Seventh Manchesters index
Holding up the Turk.
In September, 1914, the 7th Bn. Manchester Regiment set out for active service
in the East in goodly company, for they were a part of the 42nd (East
Lancashire) Division, the first territorials to leave these shores during the
Great War. After many interesting days spent on garrison duty in the Sudan and
Lower Egypt they journeyed to Gallipoli soon after the landing had been
effected, and took a continuous part in that ill-fated campaign until the final
evacuation. The beginning of 1916 thus found them back in Egypt, where they were
taking part in General Maxwell's scheme for the defence of the Suez Canal. The
things that befell the battalion during this long period have been admirably
described in Major Hurst's book _With Manchesters in the East_, and this short
history will attempt to continue the narrative from the point where it left off.
At the end of June, 1916, the 7th Manchesters made a short trip by rail along
the Suez Canal, the last railway journey they were to make as a battalion for
many a long day. The 42nd Division left the defence of the southern half of the
Canal in the able hands of the East Anglian Territorials, and journeyed north to
the Kantara region. It was not definitely known why we made this move, but there
were persistent rumours that we were destined for France, where events were
speeding towards a big battle. However, the 7th detrained at Kantara and there
met, for the first time since Gallipoli, the 52nd (Lowland Scottish) Division.
We knew very little of this coastal region of the desert. Occasional stories had
floated down to us to supplement the very meagre official communiqués as to
events there, but it was recognised as a place where opportunities of getting in
touch with our invisible enemy were rather better than in the south. So it was
felt that, even if we did not go to France, life would lose a certain amount of
that deadly monotony which we had experienced for six months.
It transpired that the 127th Brigade were to relieve detachments of the 11th
Division, who, it was openly whispered, were definitely to sail for France to
try their luck in the more vigorous scene of this great adventure. Most
interesting to us was the discovery that we were to take over posts occupied by
the 11th Manchesters, the first Kitchener battalion of our own regiment. Our
astonishment and delight can be imagined when we saw that they wore the good old
Fleur de Lys for a battalion flash on the puggarees of their helmets--just as we
wore it, but yellow instead of green.
The battalion marched east along a good road recently made for military
purposes, and eventually reached Hill 70, where the headquarters were
established. Early next morning, garrisons marched out before the heat of the
day to occupy a series of posts arranged in semi-circular formation between two
inundations about three miles apart. "B" Company took over Turk Top and No. 1
Post. Capt. Smedley, Capt. Brian Norbury, 2nd-Lt. C. B. Douglas, 2nd-Lt. Pell-Ilderton
being at the former, while Capt. J. R. Creagh, 2nd-Lt. Hacker, and later 2nd-Lt.
Gresty took charge of the latter. "C" Company were divided between Nos. 2 and 3
posts, with Lt. Nasmith and 2nd-Lt. S. J. Wilson at No. 2, and Lt. Nidd and Lt.
Marshall at No. 3. "A" Company, who were responsible for Hill 70, was commanded
by Capt. Tinker assisted by 2nd-Lt's. Kay, Woodward, Wood and Wilkinson. The
officers comprising headquarters were Lt.-Col. Canning, C.M.G., Capt. Cyril
Norbury (second in command), Major Scott (Quartermaster), Capt. Farrow, M.C.
(Medical Officer), Lt. H. C. Franklin, M.C., Adjutant and 2nd-Lt. Bateman
(Signal Officer), while 2nd-Lt. J. Baker was in charge of the Lewis guns of the
battalion. "D" Company were at Hill 40 in a reserve position under the command
of Capt. Higham supported by Capt. Townson, 2nd-Lt's. Grey Burn, G. W. F.
Franklin, Ross-Bain, Gresty, Morten, and R. J. R. Baker. The work of the
transport was divided between Capt. Ward-Jones, and 2nd-Lt. M. Norbury.
The posts consisted of self-contained redoubts which were capable of holding out
in the matter of food and water for about three days. They had been constructed
at the cost of great labour by the 52nd Division. Routine was simple, our only
duties being to man our posts before dawn, then improve and maintain the
trenches and wire until about 7 when the sun entered his impossible stage. The
same thing happened in the evening. During the night patrols were executed from
one post to the next. All this carried a certain interest because we knew that
the Turk might come near at any time in the shape of a flying raiding column to
reach the canal. Rumours were frequent of his proximity, and when Turk Top one
night frantically reported mysterious green lights, out towards the enemy,
serious preparations were made for his reception. The climax came, however,
about noon one day at Hill 70 when those who were not asleep heard, with a mixed
feeling of old familiarity, "s-s-s-sh-sh-SH--flop." Most of us, after cringing
in the usual manner, said, with a relieved air, "Dud." Then followed commotion.
They had arrived and were shelling the post. The shimmering desert was eagerly
scanned by the officers' field glasses, and all kinds of things were seen and
not seen. Meanwhile someone went to look at the "Dud," and found not a shell but
a large stone, still quite hot. It finally dawned upon everyone that we were
bombarded from the heavens, and not by the Turk. It was a meteorite, still
preserved amongst the battalion's war souvenirs, which had upset our composure.
Whilst on duty at these posts we had a visit from the Marquis of Tullibardine,
now Duke of Atholl, of the Scottish Horse, who was responsible for this section
of the Canal defences. Lieut.-Gen. Lawrence, afterwards Chief of Staff in
France, who was in command of the northern section of the Canal defences also
paid a visit, and remembered us as part of the brigade which he had commanded on
Gallipoli. Important changes took place in the battalion at this time. Lt.-Col.
Canning, C.M.G., relinquished the command, and returned home for duty in the
Cork district. His departure was sorely regretted by all ranks, for during the
twelve months he had been with the 7th, his capabilities as a commander had only
been surpassed by his solicitude for the men's welfare, so that he had made his
way into our hearts as a popular soldier. Major Cronshaw of the 5th Manchesters
succeeded him and was soon afterwards made Lt.-Colonel. Captain Farrow, M.C.,
R.A.M.C., was also invalided home, after having had almost unbroken active
service with the battalion since September, 1914.
About the middle of July a fairly large column of Turks began to make their way
across the desert from El Arish, intending to strike once more for the
possession of the Suez Canal. They moved with surprising rapidity and wonderful
concealment, and some excitement was caused when a large enemy force was located
by air reconnaissance, so near as Oghratina Hod, within five miles of Romani,
then held by the 52nd Division. A battle seemed imminent, and this at the worst
possible time in the Egyptian year. A Brigade of the 53rd Division, consisting
of Royal Welsh Fusiliers and Herefords, spent a night at Hill 70 on their way to
occupy a defensive line between Romani and Mahamadiyeh on the coast. There was
an obvious increase in aerial activity on both sides, and camel and other
traffic on the Romani road became more feverish.
On July 23rd, the 7th Lancashire Fusiliers relieved the battalion in all the
posts and we marched back to Hill 40, where we found the whole brigade was
concentrating. There was much to be done in equipping the men, and teaching them
the correct method of carrying their belongings on "Mobile Column," for that was
what we were destined to become. The equipment was worn in the usual "fighting
kit" manner, with the haversack on the back and under the haversack the drill
tunic, folded in four. This also served as a pad to protect the spine from the
sun. Near Hill 40 there was a large patch of hard sand which the Scottish Horse,
who were in the neighbourhood, had converted into a football pitch. Small wonder
then that we challenged the owners to a game, and a great game it was. The
Scotsmen had an unbeaten record in Egypt, which they maintained, but only after
a ding-dong game which the battalion never forgot.
The next day the Brigade marched forward and made camp at Gilban, about 3-1/2
miles N.E. of Hill 70. An indefinite stay was to be made here, and defensive
precautions were taken, a ring of posts being placed all round the camp. It was
soon found that the principal difficulty was that of patrolling by night from
post to post. On a desert such as this there were no landmarks of any sort, and
as a belt of wire such as we had been used to at Hill 70 had not been placed
between the posts it was by no means easy to preserve the right direction. As we
had reached a scrub-covered desert, however, this difficulty was easily overcome
by making a sort of track from one post to the next by clearing away the scrub,
and using this to make a clear edge to the track. The battalion was augmented
about this time by drafts from home, and the following officers rejoined after
having been invalided to England in 1915: Lt. Douglas Norbury, 2nd-Lt. Bryan and
2nd-Lt. L. G. Harris, while a week previous Major Allan had been posted to us
from the 8th Manchesters as second in command.
In the army coming events often cast their shadow before them; and this shadow
frequently takes the form of a visit by the Higher Command to the troops who are
to go into action. Hence, when the Divisional Commander, Major-General Sir W.
Douglas, had the 127th Brigade paraded for him at Gilban, and when he
complimented Brigadier-General Ormsby upon the fine turn out, we gathered that
our long period of waiting for the Turk was over. He told us to husband our
water, and these words I am sure rang through many an officer's head in the
following days. The 42nd Division, he said, were expected to make a great coup,
and many prisoners were to be taken. Two days later the preliminary rumbles of
the Battle of Romani were heard, for the Turk had commenced an artillery and
bombing attack upon the garrisons there.
ROMANI AND KATIA.
The Turkish force, estimated at about 16,000, and much better equipped than the
flying column which had made the first attempt to cross the canal in March the
previous year, had been promised that they should overwhelm the "small" British
garrisons before the Feast of Ramadan. They would then meet with no resistance
and would enter victoriously into Egypt, a sort of promised land after their
hardships across the desert. Many of them did enter Egypt and reached Cairo, but
not in the way they wished. They were marched through the city as prisoners, and
their presence as such undoubtedly created a profound impression upon disloyal
Egyptians.
Inspired by a number of German officers, however, they fought well and
vigorously in the early stages of the attack upon Romani. They had been told
that once they got on the hills in the neighbourhood of the British positions
they would see the Suez Canal stretched out below them, and this probably urged
them on to make almost superhuman efforts. In front of Romani, in the region of
the Katia oasis, mobile outposts furnished by the Australian Light Horse were
driven in after hard fighting, and they fell back to other positions on the high
sand hills to the south of Romani, covering the right flank of the 52nd
Division. Meanwhile a frontal attack was delivered upon the redoubts occupied by
the latter, and the enemy made many brave attempts to reach the summit of Katib
Gannit, a high hill, in shape similar to the Matterhorn, which dominated the
whole desert. He gained a footing nowhere, however, and exposed to merciless
rifle and machine gun fire from the Scotsmen, suffered heavy casualties. A
similar reception was afforded him by the Welshmen of 158th Brigade further
north towards Mahamadiyeh.
It was apparent, however, that the enemy's intention was to force his way around
the southern side and cut the railway and water pipe near Pelusium behind
Romani, and in this part of the battle the Australian and New Zealand Light
Horse, who had had to discard their horses and fight as infantry, found it
difficult to hold their own against repeated assaults. More terrible than the
Turk was the heat and the lack of water.
Such is a rough outline of the situation when the 7th Manchesters along with the
remainder of the 127th Brigade were suddenly ordered to concentrate at Pelusium.
The morning of August 4th opened quietly for us, although gunfire could be
heard, and bursting shrapnel could be seen in the direction of Duedar. We had
settled down to ordinary routine, one company setting out for a short march, and
others preparing for kit inspections and other camp duties, when suddenly, "B"
Company received orders to fall in and move off, and in a short space of time
they were entrained during the heat of the day for Pelusium. Before noon the
whole battalion was collected on what was supposed to be a bivouac area at the
new destination. But we had seen General Douglas going along the train at Gilban
and he said: "Well, good luck lads, make a good bag," so we were not surprised
when we found that settling down for bivouac was not to be our fate.
The 5th Manchesters had arrived with us, and the 8th were following on, while
the 6th were already here, having been sent up the previous day. Our task was to
go to the assistance of the Colonials and attack the Turk on the flank along
with the 5th, the 6th and 8th being in support and reserve. We marched out about
4 o'clock, moving first south and then south-east. Meanwhile the battle was
obviously increasing in intensity, and when we halted previous to extending, we
could see the Turk shrapnel severely peppering a high ridge in front where a
detachment of the Australian Light Horse, having resumed their horses, were
gradually massing for a charge.
With the 5th on our right we extended into lines about 2,000 yards from what
appeared to be the Turkish position on a ridge to our front. As we swept into
view the enemy opened fire at long range, but very soon it was evident that they
had no stomach left for a further fight. They were extremely exhausted with
their exertions of the previous days, particularly of the past twenty-four
hours, and the sight of lines of fresh British Infantry moving steadily toward
them was more than their jaded bodies and nerves could stand. As our men climbed
the enemy's ridge white flags began to appear. They were the long white sandbags
carried by every Turk, and very convenient for their purpose. Large bodies
surrendered and they were collected and sent to the rear. Meanwhile the
Colonials had swept round the hill away to the right, and in a comparatively
short space of time about six hundred Turks were seen being marched back by a
few Australian troopers. The enemy's artillery had ceased fire and were
obviously making attempts to escape eastwards, so with the exception of a few
rifle shots from the direction of the 5th the battle in our sector was over for
the day.
This was the death blow to Turkey's and Germany's hopes of ever getting within
striking distance of the Suez Canal, and a vindication of Kitchener's principle
that British soldiers should get out on the desert to defend the canal, and not
allow the canal to defend them. But more important still, it was the beginning
of that forward move so slow and weary in its early stages, which later
developed into General Allenby's wonderful sweep through Palestine.
Before nightfall "C" and "D" Companies established themselves in support to the
5th Manchesters, who had now joined up with the Australians on the left, but
there was very little possibility of the Turk attacking again that day, so all
the troops were rested, in preparation for a strenuous attack on the morrow.
Sentry groups were posted, and the battalion sat down and made a scanty meal of
bread accompanied where possible with a mouthful of water. This was the first
meal most men had had since breakfast. Numbers of prisoners came in during the
night, each of them carrying a full water bottle. The Turk knew how to preserve
a water supply, and what was of greater interest to us, he knew where to get it.
It speaks well, however, for the chivalry of the British soldier that none
deprived their prisoners of their water, although they were probably almost
without themselves. This sporting attitude towards the enemy, the spirit of
"play the game" whether fighting the clean Turk or the not so reputable German,
I never failed to observe throughout the war.
Stand to at 3.30 the following morning indicated that work was still to be done,
for in the half light, troops of Light Horse could be seen collecting behind a
hill preparatory to a sweep forward. When they emerged in the increasing light,
the enemy could be seen fleeing from a trench about 1,200 yards away. Very soon
word came through that we were to go in pursuit, and while we were exercised in
mind as to what we should do for water, we were greatly relieved when we were
ordered back to the ridge to fill our bottles. There the welcome sight of camels
loaded with water fantassies met our eyes and the men eagerly assisted in the
work of distribution. Three-quarters of a bottle and a "buckshee" drink was the
ration, and this obtained, men felt more fit for their labours. Food, however,
there was none, and we had to be content with what remained of yesterday's
rations. But it was felt that food was not so important if only the water would
not fail.
By seven o'clock the whole Brigade were on the move, and in tropical countries
in the hot season, the sun's heat is considerable at this time. After we had
travelled some distance the hardship of desert marching under these conditions
began to really hit us, and undoubtedly the exertions of the previous day were
having their effect. Every moment the heat increased, the sand seemed to become
softer and softer, and the whole ground sloped gradually upwards. Men dropped
and officers had to use all the powers they possessed to get them on, but many
had to be left behind to struggle along afterwards in their own time. Meanwhile
another long column of prisoners could be seen streaming away towards Romani,
which we were now leaving well to our left rear. The battalion proceeded over
the desert in this manner in artillery formation with platoons as units, and
halting as frequently as possible. After a great physical effort we reached the
base of a hill with a steep soft slope, and a sort of knife-edge ridge at the
top, where an Australian outpost had been surrounded a few days before.
Australian and Turkish dead still lay as evidence of the fight, and the stench
from their bodies produced by the sweltering heat did not diminish the grimness
of the scene.
This ridge was the battalion's position for the day, so after a short rest we
scrambled to the top and surveyed the desert on the other side, lying thoroughly
exhausted under the almost vertical rays of the sun, for it was now mid-day. The
other side of the hill was exceptionally steep and dropped into a large hod
(plantation of date palms), the first we had met on our desert travels. In this
there appeared to be a well, and the temptation to go down for water was great,
but how could one struggle up again? An occasional trooper visited this place
but none could persuade their horses to drink, which seemed to indicate that the
water was not good. Out over the desert the cavalry could still be seen pursuing
the enemy, and our guns were occasionally flinging shrapnel amongst them.
Strange sights were seen. A captured convoy of Turkish camel transport was
captured, and they presented a very motley appearance. They were evidently
collected from the desert lands of the Turkish Empire. They had come to the war
dressed as for their more peaceful habits, so that no two men were alike.
Several wore brilliantly coloured garments and head gear. Occasionally a German
officer would be seen amongst the batch of weary prisoners. The navy's
assistance in this fighting was marked by a monitor, miles away, standing as
close to the shore as possible, although to us she appeared like a tiny toy
ship. Suddenly a big flash belched forth, followed a long time afterwards by a
roar, which in turn was followed by a terrific explosion over the desert to the
right where the shell had arrived in the wake of the retreating Turks. One of
these shots at least had been an O.K. as we afterwards discovered, for it had
destroyed a large part of a Turkish camel convoy. At four in the afternoon the
battalion received orders to move on and occupy another ridge about one and a
half miles in front, and "A" Company immediately set out, moving round the
shoulder of our present hill. "C" Company dropped down the steep slope and
waited in the hod for further instructions. They found there a batch of wounded
Turks waiting to be carried off by the ambulance. It was with some astonishment
that they heard Major Allan shouting to them from above to get back to their
former position, so they struggled up the hill again with a very ill grace.
However, plans had been changed and it transpired that the Lancashire Fusiliers
had arrived and they were to take over our position while we went back a few
yards to bivouac for the night.
It was now much cooler and men felt disposed to eat their very scanty meal.
Those who had water were fortunate. Just as we were settling down for the night
word came through that Katia was to be taken next day, and that we should move
out at four in the morning. The enemy were believed to be holding the oasis
basin fairly strongly. In our extraordinarily tired condition, brought about by
strenuous exertions and lack of nourishment, we did not view the prospect with
too much confidence, but hoping that a few hours' sleep might refresh us we
rolled into the shallow scoops we had made in the sand, and lay down to a rather
chilly night, our only extra cover being the khaki drill tunic whose weight we
had roundly cursed during the day.
At 3 a.m. we prepared to move. In the dim light the eternally-blessed water
camels could be seen wending their way towards our bivouac. As before there was
abundance of volunteers for this vital fatigue, but most hearts drooped when it
was found that the ration worked out to a pint per man! Officers and N.C.O's.
sadly but vigorously emphasised the extreme urgency of preserving the water
supply. Some resorted to drastic action and insisted that no man should drink at
all without first obtaining permission of his officer, and on the day's business
I am inclined to think that these officers obtained the best results. The
Brigadier came to tell us we had done magnificently, but he said we should have
a worse day to-day; water was to be had at Katia--when we got there. The men
were also warned that it would probably be of little use to drop out, in fact it
might be extremely dangerous, for the chances of being picked up were rather
slight.
The cheery soul of the British Tommy, however, is proof against all things, and
he started out on this day's trip in the same spirit with which he tackled all
jobs during the war: "It has to be done, so do your best and put the best face
on it." The Fleur de Lys led out the Brigade and trudged steadily through the
soft sand in artillery formation. The 6th gradually got up into a position on
our right, while the 5th and 8th followed in support. The march forward
proceeded monotonously in the increasing heat, the men becoming more and more
taciturn as the sun's power gathered. Allowance of course had to be made for the
weariness of the men and the heavy going. Then a halt was called and we waited
for an hour. It appeared that the L.F's., who formed the left of the 42nd
Divisional front, had been rather late in starting, and it was necessary to wait
for them. Then the forward movement commenced again, and after some time another
long halt was necessary. Our men were now in a great hollow in the sand in which
there was not a breath of wind, and the sun now at the height of its fury beat
down mercilessly.
There is little doubt that this lying unprotected in the heat simply sapped our
energy, and everyone wished that we could have pushed on ahead. General Douglas
came to cheer the men up, and announced that over 3,000 Turkish prisoners and a
large quantity of material had been captured to date. For the moment, however,
men had lost their grip of interest in such matters, and were chiefly concerned
with their own personal affairs. They behaved splendidly and with great physical
effort resisted the need to drink. Officers were grateful to one or two men in
their platoons who proved a moral support to their comrades by keeping a
cheerful countenance, interposing a ribald remark when things looked black, and
explaining to their weakest pals the rigours of the necessity in a rougher but
more intelligible manner than their leaders could have done. Such men are
invaluable and are always to be found on these occasions.
Reconnoitring patrols of Australian Light Horse and Yeomanry passed through, and
from remarks dropped by returning troopers it soon became apparent that little
if any resistance would be met with. A detachment of Ayrshire and Inverness
Horse Artillery were keeping pace with our column and occasionally they opened
fire, obviously upon fleeting targets of retreating Turks. A thick wood of date
palms in the distance indicated Katia, and all men gazed upon this as the Mecca
in which water was to be found. Some eight hundred yards from this, however, was
another hod which had to be traversed by the 127th Brigade, and as we were
leading, it devolved upon us to make quite sure that it was not occupied. The
6th and 7th therefore extended and assumed attack formation to pass through the
hod. This was a difficult moment and tested the fibre of men and the battalion
as a whole to the utmost. The extra physical exertion and the loss of
companionship which one gets in the close formation served almost as a breaking
point to endurance. Perhaps the best summary of the psychology of this period is
found in the words from the diary of one of the officers:--
"Then it was that my energy gave out. I moved about along the line shouting at
the men to preserve their dressing and correct intervals. Much had to be done.
We inclined first to the left and then to the right and it was very trying. Men
began to drop and I could not help them now that I had lost touch with them.
Then I began to lose all interest. I had become purely self-centred--if the
whole platoon had collapsed I am afraid I should not have been concerned. I had
almost got to such a state that if the Turks had suddenly appeared from the wood
I should not have cared what the consequences were. Yet I was determined not to
touch water for I recognised that that was required for the last extremity. My
head dropped and my knees would not straighten. The load on my shoulders was ten
times its weight. The haversack and tunic on my back seemed to pull me down, but
the greatest weight was an extra haversack which I had attached to my equipment
on the left. It contained all manner of necessaries and comforts, and ties with
home. I was determined not to part with it, although I confess I was
almostimpelled to fling it away. In other words I think I had got to the limit
of my endurance, when a halt was called in the hod. I dropped under a palm tree
with a group of men, slipped off my load, and then lay quite still for a long
time. After a while I had my first drink of water for that day. We stayed there
some time, and one or two of the men had found a well. But it was brackish and
the men should not have touched it, for it made them worse. Several were knocked
out altogether by it."
Word had come through that Katia was unoccupied by the enemy, and although it
required a tremendous effort the battalion got together and proceeded to the
final destination in column of route. Although not much over half a mile those
last yards seemed interminable, but in course of time we were all settled in the
cool shade of the hod and were speculating about water; a problem which seemed
to be solved by the arrival of the camels. When it was found that no fantassie
was full and many were empty it required the utmost exertion of a British
soldier's good temper to prevent him from killing some of the Gyppies who had
accompanied them, for it was obvious that they had been selling water to men who
had dropped out of the column. Then we reflected that these poor devils needed
it badly, so it was hard to apportion the blame. We wondered, nevertheless, why
other camels had been detailed to carry on an occasion like this, flour, fresh
meat (once fresh but now unfit for consumption) and candles, when they might
have been better employed carrying water! Still, we were thankful to have
achieved our task and although we had lost more than seventy men en route, we
were proud to know that we had arrived the strongest battalion, some having left
more than half their effectives on the desert.
The day's work was complete when the battalion had formed an outpost line well
in front of the wood, and had dug short section trenches. Through the night
desultory rifle fire could be heard in front where the mounted troops were still
in touch with the retiring enemy. Next day a serious conflict took place between
the cavalry and the Turkish rearguard at Oghratina, and rumours were prevalent
that we had to continue the forward movement. We were not sorry, however, when
it was found that we were to remain in Katia. During the succeeding days hostile
aircraft were very busy, and dropped several bombs in the vicinity of the wood,
the 52nd Division, who were north of us, suffering more severely than ourselves.
Those not on outpost duty took advantage of the rest and made themselves as
comfortable as possible. Stakes sent up by the R.E. were used for constructing
bivouacs, but perhaps the palm trees provided as much assistance as anything
else. Although we had not yet learnt to use the word "camouflage" we knew its
meaning, and whenever we settled down on the desert we put it into use as a
protection against inquisitive aircraft. At Katia the palm trees gave us all the
protection we required in this way.