The Australian Light Horse

This is the stirring story of the Australian Light Horse in the Middle East in World War I, culminating in their brilliant victories in Gaza, Beersheba and Damascus.

The Australian Light Horse was a unique force, first raised during the Boer War, and then reformed for World War I. Most of the men were from the Australian outback, had a special bond with their horses (which were also from Australia) and knew how to survive and fight in harsh landscapes and dry conditions.

The greatest part of the Allied victory over the Turks was thanks to the Australian Light Horse. Colonel Lawrence had a strategy for actually defeating the Turks - as opposed to the British High Command's acceptance of the status quo. What Lawrence needed was a mobile, elite force to join his own troops - and in the Light Horse he had them. Battle-hardened by Gallipoli and the repulse of the Turkish invasion of Egypt, the Australians were ready. Under their brilliant commander, Sir Harry Chauvel, they won great victories in the Sinai, Palestine and Syria - culminating in the last great cavalry charge in our military history, and the taking of Beersheba in 1917. Roland Perry brings this story to life, and tells it with colour, emotion and authority.

'The first great read about the victories of the Australian cavalry in Arabia' The Australian

'Conjures up the romantic image of the Light Horse that endures to this day' Herald Sun

'A compulsive read' Newcastle Herald

'A history book that deserves a place in every suburban home library . . . the story of an extraordinary generation of Australians who created an enduring legend while changing the course of history' West Australian

“a history book that deserves a place in every suburban home library . . . the story of an extraordinary generation of Australians who created an enduring legend while changing the course of history - WEST AUSTRALIANthe first great read about the victories of the Australian cavalry in Arabia - THE AUSTRALIANconjures up the romantic image of the Light Horse that endures to this day - HERALD SUNbriskly written, well-researched - THE AGEA compulsive read. - NEWCASTLE HERALD”

a history book that deserves a place in every suburban home library . . . the story of an extraordinary generation of Australians who created an enduring legend while changing the course of history - WEST AUSTRALIAN

the first great read about the victories of the Australian cavalry in Arabia - THE AUSTRALIAN

conjures up the romantic image of the Light Horse that endures to this day - HERALD SUN

briskly written, well-researched - THE AGE

A compulsive read. - NEWCASTLE HERALD

Roland Perry is an award-winning author, journalist and documentary-maker, best known for his writing on Australian military and sporting history. His books include BRADMAN'S INVINCIBLES, THE FIGHT FOR AUSTRALIA, MONASH: THE OUTSIDER WHO WON THE WAR, THE AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE, THE CHANGI BROWNLOW, biographies of cricketers Keith Miller and Shane Warne, his highly praised life of DON BRADMAN, as well as the recent bestsellers BILL THE BASTARD and HORRIE THE WAR DOG. Roland Perry was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia, for services to literature, in 2011. For more information visit rolandperryauthor.com

The Australian Light Horse was a unique force, first raised during the Boer War, and then reformed for World War I. Most of the men were from the outback, had a special bond with their horses (which were all brought from Australia) - and they knew how to survive and fight in the desert. The greatest part of the Allied victory over the Turks was theirs. Colonel Lawrence had a strategy for actually defeating the Turks - as opposed to the British High Command's acceptance of the status quo. What Lawrence needed was a mobile, elite force to join his own troops - and in the Light Horse he had them. Battle-hardened by Gallipoli and the repulse of the Turkish invasion of Egypt, the Australians were ready. Under their brilliant commander, Sir Harry Chauvel, they won great victories in the Sinai, Palestine and Syria - culminating in the last great cavalry charge in our military history, and the taking of Beersheba in 1917. Every Australian has heard of the Light Horse - but practically none have read their story. Roland Perry brings their story to life, and tells it with colour, emotion - and authority.Now part of the HACHETTE MILITARY COLLECTION.

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