FIGHTING THE BEDOUINS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2697, 17 February 1916, Page 6

FIGHTING THE BEDOUINS

AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER'S STORY.

The exciting experiences which attended the transfer of a body of Australian troops from Mex Camp, in Egypt, are described by Wheeler >T. H. M'Cafferv, of the Australian Army Service Corps, in a letter by the last mail to a friend in Sydney, states the Sydney "Sun."

He says :—"We have now left Alexandria, and are quartered on a seaport town on the western frontier. When leaving Mex Camp ' we entrained at Gnabbaric, and travelled by rail for 1(50 miles. After unloading our 6tores, wagons, and horses, wo assembled lor our long journey through the desert. And what a trek it was, too! —84miles. At times the wagons sunk to the axles in the sand. We had to push on rapidly, as the wells where we watered the men and stock were 30 miles apart. All through the journey we were in danger of being attacked, but thanks to a body of the Australian Light Horse, who acted as our escort, they kept tho enemy well within hounds. At last we arrived at our destination, having been on the go for four days and nights, and I can tell you we were all glad to get a peaceful slumber after roughing it for so long. "Our pleasure, however, was only of short duration, for next morning our company was ordered to push on to tho firing-line—a distance of about 15 miles —with supplies for the Light Horse. Wo mot -with a few incidents to remind us of the dangers of our journey, and overcoming the terrible roads safely, reached tho line in good time. Wo knew that Bedouin troops were in the neighbourhood, but wo did not expect an attack from them, as our convoy was well guarded on all sides. The Bedouins, however, showed up in great numbers, and they held an advantage in odds of three to our one. The enemy caine at us hot and strong. Orders were sent to our men to leave the wagons and horses in charge of a few men, and advance to some trenches as a shield against some mules- which were laden with ammunition. A good supply of cartridges was handed out all round, and we charged to the hills, which were well surrounded by tho Bedouins.

"We anticipated that we would get a hot time, and didn't we cop it strong! They opened on us just as wo got clear of tho camp. Bullets whistled all round, and tore up the dirt in front as we rushed for the hills. At last we had to take cover, as the enemy was lodged in caves, and we presented lovely targets as wo cleared across the open. To make cover wo had to make a considerable detour. Our casualties were slight. If the Bedouins had only possessed a fair nura-' her of good shots our ranks would have suffered terribly. We tried to get a few openings at the enemy, but it was hard to get a sight of him, as he is a perfect marvel at concealing himself. The- mules .and ammunition -were got safely under cover. _ A few shells were played in our direction. But at this juncture the Royal Scots, a Tommy regiment, appeared on the scene. They charged the gullies where the enemy was "popping at us. Our artillery also got to work, and tho Bedouins were mowed down like skittles. This waa the turn of the tide, for. the enemy cleared out, leaving behind many dead and wounded.

"We have had a few scraps since that affair, but they were only small in comparison. Rumour lias it that a bi« concentration of enemy forces is going on. But wo are ready for them, and they will get a pretty hot time when they venture, to attack."