Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 11, 8 January - 31 January 1916, Part 11
Moascar Camp,
29th. January, 1916.
DISCUSSION ON MACHINE GUNS
Headings for Agenda Paper
1. ESTABLISHMENT:-
2. EQUIPMENT:-
3. TRANSPORT:-
4. TACTICS:-
(a). In attack:-
(b). In defence:-
5. BRIGADING OF GUNS:-
6. COMMUNICATION:-
Moascar Camp,
29th. January, 1916
DISCUSSION ON MACHINE GUNS
Headings for Agenda Paper
1. ESTABLISHMENT:- Agree with present establishment; as the extra
rifles are not lost and may be used as M.G. escort etc.
2. EQUIPMENT:- Pack saddlery required for two extra guns now
on establishment. Would suggest that an additional range
finder be supplied.
3. TRANSPORT:-
For desert work would prefer mule or camel transport to
Pack animals ; and pack animals to wheeled transport.
4. TACTICS:-
(a). In attack:-
(b). In defence:-
5. BRIGADING OF GUNS:-
Am not in favour of Brigading Machine Guns except in
exceptional circumstances. I would prefer to see a Battery
of Machine Guns attacked to each Brigade.
6. COMMUNICATION :-
6. Strongly recommend that telephone communication
be made available to both Coys. and M. Guns.
The Battalion Commander is then able to
exercise more supervision; and ranges can be
easily passed from M. Guns to Companies.
Also targets can be pointed out as observed
by Companies.
Chas.M.M. Dare.
Lt.Col.
C.O.14 Bn.
Moascar Camp,
29th. January, 1916
By Wednesday
DISCUSSION ON MACHINE GUNS
Headings for Agenda Paper
1. ESTABLISHMENT:-
Estab. 1 off 2 .sgts. 1 cpl 24 men 6 Drivers 1 Batman 35.
Our Present estab. 1. 2. 2. 24 8 . 1 38.
Estab. Reserv. 3 N.C.O.'s & 24 men.
Our estab. 23 men only.
E
? Should reserve section always be with section. ? Should men of bn be trained
to take the place of reservists. ? Should reserve mg drivers receive N.C.O. rank in battalion.
2. EQUIPMENT:- Present equipment & 1 rangefinder & 8 signalling flags.
3. TRANSPORT:- (1) G.S. Limbered waggons v. Packsaddlery.
Comparative advantages in country with good road communication during
winter & summer.
(2) Advantage of mounting gun numbers to increase mobility.
4. TACTICS:-
(a). In attack:-
(b). In defence:-
5. BRIGADING OF GUNS:-
6. COMMUNICATION :- (I) Intercommunication between Sections
(II) To CO's battalion
(III) To Bde .MG.O.
(IV) From B.M.G.O. to Sections (a) brigaded
(b) acting with their battalions.
R.G.Ligge Capt
B.M.G.O. 4th Bde
Moascar Camp,
29th. January, 1916
DISCUSSION ON MACHINE GUNS
Headings for Agenda Paper
1. ESTABLISHMENT:-
1914 Estab for pay Officers Sgts Corporals Drivers Batmen Privates
1 1 1 2 1 12. = 18
Increase & second } 1 2 1 8 6 12. = 20
permanently from Coys. } x 24 = 24 ___
63
62
Cu Coys strength & only } x 4 of whom should be trained signallers.
seconded as & where required } & 4 Grenadiers.
2. EQUIPMENT:- 4 guns. - 2 Barr & Stroud Range Finders.
10 Revolvers.
(2 Sgts & 1 to ea Nos 1 & 2 officers.) 2 Telephones. 4 Flags large
= 8. 2 Heliar. 8 " small.
2 Lamps.
2 Telescopes.
3. TRANSPORT:- 4 Limbered wagons ea 4 horses - 2 fron leaders being
plus 4 wheel horses.
available for packs. - pack saddlery being carried in
limbered wagons until required. Pack saddlery:-
gun & tripod = 4 Sets.
Ammunition = 8 Sets.
12 Sets.
(leaving 4 horses
with the limbers)
4. TACTICS:-
(a). In attack:- Fre commanding positions available
for covering fire only, on a flank if possible
- seldom if ever to be used in front firing line.
(b). In defence:- Used only when large bodies of troops present
target at ranges from 2 000 yds &under. Machine guns should not
be mounted at ranges under 500 yds from enemy's trenches, unless
dismounted & to be used for surprise action or in
night operations. & then Experience has shown that in
defence the guns of other Bns. on flanks render most
valuable supports - hence necessity for close co-operation & for
system which will allow of mutual co-operation
without limiting to any fixed areas.
5. BRIGADING OF GUNS:- In attack no interference of Bns control except to suggest to C/O.
suitable positions & targets.
In defence best handled under Brigade
arrangements.
6. COMMUNICATION :-
2 Fully trained signallers with each
2 guns = 4 in all.
1 Telephone with each two guns , particularly useful
on a detached or isolated position.
Capt Legge
J. H Cannan Lt Col
15th Bn.
A.I.F.
Moascar Camp,
29th. January, 1916
GOC
DISCUSSION ON MACHINE GUNS
Headings for Agenda Paper
1. ESTABLISHMENT:- Not less than 4 guns per Battalion
Not more than 16 guns per Battalion at present
12 rank & file per gun (exclusive of N.C.O. Signallers & Drivers)
2. EQUIPMENT:- Limbered wagons of pack saddlery.
Nos. 1, 2, 3 & 4 to be armed with pistols only (not rifles)
3. TRANSPORT:- (a) By wagon
(b) By Pack Horses - taken from limbers when required
(c) By man.
4. TACTICS:-
(a). In attack:-
Guns to get as far forward as possible -
sufficient supply to avoid necessity for over
scrupulous care for safety of guns.
(b). In defence:-
Guns should be used for enfilade
and oblique fire & never for direct
fire only.
5. BRIGADING OF GUNS:-
Guns should be brigaded in attack only in
exceptional circumstances. In a defensive
position the brigading of guns is usually of
advantage.
6. COMMUNICATION:-
It is recommended that at least two
signallers and two telephone instruments
be provided with one machine gun sections.
H Pope Lt Col
Commdg 16th Bn A.I.F.
31.1.16
AUSTRALIAN
IMPERIAL FORCE
JAN 30 1916
4th Infantry Brigade.
4 AB
2426
INSTRUCTIONS TO O.C. SKELETON ENEMY
1. Your force, of 6 Officers and 100 others will represent 2 Battalions
i.e. 8 Companies and 8 machine guns. Each half company will be
represented by a white blue flag and each machine gun by a blue white flag,
plainly displayed, when firing.
2. You will march from Camp at 0900 on Monday January 31st. proceeding
to village of EZ YUXUF ATIYA, and cross the EL WADI DRAIN by
bridge immediately to the South thereof.
3. You will dispose your force so as to dispute the crossing of the
EL WADI DRAIN at the EZ YUZUF ATIYA Bridge by an enemy approaching
from the South East.
4. You will employ the flags (in accordance with the volume of fire
that you develop from time to time) in order to indicate to the
Umpires (with the enemy) the extent of exposure of the attacking
force as observed by you.
5. You will take full advantage of the exercise to instruct the personnel
under your command in the use of fire and ground.
6. Obtain, through Staff Captain, 16 white blue and 8 blue white flags, and
arrange for return of same, on completion.
JPMcGlinn
Lieut. Col
Brigade Major
4th. Aus.Inf.Bde
29. 1. 1916.
4AB
2424
AUSTRALIAN
IMPERIAL FORCE
JAN 30 1916
4th Infantry Brigade.
HEADQUARTERS,
Moascar Camp,
30th. Jan. 1916.
ALL BRIGADE UNITS:-
TRAINING :-
1. Further training programmes will not be issued
until further notice.
2. Monday Jany. 31. Brigade Exercise-
14th. Battalion Musketry-
3. Tuesday Feby. 1. Battalion Exercises -
13th. Battalion - in area C.
14th. Battalion - in area A.
16th. Battalion.- in area B.
15th. Battalion - Musketry.
4. Wednesday Feby. 2.)
5. Thursday Feby. 3 ) Divisional Exercised
6. Friday Feby. 4. ) Musketry suspended.
JPMcGlinn Lieut-Col.
Brigade Major.
4th. Aust. Inf. Bde
GOC's Copy
AUSTRALIAN
IMPERIAL FORCE
4AB
JAN 30 1916
2438
4th Infantry Brigade.
Moascar Camp
30th Jan 1915
From C.O. 13thBattalion
To The G.O.C.
4th Aust Inf Brigade
With reference to the interview
I had with you this afternoon
I attach herewith Major J. C. Storeys
memo to me on the subject of
tentage accommodation.
Sydney CE Herring
CO, Lt Col
13th Battalion A.I.F.
From M.D. 13th Bn
To Co. 13 Bn 30. 1. 16
The men are overcrowded
in their tents at night.
especially is this important
owing to existence of
disease.
More tents than are
allowed by Army Corps
orders 9am 19th No520
are being used by officers.
Tents are being used
for messes, guards
& offices This is contrary
to Army Corps orders.
I would be glad if
you let me know what
arrangements you are
making to remedy this.
J Colvin Storey Maj.
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