The picture above shoes Turkish cavalry observing allied troops.

Trooper J.R. Edmondson recalls October 1917. Edmondson had already served in Gallipoli & Macedonia when he was transferred to Palestine.

"All day the sounds of heavy fighting eddied about us.

On our left the infantry attack opened. Away eastward the Australian Light Horse Brigades were fighting their way forward. While in front squadrons of the Nottinghamshire Yeomanry were making progress. "Stand by your horses - MOUNT".

Forward we go over rough, hilly country, about us the signs of the days fighting. Our pace increases. Horses leap forward with impetuous strides, pulling eagerly, ears pricked. To right & left, over a front of miles the squadrons are thundering forward.

An Australian Brigade galloped over the trenches on the outskirts of Beersheba and  then charged the town. The Australians where streaming in from the right and the town was ours.

The following day we were employed patrolling  north of the town. As we rode out we passed the scene of the Australian charge the previous evening. With fixed bayonets they had galloped over the long plain, flat as a billiard table. A magnificent achievement, but what a price. The plain was covered with dead horses. On the trenches friend and foe lay intermingled, all killed by bomb & bayonet".

Later during the patrol, Edmondson describes a Turkish cavalry attack.

"Suddenly there came the rattle of rifle fire. A detachment of Turkish cavalry had dismounted and was firing on us. Our Major shouted for his horse. Struggling into the saddle of my rearing excited horse, I galloped with the others. We joined the main body and our artillery quickly opened fire on their positions. Again we went forward this time in force. From ridge to ridge we cantered. Over coming resistance. Dismounting, we gradually established ourselves on a crest. Attempts were made to dislodge us, but out Hotchkiss guns, at 600 rounds a minute took their deadly toll".

Source "I was there" magazine (1930). Further discussion about the content of this page is in the  Despatches Section.