“To assist in completing the rout of the Turkish troops retiring from Beersheba, a small mobile force on camels, consisting of Lewis gunners, machine gunners, and a few Sudanese Arab scouts, under Lieut.-Col.  S.F.  Newcombe, R.E., D.S.O., left Asluj on October 30.  It had a number of machine guns and Lewis guns, a large quantity of small-arms ammunition, and carried three days’ rations.  Moving rapidly, it established its headquarters at Yutta, and on October 31 occupied some high ground west of, and commanding the road between Dhaheriyeh and Hebron.  It was hoped that the Turks, retiring by night from Beersheba, would encounter this force, which, taking them by surprise, would, by its large fire-power put them to rout, and cause a general debacle on the Turkish left-wing.  However, as the Anzac Mounted Division had cut the road further south, the Turkish forces from Beersheba retired north to Tel esh Sheria.  The force, nevertheless, succeeded in intercepting and capturing the motor transport with supplies, which was endeavouring to reach Beersheba from Jerusalem.

“The Turks were surprised by the appearance of this force, and having no idea of its numbers, despatched the 12th Depot Regiment from Hebron, and the 143rd Regiment from Tel esh Sheria—­six battalions in all—­to dislodge it.  It held out resolutely, but, after sustaining heavy casualties and having exhausted all its ammunition, was obliged to surrender on November 2 or 3.”

The personnel (32 O.R.’s) and equipment of “F” Sub-sections, were sent to “Brigade Details” at Gamli under Lieut.  Millman, no horses being then available.

[Illustration]

FOOTNOTES: 

    [1] Note:  (Lieut.  Macmillan returned to Alexandria on 21st November
    1918 from Smyrna, as a repatriated prisoner of war.)

PART II.

The Beersheba Campaign.

MARCH TO ESANI.

On the morning of October 28th 1917, the Squadron marched from Amr, across the 16 miles of desert to Esani.  It consisted of—­

Seven officers, 182 men, 10 guns, 156 riding horses, 70 draught and 31 pack animals, 13 donkeys; with transport of ("A” Echelon), water cart, 12 limbered G.S. wagons; ("B.1” Echelon) three L.G.S. wagons, carrying reserve day’s forage and rations; ("B.2” Echelon) one G.S. wagon.

So far as can be ascertained now, the following were the W.O. and N.C.O.’s of the Squadron at this time:—­

   Headquarters:  S.S.M.  Larwood, S.Q.M.S.  Harrison, Far.-Sergt. 
   Robertson, Transport-Sergt.  Conuel, Sig.-Corpl.  Billam, S.S.-Corpl. 
   Holmes, Saddler-Corpl.  Mellett.

   "A” Sub-section:  Sergt.  Fisher, Lance-Corpl.  Rouse, Lance-Corpl. 
   Keetley.

   "B” Sub-section:  Sergt.  Potts, Corpl.  Hazlehurst, Lance-Corpl. 
   Hughes, Lance-Corpl.  Peadon.