Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 11, 1 December - 25 December 1915, Part 7

SECRET.      NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.
No.  G. 135
Divisional Headquarters,
17th  December, 1915.
To: All Brigades,
C.R.A.,C.R.E.,A.D.M.S.
MEMORANDUM :
The follwoing instructions and notes for
Guidance are issued in amplification of D.C.C.No.22
dated 15th December, 1915.
(a) With reference to March Tables - It is of the
utmost importance that the withdrawal of troops is not
seen by the enemy. Should Brigadiers find that the timings
[*√*]  laid down for "A" Parties on each night are such that owing
 to condition of light the movement is likely to be
discovered, they are empowered to delay the time of starting
to the extent that is necessary.
(b) During the withdrawal there will be no running and
[*√ *] all movements will be carried out in a steady and orderly
manner.
(c) When telephone instruments are removed the telephone
[*√*]  line will be cut back and a portion of the line removed.
(d) The importance of keeping a normal number of fires
going even in vacated bivouacs must be kept in mind.
[*√*]  Parties of men should be told off to move about in vacated
bivouacs and up and down the Deres and to the wells along
the beach.
(e) The Naval light on Little Table Top will be left burning,
care being taken that it is in thoroughly good order.
When troops finally withdraw on last night.
(f). The following is a distribution of Divisional Staff
Officers :
Both / Nights.
Divisional Embarkation Officer : Major H.J. REID, A.Q.M.C)
At North Beach.
After first night Embarkation complete.
Staff Officers to Rearguard Commander :
Major W.R.PINWILL, G.S.O.
Captain KENNEDY, G.S.O.
      "          WAUCHOPE,  G.S.O.
Divisional Representative at ANZAC Captain MELVILL, G.S.O.
         "                       "                 "  OTAGO GULLY, Capt HASTINGS, G.S.O
Rear Party Commander - Colonel PATON, 7th A.I. Bde.
(S d.) W.R. PINWILL, Major
General Staff,
N.Z. & A. Division.

AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND ARMY CORPS.
GA 656
Headquarters, ANZAC,
176-12-15.
N.Z. & A. Division.
MEMORANDUM.
With reference to Army Corps Order No.21, I am to
say that : -
(1) Remaining guns will be blown up and rendered useless
as trophies. A party will be told off to do this after
the withdrawal of the last men of "C" Parties. The C.
Party Commander in whose area they are will give the order
for destruction. Breech locks and sights will be saved.
(2) Troops leaving trenches will carry rifle at the trail
bayonets will not be fixed - all possible measures will be
taken to prevent the sound of the tread of marching troops
from reaching the enemy.
(3) Dug-outs will not be dismantled nor dumps knocked down
(4) Watches will be frequently checked and times corrected.
(5) In connection with the removal of sick and wounded
(para.13) a flag of truce will be sent ashore on the day
after the final night.
(Sgd). C.B.B.WHITE
Brigadier-General, General Staff.
________________________________
NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.
Divisional Headquarters,
No.G154      18th December, 1915.
To : All Brigades.
C.R.A.,C.R.E.,A.Q.M.G.
________________________
Forwarded for information and action where necessary.
(Sgd) W.R.PINWILL, Major.
General Staff,
N.Z. & A. Division.

NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.
No. G.147
Divisional Headquarters,
17th December, 1915.
To : All Brigades
C.R.A.,C.R.E.,A.D.M.S., Signals,
A.Q.MG., Conducting Officers.
Reports of Movements.
During the forthcoming operations, Reports will be sent in
as follows to Divisional Headquarters, OTAGO GULLY : -
By Brigadiers.
(a) Report of departure of parties (A^√.B^√. & C) from
Brigade areas, stating strength.
[*Locke*]
(b) Periodical report of situation - 4 hourly starting
from 1800 on first night of embarkation. Any special
occurence will be reported at once.
(c) Message at 0600 on second day to Rearguard Commander,
ANZAC, stating that telephone communications are intact.
(d) On departure of B ^√Party - second day night - from Brigade
area, report that Brigadier has handed over to "C" Party
Commander.
By "C" Party Commanders.
[*Herring*]
(e) Hourly report on situation, i.e. normal or otherwise.
(f) Report of commencement of withdrawal of "C" Party
and closing of Brigade Signal Office.
By Divisional Representative at OTAGONGULLY
(g) Reports summary of above messages (except c. which
should go direct) to Rearguard Commander at ANZAC: and
except (f) which must be repeated to ANZAC immediately on
receipt.
(Sgd). W.R.PINWILL, Major,
General Staff,
N.Z. & A. Division.

FOURTH AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE
[*Bgde*]
Copy No. 2
Bauchops Hill,
December 17, 1915.
Operation Order No. 13,
by
Brigadier-General J. Monash, C.B., V.D.,
INFORMATION 1. The A. & N.Z. Army Corps has been ordered to proceed
to Mudros. The embarkation will be effected on two successive
nights on dates to be notified later. On each night there
will be three echelons. The Commander of the Army Corps xxx
Rear Guard is Brigadier-General Sir A. H. Russell, K.C.M.G..
ORGANISATION 2. The order of embarkation of the units of this Brigade
is set out in Table A annexed. The numbers shewn as totals
and for first day are approximate only. The latter will comprise
the excess of strength over and above the numbers set
down for second day. Table B annexed shews the Commanders of
the Echelons and the march tables.
ROUTE. 3. From starting point (see headnote to Table B) down
Chailak Dere to Supply Depot at No. 2 Post, thence by the sap
to Mule Gully and thence to North Beach.
PRELIMINARY
MEASURES. 4. (a) Till final moves everything is to be carried on
normally - usual fires kept alight, usual
blankets, sheets and iron displayed, usual
movements in bivouacs and on roads, usual volume
of fire from rifles and guns.
(b) Work in forward defences, such as putting out wire
Cheveaux de Frises and throwing up of earth in
sight of enemy to be vigorously continued.
(c) Patrolling of our front to be normally maintained
till latest practicable moment.
(d) Prepare receptacles for Mills and Pitcher grenades
and surplus ammunition, Trench Stores, all
brass, copper and gunmetal etc.
(e) Display periscopes in normal usual manner.n
(f) Tell off all personnel definitely to each Echelon.
(g) Distribute reserve ammunition along trenches, for
use of C Echelon.
(h) Remove official papers, maps, kits, etc. and destroy
notices and guiding marks likely to assist enemy.
AGENDA FOR
SECOND DAY 5. (a)Keep Hotchkiss gun in action till 1715 and then disable
by carrying away breach block and sights.
(b) Bury surplus grenades, bombs, ammunition, empty cases,
mortars and other trench stores, all at last
possible moment on second day before A Echelon
moves, No destruction by explosion will be permitted.
(c) As each H.Q. moves, the telephone will be brought away
by the men detailed for this duty; the wires will
be cut back and knotted up and a portion removed.
(d) Concert special measures to ensure that orders for
final withdrawal duly reach every man of C Echelon.
MACHINE GUNS 6. Six machine guns to be left in each sub-section till
second day. Of these, three machine guns in each sub-section
will move with Echelon B, the remainder with Echelon C. The
machine guns of echelon B to be given fifteen (15) minutes
start of remainder of Echelon.
GENERAL
INSTRUCTIONS 7. (a) Every man to carry 150 rounds and two day's rations.
(b) C Echelon of second day to be unhampered by blankets,
waterproof sheets, kits or any other impediments -
except greatcoats.
(c) All movement to be in formed bodies at a quick march
(3 miles per hour) in perfect silence, no lights,
no smoking, an officer in rear of each body and at
head also, latter if available.
(d) The greatest initiative and resource must be shewn by
all leaders in assisting the M.L.O's. to pass

Copy N^o 2
(2)
troops rapidly on to the barges and to pack them closely; and
also in rapidly discharging the barges on reaching the transports.
The senior officer on each barge, on reaching the
transport, will act as Staff Officer for unloading.
(e) All troops, except C Echelon of last day, will march with
empty magazines and unfixed bayonets.
COMMANDER
C ECHELON. 8. Lieut.-Colonel Herring will report at Brigade Headquarters
at 2000 on second day, to take over command of C Echelon. He will
hand over command of No. 1 Sub-section to Captain Twynam, 13th.
Battalion. The orders for the final move of C Echelon have
been communicated to Lieut.-Colonel Herring.
TIME. 9. All watches will be synchronized with Brigade Headquarters
at 1600 on each of the last two days.
REPORTS. 10. Reports to Brigade Headquarters until final move of C
Echelon.
JP. McGlinn Lt.-Col.
Brigade Major, 4th. Aust. Infantry Brigade.
Issued at 2100   17-12-15
Copy No.  1  -   War Diary.
   ' '     No. 2  -   Brigade Staff including Signals.
   ' '     No. 3  -   do.        do.       do.            do.
   ' '     No. 4  -   13^th Battalion
   ' '     No. 5   -   14^th Battalion
   ' '     No. 6   -   16^th Battalion
   ' '     No. 7   -   Lieut-Colonel Herring.

Issued with Operation Order
No. 13 of 17/12/15.
TABLE A.
Order of Embarkation. 

(1) The personnel embarked on first day to be the least fit and least
effective in a combatant sense. - No machine guns first day.
(2) No machine guns with Echelon X (a) of second day.
Half the machine guns go with (b) of second day.
Other half machine guns go with (c) of second day.
(3) Personnel retained for (b) and (c) of second day to be selected from
the most gallant and reliable men. - Those for (c) to be the very
pick.
(4) The total numbers for second day must not on any account be exceeded.
Any variations, due to evacuations or men rejoining, will be made
in the first day.
(5) Battalions records, and all regimental or personal property of
special value, to go on first day.
(6) If between first and second day there are any casualties among men
detailed for C Echelon, they will be made good out of (b) men,
and similarly casualties among (b) men will be made good out
of (a) men.
(7) The 70 men of (c) Echelon, 13th. Battalion, for second day, includes
one (1) man detailed to look after light on Little Table Top,
under the orders of the Staff Captain.

TABLE "B". 
Issued with Operation
Order No. 13 of 17/12/15.
MARCH ORGANISATION.
The STARTING POINT is the intersection of CHAILAK DERE and
HOTCHKISS VALLEY. The Commander of each Echelon of each night will
arrange to have determined (by actual march tests) the time necessary
for each quota of the Echelon to reach the Starting Point at the time
named - allowing a margin of time for unavoidable opening out and for
the loads to be carried, as the case may be,; - and will notify these
times to the units concerned :- 

NOTES.  1.  On second night A and C Echelons march direct to point where sap
enters Mule Gully; all other Echelons march to Divisional
place of assembly, at Supply Depot No. 2 Post.
2.  The numbers set down against first night B and C Echelons are
approximate only. They will comprise all excess on the
strength of the unit over and above the numbers set down for
the second night.
3.  Includes Lieut.-Colonel Herring at Brigade Headquarters and not
with 13th. Battalion.
4.  Special Ambulance personnel are not included in above numbers;
but these will move with Echelon B of second day.
5.  The time of withdrawal of C Echelon has been notified to Lieut.-
Colonel Herring, who will inform all concerned.