WWI Australians honoured in Israel
The heroic efforts of the Australian Light Horsemen were acknowledged at the Battle of Semakh Commemoration recently at the historic Semakh Railway Station.
Memorial at Semakh
It is now part of the Kinneret Academic College in northern Israel.
This battle was the first-ever cavalry charge at night and was instrumental in the British gaining power over the Turks.
Eran Tearosh, Chairman of the Society for the Heritage of WWl in Israel, said the significance of this battle could not be underestimated.
“The historic battle has gone down as a heroic episode in the history of the Australian army,” Mr Tearosh said.
“This was one of the last cavalry charges in modern warfare,” he said.
“Semakh is a cornerstone of pure Australian military heritage – ‘pure’ as being a place where only Australians were involved in the fighting, showing incredible courage and bravery.
“In Beersheba, the Australians fought as part of much bigger battle, alongside soldiers.
of other nationalities.”
Libby Burke and Ambassador Paul Griffiths
Mr Tearosh said the importance of this battle was demonstrated in the fact that the Australian War Memorial in Canberra dedicated a state-of-the-art diorama in honour of this battle.
“If one is looking towards the specific WWI sites within Israel that demonstrate the unique connection between Australia and Israel – Semakh and Beersheba come first.”
Australian Ambassador to Israel Paul Griffiths delivered the commemoration keynote speech.
“I am humbled and honoured to stand here again to pause together to reflect, remember and respect the sacrifice and bravery of the heroic Anzac soldiers who fought int the Battle of Semackh,” Ambassador Griffiths said.
“On September 23, 1918 Lieutenant General Harry Chauvel ordered the Australian mounted division to capture this very site,” he said.
“This was part of the great ride – a 12-day journey involving 1200 Australian Light horsemen sweeping in from Jaffa to Damascus in one of the great rides in the history of cavalry.”
The commemoration was attended by close to 100 ex-pats from Australia, as well as Defence Attaches from Australia, India and Great Britain.
Also in attendance were representatives from the Israel Foreign Ministry and the IDF. Major General (retired) Elazar Stern, Minister of Intelligence, addressed those present on behalf of the Israeli Government.
This year’s event featured a flypast by 6 light planes from the Megiddo Aviation Club, which flew over the Sea of Galilee and onto Semackh junction to commemorate the use of allied aerial forces in liberating Palestine during WWl.
Moriah Ben David from the Zionist Federation of Australia-Israel office and Libby Burke from the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies laid wreaths on behalf of their organisations.
Ms Burke said it was a real honour to lay a wreath on behalf of the Board and acknowledge those men who sacrificed their lives, including Queenslanders.
“This battle truly represents the long-held bond between Australia and Israel. It was incredibly moving to be at the service and see the tribute paid to Australia, which – significantly – took place next to a statue honouring Aboriginal soldiers who also fought in the war,” Ms Burke said.
“This event is vitally important because it is a sobering reminder of how vulnerable this area is from its neighbours, and how crucial it is to educate future generations on the values and commitment to freedom both our nations share,” she said.
Report from Libby Burke (Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies)
