Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 13, 16 August - 30 September 1916, Part 5

(* Copy    G.O.C.  S 1/7 (Q) *)

S E C R E T

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION,

LARK HILL CAMP,

SALISBURY PLAIN.  30/8/16.

Headquarters,

Southern Command,

S a l i s b u r y.

In reply to C.R.S.C. 138995 (A.1.) of August 29th, report

called for has already been furnished in my Q/130/56 of August

21st, specific numbers and dates having been supplied therein.-

These figures were :-

Infantry available as drafts, if separated

and trained in a separate camp. with

adequate training facilities, ready

by end of September                            say 3,500
            ----------------------------

Infantry available as drafts, if trained

with their Battalions as at present, -

provided rifles and bayonets are

available - ready by middle of October :-

(Any desired number up to the full

(strength of the Infantry in the Division.-

N.B. - The total infantry in the Division, excluding

Officers, N.C.O's and Specialists, (and making

no deductions for sick or other casualties),

is (see annexure) - - - - - - - -                         8,256.
             ------------------------------

The above dates and numbers are contingent upon service

rifles and bayonets being available in sufficient numbers to

enable the training to proceed. - At present the total service

rifles available for the Infantry of the Division are                                                                           1800.
                 --------------------------------------

Bearing in mind para. 2 of W.O. letter 121/drafts &c 2167

(A.G.2.a.) of August 18th viz:-

"It is desired that, the manner in which these drafts are

"detailed from units of the 3rd Division should be so

"arranged that the preparation of that Division for

"service overseas should be delayed as little as possible

"in the circumstances."

it is submitted that any withdrawal of Infantry personnel,

exceeding say 33% of the establishment is likely to very

seriously delay the whole Division.  It is thought that

recruits could be absorbed and made efficient without great

-2-                S E C R E T                30/8/16.

delay, in the proportion of  1 recruit to  2 trained men, but

not in any higher ratio. - One-third of the non-specialist

personnel amounts to roundly 2,800 men, and this figure

appears to me to fix the practicable limit of withdrawals

consistent with the policy laid down by the War Office.-

(Sgd) John Monash.

Major-General,

Commanding Third Australian Division.

S E C R E T               30/8/16.

To accompany letter dated 30/8/16.

A N N E X U R E

Personnel actually available as drafts :-

Privates in a Company              192

Less Signallers                8

Lewis Gun

Detachment                    12           20

-----------------------------------------------

                                                            172

 48 Companies  X  172         =                   8,256

One-third being maximum considered desirable

to be withdrawn                    =                    2,752.

(* With Complts  JM *)

31-8-16

SECRET    C.R.   A.I.F.  6248 ( A )

To Headquarters,

Southern Command,

SALISBURY.

(1)   With reference to your C.R.  S.C. 138995 (A.1)

of 29th instant, forwarding copy of telegram from the War Office,

regarding drafts for the Australian Imperial Force in France,

(the copy of War Office letter was not enclosed), I desire to

state for the information of the G.O.C. in C, that, as directed,

I have conferred the the G.O.C. 3rd Australian Division on

the subject.  We are agreed that the training of drafts

which might be furnished from the 3rd Australian Division, would

be hastened by their transfer to the Training Depots here.

(2)   The G.O.C., 3rd Australian Division expressed

the opinion that 2,800 men was the practical limit that could

be taken from the Division for training as drafts, without

unduly delaying its preparation for service.

(3)   That the number mentioned in paragraph 2

would be replaced by men from the Training Depots.

(4)   Regarding a forecast of numbers which would

be available from the Training Depots, I consider that the

numbers as set out below, should be available for drafts by the

dates stated:-

Ready by      2nd September  . .     . .    1,500

        "              9th      "                  . .     . .   2,500

        "            16th      "                  . .     . .     1,200

        "            23rd      "                 . .      . .    2,000

        "             30th     "                . .      . .        200

--------------------------------------------------------

Total ready by 30th September             7,400

----------------------------------------------------------

This refers to Infantry only.

(Sgd) Newton J. Moore

Brigadier-General.

G.O.C. , A.I.F. Depots in the United Kingdom.

Bhurtpore Barracks,

Tidworth.

31st August, 1916.

COPY.

The Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia to

The Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Received Colonial Office 2.10pm 31st August, 1916.
                   ----------------------------

Referring to your telegram of 24th August, reinforcements

As transport comes to hand Commonwealth Goverbment will send

immediately special draft of 20,000 Infantry, and will undertake

to maintain reinforcements 16,500 per month thereafter.

Munro Ferguson.

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.

HEADQUARTERS

NO  Q/79/1

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION

Divisional Headquarters,

LARKHILL,

Septr. 1st, 1916.

To Headquarters,

Southern Command,

S A L I S B U R Y.

In the event of orders being received for the

special preparation and despatch of drafts to France up to 2,800

Infantry, from this Division, in the near future, the following

arrangements can be made:-

First Instalment    -    Ready 21st September, 1916:-

33rd Battalion.)     New South Wales.        233.

34th       "           )                                               233.

 

37th Battalion.)      Victoria.                           233.

39th     "            )                                                  233.

 

42nd Battalion.)    Queensland.                    233.

44th       "           )     Western Australia.          233.

 

Second Instalment - Ready 30th September,  1916.-

 

35th Battalion.)    New South Wales.             233.

36th       "          )                                                    233.

 

38th Battalion.)    Victoria.                                234.

40th Battalion.     Tasmania.                            234.

41st Battalion.       Queensland.                       234.

43rd Battalion.     South Australia.                  234.

                                                                               --------

                                                   TOTAL :-          2,800.

Major-General.

Commanding, Third Australian Division.

AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE.

Headquarters,

9th Infantry Brigade,

4th September 1916.

CONFIDENTIAL.

G.O.C.,

3rd Australian Division.

I have to report as follows;-

33rd Battalion. C.O./ Lt.Col. Morshead - satisfactory.

Special mention.

Lieut T.W.Tollis - marked progress

generally.

Lieut H.S.Susman - Quartermaster.

34th Battalion. C.O. Lt.Col. Lamb - satisfactory.

Special mention.

Lieut G.T.Wood - Bombing Officer.

Lieut H.H.Percy - good progress.

2nd/Lt. W.H.Salvatori - Transport

Officer.

35th Battalion. C.O. Lt. Col. Holborow - Fair.

Special mention.

Lieut.A.E.Yates - Adjutant.

36th Battalion. Acting C.O. Major Cooke-Russell -  satisfactory.

Special mention. Major Blacklow

acting in absence of Major Cooke -

Russell at School.

A Jobson  Brig.Gen

Commanding Ninth Infantry Brigade.

A.I.F.

JM

I N W A R D

THE  ADMINISTRATIVE  HEADQUARTERS AUSTRALIAN  IMPERIAL  FORCE.

                       -------------------------
C O P Y    O F   C A B L E G R A M.
                       --------------------------

CYPHER

No.

W 13463       RECEIVED      5/9/16      3-30pm.
-----------------------------------------------------------

FROM   Secretary for Defence     Melbourne.

TO   Administrative Headquarters A.I.F. London

Secret

Q 13463 Following cable was sent on August
31st to S. of S.
With reference to your telegram of August 24th,
which conveyed
intimation from Army Council that it will draw
on 3rd Division
for reinforcements, on account of heavy
casualties recently suffered
in FRANCE by Australian Division and
recommended special draft of
20,000 Infantry said special draft of 20,000
Infantry will be sent
immediately by Government as transport
comes to hand and 16500 per
month thereafter.

Do not however understand position with
regard to reinforcements
last state you furnished of date August 29th
shows 45,000 in Depots
and Camps of whom 14000 probably 3rd
Division.   This leaves
31,000 reinforcements available with longer
training than 3rd
Division.   Are they not being absorbed in the
field force?   In
addition, 15000 at least are now at sea on
passage.   Despatch of
normal reinforcements is taking place in
September and October.
Hope to despatch special draft of 20,000 middle
of November if
transport available, but at present uncertain if
full normal
reinforcements can be despatched November,
but they will be
December.  The 16,500 reinforcements desired
will be sent
January also February and March.

Defence.

"A" Form.                                Army Form C. 2121.

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.   No. of Message...

(* Copy

GJ *)
Prefix             Code          m.
Office of Origin and Service Instructions.
Words        Charge
Sent
At  10/40 am

To  TO 62/5/9/15

By  AW
This message is on a/c of:
.................................Service.
(Signature of "Franking Officer")
Recd. at .....................m.
Date .............................
From ............................
By .....................................
 

TO                  Brigadier General

                        General Staff

                         Southern Command

Sender's Number.    ---
Day of Month    5/9/16   
In reply to Number    ---
AAA
 

Personnel for transfer now in
process of selection  AAA.
Some battalions away billeting
will be dealt with on Return  AAA
Anticipate whole transfer
will be completed this week

From     G.O.C.

Place     3rd Aust.Division

Time      10/30am

(Z) Sgd.  H FARMAR   Lt Col.

"A " Form.                                Army Form C. 2121.

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.   No. of Message...
Office of Origin and Service Instructions.

Copy.att.
Words   Charge
Sent
At ...................m.
To.....................
By ....................
This message is on a/c of:
TD 62/5/9/16    Service.
A W
Signature of "Franking Officer")
Recd. at .......................m.
Date ...............................
From ...............................
By ...................................... 

 

TO        Comdg

              3rd  Aust. Divn

Sender's Number.    ---
Day of Month    5/9/16
In reply to Number.    ---
 AAA

When do you commence
transferring men to training
centre  AAA  Reply to "A"
Group Perham Downs

From      Brig Gen.   General Staff

Place      Southern Comd

Time        10/10