Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 11, 31 January - 29 February 1916, Part 2

(This page is the reverse of previous page)
 

4ab/2342.
Moascar Camp
Ismailia.
1.2.16
N. Z. & A. Division/

Resubmitted for favor of reconsideration.
The accounts referred to relate to the Ration
allowance of 8½d a day- for the whole of the
Transport of this Brigade and the 4th. Field
Ambulance- of whom Lieut. Slater is the senior
Transport
 Officer. The Transport moved from Maadi at
short notice, leaving these accounts in
confusion.
I am assured that it is impracticable to settle
this matter by correspondence. This is clearly xx
perfectly legitimate official business.
John Monash
BRIG-GENL.
Commdg. 4th. Aust. I.
Bde.
 

Fr.                                                       No.79/4/2
1201-15.6

AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE.
                  ____________
THE AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE
HEADQUARTERS.
A.I.F. INTERMEDIATE BASE

Telephone Nos. 4255-6-7.
Teleg. Address:
"STRALIS, CAIRO."

Hotel Victoria,
8, Sharia Shawarbi Pasha,
CAIRO, 1st February 1916

(*4124*)

Lieut-Colonel J.P. McGlinn, V.D.
4th Infantry Brigade,
A.I.F.

I forward herewith for your information
copies of correspondence from Mr. G.C.Delaney
of Reuter's
Telegram Company Limited, Cairo, regarding
delay in
delivery of a cablegram addressed to General
Monash,
Fouraib, Cairo.

It will be seen that every endeavour was
made in this Office in the case under question,
and the
usual action was taken with a view to the
delivery of the
cablegram direct to General Monash at the last
known
address.

G.G.H. Irving B. G.
Colonel,
Commandant,
The Australian Imperial Force Headquarters.
 

The "AGE" FEBRUARY 1ST 1916 page 7 [newspaper cutting]

[headlines above article] 
THE GREAT WITHDRAWAL
--------

STORY OF A DARING PLAN.

---------

LAST DAYS AT ANZAC

----------

How Our Soldiers Left.

----------

ORGANISATION AND DISCIPLINE

----------

A VIVID NARRATIVE.

----------

BY DR. J. W. SPRINGTHORPE.

-----

Telegraphed from Perth

 

[See original article in Trove]

 

Copy No. 9
FOURTH AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE
Divisional Exercise Feby. 2. 1916
Ref: Map:- ISMAILIA, 1:100,000

1. GENERAL & SPECIAL IDEAS

G E N E R A L  I D E A

(1) A Defensive line facing North and West runs
from K120 on the SUEZ
CANAL-point 1 mile S of K5 on ABBASSIYEH
CANAL-point 1½ miles East
of K105 on CAIRO RAILWAY-thence to E of KL
MANAYIF.

The Divisional Reserve of the Corps holding the
line was
located near the Ferry, but has recently been
moved to MOASCAR, with
a view to making a counter stroke.

The enemy has unsuccessfully attacked our line
from the North
along the ABBASSIYEH CANAL, and from the
West along the Railway.

He is now believed to be assembling his last
available troops
for a final effort.
 

(2) Gaps in the defensive line exist as follows:-
(a). Along W. bank of ABBASSIYEH CANAL
between the trees and the
Canal.

(b). 200 yards wide astride the track running
N.W. from above Canal.
(c). 300 yards wide due N of I in ISMAILIA
(d). 300 yards wide N of CAIRO RAILWAY.
 

S P E C I A L  I D E A    2nd. February 1916
Last night the enemy was reported to be
massing on the
ABBASSIYEH CANAL. The Corps Reserve is ordered to move N.W. through
the line, with a view to attacking him should
opportunity offer. 
 

2. INSTRUCTIONS
The Division is Divisional Reserve to a Corps (The
Artillery, Engineers
 and Train do not take part in the Exercise)

The Fourth Brigade will form up in line of Battalions in Mass,
facing North, each Unit in front centre of its
Camp lines, dressing
on 15th. Battalion, ready to move at 0915 on
Wednesday February 2nd. -

Units to parade as strong as possible. The
following Transport only
will be taken, viz Signal packs, Machine Guns on
packs, ammunition
packs, at least three limbered wagons G.S. per
Battalion, double
horsed, one water cart per Battalion, double
horsed. The 16th.
Battalion provides one water cart each for 13th
and 14th Battalions,
for the day only. Midday meal carried,
waterbottles filled, one feed
for all horses. Dress: Full marching order, but
packs to be empty.
No ammunition. Usual ammunition certificates
to be furnished by 0900
to Brigade Headquarters.

3. ORDER OF MARCH:  
Brigade Headquarters, Signals, 15th, 16th, 13th,
14th,
Battalions in the order named. The Brigade
follows the N.Z. Infantry
Brigade and precedes the N.Z. Rifles Brigade.
 

[signed]
JP McGlinn, Lieut. Colonel
BRIGADE MAJOR, 4th INF. BRIGADE
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE
1-FEB 1916

Copy. No. 1. War Diary.

                   2 & 3 Brigade Staff

                   4 Signals

                   5. 13th Battalion

                    6  14th  "

                    7. 15th   "

                    8. 16th   "

                    9. Orderly officer for G.O.C.
 

Copy No. 2

FOURTH AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE

Divisional Exercise Feby. 2. 1916

Ref: Map: ISMAILIA, 1:100,000

 

1. GENERAL & SPECIAL IDEAS

   G E N E R A L   I D E A

   (1) A Defensive line facing North and West runs from K120 on the SUEZ CANAL-point 1 mile S of K5 on ABBASSIYEH CANAL-point 1½ miles East 

   of K105 on CAIRO RAILWAY-thence to E of EL MANAYIF.
    

   The Divisional Reserve of the Corps holding the line was

   located near the Ferry, but has recently been moved to MOASCAR, with

   a view to making a counter stroke. 
   
   The enemy has unsuccessfully attacked our line from the North
   along the ABBASSIYEH CANAL, and from the West along the Railway.
    

   He is now believed to be assembling his last available troops
   for a final effort.

   
   (2). Gaps in the defensive line exist as follows:-

   (a). Along W. bank of ABBASSIYEH CANAL between the trees and the

    Canal.

   (b). 200 yards wide astride the track running N.W. from above Canal.

   (c). 300 yards wide due N of I in ISMAILIA

   (D). 300 yards wide N of CAIRO RAILWAY.

   S P E C I A L  I D E A   2nd. February 1916

   Last night the enemy was reported to be massing on the

   ABBASSIYEH CANAL. The Corps Reserve is ordered to move N.W. through

   the line, with a view to attacking him should opportunity offer. 

2. INSTRUCTIONS

   The Division is Divisional Reserve to a Corps (The Artillery, Engineers 

   and Train do not take part in the Exercise)

   
   The Fourth Brigade will form up in line of Battalions in Mass,

   facing North, each Unit in front centre of its Camp lines, dressing

   on 15th. Battalion, ready to move at 0915 on Wednesday February 2nd. -

   Units to parade as strong as possible. The following Transport only

   will be taken, viz Signal packs, Machine Guns on packs, ammunition

   packs, at least three limbered wagons G.S. per Battalion, double

   horsed, one water cart per Battalion, double horsed. The 16th.

   Battalion provides one water cart each for 13th and 14th Battalions, 

   for the day only. Midday meal carried, waterbottles filled, one feed

   for all horses. Dress: Full marching order, but packs to be empty.

   No ammunition. Usual ammunition certificates to be furnished by 0900

   to Brigade Headquarters. 

   3. ORDER OF MARCH:  Brigade Headquarters, Signals, 15th, 16th, 13th, 14th,

   Battalions in the order named. The Brigade follows the N.Z. Infantry

   Brigade and precedes the N.Z. Rifles Brigade.
    

   [signed]

   JP McGlinn, Lieut. Colonel

   BRIGADE MAJOR, 4th INF. BRIGADE

   AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE

   1-FEB1916
    

   Copy. No. 1. War Diary.

                      2 & 3 Brigade Staff

                      4 Signals

                       5. 13th Battalion

                       6  14th  "

                       7. 15th  "
                        8. 16th  "

                        9. Orderly officer for G.O.C.
    

4th Australian Infantry Brigade
Divisional Exercise Feb 3rd 1916

Ref. Map 1 : 100,000
Sheet ISMAILIA

MOASCAR
2.2.16.

(1) General Idea.
Same as yesterday
 

(2) Special Idea.
The enemy's concentration
on the ABBASSIYEH Canal proved to
be unimportant and the reserve
withdrew on the 2^nd to MOASCAR.
During the night however reliable
information is received of an
 impending attack along the
CAIRO railway. The corps reserve
 is ordered to move out North
West and attack if opportunity
offers.

(3) Instructions:-
Instructions as to turn-out, etc.
will be precisely the same as
yesterday's in all respects
except that time for units
to be ready to move is 0820
and the battalion of direction
will be the 14^th battalion. Ammunition
certificates and states
to be furnished by 0750

(4) Order of March :-
Signals
14^th Bn
15^th  "
16^th  "
13^th  "
 

(5) The operation is based on the
following information.
Our mounted troops report a hostile
concentration in the direction of
EL MAHSAMA. Enemy patrols accompanied
by officers have been observed
reconnoitering our line West of ISMAILIA
Dictated to Adjutants
2/2/16 W.J.M. Locke Capt

 

AUSTRALLAN
IMPERIAL FORCE
FEB  2, 1916
4th Infantry Brigade

4AB
2481

Recd 1930
Copy No. 8

NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.

Divisional Operation Order No. 2 (Training).
Ref: Map 1:100:000                MOASCAR, ISMAILIA.
Sheet ISMAILIA.                     2nd February, 1916.
1.
INFORMATION.  Our Mounted Troops report a
hostile concentration
in the direction of EL MAHSAMA. Enemy patrols
accompanied by officers have been observed
reconnoitering
our line West of ISMAILIA.

2.
INTENTION. The N.Z. & A. Division (Less Artillery,
Engineer Fiel [[d?]]
Companies and Ambulances) will move out in a
North-
Westerly direction tomorrow morning with a
view to
attacking the enemy should opportunity offer.
The
movement is being covered by the Otago
Mounted Rifles
Regt. (imaginary).

3.
XXXXXX ORDER
OF MARCH              

Div. H.Q.	8.30 am.	) Troops in order of
4th AUST. Inf. Bde.	8.32 am.	) march as per margin
2nd Battn. N.Z. Rifle Bde.	8.45 am.	) will pass the West
N.Z. Inf. Bde.	8.50 am.	) Level Crossing over
		the Cairo Ismailia Rail- way. The Battn. N.Z. Rifle Bde. will join the column on the N. side of the Rail way.

4.
TRAIN TRANSPORT. Train Transport will remain
in Camp.

5.
REPORTS. Reports to head of Column.

(Sgd.) W.R.PINWILL, Lieut-Colonel
General Staff,
N.Z. & A. Division.
-----------------------
Copies as under to :-
War Diary  Copy No.   1

Records                         2 & 3         
C.R.A.                         3   4
C.R.E.                         4   5
A.D.M.S.                     5   6
N.Z.Inf.Bde.               6   7
4th A.I.Bde.                    8 √
N.Z.R.B.                            9
Signals                             10
Div. Train                          11
Admin.Staff                     12 & 13
A.D.C. for G.O.C.              14
ANZAC                              15

N O T E
The enemy's position will be indicated by flags -
one
flag represents one Infantry Company.
 

Copy 
4AB
2512

O.C.

13th. Battalion.
Please inform Major Storey that General Russell
G.O.C.
Division requires to see him at Divisional
Headquarters at 1000
tomorrow morning 4th. inst. Acknowledge.

JP McGlinn Lieut-Col.
Brigade Major
4th. Aust. Inf. Bde.

Moascar Camp,
Ismailia
3. 2. 1916.
(*Received copy of the above.
Sydney CE Herring Lt-Col

J. Colvin Storey Major*)
 

From C.O., 13th Battalion, A.I.F.
To G.O.C., 4th Inf. Brigade.

In connection with your 4AB/2512 I have
informed Major
major Storey that the G.O.C. Division requires to
see him at
Divisional Headquarters at 1000 tomorrow
morning 4th inst.

Sydney CE Herring
Lieut Col.
C.O. 13th Battalion, A.I.F.

Moascar,
3:2:16.