2nd Light Horse Brigade
The 2nd Light Horse Brigade was a mounted infantry brigade of the
History
Early formation
The 2nd Light Horse Brigade was initially raised as part of the
World War I
Formation and service at Gallipoli
At the outbreak of the war August 1914 the Australian Government decided to raise the all-volunteer Australian Imperial Force (AIF) consisting of 20,000 troops comprising an infantry division and a light horse brigade of three regiments to be used at the discretion of Britain.[2] These regiments were raised from volunteers for overseas service, as the provisions of the Defence Act did not allow conscripts to be deployed overseas. Nevertheless, many of the recruits were drawn from the various militia light horse formations created as a consequence of the Kitchener Report 1910 and the introduction of Universal Training, although they were assigned to freshly raised units that were separate to the light horse regiments raised as part of the militia. Initial enlistments outstripped expectations and, as a result, a total of three light horse brigades as well as two divisional cavalry regiments were formed in the early part of the war.[3]
The 2nd Light Horse Brigade was raised as part of the 2nd Contingent of the AIF,[4] which was hastily put together at the beginning of September 1914. It was organised into three regiments – the 5th, 6th and 7th – each of approximately 520 men.[5] The brigade's three regiments were drawn from Queensland (5th) and New South Wales (6th and 7th), although it had initially been proposed that the 7th would be recruited from Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia.[6][7] These units were raised throughout September and October, and the brigade embarked for the Middle East, departing from Sydney in December 1914.[8][9][10] The band of the 6th Light Horse Regiment played So Long, written by patriotic Australian composer May Summerbelle, as they set sail.[11]
Arriving in Egypt, in February 1915, training was undertaken at Maadi Camp, during which further drafts of reinforcements were received from Australia.
During the early part of the war, the brigade was attached to the
Upon arrival, the brigade was broken up due to concerns about the capacity of its staff, including its commander, Ryrie, and his
Sinai and Palestine campaign
After the evacuation from Gallipoli, the Australian and New Zealand forces in the Middle East were reorganised. There were a large number of reinforcements that had arrived in Egypt at this time, and while the infantry was to be deployed to the
In early 1916, the Australian light horse units were deployed to defend the Suez Canal from an Ottoman attack. After a series of raids by Ottoman forces on several oasis outposts during the Battle of Katia, the 2nd Light Horse Brigade was deployed from Kantara to pursue the withdrawing Ottomans.[23] A short, but sharp fight followed, mainly involving the 5th Light Horse Regiment.[24] Patrolling operations around followed for several months, to defend avenues of approach towards northern Egypt around Katia and Romani. During this time, the brigade gained useful experience operating in desert conditions, which would stand them in good stead for their later involvement in the Sinai and Palestine campaign.[25]
The brigade fought its first major action of this campaign in early August 1916 during the Battle of Romani, which took place 35 kilometres (22 mi) to the east of the canal.[26] Ryrie was absent during the battle, attending an imperial parliamentary conference in London, and in Colonel John Royston temporarily commanded the brigade during this time.[14] Prior to the battle, the 1st Light Horse occupied several outposts, the 2nd Light Horse Brigade was deployed to carry out reconnaissance after the advanced elements of the Ottoman advance on Romani was detected by patrolling aircraft. The weight of the initial attack on 3 August fell on the 1st Light Horse, which was threatened with being outflanked until the 2nd Light Horse Brigade secured their right flank. They were pushed back further as the Ottomans secured several high features, but held the centre while other units launched a counter-attack. Early on 5 August, the 1st and 2nd Light Horse Brigades launched an attack with bayonets around Wellington Ridge.[27] As the tide of the fighting turned, in the following days, the brigade was committed to the pursuit that followed as the Ottoman forces began to withdraw, taking part in another action around Katia.[8][9][10]
After a period of rest out of the line, throughout the remainder of 1916 and into early 1917, the brigade undertook patrol work and minor raids as the British Empire forces pushed into Palestine, after reducing Ottoman garrisons throughout the Sinai. By March, they were preparing to capture Gaza, 32 kilometres (20 mi) from the border. On 26 March 1917, the Anzac Mounted Division took part in the failed First Battle of Gaza, assigned the role of attacking from the north and east while British infantry attacked from the south.[28] During the crossing of the Wadi Ghuzze, the 7th Light Horse Regiment formed the advance guard. The light horsemen then skirted around the town towards the coast while a cavalry screen was established prior to the attack. The attacking infantrymen were delayed by fog, while the light horsemen captured some of the high ground to the north. The 2nd Light Horse Brigade and New Zealand Mounted Brigade were committed late in the day. As they advanced, they were held up by thick hedges, which had to be cleared by hand, while the troopers also dealt with defending Ottoman troops. Although the northern and eastern parts of the town were penetrated, concerns about water and approaching Ottoman reinforcements resulted in the attack being called off.[29][28] A second attempt to capture the key Ottoman position came on 19 April, but it too proved unsuccessful as the defences had been strengthened after the previous attempt. During this effort, the Anzac Mounted Division’s main role was to prevent Ottoman reinforcements from breaking through,[30] although the 2nd Light Horse Brigade was warned to be prepared to launch a mounted attack. Two of its regiments – the 5th and 7th – came under attack from mounted forces while holding a position south of Wadi Imleih. They were forced to retire to cover, until their machine guns were able to check the attack.[31]
After this, British planners decided to attempt an indirect approach, focusing their efforts on Beersheba, about 50 kilometres (31 mi) from Gaza.
With the capture of Jerusalem, the brigade became involved in operations around the
In late July and early August, the brigade was withdrawn to Bethlehem.
Disbandment and perpetuation
After the conclusion of hostilities, the Anzac Mounted Division undertook occupation duties in southern Palestine until it returned to Egypt in early 1919.
Throughout late 1918 and early 1919, the process of demobilising the AIF continued, although this would not be complete until 1921.
In the first couple of years after the war, plans were made to reorganise the home forces to meet the needs of peacetime while providing a strong base upon which to mobilise if necessary. By 1921, when the AIF was officially disbanded, plans were approved to raise two cavalry divisions, each of three brigades, utilising a mix of voluntary enlistment and compulsory service.
Composition
During World War I, the 2nd Light Horse Brigade consisted of the following:[4][6][7]
- 5th Light Horse Regiment
- 6th Light Horse Regiment
- 7th Light Horse Regiment
- 2nd Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron
- 2nd Light Horse Signal Troop
- 2nd Light Horse Field Ambulance
- 2nd Light Horse Brigade Train
- 7th Mobile Veterinary Section
- Somerset Battery of III Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery (T.F.) (1916–1918)
- Inverness-shire Battery of XVIII Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery (T.F.) (1918–1919)
- 2nd Light Horse Training Regiment
- 2nd Light Horse Double Squadron
Commanders
The following officers commanded the brigade during the war:[4]
- Brigadier General Granville De Laure Ryrie(17 September 1914 – March 1919)
See also
References
Citations
- ^ Hall 1968, p. 70.
- ^ Grey 2008, p. 85.
- ^ Bou 2010a, pp. 99 & 141.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "2nd Australian Light Horse Brigade". Australian Light Horse Studies Centre. Retrieved 19 April 2009.
- ^ Gullett 1941, p. 54.
- ^ a b "5th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF, History". Australian Light Horse Studies Centre. Retrieved 19 April 2009.
- ^ a b "6th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF, History". Australian Light Horse Studies Centre. Retrieved 19 April 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "5th Light Horse Regiment". First World War, 1914–1918 units. Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 2 February 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "6th Light Horse Regiment". First World War, 1914–1918 units. Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 2 February 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "7th Light Horse Regiment". First World War, 1914–1918 units. Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
- ^ "Mainly About People". Daily News. Vol. XLIII, no. 15, 277. Western Australia. 7 April 1924. p. 7 (Third edition). Retrieved 14 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Bou 2010a, p. 143.
- ^ a b c Bou 2010a, p. 146.
- ^ a b Perry 2009, p. 156.
- ^ Bou 2010a, pp. 145–146.
- ^ Travers 2002, pp. 272–273.
- ^ Bou 2010a, pp. 146–147.
- ^ Perry 2009, p. 124.
- ^ Bou 2010a, p. 149.
- ^ Grey 2008, pp. 98–100.
- ^ a b Bou 2010a, p. 150.
- ^ Bou 2010a, pp. 149–150.
- ^ Bou 2010b, p. 10.
- ^ Falls 1930a, pp. 168–169.
- ^ Bou 2010b, p. 12.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 118.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, pp. 118–119.
- ^ a b Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 124.
- ^ Bou 2010b, pp. 29–32.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 127.
- ^ Falls 1930a, pp. 344–346.
- ^ Bou 2010b, p. 41.
- ^ Powles 1922, p. 136.
- ^ Bou 2010b, p. 52.
- ^ Preston 1921, pp. 59–60.
- ^ Falls 1930b, p. 230.
- ^ Powles 1922, p. 173.
- ^ Bou 2010a, p. 191.
- ^ Gullett 1941, pp. 672–673.
- ^ Gullett 1941, p. 675.
- ^ Bou 2010b, p. 137.
- ^ Bou 2010b, p. 108.
- ^ Bou 2010a, pp. 193–195.
- ^ a b Bou 2010b, p. 129.
- ^ Gullett 1941, pp. 718–719.
- ^ Bou 2010a, p. 195.
- ^ Bou 2010b, p. 131.
- ^ Bou 2010a, pp. 195 & 197.
- ^ Bou 2010a, p. 200.
- ^ "AWM4 10/2/51 – March 1919: 2nd Light Horse Brigade". Australian Imperial Force unit war diaries, 1914–18 war. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^ a b "AWM4 10/2/54 – June 1919: 2nd Light Horse Brigade". Australian Imperial Force unit war diaries, 1914–18 war. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^ Bou 2010a, p. 201.
- ^ "AWM4 10/2/55 – July 1919: 2nd Light Horse Brigade". Australian Imperial Force unit war diaries, 1914–18 war. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^ Grey 2008, p. 125.
- ^ Bou 2010a, pp. 110–111.
- ^ Hall 1968, p. 75.
- ^ Hall 1968, p. 47.
- ^ Bou 2010a, p. 229.
- ^ Hall 1968, pp. 77–78.
Bibliography
- Bou, Jean (2010a). Light Horse: A History of Australia's Mounted Arm. Port Melbourne, Victoria: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-52119-708-3.
- Bou, Jean (2010b). Australia's Palestine Campaign. Australian Army Campaign Series # 7. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Army History Unit. ISBN 978-0-9808100-0-4.
- Coulthard-Clark, Chris (1998). The Encyclopaedia of Australia's Battles (1st ed.). Sydney, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86448-611-2.
- Falls, Cyril; MacMunn, G. (1930a). Military Operations Egypt & Palestine: From the Outbreak of War With Germany to June 1917. Official History of the Great War Based on Official Documents by Direction of the Historical Section of the Committee of Imperial Defence. Vol. 1. London: HM Stationery Office. OCLC 610273484.
- Falls, Cyril; MacMunn, G.; Beck, A.F. (1930b). 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. II. Part 1. London: HM Stationery Office. OCLC 644354483.
- ISBN 978-0-521-69791-0.
- OCLC 220901683.
- Hall, Richard John (1968). The Australian Light Horse. Blackburn, Victoria: W.D. Joynt & Co. OCLC 59504.
- ISBN 978-0-7336-2272-4.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link - Powles, C. Guy; Wilkie, A. (1922). The New Zealanders in Sinai and Palestine. Official History New Zealand's Effort in the Great War. Vol. III. Auckland: Whitcombe & Tombs. OCLC 2959465.
- 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.
- Travers, Tim (2002). Gallipoli 1915. Charleston, South Carolina: Tempus. ISBN 0-7524-2551-X.
External links
- Australian Light Horse Studies Centre
- Kitchener Report, 1910 Archived 17 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine – Australian National Archives
- 2nd Light Horse Brigade war diary – Australian War Memorial