26.3.1917 The attack on Gaza

Attacked Gaza. Infantry made frontal attack and we advanced undercover of a heavy fog and got behind their lines and cut them off. Heavy fighting ensued all day. 
At 1630 two mounted Divisions galloped into action and done excellent work. We captured a good many Turks, machine guns and three guns. A great day. We got into them with the cold steel and done great execution. Enjoyed myself immensely. Gaza a beautiful place. 
The attack on Gaza
The attack on the city commenced at dawn on 26th March. The 53rd Div made a frontal attack on all the redoubts and fortifications defending Gaza, whilst the Anzac and 2nd Mtd Divisions under cover of a heavy fog took up our positions in the rear thereby cutting off all communications to and from the city. 
The Turks were evidentially taken by surprise and we captured several transport waggons and teams on their way to Beersheba for ammunition, Mechanics and others from the aerodrome and a General and his staff who were on their way to take command of the garrison of Gaza. Our Infantry attacked heavily all day both sides losing heavily. 
At 1600 our Brigade and the NZ Brigade galloped into action, whilst the rest of our Division and the 2ns Division were busily engaged holding back strong Turkish reinforcements. The attack made by us was fast and furious.
We galloped into the City and fierce fighting ensued in the streets and among the hedges. We got at them with the bayonet from the word go. 
Our first job was to break through a prickly pear enclosure and while we were slashing at it with bayonet and rifle, the Turks were firing at us from the other side at a distance of only a few feet. We bayoneted 87 Turks there and my chum Curly Hall had a great duel with a big Turk. Curly got him and sent him out. Curly also went out of action with a bayonet thrust through his arm. 
Another good go was between Capt Patrick and a Turk. They got into holts and were trying to strangle one another. The scrap ended by someone coming along and smashing the Turks head with a rifle. 
Just about sundown and NZ’s and 47 of the 5th (self included) rushed a battery of guns and captured them, killing the crew and taking 40 prisoners. One of the NZ went to a gun and said “Well lads I don’t know anything about artillery, but heres into them. 
He started blazing away in all directions until it was time to quit. 
The poor beggars of Turks were lying dead and dying everywhere and were catching at our legs as we passed through them and calling for water. It’s an awful pity to see such fine looking fellows dying in such a way, but its war.
J. A. Graham

Ottoman gun among the hedges near Gaza. 2010-10-25 03:06 RoslynSKP 1024×781× (149846 bytes) Author: American Colony Jerusalem Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Photograph Album Digital ID ppmsca.13709 Date 1917 {{PD-Ottoman}}. Sourced at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Turkish_Gun_nrGaza00034v.jpg