Reenactment of the Charge
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During WW1 many Light Horse units commenced wearing emu plumes on their distinctive slouch hats.
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90th anniversary of the Charge -
reenactment
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“The Charge of the Australian Light Horse Brigade at Beersheva 1917”
by Hon Julian Leeser, MP, Federal Member for Berowra, on 18th August 2017
Julian opened his talk with a word of congratulation to the descendants of First Fleeters, 2nd Fleeters and subsequent early pioneers whose ancestors were the foundation of our nation - “Be proud”, he said.
Julian then opened with some background details leading up to the Battle of Beersheva and vividly described the strategies employed by the commander of the Australian 4th Light Horse Brigade, General Harry Chauvel, to overcome the many obstacles that lay ahead. There had been two failed attempts to take Gaza in the south. This third attempt involved a flanking manoeuvre to capture the water supply of the heavily fortified town of Beersheva, situated in the Negev Desert in today’s southern Israel.
The issue of water supply (or lack thereof) dictated General Chauvel’s actions – the wells of Beersheva were the key to the allies’ eventual advancement north through Palestine. The soldiers and horses had to sustain a long march without water and Chauvel well understood the capabilities of his mounted troops and their sturdy Waler horses.
Late in the afternoon of 31 October, the Australian Mounted Division's 4th and 12th Light Horse Regisments (4th Light Horse Brigade) conducted a mounted infantry charge galloping at full stride with bayonets gripped in one hand (their only weapon for attack) and the reins in the other - their rifles were slung across their backs. While part of the two regiments dismounted to attack defending entrenchments on Tel es Saba, the remainder of the light horsemen continued their charge into the town, saving the water supply from possible destruction by the Turks in order to foil the allies’ objectives. The fall of the Beersheva garrison opened the way for a general outflanking of the Gaza-Beersheba Line, ensuring that the Suez Canal remained open for the delivery of relief troops and essential supplies for the war effort in Europe. Over 1,000 Turkish prisoners were taken. The Light Horse Brigade’s victorious charge at Beersheva on 31 October 1917, wrote their names into Australian military history.
The Australians, who had mainly enlisted in rural regions, were excellent horsemen and could competently aim and shoot a rifle. Many had brought their own horses – they were responsible for their care and wellbeing while on board the ships sailing to the Middle East and every day beyond. Together they suffered wounds, thirst, hunger and weariness – their bond remained strong and true. It is reported that, lamentably, only one of these gallant Waler horses returned to Australia. (The Waler is an Australian breed of riding horse that developed from the horses brought to the Australian colonies in the 19th century, named for their early breeding origins in New South Wales. Julian indicated that the Waler is still being bred at Mt White NSW.)
Members reacted quite emotionally to the story of the sacrifice of these brave young men and their horses and their determination to fearlessly achieve their objectives. In desert warfare, it is all about water for horse and rider and many horses had been without water for 48 hours and some up to 60 hours – which may explain the story that the horses smelled water ahead, and nothing was going to stop them!
Julian proudly read from letters from his great grandfather which described in detail his experiences during this campaign and emotions he felt as a Jewish-Australian soldier; and in particular the welcome the Australians received after they had assured Jerusalem’s freedom, the fact of which the people of Israel have not forgotten.
Julian’s enlightening talk was very warmly received and members responded with a most enthusiastic ovation. An extraordinary story, well recounted.
© Arthur Phillip Chapter of Fellowship of First Fleeters 2021-
Images and below: From the internet
by Hon Julian Leeser, MP, Federal Member for Berowra, on 18th August 2017
Julian opened his talk with a word of congratulation to the descendants of First Fleeters, 2nd Fleeters and subsequent early pioneers whose ancestors were the foundation of our nation - “Be proud”, he said.
Julian then opened with some background details leading up to the Battle of Beersheva and vividly described the strategies employed by the commander of the Australian 4th Light Horse Brigade, General Harry Chauvel, to overcome the many obstacles that lay ahead. There had been two failed attempts to take Gaza in the south. This third attempt involved a flanking manoeuvre to capture the water supply of the heavily fortified town of Beersheva, situated in the Negev Desert in today’s southern Israel.
The issue of water supply (or lack thereof) dictated General Chauvel’s actions – the wells of Beersheva were the key to the allies’ eventual advancement north through Palestine. The soldiers and horses had to sustain a long march without water and Chauvel well understood the capabilities of his mounted troops and their sturdy Waler horses.
Late in the afternoon of 31 October, the Australian Mounted Division's 4th and 12th Light Horse Regisments (4th Light Horse Brigade) conducted a mounted infantry charge galloping at full stride with bayonets gripped in one hand (their only weapon for attack) and the reins in the other - their rifles were slung across their backs. While part of the two regiments dismounted to attack defending entrenchments on Tel es Saba, the remainder of the light horsemen continued their charge into the town, saving the water supply from possible destruction by the Turks in order to foil the allies’ objectives. The fall of the Beersheva garrison opened the way for a general outflanking of the Gaza-Beersheba Line, ensuring that the Suez Canal remained open for the delivery of relief troops and essential supplies for the war effort in Europe. Over 1,000 Turkish prisoners were taken. The Light Horse Brigade’s victorious charge at Beersheva on 31 October 1917, wrote their names into Australian military history.
The Australians, who had mainly enlisted in rural regions, were excellent horsemen and could competently aim and shoot a rifle. Many had brought their own horses – they were responsible for their care and wellbeing while on board the ships sailing to the Middle East and every day beyond. Together they suffered wounds, thirst, hunger and weariness – their bond remained strong and true. It is reported that, lamentably, only one of these gallant Waler horses returned to Australia. (The Waler is an Australian breed of riding horse that developed from the horses brought to the Australian colonies in the 19th century, named for their early breeding origins in New South Wales. Julian indicated that the Waler is still being bred at Mt White NSW.)
Members reacted quite emotionally to the story of the sacrifice of these brave young men and their horses and their determination to fearlessly achieve their objectives. In desert warfare, it is all about water for horse and rider and many horses had been without water for 48 hours and some up to 60 hours – which may explain the story that the horses smelled water ahead, and nothing was going to stop them!
Julian proudly read from letters from his great grandfather which described in detail his experiences during this campaign and emotions he felt as a Jewish-Australian soldier; and in particular the welcome the Australians received after they had assured Jerusalem’s freedom, the fact of which the people of Israel have not forgotten.
Julian’s enlightening talk was very warmly received and members responded with a most enthusiastic ovation. An extraordinary story, well recounted.
© Arthur Phillip Chapter of Fellowship of First Fleeters 2021-
Images and below: From the internet
The Horses of the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial, located on the south-west external wall of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, honouring the 140,000 horses that served in the WW1 Desert Campaign Sinai Desert and Palestine 1915 - 1918. The memorial was unveiled on Anzac Day April 25 1950 by Lady Chauvel whose husband General Sir Harry Chauvel CCMC KCB commanded the Desert Mounted Corps.
