by the recent rains
and it was very doubtful whether they were occupied or not. On the shore
there was a post just at the enemy's end of the ford. There was also a
large work in a sand ridge about 1000 yards beyond the river, and here
individuals could be seen working daily. Beyond this again, Tel er
Rekkit, a prominent sand hill, appeared to be strongly held, and there
were innumerable small trenches covering it. Farther inland the enemy
occupied Shiek Muannis, a prominent village which commanded the whole
river.

The problem was how to get at the enemy. To find out his exact
dispositions and strength was a matter of considerable difficulty, as
most of our reconnaissance had to be done from our own side of the
river. Colonel Anderson of 6th H.L.I., accompanied by Lieut. Hills, swam
across the river at the mouth, located the ford, and brought back
valuable information about its practicability, but beyond this our
information was confined to what we could see for ourselves, and what
our aeroplanes brought back. It was sufficient, however, to let us judge
that, provided we could land a sufficient force on the other bank, we
could give a very good account of ourselves.

The plan of operations was one of the most complicated we have ever had
the pleasure of carrying through. At 8 p.m. on the night fixed for the
operations, the 7th H.L.I. was to cross the river at Mawson's Post,
first on rafts, and as soon as a bridge could be constructed, on it.
This crossing, which was about 1000 yards from the mouth of the river,
would land them in the marshy ground which it was hoped was not held,
and here the Battalion was to assemble. So soon as it was ready, one
company was to move down the river to the ford and drive the enemy out
of his post there. The remaining companies were to advance on the large
work about 1000 yards from the river and capture and consolidate it.
Meanwhile the other two brigades of the Division were to cross the Auja
higher up, and occupy Shiek Muannis and the ground round Khurbet Hadra.
The operation was to be covered by a barrage from the time the troops
started to advance from the far side of the river, but the actual
crossing was to be carried out in absolute silence. At 12.10 a.m., by
which time all the first objectives were to be in our hands, the 6th
H.L.I. and the 5th A. &. S.H. were to cross the ford, and advancing
along the shore, taking all the Turkish positions on the way, to take
Tel er Rekkit.