A WAR STORY

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1929, Page 3

A WAR STORY

/.Under a bright moon on the night bib March 2-2, .1918, the Londoners attihpbej the foothills beyond the eastdfn bank of the Jordan. The 2-l9th ‘.(St, and , ,2-18th (London Irish) battalions had ' been joined by th.% londons (Blackheath and .Wo^”* : ch), who advanced in the centre and, by rushing a sniping post, did much to assist the 2-19th, who ,-tyere hampered by swampy ground farther south. . , - Turkish riflemen and machine gunners claimed some victims, but the Londoners were hot to be denied. The foothills were taken and held at a total cost to the three battalions of considerably, less than 100 of all mpks. C’fhe Auckland Mounted Rifles began to cross the/Jordan at five o’clock next morning,. They rode throug'i the outposts bf the Londoners to scour the" plgfn to.-the -east and to clear the enemy from the river hank farther/.north./ - yy- A •••• ' One squadron clashed with a squadron of Turkish cavalry, who had the worst pf. .the melee and, fled, the Auokiands shooting, from their saddles' as they /rode in pursuit. Northward along the river many parties of Turkish infantry with mgehino-guns were encountered, and some of. these were ridden down and captured.’ _ 'aßy boon the Turks had been driven w'ell bgek : from the river line, so cur troops could cross where -they would and begin the/ march upon Amman.