GALLANT CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1932, Page 3

GALLANT CHARGE

ORANGE GROVES BATTLE

MOUNTERS DEFEAT TURKS

Monday last wa» the fifteenth anniversary of the battle among tho orange groves at Ayun Kara, on the coast of Palestine, in which the New Zealand Mounted Rifles so greatly distinguished- themselves. By November 14, 1917, in consequence of their defeat in the Third Battle of Gaza the Turks were in full retreat, closely pursued by our troops. On the British left the Australians and New Zealand Division had only two brigades at their disposal, and of these the N.Z.M.R. Brigade was on the extreme left directed on Ayun Kara and the Jewish colonies beyond. ■By 9 a.m.. the New Zealand Brigade bad occupied El Kubeibeh, and pushing o« 'shortly afterwards gained contact wit* the enemy in thi orange groves of Wadi Hanein find the hills to the west.

MOUNTED MEN ENGAGED

. All three, regiments of the New Zealand Mouritfeci lliliOa Brigade WGM soon engaged, Canterbury on tile tight, Wellington in the centre, and Auckland oil the left. The Turkish position lay on high gromd, and was, in form, an inverted figure ‘‘l'” With the long arm pointing in the direction dl the New Zealand advance. The Canterbury Regiment was scon held up in front of tile Oi’ilhge groves on the Turkish ..left, but the other two regiments, supported, by the Somerset Battry, - to make slow, progress.

By 1.36p.m. the Wellington Regiment had gained a footing on the lr ig arm of,the “L,” and shortly afterwards tho 9th Squadron, under Major Wilder, carried) the Turkish forward litis with the bayonet. Then, covered by the fire -two/ captured./ unfl eliine-guns*. the regiment swept on to carry the second position,. where two more machine-; guns- were taken. Opposite the angle of: the. “L” was a small red knoll, fire from which how began to trouble both regiments. Nevertheless; by about 2 ,p-.m. the Wellington Regiment . had ‘secured practically, all the long arm of the ridge.

TURKS COUNTER-ATTACK

In the meantime the forward troops of the Auckland Regiment had discovered that the enemy was massing, under cover opposite its left. Almost at the same time a report was received from the rear that reinforcements, could be seen moving into this area. Every available man was put in at once to deal ’with this threatening counter attack, whil. the regimental reserve was brought up at the gallop. The counterattack now began to develop against the left- of the Wellington Regiment, but, caught in a, crossfire by the guns of the tw 0 reg ments, wag soon checked. Some 15 minutes later, supported by artillery and machine-gun fire, it was renewed, this time against the Auckland Regiment. This attach was pressed ,with great determination, and the situation rapidly became serious. In places it had soon reached to within fifteen yards of our position, where our men were greatly hampered by the Turkish machine-gun fire, particularly from the red knoll previously described.

CLASSIC BAYONET CHARGE

The situation was now critical. Realising that prompt action was necessary against the red knoll, Captain Herrick, with two troops, 3rd Squadron, Wellington Regiment, galloped straight for it. In spite of a terrific fire, the speed of the ad\ ance carried these two troops to the foot of the knoll. Here they dismounted and went straight forward with the bayonet to capture the knoll by sheer dash and resolution. This move at once eased the situation. The Auckland right came forward, and the Turkish attack began to flog- The action had now 1 been in progress over two hours ,and the stubborn resistance with which they had been met began t 0 tell on the Turks. The attack began to recede, but neither regiment was in a fit state to pursue, and there were no fresh troops at hand. The Turks withdrew unmolested, therefore, except by fire, leaving behind over 150 dead—fully one-tenth of their total numbers—and, some seven machineguns now in the hands of the victorious New Zealanders.