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Battle of Mughar Ridge

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Battle of Mughar Ridge
Part of Middle Eastern theatre of World War I
Two Gurkha soldiers in full uniform with turned-up slouch hats sit on the fire step in a fighting trench topped with sandbags. One soldier is looking through a periscope.
November 1917 Palestine: 3/3rd Gurkha Rifles in front line trenches
Date13 November 1917
Location
Junction Station, Palestine
Result Decisive British Empire victory
Belligerents

 British Empire

 Ottoman Empire
 German Empire
Commanders and leaders
United Kingdom Edmund Allenby
Australia Henry Chauvel
British Empire Edward Bulfin
British Empire Philip Chetwode		 German Empire Erich von Falkenhayn
Ottoman Empire Fevsi Pasha
German Empire Friedrich Freiherr Kress von Kressenstein
Ottoman Empire Djevad Pasha
Ottoman Empire Ali Fuad Pasha
Units involved
XXI Corps
Desert Mounted Corps		 Seventh Army
Eighth Army
Casualties and losses
1,188+ 10,000 prisoners, 100 guns and 50 miles (80 km) of territory

The Battle of Mughar Ridge (officially known by the British as the Action of El Mughar), took place on 13 November 1917 during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign of the First World War. Fighting between the advancing Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) and the retreating Yildirim Army Group, occurred after the Battle of Beersheba and the Third Battle of Gaza. Operations occurred over an extensive area north of the Gaza to Beersheba line and west of the road from Beersheba to Jerusalem via Hebron.[1]

Strong Ottoman Army positions from Gaza to the foothills of the Judean Hills had successfully held out against British Empire forces for a week after the Ottoman army was defeated at Beersheba. But the next day; 8 November the main Ottoman base at Sheria was captured after two days' fighting and a British Yeomanry cavalry charge at Huj captured guns; Ottoman units along the whole line were in retreat.

The XXI Corps and Desert Mounted Corps attacked the Ottoman Eighth Army on an extended front from the Judean foothills across the Mediterranean coastal plain from 10 to 14 November. Beginning on 10 November in the south at Summeil an Ottoman counter-attack was eventually blocked by mounted units while on 13 November in the centre a cavalry charge assisted by infantry captured two fortified villages and on 14 November, to the north at Ayun Kara an Ottoman rearguard position was successfully attacked by mounted units. Junction Station (also known as Wadi es Sara) was captured and the Ottoman railway link with Jerusalem was cut. As a result of this victory the Ottoman Eighth Army withdrew behind the Nahr el Auja and their Seventh Army withdrew into the Judean Hills toward Jerusalem.

Background

A number of men dressed in shorts and shirts with sleeves rolled up, one in a singlet sit in the shade of an awning. Several wear pith helmets, one of whom sits in the sun shirtless outside the awning leaning against a pole holding up the awning.
November 1917 yeomanry resting in camp at El Arish

From 1 to 7 November, strong Ottoman rearguard units at Tel el Khuweilfe in the southern Judean Hills, at Hareira and Sheria on the maritime plain, and at Sausage Ridge and Gaza close to the Mediterranean coast, held the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in heavy fighting. During this time the Ottoman Army was able to withdraw in good order; the rearguard garrisons retiring under cover of darkness during the night of 8/9 November 1917.[2]

The delay caused by these rearguards may have seriously compromised the British Empire advance as there was not much time to conclude military engagements in southern Palestine. The winter rains were expected to start in the middle of the month and the black soil plain which was currently firm, facilitating the movements of large military units would with the rains become a giant boggy quagmire, impassable for wheeled vehicles and very heavy marching for infantry. With the rains the temperatures which were currently hot during the day and pleasant at night would drop rapidly to become piercingly cold. In 1917 the rains began on 19 November just as the infantry began their advance into the Judean Hills.[3]

The strength of the Seventh and Eighth Ottoman Armies, before the attack at Beersheba on 31 October, was estimated to have been 45,000 rifles, 1,500 sabres and 300 guns. This force had been made up of the Seventh Army's incomplete III Corps. The III Corps' 24th Infantry Division was at Kauwukah (near Hareira–Sheria) and its 27th Infantry Division was at Beersheba. Its 3rd Cavalry Division, as well as the 16th, 19th, and 24th Infantry Divisions were also in the area to the east of the Gaza–Beersheba line. The Seventh Army was commanded by Fevzi Pasha.[4][5][6] The Eighth Army's XXII Corps (3rd and 53rd Infantry Divisions) was based at Gaza while its XX Corps (16th, 26th and 54th Infantry Divisions) was based at Sheria in the centre of the Gaza–Beersheba line. Supporting these two corps had been two reserve divisions; the 7th and 19th Infantry Divisions. The Eighth Army was commanded by Friedrich Freiherr Kress von Kressenstein and at that time had an estimated 2,894 officers; 69,709 men; 29,116 rifles; 403 machine-guns and 268 guns.[5][7]

Allenby wrote on 8 November: The battle is in full swing. We have driven the Turks N. and N.E. and my pursuing troops are ten miles beyond Gaza, and travelling fast. A lot of Turks are cut off – just N.E. of Gaza. I don't know if they will be caught; but there is no time to waste in catching them. They pooped off a huge explosion this morning – presumably ammunition. My army is all over the place, now on a front of 35 miles ... My flying men are having the time of their lives; bombing and machine gunning the retreating columns ... I fancy that Kress von Kressenstein is nearing the Jaffa-Jerusalem line, himself.

Allenby letter dated 8 November 1917[8]

Prelude

During 7–8 November rearguards of the Seventh and Eighth Ottoman Armies delayed the advance of Lieutenant General Harry Chauvel's Desert Mounted Corps, Major General Edmund Hakewill-Smith's (or Major General J. Hill's) 52nd (Lowland) Division, and Major General Philip C Palin's 75th Division.[2][9][10] The Desert Mounted Corps consisted of the Anzac Mounted Division (Major General Edward Chaytor), the Australian Mounted Division (Major General Henry W Hodgson) and the Yeomanry Mounted Division (Major General George Barrow). The 52nd (Lowland) Division and 75th Division formed part of Lieutenant General Edward Bulfin's XXI Corps.[2][9]

The Ottoman rearguards were able to safely get away during the night of the 8/9 November, but during the following day the only infantry unit capable of advancing was the 52nd (Lowland) Division's 156th (Scottish Rifles) Brigade, commanded by Brigadier General Archibald Herbert Leggett. The division's other brigades were regrouping after fierce fighting at Sausage Ridge the previous day. The brigade moved to Askelon, which was found to be deserted. By evening advance troops had pressed on to El Mejdel, 16 miles (26 km) from Gaza, where they secured abandoned stores and water.[11][12]

File:Powles p.87.jpg
Landing stores near Gaza

Most of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force's infantry divisions were at the end of their lines of communication and were not able to follow up the Ottoman withdrawal. XXI Corps's 54th (East Anglian) Division was forced to rest at Gaza and the Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade at Beit Hanun. In the rear, Lieutenant General Philip Chetwode's XX Corps had transferred its transport to XXI Corps. XX Corps's 60th (2/2nd London) Division (Major General John Stuart Mackenzie Shea) was resting at Huj and its 10th (Irish) (Major General John Longley) and 74th (Yeomanry) (Major General Eric Girdwood) Divisions were at Karm. The only unit in the field was 53rd (Welsh) Division (Major General S. F. Mott) and corps cavalry which, together with the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, were deployed in the front line near Tel el Khuweilfe in the foothills of the Judean Hills north of Beersheba.[10][13][14]

Mounted troop movements on 9 November

large columns of horses in an arid, hilly landscape
Horses queue for water at Jemmameh 8 November 1917

Chaytor's Anzac Mounted Division moved off across the maritime plain towards the coast soon after daylight on 9 November, having watered their horses the previous evening.[15][16] The advance was led by two brigades—on the left the 1st Light Horse Brigade and on the right the 2nd Light Horse Brigade rode in line, each responsible for their own front and outer flanks; the attached 7th Mounted Brigade formed a reserve.[17][18][Note 1]

By about 08:30 the 1st Light Horse had entered Bureir and around an hour later the 2nd Light Horse was approaching Friedrich Freiherr Kress von Kressenstein's Eighth Army headquarters at El Huleikat. Here Ottoman soldiers were discovered to be occupying a strong position on high ground north-west of the village; the brigade made a dismounted attack capturing 600 prisoners along with large amounts of supplies, materiel and an abandoned German field hospital.[Note 2] At midday El Mejdel, 13 miles (21 km) north-east of Gaza, was occupied with little difficulty by the 1st Light Horse Brigade, who captured 170 prisoners and found a good well with a steam pump enabling the brigade to water all horses expeditiously. After passing the ancient town of Ascalon a message was received from the Desert Mounted Corps notifying the Anzac Mounted Division that the British XXI Corps were marching towards El Mejdel and Julis. The main Ottoman road and railway leading north from Gaza were both cut and as a consequence, Chauvel ordered the division to advance towards Beit Duras. The division duly turned north-east with the 1st Light Horse Brigade entering Esdud close to the Mediterranean Sea. On the right, the 2nd Light Horse Brigade captured the villages of Suafir el Sharkiye and Arak Suweidan, a convoy and its escort (some 350 prisoners). While the brigade was reorganising Ottoman guns further north opened fire, shelling both captors and captives alike. Just before dark the 2nd Light Horse Brigade captured a further 200 prisoners. The Anzac Mounted Division took up a night battle outpost line along high ground south of the Wadi Mejma, from near Esdud to Arak Suweidan.[17][18]

During its journey across the maritime plain to Esdud, the Anzac Mounted Division captured many prisoners but met no large organised Ottoman force.[19][20] As the day progressed, the captured Ottoman units were found to be increasingly disorganised with many soldiers suffering severely from thirst and exhaustion and some from dysentery.[17][18]

Allenby wrote on 9 November: Things are going well. I have infantry already in Askalon, and am pushing N., inland of that place. I know of 77 guns having been taken; and 5,000 prisoners at least. I went to Gaza, this afternoon ... [it] was taken by Bulfin, quite easily. The attack, on the 6th inst., went with such a rush that Gaza became untenable. Tomorrow is likely to be a critical day, in our pursuit. If the Turks can't stop us tomorrow, they are done.

Allenby letter to Lady Allenby 9 November 1917[21]

Meanwhile Hodgson's Australian Mounted Division, spent most of 9 November searching for water, which was eventually found at Huj.[16] After most of the horses had been watered, they advanced 16 miles (26 km) to the Kastin–Esdud line capturing prisoners, guns, and transports on the way. This march during the night of 9/10 November was the only night march made through Ottoman territory of the campaign.[13][22]

The Australian Mounted Division was led by the 3rd Light Horse Brigade as advanced guard, with an artillery battery attached. The 5th Mounted Brigade, two squadrons of which had made the charge at Huj the day before, followed, with the 4th Light Horse Brigade forming the rearguard. To ensure the division maintained its cohesion throughout the night, the advance guard placed pickets along the route every 440 yards (400 m). These were picked up by the following units which in turn dropped pickets to be gathered up by the rearguard. Corps headquarters in the rear was kept informed of the division's movement by signal lamp. Signallers from the two leading brigades intermittently flashed the letters of the divisional call signal in a south-westerly direction from every prominent hilltop along the route. These arrangements worked well and the division arrived intact in the vicinity of Arak el Menshiye and El Faluje.[23][Note 3]

Falls' Sketch Map 9 shows position of the advance at 1800 on 10 November 1917

The Australian Mounted Division was followed by the 4th Light Horse Brigade Field Ambulance and the divisional train made up of brigade transport and supply sections carrying rations. The field ambulance set up a dressing station and treated about 40 wounded men before moving through Huj at 16:00. After encountering rugged mountainous ravines and 6 miles (9.7 km) of very rough terrain, at around midnight they set up camp in a wadi bed.[24]

The Yeomanry Mounted Division, (Barrow), had been in hills north of Beersheba fighting in the line at Tel el Khuweilfe with infantry from the 53rd (Welsh) Division, the 1/2nd County of London Yeomanry Regiment (XX Corps, Corps Troops) and the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade until Allenby ordered it to rejoin the Desert Mounted Corps, 20 miles (32 km) away on the coast. Meanwhile the infantry from the 60th (2/2nd London) Division marched to Huj during the afternoon of 9 November, obtaining water there. Infantry in the 10th (Irish) and 74th (Yeomanry) Divisions remained at Karm.[13][16][25]

Positions of armies on 10 November

The 52nd (Lowland) Division had ended the possibility of an Ottoman stand on the Wadi Hesi and the next natural defensive line was 7–15 miles (11–24 km) to the north, on the Nahr Sukereir.[19][26][27] Allenby had issued orders on 9 November to advance to El Tineh–Beit Duras in an attempt to turn the Ottoman Nahr Sukereir line before it could be firmly established. Meanwhile disorganised and demoralised Ottoman columns were harassed as they retreated by the Royal Flying Corps dropping bombs and firing machine-guns.[19][28] Aircraft also dropped bombs on El Tineh railway station and detonated the ammunition depot.[2][29] By 10 November infantry in the 52nd (Lowland) and 75th Divisions had advanced to the line Beit Duran–Esdud with the leading brigade of the 52nd Division successfully attacking a strong Ottoman rearguard defending Esdud.[13]

Three small photos of damaged aircraft and another of building
Results of bombing raid on Arak el Menshiyeh 8 November 1917

Despite these difficulties the Ottoman Army successfully carried out a difficult retreat to establish a new defensive position on an extensive and well chosen position. The new line stretched about 20 miles (32 km) west to east from the mouth of the Nahr Sukereir on the Mediterranean Sea to Beit Jibrin not far from Tel el Khuweilfe in the Judean Hills.[30] The Ottoman Eighth Army on the coastal sector was still retreating when ordered to form the new line along the north side of the valley of the Nahr Sukereir, more than 25 miles (40 km) from Gaza. Further inland the Ottoman Seventh Army was in relatively good condition having retired 10 miles (16 km) or so without interference and was preparing to launch a counter-attack.[16]

Reinforcements, transport and supplies were not a problem for these two Ottoman armies as they were falling back on their lines of communication. Their defensive line ran more or less parallel to and 10 miles (16 km) or so in front of both road links and the railway. The Jaffa to Jerusalem railway, with connections northwards to Damascus and Istanbul, had a line branching southwards to El Tineh which branched again to Gaza and Beersheba. These lines could still be used to transport supplies and reinforcements quickly and efficiently to the Ottoman Army's front line. Indeed, a general strengthening of resistance along the Wadi Sukereir line was concentrated around El Kustineh (also known as El Qastine), towards which the 2nd Light Horse Brigade advanced, capturing a refugee column between Suafir and El Kustineh.[2][31]

Infantry capture Esdud and Nahr Sukereir

The series of engagements leading up to the Battle of Mughar Ridge began on 10 November near Esdud. The leading brigade of the 52nd (Lowland) Division, the 156th (Scottish Rifles) Brigade, advanced 15 miles (24 km) despite encountering stiff Ottoman resistance around Esdud and was subjected to artillery bombardment from across the Nahr Sukereir. Two brigades of the Anzac Mounted Division followed the 156th (Scottish Rifles) Brigade pushing across the Nahr Sukereir at Jisr Esdud, to Hammemh. Here they successfully established a bridgehead on the Ottoman right flank. Ample water was found and the bridgehead was enlarged the following day.[13][32]

The bridge was constructed by the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade. Long planks of wood were laid across the stream on empty wine casks; shorter planks were then laid on top crosswise to form a flat surface.
Bridge over Sukereir River

Mounted advance towards Summeil

The Australian Mounted Division, which had left Huj after dark on the night of 9/10 November bound for Tel el Hesi, arrived there at 04:30.[Note 4] They halted until dawn on 10 November when several large pools of good water were found in the wadi. These allowed the horses to drink their fill—some that had missed out on watering before the trek, had been without water for three days and four nights. The division then came up into position on the right of the Anzac Mounted Division.[33][34] The 3rd Light Horse Brigade occupied Arak el Menshiye Station and the 4th Light Horse Brigade entered Faluje 2 miles (3.2 km) to the north-west between 08:00 and 10:30 hours.[33] The Australian division was joined a few hours later by the Yeomanry Mounted Division which had left Huj early in the morning. They came up on the right of the Australian Mounted Division and took over Arak el Menshiye extending the line a little further east. By the afternoon of 10 November the whole of the Desert Mounted Corps with the exception of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, (still at Tel el Khuweilfe) were in line from a point a little east of Arak el Menshiye to the sea.[35][36]

Both the Australian and Yeomanry Mounted Divisions reconnoitred the left half of the Ottoman line running from Kustineh, roughly through Balin and Berkusie (also known as Barqousa), to the neighbourhood of Beit Jibrin. The 12th Light Horse Regiment (4th Light Horse Brigade) had moved from Burieh to Faluje arriving at 24:00 on 9 November when engineering stores and five burnt out aircraft were captured. The 4th Light Horse Brigade was ordered to advance at 10:40 on 10 November to threaten the Ottoman force opposing 3rd Light Horse Brigade on the Menshiye–Faluje line.[37][38]

Ottoman trenches had been dug from Summeil 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Arak el Menshiye to Zeita, 3 miles (4.8 km) to the north-east, and to the east of the railway line.[33][39] Three brigades of the Australian Mounted Division ran into this Ottoman rearguard's left flank near the village of Summeil.[40] At 14:55 patrols reported strong Ottoman positions along the Zeita–Summeil–Berkusie line with trenches extending west of Summeil village. Two Ottoman guns were seen being placed in a well-sited position with no cover for 3,000 yards (2,700 m) in front, which would require a long dismounted attack. By 18:00 the 4th Light Horse Brigade was holding a line linking to the Anzac Mounted Division at Beit Affen, while the Ottomans were holding a ridge near Berkusie with three cavalry troops, three guns and about 1,500 infantry.[37][38] They were unable to advance further due to intense Ottoman artillery fire which continued throughout the day. Summeil was occupied unopposed, in the morning of 11 November.[37][40][41]

The commander of Desert Mounted Corps, Chauvel ordered the Yeomanry Mounted Division to move westward to the coast leaving the Australian Mounted Division on the right flank. Neither he nor the Australian division were aware at that time, that the Australian Mounted Division was threatened by three or four Ottoman Eighth Army infantry divisions. The 16th and 26th Divisions (XX Corps) and the 53rd Division (XXII Corps) were spread 6 miles (9.7 km) between the railway and Beit Jibrin, all more or less reorganised and all within striking distance. However, Chauvel's reliance on the steadiness of the Australian Mounted Division was fully justified.[42] With its headquarters at El Faluje on 10 and 11 November, the Australian Mounted Division became engaged (during 10 November) in stubborn fighting.[18][38]

My infantry have, on the coast, got 10 miles N. of Askalon; and my Cavalry, further inland, are ahead of them. The mounted troops took some 15 guns and 700 prisoners yesterday ... This afternoon I went to Khan Yunis and told the head men that they could now go out of the town, to their farms and gardens ... The villagers – some 9000 – have been kept in, by wired enclosures, up to now as the Turks had agents there, and many warm sympathizers.

Allenby's letter to Lady Allenby dated 10 November 1917[43]

Ottoman forces were advancing from Summeil by 12:55 and the 4th Light Horse Brigade was deployed to attack them with the 3rd Light Horse Brigade assisting. By 15:30 the 4th Light Horse Brigade was approaching Summeil when ordered to attack from the north with the 5th Mounted Brigade supported by the 3rd Light Horse Brigade threatening Summeil from the west. By 16:30 3rd Light Horse Brigade headquarters were established 870 yards (800 m) south-east of Faluje on the railway line, but owing to darkness at 17:15 the attack was not developed and night battle outpost lines were established at 20:00.[41]

The 4th Light Horse Brigade casualties were one other rank killed, one officer and nine other ranks wounded. These wounded soldiers were probably treated by the 4th Light Horse Field Ambulance which was in the field a couple of miles past El Faluje. The ambulance had itself suffered two casualties when subjected to artillery fire from the hills. But they halted and put up a tent and after dark took in eight more patients all hit by high-explosive shells from the 4th Light Horse Regiment. They were busy until midnight; two seriously wounded soldiers being evacuated to a Casualty Clearing Station and the rest were kept till morning.[44]

Position on 11 November

Ordered to rejoin the Anzac Mounted Division the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade left Beersheba at 1630 on 11 November. They made a forced march of 52 miles (84 km), and for the Auckland Mounted Rifle Regiment, which had been in the front line with the 53rd (Welsh) Division about Tel el Khuweilfe in the southern Judean Hills not far from Hebron, of 62 miles (100 km). Their treks were estimated to have taken 181⁄2 hours with a halt to rest and water at Kh. Jemmame early on 12 November before arriving at Hammemh that night at 23:00 some 30 and 1/2 hours later.

Falls & Powles[45][46]

Allenby decided that an advance on Junction Station could most easily be made from the south-west, by turning the Ottoman Army's right flank on the coast. The 11 and 12 November were days of preparation for battle the following day. The Anzac Mounted Division were resting at Hamemeh when their supporting Australian Army Service Corps personnel caught up and distributed supplies for man and horse. This task was performed by "B" echelon wagons of brigades' transport and supply sections forming an improvised Anzac Divisional Train. It was here also that the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade rejoined the division at 23:00 on 12 November.[45][46]

Supplies for the advance were transported over land and by sea but it was only with great difficulty that two infantry divisions of XXI Corps and three mounted divisions of Desert Mounted Corps were maintained in the advance at such distances from base. The Navy transported stores to the mouths of the Wadi Hesi and the Nahr Sukherier as these lines were secured. The railhead was being pushed forward as rapidly as possible, but did not reach Deir Suneid until 28 November. So it was a considerable distance over which the Egyptian Camel Transport Corps worked to bring up supplies.[47]

General Headquarters Egyptian Expeditionary Force map shows British Empire forces in red in front of the Nahr Sukherier line with the Ottoman forces indicated to the north in green. The main roads are shown in brown.
Situation at 18:00 on 11 November 1917 as known at GHQ EEF

The Australian Mounted Division occupied Summeil unopposed at dawn on 11 November but was unable to advance in the face of gathering opposition from the immediate north-east.[40] Summeil had been found deserted at 06:00 by patrols of 3rd Light Horse Brigade (Australian Mounted Division). But by 09:30 the 10th Light Horse Regiment (3rd Light Horse Brigade) reported Ottoman units in strength, holding a high ridge 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north-east of the town. At the same time Ottoman field guns began shelling Summeil from a position on high ground about 3 miles (4.8 km) east of the town. Following instructions from Australian Mounted Division received at 14:00, the 10th Light Horse Regiment carried out active patrolling. They made themselves as conspicuous as possible without becoming seriously engaged while the remainder of the division advanced north.[41][Note 5]

Allenby prepares for battle as Kress counter-attacks

The 20 miles (32 km) defensive line, chosen by the Ottoman commanders to rally their 20,000-strong army and stop the invasion, was also designed to protect the Jaffa to Jerusalem railway and the threatened Junction Station. Their choice of position was partly dictated by pressure from the British, Australian, Indian and New Zealand advance, and partly by the terrain. The line north of the Nahr Rubin ran nearly north–south and parallel to, but about 5 miles (8.0 km) to the west of the railway line branching southwards. It ran along a high steep ridge connecting the hillside villages of El Mughar and Zernukah (surrounded by cactus hedges) and extended north-westwards to El Kubeibeh. The southern extremity of this ridge commanded the flat country to the west and south-west, for a distance of 2 miles (3.2 km) or more. Prisoners from almost every unit of the Ottoman Army were being captured indicating that rearguards had been driven back in on the main body of the two Ottoman armies. All along their line Ottoman resistance grew noticeably stronger.[48][49][50]

The Ottoman line was defended by the Eighth Army's 3rd Division (XXII Corps) to the north, the 7th Division (Eighth Army Reserve) to the east, the 54th Division (XX Corps) near el Mesmiye and the 26th Division (XX Corps) holding Tel es Safi.[51] Erich von Falkenhayn, the overall commander of the Ottoman Armies, had resolved to make a stand in front of Junction Station and succeeded in deploying his forces by the evening of 11 November. He ordered a counter-attack against the British right flank which was covered by the Australian Mounted Division. His plan was to overwhelm them, cut their supply lines, outflank and capture all the Egyptian Expeditionary Force's forward units. Originally ordered for 11 November it was postponed until the next day.[52]

Meanwhile Allenby's plan for 13 November was to turn the right flank of the Ottoman line on the coast despite aircraft and cavalry reconnaissances revealing a considerable Ottoman force further inland on the Egyptian Expeditionary Force's own right flank. He assigned the task of dealing with this immediate threat to the Australian Mounted Division, which was ordered to make as big a demonstration of their operations as possible. This would further focus Ottoman attention away from the coastal sector where the Anzac and Yeomanry Mounted Divisions would advance northwards to attempt to turn the Ottoman right flank assisted by infantry attacks on the Ottoman right centre the following day.[53][54]

Allenby's force was deployed with infantry from the 52nd (Lowland) Division and the 75th Division in the centre, the Australian Mounted Division on their right flank with the Anzac and Yeomanry Mounted Divisions on the infantry's left flank.[55][56] He ordered the 52nd (Lowland) Division to extend their position across the Nahr Sukereir on the Ottoman right flank.[57] And, reinforced with two additional brigades, he ordered the Australian Mounted Division to advance towards Tel es Safi where they encountered a determined and substantial Ottoman counterattack.[45][58]

Infantry attack Brown Hill, 12 November

The 52nd (Lowland) Division was to make a preparatory attack near the coast to open the way for the attack on Junction Station the next day. They were to attack north of the Nahr Sukhereir between the villages of Burqa and Yazur with the Yeomanry Mounted Division acting as flank guard.[57][59][60] Their objective was an important Ottoman rearguard position which ran from the village of Burqa to Brown Hill. While the village was easily taken it was necessary to make an extremely difficult attack on the steep sided Brown Hill. The hill was topped by a large cairn and commanded a long field of fire over the plain southwards across the Nahr Sukhereir.[61] By the time a battalion of the 156th Brigade, covered by two batteries of the 264th Brigade Royal Field Artillery and the South African Field Artillery Brigade of 75th Division, captured the crest it had been reduced to a handful of men. But just 20 minutes after taking Brown Hill the remnants of the Scots battalion (now down to just one officer and about 100 men) was unable to withstand an Ottoman counterattack and was driven off after a fierce struggle at close quarters.[62]

The 2/3rd Gurkha Rifles were then ordered to renew the attack at dusk. Owing to poor light, the artillery was no longer able to give much assistance, but nevertheless the Gurkhas quickly retook the hill with a bayonet charge, suffering 50 casualties, and in the process recovering two Lewis guns. The attacking battalion suffered over 400 killed or wounded, while the defending Ottoman 7th Division must have also suffered heavy casualties; 170 dead Ottoman soldiers were found on the battlefield.[63] The fighting here has been described as equal to the 157th (Highland Light Infantry) Brigade's encounter at Sausage Ridge on 8 November.[39] The success of these operations north of the Nahr Sukhereir opened the way for the main attacks the following day, on the Ottoman armies' front line positions.[56]

Ottoman counter-attack Australian Mounted Division, 12 November

Meanwhile the Australian Mounted Division advanced in the direction of Tel es Safi to press the left flank of the Ottoman forces as strongly as possible.[54] About 4,000 Australian and British mounted troops of 3rd and 4th Light Horse and 5th Mounted Brigades moved northwards in a conspicuous demonstration of aggression. At first it appeared that the Ottoman formations had retired altogether; the 9th Light Horse Regiment (3rd Light Horse Brigade) rode through Berkusie, one troop pressing on to occupy Tel es Safi. The 5th Mounted Brigade also found Balin unoccupied, and rapidly advanced northwards towards Tel es Safi and Kustineh. By 12:00 the Australian Mounted Division was spread over at least 6 miles (9.7 km) facing the north and east when four divisions of the Ottoman 7th Army (about 5,000 soldiers) began their advance southwards from the railway.[35][64]

The Ottoman infantry divisions began moving south from El Tineh 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Kustineh from the Ottoman controlled branch line of the railway line running southwards in the direction of Huj. Here and further north along the railway trains were stopping to allow huge numbers of troops to take to the field. Soon after the 11th Light Horse Regiment (4th Light Horse Brigade) was forced to retire from Kustineh as Ottoman units occupied the place in strength. Then at 12:00 three separate columns (of all arms) were seen advancing towards Tel es Safi from the north and north-east.[65] Ten minutes later the British Honourable Artillery Company mountain battery opened fire, but was hopelessly out shot, outnumbered, and out ranged by Ottoman guns of greater power and weight.[66]

A battery of four artillery guns deployed in the field during fighting in the Judean Hills a week or so after the Battle of Mughar Ridge. The guns are surrounded by treeless hills and are firing at Ottoman positions which are out of the photo.
Hong Kong mountain gun battery in action

The approach of the Eighth Ottoman Army's XX Corps (16th, 26th and 54th Divisions) as well as the British XXI Corps' 53rd (Welsh) Division was at first unknown to the 5th Mounted Brigade in Balin. But at about 13:00 a force estimated at 5,000 Ottoman soldiers suddenly attacked and almost surrounded the mounted brigade. The attack was made by two Ottoman columns, one coming down the track from Junction Station to Tel el Safi and the other by rail to El Tineh Station. It was by far the heaviest counterattack experienced since the break through by the Egyptian Expeditionary Force at Sharia on 7 November. The Royal Gloucestershire Hussars and Warwickshire Yeomanry regiments of 5th Mounted Brigade, were pushed back out of Balin before being reinforced by the Worcestershire Yeomanry. The 3rd Light Horse Brigade was sent up at a canter from Summeil, followed by the remaining two batteries of the Australian Mounted Division. One light horse regiment occupied Berkusie but was forced to retire by an attack from a very strong Ottoman force supported by heavy artillery fire from several batteries. All available troops of the Australian Mounted Division were now engaged and the Ottoman attack continued to be pressed.[58][67][68] The counterattack forced the mounted division to concede the territory gained during the day, before fighting the Ottoman Army to a standstill in front of Summeil.[66]

The 4th Light Horse Brigade could render no effective aid to the 3rd Light Horse or the 5th Mounted Yeomanry brigades. It was strung out to the west as far as the Deir Sineid railway line and was being heavily attacked. Ottoman units managed to advance to within 100 yards (91 m) of the 4th Light Horse Brigade's position; only at the end of the day was this strong Ottoman attack repulsed by machine-gun and rifle fire. Hodgson (commander of the Australian Mounted Division) ordered a slow withdrawal by 3rd Light Horse and 5th Mounted Brigades to high ground on the line Bir Summeil–Khurbet Jeladiyeh. The order had only just been given when another Ottoman train was sighted moving to the south. It stopped west of Balin and disgorged a fresh force of Ottoman soldiers who deployed rapidly to advance against the left flank of the 5th Mounted Brigade. Two batteries of Australian Mounted Division were in action on the high ground north-west of Summeil firing on this fresh Ottoman force moving over the open plain in full view of the gunners. The artillery fire was so effective the attacking Ottoman advance was halted, forcing them to fall back a little where they dug trenches. Fighting steadily and withdrawing skilfully, the 3rd Light Horse and 5th Mounted Brigades had reached the edge of Summeil village where the Ottoman attack was finally held. The attack ended at 18:00 in darkness.[69][70]

Map shows the positions of the Australian Mounted Division before, during and at the end of 12 November. Also identified are the Ottoman divisions involved and the direction of their attack.
Ottoman counterattack on 12 November 1917

The Ottoman attackers dug themselves in on a line through Balin and Berkusie while the line taken up by the Australian Mounted Division began with the 3rd Light Horse Brigade facing east on a line running due north from about half way between Iraq el Menshiye and Summeil. The line then turned westward so the 5th Mounted Brigade faced northwards in front of Summeil with the 4th Light Horse Brigade to their left in front of Ipseir and connecting with the right of the infantry division; the 75th Division at Suafir esh Sharqiye. A critical situation created by the strong Ottoman attacking forces had been controlled by the coolness and steadiness of the troops, especially the machine-gun squadrons of the 5th Mounted and the 4th Light Horse Brigades. The Australian Mounted Division suffered about 50 casualties mainly from the 5th Mounted Brigade.[71]

To the east von Falkenhayn, held his reserve force of 3rd Cavalry Division (Seventh Army's III Corps) and 19th Division (Eighth Army reserve) in front of Beit Jibrin.[5][72] They waited throughout the day for the main attack to make progress before beginning their own advance, but the opportunity never eventuated.[35][66][73] This powerful Ottoman counter-attack had been contained and had not forced any rearrangement of the invading forces, whose preparations and concentration on the plain were now complete. But von Falkenhayn was forced to halt his Seventh Army's attack and then to take away from it the 16th Division plus one regiment.[74]

Battle on 13 November

In southern Palestine the wet season was approaching with another thunderstorm and heavy rain on the night of 11 November. The dark cotton soil over which the Egyptian Expeditionary Force was now advancing would not need much more rain to turn it into impassable mud. But 12 November had been fine and the roads had dried out. The rolling maritime plain was dotted with villages on low hill tops surrounded by groves and orchards. These were in turn surrounded by hedges of prickly pear or cactus, making them strong natural places of defence. In the distance to the right the spurs and valleys of the Judean Hills were visible even to the invading British Empire troops near the Mediterranean coast. On 13 November the weather was clear and fine with at first no sign of the Ottoman Army.[75]

Falls Map 9 shows the British Empire attacks from 12 to 14 November in particular the 13 November's attack by the infantry. Top left hand corner of map is missing.
Counter-attack and capture of Junction Station 12–14 November 1917

The 20,000-strong Ottoman force was deployed to defend the Jaffa to Jerusalem railway along the Wadi Surar and Nahr Rubin.[Note 6] The battlefield was generally cultivated but with winter approaching it was bare and open. Its most prominent feature, the 100-foot (30 m) high ridge which continues north towards Zernukah and El Kubeibeh formed the backbone of the Ottoman Army's 20-mile (32 km) long defensive position. The naturally strong Ottoman line was defended by the Eighth Army's 3rd Division (XXII Corps) to the north, the 7th Division (Eighth Army Reserve) to the east, the 54th Division (XX Corps) near el Mesmiye and the 26th Division (XX Corps) holding Tel es Safi.[51] Benefiting from the terrain two strong defensive positions with commanding views of the countryside were located on the ridge. They were the villages of Katrah (also known as Qatra) and El Mughar (also known as Al Maghar). These villages were separated by the Wadi Jamus which links the Wadi Surar with the Nahr Rubin.[49][50][76]

While the Ottoman counterattack had been in progress on 12 November, Allenby issued orders for the attack on 13 November to the commanders of XXI Corps and Desert Mounted Corps at the latter's headquarters near Julis.[76] The main attack was to be carried out by the XXI Corps' 52nd (Lowland) and 75th Divisions westwards towards Junction Station between the Gaza road on the right, and El Mughar on the left.[59] On the right flank of the XXI Corps the Australian Mounted Division's 3rd and 4th Light Horse and 5th Mounted Brigades, reinforced by the 2nd Light Horse Brigade (Anzac Mounted Division), the 7th Mounted Brigade (Yeomanry Mounted Division) and two cars of the 12th LAM Battery, would attack in line advancing northwards towards Junction Station.[77] The remainder of Desert Mounted Corps; the Anzac and Yeomanry Mounted Divisions would cover the left flank of XXI Corps, with Yebna as their first objective and Aqir the second.[55] As soon as Junction Station was captured they were to swing north to occupy Ramleh and Ludd and reconnoitre towards Jaffa.[56]

In the centre

During the first phase of the attack by infantry in the 75th Division (XXI Corps) were to capture the line Tel el Turmus–Kastine–Yazur and then seize Mesmiye. On their left infantry in the 52nd (Lowland) Division were to secure the line Yazur–Beshshit and then seize Katrah. After a pause for the artillery to be brought forward, the second phase attacks on the final objectives of Junction Station for the 75th and El Mansura for the 52nd (Lowland) Divisions were to be made. The first phase was due to start at 08:00 hours on 13 November preceded by one hour's bombardment.[76]

By 10:00 the 2/4th Somerset Light Infantry, 1/5th Devonshire Regiment, 2/5th Hampshire Regiment, 1/4th Wiltshire Regiment, 2/3rd and 3/3rd Gurkha Rifles (from the 232nd and the 233rd Brigades, 75th Division) were advancing along the main road. They occupied the undefended villages of Tel et Turmus, Kustineh and Yazur.[78] The 52nd (Lowland) Division had already occupied Beshshit.[79] The 75th Division proceeded to attack Mesmiye on a lower and southward extension of the ridge on which Katrah and el Mughar were situated with the 52nd (Lowland) Division attacking directly towards these two villages. But these attacks were held up by very strong Ottoman defences.[56][80]

Detail of Falls Map 9 shows the British Empire forces as they approach Junction Station; infantry from the west and Australian Mounted Division from the south.
Capture of Junction Station

At Mesmiye the Ottoman Army was strongly posted on high ground in and near the village, and well-sited machine-guns swept all approaches. Infantry in the 75th Division made steady slow progress; the main body of the Ottoman rear guard eventually falling back to a slight ridge 1 mile (1.6 km) to the north-east. The attack by 3/3rd Gurkhas and infantry in the 234th Brigade moved up to Mesmiye el Gharbiye and cleared the place of snipers. One company of 58th Vaughan's Rifles suffered heavy casualties during an Ottoman attack on the flank of infantry in the 233rd Brigade. Towards dusk the final stage of the infantry assault was supported by two troops of 11th Light Horse Regiment (4th Light Horse Brigade), who galloped into action on the infantry's right flank and gave valuable fire support. An infantry frontal attack covered by machine-gun fire drove the Ottoman defenders off the ridge, enabling Mesmiye esh Sherqiye to be occupied soon after. With Ottoman resistance broken infantry in the 75th Division pushed on through Mesmiye where they took 300 prisoners, and although ordered to capture Junction Station they halted short of their objective in darkness.[81][82][83]

On the flanks

Photo shows brigade crossing the three arched stone bridge (two smaller arches on either side of a central larger arch) with the road grading up to the center and down on the ends.
New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade crossing old crusader bridge at Yebna

The Australian Mounted Division covered the right flank of the infantry divisions. At 10:00 the 4th Light Horse Brigade moved forward but was held up by an Ottoman position covering El Tineh. The brigade was ordered at 11:50 to push forward to protect the right of the 233rd Brigade (75th Division) as their attack had succeeded and they advanced to occupy Mesmiye. In order for the 4th Light Horse to move the 7th Mounted Brigade was ordered to relieve them in the line.[84] At 12:00 troops of the 4th Light Horse Brigade entered Kezaze 2 miles (3.2 km) south-south-east of Junction Station with the 7th Mounted Brigade on its left then only .5 miles (0.80 km) from the station.[77] By 16:00 the 4th Light Horse Brigade was ordered to push forward to El Tineh as the infantry advance on their left was progressing. It was occupied the following morning.[84]

The Yeomanry Mounted Division, with the Anzac Mounted Division in reserve, covered the infantry's left flank. Yebna was captured by the 8th Mounted Brigade which then advanced northwards against El Kubeibeh and Zernukah.[85] The 22nd Mounted Brigade was held up by Ottoman units defending Aqir while the 6th Mounted Brigade (with the Imperial Camel Corps Brigade protecting their northern flank) was directed against el Mughar.[86][87]

Charge at El Mughar

Map shows El kubeibe, Zernukah, Akir, Yebnah, Beshshit and Katrah with Wadi Jamus; 8th Mounted Brigade headquarters, the regiments and machine guns, artillery and field ambulance
Map 13 Yeomanry charge at El Mughar

At about 11:30 two leading battalions of 155th (South Scottish) Brigade (52nd (Lowland) Division) were advancing under heavy shrapnel and machine-gun fire to the shelter of the Wadi Jamus about 600 yards (550 m) from their objective.[Note 7] But every attempt to leave the wadi was stopped by very heavy fire from well placed machine-guns. The reserve battalion was brought up but an attempt to work up the wadi between Katrah and El Mughar was barred by heavy machine-gun fire from the villages.[79] At about 14:30 it was agreed between the GOC 52nd (Lowland) Division and the GOC Yeomanry Mounted Division that the 6th Mounted Brigade should attack El Mughar ridge in combination with a renewed assault on Katrah and El Mughar by the 52nd (Lowland) Division. Half an hour later the Royal Buckinghamshire Yeomanry and the Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry, already in the Wadi Jamus, advanced in column of squadrons extended to four paces across 3,000 yards (2.7 km) at first trotting then galloping onto the crest of the ridge.[80] They gained the ridge but the horses were completely exhausted and could not continue the pursuit of the escaping Ottoman units down the far side.[88] The charge cost 16 killed, 114 wounded and 265 horses; 16 per cent of personnel and 33 per cent of horses.[86] However, the Ottoman defenders continued to hold El Mughar village until two squadrons of the Berkshire Yeomanry of the 6th Mounted Brigade fighting dismounted, with two battalions of the 155th (South Scottish) Brigade (52nd (Lowland) Division), renewed the attack.[80][89] Fighting in the village continued until 17:00 when they succeeded in capturing the two crucial fortified villages of Katrah and El Mughar but at a cost of 500 casualties.[59][90] Two field guns and 14 machine-guns were captured. The prisoners and dead amounted to 18 officers and 1,078 other ranks and more than 2,000 dead Ottoman soldiers.[91][92]

Aftermath

Panorama photo of groups of trains and buildings
Junction Station

On the morning after the battle at Mughar Ridge, Junction Station was occupied and during the following days other villages in the area were found to have been abandoned.[93] Later in the morning of 14 November the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade (commanded by Brigadier General William Meldrum) ran into a determined and well entrenched Ottoman rearguard near Ayun Kara, which they attacked. Fierce close quarter fighting against the Ottoman 3rd Infantry Division continued during the afternoon.[94] Although severely threatened, the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade eventually prevailed and went on to occupy Jaffa two days later.[95]

Units of the 75th Division supported by several armoured cars occupied Junction Station during the morning of 14 November cutting the Jaffa to Jerusalem railway. Seventeen days of operations virtually without rest, had resulted in an advance of 60 miles (97 km) from Beersheba; major and minor engagements occurring on 13 of those days. Most of the mounted units had covered at least 170 miles (270 km) since 29 October 1917 capturing 5,270 prisoners and over 60 guns and about 50 machine-guns. At Junction Station two train engines and 60 trucks in the station were captured along with an undamaged and fully functioning steam pumping plant which supplied unlimited, easily accessible water.[88][96][97] Junction Station, with its branch line running south to El Tineh and extensions southwards towards Beersheba and Gaza was an important centre for both sides' lines of communication.[65][98]

On 14 November at 06:30 4th Light Horse Brigade entered El Tineh with the rest of the Australian Mounted Division following a couple of hours later. Here good wells containing plenty of water were found but without steam pumps and so watering was not complete until 16:00.[99][100] The horses had done all that had been asked of them, existing during this time on only 91⁄2 lbs of grain ration (practically no bulk food) and scarce water while all the time carrying about 21 stone (290 lb). That they were able to carry on into the Judean Hills after only a limited period of rest established a remarkable record.[88] Meanwhile, the Australian Mounted Divisional Supply Train followed the fighting units as closely as they could, moving out from Beersheba via Abu Hareira and Gaza on 11 November to Esdud on 14 November; to Mesymie the day after and Junction Station on 16 November.[101]

In the distance a group of people walk down a dirt road away from the village. The foreground shows vacant ground.
Ramleh after occupation by the Australian Light Horse

During 14 November infantry in the 52nd (Lowland) and 75th Divisions concentrated and reorganised their ranks. The advance was taken over by the Yeomanry Mounted Division which crossed the railway north of Junction Station and the Anzac Mounted Division which pressed the retreating Ottoman Army northwards near the coast.[93] The Anzac Mounted Division had been ordered to cut the road linking Jaffa to Jerusalem by capturing Ramleh and Ludd.[102] This was the only main road from the coast through Ramleh up the Vale of Ajalon to Jerusalem.[27] During the morning Meldrum's New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade crossed the river close to the sand dunes with 1st Light Horse Brigade on its right. By 09:00 El Kubeibeh had been occupied by the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade before pushing on towards the Wadi Hanein. Here Ottoman rearguards were encountered in the orange groves and on the hills between El Kubeibeh and the sand dunes.[103] About noon the 1st Light Horse Brigade drove an Ottoman rearguard from a ridge facing Yebna where the Anzac Mounted Division had bivouaced the night before and occupied the village of Rehovoth also called Deiran.[104][105] At the same time the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade fought off a strongly entrenched rearguard at Ayun Kara. After conceding considerable ground the Ottoman soldiers made a vigorous counterattack but were finally defeated.[81]

Action of Ayun Kara, 14 November

About 9 miles (14 km) south of Jaffa some 1,500 fresh infantry troops of the Ottoman Army's 3rd Division (Eighth Army's XXII Corps) with 18 machine-guns and one field battery, under orders from von Kressenstein (commander of the Ottoman Eighth Army) made a determined stand in well chosen terrain.[94][106] The battlefield was located on the edge of sand dunes to the north of El Kubeibeh and west of the villages of Surafend el Harab and Ayun Kara.[95] Attacking the Ottoman infantry division was the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade's Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington Mounted Rifle Regiments. In the centre the Auckland and Wellington Regiments' combined fighting strength was about 1,000 with 200 horse holders.[107] On the right of this engagement the Canterbury Mounted Rifle Regiment was held up and heavily engaged in the orange groves of the Wadi Hanein near Nes Ziyona until late in the afternoon. They successfully covered the right of the Auckland and Wellington regiments pushing large bodies of Ottoman soldiers back through the orchards of the Wadi Hanein and eventually won the village.[95][107] On the right of these engagements, after the 1st Light Horse Brigade had secured Yebna this brigade encountered Ottoman units defending the Jewish colony of Deiran. The brigade pushed the defenders back into the village which they eventually occupied.[108]

Detailed map showing the positions of the Ottoman and New Zealand forces during the battle, the sand dunes and the orange groves. Each succeeding New Zealand position is shown in red with the time and arrows indicate directions of attacks. The Ottoman defences are shown in green.
Action of Ayun Kara

To the west of the Wadi Hanein the Auckland and Wellington Mounted Rifle Regiments at first advanced quickly over the more open but hillocky country, their left on the edge of the dunes with the Somerset Battery supporting them from north of El Kubeibeh.[95] But they soon encountered a substantial entrenched infantry position of the Ottoman 3rd Division on a high ridge one side of which was a steep face to the orange groves and the other slopped gradually towards the sand dunes. The ridge formed an inverted "L," the long side reaching towards the approaching New Zealanders, while the short side bent westward until it reached the sand dunes.[108]

By noon the situation had developed and Meldrum (commander of New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade) ordered an attack by the Wellington Mounted Rifle Regiment in the centre to gain contact with the main Ottoman entrenched position. The Auckland Mounted Rifle Regiment advanced on the Wellington Regiment's left towards the foot of the "L", but suffered very heavy machine-gun fire from the long ridge against the end of which the Wellington Regiment were pressing.[106][108]

Each troop in the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade had a Hotchkiss automatic rifle with four trained men in a section. On trek or going into action a pack horse in each troop carried the Hotchkiss rifle, spare barrel, and several panniers of ammunition, while a reserve of ammunition for two troops was carried by another pack horse. The air cooled gun could fire as fast as a machine gun and could also fire a single shot, often used as a range finder before pouring in a burst of deadly automatic fire. Ammunition was fed into the gun in metal strips, each containing thirty rounds; the gun was light enough to be carried by one man dismounted but had a tendency to over heat after prolonged continuous automatic use. Each New Zealand mounted rifle regiment had a section of machine guns well up in the firing line so each regiment could give covering fire to the other.

A. Briscoe Moore & Guy C. Powles[109][110]

By 13:30 the Wellington Mounted Rifle Regiment had gained a footing on the ridge by rapidly capturing small tactical positions at the gallop.[107] They achieved their objective by successive rushes driving the Ottoman defenders back from their main position.[95] Major Wilder's 9th Squadron supported by the 2nd Squadron had rushed the first Ottoman position with the bayonet; one machine-gun and one Lewis gun were captured. These guns were used against the second position which was captured by another bayonet charge; two more machine-guns being captured. The third Ottoman position situated well along the long side of the ridge was then attacked. But Red Knoll, located close to the junction with the short leg and practically in front of the dividing line between the two regiments, poured fire directly on them all.[111][Note 8]

This central position was covered by an Ottoman battery which was run forward under cover of trees and opened fire at a range of 1,200 yards (1,100 m) delaying the New Zealanders' attack.[95] Shortly after 14:00 while the Auckland Regiment was pushing small groups up along the sand dunes, Ottoman soldiers were discovered gathering in a basin in front of the Auckland and Wellington Regiments but just over and behind the short leg of the "L" and completely out of sight of both regiments.[110] Ottoman reinforcements were also seen by Anzac Mounted Division headquarters at Neby Kunda and reported to the attacking regiments. But there was no reserve or reinforcements available to the New Zealanders as 2nd Light Horse Brigade had been attached to the Australian Mounted Division during the attack on Junction Station the day before.[112]

Every available man including signallers, gallopers, batmen, grooms and messengers were formed into a troop in case they were needed. The 3rd Squadron, led by Major Twistleton, galloped forward to within a few yards of the heavily attacked line; he was mortally wounded in the charge. About this time Ottoman defenders were driven back from the third position and the New Zealanders gained practically the whole of the long ridge south of the orange groves of Rishon le Ziyon.[112] At 14:30 a counter-attack was launched against the Wellington Regiment and beaten off by enfilading cross fire from both the Wellington and Auckland Regiments' machine-guns and Hotchkiss automatic rifles.[106]

Another counter-attack a quarter of an hour later by two companies of between 200 and 300 Ottoman soldiers armed with hand grenades was launched against the Auckland Regiment. They charged with fixed bayonets approaching in places to within 15 yards (14 m) throwing their hand grenades or bombs, in a determined effort to turn the New Zealanders' left flank.[95] A group of Ottoman soldiers reoccupied a small hill on which all New Zealanders had been killed or wounded, firing obliquely on the Auckland Regiment's main position.[113] The fierce intensity of the fight continued at close quarters for some time with well-sited Ottoman machine-guns handled with skill and boldness enfilading the New Zealanders.[114] The machine-gun on Red Knoll continued to cause very heavy losses until it was captured by a troop of 2nd Squadron, Wellington Regiment, commanded by Captain Herrick (killed in the engagement), which made a mounted charge at the gallop to the foot of the knoll where they dismounted and charged up to engage the defenders in hand-to-hand fighting.[115] With the capture of the knoll two remaining troops of Herrick's squadron came up and brought to bear heavy fire on the Ottoman soldiers in front of the Auckland Regiment.[113]

A large stone obelisk memorial surrounded by white cross grave markers. The original caption reads: "A memorial erected by the people of Richon le Zion to the memory of the New Zealanders who fell at Ayun Kara on November 14th, 1917."
The memorial erected by the people of Richon le Zion to the memory of the New Zealanders who fell on 14 November 1917

By 16:15 fierce fighting had been going on for two and three quarter hours when a squadron of the Wellington Regiment carried out a bayonet charge against a close Ottoman position.[95] It was too much for the Ottoman units whose fighting strength gave way.[107] They fell back beyond Ayun Kara pursued by rifle and machine-gun fire as neither regiment was in a fit state to follow.[95][107] The Ottoman 3rd Division left behind some 400 dead in front of the Auckland's position alone; although others have quoted totals of between 150 and 162 Ottoman dead.[95][106] The New Zealanders captured great numbers of machine-guns (some with prismatic sights) including two Lewis guns. Their casualties numbered 175; three officers and 29 other ranks killed, 11 officers and 132 other ranks wounded with the Auckland Regiment suffering 89 of those casualties.[95][Note 9]

The official New Zealand historian concluded in 1922 that the engagement at Ayun Kara demonstrated the ability of the New Zealand mounted rifles regiments to rapidly attack and reinforce successive positions on horseback. During this intense engagement, the attacking power of the mounted rifle arm, against a strongly entrenched infantry position was comprehensively proven.[107]

15–16 November 1917

New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade accept surrender of Jaffa at town hall

At midnight on 14 November Falkenhayn ordered a general withdrawal and in the days following the Ottoman Seventh Army fell back into the Judean Hills towards Jerusalem while the Eighth Army retreated north of Jaffa across the Nahr el Auja.[116] The Ottoman armies suffered heavily and their subsequent withdrawal resulted in the loss of substantial territory; between 40–60 miles (64–97 km) was invaded by the British north of the old Gaza–Beersheba line. In its wake the two Ottoman armies left behind 10,000 prisoners of war and 100 guns.[117][118]

The day after the action at Ayun Kara, the 75th Division and the Australian Mounted Division advanced towards Latron where the Jaffa to Jerusalem road enters the Judean Hills, while the Anzac Mounted Division occupied Ramleh and Ludd. An Ottoman rearguard above Abu Shusheh blocked the Vale of Ajalon on the right flank of the advance on Ramleh. This rearguard position was charged and overwhelmed by the 6th Mounted Brigade (Yeomanry Mounted Division).[119] And on 16 November Latron itself was captured and the first British unit to enter Jaffa; the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade (Anzac Mounted Division) occupied the city, without opposition.[93][120] They administered Jaffa until representatives of the director of Occupied Enemy Territory arrived.[121] And marking the end of the British Empire's first advance into Palestine, the Ottoman Eighth Army retired to the northern bank of the Auja River some 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Jaffa and the Seventh Army retreated into the Judean Hills.[122] Since the advance from Gaza and Beersheba began very heavy casualties and losses had been inflicted. The invasion had spread 50 miles (80 km) northwards into Ottoman territory while over 10,000 Ottoman prisoners of war and 100 guns had been captured by the victorious Egyptian Expeditionary Force.[118][123]

Notes

Footnotes
  1. ^ The New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade was fighting north of Beersheba near Tel el Khuweilfe with the XX Corps Cavalry Regiment and infantry from the 53rd Division.[Falls 1930 Vol. 2 Part I p. 126]
  2. ^ While fighting on foot, one quarter of the light horsemen were holding the horses, a brigade became equivalent in rifle strength to an infantry battalion. [Preston 1921 p.168]
  3. ^ Preston claims the march was made from Huj to Tel el Hesi arriving at 04:30 on 10 November. [Preston p. 61] But as Falls Sketch Map 9 shows the Wadi Hesi is no more than 5 miles (8.0 km) north of Huj while El Faluje and Araq el Menshiye (the destinations given by Wavell) are at least 10–12 miles (16–19 km) to the north with Es Dud (the destination given by Keogh) another 5 miles (8.0 km) further on again.[Keogh 1955, p. 168; Wavell 1968 pp. 150–1] It is much more likely the Australian Mounted Division moved from Huj to Arak el Menshiye and Faluje as Wavell suggests or to Es Dud as Keogh suggests as the division was in a position to attack El Faluje and Araq el Menshiye on the morning of 10 November.
  4. ^ As the Australian Mounted Division was in a position for the 3rd and 4th Light Horse Brigades to occupy El Faluje and Araq el Menshiye some 10 to 12 miles north of Huj in the morning, its very unlikely the division took the night to move 5 miles from Huj to Wadi el Hesi as shown on Falls Sketch Map 9 above.
  5. ^ Ottoman railway stations were located at El Tineh, El Affulleh, Ramleh, and Wadi es Sara (known by the British as 'Junction Station'). [Grainger 2006, p. 162]
  6. ^ DMC's Operation Order 7 estimates 13,000 on Beit Jibrin – El Kustineh – Burkah line. [AMD Gen.Staff War Diary 13/11/17 AWM4, 1/58/5]
  7. ^ There is one reference to the 'Wadi Katrah' which has been changed to 'Wadi Jamus' to preserve consistency. [Keogh 1955, p. 172]
  8. ^ See 'Action of Ayun Kara' Map above. Red Knoll is indicated by an oblong outlined in green.
  9. ^ Ramleh War Cemetery contains the graves of 49 New Zealand men who died between 14 and 16 November. [Kinloch 2007, p. 226]
Citations
  1. ^ Battles Nomenclature Committee 1922, p. 32
  2. ^ a b c d e Grainger 2006, p. 159
  3. ^ Gullett 1941, p. 491
  4. ^ Bruce 2002, p. 125
  5. ^ a b c Wavell 1968, p. 114
  6. ^ Erickson 2007, pp. 115–6
  7. ^ Erickson 2007 p. 128
  8. ^ Hughes 2004, p. 80
  9. ^ a b Preston 1921, p. 58
  10. ^ a b Baker, Chris. "British Divisions of 1914–1918". The Long Long Trail.
  11. ^ Grainger 2006, p. 158
  12. ^ Preston 1921, p. 60
  13. ^ a b c d e Wavell 1968, pp. 150–1
  14. ^ Bruce 2002, pp. 147–9
  15. ^ Preston 1921, p. 59
  16. ^ a b c d Grainger 2006, p. 157
  17. ^ a b c Preston 1921, pp. 59–60
  18. ^ a b c d Powles 1922, p. 144
  19. ^ a b c Wavell 1968, pp. 149–50
  20. ^ Bruce 2002, p. 147
  21. ^ Hughes 2004, pp. 81–2
  22. ^ Keogh 1955, p. 168
  23. ^ Preston 1921, p. 61
  24. ^ Hamilton 1996, p. 80
  25. ^ Falls 1930 Vol. 2 p. 663
  26. ^ Keogh 1955, p. 163
  27. ^ a b Carver 2003, p. 218
  28. ^ Falls 1930, pp. 138–9
  29. ^ Keogh 1955, pp. 167–8
  30. ^ Grainger 2006, p. 161
  31. ^ Bruce 2002, p. 148
  32. ^ Grainger 2006, pp. 160 & 163
  33. ^ a b c Falls 1930, p. 144
  34. ^ Preston 1921, pp. 61–2
  35. ^ a b c Bruce 2002, pp. 148–9
  36. ^ Preston 1921, pp. 58–9
  37. ^ a b c 4th LHB War Diary AWM4, 10/4/11
  38. ^ a b c Preston 1921, p. 66
  39. ^ a b Grainger 2006, p. 160
  40. ^ a b c Gullett 1939, p. 460
  41. ^ a b c 3rd LHB War Diary AWM4, 10/3/34
  42. ^ Falls 1930, pp. 146–7
  43. ^ Hughes 2004, pp. 82–3
  44. ^ Hamilton 1996, pp. 80 & 82
  45. ^ a b c Powles 1922, p. 145
  46. ^ a b Falls 1930, p. 148
  47. ^ Keogh 1955, p. 169
  48. ^ Preston 1922, p. 70
  49. ^ a b Wavell 1968, p. 153
  50. ^ a b Bruce 2002, p. 149
  51. ^ a b Grainger 2006, pp. 165–6
  52. ^ Keogh 1955, p. 170
  53. ^ Preston 1921, p. 76
  54. ^ a b Wavell 1968, p. 151
  55. ^ a b Falls 1930, p. 158
  56. ^ a b c d Bruce 2002, p. 150
  57. ^ a b Falls 1930, pp. 148–9
  58. ^ a b Preston 1921, pp. 72–3
  59. ^ a b c Carver 2003, p.219
  60. ^ Grainger 2006, p. 165
  61. ^ Grainger 2006, p. 163
  62. ^ Falls 1930, pp. 152–4
  63. ^ Falls 1930, p.154
  64. ^ Grainger 2006, pp. 162–4
  65. ^ a b Falls 1930, p. 149
  66. ^ a b c Grainger 2006, p. 164
  67. ^ Falls 1930, pp. 148–150
  68. ^ Grainger 2006, pp. 163–4
  69. ^ Falls 1930, pp. 150–2
  70. ^ Preston 1921, pp. 73–4
  71. ^ Falls 1930 pp. 151–2
  72. ^ Erickson 2007 pp. 115–6
  73. ^ Keogh 1955, pp. 170–1
  74. ^ Grainger 2006, pp. 164–5
  75. ^ Falls 1930, p.159
  76. ^ a b c Keogh 1955, p. 171
  77. ^ a b Falls 1930, p. 175
  78. ^ Grainger 2006, pp. 166–7
  79. ^ a b Keogh 1955, p. 172
  80. ^ a b c Wavell 1968, pp. 153–4
  81. ^ a b Wavell 1968, p. 155
  82. ^ Falls 1930, pp. 160–2
  83. ^ Keogh 1955, pp. 171–2
  84. ^ a b Australian Mounted Division Hqrs Gen. Staff War Diary AWM4, 1/58/5
  85. ^ Paget 1994, pp. 191–2
  86. ^ a b Wavell 1968, pp. 154–5
  87. ^ Grainger 2006, pp. 167 & 170
  88. ^ a b c Blenkinsop 1925, p. 205
  89. ^ Grainger 2006, p. 168
  90. ^ Wavell 1968, pp. 153–5
  91. ^ Paget 1994, pp. 191–2 & 198
  92. ^ "Estate remembers cavalry action". BBC News UK. 11 November 2007. Archived from the original on 14 February 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  93. ^ a b c Keogh 1955, p. 175
  94. ^ a b Grainger 2006, pp. 172–3
  95. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Falls 1930, pp. 177–8
  96. ^ Bruce 2002, p. 151
  97. ^ Falls 1930, p. 164
  98. ^ Grainger 2006, pp. 161 & 170
  99. ^ 12th LH War Diary AWM4, 10/17/10
  100. ^ Falls 1930, p. 174
  101. ^ Headquarters Australian Mounted Divisional Train War Diary AWM4, 25/20/5
  102. ^ Kinloch 2007, p. 219
  103. ^ Powles 1922, pp. 145–6
  104. ^ Falls 1930, p. 176
  105. ^ Powles 1922, pp. 153–4
  106. ^ a b c d Moore 1920, pp. 88–90
  107. ^ a b c d e f Powles 1922, p. 150
  108. ^ a b c Powles 1922, p. 146
  109. ^ Moore 1920, p. 120
  110. ^ a b Powles 1922, pp. 147–8
  111. ^ Powles 1922, p. 147
  112. ^ a b Powles 1922, pp. 148–9
  113. ^ a b Powles 1922, p. 149
  114. ^ Moore 1920, pp. 80–90
  115. ^ Powles 1922, pp. 147 & 149
  116. ^ Falls 1930 Vol.2 Part I, p. 217
  117. ^ Bruce 2002, pp. 152–3
  118. ^ a b Wavell 1968, p. 156
  119. ^ Bruce 2002, pp. 151–2
  120. ^ Bruce 2002, p. 152
  121. ^ Powles 1922, p. 155
  122. ^ Keogh 1955, pp. 175 & 178
  123. ^ Carver 2003, p. 222

References

  • "3rd Light Horse Brigade. War Diary. (archive)" (PDF facsimile of manuscript and typescript). First World War Diaries – AWM4, Sub-class 10/3: AWM4, 10/3/34. Canberra: Australian War Memorial. November 1917. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  • "4th Light Horse Brigade. War Diary. (archive)" (PDF facsimile of manuscript and typescript). First World War Diaries – AWM4, Sub-class 10/4: AWM4, 10/4/11. Canberra: Australian War Memorial. November 1917. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  • "12th Light Horse Regiment. War Diary. (archive)" (PDF facsimile of manuscript and typescript). First World War Diaries – AWM4, Sub-class 10/17: AWM4, 10/17/10. Canberra: Australian War Memorial. November 1917. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  • "General Staff, Headquarters Australian Mounted Division. War Diary. (archive)" (PDF facsimile of manuscript and typescript). First World War Diaries – AWM4, Sub-class 1/58: AWM4, 1/58/5. Canberra: Australian War Memorial. November 1917. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  • "Headquarters Australian Mounted Divisional Train. War Diary. (archive)" (PDF facsimile of manuscript and typescript). First World War Diaries – AWM4, Sub-class 25/20: AWM4, 25/20/5. Canberra: Australian War Memorial. October – November 1917. Retrieved 19 January 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  • The Official Names of the Battles and Other Engagements Fought by the Military Forces of the British Empire during the Great War, 1914–1919, and the Third Afghan War, 1919: Report of the Battles Nomenclature Committee as Approved by The Army Council Presented to Parliament by Command of His Majesty. London: Government Printer. 1922. OCLC 29078007.
  • History of the Great War Based on Official Documents Veterinary Services. London: H.M. Stationers. 1925. OCLC 460717714. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |editors= ignored (|editor= suggested) (help)
  • Bruce, Anthony (2002). The Last Crusade: The Palestine Campaign in the First World War. London: John Murray Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7195-5432-2.
  • Carver, Michael, Field Marshal Lord (2003). The National Army Museum Book of The Turkish Front 1914–1918: The Campaigns at Gallipoli, in Mesopotamia and in Palestine. London: Pan Macmillan. ISBN 978-0-283-07347-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Erickson, Edward J. (2007). Ottoman Army Effectiveness in World War I: A Comparative Study. No. 26 of Cass Series: Military History and Policy. Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-203-96456-9. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |editors= ignored (|editor= suggested) (help)
  • Falls, Cyril (1930). Military Operations Egypt & Palestine from June 1917 to the end of the War. Official History of the Great War Based on Official Documents by Direction of the Historical Section of the Committee of Imperial Defence. Vol. 2 Part 1. London: HM Stationary Office. OCLC 644354483. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Grainger, John D. (2006). The Battle for Palestine, 1917. Woodbridge: Boydell Press. ISBN 978-1-84383-263-8.
  • Gullett, H.S. (1941). The Australian Imperial Force in Sinai and Palestine, 1914–1918. Official History of Australian in the War of 1914–1918, Volume VII. Canberra: Australian War Memorial. OCLC 220900153.
  • Hamilton, Patrick M. (1996). Riders of Destiny The 4th Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance 1917–18: An Autobiography and History. Gardenvale, Melbourne: Mostly Unsung Military History. ISBN 978-1-876179-01-4.
  • Hughes, Matthew, ed. (2004). Allenby in Palestine: The Middle East Correspondence of Field Marshal Viscount Allenby June 1917 – October 1919. Army Records Society. Vol. 22. Phoenix Mill, Thrupp, Stroud, Gloucestershire: Sutton Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7509-3841-9. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help)
  • Keogh, E. G. (1955). Suez to Aleppo. Melbourne: Directorate of Military Training by Wilkie & Co. OCLC 220029983. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Kinloch, Terry (2007). Devils on Horses: In the Words of the Anzacs in the Middle East, 1916–19. Auckland: Exisle Publishing. OCLC 191258258.
  • Moore, A. Briscoe (1920). The Mounted Riflemen in Sinai & Palestine The Story of New Zealand's Crusaders. Christchurch: Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd. OCLC 561949575.
  • Paget, G.C.H.V Marquess of Anglesey (1994). Egypt, Palestine and Syria 1914 to 1919. A History of the British Cavalry 1816–1919, Volume 5. London: Leo Cooper. ISBN 978-0-85052-395-9.
  • Powles, C. Guy (1922). The New Zealanders in Sinai and Palestine. Official History New Zealand's Effort in the Great War, Volume III. Auckland: Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd. OCLC 2959465. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Preston, R. M. P. (1921). The Desert Mounted Corps: An Account of the Cavalry Operations in Palestine and Syria 1917–1918. London: Constable & Co. OCLC 3900439.
  • Wavell, Field Marshal Earl (1968). E.W. Sheppard (ed.). The Palestine Campaigns. A Short History of the British Army (3rd ed.). London: Constable & Co.
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