"On October 31, 1917, in the third year of the Great War, two regiments of Australian Lighthorsemen charged the Turkish defenses" "Of Beersheba in Palestine" "With bayonets in their hands they galloped against machine guns rifles and artillery in an eleventh- hour attempt to save the attacking British army from disaster" "This is the story of some of the men and horses who rode into legend that day..." "What I'm gonna do to ride a lighthorse?" "You're gonna be 18... fit... capable of somersaulting bareback..." "Nothing too much" "Hey, Dave, what'd you do up there?" "If he wants to do it you can't stop him" "GAZA" " KEY FORTRESS OF THE" "TURCO-GERMAN ARMY IN PALESTINE" "Keep right up, come on" "Move it, come on... go on" "Right up, men... keep your pace" "Watch out, men" "So the British thought they could take Gaza with tanks" "They thought they could terrify us" "Welcome to Palestine, Captain Reichert" "Thank you, Sir" "The High Command has sent you to congratulate me on my earlier victory in Gaza" "News of your triumph arrived before my departure, but I'm sure they would wish me to do so" "Of course, but all congratulations are due to the British General" "Archbald Murray" "For he had captured the town but he's such a dumb heard" "He didn't know and so withdrew his troops" "There's a little joy in the defeat of the unaware appellant" "I realized by a clever young intelligence officer being sent here from Berlin..." "But I'll tell you with no ill will..." "in fact," "I'll suggest the substance of your first report on me" "General Von Kressenstein is supremely confident that the British would attack Gaza again and again, and he would defeat them again and again" "Cavalry, Sir" "They're not cavalry, Captain" "They're Australian Lighthorse Mounted Infantry... you can tell them by the plumes in their hats" "They're formidable soldiers but the English just don't know how to use them" "Wait until the lighthorses dismounted then we open fire" "On the men or the horses, Sir?" "Right on the men" "Yon don't understand, do you?" "You've so much to learn about war in the desert, both you and General Murray" "See there" "Halt, dismounted..." "Fall in... take the horses away" "Move the machine and set your target" "Come on... on the double" "Remove the horses out of here" "Fire..." "There're the men of God who went first in the battle" "Good troops, but again wasted" "We're fighting in a desert... warfare falls purely in one inescapable rule" "Men and horses must drink" "A man who carries his small bottle can travel short distances slowly and fight when his water lasts" "And a horse can fill in with water and travel long distances quickly and go without water for one or two days" "Then it must drink huge quantity enough for 30 men or it'll die horribly" "Each time Gaza was attacked we held out for one or two days the most" "And the British were defeated by the desert" "Charlie..." "General Chauvel sends his compliments to General Sir Bourchier Murray as usual..." "Yes, Sir" "We're running our of time we're running out of water and I'm running out of patience in which my capacity to obey orders" "I can't believe" "Let me see it..." "Leave it with me, Charlie" "Halt..." "Shall we rest the horse?" "No, we keep going..." "There're only 50 miles to artillery" "Orders didn't say we should go in rush" "Yeah, I know... but they can't use us on the side lines" "The British would need every man that they can get" "This regiment's setup is enough for 10 battles" "Hey, easy ginger" "It doesn't like bloody guns..." "it gets excited" "Then blind it..." "This is the reason why we're being separated from the Turks" "The High Command worried that our horses be terrified that would affect the whole bloody war" "You did have a bloody homicide" "Why not?" "But what I said is not misery" "I'm just thinking..." "What are you thinking?" "About what?" "Why keep us off right of him?" "Bothering the Colonel?" "Bullshit..." "Frank is a real soldier... he has guts doing things" "Yeah... but Frank is just a newly promoted Colonel... he's still a young guy" "The old bureaucrats didn't trust him" "Then we're just like Charlie again..." "Shall we rest the horse now?" "Listen..." "I didn't hear anything" "That's right" "Sergeant, what's the news from Gaza?" "Like a bloody disaster, Sir" "They're rating 18,000 casualties" "Luckily not one of them" "They're good ones to be out there" "There'd be other ways to stop the war" "This is the price we're paying for" "What else can we do?" "Whoa... you look at that..." "British soldiers" "Now look, Scotty..." "I take away this arm badge with smile..." "What I don't want to get involved is any stupid bloody trouble..." "Frank, have you ever known me to start any fight, uh?" "No, but I seldom find you finish with your fuel" "Come on..." "Don't worry" "May God bless us" "Three cheers for the lighthorsemen" "Without you guys here..." "situation would not be worse" "What would it be?" "We're just looking for somebody" "That's it is" "Goodbye" "Australians will be there... hey, who else will be there?" "Who we're looking for?" "Australians will be there..." "hey, who else will be there?" "Bloody beautiful..." "But not as the pattern sunset in Calgary" "Every one is better than the last" "No one knows if he can see the other one" "Nearly two years ago..." "Jesus, we've already been away for three years" "Have you made any contacts with your kids?" "Bloody kids... wonderful I'm so peaceful here when I miss them who always drove me crazy home" "Your mistress is alright?" "Yeah, she's okay..." "If I had a fianc?" "e like Frank's three years is hell a lot of time" "She's worth waiting for..." "Worth waiting for?" "I'll tell you when he gets back..." "the second thing he'll do is taking his bloody boots off" "Very funny..." "Chauvel is giving command of the whole desert company" "The regiment will be moving out within IO minutes" "You said it right... a real bloody thing" "What shall we take out of that?" "These are our trenches..." "the end with bodyguard gone" "Past here is Turkish army at Beersheba" "We're taking them on?" "We'll give ourselves a chance..." "We get the best regiment in the brigade" "Now we get to prove it" "Order to advance... ready by the front..." "march..." "Land of milk and honey..." "What the hell it took Myer and the Jews to come here 40 years ago?" "Well, they must have their reasons" "What do you think?" "Nobody can pass by exceptions" "Yeah" "We split by two..." "Now, let me get him..." "It's great" "*In Arab* Someone is chasing me... shoot him" "Son of a bitch" "*In Arab* Go after him... hurry up... retreat" "Jesus Christ... thigh gets hit" "Are you alright, Frank?" "Get the saddle off, Tas" "There's a group of Arabs up the peak valley, Serge" "Hey, cover us" "Come on, boys" "Your leg looks bad, Frank" "It holds, Tas" "The horse can never make its way back to the camp" "I'd better put it down here" "No, let me do it, please" "Frank..." "How's Frank, Walter?" "Oh, not too bad... he's gone to hospital" "FORWARD BASE CAMP, ABASAN" "I thought we could replace him by Rick Smith, is it okay?" "Can't afford, Walter" "You realize there're only 60 men left with Calgary?" "No, Sir" "I would like to split them up" "Oh, that'll be pathetic" "Yes, I agree" "I propose to put up reinforcement in Frank's section... you recruit" "They won't like that" "Too bloody bad..." "Tas... this is Dave Michel, Corporal" "Scotty Bolton" "Dave" "Philip Davis" "I let the boys show you the road safe" "Where are you from?" "Melbourne" "City boy?" "Not really..." "I'm from Preston near Southern where my Dad gets a dairy farm" "That makes all the difference" "You'd better put down your kit somewhere" "You can put in my place" "Frank's kit is in there" "Well, he won't need it for awhile" "Alright... till he gets back" "Suppose let's see how he rides with a horse" "Easy" "How long is it back, Sergeant?" "Three weeks... with the regiment" "Go on" "Not bad at all" "The trouble is the Turks don't stand still" "Neither do rabbits" "Scotty, you're Scotch, aren't you?" "No" "Then why they call you Scotty?" "Because I'm Irish" "What kind of work are you in?" "Engineer driver, steam engine" "And Tas and Chilla, what about them?" "We're all in the wood company..." "up in the west" "You're all good mates?" "Well, I was only there for awhile" "What do you think about the food?" "Fine" "You must get used to this suffrage" "Never expect fancy food in the army" "This is fancy food, son" "Get out there for bully bacon and biscuit" "What you have here you can hardly break without a shovel" "Nor can you boil the dirty Arab well water without wood" "This is real fancy" "Why don't you go and tell the cook Tas when we shall call it a day?" "It's not the point of letting anybody get the idea of beer and mosquito but gallop and shoot the medal" "I know that, Tas" "What do you know, a boy fresh from bloody school?" "What the hell do you know about war?" "I know it's going to be over 6 months" "You say as we thought?" "It's what my brother thought when he joined up" "We learned different, didn't he?" "Yeah, but he's dead" "I'll just go and ask the stable to keep an eye on my horse" "And I enjoyed the party for my first night" "So help me test that big mouth you deaf?" "How about now his brother was killed?" "So I don't want any kid thinking his step in Frank's place in this section" "*In Arab* Have pity on us and help us, Sir" "Children, piss off" "Keep your eyes on the horse" "I know, Sergeant" "Shall I get someone for your horse?" "No, I'm fine... thanks" "You don't want to go in with your mates?" "Not that well... it's just the same" "Just a couple of minutes, okay?" "Good day... where's fruit and flower?" "I've got you something better... a letter" "Must be from Joyce..." "but it's not her writing" "Who is it?" "Read it loud" "Go on, Tas" "It's sad to write..." "someone gets to tell you" "It's better than somebody else afterwards" "Joyce married 6 months ago..." "they moved to Jeron..." "And nobody said a word..." "Now well... better off without her, right?" "But what upsets me is... she still takes my pay-offs" "Well, boys... you're to go now" "Alright, sister..." "Good luck, Frank..." "good to see you back soon" "Yeah, it'll be..." "They're watching you..." "you're a free man now" "Can I get you anything, Corporal?" "No, sister... there's nothing I want" "You'd better give that letter a rest... don't worry that" "Missing home?" "A bit" "You're already lucky... most of us missed home hell of a lot long enough" "That's great" "I'll be missing you" "What's happening, Tas?" "The Turks got a railway up the east... we saw to it and planned to blow it up" "Are you saying the whole regiment to do that?" "They've sent two bloody divisions, son" "What'll we do?" "What we're bloody told..." "It's bloody Turkish cavalry" "How would you reckon?" "They've been up the scape hundreds of years, but you're the first stride" "Major Lawson, prepare A Troop for covering plan" "B Troop for dismounted frontal attack executed when C and D Troops are ready for mounted advance from the left flank" "After all, son... don't forget the safety catch" "Now, you just stick with me as close as you can" "Chilla is the best lighthorseman in the regiment, Dave" "You'll get him through and backup if you need me" "B Troop, fix blades..." "A Troop, repeat fire... fire..." "B Troop, charge..." "*In Arab* Retreat..." "Tas, how can we miss?" "To kill enemies is the bottom line" "There's no mercy in any warfare" "I can't wait to win the battle or it's a waste of time and lives for all of us" "Lads, I just received a bad news" "Frank died in Cairo yesterday" "Jesus, what happened?" "Well, the wound has turned complicated" "Taking a leak, it got worse..." "so they sent him to Cairo" "I know what you guys thought about it" "I'm truly sorry" "Thanks, Sir" "It could be a mistake, couldn't it?" "They made mistakes all the time" "I saw his eyes red when he read the letter" "My eyes just went out of it" "Bullshit... you're talking bullshit" "Why are you looking at me?" "What are you cleaning the rifle for?" "Shooting for rabbits?" "We lost a bloody best mate but find to get some gutless stupid" "It's been a long time with no death in the regiment" "I'm afraid we can't mobilize soon" "No another attack on Gaza?" "No, it's just not yet" "We'll step up patrol activities so as to make the Turks aware of our presence" "We're moving camp to Tel el Fara... then towards Beersheba" "Padre, what do you know about Beersheba?" "Oh, a very ancient settlement..." "thousand years old... when Christ first traveled but actually found by Abraham" "He dug a well there... it still exists today, Well of Abraham" "He swore some kind of a treaty with the rulers there..." "And so they called it Well of The Oath..." "Beersheba" "There's a lot of water, isn't it?" "FORWARD BASE CAMP, TEL EL FARA" "It seems like a nice place..." "good for base camp" "Dave" "Yes, Sir" "Has Tas returned from scouting yet?" "No, Sir" "It's a pity..." "looking for a change to see around the area by the wagon" "Somebody has to work on the horse" "Settle in right?" "Yes, Sir" "Tas is tough to live with sometimes... but he's a damn find soldier" "I know, Sir..." "I'm learning" "Fine... good work" "Air attack" "Get the horses... get the horses away... step up protecting the horses" "Dave, get the horses away first..." "come on, leave the rest aside" "Son of a bitch... filthy attack" "Watch out, it's coming back" "Hit it right..." "Hurry up, the plane is still after you" "Look out, it's coming back again" "Are you alright, son?" "I'm alright, Serge..." "sorry about the horses" "Sorry?" "Things would be different... if we're late about 10 minutes" "They're alive, thank you" "Dave, you'll work less on the horse... good on you, son" "Your elbow broke?" "Yeah, doctor has put some carbon on it..." "pretty burning" "Still looks good" "Hope it'll be" "Horses back alright?" "You know what?" "As soon as the plane left, Tas found the horses back to the line... stood there waiting to be hooked on" "No need to feel guilty... you've trained the horses really good" "Tell you what... when we arrive Beersheba let's have a smoke... something for entertainment or you'll become cripple someday" "It's too heavy for you?" "I'm okay, Scotty..." "it's only the saddle too heavy" "You can't even lift your saddle?" "What you think you're going?" "You're in the hospital, Alderich" "Alderich?" "The horses... they're alright?" "That's good" "Dave, it's wonderful to see you up" "Yeah, it's good" "You'll be back to the regiment soon" "I hope so" "You're not anxious to get back?" "No, I'm not anxious now..." "I'll miss you very much" "Thank you" "That's the way it seems to be here... but your going back is what's so important" "Yes, you'll... especially there..." "What's it, Dave?" "Out there... it's nothing" "Well, you know..." "I'm a wood cutter" "All past now... that's all..." "Same old life..." "Should be more than that... much more" "I miss home..." "Don't you trust me try to understand?" "You must understand... the Turks still in my sight, but I couldn't shoot" "I keep telling myself... just because I didn't mean it" "I didn't want to shoot a man in the back" "What's wrong with that?" "I wonder if I was making excuses... actually I won't be able to kill" "I saw a lot of soldiers feeling like that" "I don't know how many of them have the courage to confront their feelings" "Courage... funny sort of courage?" "I don't even have the nerves to ask you about that" "You should" "Really?" "Of course" "You know that... it's marvelous" "You'd get better first" "I'm better already" "You're still sick... you'll need rest for another two days" "Maybe it's only a laugh" "No, I know what I'm saying" "Hey, back off" "I'll write" "I'll write too" "I'll get back as soon as I can" "Dave" "Scotty" "I thought to bring a friend to meet you" "Thank you, you maybe right" "I gave it a bit of exercise" "I tried to ride as an urban boy so it couldn't think anything wrong" "Thanks, Scotty" "So give it back to you" "Padre, I want to make a personal reconnaissance towards Beersheba" "I need a horse leader a couple of days later" "Okay, I give you Dave Michel... he's just from hospital, duty free" "Michel?" "Good" "I'll collect my horse from the line..." "and report for a rifle" "Meet me at 09:00 hours" "Wondering about the rifle, son?" "Yes, Sir" "If we get close to the Turks the revolver won't be of any use" "We both will be in hell of trouble" "They're there, Sir" "There's a British officer with them... or someone wearing British uniform" "He's coming this way" "Get your horse to the well and come back here quickly" "Yes, Sir" "Now son, you listen to me..." "you cover that guy..." "If he makes any suspicious move..." "you shoot him, alright?" "Yes, Sir" "Colonel" "Major" "Friends of yours?" "Friends of ours, Colonel" "I didn't expect a British officer alone in this sector" "I would say the same, Sir" "But you see, Major, I'm not quite alone" "Where are you from?" "Headquarters" "Which headquarters?" "Cairo" "Of course, it would take a long time to check" "Yeah, I suppose it would" "Colonel, I would feel a good deal happier if that man wouldn't point that bloody thing at me" "You hand me your revolver and I'll see what to do about it" "Very slowly... and the lanyard, Major" "After you, Major" "Are you going to be in the firing squad aren't you?" "A joke, private... not a very good one I admit" "Ah, Colonel" "Thank you" "You've found what you're looking for?" "Possibly, the uniform is made by Egyptian tailor and the brand new papers are made up for a Major Minor Sergeant" "The name is Dutch, not German..." "as you so suspect" "If I was a German, would I use an non-English name?" "Everything is new because I was taught my way to Palestine" "I lost all my kit" "Very possible story, Major... but I'll check with headquarters in Cairo" "I'd rather hope you didn't mind for a very good reason which I can't discuss in front of unlisted man" "Thanks, Michel... good work, son" "Well?" "It's very embarrassing..." "I'm in charge of the intelligence for the new Commander-in-Chief, the man who is to replace Sir Bourchier Murray only at the moment when Sir Bourchier doesn't know he's being replaced" "So there's a new Commander-in-Chief?" "General Sir Edmund Aarong" "General Sir Edmund Aarong" "General Sir Edmund Aarong" "Lieutenant Colonel Burton" "Colonel" "My Second-in-Command Major Rankin, Sir" "Sir" "Major" "I believe you've already met Major Meinertzhagen" "We have, Sir" "Colonel" "Look at that bastard..." "typical bloody idiot English who only knows bloody camel" "Well kept, Colonel" "Our horses are in very good condition... perhaps what you said a fashion too good?" "Normally I would, Sir" "But the next day or so I'll take the whole regiment out of the country to Beersheba, so as to make sure the condition they've got" "Any garrisons?" "The Turkish cavalry lay ambush where our lighthorsemen patrol" "I'll take them on their own game" "Do you?" "What you have in mind?" "Road from Beersheba runs through here" "Each morning a large Turkish patrol passes the way to the border" "We hide out a troop by the road..." "and three troops on the ridge ass base" "Come on" "Let's go" "Cease fire" "Get him bastard" "Open fire" "Sergeant, six men to kill the wounded horses and bring in any still alive" "The rest of you cover the ridge" "Come on, Mitchel" "This one... check it" "I may help you" "*In Arab* I'll kill you" "What the hell happened?" "That I..." "Serge" "Help me get this one out of here" "He could hardly stand" "Let him lie down" "See what we can do..." "Poor bastard... he's down on the line" "Anything we can do?" "He has drained his own blood" "Halt" "Retreat" "Halt... dismount at your front" "Let's go" "AUSTRALIAN MOUNTED DIVISION REST CAMP, MARAKEB" "Ah, Colonel" "Major" "I must make the point, Sir" "This is a rest camp, but same military standard must be maintained" "Shorts mustn't be worn" "I'll make sure with my men... no shorts" "Morning, Major" "Come on" "We get to do something about it before it's too late for the kid" "The Turks come in anytime in the sideway easily getting himself killed" "Are you worried about Dave or yourself?" "Alright, yeah, I want to get back home" "So as Chilla" "So as you" "Why this kid gets linked with the section?" "He's a nice kid" "He gets guts all that, Jesus... but he's supposed to be a soldier" "He's gonna to kill a man" "If he can't do, it's pretty bad" "Piss off, Dave" "So, you're going to tell him?" "I know what you mean, Tas" "Sorry I let you down" "Oh, look, son..." "you didn't let anybody down" "But it's just..." "I don't know what to say" "You're not cut out to be a soldier" "You know that, don't you?" "I suppose I do... so important to me... my family... my brother..." "really want to be proud of me" "You get to believe one thing, Dave" "It isn't a matter of cowardness of being a real man" "I don't believe I could kill" "Nobody expects you to, Sir" "That's true... but if you transfer to the field ambulance that may suit you better" "Then nobody would expect you to kill would they?" "No" "You'll be unarmed... medical call doesn't allow to carry weapons" "Often people think about battle" "To do a better job takes a lot of guts" "If you like the idea, I can talk to Major Lawson" "First I've take this back to the armourer" "I can help do that" "Thanks, Tas" "If you need, just give us a yell" "I'll do that, Scotty" "You guys drop by in the field ambulance anytime" "Sure" "Alright" "Yeah" "Well, I'll be seeing you" "Take care of yourself, will you?" "Take care, Dave" "Dave" "I feel like getting piss" "Every time you get piss you hit somebody" "Alright, I'd already hit somebody" "It's a good thing, isn't it?" "I think it is" "Especially good for the kid practically we've saved his life" "Yeah, I suppose so" "Jesus, I'm sick of this bloody war" "What I want basically is very simple" "GENERAL ALLENBY'S HEADQUARTERS, KHAN YUNIS" "I want the Turks to think we're taking Gaza again" "Actually we'll strike the other end of the line" " Beersheba" "We'll try to break the lock so as to take off the inch" "But it must be a complete surprise and the town must fall in one day" "Otherwise our army will run out of water" "As you say so... basically it's simple" "I can arrange a certain document to fall into the hands of the Turks indicating the attack on Beersheba will be affected, a decoy by a small force designed to draw away the attention of the attack on Gaza" "That much is easy... making them believe the document is genuine that could be a trick" "I didn't write about this" "You're not sorry?" "Probably... that's great" "There're a lot of things to do in the regiment to be shared by others" "You know..." "I'm now very happy" "But you still think you've failed somehow" "I don't know, Anne" "I wonder what my family might be thinking..." "My friends back home..." "I wonder..." "Morning, Major" "Morning" "Well, I think there'll be no more firing squad for you?" "Right, Sir" "I'm looking for the matron" "Yeah... perhaps you could help me, nurse" "If I can, Sir" "Would you write your name for me?" "I don't understand, Sir" "No, of course, you don't" "Please" "Charming... thank you, nurse" "Thank you very much..." "I might see you later, then" "Trooper" "Strange man" "Who's he?" "Just an English officer" "If you want to ask more about bloody..." "I'm sorry" "You're still talking like a lighthorseman" "I'm still a lighthorseman" "Of course" "You see... even you do it" "So I thought like somebody else" "Dave, what other people say..." "or even think doesn't matter" "You know what you want to do and why you want to do it" "The address is 36 Balham... spelling B... a..." "I... h... a... m Gardens, London S.W." "dated August 21, 1917" "Now, begin..." "Dearest, I have wonderful news..." "No, you write the letter..." "Imagine you just had a baby" "You're writing to his father" "Don't think of me..." "Think of someone... someone you love" "I can't" "You can..." "I know you can" "You haven't seen him for many months" "You may never see him again" "He may never see his child" "Now, imagine that..." "and write what you feel..." "How I wish you're here now" "I'm longing for you as I have since you left me" "And I would love to show you our little baby son" "He's so good" "You mustn't worry about either of us" "I'm getting stronger everyday" "And the doctor says the baby couldn't be better" "I would have sent you a telegram" "Of course... you did" "Then I... no, that's he would have replied it would take about 3 days" "If it'd been you arriving here instead of the telegram how wonderful it would have been" "I look forward so very much to the day when we can hold our little son and be together for the rest of our lives in peace" "Goodbye, my darling... nurse said I mustn't tie myself by writing so much but I'll write a longer letter very soon" "Take care of yourself and please..." "please come back to us" "Your loving wife..." "Anne" "Baby sends his kiss to Daddy" "Charming... everything could be possible" "Thank you" "Anybody home?" "Nobody told you're coming" "No, you won't... all those harsh jobs you know... real paper stuff" "Sorts of things make lighthorsemen think the English intelligence officer like bunch of school boys playing wizard jakes on the enemies" "But this one is different" "It could open its way to Jerusalem" "What can I do?" "I need an escort out to Beersheba" "I'll be delighted" "No... not quite simple as that" "I need an unlisted man... a good man... a man who knows the country and could look after himself and me, of course" "But above all... a man who thinks English officers a bunch of idiots and can be relied on... to gossips" "I think we can arrange that" "We now get in enemy territory, Sir" "Yeah, I thought we would be" "You see..." "I don't have to get as far as I can" "May I ask why, Sir?" "Of course, you see... migratory birds a hobby of mine..." "I don't know much about migration habits of the stork in Palestine" "We see them fly north in the spring... but we don't see them fly south in the autumn" "Now, my theory is... there's a southerly route is further to the east" "Are we right now to see the stork fly in the south?" "Hopefully" "Look, Major... it's a bloody miracle" "We're running into a Turkish patrol area we'd better turn back, Sir" "It's really hostile territory, then" "Aren't you aware of that?" "I'll just rest my horse here for a moment and then we'll turn back" "You care for a sandwich?" "No, Sir..." "I just sit up here and keep an eye on you okay" "Easy boy..." "That's a good boy..." "Good boy..." "Major, there're men up there" "*In Arab* Enemies out there" "Major..." "Coming, Corporal, coming..." "*In Arab* They're going too far... stop chasing" "They've given up" "Major..." "*In Arab* They're firing at us..." "Major... for Christ sake" "Oh, dear..." "*In Arab* Let's get them... come on..." "let's go" "Leave them there" "Come on..." "let's go" "You're right... his papers make it clear" "TURKISH HEADQUARTERS, BEERSHEBA" "To the gates we make little defense at Beersheba to divert our attention of major offence against Gaza" "But this could be a trick" "Plenty information" "That's possible, Colonel Ismet..." "But this letter is from the officer's wife... it's speaking about the newborn baby... it's from the heart..." "not something deliberately part with" "Now General Kressenstein has made me responsible for all military operations in this sector and I take my military career on it, Colonel" "I accept that letter as accidental... therefore, the information is genuine" "Well, assume any attack on Beersheba is a mere decoy" "But I'll plant explosives at all the wells, ammunition dumps and railway stations" "If they capture Beersheba... they'll want a broken burning ruin" "Their army will end up here without water" "If this is a trick, they've set a gigantic trap for themselves" "The set date is October 31" "British Infantry will make marches against Beersheba and attack at dawn from the south and the west" "GENERAL CHAUVEL'S HEADQUARTERS, ABASAN" "The desert mount at call will circle around Beersheba and attack from the east... from the desert" "It's our responsibility to capture the town's well intact" "How can we carry enough water, Sir?" "You've asked the key question of the entire operation" "The answer is simple, gentlemen..." "we won't because every man has his water bottle... a quart" "There'll be nothing for the horses until we capture the wells of Beersheba" "They'll be 24-30 hours without a drink" "Sir, if we fail to take Beersheba in a day..." "We can't fail" "I know whole bloody bunch of orders again" "That's right... and 3 days'rations for each man and horse" "Keep drinking much, for Christ sake" "I wish I get an explanation for this" "Are you all ready, guys?" "Dave, you're moving out, too?" "Everybody is... something really big this time" "Yeah..." "Beersheba..." "Tas found out" "What the regiment will be doing?" "What we're told..." "Good luck, Scotty" "Oh, never wish Irishman good luck... come natural" "Good luck to yourself" "We'll have a beer when we get back" "What are you doing, Tas?" "Just a letter" "A letter?" "To wife?" "Yeah... haven't written for some time" "Jesus... a man can't write a bloody letter can he?" "Of course, yes" "Any word what we'll be doing?" "We'll be in bloody reserve, don't you know?" "Nobby, help me post this letter" "What can I do about it?" "Isn't it your duty, Nobby?" "Just keep it in your kit until it's sent over, ok" "I'll take it, Tas" "Good luck, Chilla, thanks" "It'll be a silent march... no talking once we're moving" "Settle up, boys" "Settle up" "Yeah" "We haven't had any water yet" "We can't wait, Scotty" "Z" " DAY, OCTOBER 31, 1917" "Pretty sharp, they arrive on time" "I just worry about the wells" "We move to cover down there" "*In Arab* Take your positions... hurry up" "How many cavalry?" "Are you certain of that?" "Alright, keep me advised" "There's at least a division of cavalry on eastern flank as well as a large infantry force to the north" "Your men have been deceived, Colonel" "The cavalry division, men and horses in constant movement are making dust" "They're nothing more than large patrols" "Their main attack will fall in Gaza" "We mustn't be tricked thinking otherwise" "Sergeant Major" "Yes, Sir" "Dismount your men to rest and smoke for 20 minutes" "The remainder in readiness for immediate movement" "The infantry are again in control of southern front, Sir" "Yeah, they've done well" "The enemies have been in defensive positions for tens of thousand years and we've to take it in one day across the open blank" "They're the New Zealanders, Sir" "*In Arab*Set your target... wait until they dismount and fire by order" "Another message from Von Kressenstein refusing reinforcements or permission to evacuate and insisting that only two brigades of cavalry are involved in the attack" "Ha, they've bought it... they bought it" "Well done" "Now it's up to Chauvel" "They're yet to take hell of the place" "I'd rather get shot than being kept in this bloody valley" "Cigarettes easily make you thirsty..." "don't smoke too much" "When we'll get the water?" "Beersheba, mate" "That's what I thought" "Don't you feel bloody thirsty?" "What, guys?" "Thirsty?" "Do you still feel bad this one?" "I don't know" "I do feel they moved too slow" "Bloody sad" "How long we'll get the water enough for the whole company?" "About 12 hours" "Already 2 days the horses haven't got a drink" "You want this?" "We share it... come on" "So now we both don't have any water" "Less than 2 hours it'll be sunset..." "I would like to meet General Hodgson and his commanding officers" "Yes, Sir" "Colonel, hello" "Well, Captain" "Area garrisons confirmed we've been under attack by 2 to 3 divisions of cavalry and an infantry company... 50 thousand of men and I'm holding Beersheba with 4,000" "I expected reinforcements from General Kressenstein in Gaza..." "Yes..." "They're taking Beersheba, Sir" "Hold the remaining reserves to eastern trenches... all division enginners to destroy the water wells and storages" "With due respect, Colonel, this is against the orders from General Kressenstein..." "That's true, Captain... the General still believes we're being attacked by patrols" "Alright, the wells are responsibility of your esteemed countrymen and yourself" "As you're well aware, our advance to Beersheba has been seriously delayed" "Qualifications of unknown strength still face us across the plain of some 3 miles and the sun set in one hour, by which time some of our horses will be without water for 48 hours..." "Unless we take the wells of Beersheba intact, we'll face a military disaster" "Any views?" "Sir..." "Yes, Grant?" "I believe my brigade can take the town and give a free hand" "I must know what you propose" "We'll take charge against the eastern defenses..." "I have two regiments, No. 4 and No. 12..." "General Chauvel... to take charge command surely must be my cavalry with mounted swords..." "Grant's are mounted infantry" "I'll discuss this with General Hodgson... obviously in mind to that effect" "Shall we?" "60 thousand men have failed to take this town in 12 hours..." "How 800 lighthorsemen can possibly succeed in less than one hour?" "You don't believe they can do it?" "Nobody will be tempted to take cavalry charge against trenched infantry supported by machine guns and artillery" "It's unheard of, Sir" "Do you see any alternative in the time available?" "Unless we're..." "Very well, let Grant go ahead with it" "Don..." "I want you to command the reserve squads and bring up machine guns as support" "Bill... you lead both regiments and in charge..." "Yes, Sir" "Finally, form up the charge..." "and approach under cover" "Form up in column approach..." "Hello..." "Form up in column approach..." "What's going on?" "Better to find out, mate" "Form up in column approach... 20 minutes to sunset..." "It's Grant, Sir" "Charge and form up behind that ridge..." "Yes, Sir" "Ready to march by the flag..." "Form squad in line in standard..." "What we're supposed to do, pal?" "Clay, what's going on?" "We charge Beersheba, mate" "Jesus Christ" "Sir Henry..." "I must re-iterate my opposition to this maneuver..." "You have..." "Good luck, gentlemen" "British cavalry advance by the eastern flank..." "They're not cavalry..." "they're Australian Lighthorse" "Load... wait until they dismount..." "and fire by order" "3,000 meters..." "*In Arab* Set your target..." "Australian Lighthorses advance eastern offences... they seem to be deployed to charge" "They won't charge" "2,600 meters..." "Charge... 2,500 meters..." "Fire..." "Shit... 2,400 meters..." "Hey, how can they shoot at us?" "The Turks are selling their bloody bombs..." "Tas... 2,300 meters..." "Under 2,100 meters, we can't do it" "Fire..." "They're under the guns" "Cease fire... withdraw the guns..." "Hold on guard your engines..." "*In Arab* Put on defense... wait for orders" "Set your sight at 1,600 meters..." "Hold it, mate..." "let me check" "Come on, Dave..." "what's the matter with you?" "Stop it... 1,600 meters..." "Fire... 400 meters..." "Hold... hold your position" "100 meters..." "Dismount..." "Beware of the grenade..." "Colonel, what's happening?" "Your clever illusion has breached Beersheba..." "What are you doing?" "Only the same thing..." "I'm surviving..." "Damn you to hell..." "Blow up the wells..." "The demolition officer isn't here, Sir ...only he has the demolition coding" "Then blow up everything you can..." "What has happened?" "The artillery fire..." "it must have broken the wires..." "Get out and repair them" "Yes, Sir" "Give him a hand" "Hey, Dave, here" "Put the guns down..." "Watch out... it's grenade..." "Chilla..." "On your knees..." "You Turks..." "Guys, stop that wagon..." "Dave, will you get me back to Australia?" "I reckon it will, mate" "It's a fair... and animal game" "Dave... no..." "Dave..." "I'll try to..." "Stretcher here... stretcher, help..." "Can you hold them for me?" "Yeah... all hands up, men..." "put the guns away" "Stop where you're..." "I don't know if you can understand me..." "I'll be very appreciated if you give me the chance to blow your head apart" "Oh, it's me" "Get him out of here" "What are you trying to say?" "The British demonstration against Gaza..." "They're not a demonstration..." "they're an attack" "They stopped when Beersheba was captured" "Leave them at the stable for water" "Sir, we only lost 39 boys... really ridiculous" "You should be one of those" "Hey, Arch... did you see the field ambulance guys?" "They're all in the valley" "Have any in mind?" "Yeah" "They've got a lot" "How bad?" "Pretty bad" "Excuse me, Sir" "Is trooper Michel on this convoy?" "I remember the name... but we lost the list, sorry" "Anne..." "What does it say?" "Please tell me" "It says we're not going to lose you" "The Lighthorseman and the Australian nurse, on whom Dave and Anne were based, married two years later and lived until 1974" "Six..." "G.O.C., W.F.G.O.C... many to call it a super victory which accomplishes a marvelous process..." "It opens the wells to Gaza and Jerusalem..." "Colonel Richard Meinertzhagen C.B.E., D.S.O., became a world expert on birds of the Middle East and a champion of Zionism" "He died in 1967" "Brigadier General Sir Murray William Bourchier, C.M.G., D.S.O." "died in 1937 after a successful political career" "Trooper Sloan Bolton, D.C.M., was seriously wounded the following year" "He returned to Australia and eventually became a champion cattle breeder" "He died in 1947" "No horses were killed or injured during the making of this film"