Light Horse Troop honours Beersheba mounted charge
The 2nd Light Horse Regiment - Woombye Troop staged the annual Beersheba Day Parade marking the 105th Anniversary of the famous 1917 mounted charge.
The 2nd Light Horse Regiment - Woombye Troop staged the annual Beersheba Day Parade on Sunday (October 31) marking the 105th Anniversary of the famous 1917 mounted charge.
Following is the address by Lieutenant Colonel Craig Malcolm from the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Qld Mounted infantry) based at Gallipoli Baracks Enoggera.
“This year marks the 105th anniversary of the famous charge of the Australian Light Horse at Beersheba. Each year, here, at this memorial, the community gathers to remember the charge of two regiments, the 4th and the 12th.
“The Battle of Beersheba took place on the 31st October 1917, as part of a wider British offensive, known as the Battle for Gaza. The final phase of this all-day battle was the famous mounted charge by the 4th Light Horse Brigade.
“General Edmund Allenby, the newly arrived British commander of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, planned to attack Beersheba using mounted troops of the Desert Mounted Corps, under Australian commander, Lieutenant-General Harry Chauvel, and with British troops of the 20th Corps, mostly infantry. The greatest problem for Chauvel was to find sufficient water in the Beersheba area for his mounted troops. Allenby had insisted that Beersheba must be captured on the first day of operations. On the night of the 30th of October, 40,000 Allied troops moved towards Beersheba by night over 40 kilometers.
“One soldier, Private Hunter, wrote in his diary, ‘The dust was terrible. One could not see beyond his horse’s head. Those horses braved the journey, which was about 36 miles. I walked at my horse’s head for about 10 miles of flat ground, giving him a rest’.
“The horses were carrying heavy packs, on average, about 120 kilograms, and their riders knew there was little water available until Beersheba. On the 31st of October, British horses attacked the Turkish positions, supported by sustained artillery bombardment by over 100 artillery pieces.
‘Use your bayonets as swords. I wish you the best of luck.
“By one o’clock, they’d driven the Turks from their offensive position, to the west and southwest of Beersheba. However, the wells were still in the hands of the Turkish forces. The wells of Beersheba were vital for the welfare of the Desert Mounted Corps, many of whom’s horses hadn’t had water for days.
The enemy resistance to Tel El Saba, three kilometers to the east, had been stronger than expected. And after stiff fighting by the New Zealanders and Australians, they captured the strong fortifications protecting Beersheba’s eastern flank.
“It is said that with only a few hours of daylight remaining, Chauvel decided to send the 4th Light Horse Brigade straight at the remaining enemy trenches. Chauvel knew that the town must be taken before dark in order to secure the wells for the remaining forces.
“It was said that Colonel William Grant gave the order personally to the 12th Light Horse... ‘Men, you’re fighting for water. There’s no water between this side of Beersheba and Esani. Use your bayonets as swords. I wish you the best of luck’.
“The charge was made across bare ground with the day’s light fading. The advancing regiments soon closed on the main positions through dense Ottoman fire before the lead squadron dismounted on the enemy trenches and engaged in fierce hand to hand fighting.
“Trooper Edward Dengate would say, ‘we got mounted, cantered for about a quarter of a mile up a bit of a rise lined up along the brow of a hill and paused for a moment. And then we went at ‘em, the ground was none too smooth, which caused our lines to get twisted a bit... Captain Davies let out a yell at the top of his voice... that started them all... we spurred our horses... the bullets got thicker... three or four horses came down, others with no riders kept going, the saddles splashed with blood, here and there a man went running toward a dead horse for cover. The Turks’ trenches were about 50 yards on my right. I could see the Turks’ heads over the edge of the trenches squinting along their rifles, a lot of the fellows dismounted at that point thinking we were able to take the trenches, but most of us kept straight on’.
‘I could see the Turks’ heads over the edge of the trenches squinting along their rifles
“31 light horsemen were killed in the charge, and 36 were wounded. Some originals of the brigade who had enlisted in 1914 included Edward Cleaver, and Albert Tibby Cotter, a famous Australian cricketer. At least 70 horses died in the charge. However, they continued on with Beersheba and most of its wells intact. The brigade took over 1100 prisoners, capturing four machine guns, and nine field guns.
“It also set the conditions for British forces to commence an offensive, which ultimately resulted in the defeat of Ottoman forces by combined British and Arab armies.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the rest is now history. The charge of Beersheba 105 years ago has gone down in military folklore. However, the spirit of these troopers remains ever present within the regiment I have the privilege to command. Although the horses have been replaced with tanks and armored fighting vehicles, the spirit, tenacity, and resilience of the Light Horse is unchanged. I thank you all for your attendance today... lest we forget.”
This moving poem was penned by Caroline Cavanagh and recited at October 21's Beersheba Memorial Service and Parade in Woombye. Many thanks to Caroline for allowing us to share this beautiful and moving tribute with you.
Battle of Beersheba
by Caroline Cavanagh
Those men of town and country
Had gathered from afar
Called out for their hard riding
From ‘neath a Southern star
Their steeds were two days weary
O' relentless heat and drought
Aware the task before them
The sweat poured from their brow
Laying down their hopes and dreams
Their final plans were made
And turning from the setting sun
Began the last crusade
They set out at a steady trot
‘Cross dusty desert plains
Each yard a moment closer
To furious leaden rain
And in that quiet sacred space
The calm before the storm
Each man took a moment
And prayed he’d see the dawn
Their pulse began to quicken
Their hearts did heed the call
Surrounded by a mighty cloud
They gave their bloody all
Earth and sky exploded
Man and beast fell in the dust
Mingled with the oozing clay
Their lifeblood coloured rust
They looked about their number
But few had lost their stride
As if some strange and unseen hand
Scattered fire high and wide
The ground began to thunder
Deep within the enemy belt
Overwhelmed by sudden chaos
Their hearts began to melt
And wielding nought but bayonets
Against the furious shell
Those sons yet unforgotten
Did charge the gates of hell
Sons of a sunburned country
Your light breaks like the dawn
And glory guards those behind you
Though your friends you mourn
Rebuild the ancient ruins
Repair the broken wells
Raise up the old foundations
For promised ones to dwell
Speak comfort to my people
And joy to those who weep
Their courage etched eternal
And sealed in Salem's keep