Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 1, 5 November - 15 December 1914 - Part 1

COPY. 3rd M.D. 14/5647/19/6. 

COMMONWEALTH MILITARY FORCES - THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT. 

HEAD-QUARTERS,
MELBOURNE, 5th November, 1914. 

From A.A.G.
To 0.C. 4th Infantry Brigade. 

In continuation of mine of the 29th ultimo,
information has now been received from the Commandant,
Royal Military College, that the undermentioned officers
have been granted one week's leave and will report at
District Head-Quarters on the following dates :- 

In regard to the lastnamed officer, he
is to be appointed Signalling Officer 16th Battalion, West
Australia, but advice was received by the Commandant
Royal Military College that this officer is to report
for duty at the Signalling Camp, Broadmeadows. 

(SGD.) J.C. HAWKER, Colonel.
A.A.G. 3rd Military District. 
J.M. 
10/11/14. 
C.H.J. 
6/11/14.     O.C. 14th Battalion.
Please report the dates’ on which the first
four first mentioned officers reported to you for duty.
11/12/14.
JP McGlinn
Lt Colonel,
Bde. Major, Fourth Infantry Bde,
Australian imperial Force. 

3rd M.D. 14/5647/19/6. 

COMMONWEALTH MILITARY FORCES - THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT. 

HEAD-QUARTERS,
MELBOURNE, 5th November, 1914. 

From A.A.G.
To 0.C. 4th Infantry Brigade. 

In continuation of mine of the 29th ultimo,
information has now been received from the Commandant,
Royal Military College, that the undermentioned officers
have been granted one week's leave and will report at
District Head-Quarters on the following dates :- 

In regard to the lastmentioned officer, he
is to be appointed Signalling Officer 16th Battalion, West
Australia, but advice was received by the Commandant
Royal Military College that this officer is to report
for duty at the Signalling Camp, Broadmeadows. 

(SGD.) J.C. HAWKER, Colonel.
A.A.G. 3rd Military District. 

Major Wilson,
Acting Director Army Signals.
BROADMEADOWS. 

For favour of report as to date upon which
Lieut. Wilton reported to you for duty.
11/11/14.
J.P. McGlinn
Lt Colonel,
Bde. Major, Fourth Infantry Bde,
Australian imperial Force. 
pro O.C.

AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE
[IN]FANTRY BRIGADE 

VICTORIA BARRACKS,
MELBOURNE, 5th November, 1914. 
M. 294. 

C.G.S.
In connection with the provision for reinforcements
for the Brigade under my command, and in view of the very
great importance in maintaining the authorised complement
of signallers, I would recommend that arrangements be
made to train five men per Battalion reinforcement in
signalling and that, if approved, instructions be
immediately issued to respective District Commandants
for the men referred to to report to the Acting Director
of Army Signals at Broadmeadows Camp on the 10th instant,
on which date a School of Instruction is timed to commence.
This provision would, it is submitted, make
good wastage in the ranks of the Battalion signallers. 

 .......... .............Colonel
Commanding Fourth Infantry Bde.
Australian Imperial Force
  
CGS 
File 

5/11/14
COMMON FAULTS IN MUSKETRY, INSTRUCTION.

Elementary Training. -
(i) Not/insisting on correct firing positions at all times -
(see notes at foot of plates in Musketry Regs. Pt.I.)
(ii) Men allowed to look at breech when loading instead of
keeping eyes on object (which might otherwise
disappear). see note 7 plate XIX. Musk Regns,
(iii) Not insisting on accuracy in all aiming drill or not
employing all time available, i.e.-
If aiming with tripod: - Remaining men should be
employed "Judging distance, describing targets,
practising loading, aiming, trigger pressing, rapid
adoption of fire positions, etc."
(iv) Muscle exercises not practised*, or standard tests re
rapid loading, adjusting, sighting. (* section 54)
(v) Advancement of training too fast, i.e. - men who fail in
standard tests being taken on to range practices
instead of being sent back for more preliminary
training.
(vi) Registration of results of tests not kept, therefore
improvement or otherwise of men or their personal
errors cannot be seen and rectified. Sectn 63.M.Reg 

Range Practises. - (See Secns 76 to 79 Musk Regns)
(i) Time wasted in waiting for targets, issue of ammunition,
organization/of firing details, etc.
(ii) Not employing spare men as in (III) above,
(iii) Not getting men to declare point of aim ∨_{and number of target} at moment
of firing, Para 390 M.R.
(iv) Incorrect positions, exposing themselves to load,
moving about on mound, taking too long to fire.
Para 390 
 " 446 
 " 393 
 " 395
(v) Apparent errors in common faults not pointed out to men
immediately after firing, i.e. a man who is consistently 
firing low, not being told that he is taking
Para. 390. 

-2- 

Range Practises. (Ctd.) - 

(v)(Ctd.) -too fine a sight, or a man who hits on the right
not being told that he (a) either pulls off, or
(b) does not correctly centre the foresight.
(vi) Examination of arms after firing being carried ∧^out
perfunctorily on range, instead of on all parades, and
particularly at the next parade after firing. 

Notes from Reynold's papers
Final address by Commandant, Camberley 1912:-
Peace conditions are apt to be accepted as War conditions
'To oppose a superior force' demands greatest study
We always teach offensive, but must be ready to manage retirement, or a
waiting game
.^.. Practice orderly retirement in peace.
Staff must work together sympathetically
Principles of preparations for battle: - [Plan: - Conception, Preparation, Execution]
When enemy near, dispose your approach march so as to be ready
to fight quickly, on an appropriate front.
Envelopment is most effective form - even if inferior in numbers.
Keep as many troops as you can in your own control as long
as possible
Stick to your own plan &judgement - ruthlessly refuse put objectors aside
otherwise you cease to be their master. 

DISTRICT HEAD-QUARTERS
A.M.F.—3rd Military District.
No. 
TELEPHONE-CENTRAL 4780. 

AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES.—3RD MILITARY DISTRICT. 

PLEASE ADDRESS REPLY
TO HEAD-QUARTERS.
3RD MILITARY DISTRICT."
  
HEAD-QUARTERS.
14th Battalion, A. I. F.
Melbourne,
14/284/1. BROADMEADOWS, 11th November 1914. 

From C. O. 14th Battalion, A. I. F. 

To Brigade Major,
4th Infantry Brigade, A. I. F. 

With reference to Headquarters No. 14/5647/196
I have to report that the following Officers reported this day :-
Lieut. H. W. Boyle)
Lieut. B. Combes)    from Royal Military College. 

[[R Courtney]] Lieut. Col..
Commdg. 14th Battalion, A. I. F.
 

h4220/14 

COMMONWEALTH MILITARY FORCES.
5th MILITARY DISTRICT. 

16th Battalion A. I. F.
Blackboy Hill Camp
11/11/14. 

Head Quarters
4th Infantry Brigade A.I.F.
Melbourne 
  
COM.MIL. FORCES 
RECEIVED 
13NOV.1914 
PERTH 
5th MIL. DISTRICT 

Schedule received. 

H Pope
Lieut Colonel.
Commanding 16th Battalion A.I.F. 
  
CHJ 

AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE
FOURTH INFANTRY BRIGADE 

VICTORIA BARRACKS,
MELBOURNE, 11th November, 1914. 
M. 310.
  
Re. N.C.O's A. & I. Staff. 
C.G.S. 

Referring to my interview with you on 5th instant,
I have now definitely ascertained from C.0. 16th Battalion,
that he has enlisted a qualified Machine Gun Sergeant from
militia personnel and therefore does not require an N.C.O.
of A. & I. Staff for this appointment. 

................... Colonel
Commanding Fourth Infantry Bde.
Australian Imperial Force 

Signal School
A.I.F.
Broadmeadows
12.11.14 

To O.C.
4^th Infantry Bde.
A.I.F. 

Lieut. Wilton
reported at this school at
2p.m. this day (12/11/14) for duty. 

[[JCWatson?]]
Major A.E.
Tempry Cap^tn. A.& I. Staff
Chief Instr^r Siqnal School
A.I.F. 
  
Bde [[Camp]]
Hold with other papers re
Cadet reporting
JMcG
16 X1 14