiv s mploy d in ese s e a ne the ili a a a th tor s lo ) , m t ry r ilw y dump ,

as n an e s e and s a e a v t ord c tor s work hops , sp ci l n an e s di n the ase edi a es veteri ord c i g , b m c l stor , na s es a e a a es a a sta ry tor , rtill ry c mps , r t c mp , tionar s al an e a na e s al y ho pit with m y b ds , tiv ho pit , a camel hospital where thousands of sick camels are rendered fit again for service by quite a small efli cient s aff a as e n e for an t , v t r mou t d pot m y

an se and a e n thous ds Of hor s , hug compou d for s ne s war not n an a e pri o r of . I do k ow how m y squ r e an a a now e has n k e mil s K t r cov rs , but it grow li 34 The D esert Camp aigns

a no n ri n a mushroom . Prob bly tow built du g a gold rush grew so rapidly ; certainly none was e en e e a as e h u the xt d d so m thodic lly . I p s d t ro gh place on an average Once a fortnight for many m n n ne e saw w t a d e he a e . e o ths , I v r it t ic s m Som t hin had al a s een a e no one e e g w y b dd d , but v r saw n es n or nf n e en at the e en co g tio co usio , v tim wh the railway was taking from it to the east several an n a n e and war a e thous ds of to s of r tio s , stor s , m t a e en - rs NO n ri l in ev ry tw ty four hou . grit got i to the hub Of the Kantara wheel of the military

36 The D esert Camp aigns

e a a e enea the shi anal with filt rs tt ch d , b th p c , into reservoirs on the eastern bank where it was again e e en na e and filt r d , th chlori t d pumped forward s an s a n e to di t t t tio s . V ry compl ete precautions were taken against a shortage There were big

ese s at e e a an oo en es r rvoir s v r l import t tr p c tr . On the desert route the tr oops were placed on an allowance of a gallon of wat er a d ay for all — — u ses nk n oo n and as n and p rpo dri i g , c ki g , w hi g wherever possibl e the animals drank the brackish a th e e B ut a t w ter e country yi ld d . s he D esert Column approached El Ari sh there was a b elt of een s ua e mi e a a e d fift q r l s without drop of w t r , goo bad and e a a n had be a e or , pr p r tio s to m d for sup plying t ens Of thousands Of camels and horses as

e as a a e e of men in a an e of ail ea w ll l rg forc dv c r h d . To this end there were collected an immense num ber of ank e e e the a n t s which w r fill d from tr i s , and convoys of camels b earing fantasses contain ing water from these portable res ervoirs supplied he s n e f e the e n t po itio s h ld by troops . A t r s co d b attle for Gaz a there was a section of our line in front Of the Turkish positions which was in an a u e a e e n the bsol t ly w t rl ss cou try , but troops hold ing thi s section of trenches were never without The Old e was an adequate supply of water . Nil in a s e the in a e ca lled id . Thus om of troops P l s tine drank water which was lift ed by the sun from the an a e in a Af a c on Atl tic , c rri d clouds cross ric , d ensed a n n a n ea and e as rou d mou t i p ks , dropp d a n in the en e the ar n nen and r i c tr of D k Co ti t , Nil e Water for Troop s 3 7

the e And the nn e carri ed north by Nil . if co oiss ur e a e l na n e the tea he d cl r d ch ori tio spoil d , would h w at least admit that t e dr aught as healthy . To stand on a Nil e bridge and see the chocolate coloured flood waters surge p ast you m ade you thi nk the waters contained all the germs Of di seases a n The edi a se e to whi ch an rmy is pro e. m c l rvic e na e all e e and a e the Ar a a e limi t d th s , g v my w t r freer from del et erious mi crobes than even the a e n ne e e was a w ter consum d by Lo do rs . Th r touch of geniu s abou t the water- supply organisa n nd the di e s e ni a ed . tio , sol r r cog s it The railway made the advance into Palestine ss e B ut en e e ea s e e e n po ibl . wh th s gr t work w r b i g constructed we had to be ready for a Turki sh e en on the anal and e a a n of e en e d sc t C , pr p r tio s d f c were going forward up and down the Canal while we were still searching the markets of the world

The e ens e s ns ea for rails . d f iv po itio cr t ed by ’ willing hands of the Empire s manhood were of th e a a e n s of e e most l bor t ki d . Mo t th m were ne e e and the ss li a a in an v r us d , po ibi ty of tt ck m y places where our men toil ed for months was Very B ut e had be a e e e e remote . th y to m d ; th y w r an insurance that the Canal would be kept Open for ’ the e and the a and ne Empir s work , l bour mo y e en e on s n an e e e as as was xp d d thi i sur c sch m , v t it , was a a a e e ium comp r tiv ly small pr m . I b elieve I saw every position of import ance on the east s e of the ana and am a e s ea of the id C l , I bl to p k magnificent eff orts of the troops to do their job 3 8 The D esert Camp aigns

e e was ne e le da in the thoroughly . Th r v r an id y e e nal e of 1 16 n xc ptio ly hot summ r 9 , duri g which sandbags were filled and placed in position in the entrenchments along the whol e en of the ana an a a n a l gth C l from K t r to Ayu Mus , the oasis overlooking the Gulf of Suez whi ch con tains the wells at which Moses and his floc k re e e e The e e e e fresh d thems lv s . W lls of Mos s w r put into a grand state of defence and they were not sullied by Turkish soldiery If you moved southwards about five or six m le the eas an of the anal ur i s from t b k C , yo eye always found entrenchments of a more or e e a a e e n e a a e l ss l bor t d scriptio , som comp r tiv ly in ara e e e a e t e e light ch ct r , oth rs v rit bl for r ss s eri n as un as all a e and cov g much gro d sm Vill g s , n e n o e e al e in en with u d rgrou d w rks s v r mil s l gth . On the irregular entanglements framing these strong posts the troops expended many weeks of w e e one i e an ea a toil . I ill s l ct post to g v id of wh t the Army in Egypt did to preserve the Canal for ’ th w s the world s trade during e summer . It a known as the Ashton post because it was c on e men of a an a e n e struct d by L c shir Divisio . Th y a a e the an e e a and e lso m d M ch st r, Oldh m , oth r e e en n was the e and xc ll t posts , but Ashto bigg st ne of the was e a a e fi st lot . It sit d to comm nd v ry e e o fire The n meas e nea wid fi ld f . positio ur d rly al a e a o the en e and the a e of fire h f mil cr ss c tr , m z and support trenches was connected by several e of n e n un a n a e on mil s u d rgrou d comm ic tio s , m d Nil e Water for Troop s 39

a en neers a the cut and e s s em wh t gi c ll cov r y t , a is s n an en en and e th t , by fir t cutti g op tr ch cov r a e S el - e e was l ing it to m k it h l proof . Th r a p enti l a e a e and the a s n en e fu stor g of w t r , g rri o joy d that

e e in the ese a a a most cov t d luxury d rt , d ily b th . Underground food stores contained a reserve of ’ a s a n and the a e ank h four d y r tio s , w t r t s ad a

or n e e edi a aid s a a f a . c p city lo g r p riod M c l po ts , al s in o oo e e adm a ns e o b mb pr fs , w r ir bly co truct d nd e u e and was e e e im a q ipp d , though it xtr m ly

a e the l a e an the e prob bl post wou d h v to st d t st , nothing had b een l eft unprovided to enable the

s s an a s e e Th won garri on to with t d hort si g . e d erful orderliness and cleanliness of everything above and b elow ground was in keeping with all on the anal The an as e the other works C . L c hir Territorials who completed this post must have had a pride in it somethi ng akin to that which the shi pwri ght experiences when he sees a huge shi p he has had a hand in building returning from a s ul al succe sf tri . Some other places in the system of defences e e a e ea e di fi ul ere is e e w r m d with gr t r f c ty . Th J b l

the al a the e e on Murr , Gibr t r of D s rt , which for weary months Indian troops blast ed granite to en e and a e un e a e en and cut tr ch s m k g mpl c m ts , n a e e the a e e e was so hi Ayu Mus , wh r w t r l v l gh

a the e en e had be n ea th t d f c s to built up from , i st d of e n n th a e NO a se e . b i g cut i to , surf c pr i could be too the e e e The a re high for work rs h r . ro ds a the e and a e e e p id tim l bour d vot d to th m . For 40 The D esert Campaigns the most part they were metalled with a some a a e es ne a ne a i wh t light fri bl lim to Obt i d loc lly , wh ch e a e was n an a e e and wor f irly w ll if it co st tly w t r d , at almost all hours of the day you could see motor lorri es c arrying big tanks of salt water out into the d esert to preserve the surface Of thes e hi gh i a a e n was SO e a ne ways . Th s ro d w t ri g r gul rly do that it would have aroused the envy of many a ’ a n an a e a en at e corpor tio s s it ry d p rtm t hom . Egypt n e e the an in but one is i d bt d to Army for m y th gs , Of the most import ant works the troops completed for the country was a trunk road b etween Ismailia and a on the e e n e the ana Port S id w st r sid Of C l , whi ch made it possible for the fir st time to proceed a a c ar n e from Port S id to C iro by motor . A oth r excellent road was constructed b etween Suez and u and i ll o e of eal ene the K bri , th s wi pr v r b fit to a n in tirnes ea The native popul tio of p ce . huts ’ put up for men s messing and recreation were an a e ne e and e e and a bsolut c ssity , th s light wood gr ss matting structures were doubtles s largely respons ibl e for the fact that the sick rate was 200 p er s an in in ea 1000 le s th with troops Egypt p ce time . When we advanced into Pal es tine most of the e e a an ne e e e posts and works w r b do d . Th y w r no n e e ui e the e n of the ana lo g r r q r d for prot ctio C l , e had e e e r e and we but th y s rv d th ir pu pos , , who had een e w e e an a n e of s th m gro , f lt mor th ti g regret when sandstorms blurred their beauty and ’ left them derelict monuments of the Army s a s l bour . CHAPTER VII

EARLY PREPARATIONS

WHEN General Murray took Over the command in Egypt a portion of hi s army was refitting after The n h ir a . a t e a an as e a G llipoli A z cs , E st L c h s , o an s n and e had a eri L wl d Divi io , oth rs short p od for recuperation after the toil and fighting on the en nsu a but n e air in the e e n re P i l , wi t r d s rt soo

e e n n and we saw e in F b stor d th ir co ditio , th m e uar 1 16 n on the new s s e of ana r y , 9 , worki g y t m C l defences with an energy and enthusiasm which ot be a e e the s n on could n surp ssed . B for po itio the western Egyptian front was made easier by the very creditable Victories over the Grand ei the en ene a a had Sh kh of S ussi , G r l Murr y to e an e ai The n of ul an me t oth r call for d . risi g S t Ali Dinar in Darfur made it imperative for the Sirdar to conquer that open enemy if he was to succeed in keeping quiet the warlike trib es in the an and hi al a e a e Soud , Sir Arc b d Murr y d t ch d troop s to keep watch and ward over the whole of the e a ea as r s a a The Nil r fa south a W di Half . Egyptian Exp edi tionarv Force was therefore ex 4 1 ‘ 42 The D es ert Campaigns

en e e a as s e un no t d d ov r v t tr tch Of co try , but where di d it fail to put forth the full amount of the ua n e an e work sit tio d m d d . During the first four months of 1916 the eastern an the ana was a e ea b k Of C l p ck d with troops , cr t ing a b arrier through whi ch no Turkish army

eak on s n o s n s could br . L g tri gs f dh ow a d lighter were towed along the waterway with stone for

a s a e e and a s for the ne ro d , with w t r pip s r il light li s which were to c arry material and stores to the trenches cut in the sand at selected points to deny any ground to an enemy bent on att acking the

n The s n n Ca al . ce es Of bustli g activity in those ea n s ll e a n ea an e ri e and rly mo th wi r m i pl s t m mo s , the hundreds of thousands of men who gave of their strength to prepare for the adequate defence of the Canal have the satisfaction of knowing they took part in laying a sure foundation for the Em ’ e s se The a was e e e and e a n pir curity . t sk s v r x cti g , s ne was the but the re ult gai d worth cost . The trench -ma kers dug behind a screen of horse men and camelry always on the look -out for Turk u n ese as na n e a or B edo i . Th occ io lly rou d d up few prisoners and kept prying eyes from gazing ne e u en e a en e e en at our li s . Fr q tly d t chm ts w r s t n n a s and en e a e on an out o lo g p trol , wh th y c m

u e a ea e n a a e a the occ pi d r , th y i v ri bly drov b ck n a n a e In Pe Tur k and gained i form tio Of v lu . bru ar a and e e e e e l e ex y , M rch , April , th r w r som ittl p edi tions in the air and in the desert which mu st have convinced the enemy that the whole of the

Early Prep arati ons 43

en n a was an e us n Sinai P i sul d g ro grou d for him . Our a a en out the e l of as ana ircr ft w t to W l s H s , nea one n e e the ana e e rly hu dr d mil s from C l , wh r the e e a n an a an e ase Turks w r m ki g dv c d b , build ing reservoirs for the accumulation of a l arge a e e er e an e e e s a n and a w t r r s v , l ctric pow r t tio , ns e a e ns The a camp Of co id r bl proportio . pl ce was e e e e s the e compl t ly wr ck d by bomb , pow r house being thoroughly demolished by a heavy e e aim a proj ectile dropp d with tru . Photogr phs taken from the last machine over the place Showed buildi ngs in a condi tion of collap se and streams Of water pou ring from the sides of reservoirs burst by n of a ur e e en e e bombs . Mo ths l bo w r thus r d r d al e e in a few n es and assana ne e v u l ss mi ut , H v r a a n e a e an r an ase g i b c m impo t t b . The n ne ri s was e n and re tru k li to El A h b gu , p p arations were started to c arry out the new strategic plan Of d efending Egypt on the Palestine n an not on the e ana e e was fro tier d Su z C l . Th r a s e nn n and we had use the a e low b gi i g , to up m t rial s kept in reserve by the Egyptian State Rail a a e e e had een n e a w ys , r s rv which b co sid r bly depleted by the doubling Of the track between a a and s a a a a r an Z g zig I m ili , v stly impo t t work the e en of e r e in a for mov m t troops , p rfo m d e a a s e ene a a was r m rk bly hort p riod . G r l Murr y fortunate in having placed at his disposal the loyal services of a number of Egyptian State a a ffi al e n ed e a la n R ilw y O ci s , whos k owl g of tr ck yi g , the andl n of tramc and of the e ean h i g , b st m s 44 The D esert Campaigns of utilising the available supply of Egyptian a was of ne a e al u e the r l bour i stim bl v to A my . But the standard gauge line could not be pushed out far the ana an ll the an was e e from C l b k ti fl k s cur . Concurrently with the advance of the railway ne s e e n a e e li , troop w r worki g to m k it impossibl for the enemy to cross the desert and attack the en a or s e n e n of the ana e en e c tr l outh r s ctio s C l d f c s , as he had threatened todo with p arties of several n e men in the e me hu dr d pr vious sum r . He then drew his water from a few pools and the cisterns cut into rock by races who peopled the desert many centuries ag o . If the sources of water supply were denied the Turk it was Obvious he could not march acro ss the desert in any force a e en a e a a e n es he l rg ough to c us d m g , u l s brought a a e a e an n we ne l rg c m l tr sport colum , which k w

was not a a a e . e e e was e e v il bl Th r for , it d cid d to draw off all water within a radi us of some sixty e a a miles from the Canal . Ther w s big pool at a spot known as Er Rigm where the winter waters of the a Muksheib e e em e e and W di mpti d th s lv s , a a of en nee e e a an p rty gi rs , prot ct d by Austr li e n e ne Light Hors u d r Colo l Todd , cut trenches round the lake and drained al n in a e e a men g lo s from it four d ys . Oth r d t ch ts took out small portable pumping sets and lif ted the a e nn e a e e n a n w t r from i um r bl cist r s , dopti g this plan rather than that of destroying these n e n e e n n e e u d rgrou d r s rvoirs , which will co ti u th ir u sefulness when the world enjoys peace again . Early Prep arations 45

e w a a e The r had Not one of th m as d m g d . Tu k been engaged on a rather elaborate well - boring e a n at if affa ea of Ri m e op r tio J j , st Er g , for som months ; an Austrian engineer superi ntending

the an e e en an . a work , with xc ll t pl t M jor Scott ,

a s ua r n of hi s e i en the th took q d o r g m t , 9 Australi an Light Horse and some men of the ane a e an end hi at Bik r C m l Corps , to put to t s e se u e a a e and a e l t mpt to c r w t r supply, by w l conceived surpri se attack captured the Austrian f e and s of the li n and n O fic r mo t Turks , kil g wou d in the e a n e The o e- e and an g r m i d r . b r hol s pl t e e e e ne e e was not a e w r d stroy d . By Ju th r buck t of wat er avail able for the Turk in a wide b elt of ese and u an e was ne e e axe d rt , , tho gh vigil c v r r l d , a s a e had an hi n e p trol r r ly yt g to r port . The enemy kept his eyes on places where water was a e His ae anes th procur bl . ropl told him Of e ess the a a was a in an a a progr r ilw y m k g from K t r , and he set out in er not a n a to h d us , by m ki g big challenge as he di d in the middl e of the summer at an but a a in s e of the u a Rom i , by tt ck g om g rds protecting construction gangs and explorers for a e ee e i en e an and w t r . Thr r g m ts Of Y om ry half a company of engineers suff ered sub stantial losses on 2 d en n e e a en e April 3 , wh , u d r cov r Of d s fog , several thousand Turks in three column s attacked O hratina a a and Dueidar u the g , K ti , , but tho gh enemy overwhelmed the troops at the former a e he was e e e ul e a s a pl c s , compl t ly r p s d by m ll o i erri a n an at Dueidar b dy Of Scott sh T tori l I f try , 46 The D es ert Campaigns and the losses inflicted there were so considerable a hi e our sses in the ee a es in e th t w l lo thr pl c kill d ,

n e and ne s e e ea the s wou d d , priso r w r h vy , Turk ’ suflered e se e e and e il e much mor v r ly , th ir k l d al ne e ua e our al a ual es o q ll d tot c s ti . There were some five thousand Turks in the ne el e we had the ighbourhood of Bir Abd , whil e e a and es e e an Worc st r , W rwick , Glouc t r Y om ry out on a a e e n in a a di s r th r wid fro t thc K ti trict , with two squadrons Of Worcester Yeomanry as es cort for half a Company of Lowland engineers en a e on m n the e at O hratina b e g g d i provi g w lls g , n a a an e e e e a few a s twee K ti d Abd . Th r w r sm ll po ts es a s e nea a a the nea e in an t bli h d r K ti , but r st f try ’ e e a s a a a at Dueidar a e w r two d y m rch w y , pr tty oasis on the Old caravan route across the desert to a For a the esen e of s a ne Syri . two d ys pr c m ll e my a e was n n and on as e Eve the a p rti s k ow , E t r Roy l Flying Corps reported some enemy at Mag eibra s m es s u o a An e a en f a . a a w ll , doz il o th K ti tt ck on Ma eib ra was e e and e an n e g ord r d , y om ry u d r ene al n e e an ene a but on G r Wiggi d stroy d my c mp , e e n Hamisah of a a the Gen th ir r tur to , south K ti , eral heard th at the posts of Oghratina and Duei dar had b een assail ed by considerable forces of the enemy and there was reason to fear the troops ll at the former place had b een ki ed or captured . Then came the news that Katia was b eing Violently attacked by more than one thousand Turkish

e u a n n n a al ene al n r g l r i fa try a d c v ry . G r Wiggi ’ hurried to Katia s relief with two squadrons of Early Preparations 47

a c s and one a n of es e s ne W rwi k squ dro Worc t r , Colo l n a h Wo on . en ea t e r the H . C Cov try goi g h d with c esters and getting thr ough to the post at eleven ’ ene al n and the a o clock . G r Wiggi W rwicks fol e a e e e e the low d shortly ft r , but w r hotly Oppos d by ul not ea e ne Turks and co d br k th ir li . Colonel Yorke and the Gloucester Hussars were t ani aff di n e n the e s on a Rom , or g prot ctio to work r

a a n r n and e a e he ea r ilw y co st uctio , imm di t ly h rd of the attack on Dueidar the Colonel set out to h e be ea en a cut Off t e Turks should th y b t b ck . On the march south he observed the Katia camp n e ea unfi e and the u e e s ne u d r h vy g r , Glo c st r tur d east and came into action against the enemy j ust about the time Colonel Coventry reinforced the The es e di d er e and e post . Glouc t rs v y w ll forc d the u s a a ns e a e di s an e but the T rk b ck co id r bl t c , enemy wa s superior in numb ers and thr eatened ’ the u es e s an a s n e e e a Glo c t r fl k , c u i g th m to r tir o a ee e the quart er f mile . Thr tim s Turks charged the a ne and ea e the e an with b yo t , ch tim y om ry ’ met e a s ea fire and e se e th m with t dy r pul d th m . Colonel Yorke made a further short retirement p re paratory to attempting to reach Katia from an e di e n e e he ul a an e w oth r r ctio , but b for co d dv c it as

een a the had n the a a a s th t Turks got i to K ti c mp , an he e e e e e n an d th r for r tir d o to Rom i . General re e n Dueidar e e n o . an in Wiggi tir d Som y om ry ,

n ne en e e a en r s ne cludi g Colo l Cov try , w r t k p i o rs . n the e e e s n uen n n Amo g kill d w r Vi cou t ! i gto , ’ Aldw n s e and a a o . n es e Chea e L rd St y h ir , C pt i L li p , 48 The D esert Camp aign the n e na nal a e s o i t r tio polo pl y r , whil t Lord Elch was a n the ss n The s mo g mi i g . troop at Og hratina had b een overwhelmed by a large force in the n n and the ea on s es un a mor i g fog , d d both id , fo d few a a e s e e e was the e d ys l t r , how d how fi rc struggl

e e the the e an b for Turk got upp r h d . Dueidar n s e a e The was fur i h d bright r story . p ost garrisoned by a company of the Royal Scots Fusil iers n e a a n e s e e the war u d r C pt i Rob rt , who , b for , was regimental sergeant -major of one of the regul ar a al o the RS F He had hi s men s n n . a di n b tt io s f . . t g to arms an hour before dawn behind the defences had u een e n a e au which j st b b gu . Th t pr c tion a the a n was e n e . s v d situ tio As it g tti g light , with the fog SO thi ck that it was impo ssible to se e any i n a zen a a a a n ne n e th g do y rds w y , bout i hu dr d e s the a n e e e Turks tri d to ru h c mp . At o c th y w re caught in a rapid fire and driven back to behi nd the e n of a s e un re a prot ctio light ridg , two h d d y rds ’ a a The e a l e a e en w y . fog lift d ittl bout s v O clock , and the who had een s e n the a Turks , b h lli g c mp two n a n un a a n a e e et with m u t i g s , g i tt mpt d to g o _ n l ne e ea e the e i to our i s , but though som r ch d wir fi a ine un u they were driven O . A m ch g bro ght to within one hundred yards of one uncompleted re doubt caused much trouble and every Lowlander e the e was hi t who tried to reinforc r doubt . B efore the sun pierced the fog there was a thir d a e to ea hi was e e tt mpt br k through , but t s lik wis e ea e and e ea e the ene en ea e d f t d , th r ft r my d vour d n the a ri on a a en men of to wear dow g r s . H lf doz

CHAPTER VIII

A DESERT BATTLE IN AUGUST

THE battl e of Romani was the most important battle fought on Egyptian territory during the n e e n u the campaig . It prov d b yo d do bt wisdom ’ Of General Murray s policy in going out to meet the enemy and denying him all the ground which was necessary for him if he were to attack the nal e en e a su es The e en e Ca with v t mpor ry cc s . pr s c of the enemy agai nst our Romani positions showed it was possible for a well -led and well -organised Tur kish army to make a long march across the e e in e n n n n was d s rt summ r , u k ow to us u til it al hi n s n s an e ri n n most wit triki g di t c , b gi g with it n of a e a e and n an e and s a gu s l rg c libr lo g r g , ju t th t equipment which was required for holding up th an The a e als s e traffic on e C al . b ttl o how d that the n an all o s a ne in co st t c for tr op , tr i d Egypt , to se e on the e e n n s ea e or ens rv W st r fro t , mu t c s s ibly n e e ul be a ri a the a an e dimi ish , or th r wo d sk th t dv c which Ge neral Murray had timed for the autumn b e s ne The n and the would po tpo d . fighti g , work e ed n the in a e the e e pr c i g fight g , corrobor t d Vi w h ld e e i e of i an a in e a to by v ry sold r h gh r k th t , r g rd 50 A D esert B attl e in August

n e men we had in the a an mou t d , Austr li Light s the New ea an un e e and Hor e, Z l d Mo t d Rifl s

n s e an of h u a e and E gli h Y om ry , troops igh co r g en an e and s e se es ur e and ene dur c , po s s d Of r o c rgy not only superior to the enemy but fully equal to the n the u s al ans any troops in world . Upo A tr i and New Zeal anders the brunt of the fighting e and n the e of the a e f ll , duri g whol b ttl , which , with its preliminaries lasted from July l g th till 12th e e e in ns an u the August , th y w r co t t to ch with ene and one ann set too a a e n my , c ot high v lu upo th eir fortitude during the blistering midsummer d ays when fatigue settles upon the strongest

a e and is na al n ease s ee e s fr m s , tur ly i cr d by l pl s on u s An e eas n am nights o tpo ts . oth r r o why I s etting out the full details of Romani is that our Victory there settl ed once and for all the attempts of the et the ana n e an Turks to g to C l , for o c Rom i was won nothing could prevent us from compel ling an advancing enemy to meet us on ground of our e e n a t e eas e e d a the choic , g tti g f r h r t v ry y with s s n best site alway entre ched . Romani will stand out as the big d ecisive battl e fought on Egyptian i in war and an end the ea of so l this , it put to dr m the Kaiser Of bleeding the B ritish Empire to death by severing what he had well termed its most

r vital a tery . It was generally accepted at home that an enemy advance across the Sinai Peninsula during the summer was an impossibility and would not be a e had an n tt mpted . I i terview with the Com 52 The D esert Camp aigns mander -in-Chief with the Obj ect of ascertaining whether there was any prospect of useful employ en me ri n the umm m t for du g s er . Sir Archibald a a an ne he a a a e Murr y , with fr k ss lw ys displ y d a me hi s a on the a e e n me tow rds , put c rds t bl , t lli g in confidence that he was going to occupy Katia ri n the s e and s in the n e du g umm r El Ari h wi t r , he a e he ul not a an ee l but , dd d , co d gu r t I shou d see n he u as the fighti g , though tho ght Egypt , en e the Ar a u b e n e e n c tr of b world , wo ld i t r sti g . The London newspaper proprietors appreciated the possibilities in Egypt and directed me to n nu e e a n the edi na co ti to r m i with Exp tio ry Force . For over a year I was the only accredi ted corre s ond ent the in and ha the p with Army Egypt , I d s atisfac tion of moving forward with it to the n e and n es ne fro ti r i to Pal ti . It was on July 19th when airmen made an evening reconnaissance over Bir el Abd that we learned there was a large force of the enemy within

fifty miles of the Canal . Turkish preparations it was clear later had been n e had had s e a going on for mo ths . Th y p ci l in e n equipment for the expedition made G rm a y . Their camel pa ck- saddl es were quite the best The a ne- un and thi ng Of their kind . m chi g

n a n- un a a a ea ea mou t i g p cks t ught us gr t d l , though we had been using camels in Indi a for ene a n and in n en g r tio s , Eg ypt for lo g ough to know what was the most sui tabl e type of camel e en not sa was not o quipm t . I do y ours g od , but

A D esert Battl e in A ugust 53

o e that we had something to learn from ur enemi s . A manual printed in Arabic on the care and treat

en a e was en the su and m t of c m ls , which giv to pply ans o a n n a n n i n the n tr p rt tr i s , co t i s oth g but sou d est a e and has n e een n e ul in dvic , it si c b fou d us f

e e . no a a nea e an a our s rvic With r ilw y r r th Auj , a police spot on the frontier south -west of B eer e a was the ul not n sh b , it thought Turks co d bri g against us heavier guns than the Krupp mountain un i we a n a e e e en a e g wh ch h ve fou d m k s xc ll t pr ctic . But the enemy actually brought up and used 4 nc 6 - n and 8 - n e s and the an i h , i ch , i ch howitz r , s d ne o e a e an in du s di d n t stop them . Th y dopt d g enious plan for securing a sufficiently stable a a a all the wa s to tr ck . Pr ctic lly y from El Ari h beyond Katia they construct ed an artill ery road n ren e ea a ee and by cutti g two t ch s , ch foot d p a e een n e e i e e in bout ight i ch s wid , wh ch th y fill d with the brushwood and tough scrub found all e hi a the e e and e e the e ov r t s p rt of d s rt , cov r d whol a e o an Wh en the an was exce with a l y r f s d . s d p nall e an e e u se in a e of tio y soft , wid pl ks w r d pl c a a ali n of a ou e s e n e e brushwood , b tt o l b r r b i g mploy d in carrying the timber from the rear of the batt er ies the n of e the l e a e e to fro t th m , till soi b c m firm r e e The and the scrub track could be r sum d . two e e e a hi e e a e compl t fi ld hospit ls , w ch w r c ptur d by the n a n e n S e the A z c Mou t d Divisio , how d Turkish wounded to lack nothing that German scientists en e a a n could suggest for their treatm t . Pr p r tio s a ak n e na e of such character t e a lo g tim . Fortu t ly 54 The D es ert Campaigns

we had een a in no s and the n o s b t k g ri ks , Flyi g C rp report of July 19th found us in an advanced state o e a e nes f pr p r d s . What di d the Turks mean to do ? It seemed almost too much to hope they would attack our entrenched positions from the sea at Mehamdiya an al a n en n de through Rom i , though th t i t tio velo ed For s e e a ea e the ene p . om tim it pp r d my ul sit n es of the a a as en en wo d dow w t K ti o is , tr ch and e on the e in the al es and a a liv w lls p m grov , w it till such time as we could find it exp edient to try to

a a a ul a e een a ea n dri ve him w y . Th t wo d h v b r so a e n and mi a e s us nsi e a e bl thi g , it ght h v co t co d r bl

sses u the hi u al our n e lo , tho gh with gh q ity of mou t d troop s there was always a chance of outflanking him and cutting him Off from his line of communi

a ns Or was the u anx u a e a c tio . T rk io s to m k demonstration whi ch would revive hi s influence with the Arab s ? The revolt in the Hedj az and disaff ection in Syria were giving the Turk foo d e e n and he had s e hi n re for r fl ctio , to do om t g to p en u e a en s e n h e He was v t l k w rm fri d b comi g ostil . an us too a u hi s n a n the xio , , bo t commu ic tio s with e a We s n e a e a a e of the e we H dj z . oo b c m w r forc s had in n of The n a n e fro t us . A z c Mou t d Divi sion from July 2 oth onwards was continually a a sin the s s and the r s n h r s g Turki h outpo ts , p i o ers a u in a the 2 d , d ily bro ght , told us th t 3 , and th e men s n the d s 39 r gi ts , compo i g 3 Turki h n e e in n of our a e Divisio , w r fro t rmy with ight special machine- g un companies having Germ an

56 The D esert Camp aigns

a met the ene y e s o n e a e p trols m , whos di p sitio s b c m s hi en known to u with exactitude . At t s mom t it ’ looked very much as if the Turks commander had e e e a n e e a er at a a a d cid d to r m i h r or r th K ti , few iles the e hi a he was cer m to w st , to w ch o sis a n a e a e and a n we l t i to m k mov , to w it u til shou d e e are a n e of e in attack him. Th r umb r w lls this o asis whose water varies from brackish to drink a e and the an of a ee are a bl , thous ds p lm tr s ’ a e l e e as a eon a n the gr t fu r li f, N pol s rmy fou d , to n n of the n r von Kres senstein had mo oto y cou t y . If d ecided to accept battle here he might have given e e di e ene a us som troubl to slodg him , for G r l Murray was m aking arrangements to accept the a len e and 1 th en a ll o n ch l g , by August 3 , wh fu m o u a e e the e e we e e n wo ld h v light d up d s rt , w r goi g to a e a a n not be e e att ck . Our pr p r tio s could compl t d n a ea w t ani e e e . as a e b efor th R ilh d Rom . H r e e had be lle e ten an fantasses th r to co ct d thous d ,

flat an a e a e an the t ks to hold w t r , c m l tr sport for n e di n an n an r di s n at ea mou t d visio , i f t y vi io , l st , and ns e a e a ula n a n a u co id r bl ccum tio s of r tio s , mm nition and u e e e the a e en , s ppli s b for forw rd mov m t e an All the a an e en hese a ers b g . rr g m ts for t m tt were taken well in hand by Maj or- General the n e in man o the n ern Hon . a e f . H . H L wr c , com d orth e n of the ana e en e en on the n s ctio C l d f c s , wh ight of u 2 th the ene enl e hi s n J ly 7 , my sudd y mov d fro t e a e n as far as a e on the w stw rds , g tti g Abu D r m s u the e n n n e fles who outh , tho gh W lli gto Mou t d Ri , were at the time brigaded with some regiments A D esert Battl e in August 57

a an se ea e e the of Austr li Light Hor , so h vily ch ck d a an e s enemy right that its dv c wa small. The a n e a e n e e n the situ tio b c m most i t r sti g , for new move indi cated that the enemy had decided new n was e n e in to attack us . His fro t r i forc d the a e e di a wa as at O hratina and s m m tho c l y g , e a a n a a e e by August I st , pr p r tio s for tt ck w r com

l te The a n ene the a . p e . Roy l Flyi g Corps Op d b ll All the machines that could be spared were brought an e e ea an -a a fir e nor to Rom i . N ith r h vy ti ircr ft , attacks by the better-equipped Germans daunted e and we had s e in the air our men th m , though lo s s , id e e hi n as e of e and e e d v ryt g k d th m mor . Th y ’ ee s ri nk e the ene n fr ly p l d my s positio s with bombs . e e e o e n a n l n n Th y w r out bs rvi g from d w ti l su dow , ene a n far n the e er a the an p tr ti g i to d s t to w tch fl ks , ’ going behind the enemy s lines to see whether hi s en was e n n ea e and e n the str gth b i g i cr s d , obs rvi g fire for our monitors standing out in the B ay of Pelusium . After a strong reconnaissance by the enemy on s 2 d en he e the s en t of the n Augu t , wh f lt tr g h A zac e en von Kressenstcin e n o hors m , disclos d his i t u tions completely by making a general advance on the n n of the d He u a ine unn n mor i g 3 . took p l r i g from a hill overlooking the salt bed of the dr ied u a e ea of Mehamdi a on the hi n p l k st y , to gh grou d e of a a al n the une e th w st R b h , o g low d s which hid e palm groves of Katia from the west and south es and on the n e of Hami sah w t , to sa dy ridg s Bir .

s n n n hi w s n one O Our po itio fro ti g m a a stro g . n 58 The D es ert Camp aigns the sea about a mile east of Mehamdiya we had a el -en en e in the a n of hi a w l tr ch d post , m ki g w ch Roman villa was unearthed and a few beautiful ’ specimens of the ancient potters art were col lected un en ee nd an e n brok . Gr k a Rom copp r coi s

e e s e a e s a n w r al o pick d up in l rge numb r . A ch i of sand - hills running south for three miles to the - n n at R an was e e low lyi g grou d om i w ll h ld , and on the grou nd rising a gain from the railway

a e and a a a Gannit a for mil h lf to K tib , lofty sand - hill with steep sides and a sharp -edged sum

e e e e a e a e e of s n mit , th r w r pl c d s ri s tro g posts . i ne was e the o an e s Th s li h ld by L wl d r , com manded a - ene a m The by M jor G r l W . E . B . S ith . division had b een weakened by losses in Galli e e n a es s out as a poli , wh r its fighti g qu liti tood m agnificent example to all Terri torials and New “ Ar own e e n my troops . My brav f llow cou try ” men the o an as Ian a n from L wl ds , Sir H milto

e e e . e e e ea ne d scrib d th m Th y w r s so d troops , fine e a in e u and in f llows , typic l Scots th ir h mour their readv acceptance of the conditions of the n b en e e a e e e . mom t , how v r u comfort bl th y might e had een n n di n Th y b diggi g , diggi g , ggi g for n the a e of and ui had mo ths , full sh r bully bisc t a en e e a the a o an e of a e f ll to th m , p rh ps ll w c w t r was not a a a e as was e ed the lw ys so l rg d sir , but a e e a a of ee ul men as c mps w r lw ys full ch rf , big e s The h arted and generous a they were brave . “ ” Anzacs and the Scotties had become close ri end and the a e e as the c am f s , comr d ship gr w

A D esert B attl e in August 59

In the nea a Ganni t p aign advanced . posts r K tib some Welsh infantry of another division were

a ri ne a n e a e e s e a al n g r so d , mo g th m H r ford hir b tt io whose new men endured heavy shell fire during the a e e e a a e u e b ttl with x mpl ry cour g , tho gh th ir e e e s n the ne e e casualti s w r evere . Dow li w r other “ ” 00 the u as an in e e e the tr ps , sto t E t L cs r s rv , New eal an un e es at Dueid ar and Z d Mo t d Rifl ,

n ed 00 s Worcester Warwick and Glouc es mou t tr p ( , , terYeomanr ehin the e n a n of o y) . B d south r ch i p sts , en e e e not out on a e e a wh th y w r p trol , w r M jor

ene a . a e s a an G r l Sir H . G Ch uv l with Au tr li Light

se and the New ea an e and e an . Hor , Z l d rs Y om ry This was the force which General Lawrence had at hi s di a spos l . CHAPTER IX

I ALLAH , FINISH AUSTRAL A

GENERAL CHAUVEL made a very prudent use of his men of the Light Horse with him at the time — he n of the d th me on t ight 3 4 . His n and horses ’ were tired with a fortnight s hard work in watch ing an enemy over a front of more than a dozen mile et to the an a s , to g which from Rom i c mp n a e w necessitated lo g m rch s . It as imperative that these mounted troops should be kept in as n n as e e a e in the e en good co ditio possibl b c us , v t the o n a a a n n of forthc mi g Turkish tt ck f ili g , upo them and the cavalry in rear would fall the duty the e ea n ene of following up r tr ti g my . Notwith standing the urgent necessity of keeping hi s horses and men at es ene a a e e e ed r t , G r l Ch uv l f lt comp ll to e a l a a e on the eve of the a e d t i brig d , b ttl , to watch the front south and south - east of Katib nnit n a the ene ul a e n Ga , holdi g th t my wo d m k a early effort to g et through here to try to rush the a a off an an a a and r ilw y , cut Rom i from K t r , hold off reinforcements and supplies . That view was fully supported by the events of the early hours 60

62 The D esert Camp aigns

we had n e e n ne e a li n to co c d grou d , v r f i g to hold the enemy up when the ground was favourable and making him already anxious about the possi ’ bili ti of h h es t e d ay . At three o clock t e Turks on the ea e n of un e e i got to st r spur Mo t M r d th , and by four the Light Horse were pressed north a s the a e of e n n e a n w rd to b s W lli gto Ridg , lo g ne nne n e e i and Gannit e du co cti g M r d th , but th ir fire was so strong that the enemy could not force them back to the top of the ridge till nearly five ’ i e the se had een o clock , by wh ch tim Light Hor b reinf orced ; they then completely held up the ne in hi The e nf e en e e my t s locality . r i orc m ts wer

an e a e - ene a s n a al comm d d by Brig di r G r l Roy to , g an u an n e the ul War has l t So th Afric , who , si c Z u , ’ in served all the Empire s campaigns . It had b een a very hard night for the brigade n h n T i e en e e a d all ad do e well . he ret r m ts w r

a r e out a s e a mnes and not n e c r i d with b olut c l s , o c

during the whole of the dark hours was touch lost . If when all were deserving of the warmest prai se an s e a en n ma be en s l be y p ci l m tio y giv , it hou d awarded to the regiment who were on Hod el e Enna and out towards Mount Meredi th . Th y had the longest road to come in and they had ’ hi e di d to keep b ack the enemy s left . T s th y

s a an the ess e was con mo t g ll tly , though p r ur n e a an e sta t upo n them . Mor Austr li Light Hors held the line from Meredith to the infantry of a Gannit and e n ce p ost south K tib , , r i for d by

two s ad ns of an e e men e e qu ro oth r r gi t , th y lik “ ” a nis us ra a 6 All h , Fi h A t li 3 wise behaved with credit to themselves and the whole di vision . Soon after daylight the enemy swung round an and on n s n a hi s left fl k got to Mou t Roy to ,

n ne ree e e of an and high sa d du th mil s w st Rom i , by thi s time the enemy could bring shell fire to bear on Wellington Ridge from three directions . We found it prudent to retire from thi s position ; the ene e and no e an to my occupi d it , doubt , b g a on the a a es ani plan an att ck r ilw y w t of Rom .

He had committed himself to a decisive attack . From the east he began to attack our chain of u nn n h the sea s n posts r i g sout from , upporti g his attack by a long - continued fire from heavy how z r and ns of e a e hi e se en of it e s gu light r c libr , w l v hi s aeroplanes in skilful hands dropped bombs

as a on the positions . There w particularly heavy bombardment by guns and from the air directed

a ns a ea e e s e and a e had ag i t r ilh d , wh r uppli s w t r

een e e and e e we ff e e asu a e in b coll ct d , h r su r d c lti s an n a n th e officers d me . Ag i st e east rn face of our n the ene ul a e no ea a at all positio my co d m k h dw y . The o an s n e its n L wl d Divi io , support d by gu s ,

e a and von Kressenstein stood lik rock , if thought he could succeed in a frontal attack through the on ani Scots to Rom he was soon undeceived . He must have pinned hi s hopes upon the outflanking m e en the s u he was e ov m t from o th , but h ld down ’ e e and e e en the a a tight h r , by l v o clock tt ck from i e n had e aus e e h th s dir ctio xh t d its lf , though t e Turks maintained themselves in the po sitions 64 The D esert Campaigns

they had gained . For thi s satisfactory state of thi ngs the Australian Light Horse were mainly responsible . They were supported by the Terri torial e e a e e n e ne Hors Artill ry b tt ri s from I v r ss , e e e s e and e e e e and Ayrshir , Som rs t hir , L ic st rshir , I am sure I am expressing the opini on of General Chauvel when I say the shooting of these b atteries was eff e e and the a an an en most ctiv , g ll try d dur ance of the gunners was equal to that of their nf n n Australian comrades . The i a try a d machi ne gunners in our most southern posts also gave very eflective ~ and the not e support , Turks could mov on Wellington Ridge without exposing themselves o n enfil a e fir t a stro g d e . ’ hi was the s n at e e en o T s po itio l v clock , but it had been decided at least two hours earlier to counter attack the Turks who had moved from the and -ea ul not n south south st , which wo d o ly remove the danger to the railway (that situation was e i e e at e e en the ene r l v d l v ) , but would put my in a n of ea difi cult we had e positio gr t y , for oth r n e ea ea en hi s ea and mou t d troops r dy to thr t r r ,

e e e on the wa Dueidar . e e th y w r y from How v r, to counter attack we had to move up both cavalry and nf an and e e was e e a in a i try , th r som d l y c rry e the ing forward the infantry by rail . Meanwhil Turks sought every opportunity for breaking a n of o se down our defence . A squ dro Light H r beat off repeated attacks in the region of Mount Royston for three hours with no protection to its an l a e an e en right fl k ti l Y om ry r gim t , brought

66 The D esert Campaigns

’ moved between three and four o clock from Pelu sium station to assist . I spoke to some of the men at the station and a e e e n e the an a a sk d if th y b lo g d to Wig b tt lion . “

e e e We e . I sa Th y r pli d , com from Ardwick id , “ ’ ’

a . al ns en Th t s Mr B four s old co titu cy , to which “ ’ ”

e ans e e A e a . e en th y w r d , y , th t s it Th ir fri ds the E ast Lancashir es were not within miles of the Th scene of action that d ay . e mounted troops a e 0 and a s en i s e a e m rch d up from Hill 7 , pl d d p ct cl e esen e as e e a n on a e n th y pr t d th y rod lo g wid fro t , ne as on e e ni a as well alig d c r mo l p arade . About the New Zealanders and some of the Yeo manr y and the Manchesters launched an irresist ible attack on Mount Royston whi ch they carri ed r an in an and e r n t iumph tly , kill g m y Turks s cu i g e ee un e s ne s a e e a e ov r thr h dr d pri o r , compl t b tt ry

n a n ns and s e a hi ne n . of mou t i gu , om m c gu s At the same time a portion of the Lowland Division attacked Wellington Ridge which was strongly e and n the a e we e e nl h ld , owi g to l t hour w r o y

men able to g et a portion of it . Our bivouacked where they stood and were on the move again

e e a n the an nf an the b for d w , Lowl d i try with Australian and New Zeal and horsemen assaulting the e a n e of e li n n e a ri n in r m i d r W l gto Ridg , c ptu g it

u us s and se u n nea an a f rio ru h , c ri g rly two thous d ’ s e e n s e h ne prisoners . Thi compl t ly fi i h d t e e my s

a n a a and we had e er eas n b e m i tt ck , v y r o to “ ” sa s e i the b a but was an ti fi d w th g , it import t that no time should be given to the Turk to re

68 The D es ert Camp aigns

an on th In some Yeom ry were e left . line the cavalry rode over some broken ground on to the flat and u in s u s e ses a e as , , p tt g p r to th ir hor , g llop d hard as their tired mounts could carry them in n hi an eu e h the heavy sa d . T s m o vr took t e enemy

e e s se and hi s sa of s ell compl t ly by urpri , lvos h hi n n n burst be d our adva ci g ranks . B ut once the horsemen had gained the ridge the Turks held up the attack with heavy 6- inch howi tzer and mount ’ - ain g un fire . At thi s period the Turks main aim see e b e e e the of our s m d to to r duc mobility troop , and they endeavoured to g et at our horses qui te e a s mu ch as to kill our men . Th ir guns searched u and n the a e e n the e we e p dow v ll y b hi d ridg h ld , b ut the Anzac is just as keen to preserve hi s horse as i se and all horsehold ers e h m lf , brought th ir

ses n a few a s of the n ne an hor withi y rd firi g li , d were much amused and gratified to see the number “ of overs .

s the ess at Hamisah had een By du k progr b slow , though three hundred prisoners and some material

e e a en and e e e the e of the w r t k , , th r for , whol Light

e e e a n e a es Hors w r withdr w to th ir c mps , hors

and men being very tired . Some of the horses had not een a e e - e b w t r d for forty ight hours , and ’ many of the Australians drew their Friday s

rations on Sunday . Some of them had had

e a e es all a a r a hi I mpty w t r bottl th t S tu d y , w ch remember as a desperately hot d ay in an excep

tionally warm Egyptian summer . No one who has not undergone the trials of thi rst and fatigue

70 The D esert Ca mp aigns tween them and the sand-hi ll than two men would i n require to p ass abreast . Th gs like thi s are of u n e e the se en a s ch i t r st to Light Hor m th t , though

- e a e a e had at dog tir d , l rg p rti s to go out to look “ the e a se as one man a nle I spot , b c u , s id , u ss could tell them at home that I had seen it the ‘ ’ ” people would think I was bucking a bit . On the oth the Lowland Division and some of hir The the E ast Lancas es occupied Katia . Scot tish Territorials had made a big fight against the n r e n a the a s the e a e n n o th r p rt of o si pr vious ft r oo , e n as di d the n e a e but th y fou d , mou t d troops f rth r a the ene was r in a south , th t my too fi mly dug bout the palm trees to allow of a rapid advance and the ni hi s flank was well protected . During ght the enemy retired and they were followed by

the e an New ea an e and se . Y om ry , Z l d rs , Light Hor

There was now another rod in pickle for the Turk . For some days a column of the Imperial Camel

a se the s a an and e an Corps , r i d from Au tr li s Y om ry , had b een on the march from the central section

- of the anal n e ri a i e ene al . . C u d r B g d r G r C L Smith , M ibr d V . . on n a ea e a e a an C , who , Su d y , r ch d El g the next d ay fought a successful little action at Aweidi a n the ene e s n y , drivi g my from som tro g

- positions and capturing fifty three prisoners . Thi s threat to his flank probably caused von

Kressenstein e a ur e and on the to hurry his d p rt , 8 O hratina was n b e a an ne and th , g fou d to b do d the enemy fell back to hi s advanced base at Bir el our a a e a e Abd . Next d ay the whole of c v lry b c m “ ” a F n s us ra a 1 All h , i i h A t li 7 heavily engaged with the Turks now busy evacu ating the camps and the stores accumul ated at e e e en Abd . Our Hors Artill ry got clos ough to shell the enemy convoys whi ch they reduced to a en n e e e ea e e sm ll dim sio s , but th y w r h vily sh ll d in e n and the a e e en eff r r tur , Turks m d tr m dous o ts T s an e to beat us b ack . he Turki h comm d r brought up fresh infantry that had not previously been e and s e six an men a e ree engag d, om thous d m d th violent counter attacks in the afternoon . During one of these our guns and machine guns caught a b attalion in column and inflicted very heavy na e a a w losses upon it . A fi l count r tt ck as made at half-p ast six with all the available Turki sh s es was e e e e re ourc , but though it pr ss d with xtr me

e na n a n e a er e det rmi tio by um ric lly sup ior forc ,

a and nne an ea off our cav lry gu rs triumph tly b t it . These counter attacks co st the Turks a great

n of e e e es was ea portio th ir ff ctiv , but it cl r they

ses se an rifles our a a and we pos d too m y for c v lry, a a a s an e the n h d to withdr w hort dist c for ight . An idea of the fierceness of the fighting may be formed from the fact that heavy horse casualties u n the a e n n en e e one not d ri g ft r oo r d r d , if two , our a e e e e e a s and of b tt ri s immobil for s v r l hour , some horses belonging to the Lowland Division e e u e w r h rri d up to them . The Ayrshire B attery had several horses killed and some of the enemy in nd e a of the n got with two hu r d y rds gu s , but the coolness of the gunners did not desert them and e a s s e e s a an a e th y , s i t d by som Au tr li s , h ul d 72 The D esert Camp aigns

the guns to a new and better position and con

nne e e el en a e on the s ti d th ir xc l t pr ctic Abd dump . The vigour of the attack and the bravery of the n e men on the ene n n mou t d told my who , k owi g

e was e s n ea l a a ns ne the tim pr s i g h vi y g i t him , bur d remainder of hi s stores . We continued to exer

se the u s essur e on the s ci tmo t pr Turk , who com

leted e e a a n on the 12th e n as p th ir v cu tio , b i g ch ed as far as al ana i e the a e had S m , wh l c m l corps a e e in the ene flank ers on the I 1 ctiv ly push d my th , destroying the whole b aggage and all the ammuni

n ani a s n the ank n to n tio m l , forci g fl i g body joi up with the rearguard . The cavalry remained at Abd while the inf antry were brought b ack to the old line at Romani until such time as railway construction could provide a more advanced point for the distribution of sup

r was e e . The ri s ne pli es . Ou victory compl t p o rs captured numbered almost 4000. There were some Germans and Austrians among them (thi s was a ea a a n the a e s gr t s tisf ctio to c ptur d Turk ) , and about fif ty officers . One German machine g un company was tak en complete . The official report estimates the total enemy casualties to be 000 and ar e at a e the n e 9 , riv s th t figur from umb r o we ri e ene a a e n a s f dead bu d , g r lly v ry sou d b si fi cers en a e in the a e for calculation . O g g d b ttl do ’ not the s e at so hi a e and put Turks lo s s gh figur , think from 7000 to 8000 would b e nearer the he s nl 000 a a mark . If t Turks lo t o y 7 out of tot l of about men we are entitled to claim a big

“ ” a n s us ra a All h , Fi i h A t li 73

. The ene hi s ns a a hi victory my got big gu w y , w ch was e e a e no s r gr tt bl , though troop could have worked harder to cut them off than our mounted n a n a e forces . A Krupp mou t i b tt ry of four guns

00 n a n n n ne e with 4 rou ds of mmu itio , i G rman machi ne guns so made that ea ch could be drawn e the an as a s e e one man 2 00 ov r s d l dg by , 3 rifl es , n s a arm a n n 100 rou d of sm ll mmu itio , ass es and e 00 a e s and poor cl hors mul s , 5 c m l , two fully- equipped field hospitals formed the bulk of the booty falli ng into our hands . Of the many gallant deeds duri ng the battle I will relate j u st one which will serve to illustrate the spiri t of the Au strali ans who came forward to T en do their duty to the Empire . “h the Austra l an n an e an e in a a i i f try l ft Egypt for Fr c M rch , e an na e an ese e Light Hors m , m d Curr , d rt d his mounted regiment and went away with an in

ha en e fantry b attalion . He d be d corated for on al and a n n bravery G lipoli , though his ctio mea t

e in a n a etc . he a e e an difficulti s dr wi g p y , , cc pt d y “ trouble that might come along in order to g et to the place where they would be fighting ” a a n e ans . In due i e as was un g i st G rm t m , bo d to — a en an was n and I s s e h pp , Curr fou d out u p ct the officer who heard the case had a lump in hi s — throat when he made the order the deserter was sent b ack to hi s uni t to be dealt with . Cur ran arrived at Romani the d ay before the battle began and was placed in a guard tent . Duri ng the night the sound of heavy fir ing awoke him 74 The D esert Camp aigns and he stole out of the tent and proc eeded in the w e n direction where the musketry as hottest . B i g a pri soner awai ting trial Curran was an unarmed man and en he a e a e a ulan e , wh c m up to fi ld mb c he asked if he could be of service . Someone said there were wounded to be fetched from the firing line and Curran went forward eagerly to find a was th n case requiring help . I told e followi g d ay that Curran had actually carried on his own shoul ders four teen wounded men to the field ambul ance before a bullet p assing through the head removed ’ this brave man from the Empire s Army . Investi ation a e a e n ee a he had g ft rw rds prov d , i d d , th t walked up and down in the thickest parts of the fight and had carried to safety at least six com n as rades and probably more . B ei g I have said a s ne a a n a an not e en et pri o r w iti g tri l , Curr did v g a en n in es a e to the e e of m tio d p tch s , much r gr t comrades who knew and appreciated the spirit ” ’ which prompted the desertion . But if Curran s relatives have no medal or posthumous award to ’ remind them of a good soldi er s work in the heat a e e ma be a s e hi s e is a of b ttl , th y y s ti fi d m mory rich treasure and an inspiration to the brethren with whom he fought and for whom he made the supreme sacrifice. Our wounded in and about Romani cong ratu lated themselves upon the early attention they o n received . Many f them got safely and s ugly to the hospital at Kantara withi n six or seven n en e ar e hours of b ei g bit . But m wound d f th r

76 The D esert Campaigns

that he got into the saddl e and turned his back n o Bir el Abd . On his way towards Romani he met an s a an a n a e Au tr li supply tr i h lt d , and passed the e a s n tim of d y with ome frie ds . “ ’ u n s a at an I o e Yo ll go i to ho pit l Rom i , supp s , said one of them . “

e a was the e . P rh ps , r ply ’ There s a splendid hospital in houses at ”

s a i a . e ll en I m il Possibly th y wi s d you there , said another . “ ” e e ? s e th n m Wh r a k d e wou ded an . ’ n Ismailia . They re sendin g wou d ed Austra ” lians to it .

was the n a e a the o e Good , fi l r m rk of tr op r , and OH he went westwards agai n . Now Ismailia ’ is seventy or eighty miles from Abd . In two days time the wounded man had crossed the Canal by the pontoon bridge at Kantara and got to El

e an e e he a e e and fed his se at F rd , wh r w t r d hor a hi to camp and told s story some British Tommies . One who heard hi m went off to a surgeon attached to a e a an e a e and e a n fi ld mbul c , who c m up , lik ki dly man the e he had een on the a n , told troop r b ro d lo g enough and he would send him to Ismailia in a motor c ar . “ ” Who will look after my horse ? asked the man . He received assurances that hi s horse would b e well cared for and would b e ready for him on hi s a e s a so a e off -sa n disch rg from ho pit l , , ft r ddli g the e se the oo e was e hors him lf , tr p r motor d to e at us a an I smailia . When he arriv d THE A tr li

The D es ert Camp aigns

e in a fir eri a kill d hospit l by shell e and a l bomb s . at an the ean n But Rom i Turk was a cl e emy . Prisoners told us our wounded in Turkish hands and the few prisoners they secured were well treated . Wh en we got to Og hratina we foun d a notice tacked to a board that Lieutenant of the New e a an n e es was a ne Z l d Mou t d Rifl , priso r , ’ was a en e an and was di n n in the ofli ers g tl m , i g c mess . An ofi cer in ch arge of a field ambulance me a at on th he was r i n told th t Abd August 9 , id g a ea of hi s n find a a e an h d co voy to pl c for it to st d , and in n e a e a en e nl an , goi g ov r ridg tt d d o y by o e he was e e . The n e rd rly , sh ll d co voy follow d , and when the Red Cross carts appeared the firing was instantly cut 06 and for the rem ainder of the mi d ay no shells burst near them . Si larly at Rafa the ambulance moved up and down the fir ing line all d a n and not a man an an al a ar y lo g , , im , or c t was hit . CHAPTER X

EYE S TO THE EA ST

FOR a long period after the battle of Romani a a ns e e a for a big prep r tio w r foot a forw rd move . ’ It was General Murray s intention to drive every e a men of the ene an e d t ch t my from Egypti t rritory , on a portion of whi ch they had cast their blighting influence for nearly two years . I believe the Com an e -in- i e a e e n all the difi cul m d r Ch f , ft r w ighi g up ties in the matter of obtaini ng material for his ra a and e ne and a n n n e a ilw y pip li , t ki g i to co sid r tion various possibilities whi ch would necessitate new a n had set hi s n on ea n t form tio s , mi d cl ri g he na en n la the n of the new e Si i P i su by first mo th y ar . In he was ess at a a we ll e and this succ ful , for R f ki d took prisoners the last Turks on our side of the ’ a the ene a e- a e e frontier . Th t G r l s tim t bl work d as well as it did is sufficient testimony to the self The n e n s sacrificing eflort of all ranks . orth r ection of the Canal was alive with troops as busy as ants all the e a n e of the e the through r m i d r summ r , a mn and the n e . e i the a a utu , wi t r Th y bu lt r ilw y , the e ne e e and n a n pip li , r s rvoirs , pumpi g st tio s , 79 80 The D esert Camp aigns

e s n and en en e as e e fortifi d po itio s , tr ch d th y mov d a s e e a s ee n a forw rd t p by st p , c mp ucc di g c mp with wonderful regularity . Indeed the march east wards was a fascinating study of precise mi litary movement . Romani as I knew it in the days of its impressive power gave way to Bir el Abd as the chief centre of importance . Abd lost its size when Mazar became our a n . e e 12 8 a forw rd positio Kilom tr , with its v st tanks filled from water trains whi ch took first a on the a a e was s e e cl im r ilw y syst m , upr m till we a e the su en a on and et m d dd d sh El Arish y , when railhead was at El Arish the importance of 12 8 was ne and the a n w the s en go , st tio ith pl did works an e an about it was dism tl d d disappeared . Any one moving along the D esert Railway to - day would gather no idea of the vast organisation required to a un e a n or of the a n e build th t d rt ki g , l bour i volv d in carrying the army and its supplies along that an has n e a n iron road . S d blow ov r c mpi g grounds which had accommodated divisions and not a sign of their presence remains . A cross here and there

e the a e s e a e e e a ov r gr v of om br v f llow , who di d th t an e a a s e e E ngl d might liv , m rks pot wh r our right e eas a was n e e the e e to mov tw rds co t st d , but d s rt whose silence for countless generations was broken the of n san s has al a en by hum toili g thou d , most f ll n old s a e and e e a n the b ack i to its t t , littl r m i s but the the ea an e busy railway to tell story of Gr t Adv c . It is only where we find blockhouses and entangle ments put up as measures of precaution that we

Eyes to the East 8 1

’

et a s n the e s a . ene a a g ig of soldi r l bour G r lly , wh t n n n n T he did was undo e a d never do e agai . he troops were the destroyers as well as the creators of e own as s and s e e e a th ir v t work , you mu t r m mb r th t when you calcul ate the sum total of their en d eavours to save Egypt from an invader under se u the ee e a a s e e who to ch tr of prosp rity lw y with r d , and to release Palestine from the thraldom of many n ce turies . During the advance the hardest p art of the work n was done by Lowla d Territorial s . They marched n every inch of the lo g way from the Canal . The

n e s of se but e ses mou t d troop did too , cour , th ir hor n carried them wh erever they we t . They were al

a a ea of the n an sea n the un w ys h d i f try , rchi g co try

s es es u s or a au e s for cor of mil for T rk m r d r , who required a s mu ch careful attention as the Turks n themselves . Fatigui g m arches fell to the c av ’ alr s a s a and e ua e not n y lot lmo t d ily , th y g rd d o ly our front b ut often went out to the hilly broken n the s a d a at a e cou try to outh for y or two tim , to ascert ain at close qu art ers if the cunning of the enemy had enabled him to hide him self from n n h the eyes of ob servers in the flyi g machi es . T e

s a ans New ea an e s and the e an Au tr li , Z l d r , Y om ry did have something to relieve the monotony of

f n h not . e desert li e . The inf a try ad Th irs was a a n of di n a n of s in d ily rou d ggi g , of m rchi g , trik g camp and pitching it again . Not a camp of tents he en as u u mark you . T b ell t t w a l x ry left behi nd at ani and the es the u rne Rom , for r t of jo y right 6 8 2 The D esert Campaigns

. up into Palestine the braw Scot and the other o e in e s a e in the an tr ops liv d hol s cr p d s d , with only a ground sheet to shi eld them from the piercing rays of the sun at noon and a blanket to o e e at n e of e e as as on c v r th m ights , som th s cold their native hi lls . The hour of rest during the early afternoon would have been grateful but for the a e of i e a e a e the pl gu fl s , l g cy l ft us by Turk , though the country was in a cleaner state than h we expected . T e East Lancashi res following the o an e s the ne had di n al L wl d r up li ggi g to do so , ’ be cause one commander s ideas of strong points and trenches do not always coincide with an ’ he other s . T Welsh and Home Counties troops ik e se had a e the e e e e l wi busy tim , but Scots w r th r e e e and had e o e e e an in hi b for th m , b c m v t r s t s E astern D esert before the other troops began to arrive . n o he A d there were others t share t toil . The n n Royal E gi eers were never wi thout a job . They had to ea a e an a s and en s rch for w t r for im l , th dig e the and the s na an e to improv supply , ig l comp i s n were always laying telegraph and telepho e lines . The Army S ervice Corps had to fill up the trains of the a e ans and was one C m l Tr port Corps , it of the strangest of the many fantastic sights of the desert to see the extraordinary loads the camels a ne ne u ee be c rried . O li you wo ld m t would transporting iron water pipes twice as long as the an a and as the ani a ee e at e im l , m ls proc d d th ir ea and a a m e an a the e st dy two h lf il s hour g it , pip s

Eyes to the Eas t 83 moved up and down like engine beams raising e o the water the pipes w re t carry . A camel carrying timber is p acked up so high that he seems e es e a e e a n ea n hop l sly ov rlo d d , whil colum b ri g barbed wire for entanglements look for all the if e n ea of na e world as , by som mo strous fr k tur the Army had bred gigantic porcupines with long the a n a e legs for its service . About r tio c m ls there is nothi ng unusual ; it is the camel with stores from ’ n n the engineers park that arrests attentio . O e got accustomed even to the most weird scenes and everything seemed to go on the same d ay after d ay . When the railway construction was resum ed a e had een e at an the un e ft r it b h ld up Rom i , mo t d troops held a line as far east as Bir el Abd and the n a e o t e e infa try gradu lly work d u to m et them . Th y had the e a of the ese to e for of b st p rt d rt cov r , much was a a and e e and e e e e s it s lt fl ts , h r th r w r hod with a shallow well or two and a few p alms . The change n was agreeable . They did ot stop at Katia for n e a e in one a of the as the e lo g , b c us p rt o is Turks l ft e a ehi n e and we had one or a a chol r b d th m , two f t l

a e a e few a e in all e a se c s s , lthough v ry c s s , b c u n ul a n er e e a ar an e en and a i oc tio , p f ct m dic l r g m ts , strict quarantine di d their work well . But though Katia with its thousands of palms now yieldi ng

was e es in the e e was luscious fruit r fr h g to y , it e a e as n en or at eas ne a and r g rd d u fri dly l t utr l , those who could do so merely tasted the fruit and passed on to a di strict whi ch was bare and 84 The D esert Camp aigns

n an u forbiddi g . Abd is gly place unless you look at h militarv e e en a n a it t rough y s . Th th t iro r il

a ass n an hi a the s a e ro d , p i g through s d w ch l cks p rkl sse se in an an e la e e e it po s s m y oth r p c , b com s a

an of e a e e an d and the b d m t l mor pr cious th gol , reservoir holdi ng many gallons of purified Nile water is a j ewel as priceless as all the treasures of Ind The a e e e e e not . priv t soldi r , how v r , do s take in the surrou ndings with the same eye for eau as a ene a and en he had en e b ty g r l , wh clos d Abd in a ring fence of wire he was again glad to a n the e and e e the e n p ss i to out r world xplor b yo d . he a e a a ass n on the wa at So c m to M z r, p i g y , Mustabi se e a e of a e e n hi g , v r l mil s h rd l v l grou d w ch was soon to become an aerodrome with the best ndin a e in a a the e la g pl c Egypt . M z r foot slogg r knew by reputation ; the cavalry had b een there

n e e The a e a recia lo g b for . Turk , with shr wd pp n of the m an e of the s n had a e tio i port c po itio , m d it his advanced post after we had knocked him eel n out of r i g Abd . was se b e n en en on It too clo to Abd to co v i t , so e e e l oth and 1 e e we had a e S pt mb r 7th , b for m d ea n a n of e Im Abd r lly stro g , colum Light Hors , er a a e e a e a e e p i l C m l Corps , T rritori l Hors b tt ri s and the Hong Kong and Singapore Artillery went out under General Chauvel to show the enemy that hi s presence at Mazar was undesirable for us and n eal fo m el ene a a n e u h thy r hi s f . G r l Murr y i sist d that a general action against entrenched positions ’ was not a of the u n s ss n the p rt col m mi io , but Turk

86 The D esert Campaigns

i had al ak en ar men to wak e them . Sir Ph lip so t p t in the oth er grea t battles down to the Somme that l e in i and he ea in wil liv h story , brought to b r a n l a e eri en e r ene and Egypt lo g mi it ry xp c , ip d fortified by what he had seen and learned in the ’ es a e n ar a was world s great t b ttl grou d . His riv l e and e e The a a ea was one tim ly w lcom . t sk h d requiring all the attributes General Chetwode e e — ne a a e an indomit poss ss d cool ss , d sh , cour g , a e l e e a in the e a n bl wi l , compl t f ith soldi r from Brit i and e ea and a e e e in the a ov rs s , thorough b li v r p rt a hi e n e organisation takes in c vi g victory . Add d to these qu alities was a personality so agreeable that every man he spoke to looked upon him with e e nfi en e as hi s ea e in a e p rf ct co d c l d r b ttl . Let me give an exampl e of how enthusiastic work was got out of officers with whom Sir Philip got into e na An a an offi e be p rso l touch . Austr li c r , who tween the first and second battles for Gaza had helped to make an exceptionally good map of the n e een the n was n grou d b tw two positio s , whili g away an idle evening hour by trying to catch fish the ea He and I a e e e a from b ch . t lk d tog th r for n i e a nl a the a a n in lo g t m , m i y bout l bour situ tio s a a The n e a n ne on the a e Au tr li . co v rs tio tur d b ttl n w s a be n just over a d upon that whi ch a bout to gi .

The ofi eer na all . en ne his ma and tur y m tio d p , told me when he was detailed to assist in makin g i t he went to Desert Column Headquarters to g et ns n hi e he was a n ene al e i tructio s . W l w iti g G r Ch t od e as e he e see and on w k d him whom wish d to , Eyes to the Eas t 8 7 being told he was one of the map makers the “ eneral ai : Ah I ul e to e sel G s d , sho d lik t ll you my f an ne He what I w t do . took the oflfic er to his ’ “ en and to use the Australian s own He t t , words , me e e a he e e the e just told pr cis ly wh t r quir d , d tails he e and ma sa e e wish d brought out , you y y , v ry thing except the names of the hills and land ’ a we a e in are the ene a H m rks h v put G r l s . e had a complet e knowledge of what a map should con a n and as a e in a e e was e t i I , surv yor priv t lif , v ry e e e e was s an en e much impr ss d , but th r uch tir absence of stiflness and formality about the ns n a e H a n i tructio s th t I l ft ! . C mp wo dering wh ether I was not the General and the General th a ain n e a the e C pt . Do you wo d r th t Australi ans ” would do anything for him ? a a e of a e ul e As m tt r f ct th y wo d . Th ir fighting qualities are so high that a cert ain free -and -easy n ea e n e n di scipli e c s s to cou t . Th ir discipli e in face of the ene the s e n nbend n el -di ne my, t r u i g s f scipli hi a e a man s to the a a e w ch m k s tick it out l st , to t k on e en es n the di tr m dous odds without qu tio , sci pline which refuses to yield an inch of ground until an order is given to retireh that is the discipline the s a an a e He n ene al e Au tr li pr ctis s . k ows G r Ch t e a o d e has a se the a al wod , s l i r who p s d through c v ry to an an ex e he Army comm d , would p ct it , though would not do it for anybo dy he did not trust so Genera e e on had e eon highly . l Ch twod so th ir fidence e had hi s and the e , th y quickly , pow r of the e e o n e a e D s rt C lum b c m mighty . 88 The D esert Camp aigns

There were at Mazar in D ec ember two inf antry i s ns the n a n e 00 and the d vi io , A z c Mou t d tr ps Imp erial Camel Corp s with the full allotment of ns We had a the a a b e gu . to w it for r ilw y to com p leted to Kilometre 12 8 and for the buildi ng of a large water siding before the advance on El Arish

un e ha set e n s on could b e d rtaken . All d th ir mi d n s a Da in s 12 8 spendi g Chri tm s y El Ari h . From to El Ari sh was the worst piece of desert on the whole of the a a an e the e ana and the c r v rout from Su z C l , building up of a wat er supply was the first and

s al ns e a n ene al e e mo t vit co id r tio for G r Ch twod . The advance could not be started before the amount of wat er in reserve at 12 8 was suf ficient for all the troop s and horses which were to b e eu a e in the a a on a a a n e ens e g g d tt ck M s id , stro g d f iv position taken up by the Turks covering the town s the e In the ee o of El Ari h from w st . third w k f D ecemb er there was feverish activity to carry n e the a a wat er forward . Alo gsid r ilw y at 12 8 the en nee had a an as an n gi rs built v st c v t ks , stro gly picketed with posts and sandbags to prevent a s e e e e n an nal t coll p e . Th r w r co st t sig s o clear the l ne a e ain and ese ran and n i for w t r tr s , th up dow

the ne and the e e at e li from to r s rvoirs Abd , som m e a a e a ina e lar thirty il s w y , with xtr ord ry r gu ity n and d a One e a n a on n ight y . of th m dr w by L do and South -Western goods engine h aul ed many a n an and a n en was trucks c rryi g t ks , so m g ific t the ef r a an e the a e su a e fo t to rr g w t r pply th t , whil the tanks at railhea d had only b egu n to b e put

90 The D esert Campaigns rel e e ess e on the a a e e e er t n i v pr ur r ilw y, wh r v y hi g on nue to e wa to a er a n u be c ti d giv y w t tr i s , co ld ra e e ea e n on the a e the e e t c d lik gr t v i s surf c of d s rt . B atteries of artillery with g un team of eighteen e and e two ea e and the e a n e hors s mul s , l d rs r m i d r a rea a e the n a ri and four b st , h ul d gu s l bo ously f n ea The a e lla with reque t sies . c t rpi r wheels of n and e e e e l the n was gu s limb rs w r h lpfu , but goi g cult a o e th soft and very difi . Ro ds impr v d e lot the n an and e n the e a of i f try k pt dow dust som wh t . That advance was the most picturesque thing I saw r n the a ai n e e n the a e du i g c mp g , xc pti g m rv llous picture of the march across the wide Gaza plain at n e a one was the ord erli su s t . Wh t struck most n e in a h u n e on ess of ev ryth g . E c col m mov d its own r e e e was no n s n no ashi n out , th r co fu io , cl g of n no a e a e oo colum s , stopp g to llow oth r tr ps to a e e n e a or ere had een p ss . If v ry hu dr d y rds so th b fin er- ns r e : hi wa a e g posts i c ib d T s y Brig d , “ wa a al the e of r e l or This y c v ry , ord r out cou d n e e e an a e e not have bee mor p rf ct . Fl k gu rds w r 0011186 ul see ei r out of . You co d th r dust th ough the hi er n a e mi e a a to the o s mm i g h z l s w y s uth , while ten thousand feet in the blue vault above us you could pick out our airm en denying a e e o en plac e for enemy eyes to d t ct our m vem t . was e an and the e e t on of e a a It v ry gr d , p rf c i pr p r e tion gave us big hop s . I arrived at 128 after darkness had hi dden

e i n n a re ere e . ev ryth g . Soo bivou c fi s w light d a n o en The air had become penetr ti gly c ld . Th I Eyes to the East 91 became mixed up in a movement of horses and ea ne a the ene had e a a e r l r d th t my v cu t d El A ish , and the cavalry were going forward at once to see r e e e and so u the if this sto y w r tru if to occ py town. I could not move till early the following morning

en a an e o ne . . a e o wh I ccomp i d C lo l A C P rk r , L rd ’ ene ne e the e n of e n Kitch r s ph w , Gov r or North r he s e e of e a e na t . Si i , to ph r his form r ctiviti s It was a delightful ride we had with a New Zealand n and am a a e in a co voy, I gl d I m d it d ylight , for one could never g et a proper appreciation of the diflSculties of the night march if the route had o in e The a fi e been cr ssed darkn ss . l st v miles into s is e a e s n of an dunes El Ari h ov r succ s io lofty s d , whose ea stern and southern slopes are so p recipi o as to a a the er en i ula t us ppro ch p p d c r . Up and down over this perilously steep and yielding ground the intrepid horsemen from English shires and Australian and New Zealand runs never fal r en e e e e e tered fo a mom t . Th r w r th ir tracks to e e had ri en a st a e n prov th y dd , lmo gliss d d , dow giddy s10pes of shifting sand -hills in the inky dark e of a n e ni emi n e me n ss moo l ss ght . It r d d of films showing how trained Italian cavalry detach ent a e a hi e and as e at the e m s t k llsid , I wrot tim , it was a pity the necessities of the moment did not allow of a cinematograph picture b eing taken to show our people throughout the Empire that a whole division of Britons could do these things on e e s rvic . General Chauvel surrounded El Arish according 92 The D esert Camp aigns — s n e e a n e t w s to hi pla s . B for d w brok i a a very beautiful sunrise and the tr00p s pictured to them selves what it would be lik e on Chr istmas morning to see the sun appear over the di stant horizon not very far from the birthplace of the Saviour of — the e e was a a e eas of s World th r brig d t El Ari h , and ee a e on the s and e a thr brig d s outh w st . M jor Hudson of the Light Horse was first into the town and a an e u a n but the s rr g d for its occ p tio , troop kept clear of it until a clean bill of health was the u a n ri s a u - given to pop l tio . El A h is m d brick

n of ns e a e ns u a u tow co id r bl proportio , b ilt bo t a

l the sea e e a e - l - i e . e m from Th r is w ll bui t court hous , a s a a s s an a s e and e e had ho pit l , ub t ti l mo qu , th r een a nea the e s our ni s b fort r mosqu , but thi mo tor had e e e e a n e e One d stroy d s v r l mo ths b for . of the n a an e en n the a en i h bit ts , pr s t duri g bomb rdm t , said a good many of the shells fell b eyond the fort ’ t was the a wa e n a first . But this N vy s y of g tti g ’ the an e e n an se r g without d stroyi g civili s hou s . ’ The fort whi ch fell to Napoleon s g uns at a range of about 100 yards and was reduced by our Navy at yards was surrounded by houses on ree s e and u hl di d our s th id s , so thoro g y hips do their work that they completely demolished the n th e fort without touchi g a house or e mosqu . The streets of El Arish were sandy but remarkably ean and a e een in no an n cl , I h v b Egypti tow so ee no s e s e The ess n one fr from i om m lls . l o s Col l Parker had taught the people had not been en forgott .

94 The D esert Campaigns was 120 ear b ut he an e at e . y s old , rom c d tim s ne a e Colo l P rk r believed he was over ninety . He was quite willing to say what had happened when the e e in the n he e e e Turks w r tow , though pr f rr d to talk of older times . He declared with much e a a as a a he saw a e n mph sis th t , sm ll child , N pol o

en e r . e e a e a e t r El A ish If tru , his stim t of his g was a i a e e he ma a e pprox m t ly corr ct , but y h v h h dreamed a dream . He ad been t e owner of a good stretch of sandy waste through whi ch the e anal ul a e asse and the n a Su z C tim t ly p d , compe s tion he received for displacement ran well into six hi win f al he e a e e a a an figures . With t s d l b c m xtr v g t in hi s expenditure and made marriage hi s favourite ne him hobby . Colo l Parker asked if he had e en ak en n o im e an e e and he r c tly t u t h s lf oth r wif , replied in a tone of regret that he had given up n hi n he h marrying . Amo g s forty so s ad distri e hi s eal and e a e him an a an e but d w th , th y m d llow c suffi ciently small to prevent any further matri He ne e e ol monial excesses . is a fi ly pr serv d d fellow and even now frequently rides out wi th a He e ls he en met D e e hawk . t l you oft Less ps ’ e he a s him and he e a the ak e ( S ps c ll ) , r g rds m r of

the ana as a e ea man. e e he C l v ry gr t How v r , is

e of a n n n n es e the proud r h vi g k ow I gl i Crom r , King of Egypt and King of Indi a Cromer was ’ the greatest man of all time in the sheikh s view . Most of the p eople of El Arish are lighter in colour an the a e a e Ar a and e a ea an e th v r g b , th ir pp r c sug ’ gests that Napoleon s army left an influence up on Eyes to the Eas t 95

n succeeding ge erations . They follow p astoral re n pursuits . There a co siderable flocks of sheep and goats which doubtless find a means of exist ence in the wide wadi when the winter rains have a e the bed e e e e ur n m d f rtil , but how th y liv d i g n the scorching summer mo ths is a puzzle . There are u an of fi - ee in and a the a tho s ds g tr s bout w di , and near the shore the palms are lux uri ant . Portu nately the wells give an abundant supply of water throughout the year . CHAPTER XI

THE BATTLE or MAGHDABA

WE occupied El Ari sh on the morning of D ecem b er 2 1 1 16 a a had en en , 9 , by c v lry who ridd tw ty five es in an a e n n and n and the e mil ft r oo ight , Hors Artill ery of the Anz ac Mounted Division had had a strenuous time in getting their guns over the sand dun es . In some cases they had to cut away a n a ne a e a a and e en en portio of du to m k ro d , v th n the horses a d mules arrived rather tucked up . n 0 B ut the mou ted tr 0ps were to be given little rest . General Chetwode heard that the enemy still held the e a e Ma hd ab a hi e a fortifi d pl c of g , w ch li s bout - Th twenty thr ee miles up the Wadi Arish . e Turk ’ had not waited to try the Desert Column s strength at Masaidi n u he had a set of , tho gh got good

en e e e as e as a n the ea at tr ch s th r , w ll lo g b ch El

ri s . The a e e e e a e and so ee A h l tt r w r w ll loc t d , d p and well cut that one was thankful we had not e a an i n as the enem evid entl e e e tri d l d g , y y xp ct d we The e e n was r e e would . D s rt Colum o d r d to move out of El Ari sh on the night of the 2 2d to try to round up the Mag hdaba garrison of some 96

The B attl e of Mag hdaba 97

hi ne e a e a e s n of the ar 2000 men. T s c ssit t d r vi io rangements for the following up of the inf antry to The an e e e al ea on e El Ar ish . Lowl d rs w r r dy th ir 2 way from 1 8 . If the Turks had not run away from El Arish their positions there were to have een a a e e 00 and one not b tt ck d by oth r tr ps , could but feel sorry for the Scots who after all their labour for a year were denied the opportunity of t n n getting a the e emy and taki g the town. As the cavalry and Camel Corps were to make a

n e was ne e a a e a n lo g mov , it c ss ry th t th ir supply tr i i n n should be supplemented . Th s could o ly be do e

a n a a the a e s e di s n by t ki g w y c m l from th ir vi io , and as the a e be e e s e at , l tt r could b tt r uppli d a a an at 12 8 e e e e e e u n to M z r th , th y w r dir ct d to r t r the former place and despatch their cam els to the

n n the 2 1st an 2 2 fro t . O d d there was much t n n bustle to g e everythi g ready . To Ge eral Chauvel General Chetwode gave charge of the ’ operations . At eight o clock on the evening of the 2 2 d the s a an se the New Au tr li Light Hor , e a an e and the e a a e as Z l d rs , Imp ri l C m l Corps sembled at a point in the wadi about three miles

of s . s e a n of a n south El Ari h A p ci l co voy r tio s , en a ea en e ea n the s t from r ilh d , comm c d r chi g

s a n n at P . M . a n of the t rti g poi t 7 , but portio supply column was late through having lost its way in the dark . The whole force was rationed and provided with horse feed by a little after

m and at 1 AM . he 2 n on t d e off . id ight , 3 it mov d

he a was ne en The bed of th T m rch u v tful . e wadi 98 The D esert Campaigns was in a e bad a e e mi n rough pl c s , but tr cks w r or ’ e the a a and e e five troubl s for c v lry , b for o clock the head of the column reached a spot three miles

- n orth west of Mag hd aba . General Chauvel and his brigadiers went forward to reconnoitre the n a diflicult a as a n was ea n p ositio , t sk , d w br ki g ’ and the sun was immediately behind the enemy s i e the diflficulties e e n ea e the works , wh l w r i cr s d by n dense smoke from numerous bivouac fires . Ge eral ’ ’ Chaytor s New Zealanders and General Royston s

Australian Light Horse moved ofl at 8 A .M . round the north of Mag hd aba under cover of sand dunes the ea and s - eas the n a a to st outh t of positio , to tt ck s e and b e ea ofl from tho e sid s to r dy to cut a retreat . ’ General Smith s Imperial Camel Corps were d e ployed to make a frontal attack from the north ’ e s ene a s a an e w st , whil t G r l Cox s Au tr li Light Hors e a ne in e e e The n erne e r m i d r s rv I v ss , Ayrshir ,

and e es e hi e . . . a e e the L ic t rs r R H A b tt ri s , with Somerset battery do ing duty as ammunition col umn e n a e was , took th ir gu s to pl c s from which it e e e e ul et a e the b li v d th y wo d g good t rg ts , though

redoubts were very hard to locate . The value of precise inf ormation in warfare ann be o e - es a e and en c ot v r tim t d , it is prud t for an e e e e he be on a alr a obs rv r , wh th r c v y p trol or in the air e a few n e as ma ee , to los mi ut s , it y s m him in e a he ma er a im to , ord r th t y v ify first

pression before he makes his report . While our tr00ps were moving to their positions aeroplane messages suggested that the enemy was retiring

100 The D esert Camp aigns

a e a e e s n ea in the d a th t whit fl gs w r how rly y , but as a ea fire n nue e s n h vy co ti d from oth r po itio s , the su rrender of a portion of the enemy could not be accepted . The attack progress ed well on all es was n the sid , but it slow , owi g to ground favour in the e en e and a n n the e a an e g d f c , bout oo whol dv c ,

in the ee e e a e be e . xc pt w di , s m d to h ld up The ene a ea e e e ne on an my pp r d d t rmi d to hold , d it was a ues n e e we ul as all d a q tio wh th r co d l t y , b ecause the horses had not been watered since the e u e en n and no a e was a a a e pr vio s v i g , w t r v il bl an an th nearer th m y miles to e rear . We con nne e s e ees and at a en na ti d to pr s by d gr , giv sig l , ’ at ee the n e an an n en e thr o clock , gu s b g i t s bom bardment and several aeroplanes dropped bomb on he n n after bomb to t tre ches . A fi al deter ’ i ne s was a e at en s m d ru h m d four o clock , wh , ju t s the s e e a a in the en e the a troop w r ppro ch g tr ch s , n Turki sh resistance collapsed . I di vidual firi ng continued from the sand ri dges on the west side of the adi n a en the e s n w u til d rk , wh whol po itio n was in our ha ds . There was a difi culty in collecting wounded and

s ne s and s e se en had to e a n pri o r , om Light Hor m r m i at Ma hd ab a ll the n d a we u g ti followi g y , but bro ght e in e 12 00 in all and e a a e n e th m , ov r , l ft l rg umb r a e of Turkish dead to be buried . Another b tt ry of n a n n was a e and the e Krupp mou t i gu s c ptur d , rifl he and other booty was considerable . T Turkish

an e aa B e was a n the r one . comm d r , Kl t y , mo g p is rs ’ General Chauvel s position at the end of thi s suc The B attl e of Mag hdaba 101

ot n eessful d ay was n an e viable one . He had a s endi es the a e e of hi scored pl d succ s , mor l ff ct w ch a n be ea the n n of was cert i to gr t , but co ditio his own e e e s e e n a e forc , tir d with pr viou x rtio s , c us d n n him anxieties . Me a d horses were not only

a e n and no one ne e a f tigu d but hu gry , k w x ctly how far the force had to go to come up with sup ” na e the was e e n plies . Fortu t ly ! work xc lle tly ank the e of ene a done . Th s to for sight G r l Chet wode in placing every available cam el at their ser e the men had a e on the e of a e vic , w t r fi ld b ttl , and a e and the es and a n w t r food for hors , r tio s for the men met the n in the adi a few i , colum w m les e n from M ag hd aba . Ther was a lo g halt there for

n and eas and the n e ne ma b t , colum r tur d to El Arish early on the 24th in remarkably good condi

n ns e n a the p s had een a tio , co id ri g th t troo b m rch ing for three night s and fighting for a whole d ay nl one ni of the as in with o y ght out l t four bivouac . Thi s was the first time the Anzacs had seen the ri a e s in an an n Impe al C m l Corp import t actio .

e a e e nes and a and Th y dmir d th ir cool s d sh , from Mag hd ab a onwards the Anzacs and Camel Corps nne s er were close comrades . Our gu r did v y well under circumstances whi ch tested their capabilities n n n a severely . Of the Hong Ko g a d Si g pore bat r en n ene a ox te y I will m tio what G r l C told me . The a e was a a e the a e b tt ry tt ch d to C m l Corps , but for a time it was placed at the di sposal of the “ Light Horse . General Cox said : The Major in an h comm d of t e b attery would do anything . 102 The D esert Campaigns

Wh enever I showed him a target I wanted at a e he e hi s n n e and t ck d hurri d up gu s , pou d d it he nne s destroyed it . T gu r came up with smiling ace e n n e e a e and f s , took th ir gu s i to xpos d pl c s , n served them u der a heavy fire . Their magnifi cent work late in the afternoon di d much to bring ” the action to a successful issue . And just the same warm praise was bestowed upon the battery a a e on at a a en at eas n e for its p rt l t r , R f , wh , l t o c n the d a e e e - ea duri g y , th y took th ir littl pip squ k n the e in e e our ri fl gu s up to v ry l h ld by emen. The curious plaintive report of the mountain guns “ ” suggested the name of Bing Boys for the bat ter and anadi an e a n hi y, C s will doubtl ss p rdo t s appropriation of their own ni ckname by comrades Th from the Far E ast . e Australians will tell you he n e e er that t Bi g Boys with us w r sup b .

CHAPTER XII

THE RAFA VICTORY

X we e af a a e e a e NE T com to R , th t pictur squ b ttl won on the s e of e en a e ene e n trok tim , wh l rg my r i forcement s were held off by one regiment on a wide n ena n our a a n e a s e e fro t bli g tt cki g forc , by upr m ’ eff et n the a n e en e hin ort , to g i to Turks m i d f c s wit a few n e of the a e e on ee n mi ut s s m tim thr fro ts , a ea hi a a e of an ea e had oo e f t w ch , qu rt r hour rli r , l k d impossible . Mag hdaba was an a dmirable achi eve en a a m n so s n a e a s was m t ; R f , co i g oo ft rw rd , e en e e for not n na ea the v b tt r , o ly did it fi lly cl r ene the na eni nsul a had an my from Si i P , which i o an e f e on an l n n mp rt t f ct Egypti pub ic opi io , but it made the enemy very jumpy about any position ’ he held within a day s march of our mounted n h e the troops . Later o e vacuated Wali Sheikh wi u n an n nea e a a s . Nur positio , r Sh ll l , tho t firi g hot Yet Wali Sheikh Nuran had been made into a position of such strength that it must have cost o us from 6000 t 8000 casualties to take it . After Ma hd aba and a a von Kressenstein e e e g R f , pr f rr d to give us the place rather than lose another strong 103 104 The D esert Camp aigns

n was ar s n a d a n ess e . g ri o , his c utio doubtl justifi d There is no doubt whatever that the Turks in

e e a en e e Rafa w r t k compl t ly by surprise . The a a had n ot ri s an r ilw y o ly just g to El A h , d there et no a e a ul a n of was as y l rg ccum tio stores there . Enemy aeroplanes were over the place every d ay ; they bombed it frequently and must have taken h away satisfactory reports of t e situation there . The j etty built by the Australian Naval Bridging a n n e an e a e dl e was n e tr i , u d r Comm d r Br c gir , fi ish d , but the landi ng of stores from the sea in boats had been grievously interfered with by heavy weather e n s e hi a e the an n follow d by grou d w lls , w ch m d l di g of several hundred tons of stores a very long and

- dangerous process . Sea borne trame was by rea son of n e ea e e n el a e e e wi t r w th r quit u r i bl , how v r hard the trawler crews and landing parties la o e and en the a a ea e e e b ur d , wh r ilw y r ch d kilom tr 155 the supply service was maintai ned entirely The not e n a e— by the line . dumps b i g l rg indeed ’ there was little more than a couple of days reserve — at El Arish at thi s time the enemy thought an e a e a an e was i s e and e e n imm di t dv c mpo sibl , h r i lies evidence that it is not always wise to deny a e er a knowledge of your stat to a i l observers . But the enemy counted not upon Sir Philip Chet wode and the cavalry spirit . A raid on Rafa would have been justifi ed even if it did not have com p letely successful results . If we got there and had e a a w u the ba oul to com w y itho t full g it w d , “ at an a e the n u for the y r t , put wi d p Turks , who

106 The D esert Camp aigns sea e e was a e and a e e e , th r gr ss , clov r, b rl y v ry e e one or - i a e and wh r , with two mud brick v ll g s a en en se a e e an al g rd s clo d by c ctus h dg s , subst ti en e ea an n a e in t e a The ough to d f t i v d r h d rk . camel drivers gave some trouble at Sheikh Zo a for e a and to e en w id , th y would t lk try smok wh en e was e en a one not b e too a sil c ss ti l , but must h rd on the e e a e a i e Gyppi s , for th y did v ry h rd job qu t e and e e e a a a n w ll , b for th y got b ck to El Arish g i e had e a fif e at a e th y trudg d lmost ty mil s str tch . ’ General Ch auvel s mounted troops and the e a a e e e Zowaid at 1 A H Imp ri l C m l Corps l ft Sh ikh . . and a e a a Ibn e a m rch d str ight to K rm Musl h , point about four miles south of Rafa on the border ’ e een and a e ne b tw Egypt P l sti . At four o clock ’ General Chaytor s New Zealanders were detached to Shokh cl Sufi to round up and disarm a large a e e e e be e body of Ar bs who w r b li ved to hostil . It was necessary to take thi s step b efore Opening the a a as was n es a e a e an tt ck , it u d ir bl to h v m y a e na e m e a e in our ea rm d tiv s im di t ly r r . This was ne e e u nr e and en the New Zea do b for s is , wh landers moved northwards they were followed e n i nk e by a horde of B doui s ch att er ng like mo ys . our ea was a e The a a o e en But r r s f . tt ck rd rs giv by General Chetwode provided for the Anzac Mount ed Divi sion and the Imperial Cam el Corps ’ advancing against the enemy s works from the and ea he e a n e south st , whilst mov d with mou t d r a e a the es of the s n at fi s b ig d tow rds w t po itio , r t n the e an in e er e a a e holdi g Y om ry r s v . R f prov d The Rafa Victory 107

’ to be another of the enemy s admirably sited The ma n s e e on o i n . a n p s tio s i work w r mou d , the approaches to whi ch were gentle slop es for a a a e and e e was flat n bout h lf mil , th r grou d for , ' n u e i s The s in e e e . e som dir ctio s , q it two m l lop s e e e en en e on all s e and an t w r w ll tr ch d id s , m y pi s ‘ extremely di flicult to locat e until you were right on e had een ee rifle th m , b dug to hold two or thr n ne un e e e e r ee n men a d a machi g . Th r w r th li es s Th ne in a of e en e . e e e a a d f c out r li , sh p h lf e a e es and s and e en e circl , f c d w t outh , xt d d slightly -eas In e e e e to the south t . it w r som v ry strong

e u hr ee undr e ur n r do bts . About t h d to fo hu dred yards to the r ear was a second line very much e the s e the n e en e e e a o lik fir t , whil mou d d f c s w r b ut the a e di s an e the e n ine The a s m t c from s co d l . f ce of the mound had been cu t to pieces to form a remarkably strong s eries of entrenchments and mu n a n and i e n the n in all com ic tio s , , v wi g positio bea in a e a s one a e to the n its r gs ft rw rd , c m co clu sion that two British battalions would have crum pled up the att ack by any di vision the Germans a a n could put g i st them . Ge neral Chaytor was to m ak e the New Zea ’ landers favourite enveloping movement and ’ a a the ene s n the eas The tt ck my s po itio from t . Light Horse were to advance from the south -east and the e a a e the Imp ri l C m l Corps from south , ’ and the enemy s front facing west was t emporarily di re a e The s n e a a was ed s g rd d . di mou t d tt ck tim ’ e n at ten and the n men e to b gi o clock , gu s com c d 108 The D esert Camp aigns

’ e s e at n ne ene al C s a to r gi t r i . G r haytor brig de moved very quickly over the rolli ng grassy ridges ’ the eas e on a a s n an to t , dir ctly R f two buildi gs , old and a new e s hi e e e polic po t , w ch w r h ld by

s a e a h en . e e e at n e e e m ll d t c m ts Th y w r o c s cur d , the e e ne was c ut a s a a of ne t l pho , m ll p rty priso rs was a en and a was sen off a e a n t k , troop t ft r umb er of c amelrnen on e wa an n th ir y to Kh Yu us , four

five e off e e an e s a s n or mil s , wh r oth r Turki h g rri o was stationed . The New Zealanders then began to make preparations to advance on the mound from the north so as to make a ring of B ri tish

s un e e n i n troop ro d it , but b for doi g th s Ge eral

tor h d e hi s n n Chay a to prot ct fla k a d rear . With thi s obj ect he detached the Wellington Mounted Rifles to hold the ridges east of Rafa with orders to keep a keen watch on the roads leading from ’ n n Khan Yu us and Shellal . The New Zeala ders a rni n was a fine es n in work th t mo g l so mobility , for General Chaytor was in Rafa and had estab lished his headquarters there almost as soon as n the action comme ced .

The a n as a e sa was a e e one ctio , I h v id , pictur squ , and the scene more resembled a battle of a genera

n a o an a e n- e e e tio g th fight with mod r typ rifl s , fi ld

n and a i ne ns . The n e nes e gu s , m ch gu I v r s , Som r set and e e e a e e al e n , L ic st r b tt ri s g lop d to positio s which were unavoidably exposed and well within ’ an e the ene s n and a a a e r g of my gu s , ctu lly c rri d e e n hi war on direct fire . It is v ry s ldom duri g t s that our g un- layers have seen their targets over

110 The D esert Camp aigns

e n a a e and ene a e e en b i g tt ck d , G r l Ch twod th put the n s n in e a d . a er mou t d troop H . A C . b tt y to en a e the es e n a e the n at the g g w t r f c of positio , same time instructing General Chauvel to rein force hi s ne and e on was en a li s pr ss . It th th t the magnificent sp ectacle was presented of Light Horse and Yeom anry galloping into action at the same tirn e that the dismounted camelry moved s ea a i in i e an e a n as all t dily forw rd w th r fl r g , m ki g , f an a a ee a e n a . gr , mod l i try tt ck The a an e a e a e a e : e dv c ft rw rds b c m much slow r . The ene was in the e e of n an my sh lt r stro g works , d he had the advantage of many machin e guns well en and e e andle the e n hidd cl v rly h d . From south r and south -east ern side we could only move a few a at a e and e e a e at an a an e y rds tim , v ry tt mpt dv c was met by a tremendous volum e of machine-g un fire In the ean i e the New ea an e had . m t m Z l d rs left the police post a mile and a half north -east of ’ the Turks main position and b egun to g et round the ea of e in e e an e on the r r it , ov rcom g som r sist c way and a ddin g to their c aptures another seventy ri ne r es had now ec e p so rs . Although prog s b om was n ne the ess an a e a e slow , it o l subst ti l , but it b c m e e a orc e a e n The rse a e e n c ss ry to f d cisio . Ho b tt ri s

the n a s the and the n e ne with A z c , I v r ss battery whi ch had moved ri ght round to the n -ea s c o- era e the New ealan e orth t to Op t with Z d rs , b egan an intense bombardment of the mound ’ and en e at r ee and the n n tr ch s th o clock , Ho g Ko g and n a e a e ne e a n Si g por b tt ry joi d with th m , m ki g The Rafa Victory 111

it perilous for a German or Turkish head to show o e a a a e The n n itself ab v p r p t . Ho g Ko g and Singapore gunners nobly supported the Camel o and a e e a dl e s r a ne C rps , bsolut ly r g r ss of h p l hi a n e e e n w ch burst rou d th m , th y k pt pushi g up ’ their guns almost level with the camelry s front e The s a e of the en e a e lin . t t Turkish tr ch s ft r a e the a ura of n h w rds show d cc cy our gu s , w ich ,

ur n the n e n e a en two e d i g i t s bomb rdm t , got dir ct on ene a e and n of a hi ts my rtill ry put gu s out ction.

- Now came a critical moment . At half past three the Welli ngton Mounted Rifles sent in a ' report that a Turkish ofli cer they had captured told them a Turkish regiment had left Shellal to relieve Rafa as soon as the attack began in the

n n and ui be on our ee . mor i g , would q ckly h ls A h ll patrol was sent along the Rafafi S e al road to n e a e and the e i n n ne was i v stig t , W ll gto Colo l di recte d to push out hi s patrols further in the

- Khan Yunus direction . At half past four the Welli ngtons reported two thousand Turks ad vancing from Khan Yunus and already wi thi n ee e of the s n we e e a a n and thr mil s po itio w r tt cki g ,

that other enemy troops were following . Almost simultaneou sly a report was brought in from the p atrol on the Shellal road that enemy in considera ble force was observed moving across ridges from

Shell al and was within four miles of Shokh el Sufi . General Chetwode was in the position of having used up all hi s reserves in an attack whi ch was not e e and of a n a s s an a e a compl t d , h vi g ub t ti l forc r pidly 112 The D esert Campaigns

n n hi He a a ns s ea . a adva ci g g i t r r cted promptly . The necessity for a final big eff ort was at once na e a a e e the e sig ll d , but ctu lly b for ord rs could h h reach our troops t e day was ours . T e New ea an e e e the ee so a Z l d rs w r first to succ d , but r pidly were the trenches taken in other places that the diff erent brigades do not know which was in the n trenches first . The New Zeala ders made a tre mendous rush on the strongest part of the northern s n and s as the sun was n n e po itio , ju t goi g dow , th y won it and qui ckly pushed right and left into the subsidiary trenches . While the New Zealanders e e a n en e the e as e w r t ki g surr d rs , Light Hors d h d forward with a cheer and completely smothered the e en e in the s - eas e n and a d f c outh t r works , lmost simultaneously the Imperial Camel Corp s gained the south- western line by a very gallant and well h e n n timed assault . T e Y oma ry did ot actually et n the es e n e the s g i to w t r works , but k pt Turk ea en a e and a the e a n h vily g g d , by d rk whol g rriso had surrendered . ? And what of the Turkish reinf orcements A thi n line of the Wellington Mounted Rifles ae n e the han n s n not nl cou t d for K Yu u colum , o y

e n a an e n a a e ch cki g its dv c , but forci g it b ck ft r n o he e a n a . as e ut t d rk If , it tur d , Sh ll l colum never seriously threatened to come to the relief of a a in e e e was a a s a an e a R f tim , th r lw y d g r th t it would harass our troops while we were evacuating

e of he prisoners and wounded . In vi w t proximity of the ene e re e s en was my , whos port d tr gth from

The Rafa Victory 113

000 to 000 ene a e e e e et 3 4 , G r l Ch twod d cid d to g e the troops off the b attle ground as soon as possibl . Prisoners were hardly taken before they were on

the a e . The n e e e re m rch w st wou d d , how v r , p sen e a e er e and e a e t d mor s ious probl m , it b c m necessary to leave behind a field ambulance with a

e en of s al an e e r gim t Au tr i Light Hors to prot ct it . All our wounded and many Turkish wounded were collected during the night and were sent off to

Z w i . . Sheikh o a d before 9 A M on the l oth . At ’

. on a a n 4 A M . th t d y a squadro of Light Horse was sent back with all the available limbers e Zowaid l e r es a n n from Sh ikh to co l ct ifl , mmu itio , and other material on the b attlefield, the Light

Horse remaining to give them protection . While thi s was b eing done and while a party were burying — our ea e lie el in the a ea d d th y , poor f lows , r e the r a e in the a a th ew allott d to b ig d tt ck , e N ’ Zealander s cemetery on the north of the

n the e and a e s on the mou d , Light Hors C m l Corp — south an advance squadron of a regiment came into action against a Turki sh squadron of cavalry h and a squadron of camelry . They drove t e ene off a n een ne s e n n my , c pturi g fourt priso r b lo gi g to formations which had not previously b een seen in southern Syria . ’ n s a a e a e r n the t The e emy ircr ft wer ctiv du i g 9 h . h ee of e e the na assa was e n T r th m , whil fi l ult b i g

a e out ea e s e e u n s e e c rri d , h vily bomb d om B do i h lt rs where the led horses of the Anzac Mounted head quart ers and the led camels of the Imperial Camel s 114 The D esert Campaigns

n n Corps were barracked . Two camels a d o e e ui n who was n on e e the n B do girl looki g , w r o ly casualties . Bombs were also dropped during the a e n n on e Zowaid e e the n ft r oo Sh ikh , wh r co voys e e in a n the ene e en e n e w r w iti g , my vid tly b i g v ry n anxious to damage our mobility . The e emy airmen were well up in their duties . On a cap ’ tured German officer we found an aviator s report

e 11 A .M . i a e all our di s s n for tim d , wh ch g v po itio s the a a one a e had s a e and a e tt ck hour ft r it t rt d , g v n e f them correctly . The total umb r o unwounded ’ ri ne s a en at a a was -five ofii cers p so r t k R f thirty , one a an f e and 1 e an w rr t o fic r , 437 oth r r ks , with

162 wounded prisoners . The unwounded Ger an a en n u e one ofli cer one a an ofli m s t k i cl d d , w rr t eer and n ne e ank all a hi ne nne s , i oth r r s , m c gu r , and several wounded Germans fell into our hands . The u s e e e a ee un e and T rki h kill d w r bout thr h dr d , there is no doubt many slightly wounded Turks got away in the darkness . Our casualties were certainly very light considering the number of troops employed and the nature of the ground over whi ch they had to move to attack a strong o n p sitio . We no w returned to El Ari sh and sat down to wait for the railway constructor to complete the Th e an et next section for us . e work b g to g The a a en nee was not troublesome . r ilw y gi r ruffl ed and looked on all hi s trials as b eing part of

all e e n et on . the daily round . But wer fr tti g to g “ ” The se an ! a a the Promi d L d Th t , s id Scots ,

CHAPTER XIII

FIRST VIEW OF THE PROMI SED LAND

WE a e e k Zowaid se en c m to Sh i h with our hor m ,

n an r and n and all e e e ee n a . i f t y , gu s , w r xc di g gl d

a n a a but hi e w no n . Ag i h lt , t s tim it as t unpleasa t For we had got out of the desert and from that r e the ea on hi the an e the idg to st , w ch Lowl d rs , ’ n a s men the men the eas a Pri cip lity , from t co st and southern and Midl and counties dug their a s we es e a e ne r and and bivou c , pi d P l sti , ich bright

ea f ul as in a as was see b uti , good to th k bout it to ,

and . ese a e ean glorious to fight for As th br v , cl mi n e s a e a e a a n d d boy m rch d up to th t ridg , b tt lio a e a a n on diff e en a e s n ane ft r b tt lio , r t d ys , th y po t In n ously burst into cheers . fro t of them was a country worth fighting for . Their eyes told them a and the as 2000 ea of hi s was th t , l t y rs its tory so engraven on their hearts that if they had only seen rock and sand before them they would still w h n n have cheered . Here as t e Promi sed La d o whi ch the M aker had bounteously scattered His and a e un e e e to gifts , this h llow d gro d th y w r

e the n ean n eal ule d liver from u cl , u h thy r which 116

118 The D esert Camp aigns

ea hi s i and a him w the a e h r ch rrup to w tch , ith s m ’ nfi en e as at e n a e the en ine and co d c hom , i v d m s l s ’ the a e s pick up crumbs th t f ll from warrior laps .

Every soldi er was a friend to every bird . There was something more homely and delightful still the n than the sparrow . While i fantry were still an in a hi e did an e e st d g to rms , w ch th y hour b for a n e e d a the a e ee the n d w v ry y , l rks ros to gr t mor in n es as ea and e and as e g with ot cl r pur fr sh , too, as the larks spiralli ng aloft from our Surrey com

n . e e r e en e an the e mo s Th s bi ds , v mor th flow rs ,

a e a an c rri d our thoughts cross to our Old L d , se i ss na e we e e now as e e n who m io ri s w r , v r , fighti g the battles of freeborn men for the freedom they love . h mi n ne T e Pro sed La d ope d up a great prospect . was s an es and an n It to co t us m y liv m y wou ds , but holding close to our traditions all declared the b e r ee n sacrifice to worth the p ice . Wh ls a d the tramp of many feet had crushed and bruised the green surface of Sheikh Zowai d before we left and e a e and and a it , it look d p rch d dry lmost

- desert like . Our camps at Rafa were more wi dely s a te e and e e a the a n e e c t r d , xc pt bout st tio , wh r never-ending demands on supply dumps caused ee to n the ea the n e a ne wh ls chur up rth , cou try r t i d i n h its v rgin fresh ess and t e triumph of colour . h The mornings were gorgeous . T e whole country side presented a broad smi ling green face frecked the ane ne and a n e and one with poppy , mo , hu dr d Th s n a flowers of every hue . e ky was e rly always First Vi ew of the Promised Land 119

n ed and the an -a a s a u cloud , puffs from ti ircr ft hr p nel as they chase d bomb - droppers away from o an a ea e e u a the nl es imp rt t r s , w r us lly o y smudg in the blue vault of the heavens . Northward golden sand dunes were a not inartistic foil to the ri l e an nea e e e n the ch y cloth d l d r r us , whil b yo d sand were the dancing sunlit waters of the Medi e anean a e e of u ass n e a t rr , turquois blu s rp i g b uty fading into an opalescent haze obscuri ng the The air was and a e es e horizon. dry r r ly Oppr siv ly ’ he n n a ni a a hot . T mor i gs of th t fort ght s st y t

Rafa will live in the memories of the troops . I went out on a reconnaissance to see more of

Palestine than glasses opened up . The Staff Officer I accompani ed was one of the type which had trained and rendered unbeatable the first of the contemptible little Army that helped to save e o na n France . A lov f ture e abled him to name e e and e he saw the e s ne in v ry bird flow r , v ry to s our a had an n e e him and e he was p th i t r st for , whil e e on the oo the ene a e of him v r l kout for my or tr c s , the gifts with whi ch God had endowed thi s land e e a a a e and n e n of e w r lw ys d light , i sp ctio th m The hi added to hi s stock of knowledge . story of the a e he ne e and e pl c k w v ry thoroughly , whil we were looking at the red roofs and minaret of a a a e in the a e een of e e he G z , fr m d s g gr oliv grov s , n the l a of a a hi one omitti g Bib ic l history G z , w ch ’ to n a e off the a e ought k ow , r ttl d Crus d r s fights ’

a a n in the n and a e n a a . with S l di tow , N pol o s tt ck And when we got into Kh an Yunus he told me an 120 The D esert Camp aigns

’ incident in N apoleon s march which few hi stories e a e a nea cut s th r l t , lthough it rly hort e career of a great soldier of France . After Napoleon had reduced the fort at El Arish he sent hi s main force forward thr ough Sheikh Zowaid and Rafa an n hi s an e h to Kh Yu us , but comm d r took t e wrong track and found himself a long way to the o no a e . e s uth , with w t r Som of his troops n b ecame muti ous and broke their muskets . Nap o leon with an escort of only two hundred men took the right road and was actually on the outskirts of Khan Yunus before he discovered that hi s army was not in front of hi m. Arabs attacked the escort and Napoleon had to retire hurriedly to avoid capture . He found a B edouin at Sheikh Zowaid who had seen the troops in the south and gui ded Napoleon to them . What the Little Cor poral said to hi s General is not recorded . en was in an n on e n to Wh I Kh Yu us , my r tur af a e en nee e e n an an en R , fi ld gi rs w r improvi g ci t well in the centre of the town and were placing an engine and pumping set in position. Some

Light Horse were guarding them . A Turkish cavalry patrol had not long left the town and n had probably crossed the path we had take . Kh an Yunus as you appro ach it appears a blazing

The art of an r a se e e . em erald . husb d y is pr cti d h r B arley is the main crop on the veldt outside the n n o er are a en tow , but withi its b rd s rich g rd s full of ui ee a e a e and all fr t tr s , tom to s , rtichok s, sorts of r e e a e . n ea e an e a v g t bl s Almo ds , p ch s , or g s , p icots ,

Lan 12 1 First Vi ew 0 e Promised d

e er e e and the fi s and ome r , g , p g s grow v ywh r in an planting does not em to have been done y he ees has haphazard fashio ough pruning t tr not been thought The town as well as all the gardens are encl by dense cac tus hedg es on hi an e re e es ein a e n ee gh b ks , som h dg b g doz f t The livir uarters the t n not thi ck . of ow do cover much groux md there is a mean bazaar n n ir st in a in the s ua e with othi g of it , but f c g q r

' where water is u 1 there are the remains of an old pal ace wh ocal tradition attributes to

Saladin. More one architect has been at and the rle a h a has not n work , rc w y bee improved by emb ng in it two styles of archi

e e . The inh an see a ee l ha t ctur ts m ch rfu , ppy o- k lot but ul be e e if g luc y , wo d b tt r habits of eanl ne e e 1 3 n cl i ss w r upo them . The child ren ’ e e indescri bab lth and the ula on w r y , pop ti s idea of sanitation gh !

CHAPTER XIV

AN ARMY OF SPORTSMEN

WHEN we were encampe d at Raf a someone look ing over the battlefield pointed out that the country to the south and west would mak e an ideal race

ou e . e e was a flat as n in c rs Th r bro d , gr sy grou d the alle and the l es of the n and on the v y , p mou d other side of the valley would accommod ate “ ’ spe ctators with ease Here s a course ; let us a e a ee n e ai e an e and h v m ti g , xcl m d oth r , forthwith

the ea . ene a e o e a n id took root G r l Ch tw d , h vi g faith in the ax iom that all work and no play mak es a e a e and in a e of a a f llow dull , pprov d , coupl d ys

— ; meeting s ubj ect always to mi litary exigencies n n n f was plan ed . I the lo g hi story o racing thi s meeting must hold a unique place . It was held on a battlefield shortly after an action had been fought on it . The horses engaged had nearly all ca e men in the a e and one a an winne rri d b ttl , g ll t r was actually wounded on the very spo t where he ran to victory . At least one half of the sp ectators were omeers and men who had fought the action to a an n s and a n a e the triumph t fi i h , , h vi g pl y d 122 An Army of Sp ortsmen 123

a e the i e e a e see Big G m for Emp r , th y c m out to

their noble chargers in the sport of kings . And underlying all the sport was never a thought of a was an ne t the inc personal gain. Th t ab do d a ep s s s n tion of the idea . The e port me raced and ’ en a n ene a and a e ne w t r ci g for G r ls cups , dd d mo y e e es s e e ne war they th ms lv sub crib d , but th y k w charities would benefit from a proportion of all en ne and e and a n was try mo y b ts , sporti g crowd never more s atisfied than that at Rafa when it ea ne a not a enn was a e l r d th t , though p y ch rg d for adm n the se e £2 00 was a e issio to cour , ov r m d for The ee in was a a e i n charities . m t g ctu lly h ld with a few ile of the ene was a a on the m s my , who lw ys o for and the s en ne a es l lo kout us , pl did mo t ry r u t would have b een bettered if the military situation had not demanded that the d ate should be ad vanced one d a on the e n n of i y , v ry mor i g wh ch it was necessary to send an infantry di vision on the

march from Rafa . Sport smen will read the programme of this classic “ The e er meeting with interest . D s t Column First ” Spring Meeting was assured of success from the a the n n e n the e had e n st rt , o ly co c r promot rs b i g whether anything in the mili tary situation would he s e demand the attention of t oldi r sportsmen . There never was a danger of any of the nine races n the ffi ul was ee n not filling . I deed di c ty to k p dow h e e e e e a e t e entries . Most soldi rs b li v d th ir ch rg rs be the s ee es in the an and nea all to p di t Comm d , rly e a a n of them thought they wer c p ble jockeys . A 124 The D esert Camp aigns

a a n ea s en e was r ea ene pp lli gly h vy li t of tri s th t d , but good advice tendered by friends curtailed the

and a the en an s e e the list , prob bly tr t w r fastest

an a s in ese n . was im l D rt Colum As it , two races h - ni ne s a e ad thi rty t rt rs each . What would the “ e a e the e sa e r a e een e mul r c , J ru l m Scu ry , h v b lik if the Committee had not limited the entri es to one er n ? No nne sa e or a en an p u it gu r , pp r , tt d t of a p ack mule would have conceded that another ’ man s mule was faster than hi s or that to g et the best pace out of him (or should it b e her ?) a whi p or spurs were needed . Both were b arred in the

ule a e ll a ee . ul se m r c , rightly you wi g r You co d e some training spins all over the countryside th en r e le e before e t i s of mu s w re limited . The “ s nse n trials were gorgeous . At u t with o truthf ul ” ‘ or a e a ule e e ut touts wily w tch rs bout , m s w r p through their b est paces . Some displayed their usual unfriendly attitudes on the journey and con

n e the i e ee e s e e ne be fou d d t m k p r , oth rs d cli d to s e and n ne a e ul e of the bu tl d , o took hop f vi w n he e ul e in prospects . Whe t b st m a unit had been selected there remained a good deal of doubt about the wisdom of the choice . That was inevitable . Thi nk of the brisk times the names of the races recalled to the soldier sportsmen of the Desert

The na an a na . T e a a Column. Si i Gr d N tio l h R f

h se an a e . The an Cup . T e Promi d L d St k s Syri

The e a e . The n a a D erby . Bord r St k s A z c Ch m — n pion Steeplechase . The Ubique Stakes a d the

126 The D es ert Campaigns and he will appreciate how it was hi s brother sportsmen acclaimed Clawstoi when he won the

nai an a na the a e of the d a at a a . Si Gr d N tio l , r c y R f on of f Clawstoi has a war record . He was e a ew horses saved from a torpedoed transport hur ried into ! ueenstown with her decks awash . He had been twice wounded in Egypt before he carri ed hi s ne n a n at a a e e he hi s ow r i to ctio R f , wh r got

i e n . Yet the allan a e th rd bull t wou d g t ch rg r, after having a pipe opener (and thir d place) in the fi a e of the d a n ea e the ea rst r c y , obly cl r d h vy jumps “ ” in the N ational and came in a winner over the actual course on whi ch he was hi t . Can you n e the e n n e e in e e wo d r soldi rs , k owi g th s th gs , w r boisterously enthusiastic ? Some had backed him in the ali a e of en en an tot s tor , mor out s tim t th an thi n e e hi s hi ea e in the d a y g ls , for t rd rli r y was not en u a n was not nn n a co r gi g , but it wi i gs th t accounted for the cheers . It was love for a war scarred veteran wi th a big heart that moved the crowd . Through the totalisator that d ay £2000 passed . As you would expect with big fields some n Th a winners p aid good mo ey . e st rt ers were too an all the nne on the a so onl m y to hoist ru rs bo rd , y non- a e s e e and e e e er few st rt r w r put up , th y w r v y . All the wne s e e out e o r w r to try th ir luck , but what think you of the lot of the starter who had to marshal thi rty-nine starters at the post with no gate ? He had little trouble from that crowd of sportsmen whose places at the post were printed on a le an was a r s rm ts d saddle cloths . It glo iou An Army of Sp ortsmen 12 7

and e a e d a . And now as the o n m mor bl y , sp rti g — a e a e for e a s ! p p rs h v it , D t il

SINAI HUNT CLUB

Desert Column Fi rst Spring Meeting

se be e at a a on u s a a 22 Propo d to h ld R f Th r d y , M rch , under the p atronag e of Lieutenant-General Sir

C e e B a t C . B . . . . P . W . h twod , r , , D S O

— h P s - . T e U e en a ene a 11. o C ed 3 RAFA , p r t by M jor G r l a las a e a s ee s a e 10 as es A . G . D l , dd d to w p t k of 35 p i tr , en all an s ese C umn ca e op to r k of D rt ol , tchw ight of

s e . One i e . 11 t . or ov r m l ’ Captain Tooth s Dipso 1 ’ Serg eant D avies Local 2 ’ Cap tain Gooch s Clawstor 3 — Th es 12 . o . e S K S cu en e 3 PROMI ED LAND STA E , p p r t d - E. B . mi e a s e a ene a . a e by M jor G r l W S th , dd d to w p s a e of 1 0 as es en all an s of ese t k 4 4 p i tr , Op to r k D rt C umn e e a a and a e ca c ei hts ol xc p t c v lry rtill ry, t hw g

11 s lbs . e . ur n s . t. 7 or ov r Six f lo g ’ Major Hercus s Maori Chief 1 ’ Major Hercus s Jean 2 ’ Captain Hine s Lancer 3 — h 1. o . T e B a s cu re SYRIAN DER Y for Ar b , for p p - sen e a ene a . . s n a e a t d by M jor G r l W W Hodg o , dd d to s ee s a e 2 0 as es Offi e s ese w p t k of 3 4 pi tr , for c r of D rt

mn i h s 1 s . l s. C u ca tchwe t 0 t b e . e ol , g 7 or ov r Fiv s furlong . ’ Lieutenant-Colonel Maclean s Yem Ken ’ Lieutenant Hop e s M acroug h ’ Lieu tenant Thomas s Nobby

was a uall el on the zrst It ct y h d . 12 8 The D esert Campaigns

— h S 1. o . T e cu re 3 INAI GRAND NATIONAL , for p p

sen e Sir . . C e e B a t B C . . . . t d by P W h twod , r , , D S O ad e a s ee s a e 6 0 as es O en all d d to w p t k of 5 7 p i tr , p to s se i s n e C umn c atchwe ht 11 s . s a t lb . r k of D rt ol , g 7 or n s s over . Two a d a half mile over the teeplechase course . ’ Cap tain Gooch s Clawstoi ’ Lieu tenant Eustace Smith s Riston ’ Cap tain D aniells Lexham

’ —Th T WARD s 2 . o . e S E a ece WELTER PLATE , for p i a e esen e b the e a s a e a s ee of p l t p r t d y St w rd , dd d to w p

s a e of 2 2 0 as es 1 st . e . One e t k 5 p i tr , 3 or ov r mil ’ Lieutenant Neill s Sultan ’ Captain Greer s Kim ’ Troop er Foster s Jim

— The B K S esen 2 . o . c u e 3 ORDER STA E , for p p r t d by ese C umn ea u a e s n es un e D rt ol H dq rt r for p o i or d r, en all an s ese C umn catchwei hts op to r k of D rt ol , g

l s . . e s . 10 st . 7 b or over Fiv furlong ’ Cap tain Madrell s Directly ’ Major Farr s Mohamm ed Ali ’ Lieutenant Nug ent s Connole

—Th Z S S cu . o . e C 3 AN AC HAMPION TEEPLECHA E , for p

- esen e a ene a . . C au e pr t d by M jor G r l Sir H G h v l , 6 B . a d e a s ee s a e 0 C . , d d to w p t k of 5 7 as es O en all an s ese C umn a pi tr , p to r k of D rt ol , c tch s 2 s es un the s ee e weig ht 1 t . or over . Two mil ro d t p l s cha e course . ’ Lieutenant Walker s Seymour ’ Serg eant Steven s Don Tomas ’ Troop er Owen s B aldie

IN T HE LIBYAN DESERT

CHAPTER XV

THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE SENUSSI

ONE cannot write of the campaign in the Western e e ee n s a the D s rt without f li gs of ymp thy for troops , some of whom spent far more than a year in prepar in e en e a n and a hin the e g d f c s , p trolli g , w tc g mov en of e ess en na e m ts mor or l fri dly tiv s , without having the slightest prospect of realising the hopes of a e n e the a b ttl or eve a Skirmish . Som of first line Yeoman ry regiments never fired a shot at the n The n he h Se ussi . Dorsets a d t Bucks ad their an e in the ea a the a a n en ch c s rly p rt of c mp ig , wh Sollum and the coastline to the Italian frontier were won a and we n e a e the b ck for Egypt , k ow th y m d of e un e e e en most th ir Opport iti s , but oth r r gim ts , composed of men who di d their duty in preparing ’ themselves for B ri tain s defence before a d evastat in an was ea e e had the g h d spr d ov r Europ , to do drudgery of war without the compensating excite n ment of fighting . It was a sore disappoi tment to e e e s af e e n a ne as a a b com foot slogg r t r b i g tr i d c v lry , 130 Campaign against the S enussi 13 1

but there was not a yeoman who did not willingly surrender his horse when many mounted regiments were brought together and trained as infantry to e h n fight in Palestine . Th y ad had e ough of in

a e e e had een a ne on the ctivity , wh th r th y b st tio d coast refreshed by breezes cooled by the Mediter ’ ranean s e a e or had een a e and blu w t rs , b p rch d tanned by blistering sands and blazing sun in the of h silent desert wastes . They were t e breed which for a n men a e s e er n en sighs ctio , who , ft r w lt i g wh the sun was i in the ea en e a se e h gh h v s , r vit li d th ir a bodi es by strenuous field games . They pl yed o a e e e s on es an af e n n sun fo tb ll with th ir h lm t , l t t r oo

should decrease their fighting qualities . In the “ Libyan Desert I have heard men ask : Shall we ever fire a round ? How can we go home and meet our people if we keep on lik e this till the war ends ? These questions betrayed a real anxiety to be at the o an e and the an e a the had to p st of d g r , sw r th t job n be done by someo e brought no consolation. The ” feeling that they were on a soft thing was afiect ing their morale and sorely distres sed them . They will not look with pride upon their part in the e e n e e a a n e er o e W st r D s rt c mp ig , though th y p f rm d w that part as well as it could be done . But it as n thin war as war has come to be recko ed . The an e the en a e h e Gr d Sh ikh of S ussi , S y d A m d , was the ea not the a a ea e of an e s e h d , if ctu l l d r , lu iv force . It kept us on the alert over a front much n e an n an and as difi cult ene a e lo g r th E gl d , to p tr t as n n h a any in Africa . We got our ha ds o t e co st 13 2 The D esert Camp aigns

ne as oon as s e and our was re li s po sibl grip tight , p venting any supplies of food or weapons reachi ng the n e The a e th n i t rior . block d of e Se ussi sphere nfl en e wa of i u c s complete . The Senussi regular army was never much more than three thousand s n and the e e e e e an n ne tro g , oth r l vi s w r u discipli d

- and ill armed rabble . was not e e 1 1 a a e It till Nov mb r , 9 5, th t S y d Ahmed was prevailed upon by enemy intriguers

in the e n- l to throw his lot with G rma ed Turks . His a e had een ea en n s e e ttitud b thr t i g for om tim , but on e an one a n en a ea e he mor th occ sio , wh it pp r d was about to break with hi s former friends he

an e and e a e e ea na e ch g d his policy b c m mor r so bl , n outwardly at least . Duri g the summer we were n h taught to be on our guard . I t e middle of a ne one of e August two British subm ri s , th m com mand ed by the young and gallant officer who was first to navigate a submarine through the nets and

ne in the a ane e a e e en mi s D rd ll s Str its , w r driv by stress of weather into an inlet on the rocky coast n ffi an n west of the Gulf of Sollum . A o cer d a engineer responded to calls from the Shore and set i e e e e n and off n a collapsible boat . Th y w r fir d upo ’ n e and the a ne n e a e both wou d d , subm ri s gu s x ct d n ss hi e a e the retribution . The Se u i C f pologis d for

n en and e s s n e e a e i cid t , with som how of i c rity d cl r d that the Arabs (there was a German with them) were wholly unaware that the submarines were In e the Tam e e n n as s . e Briti h Nov mb r , b tt r k ow n o a a a s nn n in o e f the L . N . W . r ilw y bo t ru i g

134 The D esert Campaigns and en an e e n s e th tr sport d ov r rough grou d , om times so sodden that movement was almost impos h n sible . T e rai s quickly ran off the hard ground to adi and e a e the sea and n the a e w s sc p d to , duri g l tt r part of the march to Sollum the troops suff ered

a n e . e e s go i s of thirst But th y triumph d gloriou ly , and e een e e e 11 1 1 and a 1 b tw D c mb r , 9 5, M rch 4 , 1 16 our o e a uh and 9 , troops f ught outsid M tr a e 1 0 e l ea n the ene m rch d 5 mil s to So lum , b ti g my e e e he was met and se n a on the wh r v r , curi g hold coastline which has never since been relaxed for a moment . No r e n en ne se the e a n co r spo d ts wit s d Op r tio s . In February there were in Egypt four of us possess ing the War Office licence to accompany troops in n th the field . Our lice ces attached us to e Medi ter ranean Expeditionar y Force whi ch was General ’ Sir Archi bald Murray s command . General Sir n a e andi n in a o had the Joh M xw ll , comm g C ir , direction of operations in Western Egypt . How e e n a erwa en e e n was v r, soo ft rds , wh W st r Egypt n e hi a ur a brought u d r Sir Arc b ld M r y , two of us travelled as far as Sollum and gathered details from officers engaged in the conduct of that vigor

ous an e a a n . ann de , brilli t littl c mp ig If I c ot e the o e a n as an e e- ne can at scrib p r tio s y wit ss , I any rate write from the best possible sources of n informatio . The operations against the Senussi were unr r e not eff e the a ure fo mly successful . W did ct c pt the an e a e nea of Gr d Sh ikh , though bomb dropp d r Camp aign agai nst the S enussi 13 5 him and e hi s a en an an of kill d two of tt d ts , but m y e e e e n one hi s follow rs w r kill d or wou ded . Not “ ” n en unf ortunate i cid t marred the campaign . Sayed Ahmed was not a courageous man like the D Ali n a di an na a . He a a M h , old Osm ig , or Di r lw ys fled on the first shot being fired or on a report that the r e e a a h n and e en B itish w r ppro c i g , if his fr qu t movements necessitated columns being sent out an n on the e te n n e we a e from m y poi ts w s r fro ti r , h v the satisfaction of knowing the treacherous Chief of the Senussi was driven from all hi s retreats to

the l of the a a a . e e hi s e u wi ds S h r H r , lov of l xury a e be a e and he has had e could sc rc ly gr tifi d , tim to

on e e the a . e he a sa e p d r ov r p st Doubtl ss is dd r ,

e a a e man . p rh ps wis r , In e e e 1 1 ene a a a e en D c mb r , 9 5, G r l W ll c w t to Mersa Matruh with mounted troops and some a e e inf antry . M truh is more asily reach d by sea n than by land . There is a railway from Alexa dria a aa the h edi e a en he to D b , built by K v Abb s wh thought there was money to be made by developing

an on the n . u be e e n l d orth If r mour is to r li d upo , ’ Abb as s method of acquiring railway material made railway construction a comparatively inex en e a e and en he was ne a n p siv m tt r , wh goti ti g with e a a s a n e e an the som c pit li ts ( mo g th m , G rm s) for sale of his line after the development of his land e e e n n the e he was sch m s prov d u promisi g , pric to ai n n ene obt was remu erative . But Lord Kitch r n the ne a n and the di scom got wi d of goti tio s , , to ’ fiture a the e an s no en e of Abb s , Gr at M No , , d d 13 6 The D es ert Camp aigns the ea and the ne was e e d l li s cur d for Egypt .

a e e was a a a e e Abb s , how v r , p id good m rk t pric and the lin e is unlik ely ever to yield interest on the out

- la . a aa is e five e a ru and y D b ighty mil s from M t h , wh at is known as the Khedi vial road conn ects the

es . t two plac Cars move over it a fair speed . Our a at a u was nea the a a c mp M tr h r h rbour , beautift situated anchorage with water so deep a esse s u tie u the s e not far th t v l co ld p to id , from ’ where a portion of Cleopatra s summ er vill a still

e a ns a e e n en a a . r m i , without pil b i g driv for wh rf Some hi gh sand- hills were occupied to protect the camp and the few Senussi sni pers who crept in at night di d no damage . On D ecember 7th General Wallace moved his headquart ers to Matruh and e e hi s forc e as u of as was no coll ct d , or m ch it t requi red to guard hi s lin e of communications and the wells . The outlying garrisons from Sollum eastward e e u n a and a a th w r bro ght i to M truh , gr du lly e troops left at D abaa on the road joined the main u n a e nna ssan e on e e e body . D ri g r co i c D c mb r

1l th ne n the an as a , Colo l S ow, of Egypti Co tgu rd

e e was s in the s a and e a S rvic , hot tom ch kill d by na e he was n er a n and the e was tiv i t rog ti g , forc p oorer for the loss of the oflfic er who more than any other knew the country and the pe ople . Wherever I went in the west I heard regrets at ’ ne n s ea and am su e a in hi Colo l S ow d th , I r th t t s ’ case the B edouins expressions of sorrow were e e e e or ee ene e en sincere . Th r w r two thr rg tic

138 The D esert Campaigns

sivel un e o . . . . Clematis one y of mo t d tro ps H M S , “ ” of the a e a o r pidly built flow r cl ss of sloops , st od

by to help from the sea . The columns moved out a at a - a u on s a n n of M truh h lf p st fo r Chri tm s mor i g , hours before the E astern sky gave any promise of

. The n an a e n e fire at a ea light i f try c m u d r d ybr k , but drove the enemy beyond the hi ll to an escarp

en nea the a . The e nf o e th m t r w di Sikhs , r i rc d by e New Zea an es a e a n a a a l d Rifl , m d fro t l tt ck , sup ported by the Bucks Hussars and a Territorial ” a a n the Die a 1 and the e a o b tt lio of H rds , b h vi ur of the Indians and New Zealanders made the men n of the two battalions stro g comrades . The Senussi got into the caves and gullies when the Notts battery Shelled them from the escarpment (a direct hi t on a Turkish mountain g un was one of the an un s e a d a and the m y good ro d fir d th t y) ,

progress down the wadi became difficult . Every a e was ea e and en the n en a e in c v cl r d , th colum g g d ee n the un ns s n o n e sw pi g co try south , co i ti g of m u t d

na e e off in the a e n n we troops , fi lly drov th m ; ft r oo had the satisfaction of counting 3 70 enemy dead

- h en ss e and eighty two prisoners . T e S u i took th ir

n e a a e e a a e a n of wou d d w y , but th y l ft l rg mou t

e s a e and a n n . liv tock , c m ls , mmu itio The umn a a on o n Da col s got b ck to M truh B xi g y , but B rigadier- General the E arl of Lucan was on the move again on the 2 8th with a small column a a a e at erawla e e a a o to tt ck forc J , wh r vi t rs Th n e e reported enemy camps . e colum cov r d

1 e e e e Th Middles x R g im nt .

140 The D esert Camp aigns

ene e us n be a n n se a e my r f i g to dr w i to clo qu rt rs , retiring Slowly and methodically o n to hi s main

s ns and et e u en ea en n our an s po itio , y fr q tly thr t i g fl k

and always holding the advantage of ground . The

a e was an e our ene es and is mir g oth r of mi , it doubt

ful e e an e e on ea s e an n wh th r ywh r rth thi fickl , d ci g

hi a ni e s e e s e light , w ch m g fi s om obj ct whil com letel s uri n e s b e n so e p y ob c g oth r , could fou d troubl

s e as was e e Halazin . Led the i s om it b for by S kh , the South Afri cans and New Zealanders had to ’ e e a n un en flat the ene mov ov r lo g brok , but my s

uns and a ne n s a u a e ser e g m chi gu , cc r t ly v d though

e e e ul not s e and the a n ne th y w r , co d top th m , m i li

ea e le the an e e ea en was r ch d whi fl ks w r still thr t ed . ’ The day s fighting ended about three in the after

n n the u of the en ss a no oo with ro t S u i rmy , but u su was ss e in the n n of the n p r it po ibl co ditio grou d , and the remainder of daylight was given up to the h destru ction of the camp . T e trials of the troops

e e not e e e . is not en w r ov r , how v r It prud t to ua nea the s e a en ss a n n bivo c r it of S u i c mpi g grou d , whi ch is not only covered with biting insects but is

otherwi se unclean . Therefore our men marched two miles to the east where no down wind would

carry traces of the tainted encampment . But

S ee was d enied ea a es . The n was l p _ to w ry fr m ight n e very wet a d bitterly cold . To secur freedom of e en n the d a an e and ea a mov m t duri g y , bl k ts gr tco ts h ad been left with the supply train whi ch was h n bogged several mil es away . T e field ambul a ce was and the had e e e full , troops just to huddl tog th r Camp aign agai nst the S enussi 14 1

n and shi ver through the lo g dark hours . D awn a e u an s and the e had c m witho t y comfort , forc to

e in the mu d se e al es B ir a trudg for v r mil to Shol , a in all e es an the a e se h ul g v hicl by h d , for tr c hor s could only manage to pull themselves out of the

The n e e e a e on s e a . e s cl y wou d d w r c rri d tr tch r , twelve men in reliefs being allott ed to each s e and e ea th tretch r , it took ight hours to r ch e bivouac and food . A bright and fine d ay on the 25th brought the column whi stlin g and singing

n a h a at the a e had i to M tru , h ppy thought th t th y “ Kn e s off the en ss se as a ock d pots S u i , who c u lties are b elieved to have been at least seven hundred in

e n a l this engag ment . Ge er l Maxwel reported : In the su ess aine on the 2 d es e a a se cc obt d 3 , p ci l pr i is d ue the ea n ne n to l di g of Colo l Gordo , who com mand ed the a n a a and the al an m i tt ck , to g l try of the the ans and the New Zea Sikhs , South Afric , an e s u n n e as n l d r , who fo ght with i vi cibl d h a d ” resolution throughout the d ay . I have heard similar praise of these troops from officers un

nne e auv e e a a ns and co ct d with of th s b tt lio , all regretted that circumstances compelled the New Zealanders to rejoin their bri gade on the eastern b ank of the Canal and thus sever their connection h with t e West Force. CHAPTER XVI

THE MARCH ON SOLLUM

- . o e the MAJOR GENERAL W E . PEYTON to k ov r c an ene a a a e on e a th omm d from G r l W ll c F bru ry 9 , and was e e to a e not the it d cid d m k for Sollum , by Khedivial road whi ch runs from B arrani by the e af e e ea n the ene a n our shor , but , t r d f ti g my b rri g a to a an a e the ee e a en p th B rr i , to sc l st p sc rpm t whi ch holds up the vast inland plateau several hundreds of feet above the sea level and to g et n T behind Sollum a d its old walled fort . he Navy was to assist by gunfire and by landing troops and l e e the ene sea supp i s , but to surpris my by at was an i e a e Sollum mpossibility , b c us ships could not go into the bay without a prelimi nary sweep o n r ee for mines . The town f Sollum co sists of th b B houses on the flat shore of a beautiful ay . e yond the few hundred yards of fairly level sand there is a rough uneven wall rising very abruptly e e en n e ee a e sea e e and som s v hu dr d f t bov l v l , this escarpment runs round the Libyan Plateau for To the la ea many scores of miles . approach p t u from Sollum with the line of the escarpment oc cu 142

144 The D es ert Campaigns

n d a . Gaaf er e e e followi g y , how v r , thought oth r

se . He had s n no e a l in eadi n wi how littl bi ity l g , and on the af ternoon of the 2 5th he brought up two

ns and a ine n and e n a gu m ch gu s fir d i to our c mp . e a a e was ne ene a u n Littl d m g do , but G r l L ki changed hi s plan for a ni ght march and attacked ’ n in daylight . By eleve o clock he was attacking

A a ia the Af an the se Yeo g g with South ric s , Dor t an and ar e a s a e on the m ry, two mour d c r pl c d right fl ank ready to pursue the moment the enemy

e and a e a and the u Hus brok , two rmour d c rs B cks n sars on the left . Adopti g t actics similar to those at Halazin the muha zia e at the e , f mov d doubl to

et n our e but e of the u ri ans g rou d l ft , som So th Af c e e u in su and the n e a a w r q ickly pport , cou t r tt ck e th n ebbed away . Imm di ately e Ge eral withdr ew the Bucks and sent them to reinf orce the mounted

n on his r en n in the e a n e me ight , th , throwi g r m i d r of hi s ese es and e a u e a s at r rv two oth r rmo r d c r , tacked the main position and compelled the enemy ’ i s was the e e an s O r to fly . Th Dors t Y om ry p p o tunit and ne e e a e a y , Colo l Sout r mbr c d it without ’ not s et moment s hesitation . He di d wi h to g mixed up in the sand- hill s where wire and trenches

a e e him u so for a e he e might h v h ld p , tim pursu d l ne a a le the in e e ea a a n a i p r l l to l of r tr t , tt cki g with di smounted fire whenever the horses required a h h ne on a ea . T e breather . The Bucks ad go h d enemy camels and baggage were in front with the Senussi regulars with Maxims forming the rear and en ne e e e flank guard s . Th Colo l Sout r d cid d to go The March o n S oll um 145

the ene in ne and a in s ea l for my two li s , g llop g t di y in fif a the ea a he a e the till with ty y rds of r rgu rd , g v e a e and e hi s e one ord r to ch rg , , to quot r port , with e the e r e e e es n the ene y ll Dors ts hu l d th ms lv i to my , In the who immedi ately broke . middle of the ’ ene s nes e was lle n e me and my li my hors ki d u d r , , a s an e n s e me by curiou ch c , his dyi g trid s brought hi n a few a of the en ene a Gaafer wit y rds S ussi g r l , ” n e h d n an ofli Pasha . Colo el Sout r a o ly cer and a e an him and a n e e e fif y om with , rou d th m w r ty en s a a hine- un e n n a e S us i , but m c g s ctio soo c m up ,

and Gaaf er and his staff were captured . Colonel “ Souter says : It is difficult accurately to express the eflect i s a a r a e on the ene of th c v l y ch rg my . Throughout the d ay he had fought with extreme nes en the se n he had bold s , but wh hor s got i to him nd a was et a n one a a . o ly thought , th t to g w y in n i That charge will live Yeoma ry h story . The

was at a r e . One a n all victory bought p ic squ dro , of e ea e e e le se e e whos l d rs w r kil d or hor l ss , rod too far the e en e a a e i s a e , y om , xhil r t d by th ch rg through ’ the ene a r n on en n e oflficers con my , c r yi g wh , u d r

e a e een l e . hi trol , th y would h v b pu l d up T s a n had a a e the s v squ dro most c su lti s , but ur ivors know how their work that d ay p ut the Senussi in

ea ea a e ne e a a n . gr t f r , so th t th y v r stood up to us g i ene a n a an and the G r l Luki got to B rr i , two thou sand supply camels allocated for transport were

‘

not a e u the e at n e . The a bl to s pply forc o c N vy , h e e a a ea in an e e en ae ow v r , lw ys r dy m rg cy , com

mod ated se the a e e a n and la en s it lf to cc l r tio , d upply 146 The D esert Camp aigns ships poured stores into the port and got up the e aini n e i en of the an i e a r m g r g m ts South Afric s , wh l mounted brigade and the Hong Kong and Singa pore mountain battery were at B arrani by March ’ n ow w h 8th . General Peyto s scheme n as that t e Plateau force should consist of two battalions of in an a a e an the a e f try , c m l corps comp y , rmour d a and the n n and n a e a e c rs , Ho g Ko g Si g por b tt ry , and that the remai nder of the troop s should pro n the n th ceed west by the coast road . O ight of e — 13 I 4th the two columns were abreast of each e and en eedi n on e es e e oth r , wh proc g th ir r p ctiv e in the n n an ae ane e a rout s mor i g , ropl dropp d e a the ene w ea n hi messag th t my as l vi g s camps . The mounted troops then joined General Lukin

on the a ea . e a e an ae ane di s pl t u A littl l t r , ropl covered a large p arty of Senussi about twenty e e of and the a u e a n e mil s w st Sollum , rmo r d c rs u d r M ajor the Duke of Westminster went after the n e emy . On thi s and on some subsequent days the c ar men had some thrilling experiences . They passed the of hi was e an by fort Sollum , w ch mpty , d s r e ae e e a er an- ne ammuni ki t d Bir W r , wh r G m ow d u tion factory had been burnt . G ided by a native ne the a a u a who k w Tobruk ro d , c rious highw y hi e n in the ese the a e a n w ch b gi s d rt , c rs bump d lo g at a steady pace till they came to a well on the left

was e a ne an e of the a . a e e d sid ro d A c mp th r x mi d , the a ee e a a e c rs proc d d to Aziz , bout two mil s

a e on e e e a e n e s e fire . en f rth r , wh r th y c m u d r h ll Th

The March on S oll um 14 7 they turned to the left at a given signal so as to g et in ne and a e n a enuss s n n li , ch rg d i to S i p o itio , wipi g out a mountain- g un and two machine-gun crews he a ea an e the a s t r and guns . T pp r c of c rs truck e in en s ea and the e n was ror S u si h rts , whol cou try soon covered with men and camels trekking off to - n e n the a the the south west . O g tti g through c mp a en on n e en en o n all a e c rs w t i d p d tly , sh oti g lo d d camels and men within reach . Two of these camels carri ed mixed loads of petrol and hi gh ex he e a e e an a plosive shell . T p rfor t d p trol c s c ught fire and the s e e e hi a e the a , h lls xplod d , w ch m d c mp

e a on e nee ea the un follow rs f ll th ir k s , b t gro d with ’ “

e e ea and a on a aid . The th ir for h ds , c ll All h s n ik e Turkish g unners stuck to their gu s l good men. When we p as sed them without killing them they urne n and n n e n at a we t d rou d co ti u d firi g us , so th t had a and n s e one of the ffi e to go b ck fi i h th m , o c rs The a e e ee n a n ns told me . c rs coll ct d thr mou t i gu and nine machine guns with rounds of - n and e e al es of sm all arm ammuni tio s v r box shell . Two of the cars stood by all ni ght to protect the a e and the e ai n e e a e e a s c ptur s , r m d r r tr c d th ir tr ck

find our nf an in a n. The to Sollum , to i try occup tio

Senussi did not venture on Aziza again . us en e the a ai n on the a Th d d c mp g co st , though a day or two later the armoured cars and light ambulance cars made the historic dash to B ir n the Ta Hakimto rescue a d bring back m prisoners . a e a a e e a ea ea not Of th t r m rk bl xploit gr t d l , but

too has een ri en . was a ea much , b w tt It f t worthy 148 The D esert Camp aigns of the armoured c ar divisions and of the Duke of es ins e en f e th W tm t r , who , wh most o thos in e small mobile column were afraid the gui des had lost

e ea n was a a an . n th th ir b ri gs , lw ys optimist O e

’ e see n a rou of a n men a n e driv rs i g g p st rvi g , stou d d at the soun d of thr obbing engines when they had — resigned themselves to starvation their diet of — snails had almost given out the cars started to race towards them . That race was won by Lieu

enan . s the a us e me t t W Grigg , f mo jock y , who told ” it was the finest classic in which he had ever

en ridd . ’ In slightly over three weeks General Peyton s e had ea e 1 0 e of n ha e e e forc cl r d 5 mil s cou try , d s v r ly damaged the influence of S ayed Ahmed as spiri tual ea of the en s n a e n and had re h d S us i co fr t r ity , lieved the Admini stration of much anxiety in the e a e e a ea a a n had een D lt , wh r good d l of git tio b f the carried on in secret . The success o force in the coastal area may even have prevented an outbreak of e elli n in r b o Egypt . The campaign had an importance to the Empire far b eyond that of relieving the Egyptian seaboard

of the presence of an enemy invader . It was an e ess n of e a n and n a e the obj ct l o Imp ri l u ity , lo g ft r ” war the eff ect of this little side show of the world war will be felt in most corners of the earth e a e of wh re the British flag flies . The comr d ship troops drawn from four continents was cemented — by the strongest welding influence c lose associa — tion on the field of b attle and mutual a dmiration

150 The D esert Campaigns

n o ly the holes cut deep into stone are of interest . Sidi B arrani and the other small ports are of value the a a ea e ess a the to co stgu rd , who c s l ly w tch for smuggling of arms and other things harmful in n B edouin hands . The country is barren a d is a e a e a e and fickl support for Ar bs , th ir c m ls flocks , and nles a e hi has e e the sea u s w t r , w ch lud d rch of en inee s is n the a eau ne e g r , fou d , pl t will v r support n more than a wa dering population. CHAPTER XVII

DESERT DRIVE S

To put an end completely to hi s po wer for mis chief it becam e advisable in the autumn and winter to drive Sayed Ahmed from the three important o ases in the Libyan desert whither he had fled . r n His a my was very much atte uated . Typhus and e e di seases had a en a ea and oth r f ll t k h vy toll , of the prisoners we captured many were sick and

1 b . o emaciated . The daily ration of % l s f rice and fat n was a in of the a an for cooki g th g p st , th ks a nl n of the a and the muh afzia m i y to our co trol co st , lived on what they could rob from the population of the oa e who are e e es a e lentiq s s , th ms lv r r ly p y

s e e e in the a e ea n. nse en uppli d xc pt d t s so Co qu tly , the Sen s e e not e e es and en us i w r w lcom gu ts , wh B ritish light car patrols and Australi an Camel

s ase e out of akhl a the e e Corp ch d th m D , p opl rushed out of their rude mud huts and kissed the hands of their deliverers . There was no

ak n the e e . e a e mist i g w lcom A simpl , rtl ss folk , e e n e no s of e n e e who w r u d r ort dir ctio , l ft th ir work in the small square fields to break down the irriga 151 152 The D esert Campaigns tion channels they had prepared with care and no e s in e a the ar e a littl kill , ord r th t m d motor c rs might have an improved path to go in pursuit of the enemy . Anything they had was at the service the and the e ea of the few of troops , wh r bouts Senussi sick remaini ng in D akhl a were disclosed with a readiness whi ch suggested how truly pleased th e people were to be rid of them and to be at peace m a en a a a n . e e w s a e a a e g i Si il rly , wh th r th t r m rk bl as of a s a ea in the n ea the d h c r to Siw rly followi g y r , Siwans came out in crowds and expressed their an ne at the e a e the en a e th kful ss d p rtur of S ussi r bbl , offered presents of sheep and asked to be allowed to send men to repair the road up a pass whi ch the ene had n so a the a mi my blow up , th t c rs ght make a comfortable ascent up the escarpment on The en ss a the return journey . S u i rmy had lived e in a and had e e e e by t rror Siw , prov d th ms lv s h un n the worthy alli es of t e H a d Turk . Of the thr ee oases from whi ch S ayed Ahmed was e e e a is the n e es n not the j ct d Siw most i t r ti g , if most n o f ancient . U til our troops g t to it ew white men of ene a n had a e e on the n this g r tio c st y s tow , which , a few e off l e a a n and a e e from mil s , looks ik g u t b tt r d e i ae a e an n en ne the en m d v l fortr ss , st di g s ti l to hidd

‘ n en n n secrets of some a ci t unk ow world beyond . On closer approach nothing less like a fortification

b ne . he n n could e imagi d T tow is built o a rock . The houses stand tier on tier till sometimes eight ram shackle dwellings cumber a few square yards n of ground . The material used in co struction is

154 The D esert Camp aign

fi s e ns a es and e x an g , l mo , gr p , oliv s , grow lu uri tly , and the oas is also yields some grain . Perhaps a future Administration will teach the

Siwans the virtues of cleanliness . There is no ex e r a e has een a un n cuse for th ir di t , for N tur b b da t in her gif ts of water in this spot awaiting the touch n e e r of the civilising ha d . Th r a e two hundr ed s n in the ne u a e of pri gs ighbo rhood , bout ighty them yieldi ng water fit for drinking and irrigating in a e an . e e as an e the cultiv t d l d H r , m y oth r places in the e e ua the an s of d s rt which g rd fl k Egypt , evidence of the skill an d industry of the old Ro o th mans still remains . Some f e wells are lined

s ne e n and s a e an a ns with to , h w h p d by Rom m so , and generally it is in these wide - mouthed water

e a the a e ea e and s s a hol s th t w t r is cl r st mo t p rkling . The Romans made the most of the b est that was e i n ff e . a r a o ered th m Prob bly th y , too , o gi ted the cisterns which store water when it is plentiful and In not wanted for Irri gation. both the eastern and western deserts I have b een lowered into some of these cisterns which have stood the disinteg rat in e f e of an en ri es and e as g f ct m y c tu , do th ir work well to - d ay as when they were c ut with instru ’ ments prob ably softer than the modern soldier s n n n e tre chi g tool . A mile and a half east of Siwa is the substantial

lla e of mi e a se vi g Aghur , which , lik Siw it lf , is built on a r and on the a e n ea hf ul a e n ock s m u h lt p tt r , h though the streets are somewhat wider . T e o ula n a e e a an the ans p p tio is of b tt r cl ss th Siw , D esert Drives 155

a e an the an e a een are s who , f ir r th Egypti f ll h , phy i a e the e a e an a in a c lly b low Nil V ll y st d rd . With circumference of a quarter of a mile underneath the a e mi are a en s ri n s and h ml t of Aghur doz p g , you may take your choice of them as your fancy leads

ou or e or a a e . e e are y to hot cold , fr sh s lt w t r Th r e a e n e a n of e e in the a oth r sm ll r co gr g tio s p opl o sis , the lowest in the order b eing the rock dwellers at Mar a he e n un i lin n a a e too g , who , b i g w l g , i c p bl , or — lazy to build habitations for themselves or p er — haps it is from choice live there in the tombs of

- some long forgotten people . It is a journey of many days from Siwa to the a a a i a e hme en e hi s D khl o sis , to wh ch S y d A d w d d wear y way when dreaded armoured cars were seen on reconnaissance on the top of the escarpment a

few mi e n a in ril 1 16 . n an l s orth of Siw , Ap , 9 O ly Arab or a whi te man with a stout hea rt and e l- a en n a e the hi w l l d co voy would m k trip , w ch for hundreds of miles is over a wilderness of sand un e e e a n e al and a e r li v d by si gl p m , without w ll to yield comf ort to a parched tongue . Sayed Ahmed and his crowd later in the year had to mak e the journey in the reverse direction through the a a a as s we e e a a n and B h ri o i , which w r ppro chi g , his ‘ stay there was only sufli ciently long to enable his men and camels to take a short rest and to drink the a n oo a of a e the of gr tifyi g , though p r qu lity w t r h had n wells there yield . T e progress south bee e le s e e a e n s e mor i ur ly, b c us u di turb d by us , but though he got to D akhla and remained there some 156 The D esert Camp aigns months (it is to b e hoped the mosquito es bit him as fiercely as they attacked our troop s) he never

hi n a n e es the e a e got wit hu dr d mil of Nil V ll y , in hi s as ul o s he ea ene which , bo tf m od , thr t d to

hi e he was in overrun . W l D akhl a there was al ways a possibility that he would exert an evil

n en e on a n the an na es i flu c portio of Egypti tiv , not because British rule has not worked untold

the e la e au se he is eas s good for f l h , but b c ily tirre d

en ss e on religious grounds . S u i missari es did g et K a a and ss e e a to h rg , po ibly th y mov d tow rds ss an a il an a e en e an un A ou , but vig t w tch pr v t d y a n en a d the e e n e ea tow rd i cid t , n ov rwh lmi g d f t of the l an of a u at the end Ma s a e Su t D rf r , of y , mu t h v ’ e a e e s es n e as forc d S y d Ahm d hop dow to z ro , it undoubtedly convinced the Upper Egyptian fella n n heen that Britai was invi cible . The Senussi chi ef remained at D akhla until e en he a e s en o e e Octob r , wh must h v p t s m v ry anx ious hours . In a country where B edoui ns are a a n a he es ea lw ys movi g bout , doubtl s h rd of our e a a n at a a an n e es n as e e pr p r tio s Kh rg , i t r ti g o is wh r in enterprise and a large expenditure of private capital have fai led to regain for the di strict the prosperity it is reputed to have had when it formed part of the Egyptian Empire in the period about 1 r n e 500 years before the Christian e a . Ni ety mil s from the Nile Valley Kh arga stands in a vast in d natural depression. Our troops Kh arga di n very well . There was a fi e swimming bath for n e e men and another for officers . I to th latt r

158 The D esert Campaigns a e i a e the ne il foot th y d spl y d fi st m itary qualities . On e th and 10th e enan n Octob r 9 , Li ut t Armstro g , n e i en e f e a e a e nna ssan e of I t ll g c O fic r , m d r co i c Mut , at the s e n end of the a a o 110 mi es outh r o sis , b ut l a a and e in e en from Kh rg , r ports brought , subs qu tly n e ae a se a ns e e the e f e co firm d by ri l ob rv tio , w r to f ct that a general exodus of the Senussi from the oasis ne McNeill had begun . Colo l (afterwards B ri ga dier- General commanding some dismounted Yeo an an e in hi a ea e e m ry) , who comm d d t s r , d cid d to try to g et into touch with any of the enemy left in a hla and a e a n ar an e en the D k , ft r m ki g r g m ts for establishment of an advanced post for water and a n at a ea on e 1 th es a e r tio s , d ybr k Octob r s , d p tch d e enan s n e enan n sa and Li ut t Arm tro g , Li ut t Li d y, Lieutenant Gayford with six light patrol cars and e ns a e er van three L wis gu , Ford d liv y with sig

nallers and ten s s . The s na e , motor cycli t ig ll rs e e e at n McNeill hi -five e w r dropp d Mou t , t rty mil s on the a a . An a e car and en e Gub ri ro d rmour d t d r , which had b een searching for a track up the scarp n of the a a was e a e and en orth Gub ri ro d , r c ll d s t to meet the light car patrol at a former Senussi post e en - ee e on the a h e e ns s v ty thr mil s ro d , w il two s ctio of the Australian company Imperial Camel Corps under Lieutenant Mills went out in support of the ans a n a com cars . A motor tr port tr i of six c rs menced a n a a e e and m ki g dump of w t r , p trol,

- rations fifty six miles from Kharga . a a n the e a a e or C pt i Wright , of Imp ri l C m l C ps , who was in Cairo on duty when it was decided to D esert D ri ves 159

e n a hl a a e a e ne o mov i to D k , m d r cord jour y s uth a a and e a e e in a ear to to Kh rg , imm di t ly l ft supply a e a e of the e a ns the i car a t k ch rg op r tio , l ght p trol ’ e an a a s of having mor th d y start him. Lieuten ant Armstrong occupied Teni da on the afternoon of the 16 and sen in a e a e a the en ss th , t m ss g th t S u i who had not already left the oasis were concentrat Th ing with a view to proceeding to Siwa . e supply arrangements were found to be working exceed in l e and was e e e e e en an g y w ll , it th r for d cid d to s d n of the a e n he other sectio c m l corps i to t oasis . On the a e n n the 1 e enan Ar s n ft r oo of 7th , Li ut t m tro g with four patrol cars was on hi s way thr ough B elat , on the n e n ri n e of the as s e e a n e orth r f g o i , wh r umb r the ene e e e e be to a e a ee of my w r r port d to , m k sw p ing movement towards the centre of the western o n of the as the a e n a a e a p rtio o is , ro d b i g f vour bl th t way ; Captain Wri ght moving westwards through ’ n the oasis . Arm stro g s p arty made magnificent e and a e in the d a ea e B udkhulu progr ss l t y r ch d , e een as a and a a hl the ri n a b tw R hid ! sr D k , p cip l n village in Dakhla . The goi g became impossible for a as was ea ne a a of B a c rs , but it l r d th t body a a a was s a ea a few men the r ss Ar bs ju t h d , from a ak n e s ns e e on and n c rs , t i g two L wi gu , pr ss d fou d en on a ll s e n ne n e a the emy hi id i hu dr d y rds away .

a e the a a e an the ea an Shortly ft r tt ck b g , h dm appeared with a whi te flag and surrendered wi th

- five men a e and n e . nf a n forty , c m ls , do k ys I orm tio was forthcoming that the Siwa taboor was at Bir

ei a e the e e n the e Sh kh Moh mm d , w st r most of w lls , 160 The D esert Campaigns n ne e a a the car e had had e i mil s w y , but cr ws littl es ee a and ni and e e e r t for thr d ys ghts , th y w r com p elled to bivouac at B udkhulu to awai t the arrival r of the camel co ps . Mosquitoes gave them no he nse peace . T i cts were so thi ck that a man andi n had a e a n st g up cloud of th m rou d him . On ’ the 18th e a ai in a a n ri a r al , whil w t g C pt i W ght s r iv at B udkhulu e enan s n e n , Li ut t Arm tro g rush d dow ’ to Rashi da and arrested ten Senussi in the Omd a s a a n a s n an n house . C pt i Wright s umi g comm d we t on e a e n e to Bir Sh ikh Moh mm d , rou d d up forty ’ en s and ur n the an e a S us i , b t Gr d Sh ikh s f rm build s e a e h ings there . A yst m tic driv of t e whole oasis ’ was a e a e n and a e a ee a ft rw rds b gu , ft r thr d ys search of the Vill ages a total bag of 18 1 Senussi was e e n d n e e a ofli cers and e en s cur d , i clu i g s v r l s v Egyp tian coastguards who had traitorously left their n n posts in the coastal sectio a d joined the enemy . A large number of ri fles and ammunition and n wa fin revolvers were take . There s some e work n done during the operatio . The Australian camelry a e 1 0 e in a and the m rch d 3 mil s four d ys , motor supply column and two camel convoys carri ed

a n a e and e . The a lbs . of r tio s , for g , p trol c rs h e were a great success in thi s region. T e d sert from Water Dump A was criss -crossed with their a and e e the n was a as en tr cks , wh r goi g h rd , it oft

was e ellen ee e e a n a ne . , xc t sp ds w r m i t i d You could not et e e a e e an ee al g tog th r b tt r b d of ch ry , loy , ene e men an the e erv n w rg tic , robust th f llows s i g ith the a e -car e n l car a motors , rmour d s ctio s , ight p trols ,

C HAP TER XVIII

THE DASH ON SIWA

SO far as those of us who were wi th the Egyptian e na Force n no - car u n Exp ditio ry k ow , motor col m has done anythi ng on so large a scale in the war as the e en on the a a s in e a swift d sc t Siw o si F bru ry , 1 1 en a a the endi ea of con 9 7 , wh , p rt from spl d f t quering tremendous natural ob sta cles and of revie tualling and munitioning a force whi ch had only e a e n re e e in ee l ft its b s , two hu d d mil s b h d , thr a e e the car e a n d ys b for , cr ws fought stubbor and e - i en ene en and w ll h dd my for tw ty hours , d uring the ni ght twenty-two men remained with in five hundred yards of a foe outnumbering n - n a e Ah e them by fully twe ty five to o e . S y d m d was known to be at Siwa during the winter with M a e a e hi s a a i e s aff and oh mm d S l h , co stgu rd ch f of t ,

the e nan hi s a e n e n . r m ts of rmy , ight hu dr d stro g It was decided to oust him from Siwa and to send e nf an or him on hi s travels again. To mploy i try camelry was ab solutely out of the question. It s e a n and n the was exclu iv ly motor colum , o ly

n edi a and su se e e e a e . fighti g , m c l , pply rvic s w r c rri d 162 The Dash on S iwa 163

n a e a n on e a the e Soo ft r d w F bru ry I st , out of w st rn e a of a u la se e xit from M truh , motors v rio s c s s - ne the a . l e a e a chur d up ro d Rol s Royc rmour d c rs , a a n a and a T lbot w go s , Ford light p trol supply c rs , a D aimler lorry carrying a Krupp gun made in 187 1 and a e the ene in 1 16 and e a c ptur d from my 9 , ov r score of motor lorries sent up a cloud of dust which n ee n made travelli g exc di gly uncomfortable . To the e of e e e ri e two surpris v rybody but th ir d rs , motor cycles managed to plough their way through from end to end . The force under General Hodgson bivouacked ni nety miles from the coast and went on next d ay nea the of the e a en e een to r top sc rpm t , som fift ’

i e a . was en ee and m l s from Siw It th thr o clock , en ea n had een ak en the a s n on wh b ri gs b t , ro d how n be na the map was fou d to i ccurately marked . A reconnaissance was necessary not only to locate a a e e of hi e e the ene Girb , s ri s low rough lls wh r my was n s e a a e n the hidi g , but to di cov r pl c dow which a ul en e the e e s n our n a n c rs co d t r d pr s io , i form tio a the e a a s had a telling us th t S gg P s , which lways been considered by B edouins as the only possible road from Siwa to the country beyond the escarp

en was ne . An omcer e ne the m t , mi d r tur d with n a he had n a o e a for the a s ews th t fou d p ssibl tr ck c r . e all e a e -car men he was a ee Lik oth r rmour d , ch r na r l ful Optimist . An ordi ry moto ist wou d have turned giddy at the thought of driving over the The f e had e e e a o e place . o fic r s l ct d sp t wh re the e a en n ea a n a ee clifl a e sc rpm t , i st d of h vi g sh r f c , 164 The Desert Camp aigns

u e sl u a s a s the flat b lg d ightly o tw rd tow rd , and ’ n w n the e s n ness ak e an s s k o i g driv r willi g to t y ri k , he was n en e u et the co fid t th y wo ld g to bottom . At any rate nothing else concerned him at the m en the es n of e n a a a n om t , qu tio g tti g b ck g i was a ma e be se e b - n - b h tt r to ttl d y a d y . T e capacity of the men at the ee had not een n e wh ls b u d rrated . If you have seen a boat descending a water chute and throwing up clouds of spray as it enters the

a e et s e ea the assa e of th w t r , you g om id of p g e

a s n a ns a e san a hi c r dow th t giddy u t bl dy p th , w ch

a e ne e n en e S ul be se man N tur v r i t d d ho d u d by ,

a ne eas . e c ar ne a e the m chi , or b t Ev ry goti t d rough and - tumble track except tho se in the supply service and twenty cars detached to take the Munasib

ass e the es in ase the ene P , thirty mil s to w t , c my should attempt to break out on the caravan route

The r e a led th to Jarabub . a mour d c rs e way to

i a and the e e e e in a n G rb , whol of th m w r ctio by ’ ten o clock within three hundred yards of the ’ n had a . e enemy s po sitio Th y hot reception . The tops of the turrets had been removed to save

and the muhafzia a e e e weight , sc mp r d from th ir p laces of security b ehind rocks to the top of the limestone cliffs and poured down a plunging fire in the hope of hi tting the machi ne gunners inside the n one car in the en e en a e the c ars . Leavi g c tr to g g

the e a n e e the and e enemy , r m i d r mov d to right l ft

the s n and a an hi to enfilad e po itio , for h lf hour t s one car received the heavy fire of two ten- pounder n a hi ne un and e hun mountain gu s , two m c g s , ight

166 The D esert Campaigns

a e e n e a a n wa an e c m ls tr kki g w stw rd , lo g y out of r g and impossible to reach owing to the precipitous

hi l e . We e e the e a n e of the a l sid d stroy d r m i d r c mp , collected arms and ammunition which the Senussi ul aff e and a e for a e o co d ill ord to los , w it d r port fr m

the a at ana . The an e a a n p rty M sib comm d r, C pt i an e was in e e n a n M gl s , wir l ss commu ic tio with h General Hodgson. His guides ad caused him to e h le of hi s wa en he a e go ig ty mi s out y , but wh rriv d Oppo site Munasib it was found absolutely imp os sible to take the heavy armoured cars down the e a en and n man an n e e a few sc rpm t , o ly by h dli g w r a n h n n light p trol cars got o to t e sa dy flat . Eve these were unable to operate owing to the diffi cult ground . Nevertheless with hi s depleted force Cap tain Mangles ambushed the head of the Senussi n was a in a eadl fi colum , which c ught such d y re that an eye- witness described the whipping of bullets in the sand as giving to the surface the o appearance of boiling water . The men wh es caped ran up the hi ll well out of range and signalled to the remainder to take another route . Sayed Ahmed and his commander were never in n the fight . They left Siwa whe they heard of the

a a the a and n in was een of e . rriv l of c rs , oth g s th m Five of the nine Turkish officers with the enemy e e n e and n re en s w r wou d d , fully two hu d d S us i

o . . soldi ers were killed r wounded At 9 A M . on e a th e en e e a e e a a e F bru ry s , our forc t r d Siw wh r s lut was fired and the General received the notables on - a the steps of the court house . Capt in Prothero M IA N RE FU E MA I N F Y - N T AR EN G E K G L E S . From a b u t comes th e cla ck of loo ms a s th e o ld me n w eav e In n r r s r the b u e co tton for th e Red Cro ss . a othe h ut th e dye s ti l i n v ats . Further on th e wo men ma ke rug s and fly - ne ts a nd thro u g ho u t the whole ca mp i s the hushe d stir of q u iet indu stry . 6 To ace . 1 8 ! f p .

I NDEX

1 — 1 1 1 1 —11 9 , 97 99, 0 , 07 , 09 0, 112—11 1 1 3 9 33 , 3 7 AREAS HEDI VE 2 1 us ra an L orse th , K , , 3 5 A t li ig ht H , 9 , u arem 6 Abd D , 5 45 b Zenima 16 us ra an a ona os A u , A li S i pi t — t t ry H en 1 tal Ad , 77 an s an 2 2 u s ral ia n roo s 10 2 2 Afg i , A p , 4 , , , h t — t t A a ia 1 1 2 2 8 1 6 1—6 2 1 g g , 43 44 4 , , 5 , , 7 , 73 , u rmi 1 —1 8 1 Ag h , 54 55 77 . me a e G ran e u s r ans 2 Ah d , S y d , d Sh ikh A t i , 55, 7 of th e enuss 1 1 1 Aweidi a 0 S i , 4 , 4 , 3 y , 7 1 1 1 1 8 1 1- 1 2 rshi re o rse lle 6 33 , 3 5. 43 , 4 , 5 5 . Ay H Arti ry, 4 , 1 —1 6 16 1 162 166—16 1 8 55 5 , , , 7 7 , 9 le an r a 1 1 u n usa 8— A x d i , 3 3 , 3 5 Ay M , 3 3 9 Ali o amme 6 a 1 6 , M h d , Aziz , 4 n a am on s ee e ase A z c ch pi t pl ch , the 12 12 8 , 4 , nz a s 2 1 — 8 A c . 9. 4 . 53 54 . 57 . 5 , 68 8 8 6 101 106 110 AHAR A o as s of 1 16 1 , , 9 , , , , B I , i , 55,

al our M r. 66 B f , , ra amel o r s arassa 1 A b C C p , 55 B , 59 ra s 8 106 120 1 2 1 0 arrani 1 2- 1 1 1 0 A b , , , , 3 , 5 , , 4 43 , 45, 5 B — 1 e ou ns 106 10 11 11 59 d , 7 , , 9, 3 4 , , B i r i 66 A dw ck , rmou e c ar di v s ons 1 6 eers e a A r d i i , 4 B h b , 53 —16 e a 1 7 B l t , 59 s ron eu enan 1 8 aner ame o r s 18 t g , Li t t , 5 Bik C l C p , , 45, 160 49 m fle Cham onshi B ikaners 2 8 Ar y Ri m p , s e 8 n o s 102 (Bi l y) , Bi g B y , rm erv e r s 8 2 r woo enera 2 o , , i d , l , A y S ic C p 49 B d G 9 — s o n o s 8 Bir el Abd 6 2 0 2 A ht p t , 3 , 4 , , 55, 7 7 , ssouan 1 6 - 6 8 8 0 8 8 88 A , , , , , , 5 75 7 7 , 79 3 4 ssouan dam 6 Bir a m 1 A , H ki , 47 u a B ir e o amme 1 A r . 7 . 53 Sh ikh M h d , 59 us ra an ame o s 1 1 B ir o a 1 1 A t li C l C rp , 5 , Sh l , 4 B ir ae 1 1 6 W r, 43 , 4 - us ra an o rse s o e r a er ene al . A t li Lig ht H , 44 , 49, Bi c , B ig di G r J 1 —6 66- 0 8 n a e 1 5 57 . 59 4 . 7 75. 4 D . T . Ty d l , 3 7 170 Index

t er a es 6 11 1 ar ur ul an of 1 6 Bi t L k , , , 9 D f , S t , 5 o ouse 16 1 e r el la 2 l h Si , D i B e r, 4 B ck x “ Boisra on eu -C o l o 11e l ese olumn 8 8 6 g , Li t . D rt C , 5, 7 , 9 ;

V. . 18 rs r n ee n C Fi t Sp i g M ti g , o e a es the 12 12 8 122 - 12 B rd r St k , , 4 , 9 ra e irdl e o mman er 10 Die ar s the see NIiddle B c g , C d , 4 H d , ( ru e a a n sex er o als 1 8 B c , C pt i , 49 T rit ri ) , 3 u s ussars th e 1 0 1 8 na sman 1 B ck , H , , 3 , 3 , Dig , O , 3 5 I ‘ 1 nar a i 1 D , ul n Al , 1 43 44 — i S t 4 , 3 5 Bu dkhula 1 160 as a 10 , 59 P h , eu - eneral arles Li t . G Ch , C 85 o rse eomanr 1 0 1 “ D t Y y , 3 . 43 Cu m 1 1 8 1 , 3 , 34 , 5 45 amel rans o r o r s 82 Duexdar - 6 6 C T p t C p , . 45 49. 59. 4 . 7 ameroons am a n of 8 C , c p ig , 5 ana a 28 C d , E ana an o fi ers 28 C di f c , an er u n 2 GYPT AN rm 1 C t b ry Sidi g , 5 E I A y , 7 - Cardinall Sub eu . C. V. an oas uards 160 , Li t , Eg ypti C tg ,

. . . . a n e ona o e R N V R , I 3 Eg ypti Exp diti ry F rc , C auvel a o r- eneral Sir 1 2 h , M j G 4 , 5 , G r s . . . B . an a ou o 1 H . , K C M . G . C . , Eg ypti L b r C p , 3 60 6 6 - 8 r s 1- 2 6 59. . 4 . 7 . 9 . El A i h , 7 , 3 3 , 3 , 100 106 110 12 8 2- 8 0 8 , , , 43 , 5 53 ’ 55, 1 5: Cha to r enera 6 8— 1— 10 106 y , G l , 7 , 9 99, 9 97 , 5, , 106- 107 Chea e a a n esl e El er an p , C pt i L i , 47 F d , - e o e eu . enera Sir El Ka Ch tw d , Li t G l p , l W . C . B o Lo rd 8 P i ip , . , El , , h— — ch 4 8 8 6 1 1 1 - 1 nna 6 1 5 9, 9 97 , 0 , 05 06 , E , 110 111 11 122 12 nver as a 1 , , 3 , , 7 , E P h , 33 128 Er i m Rg . 44 . 45 C i s olm 6 h h , 9 laws i 12 C to , 6 ons an no e 2 20 C t ti pl , , oven r o one ARAFRA 16 1 C t y , C l l , 47 F , Cox r a er- eneral 6 1 ran e 10 , B ig di G , , F c , 8 9 , C omer arl r , E , 94 urran — C . 73 7 4 a 1 - 1 rena ca 1 GAAFER, Pash , 137 , 43 45 Cy i , 33 — all ol 8 10 1 20 2 2 G ip i , , , 7 , , 4 5, 1 8 D 4 . 5 . 73 a o i eu enan 1 8 G yf rd , L t t , 5 AB AA 1 —1 6 aza 10 2 6 86 D , 3 5 3 G . . 4 . 3 3 . 3 . 49. . a l 1 1- 1 2 1 - 1 D kh a , 5 5 , 55 16 - allas a or eneral . G . eneral ea uar ers 2 D , M j G A , G H dq t , 7 12 eo e an o one 11- 1 7 G g h g , C l l , 3 — 2 2 ar anelles 16 1 1 2 ermans 2 1 8 1 01 5: 7 D d , 3 , 7 , 3 G , I » 1 4 5 ar ur 1 11 D f , 4 73 . 99. 4

172 I nd ex

o w an ers 8 6 66 0 1 Mustabi 8 L l d , 5 , 3 , , 7 , 7 , g , 4 8 1 M ut 1 8 , 5 u an r a i er- enera the L c , B ig d G l , ar o f 8 E l , 13 u n eneral 1 - 1 6 ki , , 43 4 APOLEON 6 6 11 - 120 L G N , , 5 , 94 , 9 New Zeala n Mo un ed Rifles M d t ,

New Zeal an roo s 10 2 2 d t p , 4 , , , ACD NALD Sir ur o 6 M O , M d ck , 2 2 8 1 6 67 6 0 8 1 4 . . 5 . 59. 7 . 7 . . a ne unners 6 M chi g , 4 a a an a or 1 M cl chl , M j , 4 11 1 I O- 1 I 3 . 33 . 4 4 Mc Neill B ri ad ier-General 1 8 — , g , 5 e 6 I 8 Nil . 7 . 3 5 3 . 4 . 4 M c Neill o un 1 8 — , M , 5 e a e 1 1 6 t Nil V ll y , 55 5 M a eib ra 6 0 g . 4 . 55. 7 o s RH A a . . . er 1 N tt B tt y , 3 7 , M a hd aba 6 8—101 10 g , 9 , 9 , 3 , 10 5 u r B e I 1 N i y . 33 . 43 a i the 1 M hd , , 3 5 an es er err or a s 6 —66 M ch t T it i l , 5 an es a ain 166 M g l , C pt , a r r s M o i oo p , 2 8 t OGHRATINA 6 8 M ara he 1 , 45, 4 , 4 , 557 57 9 g , 55 70 arne M , 4 m a the 1 d , , 60 asa 8 88 O M id , 5, M as ai in d , 96 a ru 16 16 M t h , 3 , 7 a we G eneral Sir o n M x ll , J h , AL EST NE I 2 0 3 P I . 7 . 5. 3 7 . 4 . 43 . 2 8 2 106 116 11 a ar 8 0 8 8 8 8 5 , 77 , , , , 9 M z , , 4 , , 9, 97 a mes eu - omman r e . e a 1 P l , i . d M , 7 L t C G cc B R. . N. 1 Medi terranea n Exp editionary , , 3 ar s or e 1 1 P , 4 F c , 5, 34 i ar er o one C 1 Meham a 8 P k , l l A . . , 9 , 93 di y . 49. 54 . 5 C ere r a er- eneral 94 M dith , B ig di G Pelusium 6 66 B 6 1 6 , , . . , , 9 J Pelu sium B a o f ere i oun 6 1 62 , y , 57 M d th , M t , , - ers a 2 2 ersa a ru 1 1 1 1 P i , M M t h , 33 39, 4 , ers an ul 2 2 I49 P i G f , - e o n a or eneral E. eso o ami a 16 10 P y , M j . , M p t , , 5 t G W 1 2 - 1 I 8 eso o ami an rm 22 4 43 . 4 M p t A y , or a 11 1 P S d , , 2 , 0, Middlesex Territo rials (th e t i 4 49 “ re oll 12 Die 1 8 1 P y P y , 5 3 , 43 tt romi se an a es the lls eu tenan 1 8 P d S , , Mi , Li t , 5 L d t k ’ no r s er 12 Mi u D by , 5 ro ero a a n 166 ons 8 P , p i , M , 3 , 5 th C t un a s 12 28 o n omer eo manr 16 1 P j bi , , M tg y Y y , or an a a n 12 M g , C pt i , oses 8 M , 3 ! Munasib 166 , Munasib ass 16 ASR a l 1 P , 5 ! D kh , 59 urra Sir Archrbald 2 1 2 u eens o wn 126 M y , , , 3 , ! t , 0 2 6 8 1 uen n on s oun 5 . 5 . 5 . 79. 4 . 3 4 ! i g t , Vi c t , 4 7 I nd ex 173

n a Gr an a ona the Si i d N ti l , , AB AH R , 57 — na un u 12 a a 2 8 102 10 106 S i l b , 7 R f , 3 , 7 , 79, 4 , i H t C - - na en nsula 0 1 2 S i P i , , , 10 111 11 11 118 12 3 43 5 , 79, 9, , , 0 i — 5 , 122 123 n a ore 2 a a u th 12 12 Si g p , 9 R f C p , e, 4 , 7 Sin apore Ar iller 8 101 a u s 1 g y , 4 , , R jp t , 3 t ashi a 160 R d , wa 1 2—1 1 —16 1 162 o e a a n 8 Si , 5 55, 59 , R b rts, C pt i . 4 . 49 — ROmanl 2 0 — 8 167 ; 3 1 4 57 4 7 9 5 » 54 5 1 - - — ans 1 2 1 60 6 2 6 8 - 8 1 Siw , 5 55 . 3 . 7 74. 7 7 . 79 . een a or 12—1 105 Sk , M j , 3 m ri a er-General oman a e of 2 1 2 2 S i , g i . R i , b l , , , , C — tt 3 5 th B d L . V. C. 0 8 50 51 , , 7 , 9 0 mi a r- n o e era . Ro al En meers I S , M j l E . g , 3 . 3 3 . 4 5. th G W 8 2 B . 1 sg , 5 , 7 no on l 1 S w, ol e 6 o al l n or s 6 ~ , 3 R y F yi g C p . 4 . 57 C 8011113 1 1 0 1 - 1 1 6 o a o s 1 , 3 1 33 34 ! 3 ) R y l Sc t , 43 — I 2 - I I 6 I 6 o al o s us ers 8 4 43 . 4 . 47 . I I R y Sc t F ili , 4 49 o lum ul of 1 2 o s on ri a er - eneral 62 S l , f , 3 R y t , B g di G , G — omerse s ir e orse r ller o s on oun 6 6 S A i y , R y t , M t , 3 5 t h H t uss a 1 R i , 05 omme the 8 S , , 7 ou an 1 S d , 4 ou er o one 1 - 1 S t , C l l , 44 45 AHARA the 1 ou Afri w n roo s 2 8 1 S , , 3 5 S th t p , , 33 , — - . l n or 8 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 6 St A dwy , L d , 4 4 4 , 43 44 , 4 ’ ala 11 2 S din, 1 1 ewar s e e a e the 9, St d W lt r Pl t , , ale o amme i e of 12 8 S h , M h d , Ch f enuss af 16 1 162 ue 1 0 S i St f, , S z , 7 , 4 almana 2 10 ue anal —6 11 20 2 2 S , 7 , 5 S z C , 4 , , , , o a or Sc tt , M j , 45 o t es 8 ue ul of 16 8 Sc t i , 5 S z , G f , , 3 ot s err or a Inf ntr S r a I I Sc ti h T it i l é y , y I . 54 . 3 0 ri an er the 12 12 45. 7 Sy D by , , 4 , 7 e a ass 16 r an of ers 1 S gg P , 3 Sy i fic , 3 enuss th - S i , e, 1 0 1 1 1 — 3 4 , 45 1 8 1 1 1 2 1 8~ 16o 16 1 4 , 5 5 , 5 , , T — 165 166 era eum 11—1 1 S p , 4 , 7 e Zowaid 10 — 11 or f 2 S ik , 106 , ps o , h h — 5 3 c 9 11 116 118 120 eni a 1 4 , , T d , 59 el a 10 108 111- 112 Terr or a orse Ar er 6 Sh l l , 3 , , it i l H till y , 4, e a o umn 112 8 Sh ll l c l , 4 er a 1 erritorial s 2 8 Sh ik , 57 T , 5, 5 o el Sufi 106 111 om son a or Sh kh , , Th p , M j , 49 Shoush a 16 1 msa a e 10 11 2 , Ti h , L k , , , 7 s 18 1 1 8 1 0 o ru roa 1 6 Sikh , , 3 3 , 3 , 4 T b k d , 4 1 1 o o one 4 T dd , C l l , 44 ina eser of - 8 10 1 20 Tor 16 1 S i , d t , 5 , , 4 , , , , 7 Toussoum 11 1 , , 3 174 Ind ex

ren ino 1 ell n on R e 62-6 66 T t , 4 W i g t idg , 4 , , o 1 6 Trip li , 33 9 ur o- an ron er 2 els n an r 82 T c Eg ypti f ti , 4 W h I f t y , 59, ur e es n es a al on 2 T k y. 4 . 5 W t I di B tt i , 9 ur s arm - 11 es m ns e a o the Duke T ki h y, 4 W t i t r, M j r ur s amel 11 of 1 6 1 8 T ki h c ry, 3 , 4 , 4 ur s aval 6 11 an a al o n 66 T ki h c ry, 4 , 3 Wig B tt i , unner I n eneral 6— g s 4 ? Wig g i , G , 4 47 l in an 6 1 e m . e f y , il , ais Emperor tr — W h II K r, ur s —8 10—1 16 1 o f erman 2 1 T k , 4 , 7 , 4 , 7 , G y , , 5 — - - — 6 6 66 6 8 lson Ma or- eneral lex 4 5 49. 54 55. 3 4 . . Wi , j G A , 16 o r es er eomanr 6— W c t Y y , 4 4 7 , U Wrr ht a ai n 1 160 g , C pt , 59, B UE a es the 12 12 s ae e 8 U I! St k , , 4 , 9 Wyt ch t , 5 W

AD r s 2 6 W I A i h , 3 , 9 a al a 1 O Y i f , 4 E MANR . 25. 1 W d H Y — 5 , 59: adi M er id 1 1 8 6 66 6 8 8 1 106 110 112 W g , 3 7 , 3 4 , , , , , , a Muksheib 11 1 0 1 1 W di , 44 51 3 9 3 3 : 45 a Shaifa 1 or e o one W di , 3 7 Y k , C l l , 47 al e uran 10 oun ur W i Sh ikh N , 3 Y g T k p m . 5 allace eneral 1 - 1 6 1 res 8 W , G , 3 5 3 , 37, Yp , 5 1 2 I39. 4 all n or Ca a n 8 W i g f d , pt i , ar eomanr 6— W wick Y y, 4 47 , 59 ell n on Mounte fles ZAGAZ G W i g t d Ri , I , 43 108 W 62 56, , Zulu ar,

FORTHE RIGHT

Essa ys and Addresses by Me mbe rs o f “ the Fi g ht fo r the Rig ht Mo ve me nt

0 2 net B mail 1 . y ,

SERIES of essays and addresses by

lin uishe men c nt bute un e g d , o ri d d r

En The sc o gland. pe of the c ollection will best be seen in a

The eat Solvent b Ma uri e Hewlett Gr , y c

ion b L. P . ac s An Interim Relig . y j k ” b i How me Stand now, y G lbert Murray b ” To the Men behind t e Amries, by Emile Cammaerts

’ P Pu nam s ons G. . t S

Ne w York When the Pru ssians

Ca me to Poland

Mme. Laura de Turc zynowic z

l us ated net. B mail I l tr . y ,

The st of an A er can an he w e ory m i wom , t if f a s n e c au in her e b th e o Poli h obl , g ht hom y floo d tid e of the Ge rman invasion of th e ancie nt an kingdom of Pol d . A s a f w a na a i e te eal of tr ight or rd rr t v , rribly r , her e xp e rie nc e s in the h e art of the e astern w ar-z ne of h er st u e i t the e tr e e o , r ggl w h x m c n i ns of her Re d ss of her o dit o , Cro work , fight for the live s of he r childr en and h ers elf a a n th e e a us and at st of h er g i st dr d Ty p h , la , rele as e and journey thro ugh Ge rmany and H l n n r How r h w as ol a d to thi s c o u t y . t uly s e in line of th e German advanc e may b e ap p r e c iate d from th e fact th at Fi eld M arshal von Hind enburg for som e d ay s made his e ua e e her h adq rt rs und r roof.

’ P Pu nam s So ns G. . t eop e

Viole tta Thurstan “ Au thor of Fi e ld Ho sp ital and Flying Co lumn

r wn 8 10 C o 1 . ne B mail t. y ,

of the book is taken from the Russian word for refu ees Baantze meanin g , j g T he people who run.

’ P Pu nam s Sons G. . t