Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 8, 25 August - 27 August 1915, Part 8

Conflict:

First World War, 1914–18

Subject:

Documents and letters

Status:

Open for review

Accession number:

RCDIG0000596

Difficulty:

33
Issued at 1100, 27/8/15.
Copy No. 1. - No. 1. Post.
do 2. - No. 2 Post.
do 3. - No. 3 Post.
do 4. - No. 4 Post.
do 5. - Major Margolin.
do 6. - Lt-Col Adams.
do 7. - Capt. Salier.
do 8. - Brigade M. G. Officer
do 9. - 15th Battalion. (Reserve).
do 10. - Staff.
do 11. - Staff.
do 12. - War Diary.
do 13. - A. M. C.
do 14. - Supply.

Kaiajik Aghala - Second Phase
Copy No. 17
34
OPERATION ORDER NO. 11.
by
(T) Brigadier- General J. Monash, V. D.
Commanding No. 1 Sub. Section of No. 6 Defence Section.
Headquarters, 4th Inf. Bgde
Australia Valley
August 27, 1915.
REFERENCE MAP : KURIJA DERE : 1 : 20000
(1) SITUATION. We hold parties of KAIAJIK AGHALA enemy occupies
trenches on Knoll 60 and to EAST of it extending
thence SOUTH - EASTERLY across our whole front.
A force of 1200 under BRIGADIER GENERAL RUSSELL
(of which 450 troops from No. 1 Sub Section form
part) assaults Knoll 60 and the trenches to the SOUTH
EAST of it at precisely 1700 today, preceded by an
Artillery preparation commencing at 1600 today.
(2) INTENTION. To co-operate with above by giving covering fire with
rifles and machine guns.
(3) INSTRUCTIONS. From 1600 to 1700 MAJOR MARGOLINS TROOPS - (except a
few look out men in secure spots) will sit down in
bottom of their trenches with their backs to the
parapet. From and after 1700 these troops must be
held in readiness to support the RIGHT of our assault
if required.
From and after 1600 fatigue parties will be reduced to
a minimum and all troops not employed in fire trenches
or on fatigues to be kept in hand in their bivouacs.
At 1330 fire trenches and machine guns of all posts to
be manned with a normal garrison - trenches not to be
unnecessarily crowded.
Between 1600 and 1700 there will be no organized
covering fire but every advantage is to be taken to
deal with enemy disturbed by our bombardment.
At precisely 1700 a well directed, well sustained
covering fire is to be directed on every part of the
enemys position along our front, from which he could
bring fire to bear upon our assaulting troops or
captured trenches. This fire must be especially
directed ,at the outset, and during the actual assault,
at the trenches to be captured - but the greatest care
is to be taken to ensure the safety of our troops as
they sweep forward into our line of fire. Our troops w:
will, whenever possible, display red or pink flags to
mark their positions as they advance.
After the assault, the greatest vigilance must be
exercised all along our line to deal promptly with any
enemy counter attacks which may attempt to cross or
approach our front.
(4) TIME. All concerned to obtain official time at Brigade Head-
quarters.
(5) MEDICAL. First Aid Posts and Field dressing stations in present
positions. A proportion of stretcher bearers to be
detailed to our detachments by posts concerned.
(6) REPORTS. Reports by telephone to Brigade Headquarters from
whence they will be transmitted to the station temporarily
occupied by the Brigadier - near the "PIVOT".
J P McGlinn Lt-Col.
Brigade Major, 4th Aust. Infantry Brigade.
JM

27 August 1915
25 15^th Bn ²⁶/₂₇
From C.O. 15 Batt
To H.Q 4^th Inf Bgde
Period from 5am
26/8/15 to 5am 27/8/15
All works along
the line are still being carried on
and there being no casualties to
report we hope. that communication
trenches are in a safe condition
The sap North of N^o1 Machine Gun
where Capt. Luther was shot has
been deepened & barricaded and is
now considered to be safe.
Additional blinds have been
~~made~~ erected.
There are six
sniping positions in and near
sap and a permanent party of
snipers operate throughout day
Sap is still being deepened & widened
to allow of a stretcher being brought
through Nothing else to report
TP McSharry

16th Bn ²⁶/₂₇

Army Form C. 2123.
C. Form. (Original). MESSAGES AND SIGNALS. No. of Message

^{Recd from}

^By (R)

^Prefix [[?SJM]] ^{Code Words}

^{Sent, or sent out}

^{At M.}

²⁴

^By

^Returned

^{at M.}

^{Office Stamp}

27/8/15

^{Delivery Means Distance}

^{Charges for Delivery Collected Paid out}

^{Service Instructions}

Handed in at the Office at M. Received here at 0545 M.

TO HQ 4th Bde

^{*Sender's Number}

^{Day of Month}

27^th

^{In reply to Number}

----

AAA

No change has occurred in the
situation on N^o 1 Outpost AAA Day
& night have been quiet along
the whole front of the post AAA
The Turks continue the improvement
of their trenches opposite, but as far
as can be ascertained they have
no work on our side by the
Dere AAA Our forward fire
trenches should be brought into
action completely today
FROM H Pope
PLACE LT/Col OG. No 1 Outpost
No.6 Sect

To G.O.C. Post (39)
Report from R.F. section
27/8/15
Works. The improvement of the firing line
has been continued and a great deal
done to it by recessing the Trenches and
improving the parapets. saps were also
pushed on forward and fire Trenches made
of same. Sap towards NZ I regret to say
has not been pushed on as expected
I have detaled 8 men for same but
3 of them fell sick during the night
which impeded the progress
Patrols Right F patrol reports that about
22.00 we noticed 2 what appeared
officers came out on the ridge about
200Y to our right front looking over
the Dere then a number of men
x came out and moved in to a nulla
where they did some digging nature
of which was hard to observe
Left F patrol reports nothing unusual
occurred no movement of any
[*27*]

kind was noticed
engineers require satisfactory progress
and that about 500 more bags.
would like to get about 4 more
~~perisdcope~~ periscopic rifles
E Margolin major
16^th Bⁿ
O/C R.F post
[*29*]

"A" Form Army Form C. 2121.

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS No. of Message

^{Prefix Code m.}

^Words

^Charge

^{This message is an a/c of:}

^Service

^{(Signature of "Franking Officer.")}

^{Recd. at m.}

^Date

(50)

^From

^By

^{Office of Origin and Service Instructions.}

^Sent

^{At m.}

^To

^By

TO ~~A.N~~ N.Z and A Division

N.Z Report Centre

^{*Sender's Number}

^{Day of Month}

^{In reply to Number}

AAA

Captain Kenny acting medical
officer 16^th Battalion has been
wounded. Please send another
M.O. to report 4^th Inf. Bgde
Headquarters.
From
Place
Time
_{The above may be forwarded as now corrected}
_Censor
(Z)
_{Signature of Addressor or person authorized to telegraph in his name}
_{*This line should be erased if not required.}
_{8350 S.B. Ltd. Wt. W4843/541-50,000. 9/14 Forms C2121/10.}

"A" Form Army Form C. 2121.

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS. No of Message

^{Prefix Code m.}

^Words

^Charge

^{This message is an a/c of:}

^Service.

^{(Signature of "Franking Officer.")}

^{Recd. at m.}

^Date

(51)

^From

^By

^{Office of Origin and Service Instructions.}

^Sent

^{At m.}

^To

^By

TO 4^th Field Ambulance
Australia Valley

^{*Sender's Number}
BM 974F

^{Day of Month}

27^th

^{In reply to Number}

AAA

Captain Kenny Wounded AAA
Send up another Medical
Officer at once to
Major Margolin to replace
Kenny
From Monash
Place 13^th Trenches
Time 0455
_{The above may be forwarded as now corrected}
_Censor
(Z) JP McG Lt Col BM ²⁷/8/₁₅
_{Signature of Addressor or person authorized to telegraph in his name}
_{This line should be erased if not required.}
_{8350 S.B. Ltd. Wt. W4843/541-50,000. 9/14 Forms C2121/10.}

"C" Form (Duplicate). Army Form C. 2123.

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS No of Message

SM 855A

^{Charges to Pay.}

^{£ s. d}

³⁴

^{Office Stamp.}

27/8

^{Service Instructions.}

Handed in at NZ Office m. Received 9 15 am.

TO 4^th Aust Inf Bde

^{Sender's Number}
G 711

^{Day of Month}

27^th

^{In reply to Number}

AAA

White back patches will
now be removed AAA
Repeated 6 Section
4 A I Bde
NZ Inf Bde
29^th British Bde
NZMR Bde
[*Bo 248
A.O. Done*]
JM
[*out to OC
Bm 963
0947
[[JP McG]]
27 ⁸ 15*]
FROM NZ A Report Centre
PLACE & TIME 0900
_{W.2354-383. 30,000 Pads-8/14. S.B. Ltd.-Forms/C2123.}

[*Staff Ofcrs*]
Copy
No 9
Headquarters,
4th. Aust. Inf. Brigade,
Australia Valley,
0900 27th. August 1915
MEMORANDUM to JRE
HMcD
GW
Subject : - OPERATIONS OF AUGUST ~~XX/XX~~ 37/38.
1. Under orders from G.O.C. No. 6 Section, offensive operations
will take place this afternoon, artillery action commencing at 1600"
Infantry assault at 1700.
2. The following instructions for preliminary measures by FOURTH
BRIGADE supersede those issued last night in Field Message B.M. 255.
3. This BRIGADE will find
(a) detachment of 350
(b) Reserve Detachment of 100.
all to be placed at disposal of BRIGADIER-GENERAL RUSSELL.
4. The Detachment will be composed as follows :-
Commander :- LIEUT-COLONEL J. ADAMS, V.D.
Troops :- 5 Officers 100 others of 13th, Battalion.
3 " 100 " " 14th, "
1 Officer 50 " " 15th, "
5 Officers 100 " " 17th. " ("A" Cy)
5. The Reserve Detachment will be composed as follows :-
Commander :- CAPT. SALIER 13th Battalion
Troops :- 1 Officer 50 others of 15th, Battalion.
1 " 50 " " 17th. " ("B" Coy.)
6. MAJOR C. M. DARE will assume Command of No. 3 POST during the
absence of LIEUT_COL. ADAMS on detached duty.
7. C.O'S POSTS, and Sub-section Reserve, concerned will be
responsible for furnishing the above quotas fully equipped as follows :-
(a) Water-bottles filled.
(b) One day's rations.
(c) 200 rounds S.A.A. per man.
(d) Two sandbags per man.
(e) Ten picks and ten shovels for each 50 men.
(f) For each 50 men one bombing party of 4 carrying 12 bombs
each.
(g) 1 red or pink flag for each 100 men.
All above will be supplied as far as possible at once from POSTS &
replenished later from the BRIGADE RESERVES. All quotas to be fully
equipped, ready to hand over at 1330 today.
xx The place where the detachment is to assemble will be decided
by LIEUT_COLONEL ADAMS, V.D.
The place where the Reserve Detachment is to assemble will be
the Gully near new Communicating Trench to KAIAJIK AGHALA (outside
our former lines) near where 15th. Battalion is now bivouaced; this
Battalion to keep clear. - Reserve Detachment to be ready to pass
down Communicating Trench to cross the DERE at shortest notice.
Time of assembly for Reserve Detachment 1500 this day.
Operation Order for remainder of BRIGADE will be issued later.
J P McGlinn Lt.-Col.
Brigade Major, 4th. Aust. Inf Brigade.

Army Form. C. 2123.

Form. (Original). MESSAGES AND SIGNALS. No. of Message.

^{Recd. from} MR

0956

^By FRS

^Prefix SM ^Code [[?11am]] ^Words25

^{Sent, or sent out}

^{At M.}

^By

^{Returned 43}

^{at M.}

^{Office Stamp}

27/8/15

^Delivery

^{Means Distance}

^{Charges for Delivery Collected}

^{Paid out}

^{Service Instructions}

Handed in at the Office at M. Received here at 9.56 a M.
TO 4th INF BDE

^{*Sender's Number}

BM 125

^{Day of Month}

^{In reply to Number}

AAA

Could you possibly exchange another
hundred PICRIC ACID bombs for
Jam tin Bombs for todays operations
[*McDonald
No*]
[*Inquired BM 965*]
FROM M R BDE
PLACE
TIME 0945
_{All Portage, Redirections, or other charges collected on delivery are to be bought to accouat by}
_{me ans of Stamps affixed to he face of the form, and the particulars of such charges and of amounts paid out are to be set forth in writing above, in the spaces headed "Delivery" and}
_{"Charges for Delivery".}

_{This line should be erased if not required.}

58
Operation Orders No. 5 97
by Bgdr. Gen. A. H. RUSSELL A.D.C.
cdg. force attacking
KAIAJIK AGHALA
Aug 27.15
(*Ref. Map
KOJA DERE
1.- 20000*)
1 Information - The enemy is in possession of
the higher ground of the KAIAJIK AGHALA
while we hold trenches as shown in
accompanying sketch -
2 Objectives - These are as shown - Sketch
1 A-B enemy trenches in front of
AUSTRALIANS from RIGHT of BIG
OAK to B¹B² B³ and all
intervening trenches. O.C. Australian
assaulting party will also arrange to
work Westward towards N.Z. in sketch
& will get into touch with NEW ZEALANDERS
working EASY.
(2) B¹ B² C. These will be taken
by N.Z.M.R. and all intervening trenches
will be taken. O.C. N.Z.M.R. force
will get into touch on his RIGHT with
the AUSTRALIANS and with
the CONNAUGHTS on his LEFT
(3) C-D
(3) Troops - The following force is detailed
for the assault on the objectives named
above_
RIGHT - To capture from BIG
57
3 cont OAK to B¹ B² B³ & all
intervening trenches - 250 4th Aust. Bde
and 100 18 Bn. 5 Bde. A.I.F.
CENTRE. to capture trenches
B¹ B² B³ C
300 N.Z.M.R
100 18 Bn. A.I.F.
LEFT. to capture trenches C-D
250 CONNAUGHT RANGERS
29 Inf. Bde.
4 The ASSAULT. The assault will take place at
1700.
5. MOVEMENTS -The several assaulting
columns will concentrate under orders
of their commanding officers who
will report to GENERAL RUSSELL
at 92.N.B at 1630
that their troops are in position
for the assault.
6 DRESS - Jackets will be worn. No
packs.
7. Ammunition & Bombs - Each man will carry 200 rds.
S.A.A.
Each bomb thrower (1 in 8 men)
will carry 10 bombs & each bomb
carrier will carry 10 bombs
8. Sandbags & tools - Each man will carry 3 sand-bags
& tools will be carried by 40% of
the men.

9 Reserve - Reserve detachments are to carry
one tool per man in addition to
their 3 sandbags.
10 Flags - Red or PINK flags will be
carried in the proportion of one flag
per 100 men. These flags
will be placed so as to indicate to the
ARTILLERY our trenches. at 1500
These will be placed so as not to be
seen by the enemy. Also all
trenches gained will be marked by More
red or pink flags.
During preliminary bombardment all
men in trenches will sit down at bottom
of their trenches except sufficient look-out
men.
11 Rations - All men will carry 24 hours
rations & full water bottles.
G L Fowks Major
for O.C. Assaulting Force
27.8.15

Last edited by:

Kerian

Last edited on:

5 September 2024, 11:11 am

Last updated: 5 September 2024