affording us protection from the few shells coming over, nearly all of
which fell into the sea. The pace was killing, and the sand and rocks made
it heavy going for the horses. They were very fit though, thanks to the
hard training they had had at Deiran!

Still proceeding northward, about six miles along the coast, the cliffs
suddenly gave way to flatter ground; here we turned inland in a
north-easterly direction. Reports reached us that about 200 enemy infantry
(with transport) were in a wood on our right flank. "No. 1" Section and one
squadron of Poona Horse were detailed as "flank guard" to prevent the enemy
leaving the wood until the Brigade had passed by. The flank guard, however,
were instructed not to trouble to dispose of this small party, as bigger
"fish" were in view.

At 11.30 the Brigade had reached the Nahr Iskanderun. After crossing slowly
by two small, very shaky, bridges, units hurriedly watered here,
independently, by means of buckets, the banks of the stream being very
steep. The country now became delightful, cultivated, everywhere, with
orange groves and gardens. At 12.30 the Brigade, winding its way through
the groves, came out into the pretty little Village of Liktera (a Jewish
settlement called by them Hudeira), 26 miles from the starting point. The
inhabitants were overjoyed to see us, and as a halt was made here, and
horses off-saddled and fed, they soon made us at home with gifts of bread,
eggs and milk, refusing to take any payment therefor.

Until the inhabitants had seen the head of our Division, about a mile off,
they had not the slightest idea that there had even been a British attack!
They were particularly anxious to know how the people were faring in such
villages as Mulebbis, and other places, south of our old line, where they
had friends and relatives. As indicative that our advance was carried out