The Thirteenth Hussars in the Great WarDurand, H. Mortimer (Henry Mortimer)
History
The Thirteenth Hussars in the Great War
Durand, H. Mortimer (Henry Mortimer)
Great Britain. Army. Hussars, 13th; World War, 1914-1918 -- Regimental histories -- Great Britain
stretch of unexplored country between Taza and Telabw-Shahanah, whilst
the remainder of the Regiment, moving off some half an hour later
marched to Taza, some 9 miles distant, where they went into bivouac.
It was whilst here that a small, but nevertheless fierce, caste riot
broke out among the Indians who had the handling of our transport.
This necessitated the whole of the Regiment having to turn out fully
armed before it could be quelled. At 5.30 A.M. the following
morning, 13th May, the Regiment commenced to march to Cemetery, where
we were to join the 7th Cavalry Brigade again. To reach the above place
we now had to cross some hitherto unexplored country, and so far not
having received any reports from our patrol which had left us the
previous day to reconnoitre this part of the country, we had to proceed
with caution. Halting at about 10 A.M. to water and feed
our horses, we moved off again at 11.30 A.M. Meanwhile our
patrols had completed their reconnaissance, and got into communication
with us by helio, sending us a message to the effect that an enemy
column were rapidly disappearing into the hills. The Regiment not
being strong enough to intercept them, the patrol was recalled and we
continued our march, arriving at Cemetery, and joined the 7th Cavalry
Brigade at 8 P.M., after marching some 50 miles. Resting till
4 P.M. the following afternoon, we moved through the Pass to
Ain Nakhailah, some 4 miles distant, bivouacking about 1 mile south of
the salt springs there. The following morning we continued our march
on to Daur, which was some 20 miles over a waterless desert. This
proved a very trying time for us, the little water which we were able
to obtain before leaving the springs being very brackish and salty,
which, combined with the intense [heat?], produced a thirst which was
well-nigh unendurable. These arduous marches, coming on the top of our
very recent hard fighting, tested our endurance to the utmost, several
of our men falling out of their saddles from sheer weakness from want
of food and rest. The sight of the river Tigris had a noticeable and
stimulating effect on both man and horse, and on reaching the river
both were jostling each other in their frantic efforts to quench their
burning thirst. On bivouacking here many of us took the opportunity
of having a much-needed dip in the river. Our way now lay alongside
the river, and owing to the condition of both men and horses, it was
decided to finish our march by easy stages. Accordingly, at 4.30
A.M. the following morning we trekked to Samarah, a distance
of 12 miles, and bivouacked some 2 miles north of the town. Moving off
at the same time the following morning to avoid the intense noonday
heat, we marched a farther 13 miles and bivouacked at Khan Mifraji at
10.30 A.M. We trekked on to Akab, a distance of 15 miles, the
following morning, crossing the pontoon bridge over the river Adhaim,
and bivouacked about a mile distant on the other side. The morning
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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