Before nightfall "C" and "D" Companies established themselves in support
to the 5th Manchesters, who had now joined up with the Australians on
the left, but there was very little possibility of the Turk attacking
again that day, so all the troops were rested, in preparation for a
strenuous attack on the morrow. Sentry groups were posted, and the
battalion sat down and made a scanty meal of bread accompanied where
possible with a mouthful of water. This was the first meal most men had
had since breakfast. Numbers of prisoners came in during the night,
each of them carrying a full water bottle. The Turk knew how to preserve
a water supply, and what was of greater interest to us, he knew where to
get it. It speaks well, however, for the chivalry of the British soldier
that none deprived their prisoners of their water, although they were
probably almost without themselves. This sporting attitude towards the
enemy, the spirit of "play the game" whether fighting the clean Turk or
the not so reputable German, I never failed to observe throughout the
war.
Stand to at 3.30 the following morning indicated that work was still to
be done, for in the half light, troops of Light Horse could be seen
collecting behind a hill preparatory to a sweep forward. When they
emerged in the increasing light, the enemy could be seen fleeing from a
trench about 1,200 yards away. Very soon word came through that we were
to go in pursuit, and while we were exercised in mind as to what we
should do for water, we were greatly relieved when we were ordered back
to the ridge to fill our bottles.
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