The charge of Beersheba by the Australian Light Horse took place on 31 October 1917,

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The charge of Beersheba by the Australian Light Horse took place on 31 October 1917, during the third Battle of Gaza in Palestine. It was a vital component of the allied forces' campaign to secure the Sinai Peninsula and ensure the shipping corridors along the Suez Canal remained open to Britain and its allies.

During the charge on Beersheba, 31 light horsemen were killed and 36 were wounded. About 70 horses died. Many Turks were killed and up to 1000 captured.

Decisive victory at Beersheba fell to one of the last great charges of mounted troops in history. As Australian Light Horse Divisions captured the town and secured crucial water wells, their success also marked the beginning of the end of the war in the Middle East.

Throughout the war, the various light horse units were converted to motorised infantry, armoured car or armoured regiments, serving mainly in the defence of Australia. As the threat of invasion passed, though, most were disbanded in 1943 or 1944 and their personnel redistributed amongst other units.

This is that Story.

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