The Allies launched their attack at dawn on 31 October, but by late afternoon British forces had made little headway toward the town — and its much-needed wells. General Harry Chauvel, commander of the Desert Mounted Corps, ordered the 4th Light Horse Brigade, under Brigadier William Grant, forward in an attempt to secure the position. Grant ordered the light horsemen of the 4th and 12th Regiments to charge the Turkish trenches. Using their long bayonets as ‘swords’, the momentum of the Light Horse charge carried them through the Turkish defences. The water supplies were saved. Over 1000 Turks were taken as prisoners of war. After more severe fighting, Turkish forces abandoned Gaza on 6 November 1917 and began their withdrawal.

The unconventional approach was a success—the town and its wells were secured, providing the 60,000 allied troops with access to the region’s only dependable source of water. However, 31 men from the Light Horse lost their lives and an additional 36 were wounded. At least 70 horses also died during the charge.

The occupation of Beersheba was the beginning of the end for the Turkish defensive line. The allied forces were soon able to outflank the forces in Gaza, and the Turkish resistance in the long-contested city collapsed within the week.