3" Section was faring, went down and spoke
to them.
WE ENTER DAMASCUS.
At 07.30 the Australians having got round to the north of the city, our
Brigade moved through Ashrafie and groves eastward to the road, so
frequently referred to above, and marching along it, passed Meidan, at
09.30 entering Damascus--just 12 days from the start of operations, it
being then October 1st 1918. The approximate distance covered by the
Division was 215 miles, the distance due north of our old Line 104 miles.
Probably the town of Damascus proved to be disappointing to the majority of
the troops. It was interesting, certainly, but those who had been long in
the East did not find the expression "_Eastern splendour_" realised here,
any more than in other towns they had seen; such an idea would seem to
exist only in the minds of those who have never been "out East". The
natives, on the whole, seemed pleased to see us, the victors, and
frequently cheered, while Major L.F. St. J. Davies, M.C., at the head of
the Squadron (which followed the Poona Horse, the leading regiment, thus
being the first _white_ troops), was exceedingly popular.
[Illustration]
In accordance with the Arab custom, when rejoicing, rifles were fired in
the air--and this not with "blank" either!
Right through the centre of the town, the Brigade went, and camped in olive
groves along the main road, leading out to the north-east.
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