Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 12, 1 March - 29 April 1916, Part 1

1/3/16

Brigade Establishments

Mohamed Ali & Brs
INDIAN TAILORS
Civil & Military Tailor & Ladies Dress Makers
Sharia Souleman Pasha
National Hotel Building           CAIRO

-/3/16
1 Jacket & 1 breeches
of Khaki
1 Jacket & 1 Breeches
of Gaberdine
All with buttons, but no
mounts
All ₤6
K.Ali & Bros.
Indian Tailor

Office Copy
4aB
2989
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE
MAR 1 1916
4th Infantry Brigade
Headquarters,
4th. Australian Infantry Brigade
Tel-el-Kebir.
1st. March 1916.
Headquarters,
Australian Provisional Formations
It is desired to bring under the notice of the G.O.C.
the following matters relating to re-organisation and war training:-
1. PERSONNEL. Until the transfers of "second wing" men from 4th. to 12th.
Brigade have been completed, it will not be possible to
give accruate final figures; but it is certain that the
requirements in personnel of 4th. Brigade, plus Machine Gun
Company and Pioneer Company, will exceed the following figures
viz:-
70 officers.
2200 other ranks.
Since return to Egypt, this Brigade has received only few of
either reinforcements, or returned convalescents- especially
so as to officers. Under these circumstances it is hoped
that a special effort can be made to secure an ample replenishment
of personnel .- Moreover, the progress of the re-organisation
will depend entirely upon the rapidity with
which this personnel becomes available.
2. SPECIALISTS. It is submitted that the selection of all specialists, such
as for Signal Company, Pioneer Company etc. and to replace
the specialists transferred to 12th. Brigade, should stand by
over until the reinforcements above referred to have joined,
so that a wider field of choice may be available.
3. MAPS. A supply of Maps of the Tel-el-Kabir district- 150 per
Brigade- is very necessary:-
(a) for the purpose of defining training areas
(b) for the conduct of Tactical Exercises & Manoeuvres.
(c) for instruction in Map Reading;- very few of the
junior officers (recently appointed) having had any
training whatever in map reading; or guiding troops.

2. 
[* Bde Copy*]
4.  MUSKETRY. The allotment of sites for
(a) Miniature rifle ranges
(b) Field practice ranges.
is an urgent matter. It is suggested that it is sufficient
if each Brigade range were of a size to accommodate only one
company at a time- so that the 16 companies may use the same
range in rotation, at the rate of one company per day. If
sites can be indicated, this Brigade can, as heretofore,
carry out all constructional work.
5. AMMUNITION. Submitted that inasmuch as a high percentage of the
personnel of this Brigade had fired elementary musketry
range practices, and as there is a good proportion of marksmen,
I may be allowed a discretion to allot a greater proportion
of the total ammunition available as prescribed in
C.R. No. 7/4/2Ga of 9/2/16 para 3   for field practices and
field firing. I have recently carried out progressive field
practices, competitive, between platoons, which has been
found most useful, and which I desire to extend.
6. BLANK AMUNITION. The issue, if available, of say, 30 rounds per rifle
of S.A.A. Blank, for use on manoeuvres would be most useful
n the more advanced stages of the training.
7. ENTRENCHING TOOLS. No instruction can be given in field fortification xxxx
until the Brigade supply of picks and shovels is restored.
These stores were handed over to 7th. Brigade at Anzac in
September last, when the Brigade went into reserve, and have
not since been replaced.
8. GRENADE INSTRUCTION. This is also contingent upon the supply of Instructional
stores, which it appears, are not yet available, at
Ordnance- The organisation of Grenadier Training must therefore
be held in abeyance.
9. INTELLIGENCE & WAR TELEGRAMS.  The daily promulgation of War Telegrams,
regularly posted on the Battalion notice boards, has been
much appreciated by the troops in the past. It is hoped
that this daily issue can be continued here.
The Intelligence Bulletins issues from Genl. H.Qrs. &
1st Anzac have hitherto been circulated confidentially
among Brigade Staff and Commanding Officers and have also
been much appreciated and are of value in stimulating the
interest of all concerned-. It is believed that the Intelligence
Branch of the General Staff is only too willing to
issue these Bulletins to all who appreciate them.
BRIG-GENL.
Commdg. 4th. Aust. Inf. Bde.
[* File Copy *]

4AB/2989
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE
MAR 2 1916
4th Infantry Brigade.
AUSTRALIAN PROVISIONAL FORMATIONS
No G 2/26
2 MAR. 1916
TEL-EL-KEBIR
G.O.C. 4th Brigade
Reference your 4 A.B. 2989 of 1st March the
following remarks refer to the various paras
of your memo:-
1. Personnel. By the time you get the
2000 reinforcements from Zeitown it is
presumed your deficiency in other ranks
will not be as much as 2200.
There will be a deficiency in officers. To
remedy this you are being asked by
GG & QM.G to submit lists showing
what officers you have got - A & N.Z. Force
will then be asked to make up deficiencies.
When the transfers from Zeitown are
complete please forward a statement showing
what are the deficiencies of the various
battalions when Zeitown will be asked to
make them good.
2.  Specialists - The selection of Machine Gun
Companys and Pioneer Company to be made
after you receive the last of your reinforcements
from Zeitown on 7th March

3. Maps have been demanded
4. A full range is now being laid out South of
the belt of cultivation South of the Canal.
The question of 30 yards range is being taken
up.
5. Your suggestion is being forwarded to
A & N.Z. Forces for approval.
6. Blank ammunition is being demanded.
7. Entrenching tools are being demanded.
8. Grenadier stores have been demanded
and instructions re Brigade Grenadier
Schools are now being printed.
9. Intelligence Bulletins & War Telegrams
are sent to you regularly.
CDuncan
Lieut. Colonel
G.S. Aus. Prov. Formations
Tel-el-Kebir
2.3.16

[*Lewis Guns    recd 2/3/16*]
NOTES ON PROGRAMME                Appendix "A"
Most of the subjects mentioned in the above programme
are to be found in the official training manuals and handbooks.
Attention is called to the following:-
(A). Infantry Training
Sections 102 to 104
122
158 to 164
(B) Musketry Regulations.
Paras. 169 to 171
173 to 175
180
185
187
188 to 192
207 to 209
215 to 216
224 to 225
278 to 280
299
301 to 322
324 to 325
327
330 to 335
637 to 649
Part i and ii Table "C" pages 241 to 248.
(As amended by Army Orders)
Plates XIII, XVI and XVII
(C). The official handbooks of the Gun
These contain especially:- General description;
Mechanism; Stripping; Stoppages; Care and cleaning;
Spare Parts.
(D). The hours of work allocated to each subject are what xx
have been proved by experience to be the minimum average
number of hours required to get moderately good results

[*Vickers Gun *]
NOTES ON PROGRAMME                              Appendix "A"
Most of the subjects mentioned in the above programme
are to be found in the official training manuals and handbooks.
Attention is called to the following:-
(A). Infantry Training
Sections 102 to 104
122
158 to 164
(B) Musketry Regulations.
Paras. 169 to 171
173 to 175
180
185
187
188 to 192
207 to 209
215 to 216
224 to 225
278 to 280
299
301 to 322
324 to 325
327
330 to 335
637 to 649
Part i and ii Table "C" pages 241 to 248
(As ammended by Army Orders)
Plates XIII, XVI and XVII
(C). The official handbooks of the Gun
These contain especially:- General description;
Mechanism; Stripping; Stoppages; Care and cleaning;
Spare Parts.
(D). The hours of work allocated to each subject are what xx
have been proved by experience to be the minimum average
number of hours required to get moderately good results.