PALESTINE CAMPAIGN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10686, 4 September 1920, Page 9

PALESTINE CAMPAIGN

CEN. GHAYTOR'S LECTURE

TO OFFICERS AT THE UNITED SERVICE CLUB. . Last evening, before a gathering of officers in the United Service Officers' Club rooms, Buckle street, MajorGeneral Sir Edward Chaytor, general officer commanding the New Zealand Forces, delivered a lecturo i on the campaign in Palestine, in which Allied troops ultimately succeeded in routing the Turkish army, capturing a large number of the enemy. Major-General Chaytor, who practically confined his remarks, after explaining in detail the principal operations, to the work accomplished by the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade, made reference to the trying and arduous nature of the operations the brigade was called upon to carry out. The varying changes of chmatc—from the intense heat of th* summer on the desert to the intense cold experienced before Amman—were borne by the men with great fortitude. Again, thero was a lack of water to bs contended with, and the speaker gav, instances where* men and beasts wero compelled to go without water for periods of 72 hours. The care taken by the rank and file of their horses was highly commendable, and as a result, very few animals were lost. Describing the first attack on Gaza, Sir Edward Chaytor stated that the town had been invested by the New. Zealand Mounted Rifles and . Australian Light Horse from the rear, and the infantry were conducting a frontal attack, when an order was received to withdraw. When that command was given the town was, to. all intent and purpose, taken, but the order wus insistent, and it had to he obeyed The withdrawal meant months of delay, and subsequently thousands of lives, and the Teason for the command being given was • still a mystery. Not the least interesting of the many incidents that • came 'under Sir Edward's notice were the small conflicts which took place between the colonial mounted men and the Turkish cavalry. One was when the colonials charged the enemy cavalry with only rifleslas weapons against lance and sword. The colonials e were in close formation, and had the heavier horses, and despite the handicap in respect to weapons, tho Turkish cavalry brok© before the mass of courage and determination to which it was opposed. .. Xhe lecture, was listened to with rapt attention, and at its conclusion, Major-General Chaytor was heartily ' applauded. .