Lecture notes written by Albert Jacka VC

96
Rations.
Rations are issued by the A.S.C. daily.

C.Q. Sgts. make out indent for their Coys.

& hands it to R.Q.M. who in turn makes

out an indent for the Battn. & draws
rations from the A.S.C.
In the field each man carries his own

ration or else it is carried in the cooks

waggon. 1 extra days ration is carried with
the A.S.C. train.
The bread & cheese ration is generally carried
on the man himself.
An extra days ration can be carried by
the men carrying a full days ration

1 days ration in the cooks waggon
& 1 "   " in the A.S.C. train.
In addition ^to the daily ration there is also
the iron ration consisting of 1 tin bully

12 ozs biscuits 2 ozs sugar 5/8 oz. of tea ½ oz salt
3 ozs cheese 2 cubes of meat extract. This ration

must be kept intact & will not be opened
unless by the order from the G.O.C

97
Coy. comdrs & Platoon comdrs. should
frequently inspect their men's iron rations.
Care of a Coy.
The Coy. comdr. is responsible for the training
& welfare of his Coy. On taking over new men
Officers should get to know their men individualy.
Rations should always be issued over-night

if possible.

In ordering parades always see

the men are not fallen in too early avoid

keeping men standing about unnecessarily.
Platoon Comdrs. are responsible for their
platoons & must inspect all
rifles, boots, clothing, equipment, ammunition,
iron rations, identity discs, field dressings,
& Gas helmets if carried.

Billetting of troops.
Coy & Platoon comdrs. should go round & see

their platoons are comfortably housed ^before they see
to their own comfort.

All duties must be evenly distributed such
as ration & fatigue parties

98
When on the march water bottles must

be filled if possible over-night, but men
should be warned that it might have to

last all day.

When Coys. are supplying Out-posts on such

duties they must be evenly distributed between

Platoons.
In billetting or bivouac Platoon

& Coy. Officers should all sleep together

& the Coy. comdr. must be where he can be
found by the Adjutant.
Each Coy should
detail two orderleys to report to head-quarters
so if the messages are needed they can be
taken direct to Coys. 

99

Trench Warfare.

Reliefs of trenches will usually be carried

out in the night so as to escape observation by

the enemy.
Troops in Billets or bivouac will

usually start of in column of fours & will
be met by guides from the trenches.

Reliefs must take up all possible stores such

as amn. rations, etc Men with the heaviest
loads will march in front & the pace will be
slow.
Once the communication trench troops must
keep well blocked up men keeping in touch
so as not to lose direction.

Men who are to be relieved will have been
warned & will be in the front line of trench.

The new men take up their positions beside
them.

Coy & Platoon comdrs. take over all

stores amn. flares, bombs, etc. & N.C.O's take
over sections.

In handing over all information
must be given, &
Any change in the general situation,

Any unfinished work

Any further work required
Any dangerous spots in the trench
Position of listening posts.

No. of trench also names & nos. of trench on the flank

& support trenches.

98
Sentrys.
At night 1 man to 3 will observe or even

1 to 2 if necessary.

N.C.O's should be made responsible for

the posting of sentries & must see that the

men carry out the duty.
Sentries must have all orders what to do
in case of persons approaching & know where

the sentries are on their right & left.

All bayonets are to be fixed all night.

Two orderlies will be told off to go to Battn.
Head-quarters & may be used for carry messages

if necessary.
In posting sentries N.C.O's must wake the
men a few minutes before it is time for them

to go on.

In addition to sentries there will
listening posts of 2 men sapped out in front.
Reconnoitering Patrols will also be sent out

for observation & reconnaisance.
Coy. Comdrs. will arrange for the use of flares
at intervals so as to see any movement of the

enemy.
99
When enemy flares go up men are to remain
absolutely motionless.
During the day Officers must be on the

lookout for any change or fresh work on
the enemys line & take a note of it.

There must be strict & careful sanitation

in trenches.
All sentries should be warned if reconnoitering

patrols are out in front & should be given

strict orders about challenging.

In trenches gas helmets should always be
kept handy.

All rifles & amn. should be carefully
looked after, all ammunition should be
cleaned once or twice a week.
In trenches discipline must be observed

& common sense used.

100

Trench Attack.

Requires the greatest care & detail in 

preliminary arrangements.

Arrangements with Artillery to

1  Engage & silence the enemy's batteries

2 Destruction of the enemy's defence.

3 Support of Infantry Attack.

4 Protect Infantry against counter attack.

Bombardments will be rehearsed & the time 

& day for the attack fixed.

The men in the first line do not attack but 

the attack is made by fresh troops brought 

up from the supports.

Just previous to the attack there will be 

a heavy bombardment for 20 minutes 

& then 10 minutes interval, then another bombardment
of 20 minutes followed by 4 or 5 min 

intense bombardment.

Immediately the bombardment 

stops the infantry go forward & make the 

assault. 

101

As the attack is carried forward the 

artillery lengthens the range & builds up a 

curtain of fire behind the enemys trenches to 

prevent the supports from getting up.

In the meantime the trenches placed 

in defence all saps blocked etc.

If trenches are lost at any time there 

should be a counter attack.

102

March Discipline.
The success of manouvre depends on
the power of troop to undertake long &
rapid marches.
Mobility enables a comdr. to move his
army in the required time & in a condition

to fight & can only be obtained by careful

& progressive training.

A recruits training for
marching starts on the first day in the

Barrack square when the recruit is

taught to hold himself properly, to march

correctly, to keep his place in the ranks &

later on taken on short route marches & by

gradual training enables him to take his

place in the Coys. with his rifle & equipment.

March discipline,

Strict march discipline
must be observed, Avoid fatigue to troops,
Avoid keeping men standing about unnecessarily

before starting. Avoid halting at irregular

intervals, Keep an even pace through-out
the March, Regular halts every hour 10 minutes

before the hour fall in again on the hour.

Pace about 3 miles an hour.  Keeping regular

pace depends on the men leading.
103

Regulation distance between units on the

March.

In rear of a Coy. 6      yards.

  "    "     "   "  Battn. 10       "
  "    "     "  "   Brigade 30   "

  "    "      "  "  Division 100 "

These distances should always be kept

unless otherwise ordered. Always march each
four dressed by the left or right, no more
than four abreast, cover off from front to rear,

keep well into right of road, if uneven marching

change men at every halt, all men falling

out must fall out on right of road lie down
& remain quiet, no man is allowed to fall 

out without permission. Men unable to go on 
& who fall out for the Ambulance should be 

given a note & should always take their

rifles.

When halting for any length of time

Latrines should at once be dug, no-one should

be allowed to fall out before the latrines is

finished & pointed out. On leaving again
always see Latrines is covered in.

Always start with water-bottles filled 
& caution men about excessive drinking.
Discourage smoking. Avoid halting in villages.
Watch for men with sore feet & see they are

attended to at the first halt. Always encourage

music.

 

Battalion in Attack.
Gentlemen,

Our War experience has caused
us to alter change many of our pre

war ideas of a Bn. in attack.

but one great point which has

remained the same is that
an attack can only be won by

a rigorous and determined
offensive.

The better ^the organisation & skill

in leading the greater will be the
Result.
During the late war we were forced

to take a very much different

view of Battle than we did before had
before. Small isolated attacks

by Bns. were now longer the

order of the day but concentrated
actions in which whole Bdes.

2

Divisions Army Corps & Armies
were carried out. took part.

Orders received for attack for

Frontage of a Division. G.O.C. issues

his order alloting certain

portions of the attack to his
Bdes. and laying as far as

possible the general idea

of the attack.

The Brigadiers then in
turn issue their orders and

allot certain portions to their

Bn. Commanders.

Bn. Comdrs. in turn

issue their orders to Coy. Comdrs.

^allots his Bn

firing line & Reserves

etc.

& the day having been fixed the
Force moves forward to the Battle

area to prepare for the attack.

3
Rendezvous.

Issue of ammunition, Gas masks, etc.
preparation for attack,

Reconnaisance of position By

officers N.C.O's & Scouts.  Arrange for to

cooperate Flank Troops Artillery etc,

Tanks Machine Guns etc.

Move up to jumping off line.
Formation etc.

Obeying Carrying of Orders for attack.
Co-operation with troops on

flanks. Synchronisation of Watches 

Zero Hour. The advance across
no mans land. Artillery Creeping

Barrage Formation etc.
Progress Reports & Information.

Method of dealing with resistance
until overcome. Use of Machine Guns
Guns. Mutual Support. etc.
Having Gained Objective
dig in & Prepare for Counter Attack.

4
Intelligence Reports etc.
to Bn. Headquarters.

PR 84/333(3).
Australian
War Memorial