Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 14, 6 October - 30 November 1916, Part 13

Conflict:

First World War, 1914–18

Part of Quest:

Sir John Monash (General, b.1865 - d.1931)

Subject:

Documents and letters

Status:

Awaiting approval

Accession number:

RCDIG0000616

Difficulty:

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION

PREVENTION OF "TRENCH FEET" AND FROSTBITE.

Before entering trenches or wet places, feet and legs

should be washed and dried then well rubbed with grease or

oil, and dry socks put on.
All under clothes should be put on dry and one or two

extra pairs of dry socks should be carried by each man. The

best way to carry them is to fasten them with safety pins to

the inside of the overcoat.
While in the trenches, boots and socks should be taken

off from time to time whenever circumstances permit, the

feet dried, well rubbed and dry socks put on.
On no account must hot water be used to bathe the feet,

or feet ^be held near a fire.
Long gum boots should be put on while the feet are dry,

before entering wet trenches, in order that men may start

duty with dry feet.
When gum boots are worn it is well to support the socks

by some form of fastening such as a safety pin, to prevent them

from working down under the heel. On no account should

anything in the form of a garter be worn.
Boots should be amply large enough and puttees must on

no account be worn tight.
Movement whenever possible is advised so as to maintain the

blood circulation especially in the legs and feet.

8/11/16.

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.

Divisional Headquarters,

LARKHILL., 9.11.16.

CIRCULAR MEMORANDUM NO. 20.

Marking of Vehicles.

Reference Circular Memorandum No. 11 of October 13th, 1916.

The following amendments are published. Authority War

Office letter No. 92/5775 (Q.M.G.3) November 3rd. 1916.

AMMUNITION

Divisional Ammunition Column - Echelon A. Circular Red patch 10" diameter.

SUPPLIES.

Divisional Train - ) Red Shamrock - greatest length and

" Supply Column) breadth 12 inches.

ARMY MEDICAL CORPS.

Field Ambulances Transport. - Geneva Cross in Blue square patch.

10 inch sides.

Field Ambulances - Geneva Cross in White circular patch

10" diameter.

MOBILE VETERINARY SECTION.

Mobile Veterinary Section -
Hand drawn diagram - see original document

Units concerned will make the necessary alterations at once.

[(?)] Captain.

D.A.Q.M.G. 3rd. Australian Division.

Diagram - see original document
GRAPH Artillery 9/11/16

Copy No 14
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION OPERATION ORDER No. 5.
Reference 1" Map, SALISBURY & STONEHENGE Sheet 123. 9-11-16.
1. INTENTION. The Division will carry our a Peace March on the
13th. instant, moving via CROSS ROADS STONEHENGE
INN - AMESBURY - LONGBARROW CROSS ROADS -
WINTERBOURNE STOKE - MADDINGTON and NETBUSH to
LARKHILL.
2. ORDER OF MARCH The Division will march by Groups in the following
order
Headquarters Group,
11th. Brigade Group,
10th. do.
9th. do.
D.A..C.
The Commanders of the 9th., 10th., and 11th. Brigades
will issue the necessary March Orders to the
Units forming their Groups. D.A.C. will march
under orders to be issued by the C.R.A.
Units will break off to their own lines on return
to camp.
Group Commanders will report lengths of Groups to
each other, to C.R.A., and D.H.Q. by 6 p.m. on
Friday night, in order that the necessary March
Tables may be made out.
3. TIMES PASSING STARTING POINT. The Headquarters Group will pass starting point,
CROSS ROADS STONEHENGE INN as follows:-

Divisional Headquarters - at 9 a.m.
Div. Artillery Hqrs. - at 9.1 a.m.
" Engineer " - at 9.1½ a.m.
" Sig. Co (less 3 Scots) at 9.2 a.m.
H.Q. Div. Medical Staff at 9.5 a.m.
" " Veterinary Staff at 9.5 a.m.
3rd. Aust. Pioneer Bn. at 9.6 a.m.
23rd. Field Art. Bde. at 9.15 a.m.
3rd. Aust. Sanitary Section at 9.31 a.m.
3rd. " Div. Train (less)
3 Companies ) at 9.32 a.m.
Tail of Headquarters Group clear by 9.45 a.m.
4. TRANSPORT. Transport will carry the proper loads for Service,
less ammunition and men's blankets. Officers kits
will b packed, weighed and loaded in wagons.
5. HAVERSACK RATION. A haversack ration will be carried.
6. HALT. Headquarters Group will halt for half an hour

directly its tail is clear of LONGBARROW CROSS
ROADS.
11TH., 10TH., and 9th. Brigade Groups will close
on their heads and halt for half an hour as they
reach LONGBARROW CROSS ROADS.
The Infantry of these Groups will form up in Mass

by Battalions, one behind the other South of the
road. Light transport will also clear the road
and form up on the side. Heavy vehicles
will not leave the road, but will close up as
far as possible.
P.T.O

(2)

Seeing that the Groups will be more than half an hour
long, the head will be on the move ^again before the tail of

the Group halts.
Note will be made of condition of men and transport

during halt.

7. WATCHES. Watches will be synchronized by reference to Divisional
Headquarters at 7 a.m. on the 13th. instant.
8. CHECKING ROAD SPACES. Group Commanders will arrange to have road spaces carefully checked and times noted. Results will be reported
to Divisional Headquarters on the following day.
Special note will be made where Units are short of
establishment in any particular.
9. GROUP ORDERS. Group Commanders and C.R.A. will submit a copy of their
Orders to Divisional Headquarters on Saturday night for
information.
10. REPORTS. Reports to head of Headquarters Group.
Lieut-Colonel.
General Staff
Distribution.
Copies by D.R. to
C.R.A

C.R.E
Div. Sig. Coy.
9th. Aus. Inf. Bde.
10th. " " "
11th. " " "
3rd. Aus. Pioneer Bn.
A.D.M.S.
A.D.V.S
23rd. F.A. Brigade
3rd. Sanitary Section.
3rd. Aust. Div. Train.

11th AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE
GENERAL IDEA
11/11/16
Map reference: ½" Salisbury, Winchester and Reading.
Enemy (Red) have invaded England from the North and present
situation is a passive defensive on both sides. Enemy line

running DEVIZES - URCEFONT - THE BUSTARD - DURNFORD -

ALDERBURY.

11th AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE.
SPECIAL IDEA.
Map reference: ½" Salisbury Winchester and Reading. 1/20000 Salisbury
Plain and 1/5000 TRENCHES at BUSTARD INN.
At 9 a.m. on 11th November 1916 the 3rd Australian Division
occupying trenches in vicinity of THE BUSTARD and with reserve
of 11th Brigade bivouaced in the vicinity of SHREWTON (Point Z)
received word that it is to commence an offensive against the
enemy line in the vicinity of THE BUSTARD on the afternoon of
Monday 12th November 1916. The 5th Australian Division
attacking on the left of the 3rd Division.
NOTES.
For purposes of exercise the order for relief of 10th Brigade
in line by 11th Brigade will not be written by 11th Brigade
will file into trenches (imaginary) as if relief was being
done on night 12/13th November) between hours of 12.30 ~~a.m.~~ pm
and 1.45 ~~xxx~~ pm
For purpose of exercise trenches allotted to 11th Brigade
will be on line M 3a 3 7½ - I 15c 3 0 - I 15c 2 4 - I 15c 1 8
- I 14b 8 2. This trench will be marked with blue flags and
troops, if in trenches, must be in one line only to the
South-West of these flags - there will be a support trench 100
yards in rear of this also marked and treated in the same way.
No command line.
Reserve trench 250 yards in rear of support trench also
marked and treated in same way, 8 streets connect firing line
and supports. 4 Roads connect support and reserve trenches.
Streets and Roads are marked with white flags, troops to
pass to right of white flags in file if in trenches.
Zero time will be 2 p.m.
The commencement of intense bombardment will be signalled
by one "G" on bugle.
Lift from 1st objective and commence 2nd objective two "G" onbugle
" " 2nd " " " 3rd " three " " "
" " 3rd " " " 4th " four " " "
" " 4th " " " 200 yards beyond 4th
objective, five "G" on bugle.
C.O's. 43rd Battalions will each send two buglers
to report to Brigade Headquarters at 1 p.m. on 13th instant.
Battalions will move out independently and rendezvous at
GREENLANDS FARM at 11.30 a.m. with necessary picks and
shovels, wire and pickets. & armbands
No reconnaissance of enemy's position is to be made N.E.
of our front line position.
No engineers are available and consequently are not
mentioned in orders.

3 and 4 lines will advance close up to second objective prior to
barrage lifting but must not interfere with consolidation of first
objective.

~~xxxxxxxxxx~~

Copy. No. 2
HEADQUARTERS

9 NOV. 1916
Sig Sqd/339
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
11th AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE ORDER No. 33
18/11/16

Reference Map: 1/2" SALISBURY, WINCHESTER and READING,

SALISBURY PLAIN 1/20000

TRENCHES at BUSTARD INN 1/5000.

Pamphlets: 11th Australian Infantry Brigade instructions for

Offensive.

1. Information. Enemy (Rod) occupies general defensive line URCHFONT - THE
BUSTARD .. DURNFORD.
On 11th Infantry Brigade frontage, enemy front line trenches

run M 3b 2 9 - I 15d 2 0 - I 15d 0 3 1/2 - I 15c 6 7 - I 15c 4 9 -

I 15a 4 2 - 9th Brigade is attacking on our right and 15th

Brigade is attacking on ourleft.

2. Intention. To attack, consolidate and hold four objectives :-

1st objective M 3b 2 9 to I 15a 4 2 (marked with white flags )
2nd " I 15d 6 1 to I 15a 7 2½
3rd " I 15d 9 1½ to I 15b 1 5.
4th " I 16c 1½ 2½ to I 15b 4 6½

The furthest trench of each objective to be taken.

3. Artillery. The artillery will be-gin intense bombardment on our first

objective at five minutes before zero time and lifts will

then be in accordance with barrage map.

(1) 5 minutes before Zero to Zero. Objective 1.

(2) Zero to 5 minutes after Zero " 2

(3) 5 minutes after Zero to 10 minutes after Zero objective 3.

(4) 10 minutes after Zero to 15 minutes after Zero objective 4.

(5) 15 minutes after Zero to 30 minutes after Zero 200 yards

beyond 4th objective.

4. Infantry. Frontages: Each 41st and 42nd Battalions 180 yards.

43rd and 44th Battalions each 220 yards.

41st Battalion on the right and attack with its right on

M 3b 2 9.

42nd Battalion on the left of 41st Battalion.

43rd Battalion on the left of 42nd Battalion.

44th Battalion on the left of 43rd Battalion.
44th Battalion's left on I 15a 4 2.

Each Battalion will attack on Company frontage with two lines

of Infantry to each 1st and 2nd objective and four lines of

infantry to each 3rd and 4th objectives ( excluding
organization of lines of scouts, snipers, wire cutters, Lewis

gunners - preceding and following each wave.)

1 to 2 (both inclusive) objective 1.

3 to 4 " " " 2.

5 to 8 " " " 3.

9 to 12 " " " 4.

[*GOC bn
[{X?]] for 2 Btn
Monday [[All?]]
to 2 Poln
Tuesday
G [[?]]
9/11/16*]

Each Battalion will have two platoons specially told off to

protect its Battalion's flanks and to co-operate with and

assist the advance of right and left flank Battalions if

held up - One platoon allocated to right flank and one platoon

allocated to left flank.

The first line of each Battalion will leave its front

trench When artillery barrage commences and the whole of 1st and
second line must be in "No man's land" before barrage lifts

from first objective.

3rd 4th lines

5 to 8 lines (inclusive) willact likewise to 3rd objective.

9 to 12 lines (inclusive) will act likewise to 4th objective.

Infantry in Nos. 3, 4, 7, 1 1 and 12 lines will each carry 1 pick &

1 shovel. No. 8 linewill carry wire and pickets for wiring 3rd

objective.

Objectives 1, 2 and 3 will be consolidated by conversion of

old enemy line.

3rd objective will be wired throughout leaving sally points

[[[?]]
[*3rd 4th
lines*]

(2)

4th objective will be consolidated by conversion of old

enemy line and with "T" head saps at 28 to 40 paces
interval. Those "T" head saps will be constructed out to

irregular distances in conformity with contour of ground

in order to subsequently connect them up as the traverses

of an escheloned system of trenches subsequently utilizing

old enemy 4th objective as a command line.
A proportion of snipers, bombers and Lewis guns in each
Battalion will be specially told off to put out of action

hostile machine guns operating during the advance -
co-operation in this must be given to flank Battalions and
Brigades.
O.C. 11th Machine Gun Coy advises possible enemy machine
gun positions at I 16d 3 0 - I 15a 6 2½ - I 15b 2 3 -
I 15d 3 7 - I 15b 8 0 - I 16c 1½ 2½.
6. 11th M.G.Coy. The 11th Machine Gun Coy will cover the advance from
jumping off place to 4th objective and consolidate captured
area. No. 1 sub (Lieut White) will employ oblique fire to
assist advance of 41st Battalion, co-operating with No. 4
Sub (B. Section) (Lieut.Kissano) on the right - No.4 sub will
push forward to 2nd objective and consolidate there. No.2
Sub (Lieut.Freeman will push forward with right of 43rd
Battalion rendering any necessary assistance to Infantry
to the right and left.
"A" Section must push forward at each objective is taken
to the furthest line of captured trenches (4th objective)
and consolidate there.
"B" Section, No.3 Sub (Lieut.Oakes) will cover left flank
of 44th Battalion and push forward to consolidate left
flank of captured area in 2nd objective. One gun should be
placed near the N.E. corner of HALF MOON COPSE.
"C" Section will cover advance of flanks from I 14b and
I 14d.
"D" Section will be in reserve at I 14c 8 5.
Officers will report as follows to confer re method of
advance and arrange necessary carrying parties and
co-operation and evacuation of wounded.
No.1 Sub to C.O. 42nd Battalion
No.2 " " " 43rd "
No.3 " " " 44th "
No.4 " " " 41st "
6. 11th T.M. Battery. O.C. 11th Light Trench Mortar Battalion will during first
five minutes intense bombardment, engage points I 15a 4 2
I 16c 6 6 and communication trenches leading to those
positions and will, when fourth objective is taken, occupy
position in third objective and consolidate and co-operate
with C.O's. Battalions for repelling enemy counter attacks.
7. Aircraft. Aircraft contact machines will fly at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
8. Signals. Signal communication will be maintained to prevent advanced
fighting Battalion Headquarters by telephone, runner and
visual (where possible). In the event of a Battalion
Headquarters moving forward, it will be responsible for
maintaining its own signal communication between new
Battalion Headquarters and present advanced Battalion
fighting Headquarters signal station, the latter being in touch
with advanced Brigade Headquarters.

Last edited by:

Maralyn K

Last edited on:

16 November 2024, 10:47 am

Last updated: 16 November 2024