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.
clipped from: www.diggerhistory.info 