Sir John Monash - Personal Files Book 2, 1 April - 11 April 1915, Part 8

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Part of Quest:
Sir John Monash (General, b.1865 - d.1931)
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Finalised
Accession number:
RCDIG0000580
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 4

AUSTHALIAW AIT NNW ZZHLAD ALMIY COrIS. 11/12 April 1915. (th Schelon, Train Timings. Caire to Gabbaly. -- Tls Tie train Time leave Londing 30 3i loading Desttnation of Men Torses ready for Unit. Train. Type. Station aryl station. loacing. 10.20pn Seg lgohoon 4.1584 8.00pm Ath I.Bde jai lath Bottr. 435 747 Inf. jeinien rde 3.agjuart 48 lede Sec jiv sic 0o 11.30pm Australind 4.45am 9.00pm Howitzer Batty. 148 Div. Arty. 7478 Cav. Cairo ? Div.Train. Rag.sec iow.Batty. Div.Train, Pelsonnel I4 £ 18c5 5.10am 11.20pm Ascot. 9 bom Half 13th Battu. 50 Ath I.Pde Inf. P.Hubba. 12.30an Californian 5.40am Au P1.19 F7 10.00 pm 4tI Tola Cav. Cairo 1. HSrsge IhU0 Ballm 83 1.20 am Seangchoon 7.15am 11.00pm 4tn 1.Bde. Half l4tn Battn. 436 705 Inf. Helmich jold rart] iow. Baty. Allun.Col 2 2.30sp Australind. 7.45am 11.4500 Div. Arty 705a Cav. Cairo 7 Ath Field Anb 4th I.Bde Bag.3ec. Am un.Col. Div. Trein Bag.3ec.2 Cos.15 En Div. Train Div. Train Person'l.19.41 Co. 1f forses 15th Bn. Stn 1.3de Jold Zarti 8.15am 2.20am Ascot 5c I39 gündga gerun3 12/15a4. 707 Inf. P.Kubba. H.3.F.A.B. An.Col 135 3.30am Californian 8.45am 162 12.45am Div.Arty. 70/a Cav. Cairo 1 Ath I Bde. 4ti Tield Amb. Australind 10.15am 2.00am 4200m 1r 15th Baitn. 564. AthI.Be 711 Inf. Telien 5.30am Californian 10.45am 2.45am N.Z.F.A.Bde 3rd Batter 7lla Cav. Cairo 7 Div.Train Bag.Sec. 15/16Bns I.Z.F.A.Bde.Amnun.Column 11.15am 3. 15am 5.20am Ascot äde1a 713 Cav. P.Kubba Sop Bde.Sec.Div sig.Co Ath I.Bde Bag.Sec. Bde Iors Div. Train Div.Train 13th Bn.Bag.Sec. . x As 711 will be overcrowded 75 men should be detailed to proceed on train No 707 from P.Kuboa. Half the total vehicles of the 14th Battalion should be loaded on each of trains 747 aud 705.
30. G Epul 19 Ae 3. 4 t Skfantag PStagade Masnes? Thre Hounts eleven Ihellerg on keeont sp nendspapees pernchaset at Albang W. for Revospafess fot sacont Cossag 4 1ABant 5-W0 for Bagetagank 57.5.
54. Die Gggrsliene Obetels Step Hennehs Alatel 29 Eeresmnies Abstel 4 Gbegireh, alane ABatet NPANNS 40A Erire Eggtt. n.1/2 14 alshet Monoh 451 8 6 n t ah 2 1911 Songkt forwenrd PI. 30 Spanstment ( Gining ansn Brankfaut pentnent Erstons Geing assn astenrant Binek Spartment ening, Hassm esterant Ginnrer Spartment Jaa ov Gaffe luinnple! non Tous None Frh o Slas chtus Minenal mitere Ws At onswuinn Ahrt Staatinglstakunaty, at or smtl Mi2210 Autk Wanding, Sheneing Gusvibes R Lerggage Grt ligems Homen Stuedle eteregrermans Shule paid Ganiange Tilegrame Stennngd band, Biun doaann, staste Canied forward P.I. 36 Abrev P7 - Plastes Vernf t. 100 - PT 974 [a 20 - PT 77- Attr PT. I
6. In practcally every unit the water carts, ambulance, etc. followed the fighting troops too closely, especially going over bad ground, with the result that the horses were in many cases much distressed. Also these vehicles gave the positions away when endeavours were made to take advantage of cover. 7. There was not good co-operation between Artillery and Infantry in tho general advance. The Infantry Brigadiers were not in touch with the artillery, did not know which batteries were supporting them, nor who they could call upen when artillery support was required. In many cases the infantry advanced unsupported by artillery and were, therefore, frequently stopped. It must be clearly understood that artillery must neutralize or at least bring fire to bear on hostile artillery or the infantry will not be able to advance without very heavy loss. 8. When ground is won, artillery must be pushed forward, by single guns, if necessary, to make it good. 9. Hachine guns were kept much too far back. 10. The advance of the N.Z.Infantry Brigade was very well carried out. Advantage was taken of ground, there was good covering fire support, and the line was well built up. 11. The orders generally were clear and well understood. 12: As the khaki force was in numerical superiority, it is worth considering whether some of, the mounted troops could have been sent on a special mission "to the oil fields" while the khaki Comnander still would have had enouch force to contain, if not defcat the white.

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND ARMY CORPS.
6th Echelon,   Train Timings.    Cairo to Gabbary.      11/12 April 1915.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No of
Train.		 Type. Loading Station. Unit. Men Horses Time train ready for loading. Time leave loading station. Destination Time of arrvl.
747 Inf. Helmieh. 4th I.Bde.  Half 14th Battn.
4th I.Bde. Headquarters.
4th I.Bde.  Sec.Div.Sig.Co.		 485 
  
17 
  
19		   8.00pm 
  
  
  
 		 10.20pm 
  
  
  
 		 Seangchoon 
  
  
  
 		 4.15am 
  
  
  
 
747a Cav. Cairo  7 Div. Arty. Howitzer Batty.
Div.Train. Bag. Sec.How.Batty.
Div.Train. Personnel HQ & 1 Sec 
 		 148 
  
  
2 
  
55 
  
 		 130 
  
  
4 
  
  
  
 		 9.00pm 
  
  
  
  
  
 		 11.30pm 
  
  
  
  
  
 		 Australind 
  
  
  
  
  
 		 4.45am 
  
  
  
  
  
 
701 Inf. P.Kubba. 4th I.Bde. Half 13th Battn. 500 38 9.00pm 11.20pm Ascot. 5.10am
701a Cav. Cairo   1. 4th I.Bde. 4th Field Amb. 
4th I.Bde. Horses 14th Battn		 180 
  
35		 69 
  
70 		 10.00pm 
  
 		 12.30am 
  
 		 Californian 
  
 		 5.40am 
  
 
705 Inf. Helmieh 4th I.Bde. Half 14th Battn. 
Hold Party      		 486 
  
44		   11.00pm 
  
 		 1.20am 
  
 		 Seangchoon 
  
 		 7.15am 
  
 
705a Cav. Cairo  7 Div. Arty. How. Baty. Ammun. Col 
4th I.Bde 4th Field Amb. 
Div. train Bag.Sec. Ammun.Col 
Div.Train Bag.Sec.2 Cos.15 Bn 
Div.Train Person'l. Hq.&1 Col 
4th I.Bde Horses 15th Bn 
Hold Parties 
  
 
43 
  
  
25 
  
2 
  
  
4 
  
  
15 
  
  
20 
  
88 
  
  
 
48 
  
  
40 
  
4 
  
  
8 
  
  
  
  
  
39 
  
  
  
  
 
11.45 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 		 2.30am 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 		 Australind. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 		 7.45am 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
707 Inf. P.Kubba. 4th I.Bde. 
Hq.& I Co.13 Btn. 
Hold Parties		 308x 
  
44		 37

 		 12/15am.

 		 2.20am

 		 Ascot

 		 8.15am

 
707a Cav. Cairo   1 Div.Arty. N.Z.F.A.B. Am.Col 
4th I.Bde 4th Field Amb.		 136
  
  
  
50		 162
  
  
  
 		 12.45am
  
  
  
 		 3.30 am




 		 Californian




 		 8.45am




 
711 Inf. Helmieh 4th I.Bde. Half 15th Battn.  564x 36 2.00am 4.20am Australind 10.15am
711a Cav. Cairo  7 N.Z.F.A. Bde 3rd Battery

Div. Train Bag.Sec. 15/16Bns 
N.Z.F.A.Bde 
Ammun.Column
148
  
  
6 
  

5 
  
 
130 
  

12 
  
  
5

 
2.45am 
  
  
  
  
  


 
5.30am 
  
  
  
  
  


 
Californian 
  
  
  
  
  


 
10.45am








 
713 Cav. P.Kubba 4th I.Bde
Headquarters
Div.Train HQ &
Sup.Sec. 4th Co
4th I.Bde
Bde.Sec.Div.Sig.
Co
Div.Train Bag.Sec.
Bde Hqrs
Div.Train 13th
Bn.Bag.Sec.

 		 12

109

6


2


8


 

23

81

6


4


16




 		 3.15am
  
  








 		 5.20am












 		 Ascot 11.15

x As 711 will be overcrowded 75 men should be detailed to proceed on train No 707 from P.Kubba.
Half the total vehicles of the 14th Battalion should be loaded on each of trains 747 and 705.

 

No.          9th April 1915 
  
Received of C.O. 4th Infantry Brigade 
the sum of Five pounds eleven shillings 
on account of newspapers purchased 
at Albany W.A. for newspapers for 
escort convoy.
[*15-15-15*] 
  
£ 5-11-0 
P.J. 541 
[[?]] EvansLt 
for Staff Paymaster

 

SEMIRAMIS HOTEL
The Egyptian Hotels Ltd.
Shepheards Hotel
Semiramis Hotel
Ghezireh Palace Hotel
Cairo Egypt.

Room No 12  M Colonel
M E D                   Monash
 

Month April  1915 10 11    
Brought Forward P.T.
 		   20    
Apartment 20      
Breakfast   { Dining Room
                     { Apartment
Extras

Lunch {Dining Room
             {Restaurant
             {Apartment

Dinner  {Dining Room
             {Restaurant
             {Apartment

Tea or Coffee (simple)
Afternoon Teas

Wines

Mineral Waters
Heating (electricity, oil or coal)
Baths
Washing, Pressing

Omnius & luggage

[[Servants?]]
Cigars, Flowers
Hall Porter's Expenses(Bills paid, Carriages)}
Telegrams, Stamps, Cash, Hair dresser, etc, etc.}

Carried forward  P.T.		   10





























40		 Shepheard's & Ghesireh Palace
Cairo
Received P.T.  40- 
Allen   CASHIER 
No		  
      Total  P.T 40

Abrev P.T. = Piastres Tarif.
₺. 1,0,0 = P.T. 97½
Frs 20 = P.T. 77-
 

 

6.  In practically every unit the water carts, ambulance, etc.
followed the fighting troops too closely, especially going over
bad ground, with the result that the horses were in many cases
much distressed.  Also these vehicles gave the positions away
when endeavours were made to take advantage of cover.
7.  There was not good co-operation between Artillery and Infantry
in the general advance.   The Infantry Brigadiers were not in touch
with the artillery, did not know which batteries were supporting
them, nor who they could call upon when artillery support was
required.  In many cases the infantry advanced unsupported by
artillery and were, therefore, frequently stopped.
It must be clearly understood that artillery must
neutralize or at least bring fire to bear on hostile artillery
or the infantry will not be able to advance without very heavy
loss.
8.  When ground is won, artillery must be pushed forward, by single
guns, if necessary, to make it good.
9.   Machine guns were kept much too far back.
10.  The advance of the N.Z. Infantry Brigade was very well carried
out.  Advantage was taken of ground, there was good covering xx
fire support, and the line was well built up.
11.  The orders generally were clear and well understood.
12.  As the khaki force was in numerical superiority, it is worth
considering whether some of the mounted troops could have been
sent on a special mission "to the oil fields" while the khaki
Commander still would have had enough force to contain, if not
defeat the white. 

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Jacqueline KennedyJacqueline Kennedy
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