Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 12, 3 April - 30 April 1916, Part 1

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Part of Quest:
Sir John Monash (General, b.1865 - d.1931)
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open to contributions
Accession number:
RCDIG0000611
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

A0. Distilibution of gifts. H.8 H.8 M.G tote Item Mess. pesonnel 13 Co 1 4 Sweets caven 18 1 25 tri 65 15 25 4 Sance 18 1 car 12 1/2 25 1 case Pckler 6 8 16 bottle 8 3 1 15 case Frit tim 15 15 4 1 Sollen Syn 38 case 19 tim 11 11 Stationery case 2 12 Hmas billie 36 Fas ExDoad 4 Cht. Sporting Bats 20 all to Res. Capt Balls 40 Cope Wothell 20 for Sports Aommittee Spe. Slaves Report on completion Hnhonach 4 3/4/16 14 + 4 6 3 4 12 $ 3/4/16 th th 16 15 4 + + + 6 6 3 3 £ & 12 fe 9 10 M.L. Finida X D I 5 ✓
4/4/16 3 Copir H.C 4th Aust. Div. Replying to G 4/57 of April 3/16, following is brif report on 9 First Fliht Fou th Dusin conduct of the mask from Pel-cl- Rebit to Serapsum T. Mach orders: - Copy of operation order N I was furnished priod to the com- mencement of the move.- The orders he subsequent days differed only in altenating the order of mach of units, & atteations of times as pst out hereunder It is desired to point out that the starting home each day was contrabled by the necessity to get the Camel Fruin of ahead of the troops The troops could not mach until the Cauncls were londed & the bivonars cleared and it was found impracticable to lond camets before break of day at 4.55 acm. The starting how was intentionally made one hono lated on the first day, to encuse proper distribution of all lond, between Camels & horre teams, most of the perwonnel having had no previous experence of loading 2. First day telel-Relie to Mahaama 13 /½2 milles, close to, morth March of, and psratlie to railway. Hacts Ten minuter in each hour, & a three haw halt near Quase assin from 1100 to 1500 Head reas deft Teleckebis 8700 reached Mahsama 1620 time cool High suntemperature tempered by strong, breege from North cust Weather Twas was corrected on subiqquent days troom -Very good, out some wonts had waterbottles empty before March discipline 14 men fell out, of whom the came on by train and 4 Straggling were sent to Hospital (for all causes) remainded joining up came day Senveal Easy grades, good marking anofure
3 Secont Day Mahsama to Moascul, 17 miles by route taken, which was Mach aroud from Mahsama on a bearing of 60 degrees, passing to the nooth of the oases in square B.5 on Map Ismailia 1100000; thence direct to Monscal Usual honoly halts, and then hous halt in Eastern Oases Halt (alvve referredto) from 1100 to 1400 Hend deft Mahsame 0600 - Read reached Moussa 1720. Times Dense foy until 09oo - then till 1500 high sun temperative- Weather light variable winds. March disciplure – Excellent till about 1600. – When the camps at Moassny came in sight, men began to fall out, complaining of feet & chaping. 132 men fell out, of whom I were sent on by train, and Straggling I were sent to Hospital for all causes, remainder joined up before dark Good going all the way, except fot 2 miles of very heavy General encounteed sand between 1400 & 1500, east of place of middayhalt. Hoaseas to Scoapeumttast Camp. - 12 1/2 miles, - along 4. Third day Moc Suey sweet water canal halt between 1100 & Usual hourly halts, and I have Halt The halt was made short ftor fet the trook, a way from the insects infecting the con 1200, about 1 mile north of Serapeum West). Rinl Hear Left Mousca 0600, reached Serapewn Camp 1420 times puctically -Hot, light warm southerly wond; but the mach was on a defile Weather heavly to conditions were nearly all the way, & the dust hung temperature; very trying, - high wet buth oflres &d mosquite very bad.
at 1200 Mash Dicipline. Good until midday halt. - After resuming march very bad. As on day before, the eight of the objective (pitched camps) seemed to cause many neen to relax further effort to keep up with the column. Straggling 460 men fell out, of whom 42 came on by train or boat, and I were sent to Hospital from all causes; - remainder had all joined up well before sunset, most of them before 1500.- General - Hard going, heavy on man + beast, mush dust. S. Remarks- The transport, both Camel & hoose, was particularly well handled by the officers respectively placed in charge of same, - All N.F. & anted out, unit before shreets, blankets +c were ready, uncloaded in each bivonae, w the troops including Fravelling Kitchens arrived. - Wheeled to ansport (marched in, in no case more than 15 minutes after the troops. Hooses were fed & watered at midday each day. No acci- Only 5 came 2250 debelofut core back dent to any vehcle or harness. - No (baggage t horse (One horse overfatigued - but now well - six other slighty chapet It is considered that manythe stragylay w d to bad care of feet, & or ill fiving in many case new boots, causing glistering, - also chaping due to the ill fit of recently Khaki drill Feanyng also issued (trousers.- Much, os still to be leaved in the proper fitting fof packs except duty detail) All ranks had at least 12 hours complete rest on each of the two nights of open air biionac. - The column carried on, satisfactorily, on all thall together with the latter days, with the water carriet in Waterbottles, &, p watercarts, which marched with the troops & not with the wheeled transport. - The number of men sent to Hoppital for all causes is well below the noomal daily evacuations B.G. for sickness. Coung 1st Flight, 4th Aush Drs the weather of langth of the marches had very little to do with the strayghing but that most of it was due
Jhnmonth AUSTRALLAN GOC 12/4/16 PERIAL, FORCE 1.7:16 AR ISIIS isade. MOTES ON THE TAGTICAL HAMDLINE OF THE LENISGUNS The characteristics of any weapon will usually determine its taclical handling. 2. The Lewis gun is a type of automatic riffe. II is capable of pro- ducing extremely rapid fire, but is incapable of sustaining this fire for long, it not being possible to use water for cooling purposes without increasing its weight. 3. Chief characteristics:—Lightness, mobility and invisibility. 4. The Lewis gun cannot take the place of the machine gun; it is a supplement to and not a substitute for the machine gun. 5. Methods of Employment: Trench Warfare. (a) Front Line.—The chief value of Lewis guns in a defensive line is to economise intantry, not to reduce the number of machine guns. Lewis guns should be used for searching and sweeping all ground in front of the line of trenches which cannot be swept by the machine guns from their low command in their emplacements. Lewis guns firing over the parapet from prepared firing places can bring fire to bear on depressions, covered approaches, etc., which the machine guns cannot cover. Lewis gun teams should be made familiar with all the firing places in the section of trench to which they are allotted; and the ground to be swept from each. Owing to their mobility, considerable liberty of action should be allowed to Lewis guns, as their fire can be brought to bear on an object very rapidly. During a bombardment it is just as essential to Keep Lewis guns and their teams under cover as machine guns and their teams, but since Lewis guns have not permanent emplacements' built for them, a greater choice is possible in the selection of the spot for their shelters, provided they can come into action quickly. On no account should a complete gun team be all put into one shelter, they should be distributed among several. There are many instances of whole gun teams being killed by one shell through non-observance of this precaulion. Firing Places for Lewis guns should, where possible, be so constructed as to be protected from trontal fire, while at the same time being able to fire to either Hank. (6) Support Trenches. The same principles hold good as in the case of the front line. Owing to mobility and invisibility the Lewis guns may be able to fire from positions covering the front line if this is captured, which would be impossible for machine guns. (o) Strong Points. The chief role of these is to bring sudden and intense fire to bear on the enemy from an unexpected direction, if he has succeeded in breaking through the front line of detence. Machine guns are most suitable for this, but Lewis guns can be used from places which only afford slight cover, and also for providing a mobile reserve of fire power. The allack from the Trenches. Lewis guns are very suitable for pro- viding covering fire from the front, owing to their mobility and invisibility. They can be placed in forward positions under cover of darkness, smoke or artillery bombardments, etc., and establish themselves in any suitable cover available, such as ditches, shell holes, crops, long grass, etc. From their close proximity to the enemy they may be able to locate his machine gun emplacements, etc., and be able to materially assist the advance of our own troops. It is inadvisable to send forward machine guns or Lewis guns with
the first lines of attacking infantry, but Lewis guns, owing to their mobility and invisibility, can be pushed forward earlier in the fight than machine guns. In other words, machine guns should not move into a hostile trench unsupported by infantry; that is until their own infantry have obtained a footing therein; but once a trench is gained the machine guns should have timed their arrival so as to be there immediately; how this is to be done will depend chiefly on the proper use of ground and cover. On an enemy's trench being captured, Lewis guns are extremely useful in helping to cover the reorganisation of the infantry, pursue the enemy with fire, take part in warding off counter-attacks, and with the arrival of the machine guns will assist in the consolidation of the new lines. Lewis guns should be on the look out for hostile machine guns and concentrate their fire upon them. Lewis guns are also very useful in conjunction with a bomb attack. (o) The allack in open warfare. In an advance in open warfare Lewis gunners should simulate the formations and movements of the infantry, and especially be careful to carry the gun either [at the trail, using a leather strap and handle (as for carrying a cricket bag or suit case), or shing over one shoulder like a rifle; by this means they are unlikely to be detected as automatic rillemen during their advance. It will therefore be often possible to push Lewis guns forward with the leading line and provide covering fire for the Infantry, and thus Where ground is suitable it may some assist them to advance. times be possible for the Lewis gunners to precede their own infantry, and opportunity to carry this out should be carefully looked for. 6. Conclusions to be drawn from the above. Lewis guns will be of great value for the following. (a) To supplement the fire of infantry and machine guns. (6) To economise infantry in trench warfare and in defensive positions. (o) To fire from the parapets, to command ground which cannot be swept by machine gun fire. (d) To sometimes provide covering fire, from the front, during an attack. (0) To assist in consolidation of positions won. O To cover the re-organization of the attacking troops. (9) To provide a mobile reserve of fire power in the hands of battalion or company commanders. (D) For small enterprises at night where the weight and visibility of the machine gun would render the latter unsuitable. () To assist offensive or defensive bombers. 7. Lewis guns are not suitable for the following: (a) Overhead fire. (6) Prolonged firing. (o) Long range fire. GANERAL HEADGUARTERS, EE.F., 414116.
t. Bde Takl 10t Dis 83 18 65 B 2241 53.54 13 33 2 78 absoobed 1 119 14 180 Totrs (arade of dereliats 5/4/16 ner Canat 12
1. 20 DOURTH AUETRALLAN INYNTHY BMIGADE OeFavou 5th.April, 1916. THAINLRG MDORIRDUM- ONO OCNOOL MMO CrOONE the construction of a Frigade School is to be commenced forth- with, and training will start as soon as the necessary steres are available, The intention is to train 40 per Battalion per week until further notice, so that 640 man in the Brigade are trained per menth. The 40 men per Battalion vill be drawn, 10 from ach Compary Kagh 10 men vill be drawn from one saction and must include a monccommossioned officer. Each Battalim vill appoint a Grenadier Officer who vill train the Battalien quetas. for the present Lieutenant Murray, 13th. Battalion, wii empervise the construction and werk of the Sahool, under the direction of the Brisade Major. the site of the Feheel is about 400 yards North kast of the Brigade Lines. Comanding Offieers will afford every facility to the Grenade Officers to obtain the necessary werking parties, tools, etc., during the construction of the School. while the 16th. Pattalion in on the Canal Defences, the Comanding (ffieer vill make his own arrangements for grenade instruction, but 40 per week must be trained in that Battalien, commencing from the time the steree are available. Iabiant. Eor. Brisade Najor. 4th. Rust. Inf. Brigade.
5/4/16 dectro to officers Eligible ho "Field offier of the Day More of a conferner than a Lictrce. Byde staff now preparing tor was 36 officers wailable only once a month. Importance of Outies cleaulmen, health, order & punctred administration of whole camp Disiderator continuity of policy Highest possible standards - neve good enougl Full agquantance with Hyde policy. teep wsh other - really a Conmittee of whom I for time being is executant Doubtlen addmious - but no childsplay 24 h notice rest horse mounted amstant in touch with prdecinor day before assistance of As ordely opeess Operate thrs & with Hattation Orderly officers in pve case Adjutants of C.OS. Ascrotain names of O.0s each day keep a special book, for notes, par to each other £ Dutis Sanitation - latomey, washing places, incinerators Cleantiner Regularity orderlmess Inlying piequet - Fire, alam, not, help guad. Guards & sentues – mounting, visite, intelligence - tren then buck. Reports - (se parer 4) Close touch with Wydo H.A:- of anything wrong. Canteens Canteen duties & hour. forces Quever Goods, qalities, supplie dace of employees Touch with & get repot of predesiond see but
Notes on field officer Duties Brigade of the Day. general behaviour He is responsible for the of the men in camp, (regulanty Lorder & samtation and ilying He moints all guards them once by piguets, and visits night. These day and once by moubed unless duties are performed otherwise ordered. of the piguets in He will take command or alaim fire. case of riot reports of the comarder He receives the 4. e orderly officers, and of the guard, by 0800 Irgade office together the or forwinds them g which report, oun with his or any inegulanty he notes occunence. unusnal hours the duty and will last for 24 5. Bevcien. am conmence at take immediate aleps to pectify 6. He will any matter that is not conducive, to the comfort of the well-being and troops. and see canteens the visit He will is posted List of Prices the that Pace and conspicuous a up in there if from the men out find 2.

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