95 years ago today - Australian mounted troops overrun Turkish machine guns...



The Charge of the Australian Light Horse 1917
(George Washington Lambert 1873-1930)

Ninety-five years ago today, on 31 October 1917, 800 horsemen of the Australian 4th and 12th Light Horse Regiments formed up in three lines facing the Turkish trenches at Beersheva, northern gateway to the Negev.  Their job was crucial to the success of the British Army push to break the Turkish defence line that stretched east from Gaza and so open the road to Jerusalem.

British forces rapidly achieved early objectives.  However, soon word reached British commanders that the Turkish forces within the town were preparing for an orderly retreat.  This meant that the 17 wells of Beersheva (albeit it is written that Isaac the son of Abraham only dug seven wells there, which for some is the origin of the town's name - i.e Be'er = well and Sheva = seven.  There are other interpretations) were at risk of destruction by the retreating Turkish army.  And without those wells, there was no water.  The town would be all but impossible to occupy. 

The  Australian Light Horse were mounted infantry, not cavalrymen.  Horses were used to carry them into battle, not to fight from.  But on this occasion, time was pressing.  They had to reach the wells.  The attack began four miles from the Turkish lines.  As they neared, first at a trot but then at a charge, Turkish artillery opened fire but had little impact on the widely spaced horses.  So too did the Turkish machine guns, which were kept quiet by accurate and intense British artillery fire. 

The Turkish defenders were overwhelmed by the speed of the attack.  The first wave of Australians hurdled the Turkish trenches, dismounted and attacked the Turks from the rear with bayonets.  Successive waves followed.  Turkish resistance collapsed.  The town was taken.  Only two of the 17 wells were destroyed.  The crucial water supply was secured. 

There were 67 Australian casualties, 31 of them fatal.  They and the 1000 other Allied soldiers that died in the battle, rest in the Commonwealth cemetery outside the town's Old City. 

In 2008 a park was opened in memorium to those who died in the charge on the Turkish lines.  Beersheva has a memorial park dedicated to them too.  It's called the Australian Soldier Park.  This is a picture of it:

For more on the Australian Light Horse, go to http://www.lighthorse.org.au/