Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 3, 11 April - 26 April 1915, Part 8

Rec^d 22/4/15
C O P Y 

AEROPLANE REPORT I6th APRIL. 1915. 

Seaplane reconnoitred GALLIPOLI in forenoon and afternoon. Fired
at TAIFIER magazine. Seaplane marked. Expended 14 rounds 9.2". Observer
reported 2nd magazine apparently exploded. Seaplane heavily fired on
by shrapnel from Field Guns and also by rifles. Seaplane hit but
aviaters not touched. Later enemy again commenced fire with field gun,
shrapnel, while picking up seaplane. Shells apparently near TAIFIER
over hill. All burst short, appeared as if fuses are limited to
about 6,000 yards. In all, enemy expended 200 shrapnel. 

Headquarters,
New Zealand & Australian Division. 

Forwarded for information. 

(Sgd) C.H. Villiers-Stuart, Major,
for Brig.-Gen.,
General Staff,
Australian & N.Z. Army Corps.
H.M.T. Minnewaska, 
19th April, 1915.

AEROPLANE REPORT - 18th April, 1915. 
-----------
Reconnaissance Flight.
Boghali (Sq. 2266) JRE Positions of camps around town have already been
shown. JRE
The camp in 226 R appears to be for 6 baitaliens. JRE
The camp in 226 0 is hutments covering an area
of ¼ mile square (1/3rd size of Cypress wood, JRE
to W. of camp). 

Square 214 No entrenchments except Battery 32. JRE

 " 227 No entrenchments. JRE

 " 225, 226 Trenches on north slope of Maltepe, hill 485
(Sq. 225 U 1) and 225 T 5-7. JRE 

 " 213 B 7 Short trench facing S.W. JRE.

N. of Line KOJADERE- No entrenchments. JRE.
BOCHALI.

Sq. 213 F 2 Four gun Battery facing west. JRE

Sq. 214 H7 Camp 40 tents (seen by pilot). JRE

Observations made by pilot:- 

No shipping in Maidos nor in Kilia Liman Harbours.
One small warship in straits between Maidos and Nagara Point.
One transport, one small warship and five small craft in Nagara Bay.
Six small craft in Chanak Bay.
Submarine E15 in same postion, with small craft, probably a tug,
alongside her.
observed 40 tents at Square 214 H 7. JRE 

Bomb dropping Flight. 

To Krithia. Two bombs dropped on body of troops one mile south of the
town. One bomb within 10 yards of target. Nothing now seen. 

Reconnaissance and bomb attack. 

Went over Sedd-el-Bahr and Kaba Tepe to Chanak, and attacked enemy’s
aerodrome with 100 1b. bombs. First missed over; second and third missed
right. On return observed small vessel alongside submarine El5,
apparently pumping her out.
Fired about 15 rounds at her with Lewis gun. 

Bomb dropping flight.
Made the same flight as before. Again attacked enemy's aerodrome with
100 1b. bombs. First missed 100 yards short; second miss 100 yards ever,
and third bomb fell at about 12 yards from shed, under construction,
probably causing some damage. 

Reconnaissance flight to look at submarine E15. No change. No vessels
alongside xx or close to vessel. 

To NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALLAN DIVISION. 19/4/15.

Complimentary Concert tendered to
Officers and Men of H.M.T.S. "Seangchoon"' by the
Canterbury and Wellington Infantry Battalions,
Commencing at 7-30 p.m.
--------------o0o--------------
PROGRAMME.
1. Overture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Private Carbines.
2. Song ("Because") . . . . . . Cpl. Mackenzie-Gibson.
3. Recitation (Humorous) . . . . . . . . Private Ashman.
4. Song ("The Trumpeter") . . . . . Private Davidson.
5. Comic Song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Private Murfitt. 
6. Song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sergt. Seivers.
7. Cornet Solo ("The Rosary") . . . Private McKain.
8. Song ("Tommy Lad") . . . . . . . . . . . Private Wilson.
9. Recitation ("Experiences at
North Pole"). . . . . . L/Cpl. Hogben.
10. Song ("Three for Jack") . . . . . . Private Smith.
11. Part Song ("Soldier's Farewell")
Canterbury 13th Co. party
12. Recitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L/Cpl. Tressider.
13. Song.("Drinkng") . . . . . . . . . . . . .  L/Cpl. Johnson.
14. Song ("Ragtime Comic") . . . . . . . . Private McIsaac.
15. Song ("Mother Machree") . . . . . . Private Mclloy.
16. Musical Sketch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Private Carbines. 

Accompanist - Private Carbines. 

20/4/15.

1 
20/4/15.
Capt. Durrant.
Ship's Adjutant
Transport A.33 - (Ascot) 

I enclose herewith a letter to my groom
Private Perry. I shall be obliged if you will please
see that he gets it promptly & also facilitate his
reply reaching me at first opportunity.
John Monash 
Col.
Transport A.31 "Seeanchoon" 
  
2
Colonel John Monash, 

List marked by Private Perry herewith.
JMA Durrant Capt.
Ships Adjutant
Transport A 33.
20/4/15

S.S. Seanchoon
20/4/15 

Memo. for Private Perry 

I am attaching herewith a complete
list of my personal belongings which were packed
into the wallets of my N^o 1 Saddle. - I shall be
glad of you will go through the articles to see what is
missing.
If any article is missing put opposite it
a cross. X
If the article is still there, put a tick  _'/
After doing this, return the paper, addressed to
me, through Captain Durrant, Ship's adjutant
Who will hand you this letter.
John Monash 
Col.

20/4/15
Articles in Colonel Monash's Wallets : -

on N^o 1 saddle : -
1 Towel X
Wirecutters  _'/
1 pair Socks  _'/
I rubber airpillow (rolled up)  _'/
Small hand mirror  _'/
Woollen Cholera belt.  _'/
Mackintosh Coat, strapped on saddle  _'/
Waterproof sponge bag  _'/
tied up with a calico strap  _'/
& containing : -
Tooth brush  _'/
Shaving brush  _'/
Bottle of Cascara pills X
Tube of Cold Cream  _'/
File  _'/
Handkerchief  _'/
Housewife  _'/
Tube of Hazeline cream  _'/
Pen Knife  _'/
Khakee Laces  _'/
Tin of ointment  _'/
Pipe  _'/
Pencil  _'/
Gillette Safety Razor X
packet of Razor blades  _'/
Scissors  _'/
Soap dish with soap X
tin of Shaving Soap X
tube of Toothpaste  _'/
Compressed towel in packet X
Aluminium Mess tin (contents reported missing)
In the saddle bags of N^o 2 saddle there should be
1 Megaphone  _'/
1 Collapsible Lantern  _'/
  
[* 
Egg Lifter X 
Tea castor X 
Mess Tin  _'/ 
Plate  _'/ 
Sugar Castor  _'/ 
Salts of Pepper castor X 
1 cup  _'/ 
knife ) 
fork ) X 
spoon ) 
No 2 Saddle 
complete *]

[* O.C. Bde. Sect Sgs
" 13th
14th
15th
16th
4th F a.
7th asc *] 
[*4^th  Aus Inf 
Tpt A 31 
Lemnos 
Date*] 
8 
T 
Memo. for C.O.'s 4^th (Aust) Infantry Brigade Units. 
20/4/15 
on

In connection with the partial disembarkation of the Brigade 
yesterday, the following matters were noted, and should receive attention 
by the Senior Officer of each Regimental and Brigade unit on each of 
the Transports carrying details of this Brigade :-
1. Considerable quantities of ammunition were dropped from the 
pouches, both at the landing beaches, at the forming up places, and the 
concentration points. Unless this is checked and remedied the results 
will be disastrous. 
2. A number of units landed with only 150 rounds per man, i.e. 
without the bandoliers carrying the extra 50 rounds. 
3. In some a few cases, boat loads of personnel were sent ashore without 
an officer or N.C.O. in charge.
4. In a few cases, there was too much noise and talking in the boats. 
It is most essential that silence be preserved and that at the point 
of landing only one responsible officer should give orders. 
5. Every man must carry ashore, in his pack, 3 or 4 pieces of 
softwood for fuel. For this purpose empty boxes should be chopped 
up & the wood distributed to personnel. 
6. Waterbottles are not to be carried slung but are to be strapped 
at the back of the pack. 
7. Wooden frames to carry Machine Guns and Ammunition for same 
(in accordance with sketches already promulgated) are to be prepared 
and taken ashore. 
8. Regarding entrenching tools - orders will probably be issued from Div. H.Q. 
directing that Regimental Reserves of Tools be distributed equally throughout the
four Companies. In the meanwhile, each Battalion must make

immediate
arrangements to have the tools securely bundled together in packages
convenient for handling - using lashing, bagging & the like, so
that as to prevent the scattering of the tools & parts of same. -
9. Bundles of or individual pick heads must not be thrown violently
into boats, as was frequently done to the danger of the boat.
  
Lt Col
etc

AW 
417B ⁄ 5/15
FOURTH (AUSTRALIAN) INFANTRY BRIGADE) .
T
Transport 'A31'
Lemnos, 20-4-15.
Bde. Signal Section.
13th Bn.
14th Bn.
15th Bn.
16th Bn.
c.c. 4th F.A.
7th A.S.C. 

In connection with the partial disembarkation of the
Brigade yesterday, the following matters were noted, and should
receive attention by the Senior Officer of each Regimental and
Brigade unit on each of the Transports carrying details of this
Brigade :-
1. Considerable quantities of ammunition were dropped
from the pouches, both at the landing beaches, at the
forming up places, and the concentration points. Unless
this is checked and remedied the results will be disastrous. 

2. A number of units landed with only 150 rounds per man,
i/.e. without the bandoliers carrying the extra 50 rounds. 

3. In some eases, boat loads of personnel were sent ashore
without an officer or N.C.O. in charge. 

4. In a few cases, there was too much noise and talking
in the boats. It is most essential that silence be preserved 
and that at the point of landing only one responsible
Officer should give orders. 

5. Every man must carry ashore, in his pack, 3 or 4 pieces
of softwood for fuel. For this purpose empty boxes should
be chopped up and the wood distributed to personnel. 

6. Waterbottles are not to be carried slung but are to be
strapped at the back of the pack. 

7. Wooden frames to carry Machine Guns and Ammunition for
same (in accordance with sketches already promulgated) are
to be prepared and taken ashore. 

8. Regarding entrenching tools, orders will probably be
issued from Divisional Headquarters directing that Regimental 
Reserves of Tools be distributed equally throughout the
four Companies. In the meanwhile, each Battalion must
make immediate arrangements to have the tools securely
bundled together in packages convenient for handling, using
lashing, bagging, and the like, so as to prevent the
scattering of the tools and parts of same. 

9. Bundles of or individual pick heads must not be thrown
violently into boats, as was frequently done to the danger
of the boat. 

LPMcG Lieut.-Colonel,
Brigade Major, Fourth (Australian) Infantry Brigade.

T 
Transport A31 ("Seangchoon"),
Lemnos, 20-4-15. 

C.O. 4th Infantry Brigade. 

In connection with the disembarkation operations carried
out yesterday at Lemnos Beach, I have to report for your
information that the Brigade Staff arrived at the beach at
8-35a.m. in motor launch direct from Transport 'A31' ("Seangechoon") 

Rendezvous points and outpost positions were immediately
selected by the Brigadier and the beach was duly policed.
Attached hereto please find :- 

(a) Schedule showing time of arrival and discharge
of boats and trawlers. 

(b) Schedule shewing time of the despatch of boats from
the beach to trawlers with troops at the conclusion of the
day's work. 

(c) Statement shewing the beach traffic not connected
with the operations under your control. 

J.P.McGlinn Lieut.-Colonel,
Brigade Major, Fourth (Australian) Infantry Brigade.