 Since first making contact with the advancing German and Turkish force on 20 July they had been harassed alternately by the Australian 1st and 2nd Light Horse Brigades . During the night of 3 – 4 August , the day before the battle commenced , both brigades were involved in fighting . By about midday on 4 August , the Turkish and German force had pushed the two Australian brigades back to a point where the 52nd ( Lowland ) Infantry Division , in their trenches , were able to attack the Turkish right flank , and the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade and British 5th Mounted Brigade arrived from their deployment protecting the Suez Canal , to extend the Australians ' line on the left flank . The Turkish and German advance was stopped by the fire brought to bear on them by the combined British infantry and Australian , British and New Zealand mounted forces and the deep sand , the midday summer heat , and thirst . 
