Damascus Incident

Depicts the 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade that was ordered to cross the gorge and cut the only other available escape route for the Turkish troops from Damascus, the road to Homs. The direct route was so rough, however, the Australian commander decided to dash through Damascus itself to reach the Homs road. Thus, at 5a.m. on 1 October 1918, the brigade, swords drawn, galloped into the city, which they found deserted by the Turks but controlled by wildly excited Arabs. With difficulty the Australians disengaged themselves from the welcome, found the Homs road and set off after the enemy, later capturing two groups of Turks and Germans, 750 men in all. These were among the last actions of the Australian Light Horse in the war; an armistice was signed on 30 October 1918 with terms requiring the unconditional surrender of Turkey.