After dark our infantry once more attacked the position, but were again unsuccessful.  At about 01.00 infantry machine-gunners came up to relieve, being shown the way by Corpl.  Franklin.  The guns had to be carried down to the led horses, as firing was still pretty hot; the ground, besides, was so rough that it was impossible even to lead the pack animals over it.  Just before coming out of action S.S.M.  Larwood and Pte.  Goldie were both unfortunately wounded, the latter so seriously that he passed away six days later and was buried at Junction Station.

“A” SUB-SECTION IN ACTION.

In the meantime the other Sub-sections had been “doing things” too.  For example, as soon as the enemy opened fire, “A” Sub-section was detailed to join the “S.N.H.” and moved over to the western side of the wadi, under cover of the hill, where this regiment was situated; orders were received to mount the guns on the top of this hill.  After a difficult passage, under a heavy fire, to the position indicated, the guns were brought into action and opened fire immediately.

It was not even necessary to adjust sights, as the enemy were within “point-blank” range.  Enfilading the enemy these guns were raking his flank with fire, whilst he was preparing to make a final rush down into the wadi.  Had not this move been circumvented in the “nick of time,” it is impossible to estimate the disastrous consequences which would have ensued.  Almost at once, the deadly fire of the two machine-guns began to tell their tale, and odd Turks here and there suddenly remembered “a very urgent appointment”.  Within an hour the top of this hill was cleared, and the enemy were seen to be concentrating on the further ridge.  From this vantage-point he kept up a brisk fire, both with machine-guns and rifles, and it was an extremely risky undertaking to show one’s head above the particular rock behind which one was taking cover.  Their fire, however, was returned with interest, and it helped to make “Johnny” arrive at the decision that it would be a very unwise thing to attack again that day, although he did once make a half-hearted attempt to regain his former position, which was promptly frustrated.

This state of things continued throughout the day, but the exposed position of these two guns began to make itself very evident, as the enemy’s field guns, firing from the right flank, began to get the “hang of things” there.  It was, indeed, only by a miracle that both gun-teams were not entirely wiped out!  Night fell with the position of affairs pretty much the same, but, later on, a welcome respite was afforded by the cessation of the shell-fire, although machine-gun and rifle fire still continued, and if anything, with greater intensity.