Oct. 31, 1917: a Page in Military History

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 09:23:05 GMT

clipped by: vk2yoc
clipper's remarks: "1917: Australian mounted troops take Beersheba, Palestine, by launching what is often billed as the last successful cavalry charge in military history.

This claim is disputed, however, depending on what is meant by "successful cavalry charge." Both the Russians and Germans had limited, small-scale successes using mounted troops during World War II, although nothing approaching the scale of Beersheba."

Then again, the Light Horse were not cavalry, but mounted infantry.

Clip Source: www.wired.com

The town of Beersheba, photographed in 1917 during its capture by Austrailian mounted troops.
Image: Courtesy Australian War Memorial

Using two regiments, the 4th and 12th Light Horse, the Aussies attacked the Turkish lines in front of Beersheba, then a southern outpost of the tottering Ottoman Empire. The main objective was not the town itself but the wells nearby, needed to supply British and Australian troops desperately short of water.

The attackers bypassed most of the front-line pickets and struck at the Turkish rear, with the 4th attacking the trenches while the 12th slipped through a gap and rode into Beersheba. Dismounting, the horsemen engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat, stabbing with their bayonets and using their rifles as clubs. The Turks soon broke, and the wells were captured before they could be destroyed. The town fell in the same assault.

Tags: australian, history, light horse

History's last great mounted charge.

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 09:09:25 GMT

clipped by: vk2yoc
clipper's remarks: 90th Anniversary of the Australian 4th Light Horse Brigade's charge at Beersheba.

Clip Source: www.diggerhistory.info

The charge of the 4th and 12th Australian Light Horse Regiments (4th Lt Horse Brigade) at Beersheba.

The two regiments moved off at the trot, gradually fanning out until there was five yards between each horseman. 'Speed and surprise were their one chance',

'and almost at once the pace was quickened to a gallop'. Four miles ahead lay Turkish trenches, many cleverly concealed even from aircraft reconnaissance and surrounded on nearby hills by machine gun and artillery positions.

As the Turkish trenches neared, rapid rifle fire began to take its toll. Horses and men in the first line began to drop.

About half-a-mile from the town, the Brigade began to overrun fugitive troops and guns. Some surrendered but others elected to fight and Light Horsemen here and there dismounted to capture them by rifle and bayonet. Led by two ground scouts about 80 yards ahead, the charge swept on.

A terrible disorder soon reigned with some Light Horsemen reduced to using their rifles as clubs.

Tags: australian, history

Clipmarks | vk2yoc's 'history' clips

Oct. 31, 1917: a Page in Military History

History's last great mounted charge.