The wadi itself was about 20 yards wide with the
road winding its tortuous way down the centre between rocks and boulders
worn smooth by the passage of water which, ages ago, had run its course
from the hills. Packed in this wadi was the Brigade, absolutely at the
mercy of the withering fire of the enemy, almost from overhead.
Immediately everything became an orderly bustle and excitement. Squadrons
of the two Yeomanry regiments were dispatched to take up defensive
positions. The Officer Commanding ordered "E" Sub-section to come into
action on the side of the hill, about 400 yards away to the left, against
a Mosque which was strongly held, and whence most of the fire appeared to
be coming. They "man-handled" their guns and took up good positions, the
rocks affording them a certain amount of cover. The gun-teams at that time
consisted of four men each, who were naturally rather exhausted after the
"trek" and rush-into-action, carrying the guns.
These teams were composed as follows:--
Lance-Corpl. Grice Lance-Corpl. Thompson.
Pte. Willmore Pte. Duncan
" Crossman " Joiner
" Goldie " Roberts.
They opened fire upon the Mosque at a range of 700 yards with good effect,
silencing two enemy machine-guns.
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