Australian LightHorsemen after the capture in Gaza. 1917.
Three difficult battles took place. British 1st use of tanks didn't go well. Look for the sliver of the Great Mosque in the ruins
Three difficult battles took place. British 1st use of tanks didn't go well. Look for the sliver of the Great Mosque in the ruins
/3 in honor of #Australia's Jewish LightHorsemen in WWI in the Holy Land.
4/ The capture of Beer Sheva on Oct 31 opened the way to Jerusalem, captured on the eve of Hannuka.1917.
Here a pic of Australian Army engineers refitting Jer'm railroad station rails to wide guage.
Here a pic of Australian Army engineers refitting Jer'm railroad station rails to wide guage.
5/ Australian soldiers repairing Beer Sheva well the Germans/Turks blew up during the ANZAC attack on the desert oasis.
6/ Here's a picture of the LightHorsemen's charge across kilometers of open ground against Turkish cannon and guns 102 years ago.
(ignore the debate if this is original pic or recreation).
(ignore the debate if this is original pic or recreation).
7/ Israel appreciates the bravery and sacrifice of the Australian forces.
[Thousands of British troops were pulled back to fight in Europe. More & more of the fighting fell on ANZAC and Indian soldiers.]
[Thousands of British troops were pulled back to fight in Europe. More & more of the fighting fell on ANZAC and Indian soldiers.]
Without doubt, my favorite picture of Australian soldiers in the Holy Land -- a "digger" at the Western Wall.
[pic colorized in the 1920s.]
This photo hangs in the office of the Australian Zionist Federation in Jerusalem.
[pic colorized in the 1920s.]
This photo hangs in the office of the Australian Zionist Federation in Jerusalem.
9/ The role of Australian troops didn't end at Beer Sheva or even Jerusalem. In 1918, in fierce face-to-face fighting w Germans, LightHorsemen took Tzemach train station, opening the way to Damascus.
Pic 3: Lighthorse entering Damascus
Pic 3: Lighthorse entering Damascus
10/ Australians with captured Turkish flags I found in the Ottoman Archives. Even one from the Sinai or Gaza.
Enough for today, commemorating the capture of Beer Sheva 102 years ago. Good on ya, Cobber!
Enough for today, commemorating the capture of Beer Sheva 102 years ago. Good on ya, Cobber!
PS: Cobber – 'friend' (often as a mode of address) This well-known Australian English word probably has its origins in Hebrew CHAVER, 'comrade.' In Australian English from late 19th century, but came to have particular resonance during the WWI thru its use by Australian soldiers.
