The desert column’s victory at Rafa was one of the finest achievements in Egypt during the war. By a swift 30-mile night march across country the mounted troops got within striking distance while the enemy slept. The boldness of their attack on the elaborate system of defences prepared by the Turks enabled them, at the end of an all-day battle, to overwhelm the Turks and Germans, whose hopes were fortified by the knowledge that large reinforcements were within three miles. The fight more nearly resembled the battles of a generation ago than anything seen in this war. Many phases of the action could be witnessed from one spot. Mounted men were seen galloping into action within comparatively short rifle range, and the artillery had targets which could be seen over the gun sights. The fighting was watched by many Bedouin, some of whom actually tended their herds between our firing line and the enemy trenches, either ignorant of their peril or submitting their fate to Allah.
There was a freshness in the scene for our troops, whose eyes, long used to the desert glare, welcomed the rolling green cultivated country round Rafa. While the garrison were surprised by our appearance, they were not unprepared. Several lines of entrenchments, six redoubts, and many rifle pits had been constructed.
At sunset the 8th Australian and New Zealand Mounted Division, the Imperial Camel Corps, Yeomanry and Territorial horse batteries marched eastwards, the horsemen taking a cross-country route, the guns and other wheeled traffic a brushwood road made by the Turks. For about 10 miles there was heavy going in soft sand, then the ground became harder and progress was so good that a halt of a couple of hours was made during the night.
The New Zealanders made an enveloping movement to attack Rafa from the east. The Australian Light Horse moved from the south-east, the Camel Corps from the south. A dismounted attack began an hour later. The New Zealanders moved very quickly over grassy ridges direct on Rafa, which, lightly held, was immediately taken. The rapid taking of the town was a valuable part of the day’s work. It enabled the New Zealanders to get behind the enemy position and sorely troubled him for the remainder of the day.