The Squadron therefore moved off with the Brigade about 17.00.
What had been happening in front, in the meantime? No definite news was to
hand, but an armoured-car tender came back for a fresh supply of "S.A."
ammunition for the 15th Brigade Machine-Gun Squadron, so evidently some
fighting had taken place. We had already heard that armoured cars, which
had for some time past been doing "yeoman service," had arrived before
Aleppo and scattered enemy patrols, and that an officer had been to the
town and demanded its surrender. He was received with every courtesy, but
the gallant commander _regretted_ that he was unable to surrender the city
as he had received orders from Constantinople to hold out at all costs, in
order to cover the retirement of the Mesopotamian forces! That was some
days previously. Later, we learnt that on the day in question, the 15th
Brigade, having arrived before the "city gates," the Turks withdrew after
destroying bridges, etc., and they (the Brigade) pushing on, met them on
the Alexandretta Road, put spurs to their horses, and charged them.
Now, it may be remarked, the Turk outnumbered the 15th Brigade _by at least
five to one_, and after the Brigade had passed through them, the enemy
realised their strength, and picking up the very rifles they had thrown
down, _fired at their backs_, Lieut.
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