Tourists to tramp the Light Horse trail

THE Israeli Government will help fund the development of a 60-kilometre Anzac Trail to commemorate Australia's First World War veterans.

The trail will enable Australian tourists to follow in the footsteps of the Anzac soldiers who fought across then-British-occupied Palestine from 1915 to 1917.

The trail will begin at the current Anzac Monument, near Gaza, and finish at the site of a new monument to commemorate the charge of the Australian Light Horse at Beersheba.

Brigadier-General William Grant's famous sunset charge of the 4th Light Horse Brigade on Beersheba in October 1917 is considered one of the greatest victories in Australian military history. Amid heavy fire, the surprise attack succeeded in capturing the water wells vital to troop movement through the Middle East.

The Australian Light Horsemen were ideally suited to the conditions, many coming from bush backgrounds.

The men were accomplished horsemen used to riding long and hard, but they also were trained to fight on foot. They fought at Gallipoli, without their horses, before it was realised they were better suited to the dry and dusty Middle East.

Next month, Governor-General Michael Jeffery will unveil the new monument at Beersheba.

The trail, which can be travelled by car as well as on foot, will include about 20 tourist stops and other features describing the charge of the Light Horse Brigade.