Desert Pursuit

Description

Limited Edition – 250 only

In this painting a section from the 4th Light Horse Regiment are galloping down a hill outside the town of Gaza, with their rifles ready and eager for action as they pursue the Turkish army, for Gaza has just fallen to the British and Anzac Mounted Division forces.

Gaza was a strategically important town, 2 miles from the coast at the southern edge of Palestine. It was situated on a hill and surrounded by cultivated fields bordered by thick cactus hedges. Between Gaza and Beersheba stretched a desert wasteland with few inhabitants. The first battle for Gaza on 26th March 1917 was all but won by Light Horse regiments when the call to retreat by British Generals delivered victory to the Turks. The 2nd Battle in April was likewise bungled by Command and again delivered victory to the Turks.

During this time the 4th Light Horse were involved in security tasks in Egypt and Sinai, but after a change of command they were called to the front line, and with the 12th Regiment made their famous charge of Beersheba on the 31st October. Beersheba fell to their assault and Turkish resistance began to collapse. A week later on the 7th November Gaza fell, and the 4th Light Horse Regiment participated in the pursuit of the fleeing Turkish army.