It was 1915 when 12 Australian Light Horse Regiment was formed at Holsworthy
(NSW) and many of the recruits were 'natural soldiers' - good shots, horsemen
and well acquainted with living in the open.
By June they were ready to sail
to Egypt, where they received extra training, before going into action without
horses (as infantry) at Gallipoli.
By February 1916, the regiment had been reinforced and remounted in Egypt,
before joining the main Australian Light Horse force to help eject the Turks and
their German support from the Sinai, Palestine and Arabia.
The men endured intense heat, frequent thirst, limited shelter and lack of
success against the stubborn Turkish defences at Gaza, then played the leading
role in an action that turned the tide of the campaign and secured one of
Australia's greatest Battle Honour - the charge on Beersheba.
In one of the greatest Australian feat of arms, the 12th and 4th regiments,
did a 'Charge of the Light Brigade' and rode into the mouths of the Turkish
guns. The wild, almost reckless charge swept into the town and overwhelmed the
defences and the greater part of the enemy immediately surrendered.
After Beersheba, the regiment took part in actions during the advance through
Palestine and on to Damascus. The regiment returned to Australia in August 1919
and passed into the annals of Australian military history.
Realising that the 12th Battalion did not have a written history, the author
researched and wrote this account of their proud battle experience. In creating
this record Ken Hollis has drawn upon official histories, war diaries and the
personal reflections of those who served in the regiment during the war of who
were witnesses to its great achievements.
Contents:
Illustrations
Maps
Acknowledgments
Foreword
1. Formation and Deployment
2. Gallipoli
4. Gaza Battles
5. The madmen of Beersheba
6. Into Palestine
7. Advance to Tiberius
8. Damascus
9. Homs, Armistice and Home
Bibliography
Appendix 1. Glossary
Appendix 2. Honours and Awards
Appendix 3. Beersheba Report
Appendix 4. Summary of Casualties
Appendix 5. The Walers
Appendix 6. Nominal Roll
Appendix 7. Poetry
Appendix 8. Prisoner of War
Appendix 9. The Men
Appendix 10. Regimental Album
Index
