Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 14, 6 October - 30 November 1916, Part 1

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.

Divisional Headquarters,

LARKHILL., 6.10.16.

CIRCULAR MEMORANDUM NO. 8.

Notes from the Front regarding Supply and Transport Duties, &c.

The Supply Column and Ammunition Sub Park attached to the
Division are now treated as Corps Troops pure and simple, and are 
administered as such, all orders to them are to be given by Corps "Q"
and the Division has practically no lien on them at all.  With regard
to the Supply Column, the S.S.O. informs the O.C. the number of lorries
he will require for supply work.  The Supply Col. Supply Section
deals direct with the S.S.O. with regard to the issue of Supplies
from the Railway.

Sub. Park. - It does not follow that the 3rd Sub. Park fills
up the 3rd D.A.C.  This is entirely guided by circumstances. Another
Sub. Park may do the work.

Divisional Train. - Orders may be issued direct to the Divisional
Train by Corps "Q", Division being informed.  This procedure also
obtains with Field Ambulances to whom orders are issued direct by 
D.D.M.S.; Field Artillery, to whom orders are issued direct by G.O.C.
R.A. of the Corps:  Field Companys and Pioneer Battalions to whom 
orders are issued direct by Chief Engineer of the Corps.

Requisitioning Officers. - Two per Train is ample, - one for 
the Medical comforts and one for green forage, vegetables etc., the other 
two have their uses as they can be employed on the numerous odd jobs 
for whom Officers have to be found by the Division in line fighting 
present siege warfare, such as running trench tramways, water supply, 
&c.

The Transport W.O's of the three Brigade Companys should be 
trained to act as Officers. Only three cars are allowed to Divisional
Train.

Privately Owned Vehicles.- On no account should any privately
owned vehicles of any description whatever, be brought to FRANCE, endless 
trouble is caused.  All vehicles are returned to ENGLAND at the 
owner's expense.

Army Form F. 773.- Attached copy of the latest instructions 
with regard to the compilation and checking of Army Form 
F. 773, 
explains itself, and is very necessary.

Care of Harness and Vehicles.- In France the very greatest 
care is taken of harness and vehicles and the best units keep their 
vehicles in such a state that they would go on a birthday parade at 
any moment.  All steel work is kept bright. The vehicles are regularly 
washed, dust caps, if of gun metal are burnished, head ropes 
pipe clayed, and chains kept bright. The Army Corps Commander is 
particularly keen on this.

Page 2.  CIRCULAR MEMORANDUM NO. 8

Few Notes about Supply Columns.- When a Division is in the 
line the Supply Column is rarely if ever used as such, and Trains draw
in bulk by Brigades from Railhead, take Supplies to either Divisional
or Brigade Refilling Points where they are split up in detail 
and taken to the units.  If the Division is actually holding part of 
the line, supplies are taken to the 1st Line Transport Lines of the 
Battalions actually in the trenches and from there are taken up to 
the trenches at night, by 1st line vehicles.

1st line Transport.- 1st Line Transport is nearly always 
Brigaded and is considered in the general Transport pool of the Division. 
The O.C. Train takes a very active interest in it and details transport 
therefrom.  Too much stress cannot be laid on the supervision 
of 1st Line Transport by the O. C. Train and by the O. C. Brigade 
Companys of the Train, who are of course the Senior Transport Officers 
of the Brigade concerned.

Entraining.- Units entrain with their Baggage Waggons; Supply 
Waggons sometimes entrain with units and other times with the 
Headquarters of the Train Company.  The latter is by far the more 
preferable and should invariably be adopted when the Train Company is the 
first of the Brigade Units to entrain.

H. FARRAR, Lieut. Colonel.

A.A. & Q.M.G., 3rd Australian Division.
RWH                                                                                                      

Page 3. -  CIRCULAR MEMORANDUM NO. 8

Notes re Army Form F. 773

There appears in some cases to be some misunderstanding with 
reference to filling in the new print of Army Form F. 773. 

It is the strength figure as shewn on A.B. 55 which must be put
on A.F. F.773.  This is not necessarily the number of rations demanded, 
although in most cases the figures will be the same

For instance, supposing two Units whose stated strengths are 
respectively 100, indent

(a). One for two days' rations, viz: 200 rations.

(b). The other only for 75 rations

In either case 100 is the figure that must appear on A.F. F.773 
as this is the strength of the unit drawing the rations.

This course follows S. T. & B. Regulations (1915) para. 210 
where it says a statement on A.F. F.773 will be compiled "showing the 
strength of corps, bodies of prisoners, natives etc., drawing rations"

If only the rations were stated on A.F. F.773 and not the 
strengths it is obvious -

In the case of (a) where the unit drew two days' rations, an 
unnecessary query would have been raised (see later).

In the case of (b) where the unit has under-drawn on the date 
of comparison, a very necessary query might not be raised as if the 
unit's real strength was only 75, that is, the same number as the rations 
drawn, the discrepancy of a wrong strength on which continued over-drawal 
could take place would pass unnoticed.

With the present detailed statement on A.F. F.773 if the figures 
compared were not the strength figures very many unnecessary 
queries would be raised by the Officer in charge of States about 
discrepancies of which the Supply Officers have the explanation.  For 
instance, it would serve no useful purpose to, bring out that a unit 
had drawn two days' rations as it is the duty of Supply Officers to 
see that if any unit draws more than one days' rations at a time this 
is adjusted by subsequent under-drawal.

Supply Officers must see that they enter of A.F. F.773 the 
strength of the day on which the states are compiled.  These strengths 
figures will probably be the strengths stated on the A.B.55's received 
the following day to the one on which the states are compiled.  For 
example, if states are compiled on Saturday it will be probably from 
the A.B. 55's received on the following day, Sunday, that the strengths 
should be taken for entry on A.F. F.773.

Page 4.  - CIRCULAR MEMORANDUM NO. 8

Supplies

As it is absolutely essential that all unites of a
Division must be mobile and ready to move at very short notice, all
Supplies must be carried on wheels.
The following system will therefore obtain:-
Divisional Supply Columns will draw during the night from
Railhead and stand full, until refilling Train.
The Train will refill from Divisional Supply Column in the
late afternoon.
Immediately prior to refilling, the Train will take Supplies

for the following days consumption, direct to Units.
This should be done in the afternoon between 2.0 and 5.0.
By this means, should a unit be ordered to move, it will not
have more Supplies than it can carry, as the only portion of the cu
current days supplies remaining will be the evening meal, which will
then be in the travelling kitchen.,
Under this system at 6.0 p.m. the situation would be -
On the man - the iron ration.
With Units     - 1 days supplies for the following days consumption.
Train                - 1 days supplies in Supply Section for 
consumption 2 days ahead.
D.S.C.                 - Empty, ready to refill at Railhead.
Following day 6.0 a.m. (12 hours later) -
On the man     - the iron ration
With Units        - unexpended portion of current days supplies.
Train                   - 1 days supplies in Supply Section for
following days consumption.
D.S.C.                 - 1 days supplies for consumption 2 days
ahead.
The attached table shows the supply situation at
various hours during the day.
Refilling Points.
Unless orders are issued to the contrary, the selection
of refilling points will rest with the Division, and Corps Headquarters 
will only select them when the tactical situation renders
it necessary.

Page 5. - CIRCULAR MEMORANDUM No. 8.
SUPPLY SITUATION.

	Hour of drawing at Railhead} to-1.0p.m.	1.0 p.m.	-2.0 p.m	2.0 p.m.	-5.0 p.m.	5.0 p.m.	-6.30 p.m.	6.30 p.m. to hour of drawing at Railhead.
Divisional Supply Column.	Full with rations for next day but one.	Full.		Full.		Refilling Trn with rations for next day but one.		Empty.
Train  W gons.	Full with Rations for next day.	Full.		Issuing to 1st Line Ration for next day.		Refilling from D.S.C. rations for next day but one.		Full with Rations for next day  but one.
1st Line Transport.	Issuing Rations for Current day's consumption.	Empty but for evening meal.		Receiving from train wagons, rations for next day.		Full with rations for next day.		Full with rations for next day.
On the man.	Iron Ration.	Iron Ration.		Iron Ration.		Iron Ration.		Iron Ration.

(Page 6.) CIRCULAR MEMORANDUM No. 8.
Issue of Rations. 
1. During heavy fighting the issue of rations to the troops needs
special attention in order to prevent large overdrawals owing to
casualties.

2. As rations are indented for 48 hours before they are required,

and as large casualties may occur in the interim, it is the duty of the

Staff Captain to inform the Brigade Supply Officer of the numbers as 

far as possible. He in turn will inform the S.S.O in order that he

may revise his demands.

3. When supplies are handed to the unit, the original demand should

be again revised.

4. A certificate on Army Form B. 55 of issue and receipt is exchanged 
between the Brigade Supply Officer and the representative of the

Unit; any modification of the original demand being endorsed on the

form.

5. It is absolutely forbidden to accumulate stocks, and the Quartermasters 
of Units should inform Brigade Supply Officers when issuing

of any alterations in their feeding strengths and rations for those

numbers only should be drawn.
6. Should a Quarter-Master find that he has inadvertently over-drawn,
it is his duty to adjust by a corresponding underdrawal and the simplest
way of doing this is by under-indenting on future indents.
7. Cases have occurred where Brigade Supply Officers have insisted on
Quarter-Masters taking what they have demanded, in spite of the
 Quarter-Masters not wishing to. This procedure is manifestly wrong; and if
the instructions issued herewith are carried out, cases of this sort
should rarely arise.
8. No reinforcements are sent to Units whilst actively engaged; (as
a rule); and so it stands to reason that there must be wastage, indents
must decrease in demands from day to day, and Units must do everything
in their power to assist in arriving at the correct figures.
9. It is pointed out that during the battle, the demand on transport
is very heavy, and if the load is lightened by the absence of unnecessary
rations, it may be possible to save an extra pair of horses
being turned out. This, though a small matter in itself, becomes
a large one when the Division as a whole is considered.
10.L It has been asserted that there is either an absence of
co-operation
between Staff Captains of Brigades and Brigade Supply Officers,
or, that their co-operation is not on the right lines.
11. There have already been heavy overdrawals in many cases, and it
is hoped that all concerned will make every effort in future to see
that there is no recurrence, as it is a reflection on their administrative
arrangements.
12. Rations destroyed by shell fire should be written off on A.F.W.
3334 "NOTIFICATION OF SUPPLIES UNDER A.S.C., CONTROL LOST THROUGH
EXIGENCIES OF ACTIVE SERVICE" by the Brigade Supply Officer who will
hand the form to the S.S.O., who, in turn, obtains the approval of
the G.O.C., Division.

C.R.S.C. No. 48557/41(G).
7/15/16
To:-
The Field Marshal Commanding-in Chief,
The Home Forces.
My report on the 3rd Australian Division quartered
at Larkhill, Salisbury Plain, is forwarded herewith.
(Sd) FRANCIS HOWARD,
Maajor General,
Inspector of Infantry.
7th October, 1916.

9th Brigade. 3rd Australian Division.
Quartered at Larkhill.
Transcriber's note: the tables below are one large table in original.  They have been split to suit formatting. Unit column repeated in second table for clarity.

Establishment without M.O.	Strength fit for G.S.		Lewis Gunners.				Bombing.
			Trained.		Training.		Instructors.	Platoon Squads Trd.	Platoon Squads Trg.
Units.	O.	OR.	O.	OR.	O.	OR.
33rd Battalion	34.	883.	2	80	2	4	8	3	4
34th       "	36	944.	2	80	2	4	62	4	-
35th        "	28	937.	2	79	2	4	6	3	1
36th        "	35	884.	2	29	2	52	5	3	4

	Signallers.  Morse and Buzzer.					Range Finders. One - Man					Rifles.		Cold Shoers.
	Instructors.	Trained.		Training.		Instruments.	Trained.		Training.				Trained.	Training.
Units.		O.	OR.	O.	OR.		O.	OR.	O.	OR.	S.	EY.
33rd Battalion	3	1	16	-	36	2	-	4	-	16	150	500	3	1
34th  "	4	1	17	-	32	2	1	16	-	-	150	500	1	2
35th  "	-	-	17	1	32	5	-	48	-	16	150	500	2	1
36th  "	1	-	17	1	36	2	5	16	-	-	150	500	2	-

 

10th Brigade. 3rd Australian Division.
Quartered at Larkhill.
Transcriber's note: the tables below are one large table in original.  They have been split to suit formatting. Unit column repeated in second table for clarity.

Establishment without M.O.	Strength fit for G.S.		Lewis Gunners.				Bombing.
			Trained.		Training.		Instructors.	Platoon Squads Trd.	Platoon Squads Trg.
Units.	O.	OR.	O.	OR.	O.	OR.
37th Battalion.	30	926	7	59	2	33	15	24	4
38th Battalion.	33	932	2	83	-	72	5	-	20
39th Battalion.	31	900	6	86	-	84	5	24	-
40th Battalion.	30	953	2	80	-	-	-	4	8

	Signallers.  Morse and Buzzer.					One - Man Range Finders.					Rifles.		Cold Shoers.
	Instructors.	Trained.		Training.		Instruments.	Trained.		Training.				Trained.	Training.
Units.		O.	OR.	O.	OR.		O.	OR.	O.	OR.	S.	EY.
37th Battalion	2	1	43	-	10	-	2	2	-	-	197	500	2	1
38th  "	2	1	15	1	35	-	-	-	-	-	150	500	1	2
39th  "	4	-	48	1	5	2	2	1	1	84	150	500	2	1
40th  "	-	1	17	1	36	-	-	-	-	-	258	500	-	2

11th Brigade. 3rd Australian Division.
Quartered at Larkhill.
Transcriber's note: the tables below are one large table in original.  They have been split to suit formatting. Unit column repeated in second table for clarity.

Establishment without M.O.	Strength fit for G.S.		Lewis Gunners.				Bombing.
			Trained.		Training.		Instructors.	Platoon Squads Trd.	Platoon Squads Trg.
Units.	O.	OR.	O.	OR.	O.	OR.
41st Battalion.	31	974	5	32	-	48	5	25	4
42nd Battalion.	32	942	3	72	2	12	7	27	4
43rd Battalion.	32	920	8	70	2	54	6	37	4
44th Battalion.	34	937	3	45	2	14	5	39	4

	Signallers.  Morse and Buzzer.					One - Man Range Finders.					Rifles.		Cold Shoers.
	Instructors.	Trained.		Training.		Instruments.	Trained.		Training.				Trained.	Training.
Units.		O.	OR.	O.	OR.		O.	OR.	O.	OR.	S.	EY.
41st Battalion	1	1	15	-	37	-	3	-	-	-	150	500	1	3
42nd "	2	-	16	2	32	-	4	-	-	-	150	500	2	2
43rd  "	1	-	16	-	36	-	4	-	-	-	270	500	2	1
44th  "	3	-	34	=	18	-	2	-	-	-	150	500	2	4