FIGHTING THE BEDOUINS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 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 Mc\< Camp.' in Egypt, are described 7>y Wheeler T. H. M'Caf,fery, 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 and travelled hy rail for KSO miles. After unloading' our stores, wagons, and horses, wo assembled for our long journey through the desert. And what a Irek it was, 'too!-—S-l miles. At times the wagons sunk to the axels in the sand. We had to push on rapidly, as the wells where we watered the men and stock were 3d miles apart. Ail through the journey we were in danger of being attacked, but thanks to a body of the Australian Light Horse, who acted as our escorts. Ihey kept the enemy we'l within bounds. At last we arrived at our destination, having iieon on the go for four davs 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 Ihc firing-line—a distance of about 1"> miles —with supplies for the Light Horse. We nn-t with a few incidents to remind us of the dangers of our journey, and overcoming the terrible roads safely, reached the line in good time. We knew that Bedouin troops were in live neighbourhood, but we did not expect an attack from iheni, 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 came at us hot and strong. Orders were sent to our men to leave the wagons and horse= in charge of a few men, and advance to some trendies as a shield against some mules which were laden with ammunition. A good supply of cartridges were handed out all round, and we charged to tbe hills, which were well surrounded by the Bedouins.

''We anticipated that we would get a hot time, and didn't we cop it strong! They opened on us just as we got clear of the 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 we cleared across the open. To make cover we had to make a considerable detour. Our casualties were slight. Tf the Bedouins had only possessed a fair number 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 lie is a perfect marvel at concealing himself. The mules and ammunition were got safely under cover. A fiw shells were played :n our direction. But at this juncture the Royal Scots, a Tommy regiment, appeared on the scene. They charged the ouliies where the enemy was popping at us. Our artillery also got to .work, and the Bedouins were mowed down like skittles. This was 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 has it that a big concentration of enemy forces is going on. But wo are ready for them, and they will get o pretty hot time when they venture to attack."