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

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Part of Quest:
Sir John Monash (General, b.1865 - d.1931)
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
RCDIG0000590
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

REY EELEEED AOGERALTAY BIYLEION. Ansae Cove, N.2.6. 1348. 1st. July, 1915. Orcanisation of Crenade Parties and supply of Gremdes with a view to offensive eperations. in the event of the Mvision being recuired to attack an eneny holding a position prepared with successive lines of trenches, connected by communicating trenches, 1t is probable thit grenades will prove necessary to clear his out of his trencnes. 1t must however, be clearly understoed that the grenace is only to be used to assist the beyonet, never to replace roops assculting are never to wait for grenade throwers 1t. though these, when available, can render valuable assistance, 17 well trained and properly organised, and can render success attainable with fever cesualties. Recinental and Bettelien ereenization. 8. In order to teke rull advantage of the grenade as a weapon of offence, 1t is essential that a regular organisation of grenadiers and of grenade supply be adepted. The General officer connanding therefore directs that the following organisation be adopted throughout the N.2. 4 Australian Divisien In each Senasmn of Meuntea Mfles. 1 Grenade Sergeant or Cornoral. 4 Bomb Perties each consisting of- 1 throver, 1 assistant thrower and 3 carriers. In eash sennenzef Infantry. 1 Grenade Sergeant. 1 Cronade Cornoral. 8 Boab parties, each consisting of- 1 thrower, 1 asristant throver, and two carriers. In each Reginent and Battalion an officer will be selected as Grenade officer. Formally his anties in tms connection vill consist in trairing the various Grenade parties and supernumeraries to replace casusities. In epecial cases however, whe way be detailed to tare charge of Crenade Parties for special enterprises. Orcarisation of Creneae Perties. A Crensue party wil. noreally consist of 1. 1 thrower carrying 10 jan tin grenates or se smell grenedes (bayonet but no rifle. 1 assistant throver carrying 10 jon tin grenedes or s0 anall grenades, (bayonet but no rifle. 2 carriers, each carrying 20 jom tin grenades or to snell grenades, and slung rifles. 2 Escort with rifles and Hired beyonets. The throwers will carry their grenades in specisl belts or haversacks - the earriers in special heversacks or bastets. t. Sanllef Crenedes. 1t is hoped to arrenge that grenades will noreally be carried in aule carts, one of which will be allotted for this purpose to each pattalion of Infentry and halfa eart to each Regiment of mounted troops.
AU. (9) The load for a grenade cart 1s:- e boxes jam tin grenades, soe large or tse small. 1 box Lotbiniere bonbe e bombs. special belts and haversacks for throwers and carriers. mhen grenades are likely to be required by any unit, the Crenade parties proceed to the cart which norwally will be with the Reginental S.A.A. Reserve, draw the epeciel equirment and grenades and rejoin their units, The throwers (and ascistant throwers) will leave their rifles in the grenede cart. in the event of 1t being inpossible to bring the grenade cart sufficiently close to the unit requiring grenaces, S.A.A. pack pules of the urit will be made useo: the S.A.K. loaded on these mules being deposited at sone convenient spot. Lactical Enplement of Crenade Pertice Grenade parties acting ourorsivery will be enployed under the following conditions:- (a) mhen the eneny's trenches are within throwing cistence of cur trenches. In this case the asssvit vill be prepred by showers of grenades thrown into the eneny's trenches innediatey prior to the assault, special grenade parties being formed up opposite the enemy's communication trenches as far as these have been located. In the actual assoult on the trench, grenade throwers will acconpany the assaulting party. After the enony trench has been occupied the arcnade partyes bombard the enenys support trenches while the special partyes previously referred to work up the eneny comnunication trenches, and to the flans of the unit, (1f any), and prevent the encay collecting Br counter attacks. (D) when the enemy’'s trenches are asseulted from beyond throving distance. In this case bomb perties come np with the last troops to be thrown in prior to the assault, and join in the assault; when the trench is taken they ad as in (a). Should any obstacles be net Frtk which checks the assault within throwing distance of the eneny, they oover the destruction of passege of the obstacle by bombarding the enomy. Time Juse honbe ore not to be used guring an assault owing to the danger of causing casualties anong our own men; except in the case of an obstacle being net as mentioned shove. should detonating bombs, however, be evailable, they should be thrown as soon as the aeseulting line gets witmn throwing distance of the eneny, and up to the last possible moment. Esigned) V.C. Preithwaite, Lieut.-Coloel Ceneral Steff, N.2. and A Mvicion.
1 21 snask t h dear quite on ggiee with think that et promation recourse ght be the to outside the battation only being had when nafifications of the next - senor are not such thoroughly Justif. as to his promotion. Semority in the battation, & tenitori cuntablity should receive fnot consideration, & ix
riffirently tabl forth ae i neus from thest Tources coming soutside 9 they we might or, in some special ca whee it is desned to peer of Cm. we an ncous abiliti we might battalion agre to it N Sincet Ourthen the prigade godl 2 within the 412
for 2 Silbenatto at Fronch nisiten acroplans. TLE HORANE-PARASO which are actually in use in the French maditerrancan expeditionary Forre. these accaplance rcemble gormen Machines of the marinype except to he tail, which is more rounded off in the mark type and ende in two paints. To 4th Aust. Inf. Bde. For notification to all concerned Hlouinghand Capt. 3.C N2A Dw 216
J FON Me MESSACES AND SIGNALS. an or Office Stamp. Sent, or sent out Pretir from L Neat stonce Office Handed is at the 70 FSentEGM heave a Ptekist 45 one pur of prespeded An0 the heaver odied FR RACE TIN colleced AII POTEESE, REAI dfam A Chires for rllies gun 1 228
La Bi Handed in a AII POREESER rges tor Means COOC TT FANNC.NR No. EF Message MESSACES AND STONA Onice sm Sent, of semi du Collected Paid out arned here at AAA me ans of Stamos affired to the face of the Pand out are to be set forth in Miling Abore, in the Spaces headed - Detrery and 10 This line should be crased Wnot
C. FOM, OSN NOM FRC Pistsron Cin istan Cole MESSACES AND 81 This Nas And K CONC.RB SICNALS No. of Message Once Stang Sent or sent out recen of ihe 107 Aotm Paid out are io be Stt Corth t MIiIAE AbOTE, I AhE SpeEt Nended Detvery and woud b
encssusssusictiueese poresesersca Dl 4 wel Yoi /6 Cor fa Mr, MA FoRCE 32.1915
Bilhouetts of French mititary acroptanc. TL MARANE-DRAse which are actually in use in the French maditesrancan expecitionary rorce. these accoplance rcemble German Machines of the MArITe except for the tail, which is moe rounded affin the and ende in two point. Copse to Brwres &all. Battalos mth t M ye ca BRILNDE MAIOR, AM INE. DRIGADE oren mreah ronce -430L1915

NEW ZEALAND & AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.
N.Z.G./349
Anzac Cove
1st. July. 1915 
Organization of Grenade Parties and Supply of Grenades
with a view to offensive operations.
1.  In the event of the Division being required to attack an
enemy holding a position prepared with successive lines of trenches, connected by communicating trenches, it is probable that grenades will prove necessary to clear him out of his trenches.
It must however, be clearly understood that the grenade
is only to be used to assist the bayonet, never to replace
it. Troops assaulting are never to wait for grenade throwers
though these, when available, can render valuable assistance,
if well trained and properly organized, and can render success attainable with fewer casualties.
2. Regimental and Battalion Organization.
In order to take full advantage of the grenade as a
weapon of offence, it is essential that a regular organization of grenadiers and of grenade supply be adopted. The General Officer commanding therefore directs that the following organization be adopted throughout the N.Z. & Australian Division
In each Squadron of Mounted Rifles.
1 Grenade sergeant or Corporal.
4 Bomb Parties each consisting of:-
1 thrower, 1 assistant thrower and 2 carriers.
In each Company of Infantry 
1 Grenade Sergeant.
1 Grenade Corporal.
8 Bomb parties each consisting of: -
1 thrower, 1 assistant thrower, and two carriers.
In each Regiment and Battalion an officer will be
selected as Grenade Officer. Normally his duties in this
connection will consist in training the various Grenade
Parties and supernumeraries to replace casualties.  In
special cases however, he may be detailed to take charge
of the Grenade Parties for special enterprises.
3. Organization of Grenade Parties.
A Grenade Party will normally consist of : -
1 thrower carrying 10 jam tin grenades or 20 small grenades
(bayonet but no rifle.)
1 assistant thrower carrying 10 jam tin grenades or 20 

small grenades, (bayonet but no rifle.)
2 carriers, each carrying 20 jam tin grenades or 40 small
grenades, and slung rifles.
2 Escort with rifles and fixed bayonets.
The throwers will carry their grenades in special
belts or haversacks - the carriers in special haversacks
or baskets.
4. Supply of Grenades
It is hoped to arrange that grenades will normally
be carried in mule carts, one of which will be allotted 
for this purpose to each Battalion of Infantry and half a
cart to each Regiment of mounted troops.

 

(2)
The load for a grenade cart is:-
6 boxes jam tin grenades = 300 large or 480 small.
1 box Lotbiniere bombs     = 8 bombs.
Special belts and haversacks for throwers and carriers.
When grenades are likely to be required by any unit,
the Grenade parties proceed to the cart which normally
will be with the Regimental S.A.A. Reserve, draw the
special equipment and grenades and rejoin their units.
The throwers (and assistant throwers) will leave their
rifles in the grenade cart.
In the event of it being impossible to bring the
grenade cart sufficiently close to the unit requiring
grenades, S.A.A. pack mules of the unit will be made use of:
the S.A.A. loaded on these mules being deposited at some
convenient spot.
5. Tactical Employment of Grenade Parties.
Grenade parties acting offensively will be employed
under the following conditions:- 
(a) When the enemy's trenches are within throwing distance of our trenches. In this case the assault will be prepared by showers of grenades thrown into the enemy's trenches immediately prior to the assault, special grenade parties being formed up opposite the enemy's communication trenches as far as these have been located. In the actual assault on the trench, grenade throwers will accompany the assaulting party.
After the enemy trench has been occupied the
grenade partyies bombard the enemy's support trenches
while the special partyies previously referred to work
up the enemy communication trenches, and to the flanks
of the unit, (if any), and prevent the enemy collecting for
counter attacks.
(b) When the enemy's trenches are assaulted from beyond
throwing distance.  In this case bomb parties come up
with the last troops to be thrown in prior to the assault,
and join in the assault; when the trench is taken they act
as in (a). Should any obstacles be met xxxx which checks
the assault within throwing distance of the enemy, they
cover the destruction of passage of the obstacle by
bombarding the enemy.
Time fuse bombs are not to be used during an
assault owing to the danger of causing casualties among
our own men; except in the case of an obstacle being met
as mentioned above.
Should detonating bombs, however, be available, they
should be thrown as soon as the assaulting line gets within throwing distance of the enemy, and up to the last possible 

moment.
(Signed) W.G. Braithwaite, Lieut.-Colonel
General Staff,
N.Z. and A Division.

 2/7/15

2/7/15
My dear Monash
I quite 
agree with you, & 
think that [[right?]] promotion
shd be the rule, recourse 
to outside the battalion
only being had when 
the claim  ^qualifications of the next
senior are not such,
as to thoroughly justify
his promotion.  Seniority 
in the battalion, & territorial 
suitability should receive 
first consideration & if

 

sufficiently suitable
officers are not forth-coming
from these sources, 
then we might go outside,*
or, in some special case, 
where it is desired to
give an officer of conspicuous 
ability a battalion, we might 
agree to it.
yrs sincerely
ARGodley
*
[*(1) within the 
brigade
(2) within the 
A.I.F.*]

 [[?]] 2/7/15

Recd 2/7/15
Silhouette of French Military Aeroplane
Type MORANE- PARASOL.
which are actually in use in the French Mediterranean
Expeditionary Force.
Hand drawn sketch. See original document.
These aeroplanes resemble German Machines of the AVIATIK type
except for the tail, which is more rounded off in the AVIATIK type
and ends the two points.
To
4th Aust. Inf. Bde
For notification to all concerned
R Cunningham Capt.
G.S (Dg)
NZA Div.
[*2  7/15*]

 


orm(Original) MESSAGES AND SIGNALS. 3-7-15 
Army Form  No. of Message
Recd
from [[?]]
By...............
Prefix  SW
Code  9-15
Words  42
Delivery 
Mean..............
Distance...........
Charges for Delivery
Collected
Paid out
Sent, or sent out
At......................M.
...............................
By..........................
Returned........
at......................M.
Office Stamp B O (1)
 2.7.15
Service Instructions.
Handed in at the AC
Office at 21 15 M.
Received here at 21 38 M
TO  4th Aust Inf Bde
Sender" Number  
G A 97
Day of Month
2nd 

In reply to Number ---
AAA
The heavy firing in south was a Turkish counter attack 

on our foremost trenchesproceeded by a heavy bombardment AAA the counter attack was met 

by heavy rifle and machine gun fire & died away
Copies to Bns
[[?]]
3-7-15
JM
From Anzac
Place 
Time  2115

  •  

(page torn) orm. (Original).MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.  Army Form C.2123

No. of Message.............
3-7-15
Recd 
From QW
By        ES
Prefix....Sm
Code....12.50
Word... 49
Delivery
Means.............
Distance.............
Charges for Delivery
Collected
Paid out 
Sent, or sent out
At.............................M.
..................................
By............................
Returned...........
at..........................M
Office Stamp.

(*2 in circle*)

BQ 
3.7.15
Handed in at the ..NZ  Office at 12.05M.
Received here at 12.15M.
 TO           4th    A.I.   Bde.
Sender's         Day of          In reply

Number          Month         to Number

N Z Q 2912         3rd                   --                      AAA

The Army Corps commander 

approves of a daily issue of rum to men actually 

employed on sapping AAA a roll of men actually 

employed on sapping will be rendered to field Depots daily
 

(*Copy to Supply Ofr
JP McG Lt Col

3-7-15*)
 

(*BO
203*)
 

FROM           NZ A Div.
PLACE          Anzac Cove

TIME

 

C

C Form (Original)                    Army Form C.2123
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.   (*3*)

No. of Message...
Recd 
from..............
.........................
By..................
Prefix  SM
Code 6.25
Words 78
Delivery
Means.....................
Distance..................
Charges for Delivery
Collected..........
Paid out.............
Sent, or sent out
At 1932  
By
Returned
at....................m
Office Stamp
(*3 IN CIRCLE*)
3 .7. 15
Bq
Handed in at the    Office at         M      Received here at   M.           
 

TO    4TH   Aust   Inf   Bde
 

Sender's         Day of         In reply

Number          Month        to Number

 NZ 379                 3                    --                   AAA

A paper fire balloon will be 

sent up about 00.30 tomorrow
morning from vicinity of Headquarters 

no 3 section provided that the wind is favorable aaa 

light wind setting over the section QUINN'S POPE'S as limits towards North East AAA Troops to be warned AAA Addressed
4 section Repeated No 3 sect
C.R.A  &  4th  Aust Inf Bde

Please Acknowledge

*JM* 

 

FROM           N Z & A
PLACE
TIME               1915
                                                         (*PTO*)
 

 

OC Inlying Picquet
(13th Bn)
 

For Your Information
 

J McGlinn
Lieut Colonel
BRIGADE MAJOR 4TH INF BRIGADE.
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE.
3 JUL 1915
 

(*Noted 
DA Martin
Lt
a/Adj*)

 

 

Silhouette of French Military Aeroplane.
Type MORANE - PARASOL.
which are actually in use in the French Mediterranean
Expeditionary Force.
Hand drawn sketch. see original document.
These aeroplanes resemble German Machines of the AVIATIK type, 

except for the tail, which is more rounded off in the AVIATIK type 

and ends in two points.
 

(*Copies to Brigadier & all
Battalions*)
 

J P McG Lieut Colonel
BRIGADE MAJOR, 4TH INF BRIGADE
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE
4 JUL 1915

 

 

 

 

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