When did the even occur?
The Battle occurred on the 31st of October 1917
Why/How was Australia involved?
Beersheba was a heavily fortified town 43 kilometres from the Turkish bastion of Gaza. It anchored the right end of a defensive line that stretched from Gaza on the Mediterranean coast. The capture of Beersheba would break the Gaza – Beersheba line and would enable the British, Australian and New Zealand forces to outrank Gaza
Significance to Australia
· The light horsemen took only less than an hour to overrun the Turkish trenches and enter Beersheba
· Australia had 67 casualties
· 38 Turkish and German officers were killed and 700 were taken prisoners
Brigadier General William Grant ordered the light horsemen from the 4th and 12th regiments to charge at the trenches, yet they only used bayonets as swords
The Battle occurred on the 31st of October 1917
Why/How was Australia involved?
Beersheba was a heavily fortified town 43 kilometres from the Turkish bastion of Gaza. It anchored the right end of a defensive line that stretched from Gaza on the Mediterranean coast. The capture of Beersheba would break the Gaza – Beersheba line and would enable the British, Australian and New Zealand forces to outrank Gaza
Significance to Australia
· The light horsemen took only less than an hour to overrun the Turkish trenches and enter Beersheba
· Australia had 67 casualties
· 38 Turkish and German officers were killed and 700 were taken prisoners
Brigadier General William Grant ordered the light horsemen from the 4th and 12th regiments to charge at the trenches, yet they only used bayonets as swords