Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 5, 25 May - 10 June 1915, Part 8
SECRET Copy No. 5
[*Recd
6 -3 pm
4 6/15*]
OPERATION ORDER NO. 1 8
- by -
Major-General Sir A.J.Godley K.C.M.G.
Commanding N.Z. & A. Division
[*4-6-15*] ANZAC COVE
4 - 6 - 1915.
Reference Map ANZAC POSITION
- An assault on the Turkish fire trench in front of QUINN'S POST,
No. 3 Section of Defence, will be delivered to-night with the
object of permanently occupying the portion immediately facing
the Post.
Prior to the assault the 1st Australian Division attacks a
hostile trench in the direction of KABA TEPE with a small party. - The above assaults will be supported as follows :-
(a) By the 1st Australian Division which arranges for
(1) An assault on the Western end of GERMAN OFFICERS TRENCH
from No. 2 Section of defence: this assault to start
at 10.55 p.m.
(2) Machine gun fire to be directed on to the CHESS-
BOARD and BABY 700
(b) By No. 3 Section of Defence the O.C of which will arrange
for
(1) Fire support from COURTNEY'S POST to assist the attack
on GERMAN OFFICERS TRENCH
(2) Fire support from POPE'S HILL in the direction of the
CHESSBOARD and BABY 700
(c) By No. 4 Section of Defence the O.C. of which will arrange
for a strong demonstration from his Section towards the
Northern angle of the enemy's trenches facing ours on the
Col leading to BABY 700
(d) By Artillery which will support the operation as follows :-
(1) 2nd Battery (Sykes), 4th Australian Battery (Phillips)
and the 21st Jacob's Mountain Battery will bring fire
to bear on enemy to the front and left front of QUINN'S.
(2) One Section, N.Z.Howitzer Battery will engage enemy's
main communication trench leading to QUINN'S.
(3) 1st Battery (Symon) will engage the Northern Face of
JOHNSTONE'S JOLLY.
All Artillery fire will commence at 11 p.m. The
O.C.No. 3 Section will exercise a general fire control
through the C.R.A's representative at Headquarters,
No. 3 Section -
The Officer Commanding No. 3 Section of Defence will arrange
for the assault to be organized as follows :-(a) An assaulting Party, who after occupying the enemy trench
will prepare the parapet for use against the enemy.
A bomb throwing party (with rifles slung) will accompany
the assault and will clear the Turkish trenches on either
side of the captured portion(b) Working Parties. The assaulting party will be followed
immediately by Working Parties (without arms) carrying
filled sandbags and tools. These parties will be distributed
as under : -
(1) Right Party, to construct a loopholed traverse on the
right of the captured trench - and to pass out sandbags
and material as required to the above.
(2) Left Party - To perform similar work on the left of the
captured trench.
(3) A party will also be detailed to dig communication
trenches to the captured trench(2)
(c) Stretcher Bearers are to be detailed and formed up
ready to move out as required.
(d) Previous to the assault, QUINN'S POST will be fully
manned and Local Reserves will be brought close up
on the side of the hill. - The assault from QUINN'S POST will commence at 11 p.m. 4th
inst. punctually. Watches to be compared beforehand by
the O.C. No. 3 Section with C.R.A. and O's C. Nos. 2 and 4
Sections. - The 4th Australian Infantry Brigade (in Reserve) will hold
itself in readiness to move at short notice. - Reports to Divisional Headquarters.
(Sgd.) W.G.Braithwaite Lieut.Col.
General Staff,
N.Z. & A. Division.
Copies as under at p.m.
Copy No.1 to War Diary by
2 File
3 No. 3 Section
4 4
5 4th Australian Inf. Bde
6. C.R.A.
7. C.R.E.
8. A.D.M.S.
9. A.D.C. for G.O.C.
10. Administrative Staff
11. General Staff
12 " "
1st Australian Division. ANZAC COVE, 5.6.15
INFORMATION.
- - The following is reported from Constantinople under date
May 22nd.
(i) All hope of importing coal is vanishing. The Government
has 20,000 tons, but private companies and enterprises
of public utility including Constantinople water supply
are running very short. There is plenty of wheat but
owing to the shortage of coal it cannot be ground.
(ii) The number of coal ships sunk so far is 31.
(iii) The number of wounded who arrived in the city during the
week ending May 22nd is more than 10,000.
(it must be remembered that the Turkish Government is
sending as many of the badly wounded as possible to
other towns. ) - - On May 9th a Turkish division is reported to have collided
with a force of two other Turkish Divisions, each thought the other was
an enemy and a battle took place with heavy losses on both sides. - - On May 25th one of our submarines attacked a steamer lying
at the quay at TOPHANE (CONSTANTINOPLE) a great panic was caused in the
city; shops were closed and the troops on the steamships lying at the
quay dashed ashore and refused to re-embark.
4. -Turkish newspapers are not publishing casualty lists.
5. - The following rumours are current in Turkey.
(i) The Turks proposed to make TEWFIK PASHA Grand Vizier and
sue for peace, but England says the 'Committee of Union
and Progress must be done away with first'.
(ii) Von der COLTZ went to Berlin to represent that Turkey
was done up and to propose a separate peace. He was
told to stick it out regardless of Turkey's fate.
These rumours give a good hint as to feeling in Turkey.
6. - The fame of the Australians has gone far and wide at
Constantinople. Even the Germans admit their splendid fighting qualities
and the Turks regard them as marvels. Another report says they are spoken
of as "being more terrible than the Bulgars". The Turks also express
their fear of the "little men with knives" (Gurkhas).
7. - It is reported that -
(i) Revolt is on the increase amongst the officers and lately
shots were exchanged between officers at TAXIM barracks.
(ii) 300 Germans left Constantinople in one train and Germans
continue to leave, the Turks want to know the reason why,
since the Germans say they are sure of resisting us.
8. - Deserters from regiments marching from Constantinople on their
way to the front make a bolt for the Bulgarian frontier en route.
9. - The agreement as to railways between Bulgaria and Turkey says
that there must be "200 trucks and 8 engines" on the Bulgarian side of
the frontier. The Bulgars see that this is kept and hang up rolling
stock accordingly. This is hampering the Turk very much in moving men.
10. - Information from a reliable source has been received under date
May 31st as follows :-
(i) "The day the Turks asked for an armistice they were on the
point of abandoning their trenches and had begun to send
off war material. But when we granted the armistice
they determined to hang on.
(ii) Their morale is gone".
11. - Under date June 1st, the following has been received :-
Between May 26th and May 30th troops were transported
by rail from Constantinople towards KESHAN. They consisted of men
collected from all parts and were aged from 17 to 45 years.
150 trucks of munitions of war consigned to Turkey are stated to
be held up in Roumania.
SECRET ANZAC INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN 5th JUNE, 1915.
Total number of prisoners taken at Quinn's Post last night,
30. Thirty of these from 57th regt and 1 from a "Sapper" Battalion.
Following statements have been made by them -
Most of 57th regt captured belong to a "Hill" Battalion
which was attached to the 42nd regt at ISMID for two months.
20 -25 days ago 500 of them were sent to the 57th regt to fill
gaps caused by casualties.
They have no German officers and have seen xxxx none,
except one who inspected the trenches some days ago.
They have seen the 70th, 64th, 57th, 27th, 15th and 33rd
regiments.
They have been told reinforcements were expected every day
and heard the 4th and 6th Divisions mentioned as coming. Some say
they have heard that three divisions have already arrived from
Adrianople and are close at hand.
They generally state that ammunition is plentiful but they
have recently been warned to be careful of it. One stated that
10 days ago they were told to be very careful of rations and
ammunition as ships might not be able to reach them from Constantinople.
There has been a certain amount of slight sickness in the
trenches but nothing of any consequence.
All stated they wanted peace and some said they had heard
four days ago that peace pourparlors were going on and they prayed
it might be true as they wanted to get back to their families.
They were obliged to fight and shot if they did not obey. Their
officers told them that "once in the trenches you must fight to
the end". Several men have already been shot for retreating.
They were also told by their officers that we were on the point of
surrendering and so men said "If I do surrender now I shall be
handed over again when the British surrender". They had been
told no tales of Turkish victories at the South of the Peninsula.
The proclamations dropped from our aeroplanes were picked
up and taken to an officer but some of the men heard the contents.
All state hand grenades and bombs do much damage. The
periscope rifle is thought a terrible weapon.
All agree their officers do not come into the firing trenches.
One said the captain of their Company ran away when we
attacked last night.
All stated that they had seen no barbed wire.
The guns none admitted having soon. One stated some mountain
guns were straight up the hill three-quarters of an hour behind
their trenches at Quinn's Post.
BOGHALI was again mentioned as a base and the headquarters
of a division described as being half an hour from Boghali to
the East.
Men in the firing trenches have to fetch their water from
near Boghali.
Our attack last night came as a surprise. It was not
anticipated in any way.
Turkish companies are supplied with many bombs.
-2-
One prisoner stated that he believes the regiments that
attacked Quinn's Post last week suffered very severely.
A regiment was sent from here to reinforce the South (22nd.
mentioned, but this has already been located against South). None
of them had heard of the advent of the 1st Army Corps.
One heard that our shrapnel had burst among their reserves
which are a mile or so in rear of their fire trenches. He also
stated that some of our shells did not burst.
All agree that the Turkish losses are very heavy. One
stated that a Major of the 57th regiment was slightly wounded
yesterday afternoon.
Snipers are chosen by the Sergeants with orders to go out
and hide and shoot [[??]] anyone they can see.
Army Corps Headquarters,
5th June
Ig / 346
SECRET ANZAC INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN 6th JUNE, 1915.
The following are extracts from a note book taken from a
Turk :-
" On the 20th May we made an attack both from the right and
"left flanks, but as we were advancing the enemy began a very
"heavy firing by machine guns and we were compelled to retire.
"Our losses in killed and wounded were enormous
"On the 28th May we made an attack during which our Company
"sustained severe losses. Only 30 men being left in our Company
"out of 240 men, which has been filled up as is now with untrained
"men. We have fought the enemy for 22 days, the battle continuing
"day and night. The losses in killed and wounded are very
"severe (enormous)."
A Greek serving in an Engineer battalion was xxxxxx captured
yesterday.
He states that there were originally 4 Division (i.e., 36
battalions) against ANZAC but owing to the great losses two of these
divisions were amalgamated reducing the number of divisions against
us to three. Two of those divisions were taken away on the morning
of the 4th leaving only the 19th Division and the 27th regiment in
the firing line but it was reported that two new divisions (1st and
6th) had arrived at BOGHALI from AKBASHI LIMAN. He heard the two
divisions that were taken from here were sent to MAIDOS, and had been
replaced because they had failed to drive our forces into the sea.
The 19th division was reported to be going to be shortly relieved
also. This would mean that there would be 3 new divisions against
ANZAC.
This information is given with reserve, as several of this man's
statements are known to be inaccurate. It is however quite likely
that the troops opposing ANZAC may be replaced by fresh troops, as it
is known that they have suffered very severely.
The prisoner also states that our hand grenades and bombs are
much feared and overhead cover is being made in all the trenches
composed of poles with brushwood on them and covered over by earth.
He states he was constructing this cover in the trenches opposite
Quinn's Post when he was captured.
As the result of our advance in the Southern Zone on the 4th
inst, 450 prisoners were captured, among them being 5 Germans employed
with a Machine gun section.
Army Corps Headquarters,
6th June 1915.
Ig / 352.
SECRET ANZAC INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN 6th June, 1915.
The following are extracts from a notebook taken from a Turk:-
'On the 20th. May we made an attack both from the right and
'left flanks, but as we were advancing the enemy began a very
'heavy firing by machine guns and we were compelled to retire.
'Our losses in killed and wounded were enormous.
'On the 28th, May we made an attack during which our company
'sustained severe losses. Only 30 men being left in our company
'out of 240 men, which has been filled up as is now with untrained
'men. We have fought the enemy for 33 days, the battle continuing
'day and night. The losses in killed and wounded are
'very severe (enormous).'
A Greek serving in an Engineer Battalion was captured yesterday.
He states that there were originally 4 Divisions (i.e. 36 battalions)
against Anzac but owing to the great losses two of those divisions were
amalgamated reducing the number of divisions against us to three. Two of
these divisions were taken away on the morning of the 4th. leaving only
the 19th. Division and the 37th. regiment in the firing line but it was
reported that two new divisions (1st. and 6th.) had arrived at BOGHALI
from AKBASHI LIMAN. He heard the two divisions that were taken from
here were sent to Maidos and had been replaced because they had failed
to drive our forces into the sea. The 19th, Division was reported to
be going to be shortky relieved also. This would mean that there
would be three new divisions against Anzac. This information is
given with reserve, as several of this man's statements are known to be
inaccurate. It is, however, quite likely that the troops opposing
ANZAC may be replaced by fresh troops as it is known that they have
suffered very severely.
The prisoner also states that our hand grenades and bombs are much
feared and overhead cover is being made in all the trenches composed
of poles and brushwood over them and covered over with earth. He states
he was constructing this cover in the trenches opposite Quinn's Post
when he was captured.
As the result of our advance in the Southern zone on the 4th, inst.
450 prisoners were captured among them being five Germans employed with
a machine gun section.
Army Corps Headquarters,
6th, June, 1915.
IG/ 352.
File
General
1
Reserve Gully
ANZAC Position
June 6/15
HQ,N.Z & A. Div.
I beg to submit for the personal information
of the G.O.C. a brief review of the present condition of
this Brigade, as to numbers & training, so that a correct
estimation may be made of the present War Efficiency
of the Brigade. -
The figures given are for the Brigade as a whole, including
Head Quarters & Signals; but detailed figures
for each unit can be furnished if required.
The figures are up to midnight on June 5/15 and are
reliable within narrow limits.
Total personnel, of those who left Egypt on or
About April 10, 11, 12 who have actually
landed at ANZAC (including portions of
Echelon B & C & hold parties) 3985
Reinforcements subsequently landed 1524
5509
Present strength, including all detachments}
in Section 3 & at Imbros & on ANZAC beach } 2730
Total losses of Effectives 2779
p.t.o
2
The 'Total losses' comprise :-
Casualties in Killed, wounded & prisoners
& missing actually reported from
time to time by name - 2354
Less - men rejoined - convalescent 201 2153
Invalided & Sick temporarily sent away 357
Casualties, whose names & nature of casualty
not yet ascertained 269
Total losses 2779
The Casualties & Invalided comprise (after deducting those who
have rejoined convalescent) :-
Battalion Commanders 2
Senior Majors 2
Adjutants 2
Company Commanders 12
Other Officers 81
Total loss of officers (out of 132) = 99
Total loss of N.C. O's 377
do do other Ranks 2303
2779
A statement showing accurately the numbers of the original
personnel still present has not been definitely collected, but the
following figures are closely approximate viz :-
3
Original personnel still present
Officers 37
N.C.O's 83
RK & file 1300
Total 1420
or the equivalent of about 6 Companies of Infantry.
This portion of the present personnel is the only portion that has
had collective training in any form in units larger than a Company;
& it is the only personnel that has undergone systematic
War training in Egypt .- The whole of the First
& most of the Second Reinforcements were absorbed prior to
leaving Egypt, so that the Reinforcements landed since arrival
at Anzac (totalling 1524) were portions of the Second
& the whole of the Third & Fourth Reinforcements.- Only a
small proportion of these have had anything more than Recruit
training, about one half have been through Musketry Range
Practices, & none have had Musketry Field Practices.
The present efficiency may be summed up thus:-
Fully Trained, & with 6 weeks}
War experience} 1420
Recruit Training & average 3}
weeks War Experience} 710
Recruit Training -little Musketry}
& no War Experience} 600
Present Strength 2730
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