October 23rd.—­To Khan Shaikhun.

October 24th.—­To Ma’arit en Na’aman, camping east of the town.  In the afternoon rain came on and continued overnight.  It was the first rain of the season.

October 25th.—­To Seraikin, camping against some groves south-east of town.

October 26th.—­At 05.00 to Khan Tuman.  The ground being suitable, the 14th Brigade marched with its Squadrons in line of troop column on the right of the road, and the 13th Brigade in the same formation on the left, while the transport was in the centre, on the road itself.

Early in the afternoon, arriving at the banks of the Kuwaik-Su, the stream that flows through Aleppo from the north, the 20TH MACHINE-GUN SQUADRON off-saddled and settled down, the latest information being that they would not be required till morning.  However, orders were shortly received to continue the advance to Aleppo!  The guns were also to be withdrawn from the transport.  The Squadron therefore moved off with the Brigade about 17.00.

What had been happening in front, in the meantime?  No definite news was to hand, but an armoured-car tender came back for a fresh supply of “S.A.” ammunition for the 15th Brigade Machine-Gun Squadron, so evidently some fighting had taken place.  We had already heard that armoured cars, which had for some time past been doing “yeoman service,” had arrived before Aleppo and scattered enemy patrols, and that an officer had been to the town and demanded its surrender.  He was received with every courtesy, but the gallant commander regretted that he was unable to surrender the city as he had received orders from Constantinople to hold out at all costs, in order to cover the retirement of the Mesopotamian forces!  That was some days previously.  Later, we learnt that on the day in question, the 15th Brigade, having arrived before the “city gates,” the Turks withdrew after destroying bridges, etc., and they (the Brigade) pushing on, met them on the Alexandretta Road, put spurs to their horses, and charged them.

Now, it may be remarked, the Turk outnumbered the 15th Brigade by at least five to one, and after the Brigade had passed through them, the enemy realised their strength, and picking up the very rifles they had thrown down, fired at their backs, Lieut.-Col.  Holden and many other valuable lives being lost in this manner!

But the Turk had really no fight left in him; his was a beaten army!  He continued his retreat, and the 15th Brigade took up an outpost-line north and north-west of the city.

FOOTNOTES: 

    [40] Hama (population about 80,000) is the Ancient Hamath, see I Kings
    xviii, 34, xix, 13.

OUR BRIGADE REACHES ALEPPO.

The 14th Brigade heard of the capture of Aleppo when they arrived within a few miles of it after dark.