Rumani
In 1916, the Turkish Empire stretched through Syria and Palestine almost to the shores of the Suez Canal. This battle was where the Turkish thrust to take the Canal and deny the Allies the support of their colonies in South, East Asia, and Australasia was blunted.
Part of the Australian War Memorial Diorama on Rumani
It shows the tactic of the horseholder with horses in rear of a defensive
location, then the
troops using that mobility to relocate
Rumani was a high range of sand dunes with scattered oases and palm trees, in Siani about 35 kilometres from the Suez Canal near the Mediterranean Sea coast.
The 15th Light Horse was not formed until July 1918 when the Imperial Camel Brigade was disbanded. The Australians who had served in it were formed into the 14th and 15th Light Horse AIF (Australian Imperial Force). Honours for battles fought by the Camel Brigade were attributed to these Regiments.
Taking place in July and August 1916 Rumani was one of the battles in which these Australian members of the Imperial Camel Brigade fought. We do not have details of the exact part played. However, the battle was one of mobile defence where mobile allied forces were manoeuvered to blunt the Turkish attacks. Attacks delivered with great ferocity. The mobile allied forces attacked with equal ferocity on occasion, but primarily defended. As was the case with the tactics and forces involved, attacks stalled and defenders won.
The Turkish advance on the Suez Canal had been successfully halted.
J Howells 2000
PV Vernon Royal New South Wales Lancers 1885–1985 Parramatta 1985
