Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 13, 1 June - 1 July 1916, Part 8

SECRET
OPERATION ORDER No. 13.
BY

BRIGADIER-GENERAL W. HOLMES. C. M. G., D. S. O., V. D.
COMMANDING FIFTH AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE.
17th. June, 1916.
Reference:
1/10,000 Trench Map, 36. N.W. 4. Edition 6. B. (BOIS GRENIER)
Plan of NO MAN'S LAND, 1/5,000.
1......INFORMATION:
The information obtained by preliminary reconnaissance
etc. concerning the hostile Trenches to be entered, and the
portion of NO MAN'S LAND to be traversed has been -
communicated to all concerned. 
2......INTENTION:
On a date to be notified later, after a preliminary
artillery bombardment, a party of volunteers from the -
Brigade will raid the enemy's Trenches at I. 26. c. 91/2. 11/2. 
for the purposes of:-
(a) Obtaining Prisoners.
(b) Inflicting casualties on enemy.
(c) Capturing any Machine Guns, Trench Mortars etc.
that may be in the vicinity.
(d) Destroying Machine Gun Emplacements, Dug-outs etc. 
(e) Gaining information of the enemy's method of
constructing and holding Trenches. 
3......COMPOSITION OF PARTIES:
The following Officers and Other Ranks will be
employed in the raid:-
O. C. ATTACK PARTY: Major R. J. A. Travers, D.S.O.,
17th. Battalion.
(A) SCOUTS: 2/Lieut. C. Wallach, 19th.
Battalion and Five (5) Other
Ranks.
(B) ASSAULT PARTY: Under Capt. K. Heritage, 19th.
Battalion, consisting of
Right and Left Parties as
under:-
 

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Telephonist:- 1 Man.
Lineman:- 1 Man.
Runners for O. C. Assault Party:- 2 men,
(C) COVERING PARTY:- Capt. E. W. Kirke, 18th. Battalion,
2 N. C. Os. and 10 men.
TOTAL STRENGTH:- 6 Officers, 65 Other Ranks.
4......ACTION OF PARTIES:
(A)... The Scouts will leave our Trenches at - 0. 60 Zero
time, by SALLY PORT in Trench 54, (I.26.c.5.61/2).
They will guide Assault Party to, and precede them
through the enemy's wire, cutting any strands not
destroyed by the preliminary bombardment. After
the entry of Assaulting Party into the enemy's Trench,
the Scouts will breach the parapet to facilitate the
retirement from the Trench.
O. C. Scouts will detail:-
(1)...One man to lay luminous tape from enemy's 
parapet through gap in his wire for 100
yards towards our Trenches.
(2)...Two men to deal with each of Listening
Posts marked 'H' and 'S' on attached plan.
(Appendix 'A').
 

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The telephonist and linesman will accompany
the Scouts, laying the telephone line behind them,
to bend in Ditch 22. (I. 26. c. 8x. 4). They
will follow the Scouts through the enemy's wire and
will establish communication from a point just outside
the enemy's parapet; the wire laid serving as a guide
to the remainder of the Assault Party.
(B)...The Assault Party will leave our Trenches by SALLY
PORT in Trench 54 at -0. 45. zero time, and will
follow the Scouts and telephone line to a position
about 150 yards from enemy's Trench, where they will
wait until the artillery lifts. The Assault Party
will then follow the Scouts through the enemy's wire. 
(a)...Right and Left Bombing Parties will clear
the Trench for about 30 yards from point
of entry respectively. (Points marked
'Y' and 'Z' on attached Plan, Appendix
'A').
(b)...Right and Left Parapet Parties will not
enter the Trench but will move along -
parapet slightly in rear of Bombing -
Parties, watching the ground between
enemy's Front and Support Trenches, to
prevent any of enemy from entering the
Trenches in rear of the Bombing Parties. 
(c)...Right Blocking Party will advance about
20 yards down Trench marked 'P' on -
attached plan. (Appendix 'A') and block
it. 
(d)...Left Blocking Party will deal with Trench
marked 'Q' on attached plan (Appendix 'A')
for a similar distance. 
(e)...Intelligence men will search all dead and
Dug-outs and will bring back:-
Pay Books.
Identity Discs.
Shoulder Straps.
Letters.
Pocket Books.
Samples of flares, grenades, 
Gas Helmets etc.
They will be prepared to report on design
and construction of enemy's Trenches and 
Dug-outs.
(f)...Machine Gunners will search for and seize
any hostile machine guns, trench mortars
etc. Those that cannot be removed will
be destroyed.
(g)...Engineers will be prepared to demolish
Machine Guns, Trench Mortars
 

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or their emplacements. They will work
in conjunction with Machine Gunners,
(h)...Escort for Prisoners will immediately
bring back all Prisoners handed over
to them. No time is to be lost in
getting them well clear of the enemy's
Trenches.
(j)...Stretcher Bearers will follow immediately
in rear of Scouts: they will not enter
the Trenches. The Stretchers will be
used, if required, to cross any uncut wire. 
(k)...Runners will report to O. C. Assault Party
as soon as they enter the Trenches and will
be available for keeping touch with all -
parties and ensuring that the withdrawal is
correctly carried out. 
5......FORMATIONS:
(a) Bombing Parties:-
2 Bayonet men.
1st. Thrower.
1st. Carrier.
Leader.
2nd. Thrower.
2nd. Carrier.
[*1 spare man*]
(b) Blocking Parties:-
1 Bayonet Man.
1 Thrower.
1 Carrier.
Leader.
6......COVERING PARTY:
The Covering Party will follow the Assault Party
from out Trenches, and will take up a position in extended order
as under:-
Right Party:-
1 N. C. O. and 5 men will line Ditch 22 from
I. 26. c. 8. 4. facing SOUTH.
Left Party:-
1 N. C. O. and 5 men will line Ditch along Cinder
Track, parallel to enemy's Trench from -
I. 26. c. 8. 4. facing EAST.
The whole party will remain in position and will cover the
withdrawal of the Scouts and Assaulting Party.
 

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7......POSITION OF LEADERS:
(a) O.C. Attack will take up a position in out Front
Trenches near I. 26. c. 5. 61/2. with Telephonists
and 3 Orderlies (From 'B' Battalion). He will
be accompanied by Right Group Artillery Liason
Officer, who will be in direct communication with
O.C. Right Group, a selected Battery, and the -
D. T. M. O. 
(b) O. C. Assault Party, when enemy's Trench has been
entered, will direct operations from near point of
entry.
(c) Lieut. R. R. Harper, 20th. Battalion, will remain
in the vicinity of O.C. Attack during operations,
and will take over the duties should the latter -
become a casualty. He will not be in the same -
Dug-out.
8......WITHDRAWAL:
The Assaulting Party will not remain in the enemy's
Trenches longer than 10 (Ten) minutes; but may be withdrawn at
any time less than that period at the discretion of the O.C.
Assault Party. The Signal for withdrawal will be a series
of flares, fired by O. C. Assault Party in the direction of
enemy's Support Trench. The colour of the flares will be -
notified later, The runners will be used for warning parties,
if required. 
All ranks will be warned that any unnecessary delay
in withdrawing my be attended with serious results; but t the
same time if any party is actively engaged they should hold on
for a short time to enable those parties, not pressed by the -
enemy to retire first. Should this be necessary an immediate
report will be made to O. C. Assault Party.
Wounded men will be returned to our Trenches as
soon as possible.
After leaving the enemy's trench, parties will move as
quickly as possible back along the luminous tape towards the bend
in ditch 22. (I.26.c.8.4.)
O.C. Assault Party will use his discretion whether to 
return direct to our trenches or remain in NO MAN'S LAND until
hostile retaliation ceases. In the latter case he will inform
O.C. Attack of his intention and the situation so that our barrage
may be discontinued.
Prisoners and wounded sent on ahead should be brought
in as soon as possible, and O.C. Attack will arrange for them to
be sent to Advanced Brigade Headquarters direct, additional
escorts being obtained from 'B' Battalion if necessary. 
All captured documents, arms, etc., will be brought
to Advanced Brigade Headquarters and Os. C. Attack and Assault
Parties, with the two intelligence men, will also report there
as soon as possible after their return to our trenches. 
 

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9......ASSEMBLY PLACES:
The Raiding Party will assemble at old 'B' Battalion
Headquarters, off SHAFTESBURY AVENUE, prior to the operation; 5
spare men will be in attendance in case of any casualties before
the party leaves our trenches. 
Every member of the Raiding Party will be carefully
inspected by O. C. Attack before leaving their billets to see
that neither Officers nor men are carrying anything likely to be
of value to the enemy. They will also be inspected at point of 
assembly. 
Arms and equipment should have all marks indicating
the unit obliterated if possible. 
10......DRESS:
All ranks taking part in the attack will wear British
Army Pattern Uniform. Hats will not be worn. Faces and hands
will be blackened. A band of white material, three inches wide,
will be worn round each arm. This will be covered with a piece
of khaki cloth loosely tack on, which will be removed before
entering hostile trenches. Gas Helmets will be carried by all
ranks. 
11......ARMS & EQUIPMENT:
List of arms and equipment carried by each man is shown
in Appendix 'B'. 
12......COUNTERSIGN:
A countersign will be arranged for parties leaving our
trenches.
13......ACTION OF 'A' & 'B' BATTALIONS:
In order to avoid casualties, should enemy's artillery
retaliate, the Front Line trenches will be thinned. Half of
normal front line garrison will be withdrawn to support line. 
Machine Guns and Lewis Guns in covered emplacements will 
remain in position with their crews. Patrols and Listeners will
be brought in. This thinning of Front Line will be completed by
Zero Time. As soon as enemy artillery retaliation has ceased,
trenches will be fully manned and patrols and listeners again
sent out. 
14......ACTION OF ARTILLERY:
The Supporting Artillery and Trench Mortar action will
be as shown in Appendix 'C'.
At Zero Time the Right Diversion will commence. This 
will be followed 8 minutes later by the Left Diversion. 
At 0.15 Zero Time the Artillery and Trench Mortars will
open fire on point of attack and will continue on it for 15 -
minutes. 
At 0.30 the fire on point of attack will be lifted and 
Assault Party will advance and enter enemy's trenches.
On the receipt of a telephone message 'PARAPET' from
O. C. Attack, the Third xx Phase of the Artillery action will
commence. 
'Cease Fire' will be given by the O. C. Attack. 
 

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In case telephone communication between O. C. Attack
and O. C. Right Group breaks down, the signal for the 'Third
'Phase' of the Artillery action will be Two Blue Rockets fired
from out Front Trench towards the BOIS GRENIER LINE.
This signal, if used, will be repeated immediately from
Trenches 50 and 57. 
15......ACTION OF MACHINE GUNS:
O. C. 5th. Australian machine Gun Company will arrange
for 2 Guns to bring indirect fire to enfilade the Communication
Trench, I. 26. d. 3. 6. to I. 26. d. 10. 41/2.
Firing will commence at 0.10 Zero Time and will be carried
on continuously until the Artillery ceases fire. In addition
O. C. 5th. Australian Machine Gun Company will detail 2 guns to
occupy temporary emplacement in front line between I. 26. c. 31/2. 4. 
and I. 26. c. 11/2. 0. and 2 between I. 26. c. 61/2. 81/2. and -
1. 26. a. 8. 21/2. with orders to engage any hostile Machine Gun
which may open fire on our Assault Party, either from German
Trenches or NO MAN'S LAND. No firing is to take place on ground
between points I. 26. c. 61/2. 81/2., X I. 26. d. 13/4. 31/2., -
I. 26. c. 31/2. 4. and I. 32. a. 81/2. 81/4. 
16......COMMUNICATIONS:
The 5th. Brigade Signal Officer will arrange for the
following special telephone lines to be laid immediately and -
tested frequently:-
1 line from Advanced Brigade Headquarters to O. C. 
Attack in Front Trench.
1 line from Group Artillery Officer to Liaison Officer.
1 line from selected Battery to Liason Officer.
1 line from D. T. M. O. to Liaison Officer.
1 line from D. T. M. O. to each 2 inch Trench Mortar
Battery Headquarters. 
17......ZERO TIME:
The Code Signal notifying that the raid will take place
will be as follows, and will be sent to all concerned on the date
fixed:-
'HOLMES LEAVES FOR PARIS at -------p.m. TO-NIGHT,
ACKNOWLEDGE'.
This message, if possible, will be sent by D.R.L.S.
Zero Time will be the time given in the above message.
18......RECONNAISSANCE:
Careful reconnaissance will be made on the nights prior
to attack by the Scout Officer. 
All ranks taking part will makes themselves familiar
with means of approach under guidance of Scout Officer to within
100 yards of enemy's wire. 
 

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19......BOMBS:
The brigade Bomb Officer will priovde all bombs required. 
He will carefully inspect them all both before and after being [*having*]
fused. [*detonators inserted*]
20......AID POST:
The R. M. O. of 'B' Battalion will be prepared to deal 
with casualties and will arrange for six spare stretchers to be
placed in Trench 54 near SALLY PORT.
21.....REPORTS after 10 p.m. to Advanced Brigade Headquarters -
I. 19. c. 6. 6. 

C. G. Tuwey Major,
Brigade Major, 5th. Aust. Inf. Brigade. 

Issued at 6 p.m.
Copies Nos. 1 & 2........O. C. Attack.
3 and 4............2nd. Australian Division.
5 and 6.............C. R. A. 
7...........File. 
 

LIST OF A[[*torn page*]] BE CARRIED BY EACH MAN.
---------------------------
1. OFFICERS: Revolver (1), bombs (4), Bomb belt (1), life preserver (1)
Electric Torch (1).
2. BAYONET MEN: Rifle (1), Bayonet (1), Bombs (4), Bomb Belt (1),
Life preserver (1), 20 rounds S.A.A. 
3. PARAPET PARTY: Rifle (1), Bayonet (1), Bombs (4), Bomb Belt (1),
Life preserver (1), 20 rounds S.A.A. 
4. BOMB THROWERS: Bombs (8), Bomb Belt (2), Life Preserver (1),
Electric Torch (1), Revolver (1),
5. CARRIERS: Same as bomb throwers only with 12 bombs and 3
Bomb belts. 
6. SPARE MEN: Same as carriers.
7. SCOUTS: Revolver (1), Life Preserver (1), Wire-cutters- total
of 3 pair, bombs (4), Bomb Belt (1), [*Hand axe*]
8. MACHINE GUNNERS: Revolver (1), Bombs (4), Bomb Belt (1), Life
Preserver (1), Electric Torch (1), Spanner (adjustable)
(1).
9. TELEPHONIST Telephone (1), Revolver (1), Life Preserver (1),
& LINESMAN: Bombs (4), Bomb belt (1),
10. STRETCHER
BEARERS: Revolver (1), stretcher (1), Life Preserver (1),
Bombs (4), Bomb belt (1),
11. COVERING Bombs (4), Bomb belt (1), Rifle (1), Bayonet (1)
PARTY: Life Preserver (1), 50 rounds S.A.A. & Web Equipment. 
12 RUNNERS:with) Revolver (1), Bombs (4), Life Preserver (1), Bomb
O.C.Assault ) belt (1),
13. INTELLIGENCE MEN: Revolver (1), Bombs (4), Life preserver (1),
Electric Torch (1), Haversack (1), Bomb belt (1),
14. ENGINEERS: Revolver (1), Life preserver (1), Bombs (4), Electric
Torch (1), Guncotton for demolition.
Torches will be carried in left breast coat pocket, which
should be buttoned up.
Bayonets will be painted with dark paint and carried fixed. 
All life preservers will have a thong through handle.
Additional wire cutters will be issued, two to each bombing
party, to be carried by spare men. One to each parapet party, one to
Machine gunners, one to Intelligence men and one to each Officer.and
one to each Scout. 
 

Hand drawn map - refer to original.