The British plan for Gaza required the ANZAC Mounted Division to circle around by night and block Turkish reinforcements getting to the town.
On 26 March at 02:30, the brigade left camp in a heavy fog and crossed the Wadi Ghuzze two miles (3.2 km) south-east of Gaza.
They soon reached their positions with the brigade, between the 2nd Light Horse and 22nd Mounted Brigades, and waited for the infantry divisions to assault the town.
At 14:00, as the infantry were having problems, the brigade were ordered to attack.
The regiment galloped towards the town, with the Wellington Mounted Rifles on their right and the Auckland Mounted Rifles in reserve.
Once there, the regiment moved south along a ridge and attacked the garrison at Ali Muntar.
This hilltop could command the approaches into Gaza.
They soon captured the outlying Turkish trenches, forcing the defenders back towards the town.
At 18:40 the 10th Squadron reached the hill top at the same time as the 53rd (Welsh) Division, who had been trying all day to take the position from the other side.
Despite having captured a commanding position, both the regiment and the infantry division were ordered to withdraw.
Turkish reinforcements had been reported en route, and the overall commander did not believe they could hold what they had captured.
The regiment retired back the way they had come, and reached Belah just after midnight the next day.
Casualties for the day were one dead and six wounded.
The British plan for Gaza required the ANZAC Mounted Division to circle around by night and block Turkish reinforcements getting to the town. On 26 March at 02:30, the brigade left camp in a heavy fog and crossed the Wadi Ghuzze two miles (3.2 km) south-east of Gaza. They soon reached their positions with the brigade, between the 2nd Light Horse and 22nd Mounted Brigades, and waited for the infantry divisions to assault the town. At 14:00, as the infantry were having problems, the brigade were ordered to attack. The regiment galloped towards the town, with the Wellington Mounted Rifles on their right and the Auckland Mounted Rifles in reserve. Once there, the regiment moved south along a ridge and attacked the garrison at Ali Muntar. This hilltop could command the approaches into Gaza. They soon captured the outlying Turkish trenches, forcing the defenders back towards the town. At 18:40 the 10th Squadron reached the hill top at the same time as the 53rd (Welsh) Division, who had been trying all day to take the position from the other side. Despite having captured a commanding position, both the regiment and the infantry division were ordered to withdraw. Turkish reinforcements had been reported en route, and the overall commander did not believe they could hold what they had captured. The regiment retired back the way they had come, and reached Belah just after midnight the next day. Casualties for the day were one dead and six wounded.
Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment