War Diary of A.D.M.S., ANZAC mounted division - Part 1

RM Downes

ARMY BOOK 136.
Books.
136
41

D.R.L. No. 518 (3^rd. S.)
A.W.M. LIBRARY
Classⁿ No 121.2
Cat^d
[[?]] Issued
[[?]] Issued

War Diary of A.D.M.S.
ANZAC Mtd Divⁿ from 19/7/16
19.7.16 . At 1900 wire announced
presence of some 8000 to 9000 enemy
troops at BIR EL ABD, BIR JAMEIL,
& BIR BAYUD.   Divisional Headquarters
was at ROMANI so joined them
at there leaving by 2330 train with
C.R.A. & his staff Capt. & D.A.Q.M.G.
Previously obtained 12 cacolets
and 20 camels for N.Z.M.F.A. at Hill
70 with N.Z.M.R. Bde; they previously
had but 2 sandcarts at DUEIDAR
4 sledges & 12 camels. Instructed them
to be ready to move at once.
1^st L.H.F.A. was at ROMANI with 7 sand
carts 13 21 cacolets and 4 sledges.
2^nd L.H.F.A. - one section at QATIA with
4 carts 11 cacolets & 2 sledges accompanying
2^nd L.H. Bde. who were to carry out a
Beduin sweeping movement from 

BIR EL ABD the following dawn; one
section at BIR ET MALER with 2
carts 4 cacolets 3 sledges.
3^rd L.H.F.A. at SERAPEUM.
20.7.16  Instructed 1 & 2 L.H.F.A. by letter memo
(0800) to have camels ready to move
all unit except few men not required at
very short notice & to leave camp standing.
with all but essential equipment.
Visited both camps of ambulances to
make sure this understood & straight.
Wired D.D.M.S. to ask if any reserve sand
carts as wanted 4. (M012)
Wired A.D.M.S. 52^nd Divⁿ that ambulances
had been instructed to evacuate to
3^rd Lowland Amb. & to ask if his ambulance
convoy was available for use from 3^rd
Lld. Amb. for this division if required.
(M014). Answer to 2nd part in affirmative

at 1151 (M.557)
Reply from D.D.M.S. at 1648 that had reserve & one
cart being repaired for 2^nd L.H.F.A. was being
hastened. (150)
Wire from D.D.M.S. at 1629 that must be
prepared to collect & receive casualties
from 6^th Mtd. Bde at Hill 70  & 1^st Lld.
Amb. & Hill 40 would evacuate them
(140). Wired these directions to NZMFA
(M016).
Wired D.D.M.S. at 1645 to despatch 3 more
sandcarts (M017). Answer at 2104 (152)
that none available & to apply 52^nd Divⁿ
Wire from NZMFA at 2140 (M.F.A.27) that
order received.
21.7.16. Wired 1^st LHFA at 0010 to move out
c̄ 1^st Bde. at 0300 leaving tent division
behind & to evacuate thereto & report
casualties (M018). 2^nd L.H.F.A. section
returned.

Wire at 1230 from D.A.D.M.S. (M115) that 4
extra sandcarts obtained for N.Z.M.F.A.
Visited 1 & 2 ambulances & 3^rd Lld. Amb.
to see that convoy was available & that
plenty trucks for evacuation by rail.
Wire to 2^nd L.H.F.A. (M019) at 1700 to move
out c̄ 2^nd Bde. c̄ bearer & transport
divisions at 19 & light equipment
at at 1930 & to evacuate 3^rd Lld Amb.
& report extent of casualties.
Wire (M020) to 2^nd L.H.F.A. at 1725 to amend
time of moving to "when brigade moves".
1^st L.H.F.A. returned to camp c̄ Bde.
(2 wounded, 1 died after return)
22.7.16. Wired R.T.O. asking about
sandcart sent out yesterday (M021)
answer that was at railhead (RC225)
Visited 1 L.H.F.A. & gave verbal standing
order that to move out as yesterday

whenever Bde. did so without further
orders from D.H.Q. Went round to
see M.Os of 1^st Bde. regts to see that
stretcher bearers, equipment, field
dressings & knowledge of blanket
stretchers was complete; all correct
Wired 2^nd L.HFA to collect sandcart
& 10 cacolets. (M021)
Operation order received from
D.D.M.S. that D.A.D.M.S. was to go with
Section Mounted Troops from Hill
70 & that evacuations by them to
be made to ROMANI; attached this
to memo. to G.S. pointing out that
D.A.D.M.S. was wanted otherwise & asking
if such evacuation possible (M001)
1^st L.H.F.A. went out & 2^nd L.H.F.A. returned.
23.7.16. Wire from D.D.M.S. (180) that
troops at Hill 70 under my control
(for evacuation of casualties presumably)

Visited R.M.Os. of 2^nd Bde to ascertain
same points as yesterday & to give
same standing orders to 2^nd L.H.F.A.
as 1^st. All correct.
Wired D.A.D.O.S. (M025) to obtain spare
poles & wheels for sandcarts.
Memo to D.A.D.M.S. to instruct N.Z.M.F.A.
to be prepared to move his tent divsⁿ
to any required place if Section Mounted
Troops moved out (he has 100 camels
now, & 7 sandcarts & 25 cacolets & 2 sledges)
less sufficient for any troops left at
Hill 70: and to keep D.H.Q. informed of
number & situation of casualties.
Also told D.A.D.M.S. that would evacuate
to Hill 70 if possible & thence by 1^st
Lld. amb. (M002). 2nd L.H.F.H. went out & 1^st went returned
24.7.16. Went to reconnoitre country
to S.W. of Katib GANNIT with G.O C.

from Mt. MEREDITH. Met A.D.M.S. 52^nd
& arranged for evacuation by
MAHAMDIYA if KANTARA railway cut
& to have use of all his transport
of ambs. at KANTHRA for Hill 70
but to inform him. Informed
D.A.D.M.S. of this.
1st L.H.F.A. went out & 2^nd returned c̅ their
respective Bdes. I killed 2 wounded.
25.7.16. German aeroplane dropping
message that they could not recognise
our hospitals inquired of R.F.C.
if they could see our Red Cross flag
& informed they could do so for
1st & 2nd L.H.F.As at 7000 feet. Asked
to make quite certain: informed
ambulances by memo (M003)
2^nd L.H.F.A. returned & 1^st L.H.F.A. went out
on patrol. 1 wounded.