Our light horseman holds a feedbag for his beloved Waler horse while resting during the Sinai–Palestine campaign of 1916-18. In the heat of the Middle East he has discarded his woollen tunic in favour of a flannel undershirt. Like other mounted troops, the light horseman wears leather ‘Stowasser’ leggings with butterfly straps for his spurs and riding breeches. His equipment is an Australian-made copy of the British 1903 Pattern cavalry bandolier equipment.
The Australian Light Horse fought as cavalry of the early 20th century: usually dismounting to fight on foot with rifles and light machine-guns but capable of charging mounted. They also preformed reconnaissance and screening duties.
On this day
1942 — Battle of MIDWAY began. This decisive victory by the US Navy over the Japanese Navy shifted the balance of sea power in the Pacific and forced Japan to abandon plans to attack New Caledonia, Fiji and Samoa. Japanese losses were 4 aircraft carriers, 1 cruiser, 248 aircraft, and over 3,000 sailors. American losses were 1 aircraft carrier, 1 destroyer, 150 aircraft, and 307 men
1944 — 78 Squadron, RAAF, carried out the last major air combat by the RAAF in WW2, off BIAK Island, New Guinea. 10 enemy planes were shot down for the loss of one Australian plane and pilot
1969 — HMAS MELBOURNE collided with USS FRANK E EVANS in the South China Sea. EVANS was cut in half and 74 of her crew were killed