Thursday, 15 March 2018

Excitement at Wadi Rabah


Friday 15th March 1918

During the night of 13th/14th March, a platoon from D Company, 1st/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment at Mejdel Yaba(1) salvaged about a hundred shells. These were probably left by a Turkish mountain gun battery which is known to have been somewhere in the vicinity. Meanwhile the companies in the line worked on their defences - sangars - small enclosures made of rocks.

The Bedfords are in the line with 75th Division, a mixed formation of units from the British Army and Indian Army. Just before dusk it was reported by Outram’s Rifles(2), on the right, that the enemy were concentrating in front of C Company. A patrol was immediately sent out but could find no trace of the enemy. At the same time a British aeroplane was dropping lights and firing tracer bullets about 1500 yards to the north of the nearby Wadi Rabah. The 'plane did not leave until quite dark. Patrols were sent out to the wadi at dusk and returned about 9 p.m. having found it to be all clear of the enemy.

Source: X550/6/8

(1) Now Rosh Haayin
(2) Formerly 23rd Regiment, Bombay Infantry 

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