At once the order was given to extend for rifle fire. Everyone
expected to see the dust thrown up all round by the thousands of bullets
which were being fired, and prepared for a great melee, but--nothing
happened! _A perfect tornado of fire_ and nothing whatever could be seen!
After a few minutes, to the surprise of all, everything was quiet again!
The explanation was obtained afterwards: all that had happened was that a
Boche plane had appeared over our outpost line. He must, certainly, have
had a hot reception!
Then "lines" were put down, animals off-saddled again and a much needed
wash-up and shave indulged in--after watering and stables. To feel clean
once more and to be able to have a sleep in the heat of the day, which at
this time was intense (in spite of the cold nights), was a treat enjoyed by
all.
Beersheba was very disappointing. Instead of being a town, as Europeans
understand that term, a place where one can buy such things as cigarettes
and something to eat, nothing at all was obtainable, and the only buildings
in it, that were not mud huts, were empty.[2]
During our stay at Beersheba, enemy planes, often flying quite low, paid us
several visits, for whose benefit one Sub-section always had its guns
mounted for anti-aircraft work.
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