ENPages That Mention Al Mahsamah al Qadimah, Egypt
Allsop Diary
Page 30
March 1916
27 Monday
Dinner at Kassassin scene of old battle Roused out at 4am. Started at 6am in heavy fog and marched to Mehsamah 16 miles. Numbers dropped out. 14th Brigade 5000, 15000 moving this week Slept out but got little sleep.
28 Tuesday
Up at 4 am and continued march at 6.30 bound for Moascar 21 miles. This was a most terrible day. Most of the going was over sand and the weather fearfully hot. Swim in pretty water hole when least expected. From then on it was a death struggle. Numbers dying & wailing for water. In trying to help the poor beggars by giving all our water and carrying their heavy bundles we were exhausted but finished with the few hundred out of 5000. New Zealanders fine display.
29 Wednesday
Another hot day. slept out in desert N.Z. brought us 4 dixies of tea last night and sent their waggons out all night with 8 horses bringing in the men. Horses had a frightful time yesterday. Continuing the rest of our journey NZ Battalions went out with water bottles. Prince of Wales came to see us. Marched through Ismailia to Ferry Post. Aeroplanes flying overhead. Swim in Canal Terribly hot day. Saw [Allworth?]