1st Feb.
Bttn in line.
Dispositions as follows: A Coy (Lt Gray) at Snipers Ridge (J17 central), D Coy (Capt Tyler) at Kent Ridge (J23b), Sussex Ridge (J23d), Scraggs Hill (J29b) and Rally Post (J29b). B Coy in support at El Aziriyeh. C Coy (less LGs and teams) with D Coy in support at El Aziriiyeh. Bttn HQ at Blue Dome El Aziriyeh.
Day – fine and bright. Orders were received that all billets had to be vacated by the evening of the 2nd owing to Typhus.
2nd Feb.
Bttn in line as above. B and C Coys left billets and moved to positions of support at Points J22b central and J22b52 respectively. Both coys under canvas (bell tents).
Day fine and bright.
3rd Feb.
Bttn in line as above. B Coy at work at Rally Post under direction of OC D Coy (Capt Tyler). C Coy at work under OC A Coy making a path from A Coy’ headquarters to main path.
Day fine and bright.
4th Feb.
Bttn in line as above. B Coy (plus two platoons of C) at work on Rally Post. Remaining two platoons of C at work on Snipers Ridge completing path commenced yesterday.
Day fine and bright.
5th Feb.
Bttn line as above. Patrol consisting of 1 officer (Lt Patrick) and 5 ORs left our lines at 0600 hrs. Two enemy scouts captured by this patrol about 0750 at O22b. D Coy’s OP was moved forward to high ground about J24b central.
Work – B Coy and 2 platoons of C at work on rally Post. Remaining two platoons of C at Snipers Ridge.
Weather – rain at intervals during the afternoon.
6th Feb.
Bttn line as above. B Coy at work under direction A. C Coy at work under direction of D Coy.
Weather – rain at intervals throughout the day.
Draft of 68 ORs reported and posted to coys.
7th Feb.
Bttn in line as above. Work detailed as for the 6th owing rains which fell practically the whole day. Little was accomplished.
8th Feb.
Bttn in line as above.
Day – cold and boisterous with heavy rain at intervals.
Work unable to be carried on.
9th Feb.
Bttn in line as above. Day boisterous and wet. B Coy working during intervals of very heavy showers on Rally Post. C Coy working on new work on high ground. Brigade Order No 125 received.
10th Feb.
Bttn line as above.
Showers at intervals all day.
Work as for yesterday.
11th Feb.
Bttn in line as above. At 1100 hrs, D Coy was relieved in the line by one coy of the 2/13 London Regiment. A Coy was relieved on Sniper Ridge by C Coy. B Coy remaining in its present position. Both reliefs reported completed at 1330 hrs when dispositions were as follows: A and D Coys in Brigade Reserve at H6d78, B Coy at J22b central and C Coy on Snipers Ridge. Bttn HQ remaining at El Aziriyeh.
Day fine and bright.
12th Feb.
Bttn in line. Dispositions as for the 11th. B Coy at work on Snipers Ridge under direction of C Coy.
Day fine and bright.
13th Feb.
Btn in line with tow coys in Brigade Reserve as on the 11th. B Coy at work on Snipers Ridge. A and D Coys at work on Nablus Road under the direction of OC 519 RE Coy. Day – fine and bright, slight westerly breeze at 1500 hrs. B Coy moved from J 226 central (Blue Dome Spur) U18b51q (Wadi El Hari). One platoon of C Coy (Bridge Post) j12 central moved to 01d central.
14th Feb.
At 0800 hrs, A and D Coy moved from Brigade Reserve (H6d78) to the original camps of B and C Coys at J22b central and J22b52 respectively. B Coy as on the 13th. C (less one platoon) disposition as above on Sniper Ridge.
Day fine and bright.
15th Feb.
Bttn in the dispositions as above. A and D all (under BEs) on main Jericho road.
Day fine and bright.
16th Feb.
Bttn in line. Dispositions as for 15/2/18.
17th Feb.
Bttn in line. Dispositions as per 16/2/18. Preliminary instructions for advance on Jericho issued, a copy of which is attached.
18th Feb.
Bttn moved in afternoon to occupy positions on line Ras um Deisis – 03a – in accordance with para 4 preliminary instructions. No 1 Orders No 78 and No 79.
19th Feb.
A Coy was pushed forward, preceded by two strong patrols, to make good ground in F28, 29 and 30. Met with resistance about F28d. After a pause, they advanced to attack enemy who were holding high ground about F30a and c. Supported in attack by 2 platoons of D Coy an assisted by 2 cars of the Light Armoured Motor Battery attached to the Brigade. Position taken about 1630 hrs.
Two platoons of D Coy sent out to help to consolidate. D Coy (less 2 platoons) moved up to about F28d in support. About 2000hrs, tanks counterattacked the positon and after assaulting three times were driven off. 4.5” howitzers fired at withdrawing tanks in Wadi Sidr in G19 and G25.
Dispositions for the night 19/20 Feb as in Order No 80. Bttn moved up to A Coy positon about F30a and c preparatory to attack on main enemy position in G 20 morning 20th Feb.
20th Feb.
Bttn attacked enemy positions in G20 and 21 (Order No 81). Chief resistance by machine gunfire for down track running through G19 c, d and b. Positions captured about 0830 hrs. No further movements until 1500 hrs. Waiting for 179 IB to capture positions on Jebel Ekteif. Moved on again without resistance about 1545 hrs.
Situation at 1630 hrs – two companies at G16a and G16c (both central). One company at G15d in support and one company at G20 central in reserve. Bttn HQ at G21a central.
Bttn in touch with 2/13 Londons on right at G16 d11 and 2/17 on left at BM 537 G10c. Remained in this position for night 20/21 Feb. At 1725 hrs 20 Fb, 400 Turks seen retreating at about H13 were heavily machine gunned and scattered by D Coy.
Rain and wind.
21st Feb.
Commenced to move with B Coy about 0800 hrs advancing without opposition all the morning finally established on G17b – G12 central at about 1230hrs. Bttn HQ established on new Jericho-Jerusalem road at G17a25.
Rain slight. Heavy mists from Dead Sea.
Remained in this position for night 21/22 Feb. Copies of wires from C-in-C and Corp Commander attached.
22nd-24th Feb.
Bttn disposed as for night 21/22 Feb.
25th Feb.
Moved Bttn headquarters to about G11c38. Disposition of companies as for 24 Feb.
26th Feb.
C Coy moved to take over left of line. A Coy moved back into support.
Disposition of Bttn as follows: Line divided into 2 sub sectors. Right subsector (B Coy) from New Carriage Road to Neby Musa (abut G17d) to G12 central. Left sub sector (C Coy) from G12 central to G5d central. Right support (D Coy) normal position G17c99 (at present acting as escort to 60 pounder battery at K29b. Left support (A Coy) at G11d82. Inspection by GOC Division.
27th/28th Feb.
Bttn in line, disposed as for 26 Feb.