Raid on the Beersheba to Hafir el Auja railway (22 Mai 1917 Jahr – 23 Mai 1917 Jahr)

Beschreibung:

Both columns rode out during the night of 22/23 May.[8] Chaytor's column rode out at 19:00 on 22 May, with Chaytor travelling in a sand-cart due to ill health. As they marched through the night a khamsin (also known as khamaseen) wind full of dust and electricity, blew from the south into their faces so the troops had difficult seeing and breathing. "A horse's mane on being stroked gave forth a shower of sparks."[11] At daylight on the 23 May the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade was north of the planned demolition site and in touch with the Imperial Mounted Division, which was to demonstrate against the Beersheba line and prevent any Ottoman troops attempting to stop the destruction of the railway.[21] Only a few snipers tried to interrupted the work.[20] All the demolition work was complete by Chaytor's column by 10:20 when they withdrew. By 14:20 their demolition teams and the 1st Light Horse Brigade were seen passing Hill 860 just north of Khalasa. After they cleared the line the 2nd Light Horse Brigade began to drop back through Khalasa with the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade covering the withdrawal to Esani where the force watered and fed before riding back with the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade as rearguard.

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