Page 11 - Chiron Issue 2 2014

each of the four Brigades, and were under overall command of the Divisional APM.
The Brigade detachments were responsible for:
• Regulation of traffic and watering horses and camels,
• Management of discipline in the Brigade area,
• Keeping constant watch for suspicious looking natives and doing their utmost to prevent espionage by acting on the principle ‘that it is better to arrest a number of innocent men on suspicion that all allow one genuine enemy agent to escape’.
• Taking charge of all PW as soon as possible after capture and escorting them to DIV HQ.
Perhaps the most famous action in this theatre of operations was the charge of the Light Horse at Beersheba. The ANZAC Provost Corps Field Troop played their part in this famous action.
‘On 30 October 1917, at 0900 hours, the MP patrol on the watering area was reduced to one man. The rest were on roads and the regulation of traffic. At 1800 hours, the ANZAC Mounted Division now completely assembled, moved out and travelled all night in the direction of Beersheba. They
arrived in Kashim Zanna shortly after daylight and there went into action which culminated in the fall of Beersheba the same evening. During the battle, the MMP were employed in conducting parties to water and directing stragglers. At 1530 a party of PW was received at DIV HQ with a convoy of captured bullock wagons. These were checked and searched and handed over to the APM Desert Mounted Corps . DIV HQ came under shellfire and it was found necessary to hurry through the check and move the convoy back under cover as quickly as possible. At dusk, hostile aircraft attacked the 1st Light Horse Transport Column which was drawn up in close formation ready to move off. Casualties were very heavy and the APM and MMP were employed for some hours in assisting the wounded men and destroying wounded horses.’
The number of POW increased as the Australians advanced through Palestine. The APM of the ANZAC Mounted Division reported on the 21st September 1918, “word was received from Divisional HQ to establish a POW compound at X17C. On the road we met a convoy of 7000 prisoners. The town of Jenin is in a fearful state, arms, equipment and transport were everywhere. Bedouins looting”
A week later, 2Lt Sanders and three MMP went back five miles to Judeide and established a POW compound. 10,000 prisoners marched in making a Divisional total of 15,000
From its beginnings in Egypt in March 1916, the ANZAC Provost Corps distinguished itself in various theatres during WW1. Of the 42 members killed, 13 died in Egypt. Four Military Medals (MM) were awarded and one was Mentioned In Dispatches (MID) twice.
By the end of the War, Australian Military Police had served in all theaters and locations where Australian troops were deployed and acquitted themselves well in battle, proving the worth and expertise that the Corps can provide. The Corps was disbanded in 1920 along with the AIF in 1921.
The lack of understanding and the fact that Military Police have to undertake duties such as preventing drunkenness and ill-discipline often put them off side with other Light Horsemen, who after action thought it quite right to have a good time away from the front. As seen however the MMP saw just as much action as anyone else. They were in fact reading many extracts including the one below were some of the best men in the Corps.
104 Millitary Working Dog Squadron at Armed Forces Day Stirling
By Pte Bryce
Members of 104 Millitary Working Dog Squadron (104 MWD Sqn) were recently invited to represent 1st Millitary Working Dog Regiment at the sixth annual Armed Forces Day National Event held in Stirling, Scotland. The team was a small part of the Tri-Service event which included displays by the Red Arrows, Royal Marines and the Parachute Regiment’s Red Devils display team.
A large number of VIP guests, including the Prime Minister and our very own Commander and Chief HRH Princess Anne, attended the day of military demonstrations.
The day started with the sun shining, and as expected the Regiment’s stand attracted crowds in their thousands, as members of the public were intrigued by the Military Working Dogs (MWD), and were interested to find out more about our role within the British Army. Children and adults enjoyed trying on the bathing suits, and watching the small displays that the team performed at the stand.
The day progressed quickly, and as it did the sun disappeared leaving a sky covered in clouds. At 1400 hrs handlers and their dogs took to the main arena to show off the MWDs capability in front of crowds in their thousands. The display began with a Vehicle Search (VS) demonstration by Pte Korre and his VS dog MWD Carla. We then invited two children from the crowd to lay a number of bumpers out for an IE3D (Improvised Explosive Device Detection Dog) display where two dogs raced each other to retrieve all of the bumpers. Pte Bryce and MWD Anne managed to beat Pte Williams and MWD Izzy to the finish line in a race full of sabotage and excitement for the crowd. The display then ended with a dog agility competition with the winner being voted for by the audience. First up was Pte Korre with MWD Carla, an excellent demonstration with Carla responding well to the handler and successfully negotiating all
obstacles. Next up was Pte Bryce and MWD Anne, another great display with MWD Anne successfully tackling all obstacles. Last up was Pte Williams and MWD Izzy, the pressure was on and all was going well for the pair until the last obstacle, when MWD Izzy refused to jump over the 4ft fence, and decided that going around the fence was a much more sensible option! Pte Williams gave it a second attempt, and MWD Izzy again refused to go over the fence, much to the delight of the crowd and the other two handlers.
As the demonstration came to an end, the rain came down and continued for the rest of the day. This saw the crowds disperse from the event, leaving only the brave and committed remaining. The team continued to promote the Regiment at the stand until the doors closed at 1700 hrs.
It was then back to the Kennels to dry off the dogs, and give them a well earned dinner.
(From Left) Pte Bryce and MWD Anne, Pte Korre and MWD Carla, Pte Williams and MWD Izzy.
Chiron Calling 11