Wednesday 13th March 1918
Yesterday 1st/5th
Battalion took part in an attack. Operations have been underway since 8th March
when 53rd (Welsh) Division, 10th (Irish) Division and 74th (Yeomanry) Division
attacked the enemy on the high ground above the Jordan Valley north of
Jerusalem. Yesterday 75th Division joined 162nd Brigade in attacking north-east
of Mulebbis.
The 1st/5th
Bedfords paraded at 5.30 a.m. and marched to the jumping off point for the
attack, which began at 7.45, preceded by artillery fire. The Bedfords’ attack
was completely successful though a severe storm blew up during it , which, as
the adjutant noted, made observation very difficult.
About 9 a.m.
the 1st/4th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment and 1st/10th Battalion London
Regiment passed through the Bedfords to launch the enxt phase of the attack.
The Northamptons gained their objective without opposition. The Londoners were
held up at Mejdel Yaba(1) but a barrage by artillery helped them to take the
place by 12.30 p.m.
During the
afternoon the Bedfords worked on creating second line defences. It was too
rocky to dig trenches so small enclosures called sangars were made from the
stones. The Battalion relieved the Northamptonshire Regiment in the front line
last night.
These
offensive operations have given the army a good base for future offensive
operations.
Source: X550/6/8
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