Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 11, 31 January - 29 February 1916, Part 7

AUSTRALIAN
IMPERIAL FORCE
FEB 10 1916
4th Infantry Brigade.
4^th Bde H Qrs

Return:-D.R.O.1150./
Qualified Dentists & dental
Mechanics in this Battalion
Nil.

Moascar
10.2.16
W.J.Cooper Lieut
Snd for 15th Bn 

To Bde Major
4^th Bde HQs
AUSTRALIAN
IMPERIAL FORCE
FEB 10 1916
4th Infantry Brigade.
16th Battalion
Moascar
10/2/16
re D.R.O. 1150
There are no qualified dentists
or dental mechanics serving
with this battalion
E.J. [[Barttlet?]] Adjutant for Co
16th Battalion
A.I.F.

10/2/16
per Capt. Legge

Qualifying Test for Machine Gunners

Men in the Machine Gun Section will be
required to pass the following test before being
classed or qualified machine gunners and
wearing the machine gunners badge :-

Tests in elementary training 1-7 & 9 (Borstock 186
Musketry Regs Para 642) thorough knowledge of mechanism
& action of mechanism - stripping & replacing spare
parts - cleaning & care of gun - Points before
during & after firing - Packing waggon & packsaddles
- Range finding take range quickly & accurately
adjust instrument for height of image & adjust
zero by at least one method - Signalling
Semaphore simple messages at at 10 words minute

Machine Gunner's Badge -
This badge only to be worn by qualified
machine gunners.
Badge to consist of the letters MG surrounded
by a wreath embroidered in white on Khaki.
Badge to be worn on the right arm above
the elbow. N.C.O's to wear it in the V of the chevron
No badge but the one laid described is
to be worn. 

 [*ao
Copy. No. 9*]
FOURTH AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE
DIVISIONAL EXERCISE FEBRUARY 11/12.
Moascar Camp,
11.2.1916.
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE
FEB 11  1916
4th Infantry Brigade.
Ref. Map:- ISMAILIA 1:100000

GENERAL &)
SPECIAL IDEA)
& NARRATIVE)
1. Issued separately herewith.

INFORMATION:
2. (a). Two enemy Divisions reported massing near K.5 with
object of attacking our line at dawn and capturing
ISMAILIA.
(b). Our Divisional Mounted Troops are in touch with the
enemy.
(c). All other Infantry of the Division cooperate with
Fourth Brigade.
INTENTION:
3. To cooperate with the remainder of the Division in forestalling
enemy's attack by a night advance to meet him and an
attack at dawn.

ORDER OF MARCH:
4. Fourth Brigade will be ready to move at 2115 in following
order:- Brigade Staff, 16th, 13th, 14th, 15th, Battalions.
The Brigade follows Divisional Headquarters, and is followed
by N.Z. Infantry Brigade.

INSTRUCTIONS:
5. Brigade Signal Section, Machine Gun Sections and First Line
Transport WILL NOT take part in the exercise. Under
Divisional order only ONE mounted officer may ride with
each Battalion. All other mounted officers will march on
foot until after the assault. All led horses and horse
holders of all Battalions will march in one body, under
Lieut. A.G.R. Slater 15th F.J.Symonds 14th. Battalion (mounted) in rear of 

N.Z. RIFLE BRIGADE, and will come up after the assault.
These horses will assemble in front of Brigade Head
Quarters at 21100. No lances or pennants will be taken-
Greatcoats carried in packs or worn at option of Commanding
Officers - Full waterbottles, and a breakfast ration carried.

FORMATIONS &
MARCH ARRANGEMENTS:
6. The formations to be adopted at various stages of the advance
are as per instructions promulgated herewith.
There will be a halt of 5 5 MINUTES every 20 MINUTES,
irrespective of any other halt that may be necessary.
The RIGHT of N.Z. INFANTRY BRIGADE directs during the
WHEEL, and the left of the N.Z. INFANTRY BRIGADE directs
during the passage of the GAP and the advance.
The position of ASSEMBLY will be marked by 1 LAMP: the
GAP by TWO LAMPS. The total march from LEVEL CROSSING to
OBJECTIVE IS 8000 yards. No. smoking or talking after
reaching position of assembly.

BAYONETS:
7. Bayonets will be fixed at position of deployment.

LIAISON OFFICER.
8. Staff Captain (mounted) will be liaison officer with
Divisional Headquarters, and will provide himself with a
copy of the Divisional Operation Order No. 5- He reports 

at Starting point.

BADGES:
9. Divisional and Brigade Staffs wear white hat bands.

2.
REPORTS: 

10. During march to POSITION OF ASSEMBLY, to head of
Brigade. Thereafter as per instructions for formations
herewith.
Issued at
Staff  Copies No. 1  to 3.
13th.   Battalion           4.
14th.          "                    5.
15th.           "                   6.
16th.           "                   7.
Lieut. Slater Symonds 8.
Orderly Officer to G.O.C. 9.
File                                   10.
L. Binghim Lieut-Col.
Brigade Major.
4th. Aust. Inf. Bde.

Copy No. 9
AUSTRALIAN
IMPERIAL FORCE
FEB  1916
4th Infantry Brigade

FOURTH AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE
DIVISIONAL EXERCISE FEBY. 11/12. 1916.
Headquarters,
Moascar Camp
Ismailia.
11th. Feb. 1916
Instructions for Formations
1. FORMATION FOR PASSING THROUGH GAP: When the Column halts for the purpose 

of assuming a broad front, 13th. Battalion will come up on LEFT of 16th. 

And 15th. Battalion will come up on LEFT of 14th. -both at 60 (sixty)
paces interval. Each Battalion next forms two lines, with two companies 

in each line at 30 (thirty) paces interval. All companies in COLUMN OF 

ROUTE. On completion rear Companies and Battalions will close up to a 

distance of 10 (ten) paces from strongest Company in the line in immediate
front.
2. CHANGE OF DIRECTION: The N.Z. INFANTRY BRIGADE having assumed a 

similar formation on the RIGHT of the FOURTH BRIGADE, at 30 (thirty) paces 

interval between Brigades - the whole Division will advance and make a 

complete RIGHT WHEEL through 90 degrees. After completion of wheel the
formation described in para 1 to be preserved; but the interval between 

COLUMNS to be increased to 70 paces.
3. EMPLOYMENT: The formation of deployment is line of platoons in columns 

of fours at deploying interval. This applies throughout all Battalions, 

the relative positions of the four companies in each battalion being 

preserved as in para 1. The four Battalions will themselves be disposed 

as follows:-
In the front line 16th. on the RIGHT, 13th. on the LEFT, with 10 

paces interval between Battalions, and 50 paces distance between

Companies.
The 14th. Battalion will be directly in rear of 16th. Battalion
at 100 paces distance, and with 50 paces distance between Companies.
The 15th. Battalion will be echeloned to the LEFT of the 13th.
Battalion, but at 200 paces distance xxxxxxxx from it and with 50

paces distance between Companies.
4. ASSAULT:  The assault will be delivered by both lines of the two leading 

Battalions simultaneously, from the formation explained in para 3

(not from line) the rear fours of platoons coming up on the LEFT of the 

leading fours during the charge, but the two rear Battalions will move 

forward to the objective in quick time, and then charge in two lines each.
5. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS during the passage of the GAP will march between 

head of 16th and 13th. Battalions, and after deployment will march in

rear of centre of front line Battalions.
Staff. Copies No.  1 to 3
13th Battalion              4
14th. Battalion             5
15th. Battalion             6
16th Battalion              7.
Lieut. Slater Symonds  8.
Orderly Officer for G.O.C.  9.
File                                  10.
L Brighim Lieut-Col.
Brigade Major.
4th. Aust. Inf. Bde.

AUSTRALIAN
IMPERIAL FORCE
FEB 11 1916
4th Infantry Brigade

OPERATIONS - NIGHT Feb. 11/12th.
GENERAL IDEA.
A defensive line facing North and West runs from point
K 120 on the SUEZ CANAL - point 1 mile S. of K 5 - point
just N. of first I of ISMAILIA. - K. 105 - E of EL MANAYIF.
The Divisional Reserve of the Corps has recently been
moved to MOASCAR with a view to making a counter stroke.

NARRATIVE.
During the previous week the enemy had made several
abortive attempts against the line held by the Corps. The
N.Z. & A. Division had twice moved out with a view to
counter attack but had so far had no opportunity of striking
a decisive blow. Aeroplanes had reported a large enemy
concentration West of EL BALLAH Station on Feb 8th & 9th.
A deserter from the 42nd Turkish Division gave himself up
on the morning of the 11th and stated that his Division
with the 43rd Division had been ordered to break the line
and occupy ISMAILIA at dawn on the 12th. This news was
confirmed from other sources and the Corps Commander decides
to employ the Divisional Reserve in anticipating his attack.

SPECIAL IDEA.
The N.Z. & A. Division is ordered to pass through the
gap (250 yards wide) just North of S of ISMAILIA and attack
the enemy where he has been located by our scouts after
dusk near K 5.
NOTES: (1) A bugle will be sounded to represent the fact
that the Division has approached to within
charging distance of the enemy.

AUSTRALIAN
IMPERIAL FORCE
4AB
FEB 10   1916
2677
4th Infantry Brigade
NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.
Copy No. 5

Divisional Order No. 5 (Training).
Ref: Map 1/100,000 ISMAILIA.
Moascar.     February, 11th 1916.

INFORMATION.
1. (a) 2 Divisions of the enemy are reported by our patrols
to be massing near K.5. this their object is reported to
be to attack our line at daybreak and capture ISMAILIA.
(b) Our Divisional Mounted Troops are in touch with the
enemy.

INTENTION.
2. The G.O.C. intends to forestall this attack and counter
attack the enemy while he is preparing to deliver it.

ORDER OF MARCH.
3. (a) The Division less Artillery and Field Coys. - will
pass the starting point (W.level crossing) in the order
and times given in the margin and march to the Divisional
position of assembly, where the formation for
passing the gap will be assumed (see diagram) N.Z.
Inf. Bde. on the right of Aust. Inf. Bde.
[*Div. H.Q.        2130}
Mtd.Troops}
4th.A.I.Bde.    2131}
N.Z.Inf.Bde.    2144}
N.Z.RifleBde.  2159}*]

(b) Points and distances:

GUIDES.
4. The Divisional guide will be in the centre of the
Division (left of N.Z. Inf. Bde.) except during the
wheel when he will change to the inner flank.

PROTECTION.
5. The Otago Mounted Rifles will be responsible for the
protection of the Division from the position of assembly.

BAYONETS.
6. Bayonets will be fixed at the position of deployment.

HALTS.
7. Halts will be of 5 minutes duration every 20 minutes
irrespective of any other halt that may be necessary.

 -2- 
FORMATIONS.
8. Formations will be as in the diagrams issued except
that the distance between the 1st line of a battalion
and its 2nd line will be reduced to 50 yards.

TRANSPORT.
9. Transport and machine guns will not accompany units.

HORSES.
10. No horses will accompany the fighting troops except
the horses of liaison officers and the following.
Div. H.Q.   5
Brigades  7
All other horses of mounted officers will march in rear
of the Divisional Reserve. A mounted officer per
Brigade will be in charge.

COMMUNICATION.
11. A liaison officer from each Brigade, who will be mounted,
and will report to Div. H.Q. at the starting point.

LIGHTS.
12. There will be no smoking or talking after reaching the
position of assembly.

DISTINGUISHING BADGES.
13. Divisional and Brigade Staff Officers will wear white
cap bands. The officers guiding the column will
wear a large white patch on their backs.

REPORTS.
14. Reports to the head of the column up to and including
the position of deployment, subsequently to the head
of the Divisional Reserve.

[[Acsenpalin??]]
Major,
General Staff,
N.Z. & A. Division.

Copies as under-
War Diary    Copy No. 1
Records                         2 & 3
N.Z.Inf.Bde.                   4
4th A.I.Bde.                   5
Rifle Brigade                6
Signals                           7
Staff                               8 & 10
O.C. Detachment
Otago M.R.                    11

[*4aB 2710/2*]
AUSTRALIAN
IMPERIAL FORCE
FEB 12 1916
4th Infantry Brigade.
 

Captains LOCKE & LEGGE
Reconnaissance at Tel-el-Kebir
on Sunday Feby. 13/1916.

1. General sketch of whole locality.
2. Detailed sketch (paced) of probable 4th. Brigade Camp site, showing 
location and nature of water supply, latrines etc.
3. Study, on ground, feasibility of a layout similar to present Camp -
except that frontage may be reduced 20%.
4. Is there a civil Telegraph Office at Tel-el-Kebir, and how far from 
the Camp? Yes. at Station
5. Tents- are ample supplies available? None
6. Report as to shops, canteens, beer stalls, (plenty) - existing arrangements 
generally-has anybody an existing monopoly. None

7. Special report as to Brigade Headquarters Camp site, in case same has 
to be detached from Brigade.
8. Question of Transport from station to Camp - and arranging for same. R.T.O.
9. Supply arrangements - location-distance-transport-nature of rations 
and forage.
10. Cox's Headquarters-where-how far away-is he there? 150^x fine paid
11, Are maps of locality (for training) in existence? None Are any available 
for issue? Get one
12. Generally, what will be the probable organisation of the whole force 
there.
13. R.E. Stores- is timber for shelters etc, available. plenty. also tables, forms
14. Huts-numbers available.   2 per Bn
15. Are there facilities for Detention.  None
16. What are the hospital arrangements.
17. Is a Paymaster there. None
18. Miniature of other rifle range.

JM.