Through Palestine with the Twentieth Machine Gun Squadron — John Shaqi
Through Palestine with the Twentieth Machine Gun SquadronUnknown
History
Through Palestine with the Twentieth Machine Gun Squadron
Unknown
Great Britain. Army. Machine Gun Squadron, 20th -- History; World War, 1914-1918 -- Regimental histories -- Great Britain
In front of the halting place, mentioned above, was a plain about a mile
wide; on each side of this was a range of hills. The "S.R.Y." and "D"
Sub-section made towards Khuweilfeh on their left front, and the "S.N.H."
and "C" Sub-section set off half-right towards the hills. The "S.N.H." met
but slight opposition from the enemy, which they easily overcame. Pushing
forward and taking, on the way, two field-guns and two ambulances abandoned
by the Turks, they, at length, gained the highest point (Ras en Nukb); from
here could be seen the Turkish position on the other side of the plain,
being attacked by the "S.R.Y."
A DIFFICULT PROPOSITION.
It was clear that no further advance could be made until the Turks on the
left were dislodged. This seemed to be a difficult proposition, as enemy
reinforcements could be seen coming up in great numbers. Towards evening an
attempt was made to attack them on the other side, but the ground being
found to be very rocky, and after being shelled considerably and night
setting in, orders were received to withdraw. Then the "S.N.H." came right
back to the point where they had left the Brigade, and "C" Sub-section
remained with them for that night. After several attempts had been made to
bring in the captured guns, it was decided it was impossible to retain
them, so they were turned over a precipice.
The next morning (November 3rd) before daylight, the "S.N.H." and "C"
Sub-section set out again, and occupied the same position which they had
evacuated the previous night, being relieved about 10.00 by the
Australians. They had, however, to stand-by for a time, as the Turks showed
signs of attacking. On the way back to the Brigade they passed British
infantry on the way up to the attack, moving under artillery fire, which
on both sides was very lively just then.
In the meantime "D" Sub-section had been having an adventure; the following
incident being related by one who was present:--
"D'S" ADVENTURE.
"Shortly after leaving the Brigade," he writes, "we came into
action on a ridge and gave overhead fire, while the S.R.Y. attacked
the enemy position which was on another ridge about 1,800 yards
off. After a short time, in order to get closer to the enemy, we
advanced to an intervening ridge about 900 yards, bringing us this
distance from the enemy. During this advance, which was carried out
at the gallop, we were subjected to very heavy machine-gun fire,
through which we were lucky to come with the loss of only one pack
mule. The second position was a good one, and we were able to bring
very effective fire on to the enemy who were in a similar position
to ourselves, only rather higher up. Observation was very bad owing
to the hard ground.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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