Through Palestine with the 20th Machine Gun Squadron | Page 8

perhaps, be out
of place. Doubtless other people will read this record besides the
members of the Squadron who have seen the "beauties" of that remote
part of the world; a brief reference to the characteristics of the locality
may, therefore, be appreciated by those who would like to spend a short
holiday there!
Now, the ground itself, baked hard by the tropical sun and total absence
of water, is covered with stones, it has practically no vegetation
whatever, any scrub, at all resembling a tree, being something to
remark upon. Parts of the country, however, are cultivated by the
natives during the winter and spring, but at the time of our campaign
everything was quite bare. Then, there are no roads; the tracks made by
the natives are inches deep in dust, which, when used by troops, rises in
dense clouds, choking one's nose and eyes, besides "caking" on the face,
so that in a very short time every man more resembles a performer in a
minstrel troupe rather than a soldier in His Majesty's Army.
Everywhere hills are to be seen, upon which there are outcrops of rock.
Upon these hills, also, a small bushy plant manages to grow (a kind of
thyme), which has a very pungent smell.
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.
"After being in action for a considerable time and having fired a large
quantity of ammunition, we suddenly became aware that we were
entirely "on our own," not one S.R.Y. or a man of any other unit to be
seen. Mr. Raynor went back to try to re-establish communication, and
just as it was rapidly getting dark he sent up an orderly to tell us to
come out of action, and to lead us down into a gulley below the
position we held, where he was. When we arrived at what the guide
thought was the spot, however, it was quite dark, indeed "pitch black".
He was nowhere to be found, and after sending out scouts in all