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Chapter XXXIII. Attack on Amman.

The night passed quietly, and no further advance was attempted the following day, it having been decided to deliver a surprise attack the next night. The position to be attacked was a very strong one. The defences were distributed with the usual skill of the Turks, across a steep flinty ridge running from south-west to north-east, and so placed that each succeeding position dominated the one in front. At a conference, a plan of attack was drawn up. This plan was to attack up the stem of the ridge in a north-easterly direction, the second line passing over the first as soon as the first of the main positions had been taken. Later, at the suggestion of Lieutenant-Colonel Mc-Carroll, who was to command the whole attacking force, the plan was altered, and it was agreed that the attack should be carried due north against the highest points of the ridge, and that the two trenches further down the ridge should be dealt with after the upper ones had been carried. The A.M.R. and the Camel Battalion were to go straight at the point marked D in the sketch^* (the south-eastern corner of the ridge), and the two squadrons of the C.M.R., which were available, were to pass through the line as soon as it had achieved its objective and rush the positions marked E. and F. some 200 yards further on at the north-east corner of the ridge. The W.M.R. were on other duty, and were not available for the attack. The scheme was very similar to that prepared for the opening of the Gallipoli offensive in page 203August, but without the aid of a diversive bombardment and the glare of searchlights to intensify the gloom. The attack was to be pressed swiftly and silently, and the trenches carried with the bayonet alone. Magazines had to be empty because even an accidental shot might have jeopardised the whole action.

The brigade (dismounted) concentrated at 1.30 a.m. (March 30) in a wadi below their line. The moon shone fitfully, and there was a slight mist in the air. At about 1.45, the first line moved forward to the attack, making hardly a sound. An open flat 800 yards wide, and then a little valley, had to be crossed before the steep ascent could be reached. The minutes passed, the silent line drew nearer and nearer to its objective, and still the enemy remained in ignorance of his danger. When nearing the point from which the rush could be made, a Turkish sentry fired one shot and bolted. Still the trenches remained silent. Then, with the roar of the charge, the Aucklanders and the splendid men of the Camels leaped forward. A splutter of flame broke out from the trench, but it was too late. Shrieks and groans echoed through the night as the bayonets went home with a thud. A young officer suddenly fell down a dug-out, which had been covered with a blanket, on top of a Turk, and blood-curdling yells pierced the night, as the officer and the Turk rolled about on the ground. The men above had their bayonets handy, but they had to allow the officer to deal with the Turk with his hands. They say that the language and sounds which arose from the dug-out were unique. Within a few minutes the only Turks remaining in the trench were those who had been captured and those who were dead. The prisoners totalled 23, and with page 204them were taken five machine-guns. Our losses were slight. On the heels of this attack came the second line, which went on and carried positions E. and F., while the A.M.R. and Camels cleared up B. and C. Owing to the rocky nature of the ground it was impossible to dig trenches, so the men started to build stone sangars. Then came cold rain and shells. At dawn the Turks opened an enfilade machine-gun fire from A, a hill to the left, and the 4th squadron attacked it under cover of rifle and machine-gun fire from the 3rd squadron, capturing every man. Under the fire of a number of guns the men continued to build up the stone sangars to afford some little cover. A few men found cover in a grave opened by Arabs in search of loot.

About 9 a.m., the enemy was seen massing on the north-east slopes of the hill for a counter-attack. Lieutenant-Colonel McCarroll appealed for artillery assistance, but none was available. The section of the mountain battery attached to the brigade had only four rounds to fire. Soon after the Turkish bombardment increased and a determined counter-attack by a large force was delivered. It reached the crest within a very short distance of the A.M.R., but was swept back by rifle and machine-gun fire. The ground in front was strewn with dead Turks.

On the north-east section, part of the C.M.R. and the Camels were so hard pressed by overwhelming numbers that they wavered and started to retire, but within a few yards they were rallied by a most gallant young officer, and with a mighty roar they swept the Turk from their line. So splendid was the recovery, that they were with difficulty prevented from continuing on after the page 205routed Turks. Soon after the young officer had rallied the men he fell mortally wounded, but he had lived for his great hour; in it he had achieved one of the hardest tasks an officer can accomplish, and had gone to his God "trailing behind him clouds of glory." The rout of these Turks was hastened by the heavy fire the A.M.R. was able to pour into them. A war artist would have gloried in the picture of that small body surging back to the attack, which looked so like a forlorn hope, and in the sight of the A.M.R.'s line of resolute men, standing shoulder to shoulder in their wet great coats, on that shell-swept crest, pouring rapid fire into the Turks. Once again the breed held good.

It is worthy of special note that this brilliant bit of work was done without the aid of artillery. The enemy continued to shell the hill, no less than three batteries directing their fire upon it, and heavy losses occurred. The evacuation of the wounded was very difficult and dangerous, owing to the exposed nature of the ground behind the firing line. About five o'clock another counter-attack was delivered against the C.M.R., which had been reinforced by two troops of the A.M.R., on the right, but it was successfully repulsed.