Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 10, 25 November - 30 November 1915, Part 6

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Finalised
Accession number:
RCDIG0000605
Difficulty:
3

Page 1 / 10

In tae eeat of an unexpected attack the O.C., N.2. Engineers and tho Reginental Saipers will innediately report to O.C. Sub-section. E.SCHENE OF DETENCE. The close proxinity of the eneny to the APEX POSITION Fenders it liaole to sudden and heavy attack. Tne less of this position would jooparaise the RIGHT PLANK of the Quo-seetien. Against an attack of this sert, four machine guns in No.2 Post and one in Ne.5 Pest are kept centinuously trained on APEx by night In No.1 Pest the communication saps are fire-stepped in erder that they may be manned during such an attaek. In addition, the Artillery Observing Officer can at very short notice concentrate a heavy artillery fire on the WESTERN SLOPES of CHUNUK BAIR. The other contingencies present thenselves:- (a) an attack on no.2 Sub-section. Against this the whele of the suc-section can bring a neavy eblique fire. (0) massing of the eneny in the aRD of the AGHLL DERE and suosiduary guilies, fellowed by an assault at dawn. Our best protection against the latter contingency is vigilance and constant patrelling of AGHYL DERE under all conditions. such an attenpt on the part of the eaeny if discoverea is time can oe easily frustrated by our artillery. L. COMEURICATIONS. At present all supplies are conveyed up the CKALLLK DERE waicn is safe for nule traffie during dayligat. The safety of this appreacn can enly be naintained by constant and well erganized sniping in erder to ebtain an ascondency ever the enengtos yo snipers at the BLOUK HOUSk. The mule track has been constructed to Link up CAALLLL DERE traek witn that in the AGAYL DERE. There is good communie- ation for pedestrias traffie between pests and, in addition, No.1 Post nas a nule traek direct From CRALLLK DERE and No.S POST an independant track in AGALL DERE. Sub-section Readquarters is in teuch by telephone witn Nos. 1 and 5 Post and through No. 1 Pest with the Artillery Coserver. C. EVACUATION OF WOUNDED. All evacuations are made at present down the CHALLLK DERE. Dressing stations are situated in rear of Nos. 2 and 5 Posts and a Bearer section in rear of No. 1 Post. TRENUR STORES, S.A.A. otc. Trench steres and amnunition are 2 divided amongst posts and the Suvesection Reserve according to a fixed seale. The sub-section reserve is in rear of No.2 Post. SSUDESEETHON READGUARTERS. Western side of KNOLL 110 innediately in rear of Ne.2 Post. My Aern pajer, 6.0., Ne.1 Sub-section. Sepy Nc. 1 Drigade Readquarters O.C. Ne.1 Pest O.C. No.2 Post O.C. Ne. 5 Post (14ts pn). war Diary File.

In the event of an unexpected attack the O.C., N.Z.
Engineers and the Regimental Snipers will immediately report to
O.C. Sub-section.
4.  SCHEME OF DEFENCE. The close proximity of the enemy to the
APEX POSITION renders it liable to sudden and heavy attack. The
loss of this position would jeopardise the RIGHT FLANK of the
Sub-section.
Against an attack of this sort, four machine guns in
No.2 Post and one in No.3 Post are kept continuously trained on
APEX by night.  In No.1 Post the communication saps are fire-stepped
in order that they may be manned during such an attack.
In addition, the Artillery Observing Officer can at 
very short notice concentrate a heavy artillery fire on the
WESTERN SLOPES of CHUNUK BAIR.
Two other contingencies present themselves:-
(a) An attack on No.2 Sub-section. Against this the whole
of the sub-section can bring a heavy oblique fire.
(b) Massing of the enemy in the BED of the AGHYL DERE and
subsiduary gullies, followed by an assault at dawn. Our
best protection against the latter contingency is vigilance
and constant patrolling of AGHYL DERE under all conditions.
Such an attempt on the part of the enemy if discovered in time
can be easily frustrated by our artillery.
5. COMMUNICATIONS.   At present all supplies are conveyed up the
CHAILIK DERE which is safe for mule traffic during daylight. The
safety of this approach can only be maintained by constant and well
organized sniping in order to obtain an ascendancy over the enemeies y's
snipers at the BLOCK HOUSE.
The mule track has been constructed to link up CHAILIK
DERE track with that in the AGHYL DERE.  There is good communication
for pedestrian traffic between posts and, in addition, No.1
Post has a mule track direct from CHAILIK DERE and No.3 POST an
independent track in AGHYL DERE.
Sub-section Headquarters is in touch by telephone with
Nos. 1 and 3 Post and through No.1 Post with the Artillery Observer.
6. EVACUATION OF WOUNDED.  All evacuations are made at present
down the CHAILIK DERE.  Dressing stations are situated in rear of
Nos. 2 and 3 Posts and a Bearer Section in rear of No. 1 Post.
7. TRENCH STORES, S.A.A. etc.  Trench stores and ammunition are
divided amongst posts and the Sub-section Reserve according to a
fixed scale.
The sub-section reserve is in rear of No.2 Post.
8. SUB-SECTION HEADQUARTERS.  Western side of KNOLL 110 immediately
in rear of No.2 Post.
Sydney CE Herring Major,
C.O., No.1 Sub-section.
Copy No. 1  Brigade Headquarters
                  2  O.C. No.1 Post
                  3  O.C. No.2 Post
                  4  O.C. No. 3 Post (14th Bn).
                  5  War Diary
                  6  File.

 

"C" Form (Duplicate).     Army Form C. 2123.
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.    No. of Message
QA
RAS
Charges to Pay.
£    s.    d.
117
Office Stamp.
BQ
28/11
Service Instructions.
Handed in at        Office         m.  Received 0518 m.
TO  4th Bde
533 RAS
Sender's Number    Day of Month    In reply to Number    AAA
QA 533                         28
Report for 24 hours ended
0500 28/11/15
1  No sniping aaa
2  Casualties nil aaa
3  Most of the labor employed on
tunnelling but to be diverted
to the construction of new
drainage saps and improvement
of old.  Trenches are draining
well aaa
4  Patrols nothing to report aaa
5  Bombardment at 1345 failed
to draw any Turkish fire on
our front
FROM   Durrants Post
PLACE & TIME
W.2384-583.  30,000 Pads-8/14.  S. B. Ltd.-Forms/C.2123.
Div 1774/1775 

 

56
28/11/15
No 2 SUB.SECTION
AGHYL.DERE
No 17
G.O.C.  SPECIAL REPORT
120
Fourth Bde HQ
Hay Valley
Terracing, Well, Newberry
Tunnel, Becks Tunnel
were improved as far
as the weather would
allow.
20 men were employed
morning & afternoon
bringing up timber &
Iron to Engineers Store
at Durrants Post for
erecting wire entanglements
etc from (Newberrys) Becks to
Franklins.
Shown Brigadier
28 XI 15

119
57
Enemy erected loop
holes & put sand bag
on the parapet at
a new trench to the
left of Green Knoll.
That Trench also overlooks
& commands the
Dere running north
of Franklins.
This trench is about
600 yds & 80° from
Franklins.
Three Turks were observed
at 1715 going from
Green Knoll to Hackney
Wick.
Enemy Snipers were
very active during
the afternoon 

 

58
118
our Snipers observe
movement on Grey
Turkish trenches.
They fired with the
silence rifle &
hit two, they fell
into the trench &
were apparently killed.
Snipers Sgt Anderson &
Pte Burkett fired.
Becks Bluff report that
except for two Turks
seen on Green Knoll
there was nothing doing
during the Day owing
to our shelling of the
enemys trenches & they
evidently expected us
to attack & their usual
Patrol on Green Knoll was
strengthened at 1800 by 9 men
0500-28/11/15
Marvel
[*Div 1774/1775*] 

 

ISSUED AT 1400     NO 2. SUB SECTION
16TH BN                                AGHYL DERE
TO  16TH BDE N.Z.M.R. INF BDE   28.11.15
OR 5
4WB
1428
1540.     126
4 BDE
NO 1 SUB. SECTION
Dispositions of No 2 SUB SECTION for
night 28-29 Nov. 15
INFORMATION      (1) A patrol of 1 NCO & 3 men will
LIST PATROLS        leave MORSE TUNNEL at 1730
proceeding up LITTLE DERE to a
point 40 YDS in advance of imaginary
line drawn from FRANKLINS TO
NEWBERRYS.  This patrol will be
relieved every 2 HOURS
Time of return of last relief 0130.
ORDINARY PATROL  (2)  A patrol of 1 NCO & 2 men will
leave BECKS at 0200 going in direction
of GREEN KNOLL, & returning at 0400
for purpose of listening & observing.
LISTENING PATROL (3) A patrol of 1 NCO & 2 men will
leave NEWBERRYS at 1730 proceeding
on a bearing of 135° to a point
50 YDS in advance of our line.
This patrol will be a series of 4
relief.  Time of return of last relief 0500.
[*PRPaull ST
Adjt  16TH BN.*]
NEW TRENCH   (4)  A fatigue party of 80 men under
PARTY          direction of engineer officer constructing
new trenches in front of Nos 2 & 3 Post
from 1800 to 2200
Cancelled
Q E 182
attached

"C" Form (Original).      Army Form C. 2123.
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.   No of Message
Prefix   [[RMG?]]    Code     Words
£    s.     d.
Charges to collect
Received
From QE
By  RAS.
Sent, or sent out
At      m.
To
By
Office Stamp.
BQ
28/11
AUSTRALIAN
IMPERIAL FORCE
NOV 28 1915
4th Infantry Brigade.
Service Instructions.
AB
1428
Handed in at       Office      m.    Received 1642 m.
TO   Bde Mjr 4th Bde  125
*Sender's Number      Day of Month     In reply to Number    AAA
QE182                              28th
Alteration disposition No2
SubSection cancel para 4
owing to unexpected fatigues
aaa  Please acknowledge
BM 1788
BO 311
& presume complied
with?
FROM   OC No2 SubSection
PLACE & TIME    1625
*This line should be erased if not required.
W.2384-583.  30,000 Pads-8/14.  S. B. Ltd.-Forms/C.2123.

 

AUSTRALIAN
IMPERIAL FORCE
NOV 28 1915
4th Infantry Brigade
Q. A. 535.    4AB   SECRET   Recd 1700    Copy No.
                     1437                      1700
G.O.C., 4th Brigade                                       127
Dispositions No.2 Sub-section - Night 28th/29th
November, 1915.
(a)  Patrol 1 N.C.O. and 3 men will leave MORSE
TUNNEL at 1730 proceeding up LITTLE DERE to a
point 40 yds in advance of imaginary line drawn
from FRANKLINS to NEWBERRYS.  Returns at 0130.
(b)  Patrol of 1 N.C.O. and 2 men will leave
BECKS at 0200 going in direction of GREEN KNOLL.
Returns at 0400.
(c)  Patrol 1 N.C.O. and 2 men will leave
NEWBERRYS at 1730 proceeding on a bearing of 135
degrees to a point 50 yds in advance of their
line.  Returns at 0500.
(d)  Fatigue party of 80 men under direction of
engineer officer constructing new trenches in
front of Nos. 2 and 3 Post (No.2 Sub-section)
from 1800 to 2200.
Dispositions No.1 Sub-section  -  Night 28th/29th
November, 1915.
(a)  No patrols.
(b)  Listening posts 25 yds in front of Nos. 1
and 3 Post which will be relieved at frequent
intervals during the night.
[*Why?
BM
1789*]
Send our patrols
BM 1790
Sydney CE Herring Major,
C.O., No.1 Sub-section.
Issued at 1540
(Communicated to Brigade Headquarters, No.2
Sub-section and all posts).

 

 "A" FORM.    Army Form C. 2121
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.   No. of Message
x    Code    m.
Office of Origin and Service Instructions.
Words
Charge
Sent
At     m.
To
By
This message is on a/c of:
Service.
(Signature of "Franking Officer")
Recd. at       m.
Date
From 123
By
TO  4th Aust Bde
Sender's Number.      Day of Month      In reply to Number     AAA
* BM 794                        28th
The password for night 28/29th
is CAIRO
BM 1784 {No1 SubSectn
                 {No2    "
Recd
1619
From    N.Z. Inf Bde.
Place
Time
The above may be forwarded as now corrected.
Censor.
(Z)  ROChesney
Major
Signature of Addressor or person authorised to telegraph in his name.
*This line should be erased if not required.

 

"C" Form (Duplicate).    Army Form C. 2123.
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.    No. of Message
4 A.B.
1434
13th Bn
WD
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE
NOV 28 1915
4th Infantry Brigade.
Charges to Pay.
£      s.     d.
122
Office Stamp.
28/11/15
BQ
Service Instructions.
Handed in at      Office     m.  Received  1805 m.
TO  4TH Bde
736
BM
145
Sender's Number      Day of Month     In reply to Number    AAA
QA536                            28th                         BM1784
Noted
FROM    Durrants Post
PLACE & TIME    1700
W.2384-583.   30,000 Pads-8/14.  S. B. Ltd.-Forms/C.2123.

"C" Form (Duplicate).    Army Form C. 2123.
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.    No. of Message
4 A.B
1434
16th Bn
WD
WD
AUSTRALIAN
IMPERIAL FORCE
NOV 28 1915
4th Infantry Brigade.
Charges to Pay.
£     s.     d.
121
Office Stamp.
28/11/15
BQ
Service Instructions.
Handed in at       Office     m.  Received 1810 m.
TO   B M.  4th Bde
Sender's Number      Day of Month   In reply to Number    AAA
QE184                            28th                         BM1784
Noted.
FROM    OC No 2 Sub Sec
PLACE & TIME     1705
W.2384-583.  30,000 Pads-8/14.  S. B. Ltd.-Forms/C.2123.

 

"C" Form (Original).    Army Form C.2123.
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.    No. of Message
Prefix     Code    Words
£     s.     d
Charges to collect
Received
From QE
By RAS
Sent, or sent out
At      m.
To
By
AUSTRALIAN
IMPERIAL FORCE
NOV 28 1915
4th Infantry Brigade
Office Stamp.
BQ
28/11
Service Instructions.
4A.B.
1428
Handed in at     Office    m.  Received  1835 m.
TO  Bde Mjr 4th Bde  124
*Sender's Number    Day of Month     In reply to Number     AAA
QE1845                         RAS    28              BM1788
Bde order 311 complied
with
FROM    OC No 2 SubSection
PLACE & TIME    1830
*This line should be erased if not required.
W.2384-583.  30,000 Pads. 8/14  S. B. Ltd.  Forms/C.2123.

 

"C" Form (Duplicate).    Army Form C. 2121
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS    No. of Message
SM FI pm 33 NZ
TJA.
Charges to Pay.
£     s.     d.
4AB
1442
AUSTRALIAN
IMPERIAL FORCE
NOV 28 1915
4th Infantry Brigade.
Office Stamp.
Service Instructions. 
4AB
1442
Handed in at NZ.    Office     m.  Received 1959 m.
TO   4th Aust Inf Bde        133
Sender's Number     Day of Month     In reply to Number   AAA
G948                             28th
G O C wishes every opportunity of
harrassing the enemy taken full
advantage of aaa  enemy snipers
and patrols to be vigorously
opposed  aaa  our patrolling
must be particularly active aaa
at the same time our position
must be strengthened & more
wire placed in position.
OC No 1       SS  }
 "    No 2        "    }   Bm 1791
 "    14th Bn        }
 "    15th Bn         }  JPMcG
                                 2000     28-11-15
FROM   NZ A Div
PLACE & TIME  1845
W.2384-583.  30,000 Pads-8/14.  S. B. Ltd.-Forms/C.2123. 

Last edited by:
Jacqueline KennedyJacqueline Kennedy
Last edited on:

Last updated: