The Australian 4th Light Horse Brigade at the Battle of Beersheba in 1917 made what is the only
successful Mounted Infantry charge ever. The 4th consisted of the 4th, 11th, 12th Light Horse
Regiments. Late in the afternoon on October 31, 1917 the 4th (Victorian) and 12th (New South
Wales) regiments formed up in three waves and charged across 4 miles of open terrain through
shrapnel and machine gun fire. 31 men were killed (including 2 officers) and 36 men wounded
(including 8 officers) in the attack. Then as now, the key was water. The Turks only destroyed 2 of
17 wells and left intact two reservoirs containing 180,000 gallons. Once Beersheba was taken the
Third Battle of Gaza was effectively over and British forces under Allenby had the initiative.
successful Mounted Infantry charge ever. The 4th consisted of the 4th, 11th, 12th Light Horse
Regiments. Late in the afternoon on October 31, 1917 the 4th (Victorian) and 12th (New South
Wales) regiments formed up in three waves and charged across 4 miles of open terrain through
shrapnel and machine gun fire. 31 men were killed (including 2 officers) and 36 men wounded
(including 8 officers) in the attack. Then as now, the key was water. The Turks only destroyed 2 of
17 wells and left intact two reservoirs containing 180,000 gallons. Once Beersheba was taken the
Third Battle of Gaza was effectively over and British forces under Allenby had the initiative.
If the Australian Light
Horse had not charged,
or if they had charged
but failed to take the
town, it is unlikely
Allenby's attack would
have been successful.
What happens after that
is very difficult to assess.
Horse had not charged,
or if they had charged
but failed to take the
town, it is unlikely
Allenby's attack would
have been successful.
What happens after that
is very difficult to assess.