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AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE

Israel could only be freed from 400 years of Ottoman Turk rule by the liberation of Jerusalem. With the introduction of the British General, Sir George Allenby, and his confidence in his Australian Officer in Charge, Lt.-General Harry Chauvel, a change in history was to occur.

Unknown to the Light Horsemen, through their efforts God was to use them as a major part of His promise - the return of the Land of Israel to His people. After many hard fought battles, it was realised that the Turkish line at Beersheba was the gateway to Jerusalem.

On 31 October 1917 800 fresh-faced Australian Light Horsemen launched an amazing cavalry charge on Beersheba. It was Brigadier William Grant of the Australian 4th Light Horse who volunteered these words to Sir General Harry Chauvel, "I believe we can take this town!"

Next day the British Commanding General remarked as he walked over the ground where the charge had taken place, "Words fail me, I cannot see how these horsemen were able to achieve what they did. Every rule of war says they should have been annihilated!"

Australia, the youngest nation in the world, was a vital key in opening the gateway to the ancient city of Jerusalem. On the same day as the Beersheba charge, the British Government drafted the Balfour Declaration, which was the foundation for the recognition of the State of Israel.

The Australian Light Horse were the first to ride into Jerusalem, being the honour guard to the British General Allenby at the Tower of David. This was the first foreign army in the history of Israel to take Jerusalem only to give it back, giving freedom to the Jewish people, and not taking it for themselves.

To read more, and to gain further helpful insights, click on the following links:

The Light Horse Charge at Beersheba
(from the official website of The Australian Light Horse Association Ltd)

"Bonded by History"
(valuable essay from Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council)