ing--with
indifferent success--at the gunners. But that was the limit of their
boldness; and when our solitary "Archie" in the valley briskly opened fire
on them they turned tail and scuttled abjectly out of range.

Near the nullah a day or two after our arrival a few more anti-aircraft
guns came up for the protection of watering parties, which function they
performed most successfully, though if British airmen had been operating
the Turkish machines I doubt if we should have escaped unscathed. Perhaps
the hard-fighting qualities of the British troops led the Turks habitually
to over-estimate the numbers and defences opposed to them, for they rarely
attacked even a small post save in great force. As a defensive fighter,
however, especially behind a machine-gun, the Turk has few equals, and,
assisted no doubt by his fatalistic temperament, he will take the severest
hammering for days without flinching.

Tel el Jemmi being by far the most considerable hill in the neighbourhood,
an observation post was established on the summit from which the whole wide
plain of Gaza lay open to the view. Northwards stretched fields turning
brown under the hot sun, with here and there a flicker of white in a patch
of dark green marking the presence of a native dwelling; westwards was Ali
Muntar thrusting its sombre height through fringes of cactus; Gaza tucked
away behind, almost hidden in foliage; and beyond, the shining waters of
the Mediterranean. To the south numerous black patches indicated the
presence of our troops and something of the activity at Belah; but most
striking of all to the eye was the endless chain of camels extending to the
distant horizon.

What an enormous amount of wasted effort there is during a campaign!
Herculean labour to meet the need of the moment. Troops are thrust into a
forward position, and to keep them provided with the necessaries of life
transport is organised to the very pitch of perfection. Often the position
is occupied for a few days only, when the troops are sent elsewhere and the
whole business starts again.

So it happened at Tel el Jemmi. We had thought that we were merely resting
there preparatory to taking part in a third attempt on Gaza. But that time
was not yet. After the first two days our guns were never fired, and though
a brigade went out on a reconnaissance there were no signs of renewed
activity by the Turks.

On our left the infantry were now securely entrenched on the captured