From a small rise could be seen, looking down the road, a large camp and El Fule railway station with trucks, carriages and engines, also large dumps of material.  Everywhere, crowds of enemy troops were to be seen rushing about; apparently in a state of great panic.  In these circumstances a squadron of the Deccan Horse went down to “look into things” and after “dealing” with a few of the excitable “Johnnies” the remainder surrendered.  About 900 prisoners were taken that morning.  Later on in the day the Brigade moved down to the station and encamped, the horses being watered from a trough which was discovered about a mile along the railway.[22]

Here, there was found a large quantity of stores of all descriptions, including Turkish cigarettes, which were not refused as a ration on such an occasion.  The capture of El Fule released an R.A.F. pilot, who, having to land in consequence of engine trouble that morning, had been taken prisoner by some Austrian gunners who, with their horses only, were retreating.  They were anxious to know which way the British were coming, in order to decide which road they should take.  Of course they did not learn anything, but fortunately came along this road and thus fell into our hands.

Here it might be mentioned that the work of the R.A.F. was truly wonderful.  Prior to the “stunt,” in order to ensure that the enemy should not be aware of the massing of our cavalry just before the attack and their subsequent movements after the infantry had broken through, they flew continually over the enemy aerodromes and prevented enemy airmen from rising.  Perhaps it should be said they rather tempted them to do so, but—­they never did!  Consequently, on the day of our attack, the enemy had no information at all of what was happening, as his planes were on the ground and remained there until they were either burnt or captured.  They certainly would not rise!  At El Fule a very large aerodrome had been established, and a large collection of enemy machines was found there.  It was not long before these were joined by some of our own which arrived almost as soon as it had been taken.

During the day the 13th Brigade had been dealing with Nazareth, and that night our Brigade slept at El Fule.  Next morning we were to go southwards to Jenin (which might or might not have been captured), and clear the intervening country.

FOOTNOTES: 

[22] About a mile south of the site of the present station at El Fule was the scene of a great battle between the French and the Turks, on April 16th 1799, called the Battle of Mount Tabor.  Kleber with about 1,500 men kept 25,000 Syrians at bay; he was almost defeated when Napoleon with 600 men arrived.  The Turks, thinking a large army was upon them, fled.  Here also are ruins of a church of the Crusaders, destroyed by Saladin.

JENIN[23] CROWDED WITH ABANDONED MATERIAL.