Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 11, 8 January - 31 January 1916, Part 7

Copy No. N^o 1   Thursday

4AB/2306
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE
Fourth Infantry Brigade
Head-Quarters
26/1/16
(*140B*)

O P E R A T I O N   O R D E R   No. 4  1.
by
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL S.C.E.HERRING
Commanding 13th Battalion, A.I.F.
MOASCAR,
January 27th 1916.
REFERENCE MAP- Lower Egypt 1:100,000, 
Sheet C12 (Ismailia)

1.  INFORMATION  At 0700 on 27th January information has been
received that the Advance Party of a Force
BLACK, estimated strength, one Battalion, are
in occupation of a line bearing 270 degrees
from point "K. 120" on ISMAILIA-PORT SAID
railway; left flank approximately two miles
from that point.
2.   INTENTION The 13th Battalionwill attack with the object
of forcing them to retire, and if successful
will take up an Outpost Position protecting
ISMAILIA PENDING ARRIVAL OF REINFORCEMENTS.
3.   STARTING POINT NIFISHA Railway Signal Cabin.
4.   DISPOSITION.  (a) ADVANCED Guard :-
Commander  -  Major E.TWYNAM
Troops              -  "D" Company
(b) MAIN BODY :-
xCommander   -  Captain H.C. FORD
Troops                 - 13th Battalion less 1 Coy
5.   ORDER OF MARCH
Advanced Guard will clear Starting Point at
0900 and march via ISMAILIA to OASIS approx.
1½ miles N.E. from ISMAILIA RAILWAY STATION
Advanced Guard will then push forward to mex
locate and engage Force BLACK.
Main Body will pass Starting Point at 0930
and rendezvous at OASIS.
Orders for the attack will be issued at the
OASIS on receipt of Information from O.C.
Advanced Guard.
6.   REPORTS  To head of Main Body
Issued at 0800
Sydney McSharry
Lieut-Col
C.O. 13th Battn

 Copy 1 Bde 7HQ.
2 O.C. Advanced Guard.
3. O.C. Main Body
4. File
5 War Diary

27/1/16. [[DML Captain?]]
 

Friday Thursday
15th Battalion Scheme, for 27. 1. 16.
General Idea
The enemy have obtained temporary command
of the SUEZ CANAL at El Zedar, and have
succeeded in throwing a small force, approximately
one Battalion Infantry, and one Squadron Light
Horse across, which is moving on ISMAILIA
with the object of cutting the railway at the
Nifisha Junction.

Special Idea
The 4th Aust. Brigade will move out and
hold the enemy while preparations are
made to despatch the remainder of the
Division to drive them back and regain
possession of the Canal.
 

Copy. No 1.
4AB/2306
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE

Fourth Infantry Brigade

Head-Quarters

26/ 1 /16

(*1250*)

Operation Order
No 1.
By- Major R. E. Snowden
C/O 15^th Battalion.
MOASCAR.
Jany. 27th  1916.

REFERENCE. ISMAILIA. 1:100.000.
INFORMATION
I    An enemys force estimated to
be 1 Battalion Infantry 1 Squadron
of Light Horse has crossed the
SUEZ CANAL at EL FEDAN & is reported
to be moving on ISMAILIA.
II   The 4th Australian Inf Brigade will
move from MOASCAR to engage
the enemy.
INTENTION. 
III   The Battalion will form an
advanced guard

 STARTING POINT
IV   Level crossing ISMAILIA STATION.
VANGUARD   
Capt Coombs

B Coy.
V   The Vanguard will pass the starting
 point at 10.30 and move in a 

 NORTH EAST direction. 

MAIN GUARD

Major M^cSharry
C & D Coys. less 1 Platoon
RIGHT FLANK GUARD
N^o  16 Platoon.
VI   Reports to head of main guard.
 

Copies to.
I. Bde H.Qrs.
2. Vanguard Commander
3. Main Guard              “
4. Right Flank Guard  “
5. War Diary.
 

3
16th  Battalion
Scheme of Tactical Exercises
Night Training
for 27th January 1916.
at
NEFISHA CAMP
Rfce - Map of ISMAILIA - Sheet C12 - 1-100,000
General Idea:   The enemy is in position by
ISMAILIA;  his advanced troops being
actually in the town.
Our troops who are coming from
CAIRO are to oppose the enemy.
Narrative:   The 4th Bde has arrived at
NEFISHA at 1800 on the 27th Jan. as
advanced troops to take up positions
across CAIRO - ISMAILIA Railway to
oppose the enemy.
Special Idea:    The 16th Bn has received orders
from the G.O.C. 4th Bde to take up
an outpost position N. of CAIRO -
ISMAILIA Railway at a point One
mile due west from point marked
on Map (P) - that is One mile
North of Railway facing Ismailia.
At 1830 the 16th Bn moved off from
place of assembly with One Coy as
Advanced Guard to take up position allotted.
E. Margolin major
 

N.Z. INFANTRY BDE.
MOASCAR CAMP.
27. 1. 1916.
Headings for discussion on
MACHINE GUNS.
(1)  ESTABLISHMENT.   At present :-
Suggested : 4 guns. Off 2. Sgts 2. Cpts.2. OR. 24.
(2)  EQUIPMENT & TRANSPORT.   Short rifle for detachment.
Pack animals & wagons on both.
(3)    TACTICAL EMPLOYMENT.
(A)    In the ADVANCE.(i)     Guns only to be brigaded for a special purpose.
(2)    Front line Battns always to have all
their own guns.
2nd line Battns : 2 with them and
2 perhaps brigaded.
(ii)  Formation during the advance.
       (a)  Battn Guns.
       (b)  Reserve Guns.
Artillery formation (depends on ground)
(iii)  Position during the advance.
        (a)  Behind reserve Coy or in front of it.
        (b)  Guns for firing line, with supports
         (c)  Guns of Reserve

When advance checked. (i)  Guns in front line and
posted singly or in pairs
(ii)   Employment of Brigaded Guns.
(iii)  Communication with Guns.

(B)  In  DEFENCE (i) Division of Guns into groups or singly
(ii)   Should there be any Bde reserve of guns.
(iii)  In selected positions, gun by gun, 2
centre guns fire over front of own Battn.
2  Flank guns. ½ over own front & ½
over front of neighbouring Unit.
 

GIFT STORES RECEIVED FOR 4TH INFANTRY BRIGADE.

       _______________________________________
17 boxes addressed to -
G.O.C.
Aust. Ex. Forces,
Anzac,
MUDROS.
Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, containing -
Cookers,  "Tommy",          doz.    136.
Refills for     -do-                 "         136.
                           _______________
1 case addressed to -
B. Genl.Monash,
O.C. 4th  Aust.  Inf.  Bde.
No. 5,  containing -
Biscuits,                              tins        2
Pastes,                                 "          144
Christmas card marked "B".
                        ____________________
1 case addressed to -
B. Genl. J. Monash,
0.C. 4th Aust.  Inf.  Bde.
No. 12, containing -
Writing pads                                    36
Muscatelles, dried                  tins    4
Christmas card marked "C".
                    _________________________
1 case addressed to -
B.Genl. Monash,
0.C. 4th  Inf.  Bde.
No. 13, containing -
Playing cards,                                    66
Writing pads,                                     36
Muscatelles,                              tins    2
                    ________________________
1 case containing cake addressed to -
0.C. 4th  Aust,  Inf.  Bde.
                    _________________________
Inventory.
√ Cookers.  "Tommy"                 doz.    136.
√ Refills for     -do-                       "          136.
√ Biscuits,                         large   tins        2.
√ Muscatelles,                     "           "          6.
√ Cake                                   "        box        1.
√ Pastes                                         tins    144.
Pads, writing                                              72.
Playing Cards,                                            66.
                      ________________________
Moascar.
28-1-16.
 

[[Lon’s?]]  Comforts
sent to Egypt

AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE
Fourth Infantry Brigade
Head-Quarters
27 / 1 / 16
(0745*)

Copy  No.  I     Brigade H.Q.
O P E R A T I O N    O R D E R    No. 1
by
Lieut-Colonel S.C.E. HERRING
Commanding 13th Australian Infantry
MOASCAR.   0745
28th January 1916.
REFERENCE MAP- Lower Egypt 1:100,000, 
Sheet  C12  (Ismailia)
1. NARRATIVE    A Force BROWN, of which the 13th Battalion
forms part, has been defending the SUEZ CANAL.
Meeting with a severe reverse, the evacuation
of MOASCAR has been ordered.  The 13th
Battalion forms the Rear Guard of a force of
Infantry without Artillery, which is the last
to cross the ISMAILIA CANAL on the retreat from
MOASCAR.
2.2 INFORMATION   The Enemy have occupied 2.texxxxxx ISMAILIA
and their patrols have penetrated as far as
the bridge at junction of ABBASSIYA CANAL and
ISMAILIA CANAL.   The Bridge referred to has
been blown up.
3. INTENTION. To retreat over ISMAILIA CANAL at NIFISHA and
fight a Rear Guard action in direction of
ABU SUWEIR RAILWAY STATION.
4. STARTING POINT   Head of Column to pass STARTING POINT(Bridge of over ISMAILIA CANAL at NIFISHA) at 0858.
All troops to be clear of Staryting Point by
0908.   The orders for the demolition of the
Bridge have seen issued.
5. ORDER OF MARCH :- REAR GUARD -
Commander - Capt.H.C.FORD
Troops             -  tt  "C" Company and
                             M.G. Section less half.
MAIN GUARD -  xxxx
Commander - Major E.TWYNAM
Troops             - 13th Battalion less
                             one Company, and half M.G. Section.
Main body ^{∧ Guard} will march on ABU SUMWEIR via Bridge
over 2) 22"  "43xxx  EL WAD DRAIN near EZ ALI
ABU RABI .   As soon as Bridge had been cleared,
Rear Guard will fall back on ALI ABU RABI.
O.C. Main Guard will detail one Platoon to
guard Bridge over DRAIN near "D"  "I" in DRAIN until 

Main Guard is clear.
6. REPORTS.   To Head of Main Guard.

Sydney McSharry  Lieut Col.
Commanding 13^th  Bⁿ
A.I.F

Issued at 0700.
Copy   1   Bde H.Q.
             2   Major TWYNAM
             3   Captain FORD
             4   "A" Company
             5   "B" Company
             6   "C" Company
             7   "D" Company
             8   M.G. Section
             9   War Diary
DM
28/1/16

 

14th Battalion.
Moascar Camp.
28/1/16.
Scheme for Battalion Field Training on Friday 28th inst.

GENERAL IDEA.
Redland (Egypt) is at war with Blueland.
A Blue invading force has crossed the Suez Canal north
of SUEZ and has sent a force northward advancing on I
ISMAILIA.
 

SPECIAL IDEA.
Redland has decided to send a force to intercept
and hold the enemy until reinforcements arrive from
PORT SAID.   The x Inf Bde together with one Squadron
of Light Horse has been ^{∧ sent} to intersept the enemy
before he crosses the EL WADI DRAIN and protect the
Railway Bridge at NIFISHA, until reinforcements arrive
when it is intended to drive the enemy back.
The Enemy were last heard of at BIR EL MANAYIF  this
morning.