THE Australian Light Horsemen’s famous victory in the Battle of Beersheva – 100 years ago next year – is widely known as the turning point in a long campaign to defeat the Ottoman Empire from the Sinai, paving the way for the Balfour Declaration and, 30 years later, the establishment of Israel and several Arab nation-states.
Less known, but equally fascinating insights about this battle were shared by Dr John Morrison at an Australian Friends of Hebrew University of Jerusalem (NSW) luncheon in Sydney last Sunday, including how a desperate, surprise change of tactics by British General Sir Edmund Allenby, in the nick of time, ultimately proved decisive.
Morrison, whose grandfather and great uncle served as light horsemen, said these specialised “mounted infantry” were effectively used as part of the Anzac Desert Mounted Corps as “shock troops” that rode in, fought dismounted, and rode out.
Read the article in the Australian Jewish News.