Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 2, 23 February - 31 March 1915, Part 4

10

  
I. N.  682-1915-600 ex,                     

New Zealand & Australian Division
March 1915
Fourth (Australian) Infantry Brigade
Operation Standing Orders
"Published under paragraph No 1884, King's Regulations"
A. The following orders are promulgated: —
(a) to save constant frequent repetitions in Operation Orders
(b) to secure uniformity of action by all Commanders of  within
Brigade Units the Brigade.
B. These orders are to be given apply to effect to in connection with 
all Operations of War, except when expressly varied in
Operation Orders, orin special instructions issued from time
to time. 
C. These orders will also be applygiven effect to during all
Training, in so far as same are practicable, having
regard to normal training (i.e. peace) conditions
C D. Any permanent variations amendments to these orders will invariably be
promulgated in writing, & will be at once entered upon
all copies of these orders  in thepossession of units.
D . Where anything contained in these orders appears to conflict with Divisional
Standing orders the latter are to be taken as paramount. 
Ammunition 1. Small Arms Ammunition, 120 rounds per man, will
 at all times be carried by every soldier armed with a 
rifle . Deficiencies will be made up good at first every opportunity
from Regimental Reserves. —
2. For each Machine Gun there will at all times be carried
3500 rounds with the gun, and 8000 rounds per gun in the
G .S . Limbered Waggon accompanying the M.G. Section.
3. In each of the Bn five G.S. Limbered Waggons with the Battalion there will be carried
8000 rounds, & on each pack animal 2000 rounds.
4. These severalreserves will be xxxreplenished from the Brigade Ammunition Reserve or from theArtillery
Brigade Ammunition Column as the case may be at every available opportunity.
5. The Regimental Sergeant Major is responsible for the
Regimental Ammunition Reserve Waggons. He will
have permanently detailed to him two cyclist orderlies,
for communication, in addition to the drivers & escort. 

6. The Company Quarter Master Sergeant is responsible for
the two Company Ammunition pack animals. He will
have permanently detailed to him two orderly's for
communications, in addition to the drivers. –
7. The Brigade Ammunition Reserve will consists of two
Limbered G .S . Ammunition Waggons from each  Battalion
i.e. 8 waggons in all  – The same vehicles, horses & personnel will always be detailed for this purpose. –This Reserve will normally  be
{*X*} under the Command of the Brigade Machine Gun officer
xxxxx (except when the Machine Guns are ordered to be
{*[14th Transport Bgde?]*} brigaded, in which latter case the B.A. Reservethey will be temporarily placedunder the
Command of the Transport Officer of the 15^th Battalion.
Both officers named in this para who will report to &march with
Brigade Head Quarters, whenever there is any probability
{*Here take in AX [tc?]*} of battle. – The officer in Command of the B.A Reserve
will draw from the nearest Battalion two cyclists orderlies
for his Communications . –
8. The first position of the Brigade Ammunition Reserve
will be notified in Operation orders. Subsequent positions
will be notified by field messages from Brigade Head Quarters;
but this will not relieve the Officer in Command O.C. of the
Brigade Ammunition Reserve from maintaining touch  communication with all four
Battalions & with the Artillery Brigade Ammunition Columns.
[*Here take in bx*} 
{*First Line Transport. & Train*} 
Each Battalion will detail a permanent escort for
9 all its vehicles, as under: –
11 . One N.C.O. in charge of the wholeescort.
For each Water Cart – two men
For each other vehicle (except the waggon
carrying the Machine Guns) – one man
These men are fully equipped & armed. They are available
for loading &unloading duties, as well as for defence. –
This instruction applies to both First Line & Train Vehicles. 
Each man should beis permanently detailed to a particular
vehicle, & always accompanies same. – When the
vehicles are scattered separated , the N.C.O. will be is with the 

Regimental Ammunition Reserve Vehicles.
 10. 12 Similarly, the 13th Battalion willpermanently detail 1 lance-
corporal & 2 privates, & the 16^th Battalion will detail
3 privates, as escort tothe6 vehicles of Brigade Head
Quarters. – These men will be permanently detailed to particular
vehicles by the Brigade Quarter Master Sergeant. –
11. 13 The escort personnel, provided as above, is forbidden
 to ride on the Vehicles, or to place arms & accoutrements
upon them.
Brigade Train. 12 14 Whenever the Brigade is detached from the Division
& is marching or operating as a detached force xxxx
when on Advanced Guard Duty the Train Vehicles of the
Brigade will be under remain under the command of the O . C . Brigade Train,
but the escort to these vehicles, as above detailed, will
be together with any additional escort which may be
detailed in operation orders, will be under the command
of the officer detailed in Operation Orders as "O. C. Escort
to Train". This officer is charged with the security of
the train from attack. Whent not otherwise formed or
employed for defensive purposes, the escort, (other than the
one man or two men marching with each waggon), will march in
fours in rear of the Brigade Train Vehicles.
Rations. 13. 15. Whenever troops move from Bivouac or Billets each soldier
should will carry, whenever possible available, sufficient food for 24 hours.
The emergency ration if issued , is to be will invariably be carried
in addition, but is never to be used without the
{*Here take in by*} permission of an ^the senior officer present.
Water. 14 15 16  Waterbottles should willinvariably be filled before leaving
Bivouac or Billets. Men should must be trained to use
Water most sparingly, & to accustom themselves to
depend only on the supply carried on the man by themselves . Water
Carts should willnot be used to replenish waterbottles except
on with the express permission of the Battalion Commander.
16. 14. 17 The greatest care must be exercised by all officers 
as to the quality of the water used for drinking and 

cooking, & for replenishing Waterbottles & watercarts.
Whenever possible, the source of supply must be medically
examined, & all water boiled before use.
{*[Here take in Cx]*}  
Marches 15. 19 Unless the tactical situation renders it undesirable,
every unit will halt at 10 minutes before every clock hour
& will resume the march at the clock hour. 
20 16. All units will march well closed up. Advantage
will be taken of all halts and temporary checks to
close up xxx distances.
21 19 17. At each hourly halt and any intermediate halt other than a temporary check each battalion will send a 
mounted officer - preferably the adjutant to the back of the
Brigadereport centre to ascertain if whether if any orders are about
to be issued.
22 18. Troops will invariably march at ease unless otherwise
ordered.
23 19. As soon as it has been intimated that the march for the
day has come to an end, C.O.'s Commanding Officers
will reconnoitre & picket all sources of water supply contiguous
to their positions 
{*[Here take in Cy]*} 
Protection 22 20 25. Wherever a portion of the Brigade is to be detached on
protective duty such as Advanced Guard, Flank Guard,
outposts &c Officers Commanding the Units left with the
main body or in bivouac will do everything possible to
supply to the Officers Commanding the units of the protective detachments ,
on their request demand, all spare ammunition, supplies
of food & water, & essential transport (if deficient) to
enable them to proceed on the detached duty fully equipped with the 
minimum of delay. – Such deficiencies can be made good replenished
at greater leisure by the units remaining behind.
 {*[Here take in Ay]*}
Billets & Bivouacs 21 23 26. Commanders of Units are responsible for  their own local protection ,
and for the condition of readiness to turn out of their
units,  and for notifying to Brigade Headquarters and
to all Commanders of other Brigade Units the exact position
which they will occupy during the dark hours of darkness 

Machine Guns 22 29 32. An officer will be is nominated in Routine orders as
Brigade Machine Gun Officer. He will command the Brigade
Ammunition Reserve except Whenever two or more Machine
Gun Sections are ordered to be brigaded: – when he will take charge of 
the latter take command of same to operate as directed
in operation orders or otherwise - When not so employed , he
will during battle be in command of the Brigade
*  Ammunition Reserve. – On the the line of March & in quarters he will
be with Brigade Head Quarters.
Information 23 30 33. Machine guns must at all times will be maintained in a
state of readiness for immediate action. Although
normallyeach section they will marches on at the rear of its battalion
it must will be prepared at a moment's notice to go
forward to the head of the column or even to join the
advanced or vanguard so as to come into action to cover a
deployment.
Entrenching Tools 24 34 The regimental reserve of entrenching tools will be is in the charge of the Reg. Sgt. Major
The supply of entrenching tools in regimental reserve
will when necessary be supplemented from theBrigade Reserve. – The Brigade
Reserve of Tools will, while the Brigade is at rest, be with Brigade
Head Quarters in charge of the Brigade, and during
battle action with the Brigade Ammunition Reserve unless some other position is expressly detailed in orders, in both
cases in charge of the Brigade Machine Gun Officer O. C. Brigade Ammunition Reserve^. or his
Whenever tools are required by working parties in excess of those carried by Battalions demands for
extra tools will be made on their officer, who will supply same
to fatigue parties sent for the purpose. –  All tools so
drawn must be returned to the Brigade Tool Reserve at the first
opportunity after completion of the earth work for which
they were required. – 
Information & Intercommunication. 25 35 It is the first duty of the Commander of every Brigade
Unitthroughout every operation of war action.  – ^. to keep Brigade Head Quarters informed of the 
position of his Unit Head Quarters, & of every change in
its position. He is also responsible for doing everything
that is possible at his end to keep the means
of communication with Brigade Head Quarters intact.
During every action He will send a representative of his Battalion
to Brigade Head Quarters during every action. 

36. It is also his duty to Keep in close touch with the action
of neighbouring units, whether forming part of the Brigade
or not; & to Keep them acquainted with what his unit is doing. To enable him to carry out these functions 
efficiently he is justified in specially detailing officers or &
selected N.C.O's for such purposes to assist in effecting
& maintaining these communications.
Supply Train 26. 37 As soon as the place for the xxxx or bivouac or billets
for the night has been determined each Unit will detail a
mounted officer to proceed to the Train & conduct the
Baggage & Supply Waggons to the bivouac of his Unit. – All vehicles
shouldwill carry the distinguishing colors of the Unit so
as to be recognizable at a distance. – 
{*[Here take in by a second time] →*]}
Report Centre {*Also here take in dy*}↑ 
27 29 40 41  The Brigade Section of Divisional Signal Company
will normally marching at the head of the leading  place designated in an order operational Battalion of the Brigade orders as the report centre &  
will be the centre for the  
receipt normally bivouacs with Brigade Head Quarters. 
The Signal Section will be is the report centre for the receipt 
of reports & field messages & the officer or N.C.O. in charge will be is 
responsible for the receipt & recording of all reports, messages 
& orders & for their transmission to the Brigade staff if 
temporarily absent from the report centre. –  
{*[Here take in dx]*} 
Time 28. 43 Official time well be is kept by the Brigade Major, and 
watches should willbe checked at every opportunity. 

bx . 9. Whenever battle action is probable imminent probable, every soldier carrying a rifle will 
be issued with an additional 80 rounds of ammunition from the 
Regimental Reserves, the same to be immediately replenished from 
the Artillery Brigade Ammunition Column. –  
10. Ammunition Bandoliers when not actually issued to the man, are 
to be will be kept filled with 50 rounds, ready for issue full. – 
 by . 38. When supply waggons arrive at bivouac or billets, they must 
be discharged with the utmost despatch, to enable them to 
return without delay to the refilling point. 
39 Every advantage will be taken of empty returning supply waggons to evacuate 
the sick & wounded, and to send to the rear spare arms and equipment.
Cx  18. The officer sent forward by the Battalion for billeting duty will prepare 
an allotment of water for his unit, not overlooking the interests 
of units downstream. He will take steps to safe guard by sentries 
the drinking water from local contamination. He will separately 
allotwater for drinking & cooking for watering horses, & for washing & bathing.
cy  24. As soon as it is Known that the Brigade has halted for the
night, each Battalion will send a representative to Brigade Head Quarters to
ascertain at what hour the attendance of adjutants will be
required to receive orders.
 dx . 
Daily States 42. The daily State will be rendered to Brigade Head Quarters 
15 minutes before the time named for the march of the first 
unit to move from Bivouac. –  In the case of a unit moving 
out independently the State will be rendered 15 minutes 
before the unit moves. 
If no movement takes place before that hour, the Daily State 
will be rendered at 7 a.m. 

Ax He will be assisted by the Transport Sergeant of the 14^th Battalion, 
who will be normally employed to proceed to & maintain communication with the 
Artillery Brigade Ammunition Column (small arms section) allotted to 
this Brigade. –  The O.C. Brigade Ammunition Reserve will draw 
from the nearest Battalion two cyclist orderlies for communications. 
He will be responsible for keeping in touch with Brigade Head Quarters to 
ascertain the plan and development of the action. – 
 Ay 
Billets & Bivouacs. 26 In bivouac or billets, commanders of units are responsible 
for their own local protection, for the condition of readiness to turn 
out of their units, and for notifying Brigade Head Quarters of the 
exact position which they will occupy during hours of darkness 
27. Two orderlies from each Battalion, who are acquainted with the 
location of Battalion Head Quarters will be sent to Brigade Head 
Quarters & rem remain there during the hours of darkness. 
28. Troops will must not be permitted to move during the night 
beyond the limits assigned for the Billeting or Bivouacing 
area of their unit. 
29. Each Battalion will detail, when in Billets, for its own lines, 
a fire piquet consisting of 1 officer 1 N.C.O. & 20 men 
27 30 Each Battalion will also detail, when in Billets, a picquet 
of N.C.O. and 10 men to report for police duty to the Sergeant of the 
Head Quarters Mounted Military Police. 
28 . 31 When in Bivouacs, arms must not be piled, but must each 
man must have his rifle within reach