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THE VALLEY OF LEBANON-RAYAK.
Henceforward, the 5th Cavalry Division was to become an entirely separate
force in its operations--indeed, at one time, its nearest support was 100
miles distant. Two days were spent at El Judeide, grazing horses and
cleaning guns and saddlery, before making another move forward. A force of
Turks some 7,000 strong was reported to be at Rayak Junction on the Beirut
Railway 30 miles north-east of Damascus, and on October 5th at 06.00 the
Division, with the 14th Brigade leading (the "S.R.Y." had re-joined from
Haifa), set off to deal with them. "No. 2" Section was with the advance
guard.
Across country to Sabura, they reached the main Beirut Road at Khan Dimez,
15 miles from Damascus, and halted for the night at Khan Meizebun a few
miles further on, with outposts out. Following the road to the bridge over
the river, south of Bar Elias (where a halt for water was made), the
advance guard ("No. 1" Section with it), was much surprised at the
extraordinary behaviour of the natives, who, sighting them from a distance,
galloped to meet them, firing their rifles in the air and shouting. Such
was their method of giving us welcome; it would have been their own fault
if they had been mistaken for the enemy, as they very nearly were!
At this point, turning north along a track up the Valley of Lebanon[34]
(many miles wide) the Brigade pushed on to Rayak.
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