In the charge picture some-one posted the Light Horse appeared to be brandishing their bayonets and not sabers. Why is this the case. Were they not issued cavalry sabers.
According to Wikipedia....
Light horse were like mounted infantry in that they usually fought dismounted, using their horses as transport to the battlefield and as a means of swift disengagement when retreating or retiring. A famous exception to this rule though was the charge of the 4th and 12th Light Horse Regiments at Beersheba on 31 October 1917. In 1918 some light horse regiments were equipped with sabres, enabling them to fight in a conventional cavalry role during the advance on Damascus. However, unlike mounted infantry, the light horse also performed certain roles, such as scouting and screening, while mounted.
Jeff
I have an informed "hunch" that Brads hunch might be correct.
Use of bayonets is one of the things that makes the Charge at Beersheba interesting. Also they "won" and therefore a bit more successful than the Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimean War and what happened to the Scots Greys at Waterloo (no disrespect to either events).
The charge was near the end of a days fighting and was done to secure the wells as the Australians were in desperate need of water for men and horses. The day of the charge is actually Halloween !! 31 Oct 1917.
Regards
Brett
I have an informed "hunch" that Brads hunch might be correct.
Use of bayonets is one of the things that makes the Charge at Beersheba interesting. Also they "won" and therefore a bit more successful than the Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimean War and what happened to the Scots Greys at Waterloo (no disrespect to either events).
The charge was near the end of a days fighting and was done to secure the wells as the Australians were in desperate need of water for men and horses. The day of the charge is actually Halloween !! 31 Oct 1917.
Regards
Brett
Are you kidding?
The Scots Greys got slaughtered!![]()
Hi Guys,
A gentle reminder to my good friend Oz… “How can the Scots Greys possibly be considered a failed “ENGLISH” cavalry charge?!?!”
As a proud Scot myself this should be considered a failed “SCOTTISH” cavalry charge…. Let our English cousins produce their own failures!
Best wishes and… Happy charging!
Andy C.