L/Sgt Walter Leeman 13th Hussars

[auchonvillerssomme]

This is a picture (the shorter guy) of L/Sgt Walter Leeman 276632 13th Hussars KIA 29/10/1918 Commemorated on the Basra Memorial.

I think it sums up the time and the place.

Mick

[DavoT]

So close to the end too.

[auchonvillerssomme]

Taken from 'The History of the British Cavalry. Vol 6: 1914-1918 Mesopotamia' I had copied below from a previous member (Robert Dunlop I think) a while back, to save me copying it out again.

As soon as there was sufficient light on the morning of the 29th [October 1918] Cassels could see a large force about three miles to the south. Whether they were Turks fleeing before the 17th Division or 17th Division itself was not for some time clear. He was also informed by a reconnoitring squadron of 13th Lancers that at the north end of his semi-circular line three Turkish battalions which had come down from the north had succeeded in pushing so far forward that they had secured a high bluff (afterwards called 'Richardson's Bluff') at the southern end of a range of hills about 3,000 yards from the vital ford and had dug themselves in with machine-guns. Upon it they had established two 9-pounder camel guns with which they commanded the ford. 'V' Battery which was on the point of crossing the ford was so heavily shelled that it rightly decided to remain on the east bank. From there it came into action against the two guns 'and the Turks shortly afterwards withdrew' them. About 3/4 mile to the south of the bluff was a hill upon which stood a Mahomedan cemetery behind which the 13th Lancers squadron was sheltering. Norton rightly determined that the bluff must be captured. He established his headquarters on 'Cemetery Hill'. Soon after 7 am.

"after a personal reconnaisance of the position, so far as was possible, the Brigadier", as he himself put it, "issued orders for 13th Hussars, supported by the 14th Jat Lancers and covered by the fire of 'V' Battery from across the river and the Vickers guns, a subsection of which was now in action on the Cemetery Hill, to gallop across the open from their covered position near the river, dismount under the bluff and carry the position with a dismounted attack."

It was clear that unless the Turks came forward from their trenches (which 'V' Battery's fire would probably prevent) there would be ample ground at the base of the bluff to give cover for the horses. As Richardson [after whom the bluff is named], commanding the 13th Hussars, wrote... 'V' Battery

"put a strong barrage on the plateau from 8 am to 8.15 am, at which hour we emerged from the river bank, supported on either flank by a subsection of 18 MGs...

As the regiment reached the open, the four squadrons took up a diamond formation - 'B' Squadron under Captain Evans, 21st Lancers, leading, 'C' on the left flank, 'D' on the right flank and 'A' bringing up the rear. I rode in the centre and on either flank were the sixteen Hotchkiss guns."

The regiment was considerably understrength. It mustered only seventeen officers and 239 other ranks. The moment it came into the open "a very hot fire from MGs, rifles and guns opened on it, and when about 1,000 yards from its objective, Captain Evans was very seriously wounded." The moment he fell from his horse the squadron lost its direction. "The troop leaders of the leading squadron led their troops to the cover of the Cemetery Hill, where the remainder of the regiment quickly concentrated. I quite agreed with their action" wrote Richardson. "The crest of the hill was much more strongly held than had ever been anticipated [or, indeed, than reported by aeroplane]..."

At 10 am, the second of Sanders' batteries had taken up position 2,000 yards south of Cemetery Hill. Its fire, combined with that of 'V' Battery, seems to have more or less silenced the two guns but the not the machine guns on the plateau. While the 13th Hussars were mustering they were greeted with heavy, concentrated machine-gun fire... Norton therefore postponed the attack until heavier artillery pounding had had its effect. "Our helio winked a message to the batteries that the 13th Hussars were to attack at 1.20 pm... Both batteries redoubled their efforts, both ranging and fuses being beautifully accurate; they plastered the bluff with HE and shrapnel." Richardson now

"led the regiment from the cover of Cemetery Hill in two waves, 'A' and 'D' Squadrons in the first and 'C' and 'B' Squadrons in the second...

The first wave reached the foot of the bluff with only one casualty, a man whose horse fell in jumping a deepish nullah - dismounted to climb the almost precipitous cliff-side, the footing on which was made the worse by the loose rolling gravel surface; how the men scaled that cliff carrying their Hotchkiss guns and ammunition-bags will always remain a marvel to me.

Meantime the second wave had reached the hill, also without casualties, and taken position on the right of the first. As we appeared on the crest fire broke out on us from all sides, but the moral of the Turks had been so severely shaken by the artillery that our casualties were very slight, and by bringing our right forward we were soon able to bring enfilade on the trenches in front."

[From another spectator:] "By this time the onlookers on the Cemetery Hill were mad with excitement, and quite oblivious to the bullets still whistling over them, they were standing up and wildly cheering on the gallant Hussars. Now they had reached the foot of the bluff - so close was it to us that we could distinguish the individuals.

Off they got - fix bayonets - up the hill they scrambled, their colonel at their head; the barrage lifts beautifully in time - and the Hussars go over the crest and, spreading like a fan, on they go. A machine gun is rushed - then a Hussar was seen to fall - bayonet work begins...

'By God, they are counter-attacking!' bursts from the Brigade Major's lips, as a party of Turks drive back a troop of Hussars; but, steady as rocks, the Hussars meet the new attack - a few shots and then the bayonet. On our left there is a the thunder of hooves - the host of lance-pennons dotted over the countryside shows the 13th and 14th Lancers are hurrying forward in support, lance in rest ready for the pursuit. This is the final act in the drama, and then all sobriety is forgotten; our [tropical] helmets fly in the air as we cheer and cheer again, as on all sides white flags of surrender are raised by the defeated Turks.

From every direction in a few minutes small bodies of the enemy, marshalled by the gallant Hussars, can be seen marching in - and the affair was over."

[DavoT]

Made for a good read. Thanks.