I accept that letter as accidental...
therefore, the information is genuine
Well, assume any attack on Beersheba is a mere decoy
But I'll plant explosives at all the wells, ammunition dumps
and railway stations
If they capture Beersheba...
they'll want a broken burning ruin
Their army will end up here without water
If this is a trick, they've set a gigantic trap for themselves
The set date is October 31
British Infantry will make marches against Beersheba and attack at dawn
from the south and the west
GENERAL CHAUVEL'S HEADQUARTERS, ABASAN
The desert mount at call will circle around Beersheba and attack
from the east... from the desert
It's our responsibility to capture the town's well intact
How can we carry enough water, Sir?
You've asked the key question of the entire operation
The answer is simple, gentlemen... we won't because every man
has his water bottle... a quart
There'll be nothing for the horses until we capture the wells of Beersheba
They'll be 24-30 hours without a drink
Sir, if we fail to take Beersheba in a day...
We can't fail
I know whole bloody bunch of orders again
That's right... and 3 days' rations for each man and horse
Keep drinking much, for Christ sake
I wish I get an explanation for this
Are you all ready, guys?
Dave, you're moving out, too?
Everybody is... something really big this time
Yeah... Beersheba... Tas found out
What the regiment will be doing?
What we're told...
Good luck, Scotty
Oh, never wish Irishman good luck... come natural
Good luck to yourself
We'll have a beer when we get back
What are you doing, Tas?
Just a letter
A letter?
To wife?
Yeah... haven't written for some time
Jesus... a man can't write a bloody letter can he?
Of course, yes
Any word what we'll be doing?
We'll be in bloody reserve, don't you know?
Nobby, help me post this letter
What can I do about it?
Isn't it your duty, Nobby?
Just keep it in your kit until it's sent over, ok
I'll take it, Tas
Good luck, Chilla, thanks
It'll be a silent march...
no talking once we're moving
Settle up, boys
Settle up
Yeah
We haven't had any water yet
We can't wait, Scotty
Z-DAY, OCTOBER 31, 1917
Pretty sharp, they arrive on time
I just worry about the wells
We move to cover down there
(In Arab)Take your positions... hurry up
How many cavalry?
Are you certain of that?
Alright, keep me advised
There's at least a division of cavalry on eastern flank
as well as a large infantry force to the north
Your men have been deceived, Colonel
The cavalry division, men and horses in constant movement are making dust
They're nothing more than large patrols
Their main attack will fall in Gaza
We mustn't be tricked thinking otherwise
Sergeant Major
Yes, Sir
Dismount your men to rest and smoke for 20 minutes
The remainder in readiness for immediate movement
The infantry are again in control of southern front, Sir
Yeah, they've done well
The enemies have been in defensive positions for tens of thousand years
and we've to take it in one day across the open blank
They're the New Zealanders, Sir
(In Arab)Set your target... wait until they dismount and fire by order
Another message from Von Kressenstein
refusing reinforcements or permission to evacuate
and insisting that only two brigades of cavalry are involved in the attack
Ha, they've bought it... they bought it
Well done
Now it's up to Chauvel
They're yet to take hell of the place
I'd rather get shot than being kept in this bloody valley
Cigarettes easily make you thirsty... don't smoke too much
When we'll get the water?
Beersheba, mate
That's what I thought
Don't you feel bloody thirsty?
What, guys?
Thirsty?
Do you still feel bad this one?
I don't know
I do feel they moved too slow
Bloody sad
How long we'll get the water enough for the whole company?
About 12 hours
Already 2 days the horses haven't got a drink
You want this?
We share it... come on
So now we both don't have any water
Less than 2 hours it'll be sunset...
I would like to meet General Hodgson and his commanding officers
Yes, Sir
Colonel, hello
Well, Captain
Area garrisons confirmed we've been under attack by 2 to 3 divisions
of cavalry and an infantry company...
50 thousand of men and I'm holding Beersheba with 4,000
I expected reinforcements from General Kressenstein in Gaza...
Yes...
They're taking Beersheba, Sir
Hold the remaining reserves to eastern trenches...
all division engineers to destroy the water wells and storages
With due respect, Colonel, this is against the orders from General Kressenstein...
That's true, Captain... the General still believes we're being attacked by patrols
Alright, the wells are responsibility of your esteemed countrymen and yourself
As you're well aware, our advance to Beersheba
has been seriously delayed
Qualifications of unknown strength still face us across the plain of
some 3 miles and the sun set in one hour, by which time some of our horses
will be without water for 48 hours...
Unless we take the wells of Beersheba intact,
we'll face a military disaster
Any views?
Sir...
Yes, Grant?
I believe my brigade can take the town and give a free hand
I must know what you propose
We'll take charge against the eastern defenses...
I have two regiments, No.4 and No.12...
General Chauvel... to take charge command surely must be my cavalry with
mounted swords...
Grant's are mounted infantry
I'll discuss this with General Hodgson...
obviously in mind to that effect
Shall we?
60 thousand men have failed to take this town in 12 hours...
How 800 lighthorsemen can possibly succeed in less than one hour?
You don't believe they can do it?
Nobody will be tempted to take cavalry charge against trenched infantry
supported by machine guns and artillery
It's unheard of, Sir
Do you see any alternative in the time available?
Unless we're...
Very well, let Grant go ahead with it
Don... I want you to command the reserve squads and bring up machine guns as support
Bill... you lead both regiments and in charge...
Yes, Sir
Finally, form up the charge... and approach under cover
Form up in column approach...
Hello...
Form up in column approach... What's going on?
Better to find out, mate
Form up in column approach...
20 minutes to sunset...
It's Grant, Sir
Charge and form up behind that ridge...
Yes, Sir
Ready to march by the flag...
Form squad in line in standard...
What we're supposed to do, pal?
Clay, what's going on?
We charge Beersheba, mate
Jesus Christ
Sir Henry... I must re-iterate
my opposition to this maneuver...
You have...
Good luck, gentlemen
British cavalry advance by the eastern flank...
They're not cavalry... they're Australian Lighthorse
Load... wait until they dismount... and fire by order
3,000 meters...
(In Arab)Set your target...
Australian Lighthorses advance eastern offences...
they seem to be deployed to charge
They won't charge
2,600 meters...
Charge...
2,500 meters...
Fire...
Shit...
2,400 meters...
Hey, how can they shoot at us?
The Turks are selling their bloody bombs...
Tas...
2,300 meters...
Under 2,100 meters, we can't do it
Fire...
They're under the guns
Cease fire... withdraw the guns...
Hold on guard your engines...
(In Arab)Put on defense... wait for orders
Set your sight at 1,600 meters...
Hold it, mate... let me check
Come on, Dave... what's the matter with you?
Stop it...
1,600 meters...
Fire...
400 meters...
Hold... hold your position
100 meters...
Dismount...
Beware of the grenade...
Colonel, what's happening?
Your clever illusion has breached Beersheba...
What are you doing?
Only the same thing... I'm surviving...
Damn you to hell...
Blow up the wells...
The demolition officer isn't here, Sir
...only he has the demolition coding
Then blow up everything you can...
What has happened?
The artillery fire... it must have broken the wires...
Get out and repair them
Yes, Sir
Give him a hand
Hey, Dave, here
Put the guns down...
Watch out... it's grenade...
Chilla...
On your knees...
You Turks...
Guys, stop that wagon...
Dave, will you get me back to Australia?
I reckon it will, mate
It's a fair... and animal game
Dave... no...
Dave... I'll try to...
Stretcher here... stretcher, help...
Can you hold them for me?
Yeah... all hands up, men... put the guns away
Stop where you're...
I don't know if you can understand me...
I'll be very appreciated if you give me the chance to blow your head apart
Oh, it's me
Get him out of here
What are you trying to say?
The British demonstration against Gaza...
They're not a demonstration... they're an attack
They stopped when Beersheba was captured
Leave them at the stable for water
Sir, we only lost 39 boys...
really ridiculous
You should be one of those
Hey, Arch... did you see the field ambulance guys?
They're all in the valley
Have any in mind?
Yeah
They've got a lot
How bad?
Pretty bad
Excuse me, Sir
Is trooper Michel on this convoy?
I remember the name...
but we lost the list, sorry
Anne...
What does it say?
Please tell me
It says we're not going to lose you
The Lighthorseman and the Australian nurse, on whom Dave and Anne
were based, married two years later and lived until 1974
Six... G.O.C., W.F.G.O.C... many to call it
a super victory which accomplishes a marvelous process...
It opens the wells to Gaza and Jerusalem...
Colonel Richard Meinertzhagen C.B.E., D.S.O., became a world expert
on birds of the Middle East and a champion of Zionism
He died in 1967
Brigadier General Sir Murray William Bourchier, C.M.G., D.S.O.
died in 1937 after a successful political career
Trooper Sloan Bolton, D.C.M., was seriously wounded the following year
He returned to Australia and eventually became a champion cattle breeder
He died in 1947
No horses were killed or injured
during the making of this film