Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 8, 27 August - 29 August 1915, Part 7

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Part of Quest:
Sir John Monash (General, b.1865 - d.1931)
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Finalised
Accession number:
RCDIG0000597
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

48 the Bngia, Sgor Dap from Mlargolis to N. 2. Frenct was reported to be throngh bey Safor wormng Nargotin at 410 am this August 29th in fommat the General & wishes this t ut enty into the 50 ta SEpho 15 29
Tapade I 29/0/1 Analysn of State 10 26 Borgade Lignal Sio 13th Huttalin 14 19½ 10 968 Graice Total Aualywas a Nattalion Strith commnting Arailable Total M. Cuns mes 4.0 285 13 200 50t 827 192 14 42 113 930 210 134 2 329 45 235 159 44 52 922 606 Votat 181 22 113 For details see appendix II. This as much below establishment. personl ] This tigure represents the tolal awartable to actual fon duty Aptentit & State ga fithiy A. a ast prent ahrust. Typicnl officer & taten A.M.C. & stethe 29 Fones Hantany Q.M.3. tore R.S. M& Ordaly Rvo Armous Cook Signalle rostal totel
6 t malysis ofstater of 29145. Briggts Madguarters 20 Signal Section 26 13th. Battallon 203 1th Battalton 12. 15tn. Battalion 210. 16tn. Battation 232 Crand Totat. 88 Danalyes of patteiion streth ANIIE thon Bn. H.C. K.Tuns. TotS. 22 RA 13t2. 50& 200 285 14th. 42 113 18. 15tn. 210. 1652 275. 133 206210 1811 2 606.½ 82 Foraetalis see Appendiz2. 2248 45 m2 02O estattiement. 241./Feute pepre pant & tho toter pereonner ar 11as to Foractual Farrison duty 76 DE tpont tato or a pattation 1 Co at pro cent a n Officert and Batmen f. 20 A.K.C. and stretchers Ploneert and vahitary R.M.S. and store R Ed and Orterly Roon Anpourof C05½ simnaliars postal Totht 35
No. 1787/M. Head Cuarters, No. 6 Section. 29th August 1915. Memorandum. Vith reference to A.N.L.A.C. memo. No.G.a.8157 dated 27th August 1915, regarding relief movements, I wish to point out that it seems very highly inexpedient to put young and xxExainad untried troops alone on to the KALAHIK AGHALA defences for the next week or s0. The position is still in process of consolidation, there are two or three points of actual contact with the enemy's trenches, and the shelling is heavy. If this hill were lost, the KABAK KOTU well defences and the outpost line KALAJLK AGHALA - SUSAK would become untenable. I therefore stronyly recommend that 50 p of the garrison should be old hands? for the next week or so, 1.e. until defences are finished and matters have settled down. This will involve the following:- 121 When the 4th Australian Brigade leaves this section it should leave 350 men, 1.e. 2 reliefs for the 50 p of a garrison of 350 formright half of defences. 101 When the N.2. Mounted Rifles Brigade and the Australian Light Horse Brigade move they should leave behand between them 350 men for 2 reliefs of 50 p of garrison of left half of defences. The above should be y effectives : for duty in trenches. the proportion in Lest Neif wight be- 250 Light Horse Brigade. 100 N.2. M. Rifles -rigade. - 350 POtal 1 consider General Russell should not move his Head Quarters or give up command of his Sub-section for another week from this date. Sa) H. V. Cox, Major-General, Comdg. No. 6 Section. 20 Read Quarters, W.E.d. Dirision. CopY to Br-General Russell EFor information. Monash.
C. Form. (Original). Rece Dtn Pretix S fromd Means Lpe Distance Service instructions. Handed in at the T0 The Consolitating AGHAE KAIAF nost mlll Grer 4 at a haver will Line meas for ERE with lie ead dad FRON PLAC All Perterage, Redirectien, or collecied on and the as and of amounts Charses for Dett Army Form C. 2123. MESSACES AND SICNALS. No. of Message- Sent, or sent out Office Stamp. 37 Colected Paid out Returned once at 1 Receved nere a 8 OSm. monaph pr Mon AAA fstrengthening and herr. Frenchs on her must a a eneageh ally smongly aa Your be yards e her nd RAIRSIK nan hes sible ao a lamps affired to the lace of the spaces headed Delivery and
O.FOM Recd. From SeFT A FROM PLA SSSIIN tl Army Form C. 2123. No. of Message Sent, or sent out Office Stame Paid out Returned Received here at eply to Number. AAA that with 4 nes cossetl if You akes at other charges collected on delivery are to be bought to account by me of Stamps aftered to the face of i ses and of amounts paid our are to be set forth in witing above, in the spaces headed Delivery and Thie tine should be crased Wnot required
W POMC. O MESSAGES AND SIGNALS. JAMa Worse] Chark. Sns On a ANSNDSN This Meseage to on ato 0f 0805. From Ioan tht fo Goseral Koaks. StSBt SATAMON Wrst to Kt AAA -ore Tho verk of etroogthootos and poseottttos theor troochos oo KAEASIY 102444 mot bo onored po root acorgotically today 44to roy etrangly traversed and dean A.A.A. Four the0 11 Do 300 yards neasured from other pide KALAUIKIDERE A. A. A I as afranging With R.E. for Khife reat vife OAbARSYoRoOts to bo got roady as seex as pessiBle AAA/Eotablish stroag barripados at aar(paista af x coatfagt in your part of line fith eneays Freaches and soy oacay begond benbing distance if ppesiblo 444 TCE C0 No. 5 Poot. The above is an extract of pessage from G. J.C. No. 6 Section on which please act so far as concerns No. 5 Ppst. DM.GLH.Co. From Pace Brigade Major, 4th Inf. Brigade. 1100. - 2918715. Time The Aboce Mey be Corverded as now arredted CaCod MMOO This line should be crase! if not required. S.B. LEd. WI. WIsISH-DCO. 2/14 Forms Cnnpo. Co.O port is ar te above extrct Ipake of message Frm G.O.C. N.6 Lectin on which please act so tro as concesss No S post to tl. Be mago yt Bee 100 2975
4e 2B0 appreton yot impossible to acto message in the abouse of apet mppl and 6ays of Gaverses don to be psu it wed be idessite whereas rt wre adaible ever rifled as tere ton ut theo Torder b onto atort possible extent constio with above 10op ot
MESSACES AND SIGNALS. Nor C. Form. (Orig Sent, or sent out OIICe Sta Recd Nord Code From M E3 Conected Paid out Returned - Office at here a Handed in at the F Monash 46 SenteO MS - AAA with 2E Marashns Post tle at waite 2 10 FROM R W PLACE TIME 59 lames the face of the Edfrecued, or other charges collecied on deltvery are to All Porte Led Dem M sbove, in the spaces of amounts paid onr ar orm, and th Casto This line should be
Receipt Received 4th A I from tt ifollowing. fovrds A fuenty 25 ipt bout chaes thire of the apoue contain aniludion Aurs Dd

The Brigade Major  48
113

Sap from Margolins to JV.2 Trench
was reported to be through by Major
Margolin at 4.10 am this morning
August 29th.   .


The General wishes this information
to go into the early morning report.
J

 R Eastward Capt
29.5.15
File

 

Appendix I

Analysis of "State" of 29/8/15   10
Brigade H.Q.             20
Signal Section          26
13th Battalion          285
14"        "                     192
15"         "                     210
16"         "                     235
Grand Total                      968
 

Analysis of Battalion Strength

____________________________________________________________
         H.Q.       M. Guns      Ammunition       Available          Total
                                               Carriers              otherwise
____________________________________________________________
13        50.x.         8  27                   8                     200                   285
14        42            9  30                   7                       113                    192
15         45           2  29                    2                       134                   210
16         44           5  27                    5                       159                   235
Total   181             22                  113                   606 +             922
_____________________________________________________________
.X.For details see appendix II. This is much below establishment.
+ This figure represents the total ^personnel available for actual
garrison duty.

 

Appendix II

9
Typical ^State of a Battalion H.Q., as at present strength: -
Officers & batmen              3 6
A.M.C. & Stretchers           49 20
Pioneers & Sanitary            9
Q.M.S. & store                        2
R.S.M & Orderly Room        4
Armourer                                1
Cook                                         1
Signallers                                6
Postal                                       1
                                                ____
Total                                        50

 

73
76
APPENDIX 1.
Analysis of "state" of 29/8/15.
Brigade Headquarters       20.
Signal Section                       26.
13th. Battalion                      285.
14th. Battalion                      192.
15th. Battalion                       210.
16th. Battalion                       235.
                                                  _____
Grand Total.                             968.

                                                   _____
___________________________________________________________

Analysis of Battalion strength.

___________________________________________________________
Bn.    H.Q.       M. Guns.      Ammuni-      Available          Total.
                                               tion                 otherwise
                                               Carriers. 

____________________________________________________________
13th.    50*           27                    8                        200               285.
14th.    42            30                    7                        113                 192.
15th.     45           29                     2                        134                210.
16th.     44           27                     5                        159                235.
              ______________________________________________________
Totals    181,        113,                    22,                      606,+            922.
_____________________________________________________________
* For details see Appendix 2. This is much below
establishment.
+ This figure represents the total personnel available
for actual garrison duty.

 

76
APPENDIX 2.
Typical state of a Battalion H.Q. at present strength
:-
Officers and Batmen 6.          6.
A.M.C. and stretchers           20.
Pioneers and sanitary            9.
Q.M.S. and store                       2.
R.S.M and Orderly Room       4.
Armourer                                    1.
Cook                                             1.
Signallers                                   6.
Postal                                          1.
                                                _____
Total :                                        50.

                                                _____

 

75
No. 1787/M.
Head Quarters, No. 6 Section.
29th August 1915.
 ------
Memorandum.
With reference to A.N.Z.A.C. memo. No.G.a.815, dated 27th
August 1915, regarding relief movements, I wish to point out that
it seems very highly inexpedient to put young and untrained untried
troops alone on to the KAIAJIK AGHALA defences for the next week or
so. The position is still in process of consolidation, there are two
or three points of actual contact with the enemy's trenches, and the
shelling is heavy. If this hill were lost, the KABAK KUYU well
defences and the outpost line KAIAJIK AGHALA - SUSAK would become
untenable.
I therefore strongly recommend that 50% of the garrison
should be "old hands" for the next week or so, i.e. until defences
are finished and matters have settled own.
2. This will involve the following:-
(a) When the 4th Australian Brigade leaves this section it should
leave 350 men, i.e. 2 reliefs for the 50% of a garrison of
350 for right half of defences.
(b) When the N.Z. Mounted Rifles Brigade and the Australian Light
Horse Brigade move they should leave behind between them 350
men for 2 reliefs of 50% of garrison of left half of defences.
The above should be "effectives" for duty in trenches.
The proportion in left half might be -
250 Light Horse Brigade.
100 N.Z. M. Rifles Brigade.
----
350 --- Total
________________
3. I consider General Russell should not move his Head Quarters
or give up command of his Sub-Section for another week from this
date.
Sd/ H.V. Cox, Major-General,
Comdg. No. 6 Section.
To/
Head Quarters,
N.Z.A. Division.
--------------
Copy to  : -
Br-General Russell.
       "              Monash.     For information.

 

Army Form C. 2123

C. Form. (Original).   MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.  No. of Message
Recd LBK
from
By C.Grany
Prefix Sm Code GH    

80
Handed in at the LBK Office at 0740M. Received here at 0805M.
TO General Monash
*Sender's Number. 0740   Day of Month. 29th    
The work of strengthening and
consolidating the new trenches on
KAIAJIK AGHALA must be pushed
on most energetically today aaa
Trenches must be very strongly
traversed and deep aaa Your
line will be 300 yards
measured from other side KAIAJIK
DERE aaa I am arranging
with R G for knife rest
wire entanglements to be got
ready as soon as possible
aaa Establish strong barricades at

 

Army Form C. 2123

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

79

TO    2
Any points of contact in
your part of line with
enemy's trenches and get enemy
beyond bombing distance if possible.]
aaa glad to hear your
new machine gun position rakes
enemys trench to right aaa
Keep it busy
Instns Repeated to
O C No 5 Post
IRing 1100
29/8/15
FROM   General Cox
PLACE  0740

 

Army Form C. 2121
"A" Form.

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS No. of Message

Recd. at 0805. m.

Copy 81
TO   General Monaash.
Sender's Number 0740   Date of Month  29th
The work of strengthening and consolidating the new 
trenches on KAIAJIK AGHALA must be pushed on most 
energetically today A.A.A. Trenches must be very 
strongly traversed and deep A.A.A.  Your line will be 
300 yards measured from other side KAIAJIK DERE A.A.A.
I am arranging with R.E. for knife rest wire 
entanglements to be got ready as soon as possible
A.A.A. Establish strong barricades at any points of
x contract in your part of line with enemys trenches
and get enemy beyond bombing distance if possible
A.A.A.

x contact
C.O.
No. 5 Post.
Suspend copy The above is an ^extract of message from G.O.C. No. 6
Section on which please act so far as concerns
No. 5 Post.
From     W.M. McGlinn  Lt-Col
Place     Brigade Major, 4th Inf. Brigade

Time       1100 - 29/8/15

 

C.O N post 

[[*?*]] copy The above is an extract of message
from G.O.C. No. 6 Section
on which please act so far
as concerns No. 5 post
Lt Col

Brigade Major 4th Inf. Brigade.
1100        -    29/8/15

The above may be forwarded as now corrected.      (Z)

Censor.                                                            Signature of Addressor or person authorised 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

 

29.8.15

58

HQ 4th Inf Bde
Reference your 0740 -
It is impossible to act on
message in the absence of
a sufficient supply of sand
bags.
If traverses are to be put up
it will be necessary to use
whatever rests are available -
Even rifles - as there is no
timber on the Post.
The order will is being acted
on to the utmost possible extent
consistent with above.
H Pope
Lt Col
OC No 5 Outpost
JM

57

 

Army Form C. 2121
"A" Form.

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS  No. 
Recd  MR
from
By DM                  

Sen, or sent our By  14     

Office Stamp  29/8
Received here at 0915 M.
TO  Genl Monash
*Senders Number. MB 112   Day of Month. 29
The field troop NZE will
not be available at Margolins Post
to-night
Notify No 5 Post
JM
FROM     GENL RUSSELL

PLACE
TIME        0915

 

Receipt
Received from 4th A I
Brigade the following :-

78
S.A.A. Enemy              3000 rds
Empty bomb cases        225
three of the above contain
ammunition
29/8/15

TS Lumsden
Cdr DOS

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