THE MARCH TO ALEPPO.
Would we stay here at Homs, or go still further? was the question uppermost
in the minds of all. The nearest troops were at Damascus 100 miles behind
us, and Aleppo, the next town of any importance, 100 miles ahead. We had
now covered 325 miles in 28 days, and a rest was much needed. The question
was soon decided for us! Three days were occupied in washing (men, clothes
and horses), grazing and cleaning saddlery. Then, at 07.00 on October 21st
we set out on our long journey, the 15th Brigade (it being their turn to
lead), having left the day previously. Marching was carried on in
accordance with the following table:--
Twenty minutes' trot, one hour's walk, 10 minutes' halt; and the following
were the day's marches:--
October 21st--To Er Rastan.
October 22nd.--To Hama.[40] Through the town and over the River Orontes
past the huge water wheels for which it is famous. (These wheels make a
loud humming noise and can be heard for miles. They are used for lifting
the water from the river, which is between high cliffs at this point, to
irrigate the surrounding country).
October 23rd.--To Khan Shaikhun.
October 24th.--To Ma'arit en Na'aman, camping east of the town. In the
afternoon rain came on and continued overnight. It was the first rain of
the season.
October 25th.--To Seraikin, camping against some groves south-east of town.
October 26th.--At 05.00 to Khan Tuman. The ground being suitable, the 14th
Brigade marched with its Squadrons in line of troop column on the right of
the road, and the 13th Brigade in the same formation on the left, while the
transport was in the centre, on the road itself.
Early in the afternoon, arriving at the banks of the Kuwaik-Su, the stream
that flows through Aleppo from the north, the 20TH MACHINE-GUN SQUADRON
off-saddled and settled down, the latest information being that they would
not be required till morning. However, orders were shortly received to
continue the advance to Aleppo! The guns were also to be withdrawn from the
transport. 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.-Col. Holden and many other valuable
lives being lost in this manner!
But the Turk had really no fight left in him; his was a beaten army! He
continued his retreat, and the 15th Brigade took up an outpost-line north
and north-west of the city.
FOOTNOTES:
[40] _Hama (population about 80,000) is the Ancient Hamath, see I Kings
xviii, 34, xix, 13._
OUR BRIGADE REACHES ALEPPO.
The 14th Brigade heard of the capture of Aleppo when they arrived within a
few miles of it after dark.
Reaching the southern outskirts of the town, they entered it by the road
leading past the prison up to the Clock Tower. Leaving this on the right,
they turned sharply to the left (past the present Officers' Club) almost up
to Divisional Headquarters (_then already established_), where they bore to
the right, down to the bridge under the railway, at the French railway
station. The bridge had been blown up and a truck which was hanging down,
completely blocked the roadway, causing considerable delay, as the whole
Brigade had to lead their horses in "single file" up the steep embankment,
across the railway lines, and down the other side, in order to regain the
road. Two and a half miles along the Alexandretta Road the Brigade turned
to the left off the road, east of Bileramum, and halted for the night, it
being then 23.45.
The next morning, at 05.30, the 14th Brigade took over the outpost-line
from the 15th Brigade. The Deccan Horse and "No. 3" Section held the ground
west of the road. The Poona Horse and "No. 1" Section held the road itself
and east of it. An enemy rearguard patrol was seen retiring, and was
followed up by Sherifian troops, but nothing more was seen of the Turk.
During the morning the 13th Brigade took over the ground to the west of the
road, thus relieving the Deccan Horse and "No. 3" Section. "No. 2" Section
relieved "No. 1" Section.
At night, "No. 1" Section with "S.R.Y." and "No. 3" with Deccan Horse took
over the line. Members of the Squadron who took part in the operations from
Khan Tuman onwards, will remember that "No. 2" and "No. 3" Sections, owing
to shortage of personnel due to sickness (principally malaria or
dysentery), had only been able to man three guns each, instead of their
full complement of four, so that when "No. 2" Section was on duty "No. 3"
Section supplied a detachment to make them complete, "No. 2" doing the same
when "No. 3" was on duty, whilst in order to have all the guns in the
Squadron available in case of emergency, the Squadron headquarter troops
manned the remaining two guns. The next two days (October 28th and 29th)
the outpost-line was still held, and nothing in the way of active
operations occurred; men not on duty were granted passes to visit Aleppo.
ARMISTICE WITH TURKEY.
On the morning of October 30th, our Brigade was relieved by the "13th," and
moved eastwards across the railway, then northward to MUSLIMIE JUNCTION. No
enemy being encountered, an outpost line was established about two miles
north, "No. 1" Section with "S.R.Y." and "No. 2" (with one detachment of
"No. 3") with the Poona Horse. The latter section was entirely alone during
the day, as it was not considered necessary to have so many troops on duty
as at night time, and the Squadron being too far away to allow of the
Section doing the double journey with any degree of comfort, it remained
where it was.
At 12.00 on October 31st _an armistice with Turkey was proclaimed_, the
good news being communicated to the Sections on outpost duty by orderlies
from Headquarters. The Sections, however, had orders to remain at their
posts. November 4th brought the further news of an armistice with Austria,
and early the following day Indian prisoners, released by the Turks, began
to return to us through our outpost line.
It was at this time that Major Davies, our O.C. (who had not been well
since leaving the Jordan Valley, and for some time past had only been able
to keep out of hospital by dint of great strength of mind and powers of
endurance, in spite of the advice of his own, and medical, officers), was
at last sent to the hospital in Aleppo, which had been established by the
14th C.F.A. He had only been there a few days, however, when, to the grief
of all, he passed away in the clutches of that dread disease, malignant
malaria.
He was buried in the Aleppo Protestant Cemetery on November 11th 1918, in
the presence of the Divisional Commander, the Brigade Commander, the C.O.'s
of all the units in the Brigades, and many members of his Squadron, all of
whom felt how regrettable it was that he had not been spared to hear THE
GREAT NEWS which we all then felt was so close at hand, and towards the
obtaining of which he had, ever since the outbreak of the War, contributed
so much energy and ability. The "H.A.C." kindly provided us with a
gun-carriage upon which to convey him to his resting place, and Capt.
Powell, C.F., the Brigade Chaplain, officiated.
NEARING THE END.
As those who had been present at the ceremony were waiting for the motor
lorries to take them back to Muslimie the momentous news was received that
_an armistice had been signed with Germany!_
It was universally felt to be a sad coincidence that he who had come
through the war from start to finish should thus have been laid low at the
very end of his labours. That Major St. John Davies, M.C., was undoubtedly
a great leader and very considerate of his men's welfare, was universally
known. There can be no doubt that he would have had a successful career,
had he been spared, in any profession he might have chosen.
Malaria was taking its toll, and a few days later Signaller Boak, who had
been the Squadron's Brigade Orderly throughout the last operations, fell
another victim to its clutches. He was buried in the Military Cemetery,
Aleppo, a number of his comrades being present at the graveside.
AFTER THE ARMISTICE.
Capt. R.H. Fairbairns, M.C., now took command, with Lieut. A.O.W. Kindell
as Second-in-Command. The strength of the Squadron was now four officers,
145 O.R.'s, 116 riding horses, 77 draught mules, 36 pack animals, and, as
no reinforcements had reached the Squadron since the start of operations on
September 19th, these figures represented a loss of two officers, 67
O.R.'s, 65 riding horses, three draught mules and seven pack animals.
Considering that the Squadron had covered 450 miles in 43 days, in addition
to the fighting, the loss in animals (especially draught) was extremely
small, and results show that the Squadron has every reason to be proud of
its horsemastership.
The Sections were now withdrawn from "outpost" and the Squadron moved into
Muslimie station, where a certain number of buildings appeared to be
available, and capable of affording protection from the wet weather, which
showed signs of coming on.
Unfortunately, after clearing out several buildings, these had to be
relinquished to a regiment of the 15th Brigade, which came up to take over
the station. The Squadron, however, was allowed to use, as billets, some
old railway trucks which could not be moved, owing to the points being
blown up. It was expected, at one time, that the Division would proceed to
Alexandretta, on the coast, for the winter, but this did not eventuate.
[Illustration: Muslimie Junction Station.]
About this time we had to say farewell to our old friend, Capt. Powell,
C.F., the Brigade Padre, who was compelled to go into hospital after
repeated attacks of malaria, and was eventually invalided home to England.
Capt. Powell had been with the Brigade since its original formation as the
"7th Mounted," and was a great favourite amongst all ranks.
The following brief record of the events and doings of the Squadron during
its long spell of duty at Aleppo (and Muslimie) may be interesting to some
members:--
1918.
Nov. 13--"No. 3" Section absorbed in "Nos. 1 and 2".
" 15--Inspection of horses by Corps Commander.
" 17--Memorial service in main station building.
" 18--Headquarters attached to "Nos. 1 and 2" Sections.
" 22--Inspection of Transport by Divisional Commander.
" 28--Inspection of horses by G.O.C. Brigade.
" 30--Ration strength: 4 officers, 122 O.R.s, 208 animals.
Dec. 4--Divisional Commander inspects horses.
" 5--Preparation for visit of "C.-in-C.".
" 9--Capt. J.B. Oakley and Lieut. E.P. Cazalet, with 60 reinforcements,
arrive from base. Capt. Oakley becomes Second-in-Command of
Squadron.
" 10--Four officers and 80 O.R.'s proceed to Aleppo mounted for--
" 11--"C.-in-C.'s" procession, and return to camp.
" 17--Thanksgiving Day.
" 24--"B" Echelon (and donkeys) arrive.
" 25--Anthrax in Brigade.
" 27--One case of anthrax in Squadron.
1919.
Jan. 3--Inspection of Transport by Divisional Commander.
" 4--"No. 1" Sub-section proceeds to Aleppo with two troops "S.R.Y." to
escort "C.-in-C." by train to Jerablus.
" 6--Return of party.
" 20--Short range practice.
" 25--Classes opened in Brigade for shorthand, engineering, lectures,
etc.
" 27--Coalminers leave for "demob.".
" 28--G.O.C. Brigade inspects horses.
Feb. 1--Classification of horses: A.30, B.33, C.II.42, D.8.
" 3--Divisional Commander inspects animals and first line transport.
" 11--Orders to move to Aleppo. Dismounted party with surplus equipment
proceeds by train.
" 12--Squadron moves to Aleppo.
" 14--Corps Commander visits lines during stables.
" 19--Sec.-Lieut. Arden appointed Brigade Educational Officer and
promoted Captain whilst so employed.
" 20--Move to old 19th Squadron camp.
" 23--Twenty-two farmers proceed "homeward" ("demob." camp at Kantara).
" 26--Divisional Commander visits lines during stables.
" 27--Eleven O.R.'s to "Homeward".
" 28--An Armenian massacre; Squadron proceeds to centre of town, four
guns in position, one sub-section ("D") to Brigade Headquarters
for night.
Mar. 1-3--Fifteen O.R.'s "demob.".
" 6--Move to camp in the centre of Aleppo.
" 11--Twenty-seven horses evacuated to M.V.S.
" 17--Farewell parade to the G.O.C., Desert Mounted Corps, Lieut.-Gen.
Sir H.G. Chauvel, K.C.B., K.C.M.G.
" 19--Fifteen reinforcements arrive from base.
" 20--Twenty horses and 26 mules to Corrals (paddocks formed by the
Division to take the surplus animals resulting from
demobilization).
" 27--One sub-section short-range practice.
" 29--Eleven horses and 32 mules to Corrals.
" 31--Squadron strength: four officers, 124 O.R.'s, 185 animals.
Apr. 1--G.O.C. Brigade inspects horses.
" 3--One sub-section short-range practice.
" 15--"Stand-to" 05.30-08.00, one sub-section mounted, six guns on
limbers.
" 16--Ditto (as precaution against further massacre of the Armenians).
" 22--Practice scheme with Brigade.
" 23--Issue of summer clothing.
" 30--Divisional Horse Show.
May 1-2--Ditto. Squadron won Special Prize with pack mule "Pansy," and had
one limber and G.S. wagon in final; Pte. Carruthers also
qualified for jumping finals.
" 31--Squadron strength: four officers, 75 O.R.'s, 189 horses and
mules.
June 18--Inspection of horses and transport by Divisional Commander.
" 30--Peace celebrations. The Squadron, reduced to the strength of one
sub-section, took part in "march past". Strength: three officers,
48 O.R.'s, 30 horses, 23 mules.
[Illustration]
The following, by a member of the Squadron, is typical of the life in the
ARMIES OF OCCUPATION. He says:--
"Although these (the Armies of Occupation) officially have only
existed since February 1st 1919, they have in reality, on certain
fronts, been in operation since November 1918. The 5th Cavalry
Division, pressing hard on the heels of the flying Turk, entered
Aleppo on the evening of 26th October last. Trek-tired and weary,
the Fighting Division under Major-Gen. H.J.M. MacAndrew, C.B.,
D.S.O., wound its lengthy column over the Kuwaik-Su Bridge and
entered the ancient Turkish stronghold. Some of the units were at
once stationed close to the town, taking over the barracks and vast
stores and depots vacated by the enemy, whilst some of us, not so
lucky, were pushed forward to Muslimie, the important junction of
the Mesopotamian and Palestine Railways; and there formed a line of
outpost defence, just 300 miles due north of the line held six
weeks previously.
"LOW VITALITY OF TROOPS.
"On the 4th November the Armistice with Turkey was signed, and
shortly after several cavalry units were sent still further north
to Killis, Jerablus (on the Euphrates), and Aintab, and the outpost
line near Aleppo was thus no longer required. Now followed a period
even more difficult to put up with than actual war itself. A trek
of over 400 miles in a space of two months, following that
nightmare of a sojourn in the Jordan Valley, had reduced the
vitality of both man and horse to a very low ebb, and consequently
the sick roll in both cases was large. Malignant malaria contracted
in the valley took toll of many brave lives, and an outbreak of
anthrax, coupled with debility, caused havoc among the horses.
"LIFE AT MUSLIMIE.
"Railway communication not being completed, and roads rendered
unfit by heavy rains, delayed the passage of canteen stores, and
the rations had perforce to consist chiefly of mutton caught,
killed and eaten the same day. Shall we ever forget the taste of
it? Of course, we _did_ get goat sometimes as a variation. Xmas Day
was on the horizon and no hope of any puddings, but most units were
able to produce some kind of Xmas dinner, and a pudding concocted
from local ingredients. Followed special trains to the 'Palmtrees'
Concert Party in Aleppo, and a fox hunt on New Year's Day. Whist
drives and 'sing-songs' helped to break the deadly monotony of the
long winter evenings, and during the day there was plenty to occupy
one; roads to make in the mud, stones to be carted, buildings and
shelters erected, and more than all, the attempt to get a little of
the dirt off one's animal, and a little more flesh on his bones.
After the 130 degrees or so of heat (in the shade) in the Jordan
Valley, the cold in Syria, during the winter, seemed intense, and
ice had frequently to be broken before the morning wash. The snow
on the Taurus Mountains was not reassuring either, and firewood and
coal became almost unobtainable.
[Illustration]
"SEEING THE NEW YEAR IN.
"The only beverages obtainable at this time were native wines and
army rum, and as the former consisted chiefly of sweet Alicante,
methylated cognac and Arak, one became quite a connoisseur of the
latter and the different methods of making rum punch.
"One Quartermaster-Sergeant in particular made quite a reputation
for himself as a punch mixer, and I know that among his favourite
ingredients were oranges, lemons, figs, condensed milk, cloves,
nutmeg, pepper, ginger, boiling water.
"New Year's Eve saw (and heard) an officers' dinner, and all those
from far and near flocked to a small building near the station, and
under the able Presidency of popular Lieut.-Col. Wigan, of the
Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, and the direction of a Yorkshire vet.
and a Captain of the Deccan Horse, the Old Year (and in some cases
two Old Years) was seen out amid a score of toasts, the fumes of
aromatic punch, and the strain of a buckshee piano. Personally, I
crossed eight sets of Bagdad railway track in three strides.
"THE BRIGADE RACE MEETING.
"In February the 14th Cavalry Brigade held a Race Meeting on a
short grass track of two and a half furlongs, discovered hiding
among the rocks. A 'totalisator' run by an Australian in the
interest of the Brigade, was run on sound lines, and if your horse
won you got your money back and a little over, which isn't the case
with some totalisators that we know of! Several 'scurries' and mule
races took place, and everyone enjoyed the fun thoroughly,
especially the mules. The machine-gun element sprung a surprise on
all by winning the Grand Prix, open to the 5th Cavalry Division,
with 'Nobbler,' a horse which was to have run at Gaza in 1918, but
was 'scratched' owing to lameness. 'Lion,' a mobilisation horse of
the Sherwood Rangers, and a prime favourite, came in second, and
both horses were ridden at 11-7.
[Illustration: Aleppo.
Squadron camp in the town.]
"THE FIRST ALEPPO MEETING.
"In March the 14th Cavalry Brigade took over its Aleppo quarters
from the 13th, and the latter were moved many miles to the north,
where they also held a local meeting. Capt. Fraser of the R.H.A.
was now given the task of turning a waste piece of ground on the
western side of the town into a racecourse, and, by dint of much
hard work and begging of materials, he completed a quite good
course of four furlongs. The Royal Engineers erected a grand stand
of sandbags, and a totalisator. The first Aleppo Race Meeting was
held on March 8th, and a goodly representative gathering of the
army and civilian inhabitants of Aleppo assembled. After this, race
meetings were held regularly every alternate Saturday throughout
the summer. The course was laid on fairly level ground, and at the
start of the season had a thin covering of grass, which,
unfortunately, soon was burnt up by the fierce sun and worn bare by
frequent use, being replaced afterwards by litter. Though at first
only a four furlong 'scurry,' the course has now been extended to
eight furlongs, and laid much in the same fashion as Kempton Park
with a 'straight' of four furlongs and the remainder an oval. One
drawback to this course is that it crosses a high road in two
places. On race days mounted military police are stationed outside
the rails to keep order, and British troops are on duty in the
enclosures keeping the gates, serving refreshments, and assisting
in the totalisator. The latest attraction has been the admirable
rendering of popular music by the Band of the Queen's Bays.
"INCIDENTS AT THE RACES.
"Of amateur jockeys and gentlemen riders there have been plenty;
among the most successful being Lieut.-Col. Vincent, R.A.S.C.,
Major Walker, R.A., Capt. Sir Robin Paul, Lieut. Dowling. We much
missed Lieut. Stanley Wooten, of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, who
has hitherto been such a popular rider in the E.E.F. Major-Gen. Sir
Harry MacAndrew, C.B., D.S.O., Lieut.-Gen. Sir H.G. Chauvel,
K.C.B., K.C.M.G., have all, in turn, shown much interest in the
races, and Gen. Geaffar Pasha, the Military Governor of Aleppo, and
successor to Gen. Shukri Pasha (generally known to us as 'Sugary
Parsnips'), often enters one of his beautiful Arab chargers in the
Arab class races, and is often successful. His jockey rides in the
colours of the Hedjaz Army, red, white, black and green.
[Illustration]
"But the horses are now paraded in the paddock, and we must go and
inspect them. This is an Arab race, and all sorts of conditions of
men and horses are in the ring, and a terrific hubbub is going on.
Some of the ponies are well groomed, and fit, others thin and badly
cared for. Some have long unkempt manes and tails, others are
bedecked with beads and shells and long scarlet tassels. Saddle
cloths of brilliant hue are numerous, while the riders are a
curious and a motley assembly. Some bare-foot, some booted and
spurred (and a spur is a spur with an Arab, something after the
implement mother marks the pastry with). Others are in long flowing
robes with the burnous and kafeia of the Bedouin flying in the
wind, some with knives, some with swords, some with pistols, and
some with sticks, and lastly two are dressed like real jockeys, and
they know it, and show it too! Just now there is a little of chaos
as half the competitors are evidently of the opinion that they
should go round the paddock in one direction, while the other half
wishes to go the reverse. Wherefore there is loud shouting and much
gesticulating, with many 'Waheds' and 'Achmeds' and 'Macknoons'.
"ALL THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE THERE.
"But there, the bell goes, and the starters begin to file out of
the gate as they struggle out of the seething mass. Away down the
course to the starting point; and here the starter will no doubt
have his work cut out. A variegated crowd is lining the rails on
the opposite side of the track. Turbaned Abduls and Yussefs, boys
and little girls, men and donkeys, fruit-sellers, arabiyehs,
camels, all in brightest colours and a pandemonium of noise. Stray
pi-dogs are continually being warned off the course, and venerable
Arab Sheiks who don't understand, and start for a nice walk along
the wide grass track. Yes, there is plenty for the smart military
policemen to do, and their burnished swords and bright shoulder
epaulets flash in the sun as they 'chivvy' the crowd out of danger.
In the officers' enclosure there are many strange types. Abdul
Achmed Yussef is there with a scimitar in one hand like the Sultan
of Turkey, and a huge white umbrella in the other hand, and on his
head he wears a red tarbush. _Iskanderianabedian_ is there with his
fat wife, and two fat daughters, all the latter in black silk gowns
and white silk stockings, and if the girls' ankles aren't as thick
as my calves, call me a liar, but this is the Turkish style of
beauty you know. The better bred the fatter is their standard, and
very nice too. Arab troops and Arab gendarmerie in their quaint
spiked head-gear; while hundreds of British staff officers (where
they come from, or what they do I don't know), with tabs of all
colours (and as one officer remarked to me only the other day,
'When the blue and green tabs appear it's time to capture another
town'!) And a sprinkling of combatant officers, English sisters,
French attachés, and American Red Cross workers, represent the
western world.
"THE RACING.
"Now we go and place our solitary 10 pt. on a promising pony ridden
by one of the two 'real' jockeys. It is all we can spare, as the
Field Cashier happens to be away (as usual). Suddenly a bugle
blows, and we hear the usual cry 'They're off!' But they aren't; at
least two are and there's no stopping those two. No, they mean to
carry on now; neck and neck they go, and soon they are round the
distant corner, and thundering past the four furlong point. On they
come shouting for Allah and Mohammed, and standing high in their
stirrups they wave their sticks madly in the air, yelling at each
other with all the frenzy of the faithful followers of El Islam! A
dead heat they reach the post and gallop wildly on, to end up
somewhere on the banks of the Kuwaik Su!
"Now, the bugle goes again, and the start has really begun this
time, the field getting away something like a compact lump. But
soon they string out, and we notice our two orthodox men well in
rear. This time the race is even more exciting, and as the post is
neared the yells of defiance, the flowing robes, the waving arms
and the bump, bump, bump of the riders brings pictures to the mind
of the fiery followers of Saladin, or an attack by the Arabs in the
'Tragedy of the Korosko'.
"HOME AGAIN!
"Well, it's over at last, and our 'choice' and the other smartly
dressed jockey are miles behind. But that doesn't matter as I hear
the winner is only paying out 5 pt. Oh! that 'Tote'! Six races are
the usual number run; and then the sun sinks behind the Taurus
Mountains, the shadows fall long and blue, and the high-up Citadel,
flanked by mosques and minarets, becomes bathed in the orange light
of the setting rays. As the last horse is led in, the crowd flows
back towards the town, and then the arabiyehs crack their whips,
the camels grunt, the staff start up their motor cars, and the
combatant officers with light hearts and lighter pockets mount
their chargers, and wend their way back to camp.
"Such is an Aleppo Race Meeting, and so do we attempt to pass the
monotony of an enforced exile in a barren and a dreamy land.
"Very soon the rain will come, and then the mud, and then we shall
look for the Christmas parcels, British books, local papers, and
more than all--that long-promised holiday for the
Army-of-Occupation-Volunteer!!".
[Illustration]