Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 1, 6 January - 31 January 1915, Part 2

DAILY ROUTINE OF WORK- 13th BATTALION.
10/1/15
The following daily routine of work is promulgated 
for the information of all concerned.   In order to make the 
fullest use of top deck space, O's. C. Companies using Troop decks 
will arrange to utilize the space allotted to Companies supplying 
Ships duties.  All Instructional Stores available are to be taken 
into use.  While with the exception referred to above the place 
and time of Parade are to be as ordered.   O's. C. Companies may 
vary the subjects if found necessary, bearing in mind the necessity 
of keeping the troops profitability  employed and the instruction 
imparted being progressive. All lectures should be carefully prepared beforehand in order that interest will be maintained in 
the subject. 
  
LECTURES TO N.C.O'S.  Lectures will be given to all N.C.O's of 
the 13th Battalion on Tuesday and Friday nights. 
Place, Sergeants Mess - Time 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. 
TUESDAY NIGHTS.  On such subjects as Fire tactics, 
Outposts, Protection on the March, Protection while halted, Fire 
Discipline and Control, Intercommunication and Passing of Orders, 
Company in Attack, Company in Defence, March Discipline and 
Sanitary Precautions and Measures in the Field (including Elementary 
Hygiene), Duties in Camp, Bivouacs, and Billets.  OMs. C. 
Companies will be the lecturers commencing with "A" Company and 
following in alphabetical rotation. At least 10 minutes should be 
set aside to answering questions which should be encouraged. 
O's. C. Companies will submit to C. O. for approval 
at least 24 hours in advance the subject of the lecture to be 
given. 
FRIDAY NIGHTS.  (until otherwise ordered)   On 
First Aid by CAPT. C. SHELLSHEAR

MUSTER PARADE AT 10 a.m. 
MACHINE GUN SECTION AND SIGNALLERS TO USE BREAKER POOP DECK.

Ammunition Supply 11/1/15 

With [[special?]] in M ? attention 
is called to Transport Regulation 
Appendix 36

OFFICERS SCHOOL OF INSTRUCTION
TRANSPORT "A 38".
(Vide Brigade Order No. 46)
Chief Instructor - Lieut. Col. G.J. Burnage, V.D., C.O., 
                                          13th Battalion. 
Assistant Instructors - Major J. Adams,  14th Battalion 
                                          Major. W. W. Ellis, 13th Battalion. 

SYLLABUS OF TRAINING.

AUSTRALIAN 
IMPERIAL FORCE 
JAN 11 1915 
4th Infantry Brigade. 
11.30am

Two Envelopes 6 Copies   12/1/15 
  
Confidential 
Allotment of Fourth Infantry Brigade Units to Troopships:- 
Second Signal 
Brigade Head Quarters :- 4 officers 17 others 6 horses Riding horses, 2 Vehicles on "Ulysses" 
4 others 12 Riding Horses, 2 Draught Horses on "A41" 
Second Signal C^o. (1 Section) :- 1 officer 24 others, 6 horses,1 Vehicle 8 bicycles }  on "Borda" 
13^th Battalion :- 31 officers, 979 others, 6 riding horses 
13 vehicles, 9 bicycles }on "Ulysses" 
1 officer, 12 others, 53 horses on "A41" 
14^th Battalion :- 32 officers, 979 others, 6 riding horses 
13 vehicles, 9 bicycles } on "Ulysses" 
12 others, 53 horses on "A41" 
15^th Battalion :- 31 officers, 979 others, 10 riding horses  
13 vehicles, 9 bicycles on "Ceramic" 
1 officer, 1 Corporal, 11 others and 
49 horses on "A41" 
16^th Battalion :- 32 Officers, 979 others, 10 riding horses 
13 vehicles, 9 bicycles on "Ceramic" 
1 Corporal, 11 men, 49 horses on "A41" 
4^th 7^d Ambulance A & B Sec.) 1 officer, 16 others, 70 8 riding horses, 62 draught horses on "A41" 
1 officer, 2 others (from "Berrima") on "A43" 
2 officers 128 others 16 vehicles on "Berrima" 
1 officer 12 others on "Themistocles" 
1 officer 4 others on "A37" 
1 officer 4 others (from "Berrima" on "Port Macquarie" 
Do. do. C Sec.  3 officers, 78 others, 30 horses, 7 vehicles 
1 bicycle on Ajana 
First Reinforcements 
of 4^th Inf. Bgde   4 officers 396 others on "Berrima"

1. 
12/1/15
Assault from Trenches
(1) Zero Hour - Must be stated in Orders- It is the hour at which the 
Artillery Barrage lifts from the Enemy Fire Trench and at which 
the first assaulting line should be within 50 yards of it and 
ready to charge in - As Artillery lifts will be in accordance with 
a pre-arranged time-table it is essential that watches of all 
officers and non-commissioned officers should be synchronised so 
that all units in the front line will know the exact moment at 
which the lift takes place. 
  
(2) Disposal of Packs - Great-coats and spare kits are packed in Pack  
and stored. Small articles must not be left in the great-coat 
pockets as they might drop out if the coats had to be issued. 
  
(3) Carried by the Men- 
(a) Rifle and Equipment less pack -  
(b) 2 Bandoliers, S.A.A., in addition to equipment ammunition- 
220 rounds in all - 
(c) Haversack on back containing 2 tins of meat, 8 hard 
biscuits, canteen with grocery ration and full water 
bottle - 
(d) Waterproof sheet with jersey rolled inside fixed on back of 
waist-belt by supporting straps of pack - 
(e) 3 sandbags under flap of haversack 
(f) 2 or 4 Mills' grenades in the lower jacket pockets - 
(g) 2 smoke helmets and goggles -  
(h) All carriers carry the same kit with the exception of the 
2 S.A.A. Bandoliers - 
(i) Runners only carry Haversack with some food, water bottle, 
revolver and ammunition, 2 gas helmets and goggles - 
2 per Platoon to be told off and 8 per Battalion 
attached to Brigade Head Quarters.  They must be 
organized in relays under Battalion arrangements. 
Trained as runners and not taken from the trained 
signallers. The time and place must be entered in 
the reports they carry. 
(4) Bombers-

(5) Bombs are for use in the trenches and against machine guns, and are 
not to be thrown in the open - For clearing dug-outs phosphorous 
bombs should be used. 
One Bayonet Man has usually been found sufficient in recent fighting. 
Two or three Rifle Grenadiers are frequently added and are 
invaluable. Hales Grenade is generally used and has proved 
invaluable in village fights. 
  
(6) Battalions will draw bombs for Bombing Sections and for each man 
from a dump (the position of which will be put in orders) under 
Battalion arrangements during the period between the first day of 
the bombardment and the day previous to the assembly march. 
Once the Bombs are drawn they become Regimental Stores. 
  
(7) A sketch map should be issued showing the location of stores and 
their contents.
(8)

2.
(8) Distinguishing Marks- 
Each division Brigade must have a clear distinguishing mark- 
(a) Divisional Brigade Mark - All men - A square patch of coloured 
flannel sewn on to the flap of the Haversack, top edge level 
with seam marking turn over of flap - This allows the patch 
to hang loose over the Haversack - Bottom level with its 
bottom edge when filled.  The distinguishing colours of 
neighbouring Divisions and Brigades must be put in orders. 
(b) Brigade and Battalion distinguishing marks should be worn. 
(c) Wire cutters- 2" band on right forearm (white?). 
(d) Carriers- 2" patch on right shoulder strap (red?). 
(e) Bombers who are not Badge men- A grenade 2 1/8" in length on 
right sleeve just below shoulder (white?). 
(f) Runners- Badge 2" square on each forearm (yellow?). 
  
(9) Runners work in pairs- About 8 per Battalion will be attached to 
Brigade Head Quarters. 
  
(10) Water- During the march to Assembly Trenches the water in the water 
bottles will not be drunk under any circumstances.  Halting 
places will be selected for Battalions marching to Assembly 
Trenches at which water will be stored and mugs provided so that 
any men in need of a drink can get one. 
  
(11) No water should be touched in the Hostile Lines until it has been 
examined by a Medical Officer and declared free from poison. 
  
(12) Trench Traffic- The routes to be used in the Trenches by various 
units must be put in orders and marked up and down - 
  
(13) Officers Commanding Assaulting Battalions will detail special  
parties to control the traffic up and down their trenches - The 
parties will be posted at the ends of the Communication Trenches 
and will remain there until they are relieved or the Brigade is 
withdrawn.  It must be impressed on these control men that they 
are to enforce the orders as to traffic routes most rigorously. 
  
(14) Infantry Brigade Attacks - May be divided into phases, the completion of each phase being marked by the capture and 
consolidation of a definite object. 
  
(15) Artillery -  
(a) A preliminary and continuous bombardment will be carried 
on ...... days.  Hostile wire will be cut on ..... days. 
(b) Senior officers from the battalions detailed for the assault 
in conjunction with a senior officer from the Batteries 
doing the cutting, will make a daily examination of the 
enemy wire from a wire cutting observation station, at a 
fixed hour - They will report progress at a fixed hour daily 
to Brigade Head Quarters stating at what points the wire 
requires further attention.  These officers must be  
supplied with maps showing the areas of wire to be cut. 
This report will be forwarded to Divisional Head Quarters. 
(c) During ..... nights of the preliminary bombardment the 
Infantry occupying the trenches will assist in preventing 
the enemy from repairing his wire by opening bursts of fire 
from Lewis guns, machine guns, and constant rifle fire. 
(d) During the advance of the Infantry's Barrage of Artillery 
fire will be formed in front of the Infantry according to 
the timings shown on the Tracings issued. 
(e) The lines on the Tracings indicate the nearest points on 
which the guns will fire up to the hour indicated - At the 
times shown the Heavy guns will lift their fire direct to 
the next Barrage Lines. 
(f) The Divisional Artillery will move their fire progressively 
at the rate of 50 yards a minute.(g)

3. 
(g) Should the Infantry arrive at any point before the time 
fixed for the barrage to lift they will wait under the best 
cover available, or lie down in the open and be prepared to 
assault the moment the barrage lifts. 
(h) Re-bombardment-  
If any point or part of the enemy's lines holds up our 
Infantry advance to such an extent that it is necessary to 
bombard again that portion of the enemy's defence, application 
for re-bombardment must be made to Brigade Headquarters 
and the sanction of the General Officer Commanding the  
Division obtained.  This application will only be 
entertained in most urgent necessity, owing to the general 
dis-arrangement caused thereby. 
(i) The Divisional Commander will fix the Zero hour at which the 
bombardment will commence.  The normal re-bombardment will 
last 30 minutes, of which the last 5 will be intense.  The 
bombardment will lift at xxx xxx, at which hour the Infantry 
will assault. This is to be thoroughly understood by all 
ranks, that the only orders regarding re-bombardment will 
be a message naming the hour for Zero (i.e. the hour at 
which re-bombardment will commence) {*See para 1 definition Zero*} 
In the event of it being found impossible by the Artillery 
to begin re-bombardment at the hour fixed as Zero, either 
the re-bombardment will begin as early as possible after 
the Zero hour and cease 30 minutes after, the last 5  
minutes being intense, or a fresh Zero hour will be fixed. 
(j) Heavy and Medium Trench Mortars receive their orders from 
the Artillery with which they work. 

Clearing our own wire 
(1) Our own wire will be cleared on the night before the Assembly 
March as follows, and the whole work must be completed that 
night - 
(2) Intermediate Line - Under Divisional arrangements -  
(3) Reserve Trench Wire - By parties from the Reserve Battalion of the 
Assaulting Force - 
(4) Front Line Wire - By parties from the Assaulting Battalions- each  
Battalion being answerable for all wire in front of its own 
area - 
(5) Officers Commanding Battalions are responsible that this has been  
done in the areas over which their Battalions will pass and 
that all obstacles to free movement have been removed- They 
will ask for working parties if necessary and will report to 
Brigade Headquarters when they work is completed - 
(6) To avoid unnecessary marching the working parties from the 
Assaulting Battalions can be attached to the Battalion holding 
the trenches, in which case they must be fully equipped and 
complete in all respects before leaving their billets and will 
rejoin their Battalion on the Assembly March - 
(7) The hours during which work will be carried on must be put in 
orders and artillery and machine guns will arrange to barrage 
the hostile trenches if our work is interfered with - 
(8) R.E. or Pioneers can be detailed to construct any bridges that may 
be necessary over cross trenches.

Preliminary Moves. 
(1) The troops in occupation of the trenches will not usually be 
employed in the attack-(2)

4.
Preliminary Moves (cont.)
(2) The day before the attack one company from each Assaulting 
Battalion will move up to that portion of trenches allotted to 
the Battalion and relieve portions of the existing trench 
holders - 
(3) A place will be appointed to which such relieved portions will go 
and await the arrival of the remainder of their Units - This 
will occur at night when they are relieved by the Assaulting 
Battalions moving up to their allotted Departure Trenches - The 
relief of the Lewis guns must also be arranged for - 
A March Table must be issued for these Units - 
(4) Assembly March- The Assembly March will probably take place on the 
night of the assault- Routes must be reconnoitred by day - An 
Assembly March Table must be issued and the place where each 
Unit halts and where water is procurable must be notified - 
(5) The composition of the Assaulting Columns must be given - 
(6) Forming up Positions - The trenches allotted to the respective 
Assaulting Battalions must be put in orders - 
(7) Zero Hour must be put in orders.
  
Method of Assault. 
(1) The assault will be carried out steadily behind the Artillery 
Barrage - It is of extreme importance that the Infantry keep 
quite close behind the Barrage - 50 yards is not too close- 
For one casualty caused by our own Artillery 100 are caused by 
the enemy machine guns if they have time to get on the parapet - 
(2) At the hour named for the barrage to lift, viz. Zero hour, the  
leading line, which should be within 50 yards of the enemy fire 
trench, will rush it the moment the barrage lifts and then move 
steadily forward keeping touch and only halt and lie down when 
next compelled to by awaiting the lift of the next artillery 
barrage - The usual extension appears to be about 3 paces- 
(3) Succeeding lines will follow at distances varying from 60 to 150 
yards - They will move direct on the final objective, will halt 
when the line in front of them halts, and will only reinforce it 
when it requires reinforcement to carry out its task, or to 
cover the whole frontage allotted to it as its length increases- 
(4) Except for the rushes as they close on the various enemy trenches, 
the Infantry must advance slowly as if on parade, and the lines 
must not be allowed to become prematurely merged into one 
another- No men except those belonging to the mopping up 
parties are to be allowed to enter or remain in the hostile 
trenches passed over- 
(5) Officers must advance with the Line and not in front of their men - 
(6) The position of the Leading Line of Assaulting Troops will be 
denoted by smoke candles - 
Should some part of the Assaulting Lines be held up the remainder 
will best help them by moving straight on to their final 
objective - The flanks so exposed must, however, be specially 
guarded until the parts that have been held up come into line 
again - 
(7) Battalions will move in immediate touch with each other - 
(8) Dividing lines between Battalions and Brigades must be put in 
orders and tracings be issued -

(9)

5.
Method of Assault (cont.)
(9) Definitive objectives must be allotted to every body of Infantry - 
Whenever a position has been gained and the Flanks are in the 
air, the Infantry must bomb outwards to assist the troops on the 
right and left - 
(10) General - 
(a) No documents, letters, official or private, are to be carried 
on the person when going into action- The only maps allowed 
are ones showing the German trenches or maps showing the 
country in which operations are taking place, but containing 
nothing alluding to our trenches or objective - 
(b) The word "retire" does not exist and will not be understood 
or obeyed by anyone- The use of this word by the enemy has 
frequently caused disaster or led to great loss and 
confusion - 
(c) Should the enemy put up the white flag, no notice will be 
taken of it, unless they actually come out unarmed and with 
their hands up, when they may be passed through our lines 
as prisoners - 
(d) All men must remember that the only water they are likely to 
get for 24 hours is that contained in their water bottles- 
(e) No unwounded man is to be allowed on any account to bring 
back wounded men - 
(f) Unwounded men bringing back wounded will be treated as 
stragglers and stragglers will be severely punished - 
(g) Wounded men able to walk will make their own way to the 
Regimental Aid Post; men unable to walk must await the 
stretcher bearers, who cannot come up until the advancing 
lines have passed on - 
(h) Captured guns should at once be rendered useless by punching 
or shooting a hole in the buffer case, which is underneath, 
or burring the breech screw with a stone or bullet - 
(i) The collection of trophies and souvenirs is to be sternly 
repressed during an action or when consolidating - 
(j) Ammunition must be collected from all casualties and dumped 
at convenient points - 
  
(11) The Assaulting Battalions on arrival at the final objective will at 
once consolidate it- Consolidating parties will usually move 
in rear of the last assaulting line - 
(12) Artillery formations have been found good for getting up supports 
and reserves through the enemy barrage, but small columns lose 
heavily under machine gun fire - 
(13) Whenever an attack is started in the dark white tapes should be laid 
out in front of our trenches on which the attacking troops fall 
in- It is important not to move forward till the troops are 
properly aligned, or direction will be lost - 
(14) Clearing trenches- Special parties will be detailed by each 
Battalion to clear the hostile trenches passed over - these 
parties in each case to consist of a Bombing Section with an 
Infantry Section attached - 
(a) There appear to be differences in the Divisions as to the 
positions of these mopping up parties in the assault - In 
some Divisions they form the 5th and 6th Lines, in others 
a party accompanies each Line - In any case each parry 
must be given a definite objective and set to work as 
quickly as possible - 
(b) The mopping up parties will work inwards until touch is 
gained with the next parties, so as to ensure that no part 
of the trench is left unsearched - 
(c) Each Battalion is responsible for the capture and clearing 
of all trenches within its boundaries and leading forward 
from its objective towards the enemy trenches -
(d)