You know October 31st as Halloween.
Here in Beersheva, we we know it as the anniversary of the great Battle of Beersheva, the last great equine-led calvary charge in history.
The British army, in a daring raid, overcame the Turkish garrison, took the “city” (see photo) of Beersheva from the Ottoman Turks and more importantly captured the strategic wells of Beersheva. The wells were the only source of fresh water in the Negev Desert  and were crucial because the British were running low on water for there 40,000 horses. Plus assorted pack mules and camels. Not to mention their soldiers.
You can read an abbrieviated history of the battle here at the Israel’s History – A Picture A Day site.
The battle took place close to the area where our offices are located. Take a 15 minute walk due east of here and you can find the old Turkish Train Station, the British Cemetary and a memorial to the Turkish soldiers who fell in the battle.
David