Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 6, 10 June - 12 July 1915, Part 3

[[?]]  ANZAC INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN.
Army Corps Headquarters
19th. June. 1915.
Ig./527.
The enemy attacked part of the line of the 8th.
Army Corps last night. The attack was not vigorously pressed
and was beaten off by machine gun fire.
Thirty dead Turks were counted in front of our trenches.
There was a quiet day and night in front of the
French Corps.
The VIIIth ARMY Corps have gained a little ground on
both flanks during the last day or two.
A Turkish prisoner states that the complement of
machine guns to a regiment is four.
Over 1500 Turkish prisoners have now been taken by
the Allies since operations commenced against the Dardanelles.

18th. June. 1915.

It is reported that more German reserves have passed
through Bulgaria for Constantinople to work in Krupp's, who,
it would seem, have established a branch there.
There are reliable reports from Constantinople that
the Turks have agreed to cede Adrianopole to Bulgaria.
Germans are said to be leaving Constantinople.
It is rumoured that Liman von Sanders has been
slightly wounded.
Further reports regarding the loss of morale of the
Turkish troops have been received. It is also reported that
many Turkish officers have been replaced by Germans.
A reliable informant states that an attack on the
4th. June caused such despondency among the Turkish troops
owing to their heavy losses, and that their officers fear troops
and ammunition cannot be brought to their assistance in sufficient
numbers.
The bombs have great effect and they have lost a
great many men in the trenches from this cause. (F.B.) The
Bulgarians are great believers in the use of the bomb against
the Turk.
Up to May 24th. the Turkish losses were reckoned in
Constantinople to be 70,000 of which half are wounded.
The superiority of British material is admitted by
the Turks and the want of ammunition is becoming marked.
Aeroplane reports no massing of troops against
ANZAC (June 19th.)
There has been a quiet day and night all along the
southern front.
 

 Fourth Infy. Brigade 13/6/15
Analysis of History of Officers

Original officers                133

Reinforcements                 26

New Appointments          36         195

Killed, Died of Wounds, & Missing                        44

Severely wounded & not likely to return             15

Wounded & sick, less rejoined                               48

Left at base & transferred                                          6             113

Present Effectives  82< of these only 44 are
original officers &
38 are Reinfcts &
new appointees.

OPERATION MEMORANDUM No.8
by
Brigadier-General H. B. Walker, D.S.O.,
Commanding 1st Australian Division.
Divisional Headquarters
13th June, 1915.
[*Sentry
groups on
observation
posts.*]
1. - With reference to paragraph 5 of "Instructions" for
new units on first going into the trenches", the term "observer"
has led to misunderstanding and will be discontinued. Men 
will hereafter be known and formally posted as double sentries.
The n.co., and six men will form a group which will be
regularly detailed and sentries will be formally posted throughout 
the day and night. Men of the group not on duty will 
always be in the immediate vicinity of double sentries. If 
the sentries are moved to a new observation post the group
must be moved also. In case of alarm groups will man the 
trenches on right and left of sentry posts.
(Where machine gun detachments find sentries over their guns 
these may be posted singly, such sentries must be posted 
formally and the following instructions regarding sentry duty 
are equally applicable to them.)

[*Orders for
sentry
Groups.*]
2. - Orders for groups and sentries will be prepared and
displayed on notice boards in each post. Suggestions as to
the subject and form of such orders are attached hereto for 
guidance. Requisitions for notice boards will be submitted 
to the engineer depot.

[*Relief of
Sentries.*]
 3. - In each brigade there will be definite hours for the
relief of sentry groups - these may vary in each sub-section 
but will be clearly laid down in each case.

[* Alarm
Signals.*]
4. - (i) By day the alarm signal will be the whistle as
laid down in Infantry Training (a succession of
alternate short and long blasts) supplemented by
local arrangements definitely prepared and
recorded by unit commanders.
(ii) By night sentries will at once arouse their
groups and the n.c.o., of the group will arouse
the company commander, whose position must always
be known to all n.c.os., in charge of groups.
In each unit arrangements will be definitely
prepared and promulgated for alarming supports
through the sentries over those bodies.

[*Supports.*]
5. - Men in support trenches are often widely scattered 
and not always under control of their officers and n.c.os.,
Supports will always be quartered by sections and platoons,
and will invariably be in the same place each night. Each 
subordinate commander will acquaint himself with the position 
in the fire trenches he has to occupy, see that his men know 
it, and the shortest route to it in case of alarm.

[*Fire trench
garrisons.*]
6. - With reference to para 6 of "instructions to new units
on going into trenches", while a sentry group of 6 men to each 
12 yards of trench may be a reasonable minimum by day,
Brigade and battalion commanders must determine the number of 
observation posts actually required on a particular frontage -
the principles governing their selection being that all ground 
must be under constant observation and effective fire. In 
case of sudden attack at night the groups must be sufficiently 
close together to provide an adequate firing line and in the 
fire trenches there should in addition be sufficient men at 
rest between the posts to establish a firing line of one man 
per yard.

[*Trench
Standing
Orders.*]
7. - A resume of certain orders of general application
regarding duties in the trenches are issued herewith in the 
form of "trench standing orders".
C.B.B.WHITE, Lt. -Colonel,
General Staff.
---------
 

Confidential 13
H.Q., N.Z. & A. Div.  13/6/15.
Anticipating that the G.O.C. would desire, as on previous occasions, 
an expression of opinion from me as to the relative merits 
of officers reported to meritorious service & conspicuous gallantry, in 
respect of the period from May 5 to June 2 when this Brigade was
withdrawn from Section 3 - in the event of his seeing fit to make 
further recommendations, I submit my views hereunder:-
For Special Mention:
Lt Col. Cannan (not previously mentioned) for his
c capable & energetic exercise of the command of Quinn's
post, from the successful sortie on May 9/10 until finally
relieved on May 28. -
Lt. Col. Burnage (previously mentioned) for his conduct of the 
Defence of Quinn's post, during the early morning of May 29 
up to the time that he was severely wounded.-
Lt Col. Pope (previously mentioned) who assumed command 
at Quinn's post upon LtCol Burnage being wounded, 
for organizing the counterassault & conducting the operations which 
led to the recovery of the lost ground, & the restoration of the 
whole work. -
For Rewards.  : -
1. Major E.L. Tilney 16^th Bⁿ (omitted from my earlier recommendations 
by an oversight - see my report of 23/5/15)
This officer, subsequent to the events narrated in previous 
report, carried out the duties of Second-in-Command
at Quinn's post until relief on June 1^st, & actively
participated in all the offensive & defensive operations
of that post, during the whole period, behaving
throughout with conspicuous ability & courage.
 

Confidential 14
H.Q., N.Z. & A. Div

2. Major Herring 13^th Bⁿ  see my report of 2/6/15
3. Capt. Forsyth     do.           do.
4. Lieut. Hill             do.          do.
In my opinion the four cases selected, of those
submitted, are most deserving of reward, and,
as regards character of reward, in the order named
John Monash
Col.
C.O. 4th (Aust.) Inf. Bde.

15
14/6/15
H.Q. N.Z. & A. Div.
It is desired to bring under notice the excellent work done by 
the Regimental Medical & Stretcher Bearer Departments of this Brigade 
during the period Apl. 25 to June 2. - It is difficult to single out 
instances specially deserving of mention where all the personnel have
done so well, but in the cases of the three officers mentioned below,
in addition their most capable & efficient administration of their 
personnel, & their untiring attention to the wounded, their conduct 
has been characterized on many occasions by fearlessness, & disregard
[[?]] danger, of which some instances are cited:-
Capt. Roy S. McGregor A.A.M.C. while engaged in attending to the 
wounded on Apl. 30, in a dangerous locality, was himself wounded in 
the forearm, but remained on duty for several days, until it became
absolutely necessary for him to go to Hospital. After only 2 days absence, he returned
to his work, & frequently exposed himself to risk of further injury.-
Capt. T.F. G. Luther A.A.M.C. On 26/5/15 the bivouacs of the 15 & 16 
battalion came under heavy fire from Sharpshooters, & no less than 16 men
were hit in a short time. Captain Luther worked for the whole morning in 
the fireswept area, assisting to dress & bring these wounded to safety,
& frequently passing over fireswept areas in doing so.
Capt. G. Loughran AAMC. Whenever not actually at work at the 
dressing station, this officer was invariably right up in the front positions 
where he could render immediate aid. He repeatedly worked under 
heavy fire. His previous S.A. service stood him in good stead, & he has
throughout been a great factor in cheering & heartening the men, by 
his example & devotion to duty.
John Monash
Col.
C.O. 4th (Aust) Inf. Bde.
 

M.G. 14/6/15

35 @ ½ = 17 ½
5 @ 1     = 5
                          
                  22 ½
20 gallons
15@ ½ = 7 ½
 

OPERATION MEMORANDUM No. 9
by
Brigadier-General H.B.WALKER, D.S.O.
Commanding 1st Australian Division.
Divisional Headquarters,
14th June, 1915.

[*Transmission
of information*]
1. - (i) Information gained in one section or portion of a
section, which is of importance or interest to others, will
invariably be communicated directly to the section or part of 
the line concerned as well as to section or Divisional Hd.Qrs.
(ii) Similarly, when action is being taken in one
part of the line, all other portions affected or whose assistance 
is required, should be communicated with directly, and the 
action reported to section or Divisional Headquarters.
(iii) The signal service and regimental signallers
are primarily responsible for despatching these communications 
by the quickest and most reliable means, and for properly 
advising all concerned in case of any interruption or delay 
in the intercommunication system. Commanders are not thereby
absolved from the responsibility of satisfying themselves 
that the system is efficient in so far as it affects their 
command, and they should promptly report any defects discovered.
[*Maxim guns.*]
2. - Maxim guns will not be dismantled and packed up 
during the day; they will be held ready for action at all times.
In emplacements where this might lead to their disclosure, 
they will be lowered on their tripods or
otherwise concealed.
[*Saps and
tunnels.*]
3. - (i) The O.C. Div. Engrs. will arrange for the number 
of all tunnels and saps to be posted on a board at the tunnel 
entrance. Main tunnels, i.e., those running directly towards the enemy’s
trenches will be marked with the word "Main".
(ii) The operations of the last 40 hours have
emphasized the need of exercising every care to prevent the
enemy from locating our tunnels. The voice increases in volume 
and travels far in such confined spaces. Strict silence will 
therefore be observed not only in the tunnels but at the tunnel 
entrance.
In order to ensure this section commanders will
arrange for a sentry to be posted at the entrance to all main 
tunnels. The duty of this sentry will be: - 
(i) to prevent officers and men from assembling at the
entrance to tunnels;
(ii) to prevent conversation at tunnel entrances and for a
space of five yards on either side;
(iii) to prevent a block at the tunnel entrance of the
inevitable traffic in the trench.
[*Sap working
parties.*]
4. - Sap working parties will not be required to stand to 
arms with the remainder of the trench garrison.
[*Procedure
on posting
new units.*]
5. - When new units are posted in the trenches the O.C.
the unit being relieved will formally hand over to the incoming 
unit commander, and a representative of the brigade staff
will be present. All information regarding the line, the
location of observation posts and machine gun sections, will 
be communicated in writing. Copies of standing orders for the 
trenches, instructions for new units, and orders for groups 
and sentries will be formally handed over.
[*Ammunition
Supply.*]
6. - The following is the approved allotment of ammunition
(a) Per rifle .. On the man - 220 rounds (portion of
this may be kept in receptacles in the
fire trenche
In bde. reserve - 80 rounds.
(b) Per m. gun . . With gun  . .  11.500 rounds
In bde. reserve    . .  5,000 "
 

2. Opern. Memo. No. 9

[*Discipline.*]
7.(i) The attention of commanding officers is
drawn to the careless manner in which men are marched
to and from duties. In the interests of good order
and discipline, it is essential that all bodies of
troops should in all circumstances be properly
controlled. Men will therefore be regularly marched
in charge of an officer or n.c.o. when going to or
returning from any duty. This does not prevent the
officer or n.c.o. in charge moving the troops in
a formation which will ensure safety from fire.
(ii) A great number of men are still observed on
the roadways and tracks both singly and in groups, who
have no particular duty. Individuals will not be
allowed to leave their unit lines except for a
definite purpose in which case they should be in
possession of a pass.

C. B. B. WHITE  Lt.-Colonel.
General Staff.