These Light Horsemen are part of a Scout Patrol in the southern Jordan Valley. They have begun their night patrol as soon as the late afternoon shadows give them some cover. They are carefully picking their way just below the ridge-line of a hill, trying to remain undetected in the shadows, but keeping a sharp lookout for enemy patrols doing the same thing. Their patrol will last all night. 

In the distance are the Jordanian Mountains on the Eastern side of the Jordan River, their craggy ridges illuminated by the setting sun. Can you imagine just how difficult it would be to patrol country like that! So many ridges and ravines - all precipitous and rocky. Yet they must! - for they never know where enemy spies might be lurking. The success of the whole campaign relies on the Scout Patrols to keep the enemy from finding out just what is happening, in that part of the Jordan Valley controlled by the British and Allied forces.  

The Australian Light Horse entered the Jordan Valley in December 1917, after the takeover of Jerusalem, and during the following year, many were the observation and reconnaissance patrols in the valley, and up into those rugged mountains. Their aim was to prevent any incursion by the Turkish-German patrols and army into the area they occupied. They desperately wanted the Turks to believe that a huge build up of military force was happening in the Jordan Valley, and that an attack to the east of the Jordan Valley was planned; when in fact the Jordan Valley was being gradually emptied of allied military forces, and the attack would happen elsewhere! Many were the ruses to prevent the actual facts from being observed. The patrols were extremely important to the success of the future campaign. To their credit, they succeeded in preventing such knowledge being gained by the Turkish - German forces.

Can you imagine how difficult it would be to ride on patrol – especially a night patrol in country like this?