3rd Light Horse Brigade
The 3rd Light Horse Brigade was a mounted infantry brigade of the
History
Early formation
The 3rd 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 were created in the early part of the war, each comprising three regiments, a machine gun squadron, a field ambulance, a veterinary section, supply, artillery and other supporting sections. As well, two divisional cavalry regiments were formed.[3]
The 3rd Light Horse Brigade was raised as part of the 3rd Contingent that was hastily put together at the beginning of October 1914.[4] Brigade headquarters opened in Melbourne in early November, with equipment issuing, training and troop organisation beginning at Broadmeadows on 6 November.[5] The brigade was organised into three regiments – the 8th, 9th and 10th[4] – each consisting of approximately 520 fighting men organised into three squadrons.[6] The 8th was recruited from Victoria, the 9th from Victoria and South Australia, and the 10th from Western Australia.[4] These units were raised throughout September and October, and the brigade embarked for the Middle East in late 1914 and early 1915.[7][8][9]
After arriving in Egypt in February – March 1915,
In mid-May 1915, the brigade was deployed to
In August, the Allies attempted to break the deadlock on the Gallipoli peninsula, launching the August Offensive in an effort to secure the heights around Sari Bair, Chunuk Bair and Baby 700.[16] During this effort, the 8th and 10th Light Horse Regiments took part in the attack at the Nek on 7 August, while the 9th was placed in reserve.[7][8][9] Planned as a feint to draw attention away from efforts elsewhere, the attack proved costly for the light horsemen. Due to poor coordination, efforts to support the attack broke down, and the preparatory artillery barrage ended before the attack began, allowing the defending Ottoman troops to return to their firing positions before the first wave set out. Attacking across the narrow front, the first wave of 150 men were all killed or wounded shortly after leaving their trenches. Nevertheless, three more waves were pushed forward before the attack was halted.[17] Total casualties in the two regiments amounted 234 killed and 138 wounded.[18] On 27 August, the 9th and 10th Light Horse Regiments were sent as reinforcements to support the attack on Hill 60, which secured a link between Anzac Cove and Suvla.[19] For his actions during this battle, Lieutenant Hugo Throssell later received the Victoria Cross.[9] For the remainder of the campaign, the brigade undertook defensive duties. Hughes became ill late in the Gallipoli campaign and was evacuated.[20] In his stead, the brigade major, John Antill, assumed command of the brigade in early October 1915.[4]
By mid-December all three regiments were withdrawn from the peninsula, as part of the general withdrawal that followed the decision to abandon the position.
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 the early part of 1916, the brigade was employed in a defensive capacity to prevent an Ottoman attack on the Suez Canal, working to the east of the canal.[26] In late March, the 8th Light Horse Regiment undertook a reconnaissance patrol to Muksheib to ascertain available water supplies there.[27] While the defences were built up in the north, the light horsemen undertook a series of raids in the southern Sinai, to channel the Ottoman troops towards the main defensive positions. These raids were tasked with attacking outposts and destroying water sources. Over the period 11–14 April, a squadron from the 9th Light Horse Regiment, along with a small number of men from the 8th Light Horse Regiment,[28] undertook a raid on Jifjafa, advancing 80 kilometres (50 mi) east of the Suez Canal to attack a bore drilling site; the raid proved successful and resulted in the destruction of the well and capture of the small Ottoman garrison force.[29]
By late July an attack on the canal was expected, and the mounted troops were deployed to harass the advancing Ottoman forces. On the night of 3–4 August, the Battle of Romani began when an Ottoman force ran into positions occupied by the 1st Light Horse Brigade.[30] The 3rd Light Horse Brigade was in the No. 2 Section of the canal zone during the initial fighting at Romani, but was hurriedly pushed forward to Dueidar, although this proved too slow to press the advantage.[31] Tasked with a flanking role, the brigade was ill-prepared for this action, lacking the experience of the 1st and 2nd Light Horse Brigades, and deploying without necessary combat clothing and equipment;[32] late in the afternoon on 5 August, the brigade attacked an Ottoman strongpoint to the south of Katia around Hamisah, capturing over 400 prisoners and a quantity of equipment, including several machine guns.[33] After the main fighting at Romani, the brigade was involved in flanking operations around Hod el Sagi, and then later supported the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade during the Battle of Bir el Abd on 9 August, tasked with advancing to Salmana on the El Arish road, in an effort to threaten the Ottoman left flank.[34] The Ottoman defences proved too strong, though, and initial efforts by the brigade proved slow. The troopers advanced on horseback, attempting to rush the defences, but defensive fire checked their efforts and forced them to dismount. Using fire and manoeuvre techniques, a general advance began but it was carried out over too narrow a front, and after two hours was subjected to a heavy counter-attack. This triggered a withdrawal, during which a heavy artillery bombardment killed many of the 8th Light Horse Regiment's horses that were being led back by hand. In response, the 10th Light Horse Regiment was pushed forward to assist the 9th, and they succeeded in shoring up the line. The heavy resistance resulted in the Anzac Mounted Division being withdrawn to Oghratina, while the 3rd Light Horse Brigade held the left flank around Hod Abu Dhahab overnight.[35]
Command of the brigade passed to
In February and March 1917, the
A second attempt at capturing Gaza came on 19 April.[48] In the days before the attack, the brigade undertook reconnaissance work near Wadi el Ghuzze.[49] The Ottoman position was located about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) inland from the coast, around the edge of the dunes. It was strongly defended and despite efforts to reinforce the attack with tanks and gas, the direct attack proved costly and unsuccessful.[50] The Imperial Mounted Division was heavily committed, undertaking several dismounted attacks against two south-eastern redoubts,[51] during which the 3rd Light Horse Brigade was sent against Atawineh. Coming under heavy fire, the dismounted troopers advanced close to the redoubt and secured a number of prisoners before being halted by defensive fire and ordered to halt.[52] Elsewhere, the infantry attack stalled, despite some gains, and eventually, with darkness falling and ammunition running low, the attack was called off.[53]
In June, the Imperial Mounted Division was renamed the Australian Mounted Division, and a new Yeomanry Mounted Division was created as the Desert Column was expanded to a full corps, the Desert Mounted Corps.[54] In the aftermath of the Second Battle of Gaza, British planners decided to attempt an indirect approach, focusing their efforts on Beersheba, about 50 kilometres (31 mi) from Gaza in an effort to turn the Ottoman flank.[55] On 30 October, the Battle of Beersheba was fought. Shortly before the battle, Brigadier General Lachlan Chisholm Wilson took command of the brigade.[56] During the fighting, the 8th Light Horse Regiment provided a screen, the rest of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade was detached from the Imperial Mounted Division to reinforce the Anzac Mounted Division attack the high ground around Tel el Saba; this took most of the day, but ultimately helped set the conditions for the 4th Light Horse Brigade's charge.[57] Late in the afternoon, the brigade was sent to assist the attack from the east, where resistance continued until late in the day when the garrison began to flee, resulting in the capture of the town and most of its vital water wells.[58][59]
The breakthrough at Beersheba paved the way for the opening of the
Summer was spent by the Jordan River amidst oppressive heat and vector borne diseases, during which there was a lull in the fighting.[65] During this time, the troopers rotated between occupying the defensive line, resting and training; the brigade received cavalry training during this time, and was instructed in the use of swords, but the weapons were not issued at this time and the troopers used bayonets during this training.[66] In early July, Ottoman and German forces launched an attack on the troops holding the Jordan Valley. The weight of the attack fell against other formations, but in the wake of the Battle of Abu Tellul the 3rd Light Horse Brigade relieved the 1st Light Horse Brigade in the forward areas.[67]
In August, further sword training took place, and the Australian Mounted Division was finally issued with swords in preparation for a renewed offensive, during which they would be employed in a more traditional cavalry role. Meanwhile, the Anzac Mounted Division remained a mounted rifle formation.
This was the brigade's last major action of the war.[7][8][9] The brigade remained around Damascus until late in October when it began the advance towards Homs where the Australian Mounted Division was to replace the 4th Cavalry Division.[73] On 30 October, the Ottomans surrendered, and the Armistice of Mudros came into effect, bringing an end to the fighting in the theatre.[74]
Disbandment and perpetuation
After the conclusion of hostilities, the Australian Mounted Division undertook occupation duties in
Throughout late 1918 and early 1919, the process of demobilising the AIF continued, although this would not be complete until 1921.[78] At this time, the militia formations that had remained in Australia for home service were reorganised to realign them with the recruitment areas that had contributed to the AIF regiments, and to replicate the AIF's organisational structure and designations. These formations had continued to exist alongside the AIF in Australia, albeit largely on paper only as they had been reduced significantly due to large-scale enlistment in the AIF, and a lack of funds and resources for training.[79] By 1919, a 3rd Light Horse Brigade had been formed in the militia, consisting of the 6th (New South Wales Mounted Rifles), 16th (Hunter River Lancers), and 22nd Light Horse Regiments, which were based Orange, Maitland, and Bathurst, in New South Wales.[80]
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 3rd Light Horse Brigade consisted of the following:[4][84][85][86]
- 8th Light Horse Regiment
- 9th Light Horse Regiment
- 10th Light Horse Regiment
- 3rd Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron
- 3rd Light Horse Signal Troop
- 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance
- 3rd Light Horse Brigade Train
- 8th Mobile Veterinary Section
- 1/1st Inverness-shire Battery (from the British IV Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery (T.F.)) (1916–1917)
- 1/1 Nottingham Battery (from the XIX Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery (T.F.)) (1917–1919)
- 3rd Light Horse Training Regiment
- 3rd Light Horse Double Squadron (1916)
Commanders
The following officers commanded the brigade during the war:[4][87]
- Brigadier General Frederic Godfrey Hughes: 17 October 1914 – 8 October 1915;
- Brigadier General John MacQuarie Antill: 8 October 1915 – 8 August 1916;
- Brigadier General John Robinson Royston: 8 August 1916 – 30 October 1917;
- Brigadier General Lachlan Chisholm Wilson: 30 October 1917 – August 1919.
See also
References
Notes
- ^ Hall 1968, pp. 66–70.
- ^ Grey 2008, p. 85.
- ^ Bou 2010a, pp. 99 & 141.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade". Australian Light Horse Studies Centre. Retrieved 19 April 2009.
- ^ "AWM4 10/3/1 – November 1914 – February 1915: 3rd Light Horse Brigade". Australian Imperial Force unit war diaries, 1914–18 war. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
- ^ Gullett 1941, p. 54.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "8th 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 "9th 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 "10th Light Horse Regiment". First World War, 1914–1918 units. Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 25 January 2010. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
- ^ "AWM4 10/3/2 – March 1915: 3rd Light Horse Brigade". Australian Imperial Force unit war diaries, 1914–18 war. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
- ^ Bou, 2010 & a, p. 143.
- ^ a b Bou 2010a, p. 146.
- ^ Bou 2010a, pp. 145–146.
- ^ Travers 2002, pp. 272–273.
- ^ Mallett, Ross. "John Antill biography". General Officers of the First AIF. Archived from the original on 9 April 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
- ^ Perry 2009, pp. 100–101.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 109.
- ^ Bean 1941, p. 623.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 111.
- ^ Bou 2010a, p. 147.
- ^ Perry 2009, pp. 124–125.
- ^ Bou 2010a, p. 149.
- ^ Grey 2008, pp. 98–100.
- ^ a b Bou 2010a, p. 150.
- ^ Bou 2010a, pp. 149–150.
- ^ Gullett 1941, p. 70.
- ^ Gullett 1941, p. 69.
- ^ Gullett 1941, pp. 70–71.
- ^ Bou 2010b, pp. 11–12.
- ^ Bou 2010b, p. 12.
- ^ Gullett 1941, p. 186.
- ^ a b Gullett 1941, p. 167.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 119.
- ^ Gullett 1941, pp. 176–177.
- ^ Gullett 1941, pp. 182–184.
- ^ Gullett 1941, p. 185.
- ^ Bou 2010b, pp. 16 & 20.
- ^ Bou 2010b, pp. 20–22.
- ^ Bou 2010b, p. 25.
- ^ Perry 2009, p. 211.
- ^ Bou 2010a, p. 163.
- ^ Bou 2010b, p. 27.
- ^ Perry 1992, p. 51.
- ^ Falls 1930a, p. 299.
- ^ Falls 1930a, pp. 299–300.
- ^ "AWM4, 1-60-13 Part 1 – March 1917: Anzac Mounted Division General Staff War Diary". Australian Imperial Force unit war diaries, 1914–18 war. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
- ^ Bou 2010a, pp. 160–161.
- ^ Dennis 1995, p. 452.
- ^ Bostock 1982, p. 68.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 126.
- ^ Bou 2010a, p. 162.
- ^ Falls 1930a, pp. 343–344.
- ^ Falls 1930a, p. 347.
- ^ Bou 2010a, pp. 164–166.
- ^ Bou 2010b, p. 41.
- ^ Bou 2010a, p. 182.
- ^ Bou 2010a, p. 176.
- ^ Gullett 1941, pp. 392–393 & 397.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 135.
- ^ Bou 2010b, p. 52.
- ^ Falls 1930b, pp. 144–152.
- ^ Bou 2010b, p. 67.
- ^ Bou 2010b, pp. 71–72.
- ^ Perry 2009, pp. 384–392.
- ^ Perry 2009, p. 388.
- ^ Bou 2010b, p. 106.
- ^ Bostock 1982, p. 170.
- ^ Bou 2010b, pp. 106–107.
- ^ Bou 2010b, p. 137.
- ^ Bou 2010b, p. 115.
- ^ Bou 2010b, pp. 132–133.
- ^ Bou 2010b, pp. 136 & 138.
- ^ Bou 2010b, p. 138.
- ^ Bou 2010a, pp. 195 & 197.
- ^ Bou 2010a, p. 200.
- ^ "AWM4 10/3/52 – June 1919: 3rd Light Horse Brigade". Australian Imperial Force unit war diaries, 1914–18 war. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
- ^ Bou 2010a, p. 201.
- ^ Grey 2008, p. 125.
- ^ Bou 2010a, pp. 110–111.
- ^ Hall 1968, p. 75.
- ^ Hall 1968, p. 47.
- ^ Bou 2010a, p. 229.
- ^ Hall 1968, pp. 60 & 77–78.
- ^ "8th Australian Light Horse Regiment". Australian Light Horse Studies Centre. Retrieved 19 April 2009.
- ^ "9th Australian Light Horse Regiment". Australian Light Horse Studies Centre. Retrieved 19 April 2009.
- ^ "10th Australian Light Horse Regiment". Australian Light Horse Studies Centre. Retrieved 19 April 2009.
- ^ Mallett, Ross. "Mounted Troops". unsw.adfa.edu.au. Archived from the original on 25 March 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2009.
Bibliography
- Bean, Charles (1941). The Story of ANZAC from May 4, 1915, to the Evacuation of the Gallipoli Peninsula. Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918. Vol. II (11th ed.). Sydney, New South Wales: Angus and Robertson. OCLC 220898941.
- Bostock, Harry (1982). The Great Ride: The Diary of a Light Horse Brigade Scout, World War I. Perth, Western Australia: Artlook Books. OCLC 12024100.
- 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.
- Dennis, Peter; ISBN 0-19-553227-9.
- 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. (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. II. Part 1. London: H.M. 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.
- Perry, F.W. (1992). Order of Battle of Divisions Part 5A: The Divisions of Australia, Canada and New Zealand and those in East Africa. Newport: Ray Westlake Military Books. ISBN 1-871167-25-6.
- ISBN 978-0-7336-2272-4.
- Travers, Tim (2002). Gallipoli 1915. Charleston, South Carolina: Tempus. ISBN 0-7524-2551-X.
Further reading
- Hamilton, John (2004). Goodbye Cobber, God Bless You. PanMcMillan Australia. ISBN 978-1-74262-549-2.
External links
- Australian Light Horse Studies Centre
- Kitchener Report, 1910 Archived 17 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Australian National Archives
- 3rd Light Horse Brigade war diary, Australian War Memorial