|
The Story of the
Australian Light Horse and Lawrence of Arabia
(now in
third reprinting since publication in March 2002)
In 1918, 12,000
Australian Light Horsemen advanced across the Middle East, covering
nearly 450 miles of treacherous desert and mountains. After twelve
days the Great Ride climaxed in the taking of the fabled city of
Damascus. The Ride was praised by the Allies' Chief of Staff Earl
Wavell as 'The greatest exploit in the history of horsed
cavalry…'.
Few people today have
heard of the Great Ride, let alone remember it as the last triumph
using massed cavalry. What most people remember is Lawrence of
Arabia's version - that it was this romanticised figure who
virtually single-handed led the Arab troops to victory and took
Damascus in the name and authority of Arab army chief Prince Feisal.
The truth is different.
Jill Hamilton tells
how Damascus was defended by the same Turkish general who had
blocked the Australians at Gallipoli in 1915, and how for many of
the troops, the taking of Damascus was a 'getting even' for that
defeat. She describes the courage, endurance and mateship that made
the desert crossing possible, and pays homage to the deep and
important bond between horse and rider that enabled so many men and
animals to survive.
Read
the prologue and chapters one and two of
First to Damascus
|
 First
to Damascus
The Story of the
Australian Light Horse and Lawrence of Arabia (now in
third reprinting since publication in March 2002)
$A29.95 |
