FIGHTING IN EGYPT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11697, 17 October 1916, Page 2

FIGHTING IN EGYPT.

LETTER FRO® cot. MEtOBUM.

Mr W. VI. Made;u).. vif Hunterville, Ims received from Lieut. -Colonel Meld-rum a very interesting account of the fighting in Egypt in August last. "We print bis letter below', which is all the more interestinf as it is not every clay one has the advantage of reading a detailed account.of military operations written by an officer who was actually in command of part of the forces engaged : Homani, Egypt, Ang. 2b, 1016. Vce have had a very interesting month or two here lately. The Turks, who had for some months occupied El Arish, 75 miles east of our canal defence line here-, in considerable strength began to show signs, of coming on. Three months ago the New Zealand Mounted Brigade caught an Outpost HO miles east at Salmana at dawn, killed 15, captured 3, and scattered about HO or 40 others. This was first blood, and from then up to the middle of July we were keeping off their small patrols. About the 15th July some 8000, avoiding our aeroplane observers very cleverly, occupied Bir El Abd, 25 miles east. At this time my regiment (Wellington) was attached to the 2nd A.L.H. Brigade, stationed with the Ist A.L.H. Brigade at Komani and were, with them, alternately patrolling forward two to three days at a time, keeping touch with the Turks and watching their movements.

On the 2‘drd July they came torward 10 miles to Oghratina and occupied it, and strongly entrenched there on a front of several miles north and south. We were now daily in touch with them along their whole front, retiring at dusk to Romani, leaving Romani at 3 a.m. so as to regain touch at dawn. On the 28th July their advanced line was- dug in two miles further on, and they had pashfd outposts out in advance, occupying small, oases between our two lines. One of these, Urn Ugba, was in front of my regiment, and was held by the Turks when we appeared at dawn. After testing Their strength, I got leave from the Brigadier to have a go at them. I had two squadrons and sis machine guns in hand, and had two 18 pounders to help, while at the left I had a squadron of Light Horse to protect that flank, and another squadron of Wellingtons to the right, covering there. I got a tiring line into position to hold the Turks to their ground, got the machine guns into position, and went ron nd the lines instructing the officers as to the objective of each, what the whole move was, time of starting, etc., placed the reserve half squadron in position, and then went back about a quarter of a mile to a commanding position to direct the artillery fire, and taking the reserve commander with me in case he was needed. The attacks commenced promptly to time. I gave the targets, the artillery observer telephoned back the range, etc,, and two 18-pounders did some tine work, sweeping the oasis in advance of our men, and then lifting over it to catch Turkish supports coming up and sweeping up and down a supporting ridge they were moving along. In half an hour’s time we had taken the oasis and swept the Turks out. We killed and wounded some 50 odd and took eight prisoners, while our own loss was two killed and three wounded. The Brigadier was delighted with the result. It was onr fist real test of strength on equal terms with the Turk and we had licked him badly. “However, the Turk still continued to advance, and every morning we found some new development. At last, on the morning of the 4th, he came right at us, attacking the fortified camp at Romani before daylight. The first L. H. Brigade wore about two miles out on our right front, and were driven in at dawn. Our brigade was out in position on Wellington ridge at 4.80 and had to meet the brunt of the attack, which was directed at the right flank of Romani position. A holding attack was simultaneously made in front and left front, but the great effort of the Turk was the flank attack on our right. We were compelled to give ground for half a mile to a crescent shaped ridge fronting Wellington ridge. Meantime, the Turks were shelling the whole camp with the 'utmost impartiality, and some half dozen of their aeroplanes wore sailing overhead dropping bombs. The latter did most harm in camps in rear of the fighting line, while shrapnel and machine gun fire was troubling us most. Things were very merry for about three hours, but by that time we had the Turk steadied down and hie further movement stopped unless further reinforced. So we kept in our positions till evening. At 6 o’clock the New Zealand Mounted Brigade, supported by the Yeomanry and 3rd A.L. H. on their right, but some distance hack, appeared on the Turkish left flank, where they had a battery ami about 1000 men, and assisted by their own batteries gave them such a hot time that some 800 Turks and a battery surrendered. Darkness followed and we slept in onr lines. At dawn a counter attack was made. Wellington

did particularly well in this, and swept np Wellington ridge with their bayonets with such dash that they broke through the Turks and sweeping on, supported by the Light Horse on their right, absolutely demoralised them. It was grand to see them. The Turks surrendered by the hundred. Still following up they captured six machine guns and practically all the Turks left alive on the ridge and plateau on top. Calling up my horses, 1 gathered the regiment together, mounted them, and without waiting for orders pressed on after the Turks. We got out about three and a half to four miles before we were held up by a Turkish rearguard with machine guns and a battery, and I took up a position hanging on their rear and waited tor supports to come up. Meantime we picked up some 150 prisoners, including a Turkish aeroplane and ammunition section, etc.

Later in the day all the mounted men (five brigades) attacked Kutia and strafe the Turks hard till nightfall. During the night he retired five miles back. We followed him up, but it was not till the-9th we got at him hard again. We had a whole day light at Bir El Abd, 30 miles east from here, and again he withdrew during the night. Since then there has been no real fighting. We have watched his retirement and merely harrfed him to hurry him up. The water for

the horses lias been b great problem tor us and prevented us _ from following up further. As it is, with good management pur horses are now, 75 per cent at least, fit for more work of the kind we have been through.^ The authorities expect the Turk to have another go at the canal, but for a month or six weeks we expect an easy time.

Personally I have been fit and am so still and have not managed to get hit —my old horse fared worse, and was hit twice, hut, like Johnnie Walker, is still going strong. Our casualties for the regiment have been 11 dead and 57 wounded. But they have done much fine work, and at Um Ugba, Romani, BLatia, and Bir El Abd have quite upheld their traditions (as we have come to regard them) of old No. 3 Post, Table Top, Gtmuuk Bait, and Hill 60 at Gallipoli. We have got on very well with the Australians we have here fighting. There is a tine spirit ot comradeship now amongst them which will, I think, bear fruit in future years. I had the luck to command the brigade in two of the fights—Katia and Bir El Abd. I don’t know whether we are to stay here to nrevent any further attacks on the ‘canal or whether we are destined for the Balkans or France. But we“are all ready for anything that comes.