and north-east. As soon as the
enemy's resistance shows signs of weakening the G.O.C.
Desert Mounted Corps will be prepared to act with the utmost
vigour against his retreating troops so as to prevent their
escape, or at least to drive them well beyond the high ground
immediately overlooking the town from the north. He
will also be prepared to push troops rapidly into Beersheba
in order to protect from danger any wells and plant connected
with the water supply not damaged by the enemy before
Beersheba is entered.

The Yeomanry Mounted Division will pass from the
command of the G.O.C. XXth Corps at five on Zero day
and will come directly under General Headquarters as part
of the general reserve in the hands of the Commander-in-Chief.

When Beersheba has been taken the G.O.C. XXth Corps
will push forward covering troops to the high ground north
of the town to protect it from any counter movement on
the part of the enemy. He will also put in hand the restoration
of the water supply in Beersheba. The G.O.C. Desert
Mounted Corps will be responsible for the protection of
the town from the north-east and east.

As soon as possible after the taking of Beersheba the
G.O.C. Desert Mounted Corps will report to G.H.Q. on the
water supplies in the wells and wadis east of Beersheba and
especially along the wadi Saba and the Beersheba-Tel-el-Nulah
road. If insufficient water is found to exist in this
area G.O.C. Desert Mounted Corps will send back such of
his troops as may be necessary to watering places from which
he started or which may be found in the country east of
the Khalasa-Beersheba road during the operations.

A preliminary survey having been made, the G.O.C. XXth
Corps will report by wire to G.H.Q. on the condition of the
wells and water supply generally in Beersheba and on any
water supplies found west and north-west of that place.
He will telegraph an estimate as soon as it can be made
of the time required to place the Beersheba water supply
in working order.

When the situation as regards water at Beersheba has
become clear so that the movement of XXth Corps and
Desert Mounted Corps against the left flank of the enemy's
main position can be arranged, the G.O.C. XXIst Corps
will be ordered to attack the enemy's defences south-west
of Gaza in time for this operation to be carried out prior
to the attack of XXth Corps on the Ka