Desert Mounted Corps

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Desert Mounted Corps
Sinai and Palestine Campaign

1917

Palestine

Battle of Jerusalem

1918

Jordan and Transjordan

Second Transjordan attack on Shunet Nimrin and Es Salt

After reformation

Palestine, Transjordan and Syria
Capture of Damascus
Charge at Irbid
Battle of Jisr Benat Yakub
Charge at Kaukab
Charge at Kiswe
Pursuit to Haritan
Charge at Khan Ayash
Battle of Aleppo
Charge at Haritan
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Harry Chauvel

The Desert Mounted Corps was an

Indian cavalry
and a small French cavalry detachment.

The Desert Mounted Corps (DMC) comprised the

Battle of Jerusalem in December 1917.[a]

In 1918, units of Desert Mounted Corps participated in the

Egyptian Revolution of 1919
. The Desert Mounted Corps was disbanded in June 1919.

Background

The main responsibility of the

Far-East. The loss of the canal to the Ottoman Empire would be a huge propaganda coup for their opponents and increase the probability that Egypt would be reconquered by them.[3]

After previously commanding the

second battle of Gaza.[6] Following which they had remained on the defensive.[7]

Allenby's envisaged the employment of his mounted forces on a much larger scale than his predecessor had.

field ambulance and an ammunition column.[17]

Reorganisation

Lieutenant-General Harry Chauvel
commander Desert Mounted Corps

In April 1918 in response to the

5th Cavalry Division was slightly different having the 13th Cavalry, 14th Cavalry and the 15th (Imperial Service) Cavalry Brigades.[18]

Indian cavalry lancer

Each of the cavalry brigades had one yeomanry and two Indian regiments, except the 15th (Imperial Service) Cavalry Brigade which had three regiments of Indian Imperial Service Troops.[19] With the move from the Sinai desert into southern Palestine there was now no need for a camel force. In June the Imperial Service Camel Brigade was also disbanded, its battalions were instead mounted on horses and used to form the 5th Light Horse Brigade.[20] Which replaced the yeomanry 5th Mounted Brigade in the Australian Mounted Division, bringing that division back up to full strength.[19] The corps now comprised four divisions but had lost its mounted reserve force, and there was no increase in the ten horse artillery batteries, it did however gain its own infantry sub unit, the 20th Indian Brigade.[19]

Formation

Between General Murray's recall in early June, and the arrival of Allenby late in June 1917, Chetwode as commander of Eastern Force gave Chauvel as commander of Desert Column, oversight for the establishment of the Yeomanry Mounted Division.[21][22][23]

On 21 June, the Imperial Mounted Division became the Australian Mounted Division. On 26 June the 6th Mounted Brigade was transferred from the Australian Mounted Division, and the 22nd Mounted Brigade from the ANZAC Mounted Division, and along with the recently arrived 8th Mounted Brigade, formed the Yeomanry Mounted Division. The 7th Mounted Brigade with the Imperial Camel Corps Brigade were corps troops.[24]

Desert Column was reorganised from two mounted divisions of four brigades, into three mounted divisions of three brigades: The ANZAC Mounted Division, Australian Mounted Division and the Yeomanry Mounted Division.[22][25]

Allenby indicated to Robertson on 12 July, that he planned to reorganise the EEF into two infantry and a mounted corps, directly under General Headquarters.[26] The structure of the EEF, would resemble the organisation of the force Allenby had commanded in France, which had reflected contemporary British combat doctrine, in the middle of 1917.[27][28] Further, in order for him to directly command these corps in the field, Allenby created two EEF headquarters. His battle headquarters was established near Khan Yunis, while the remainder of his headquarters staff stayed in Cairo, so they could deal with the political and administrative aspects of control of Egypt and martial law.[29]

On 12 August a conventional corps headquarters, designated the XX Corps and commanded by Lieutenant General P. W. Chetwode replaced Eastern Force. The headquarters of the XXI Corps commanded by Lieutenant General E. S. Bulfin (arrived from Salonika as officer commanding the 60th (London) Division) was formed, while the headquarters of Desert Column was renamed Desert Mounted Corps commanded by Lieutenant General H. G. Chauvel.[30][31][32]

Service history

1917

Main articles: Battle of Beersheba (1917) and Third Battle of Gaza
Australian Light Horsemen

The first operation planned for the Desert Mounted Corps was to break through the Turkish lines, in southern Palestine, which stretched for thirty miles (48 km) from

Abasan el Kebir. While the third division was resting at Tel el Marrakeb. Each month the divisions moved around so no one division spent longer at the front than was necessary.[35]

To prepare for the coming offensive each man was issued an officers-style saddle wallet, in which they could carry three days' rations and some spare clothing. Attached to the saddle were two

nosebags with nineteen pounds (8.6 kg) or two days of grain for the horse. A third day's grain and two days' rations for the men were carried with the divisional train.[36][37] Every two weeks the forward division would move en masse towards Beersheba; leaving in the afternoon they marched all night to be in a position on the high ground in front of town by dawn the next day. There they remained all day and returned to their base the following night. These long-range patrols got the men and horses used to desert travel, with no water available for the horses from the afternoon they left until they returned.[35] These patrols were not without danger and they were often attacked by Turkish aircraft and artillery which had previously registered approach routes, wadi crossings and the high ground.[38] The patrols accustomed the Turks to the appearance of British troops in front of Beersheba, without them taking any offensive action before withdrawing again.[39] This patrol routine continued until the end of October when the corps moved forward for the coming offensive.[40]

Map detailing movements during the Battle of Beersheba

After dark 30 October the ANZ MTD DIV headed for Beersheba securing their first objectives by 08:00 the next morning. The 2nd Brigade moved on

Tel el Saba, while the 1st LH Brigade was the reserve. At 10:00 the Australian Division reached their start point the Khashim Zanna hill overlooking Beersheba, sending patrols forward to reconnoitre a way into the town. At the same time the advancing 7th Brigade was forced to dismount in the face of heavy opposition from well constructed Turkish defences.[41] Now the ANZ MTD DIV was also facing heavy resistance and it was not until 13:00 that the 2nd Brigade captured Tel el Sakaty and at 13:30 cut the road north to Jerusalem.[42] Around the same time that XX Corps secured their objectives in the west.[43]

By now the New Zealand Brigade was unable to proceed being pinned down by Turkish artillery and machine-gun fire. The 3rd LH Brigade with the divisional artillery were sent to assist the attack from the south.

Major-General Edward Chaytor in command of the ANZ MTD DIV, committed his reserve 1st Light Horse Brigade to support the southern attack.[44] The 2nd and 3rd Light Horse Regiments unable to approach their objectives under cover, charged in the open through artillery and machine-gun fire, until they reached a depression in the ground 1,500 yards (1,400 m) short of their target where they were able to dismount and fight forward on foot.[45] At 14:00 the 2nd Light Horse Regiment captured their objective and relieved the pressure in front of the New Zealanders, who carried out a bayonet charge capturing their own objective, 120 prisoners and several machine-guns. The last defences in front of Beersheba had been taken, but there was still a large expanse of open ground to be crossed in front of the town itself.[46]

The two divisions, less the 5th MTD Brigade, were ordered to mount up and capture Beersheba before dark. The 4th LH Brigade, three miles (4.8 km) away, which until then had seen no fighting received the order at 16:30.

1/A Battery, Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) galloped into the open, halted 2,500 yards (2,300 m) short of the town and opened fire. Which was the signal for Grants brigade to charge the Turkish defences. Jumping the two lines of trenches the brigade dismounted and within ten minutes had captured the position.[46][e] Grant rallied his brigade, left a small guard force behind and charged into Beersheba and by 18:00 had secured the town, capturing 1,200 prisoners and fourteen artillery guns.[48][f]

13-pounder guns

The AUS MTD DIV occupied the town while the ANZ MTD DIV put out a skirmish line to the north and north-west.

53rd (Welsh) Division and the Camel Corps Brigade. The ANZ MTD DIV advanced to the Hebron road, near Bir el Makruneh, capturing 200 prisoners and several machine-guns en route. Operations were curtailed by lack of water in the region which necessitated the corps keeping the AUS MTD DIV in Beersheba. The town did originally have an ample water supply from seven wells but five of them had been destroyed by the Turks during the battle.[53]

Over the next five days the ANZ MTD DIV, the 5th, 7th Mounted and the Camel Corps Brigades and the 53rd Division pushed northwards and

Tel Khuweilfeh against a Turkish counter-attack from the 3rd Cavalry Division, the 19th, 27th and part of the 16th Divisions.[54] With all the Turkish reserves concentrated on the Desert Mounted Corps front, on 6 November when XXI Corps attacked in the west they captured all their first day objectives.[55] That evening the AUS MTD DIV moved to the Sharia region in preparation for the expected breakthrough and pursuit of the retreating Turkish forces. The ANZ and AUS MTD DIVs were ordered to move into the Turkish rear area as soon as their path was clear, the ANZ MTD DIV on the right. The YEO MTD DIV would remain behind with the 53rd Division. In part the deployment was influenced by the available water supplies to their front.[56]

On 7 November the AUS MTD DIV was fighting dismounted in support of the 60th (2/2nd London) Division and darkness had fallen before they could mount up and pursue the retreating Turks. The ANZ MTD DIV had better luck and had found a hole in the Turkish front and had advance to the train station at Umm el Ameidat on the Junction Station-Beersheba rail line, capturing 400 prisoners and a large quantity of ammunition and stores. By that night the division had moved forward a further two miles (3.2 km) east and engaged a strong Turkish rearguard position.[57] Elsewhere on 7 November the XXI Corps had eventually succeeded in capturing Gaza.[58]

Pursuit from Gaza

Main article: Charge at Huj
7th Mounted Brigade
in Salonika

Over the night of 7/8 November there was a general Turkish withdrawal, the Desert Mounted Corps supported by the 60th Division were ordered to advance at dawn 8 November at their best speed to the north-west in an attempt to cut off the retreating Gaza garrison. The ANZ MTD DIV, with the 7th Mounted Brigade attached, were given the objective of

Beit Hanun.[67] Also on 8 November the YEO MTD DIV had moved to the British left, to attack the Turkish right which would force them across the front of the 53rd Division and the Camel Corps Brigade at Tel KhuweiKeh. The 8th MTD Brigade began the attack but were dislodge the Turkish defenders before being ordered back to Sharia, to prepare for a pursuit of the Turkish forces withdrawing on the coastal plain.[68]

The attempt to cut off the Gaza garrison had failed, their strong rearguard resistance and the scarcity of water had both played a part in stopping the corps from fulfilling their objective. The corps instead was ordered to pursue the retreating Turkish forces. The ANZ MTD DIV objectives would be

Arak Suweidan.[70]

Part of the Australian Mounted Division supply train

The AUS MTD DIV spent 9 November watering its horse and did not set out until that evening, for their objective

Kustine.[73]

Mughar Ridge

Main article: Battle of Mughar Ridge
British yeomanry reconnaissance patrol

On 10 November, the 1st LH Brigade out in front of the corps captured intact a bridge at

Kustine, to Bayt Jibrin.[75] In order for the infantry to catch up with the corps, Allenby ordered them to hold firm until 13 November. His plan was to attack the centre with his infantry while the mounted troops moved around their open right flank. The YEO MTD DIV which was still in relatively good shape was ordered, along with the Camel Corps Brigade and the New Zealand Brigade, to move to the coast and relieve the Anzac Mounted Division, except the 1st LH Brigade holding the bridgehead. The AUS MTD DIV would remain in the east around Zeita, defending the British right flank.[76] Brigadier-General Charles Cox in command of the 1st LH Brigade was ordered to enlarge their bridgehead. Unable to find a suitable ford, during the night of 11/12 November the 2nd Light Horse Regiment swam their horses across the river, then captured the Turkish position on the Tel el Murre hill with a bayonet charge.[77] Later the same day the 52nd (Lowland) and 75th Divisions crossed the bridgehead and within ninety minutes had captured Burka.[78]

On the right flank the patrolling by the AUS MTD DIV had convinced the Turks that they were confronted there by a much larger force. At 13:00 they sent a force of around 5,000 men in two pincer columns against Balin defended by the 5th MTD Brigade. The manoeuvre almost surrounded the British position, 'B' Battery H.A.C. was forced to withdraw its guns by sections, firing at point blank range, to cover the section pulling back. The brigade had only just managed to extradite itself from the village, when the Turks turned on the 3rd LH Brigade at

Khurbet Jeladiyeh. As the order was going out a train loaded with Turkish reinforcements arrived and attacked the 5th MTD Brigade.[79] But by now the divisions artillery was in position to intervene and broke up the Turkish attack allowing the 5th MTD and 3rd LH Brigades to withdraw to Summeil, where they were able to hold on against the Turkish offensive.[80]

A new British assault began on 13 November, with the YEO MTD DIV on the left of the two infantry divisions and the AUS MTD DIV to their right. The 7th MTD Brigade replaced the exhausted 5th MTD Brigade in the AUS MTD DIV and the 2nd LH Brigade became the corps reserve.

El Mughar and occupy Aqir in the Turkish rear, but the 22nd were also stopped by heavy machine-gun fire. The 52nd Division attempting to attack El Mughar were also stopped in their tracks and requested the YEO MTD DIV assist them by attacking the village from the east.[83] The 6th MTD Brigade were given the task, Brigadier-General C.A.C. Godwin ordered the Royal Buckinghamshire Yeomanry and the Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry to charge across two miles (3.2 km) of open ground, supported by their own artillery and machine-guns, to assault the village.[84] Within minutes the Buckinghamshire Yeomanry had charged through the Turkish lines securing the position. The Dorset's had a more difficult approach but both regiments were successful, for the loss of 129 men and 265 horses killed and wounded, they had killed 600 Turkish soldiers, captured another 1,100 prisoners, three artillery guns and several machine-guns. The 22nd MTD Brigade then pushed on to assault Aqir but was held up by strong Turkish defences, but they did capture another seventy prisoners and some machine-guns.[85]

Australian patrol with locals

The 75th Division had also secured their objective and held out against a Turkish night time counter-attack and on the right the AUS MTD DIV captured

Ramleh and 350 prisoners with no opposition, followed the next day by the New Zealand Brigade entering Jaffa. By now the Turkish forces were entrenched along the north bank of the Nahr el Auja River and the ANZ MTD DIV was ordered to halt, while the army concentrated on capturing Jerusalem.[89] Since Beersheba the Desert Mounted Corps had advanced eighty-five miles (137 km) captured 5,720 prisoners, sixty artillery guns, fifty machine guns and large stocks of ammunition and other equipment.[90]

Jerusalem

Main articles:
Battle of Jerusalem (1917), and Battle of Jaffa (1917)

On 17 November the YEO MTD DIV pursuing the retreating Turkish forces through the hills in front of Jerusalem, came upon a strong rearguard position, on the ridge line between the villages of

Abu Shusheh. A force of 4,000 men supported by artillery and machine-guns the majority of which around Abu Shusheh, with a depth position to its south. Major-General George de S. Barrow ordered the 22nd MTD Brigade to attack the position from the north, the Camel Corps Brigade from the north-west and the 6th MTD Brigade from the south-west.[91] At 07:00 the 22nd MTD and Camel Corps Brigades attacked on foot. Goodwin in command of the 6th MTD Brigade decided to attack mounted. He dispatched half of his machine-gun squadron and a squadron from the Berkshire Yeomanry forward to provide covering fire assisted by the Berkshire Battery R.H.A. located 3,500 yards (3,200 m) south-west of the village. He ordered the Buckinghamshire Yeomanry to charge Abu Shusheh, the remainder of the Berkshire Yeomanry on their left would charge a spur to the north of the village. The Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry would be the brigade reserve, protecting the brigades right flank. The artillery and machine-guns opened fire as the Berkshire Yeomanry moved into the open towards the village, but confronted by heavy machine-gun fire were forced to take cover in a defile. At the same time the Dorset Yeomanry moved around to the south to take that position from the rear, attracting the attention of the machine-gunners. Seeing this the Buckinghamshire Yeomanry came out of cover and charged the village. The Buckinghamshire Yeomanry and the two squadrons of Berkshire Yeomanry reached the village around the same time as the Dorset Yeomanry charged home on the machine-gun position. The position was secured but while clearing up the brigade was counter-attacked, which was broken up, suffering heavy losses, by the brigades artillery.[92] By 09:00 the position was secured with over 400 Turkish dead, 360 prisoners and several machine-guns captured, British losses were thirty-seven dead and wounded. The Turkish survivors were pursued north by the 22nd MTD Brigade, who caught some prisoners, but an unknown number escaped into the surrounding hills.[93]

British yeomanry section trench

By now the corps had been operating for seventeen days, advanced 170 miles (270 km) without rest and had again outstripped it supply lines. The country they were now operating in was unsuitable for horses, but the army's transport vehicles were insufficient to bring the infantry divisions forward quickly.

Ramleh.[98]

Away from the mountains the ANZ MTD DIV deployed in observation posts along the River Auja, and had located four crossing points across the river. A bridge at

Jerisheh, which was defended by the second infantry battalion. In daylight the Turks responded with an attack in force driving back the two covering squadrons and attacking the bridgehead at Khurbet Hadrah.[100] The New Zealand squadron holding the ford at the river mouth reinforced by a New Zealand regiment attacked the Turkish right flank, while the divisions third regiment moved to support the Khurbet Hadrah bridgehead. But by 08:30 the Turks had driven the bridgehead at Khurbet Hadrah back over the river, soon after followed by the other bridgeheads. The Turkish assault made no attempt to follow the retreating division back over the river.[101]

By 27 November the YEO MTD DIV in the hills had been reduced to around 800 men, less than an infantry battalion. Unable to hold a strong defensive line the division commenced patrolling between a small number of defended posts. One post near

Khurbet Deiran that morning after marching twenty-one miles (34 km), the 4th LH Brigade relieved the 6th MTD at 17:00. The fighting continued on and off throughout the night, often at close range but the yeomanry now supported by the Australians held on. The next day both divisions were withdrawn and replaced by two infantry divisions,[102] Allenbys plan worked Jerusalem surrounded surrendered on 9 December.[103] Between 31 October and 9 December the corps had advanced ninety miles (140 km), captured 9,500 prisoners and eighty artillery guns.[104]

1918

Amman

Main articles:
Raid on Amman, and First Battle of Amman

January 1918 started with the British holding a line of trenches to the north of Jaffa and Jerusalem. The Desert Mounted Corps was withdrawn to Gaza to rest and refit.

El Ghoraniyeh, to the east of Jericho, and in a position along the Wadi el Auja to the north of the city.[105]

River Jordan
.

The campaign had settled down into static trench warfare in the west, however in the east Allenby decided to raid the

Ain el Hekr by 04:30, only having covered sixteen miles (26 km) in twenty-fours hours. It was even worse for the Camel Corps Brigade following behind their last unit arrived at Ain el Hekr fifteen hours later.[110] The advance continued and although still raining the terrain was easier to cross and the leading troops of the two brigades linked up with the New Zealand Brigade at 05:30 26 March one mile (1.6 km) to the east of El Sir. The three brigades had been marching for three nights and two days and Chaytor decided to rest, for twenty-four hours, instead of pressing on and assaulting Amman. During the rest period a patrol from the 2nd LH Brigade attacked a Turkish position capturing 170 prisoners while another destroyed thirty German trucks and a car that were stuck in mud. That evening the 1st LH Brigade and 60th Division reached a deserted El Salt. The infantry were as exhausted as the mounted troop having fought for three days and nights to reach their present position and they also rested for twenty-four hours.[111] Overnight Chaytor despatched two small patrols to blow up the rail line to the north and south of Amman. The group from the 2nd LH Brigade heading north come upon a large body of Turkish cavalry and were forced to turn back. The New Zealand party were more successful and destroyed a length or track seven miles (11 km) south of Amman.[112]

The ANZ MTD DIV resumed the raid early on 27 March, with an infantry brigade and two mountain artillery batteries moving in support from Es Salt. The Turks in the meantime had used the respite to bring up reinforcements if their own. Chaytor ordered the New Zealand Brigade to cross the Wadi Amman, south-west of Amman and secure the high ground overlooking the town from the south. A battalion from the Camel Corps Brigade would accompany them to destroy the rail line located there. The 2nd LH Brigade were ordered to move around to the rail line north of Amman and destroy the line there.

Khurbet el Raseife.[115]

Imperial Camel Corps Brigade

Daylight brought down Turkish artillery on the divisions positions, around noon two infantry battalions caught up with the division. Chaytor decided on an immediate attack, with the infantry positioned between the 2nd LH and Camel Corps Brigades.[116] The assault started at 14:00 and got to within 1,000 yards (910 m) of the Turkish lines when the 2nd LH Brigade were counter-attacked. The whole British attack faltered and they withdrew a short distance into a night time defensive position. The remainder of the infantry brigade and two mountain artillery batteries arrived at midday the next day.[115] Turkish reinforcements had also arrived during the day and continued their attack against the 2nd LH Brigades position. To their rear at Es Salt the 1st LH Brigade came under attack from the 3rd Turkish Cavalry Division and two infantry brigades.[117] Chaytor planned a new attack that night, the New Zealand Brigade were tasked to capture a large hill one mile (1.6 km) south-east of Amman. The Camel Corps and infantry would attack the town while the 2nd Brigade was to carry out diversionary operations in the north. The assault started at 02:00 the New Zealanders reached the top of the hill without the Turks firing a shot. But were then engaged by heavy machine-gun fire, followed by an infantry counter-attack at dawn.[118] The attack by the Camel Corps and infantry brigade was initially successful capturing the first line of trenches with 200 prisoners. By 09:00 the Camel Corps Brigade were about 800 yards (730 m) from the main Turkish position when it came under heavy machine-gun fire and an infantry counter-attack was launched against the infantry brigade. The counter-attack was defeated but the British infantry were under an almost constant threat from the Turks and were just able to hold where they were. More Turkish reinforcements arrived at 10:00 and attacked the New Zealanders, which was defeated with support from the Somerset Battery R.H.A which had just arrived after a thirty-hour march. Later in the morning the New Zealanders and Camel Brigade both fought off another direct attack on their positions.[119] That afternoon the infantry tried once again to reach Amman, but machine-gun fire from both flanks forced them to withdraw. In the face of ever increasing Turkish reinforcement Chaytor decided they had no hope of taking Amman. The British were now being attacked at Es Salt and at Amman, with no reserves available Major-General John Shea of 60th Division but in overall command of the raiding force decided to call off the operation. That night the ANZ MTD DIV, Camel Corps Brigade and attached infantry pulled back reaching Ain el Sira the next evening. On 31 March the Turkish attacks at Es Salt continued all day until 23:00 when having made no progress they finally broke off the engagement.[120] The last of the British troops crossed to the west bank of the Jordan late on 2 April. In the twelve days fighting 1,600 men had been killed, wounded or were reported missing.[121] Turkish losses were 1,00 taken prisoner, the stores and ammunition at El Salt and an estimated 1,700 dead and wounded. The infantry had managed to hold a bridgehead at Ghoraniyeh and a second bridge was built four miles (6.4 km) further north at the mouth of the river Auja.[122]

Es Salt

Main article:
Raid on Es Salt

During April the Turkish forces on the east bank had increased to around 8,000 men based on Shunet Nimrin.

Jisr el Damieh.[123]

Australian Light Horse snipers

The 4th LH Brigade reached the Jisr el Damieh bridge at 06:00, the leading 11th Light Horse Regiment attempted to seize the bridge but the Turkish defenders were well dug in and the attempt failed. A second brigade attempt was also defeated by the strength of the Turkish defenders. Instead the brigade, with the divisions three R.H.A batteries, took up a defensive position covering the track from Jisr el Damieh to El Salt. That afternoon the batteries were used to disperse a large column of Turkish troops that were marching towards them.[124] The infantry attacked the Turks at Shunet Nimrin, but could only occupy the forward positions. The large numbers of defenders preventing any further progress. At 15:00 the corps ordered the reserve 1st LH Brigade to follow the main force towards El Salt. Where the 3rd LH Brigade were already approaching the town but were engaged by a Turkish position to the north-west. A bayonet charge by the 9th and 10th Light Horse Regiments captured the position. The 8th Light Horse Regiment then galloped into the town which was full of Turkish soldiers. By 19:00 the town was secured with 300 prisoners, several machine-guns and the Fourth Army headquarters captured. The AUS MTD DIV, 1st LH, 2nd LH Brigades and two artillery batteries travelling through the night reached Es Salt early on 1 May.[125] The force deployed brigades to the east, north, and west while the 5th MTD Brigade moved on Shunet Nimrin.[126]

At 07:30 around 4,000 Turkish soldier appeared on the east bank of the Jordan and advanced on the 4th LH Brigade position from the east. At the same time another 1,000 infantry and 500 cavalry approached from the west. The three artillery batteries with the brigade opened fire on the approaching Turkish troops and Turkish artillery located on the west bank returned their fire.[126] Around 10:00 they managed to overwhelm a small outpost the survivors from the two squadrons were pulling back to the main position when an all out Turkish assault on the brigade started. Outnumbered by about five to one the brigades right flank was turned. Grant in command of the brigade ordered an immediate withdrawal south. Some Turkish troops had got behind the brigade and were blocking the route south. Now fighting at close quarters the brigade was in danger of being overrun. The New Zealand Brigade fifteen miles (24 km) away dispatched two of its regiments to assist the 4th LH Brigade.[127] On the brigade right flank the 4th Light Horse Regiment was covering the retreat of the three artillery batteries. 'A' Battery H.A.C. was on the right, the Nottinghamshire Battery R.H.A. in the centre and 'B' Battery H.A.C. in the south. The two northern batteries 'A' and the Notts attempted to withdraw by sections covering each other firing over open sights. Gradually the artillerymen and horses were shot down and the guns backed into a position with no exit. Forced to make a stand as the Turks had advanced to within 200 to 300 yards (180 to 270 m) on three sides, the batteries ammunition ran out. The last surviving gunners and light-horsemen abandoned the guns and escaped by climbing into the hills. 'B' Battery H.A.C., less one gun that overturned, did escape being encircled and repositioned further south to cover the brigade withdrawal.[128] By midday the brigade had found a new defensive position in a small wadi. Chaytor now arrived to find out for himself what the situation was and ordered the brigade to withdraw further, to a new position north of the Umm el Shert track. During which the two New Zealand regiments arrived and a new defence line was established from the Jordan to the foothills. The Turks attacked the new defence line three times during the day but were beaten back suffering heavy losses.[129]

Elsewhere at dawn the 5th MTD Brigade had left Es Salt for

El Haud in the west. By the end of the day the Turkish defenders were still holding off both brigades. That night the 2nd LH Brigade was also sent to assist the 5th MTD and both were ordered to support 60th Divisions dawn attack on Shunet Nimrin and El Haud on 2 May. With the 4th LH Brigades position in danger the 1st LH Brigade were ordered to support them by defending the track from Umm el Shert. The whole British force was now in danger from the Turkish 3rd Cavalry Division and part of an infantry division moving towards El Salt from the north-west and another detachment heading towards Amman from the east.[130] The attack on Shunet Nimrin by 60th Division began at dawn but they made little progress confronted by a strong Turkish force. At 08:00 5th Brigade attacked their right flank at El Howeij bridge, by 10:30 2nd LH Brigade were still en route to their objective El Hand. At the same time 3rd LH Brigade at Es Salt was attacked by a large Turkish Force. Under heavy pressure their lines were forced back a little and a regiment from the 1st LH Brigade was sent to their aid. This reinforcement made little difference and another 1st Brigade regiment was sent to support them an hour later. The fortunate arrival of a supply column with 100,000 rounds of small-arm ammunition and 300 artillery rounds assisted the 3rd LH Brigade defence. Their machine-guns which until then had been conserving ammunition were able to break up the Turkish assault.[131]

New Zealand Mounted Rifles crossing the Jordan

The British advance was floundering the 2nd LH and 5th MTD Brigade commanders informed the divisional commander Major-General Hodgson that they could not reach their objectives by nightfall. He ordered them to continue as good as possible to assist the infantry attacking Shunet Nimrin.

Order of battle

1917

Desert Mounted Corps Commander
Lieutenant-General Sir Harry Chauvel
General Staff, Brigadier General Richard Howard-Vyse
Deputy Adjutant and Quartermaster-General, Brigadier General E. F. Trew
GOC Royal Artillery, Brigadier General A. D'A. King[132]

1918

During the reorganisation in April and May 1918 the Yeomanry Division was disbanded when most of the yeomanry were sent to the western front. They were replaced by the following –

During the April and May reorganisation, most of the 5th Mounted Brigade were sent to the Western Front. The brigade was disbanded and replaced by the

Chaytor's Force commanded by Major General Edward Chaytor, briefly detached for operations in the Jordan Valley and Transjordan,[19] consisted of

  • Anzac Mounted Division
    • 1st Light Horse Brigade (Brigadier General C. F. Cox)
      • 1st, 2nd and 3rd Light Horse Regiments
    • 2nd Light Horse Brigade (Brigadier General G. de L. Ryrie)
      • 5th, 6th and 7th Light Horse Regiments
    • New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade (Brigadier General W. Meldrum)
      • Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington Mounted Rifle Regiments
    • 18th Brigade RHA
      • Inverness-shire, Ayrshire and Somerset Batteries, RHA and Divisional Ammunition Column
    • A/263 Battery RFA
    • 195th Heavy Battery RGA
    • 29th and 32nd Indian Mountain Batteries
    • No. 6 (Medium) Trench Mortar Battery
    • 3 anti–aircraft sections RA
    • Detachment No. 35 AT Company RE
  • 20th Indian Brigade
    • 110th Mahratta Light Infantry
    • Alwar Infantry (I.S.)
    • 4th Battalion, Gwalior Infantry (I.S.)
    • 1st Battalion, Patiala Infantry (I.S.) (Rajindra Sikhs)
  • Attached
    • 1st Battalion British West Indies Regiment
    • 2nd Battalion British West Indies Regiment
    • 38th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (Jewish Legion)
    • 39th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (Jewish Legion)[141][142][143][144][145]

See also

References

Footnotes

  1. ^
    WP:CONSENSUS to use Turkish the full discussion and rational can be seen at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Military history/Archive 122#Ottoman Turkish Empire wording dispute
    .
  2. ^ Originally called the Imperial Mounted Division.[13]
  3. Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade was also in Egypt, but it was designated as Army Troops under army command.[14]
  4. ^ The Camel Corps Brigade was slightly different with four battalions each with an establishment of 770 men.[16]
  5. ^ Being mounted rifleman the light horse regiments were not issued cavalry swords and during the charge had to use their bayonets instead.[47]
  6. ^ Allenby gives the totals as about 2,000 prisoners, 500 dead and thirteen guns. While Powles claims it was fifty-eight officers, 1090 other ranks, ten field guns, and four machine guns.[49][50]
  7. ^ Powles claims the charge captured thirty prisoners, eleven artillery guns and four machine guns.[64]

Citations

  1. ^ "Informal group portrait of headquarters staff of the Desert Mounted Corps". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  2. ^ Fewster, Basarin, Basarin, 2003, pp.xi–xii
  3. ^ Mortlock 2010, p.3
  4. ^ Powles 1922, p.122
  5. ^ Woodward 2006, p.4
  6. ^ Preston 1921, p.1
  7. ^ Gullett 1941, p.354
  8. ^ Preston 1921, p.7
  9. ^ Powles 1922, p.12
  10. ^ Preston 1921, pp.8–9
  11. ^ Bou 2009, p.166
  12. ^ Preston 1921 p. viii
  13. ^ Powles 1922, p.108
  14. ^ a b Preston 1921, p.8
  15. ^ Preston 1921, p.168
  16. ^ "Imperial Camel Corps organization". New Zealand History. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  17. ^ Powles 1922, p.3
  18. ^ a b Preston 1920, p.154
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "No. 31767". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 February 1920. p. 1529.
  20. ^ "Imperial Camel Corps". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
  21. ^ Hill 1978 p. 116
  22. ^ a b Falls 1930 Vol. 1 p. 357
  23. ^ Keogh 1955 pp. 125–6
  24. ^ Falls 1930 Vol. 1 p. 357, Vol. 2 pp. 661–2
  25. ^ Wavell 1968 pp. 190–1
  26. ^ Hughes 2004 p. 35
  27. ^ Erickson 2007 pp. 112–3
  28. ^ Grainger 2006 pp. 239–40
  29. ^ Allenby to Robertson 12 July 1917 in Hughes 2004 p. 35
  30. ^ Cutlack 1941 pp. 63–4
  31. ^ Hill 1978 p. 118
  32. ^ Falls 1930 Vol. 2 p. 16
  33. ^ Powles 1922, p. 128
  34. ^ Preston 1921, p. 11
  35. ^ a b Preston 1921, p.12
  36. ^ Preston 1921, pp. 12–13
  37. ^ Powles 1922, p. 135
  38. ^ Preston 1921, p.13
  39. ^ Gullett 1941, p.375
  40. ^ Preston 1921, p.17
  41. ^ Preston 1921, pp.23–24
  42. ^ Preston 1921, p.24
  43. ^ Preston 1921, p.25
  44. ^ Preston 1921, p.26
  45. ^ Preston 1921, p.27
  46. ^ a b Preston 1921, pp.28–29
  47. ^ Preston 1921, p.29
  48. ^ Preston 1921, p.30
  49. ^ "No. 30492". The London Gazette (Supplement). 22 January 1918. p. 1189.
  50. ^ Powles 1922, p.139
  51. ^ Preston 1921, p.31
  52. ^ Preston 1921, p.32
  53. ^ Preston 1921, pp.32–33
  54. ^ Preston 1921, pp.38–39
  55. ^ Preston 1921, p.43
  56. ^ Preston 1921, p.44
  57. ^ Preston 1921, pp.45–46
  58. ^ Preston 1921, p.48
  59. ^ Preston 1921, pp.50–51
  60. ^ Preston 1921, p.51
  61. ^ a b Preston 1921, p.53
  62. ^ Powles 1922, p.143
  63. ^ "No. 30492". The London Gazette (Supplement). 22 January 1918. p. 1191.
  64. ^ Powles 1922, p.144
  65. ^ Preston 1921, p.54
  66. ^ Preston 1921, p.56
  67. ^ Preston 1921, p.52
  68. ^ Preston 1921, p.58
  69. ^ Preston 1921, p.59
  70. ^ Preston 1921, p.60
  71. ^ Preston 1921, p.61
  72. ^ Preston 1921, p.62
  73. ^ Preston 1921, pp.64–65
  74. ^ Preston 1921, p.65
  75. ^ Preston 1921, p.66
  76. ^ Preston 1921, pp.68–69
  77. ^ Preston 1921, p.69
  78. ^ Preston 1921, p.71
  79. ^ Preston 1921, pp.72–73
  80. ^ Preston 1921, p.74
  81. ^ Preston 1921, p.77
  82. ^ Preston 1921, pp.78–79
  83. ^ Preston 1921, p.79
  84. ^ Preston 1921, p.80
  85. ^ Preston 1921, pp.82–84
  86. ^ Preston 1921, p.84
  87. ^ Preston 1921, p.85
  88. ^ Preston 1921, p.86
  89. ^ Preston 1921, p.88
  90. ^ Powles 1922, p.151
  91. ^ Preston 1921, p.89
  92. ^ Preston 1921, pp.90–91
  93. ^ Preston 1921, p.92
  94. ^ Preston 1921, pp.93–94
  95. ^ Preston 1921, p.101
  96. ^ Preston 1921, p.102
  97. ^ Preston 1921, p.105
  98. ^ a b c Preston 1921, p.106
  99. ^ Preston 1921, p.108
  100. ^ Preston 1921, p.109
  101. ^ a b c Preston 1921, pp. 110–114
  102. ^ Preston 1921, p.115
  103. ^ Preston 1921, p.121
  104. ^ a b Preston 1920, p.122
  105. ^ Preston 1920, pp.128–129
  106. ^ Preston 1920, pp.132–133
  107. ^ Preston 1920, p.133
  108. ^ Preston 1920, pp.135–136
  109. ^ Preston 1920, pp.136–137
  110. ^ Preston 1920, p.137
  111. ^ Preston 1920, pp.138–139
  112. ^ Preston 1920, p.139
  113. ^ Preston 1920, p.140
  114. ^ Preston 1920, pp.141–142
  115. ^ a b Preston 1920, p.142
  116. ^ Preston 1920, p.144
  117. ^ Preston 1920, p.146
  118. ^ Preston 1920, p.147
  119. ^ Preston 1920, p.148
  120. ^ Preston 1920, pp.149–150
  121. ^ Preston 1920, p.151
  122. ^ Preston 1920, p.153
  123. ^ a b Preston 1920, p.155
  124. ^ Preston 1920, p.157–158
  125. ^ Preston 1920, p.158–159
  126. ^ a b Preston 1920, p.160
  127. ^ Preston 1920, p.161–162
  128. ^ Preston 1920, p.162–163
  129. ^ Preston 1920, p.164
  130. ^ Preston 1920, p.166
  131. ^ Preston 1920, pp.166–167
  132. ^ Falls 1930 Vol. 2 p. 660
  133. ^ a b c d Preston 1921, p.331
  134. ^ a b Falls 1930 Vol. 2 p. 661
  135. ^ a b c d e f g h Preston 1921, p.332
  136. ^ a b c d e f Preston 1921, p.333
  137. ^ a b c d e f g h Preston 1921, p.334
  138. ^ Jones 1987, pp. 146–7
  139. ^ Preston 1921, p. 335
  140. ^ Massey 1920, p. 338
  141. ^ Keogh 1955, p. 240
  142. ^ Powles 1922, p. 236
  143. ^ Wavell 1968, p. 219
  144. ^ Massey 1920, p. 339
  145. ^ Falls 1930 Vol. 2 p. 673

Bibliography

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