Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 14, 6 October - 30 November 1916, Part 8

Third Secton

8. Information  31/10/16

No plan without information.

Own senses observation - limited

9/10 of breakdowns due to lack of  or incorrect information

Duty of Subordinates - even risk losing messengers.

Negative reports.

Stream of information - sign of life - Especially if means 

precautions

Each report makes up full story

Not easy to remember - use pauses.

Brevity of messages - clear the lines

9. Reorganization after a fight

Collection of scattered details - all to find superiors & report

Examples of Aug 7/15

10. Reporting Casualties

Promptness & accuracy- spelling - initials - numbers.

"Missing" - clear up - soon as possible

Preliminary estimates - invariably too high - don't exaggerate

11. Losses in Action

A lesson every C.O. to learn - Face losses & carry on

No time to worry - plenty time after the war

Losses natural - expect them - prepare for them

Not pleasant - empty mess - weak platoons etc.

Always have substitutes in your mind

Remember - enemy probably worse off

Constant changes in every command - not peace idea

12. Honors & Awards

A serious responsibility - As a guide 1%

Many worthy - few awards available - discrimination

Helping wounded back - rather a Court Martial than a V.C.

Higher the rank, the more severe the standard

Correct particulars - full names - N^o. - Description - Order

of merit - V.C. & D.S.O. evidence - All recommendations = Mention

Confidential - private book

Personal -  One other man in his Confidence -

Conclusion:- Talks designed for Commanders

1. Intended to help with directions & explanations

on matters about.

2. In absence of ^lengthy experience - to achieve success by

 unity of policy, unity of purpose, & unity of ideals

 

HWV W2883-87 10,000 8/14
7833-1215 20,000 11/14
Any further communication on this
subject should be addressed to-
The Secretary,
War Office,
London S.W

and the following number quoted.
 121/Overseas/2860 (M)

Form No 3

SECRET

WAR OFFICE

LONDON, S.W.,

31st October 1916

121/Overseas/2860(m)

The Secretary of the War Office presents his compliments

to G.O.C., 3rd Austn Divn, Larkhill.

and is commanded by the Army Council to transit for the 

information of

a copy of the document noted in the subjoined schedule on the

subject of 3rd Australian Division.

Date	From	Description
31st October 1916	War Office	Letter to G. O.C - in - C., Southern Command.

SECRET

121/Overseas/2860   (M).

31st October 1916.

Sir,

I am directed to inform you that the 3rd Australian

Division should be prepared to commence embarkation to France

on 21st November 1916.

2. The Headquarters Divisional Artillery, and the 7th,

8th, 9th and 23rd Brigades Australian Field Artillery with 

their respective portions of the Divisional Train will not

accompany the Division overseas, but will remain in this

country for further training.

3. The undermentioned Line of Communication Units will be

prepared at War Establishments Part VII and will proceed overseas 
with the Division -

3rd Australian Field Bakery,

3rd Australian Field Butchery,

Five Depot Units of Supply

3rd Australian Infantry Base Deport

4. Each Infantry Battalion of the Division will proceed

overseas with officers surplus to establishment up to a

maximum number of fourteen. Each surplus officer will take

a batman who will also be surplus to establishment.

5. With reference to your endorsement C.R.S.C. 148236 A4.

dated 28th October 1916, and War Office letter numbered as 

above dated 9th October 1916, I am to say that the existing

war establishment of the 9th, 10th and 11th Machine Gun

Companies will each be increased by 32 privates, 1 driver, 2

draught horses, and 1 limbered wagon.

Instructions regarding the formation of a fourth

Machine Gun Company will be issued separately. This Company

will not be sent overseas until sufficiently trained.

6. The instructions contained in War Office letter No.

79/6249 (M) dated 30th April 1915 regarding the closing of

accounts and return of surplus clothing and equipment will be

carried out forthwith. Only new surplus clothing should be

returned.

7. Any details officers and other ranks left by units

should be sent as soon as possible after the Division has

embarked to an Australian Reserve Unit of the same branch of

the service.

8. I am to request that you will make the usual arrangements 
with regard to the appointment of officers to command

details.

9. I am to request that a return showing the probable

embarkation strengths of the infantry units of the Division

may be forwarded to reach this office on the 10th November 1916.

10.

The General Officer                                                                

Commanding-in-Chief.

Southern Command.

 

10. A copy of this letter has been sent to the General

Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Administrative

Headquarters, Australian Imperial Forces, 130, Horseferry Road,

S.W. and to the General Officer Commanding, 3rd Australian

Division, Lark Hill.

I am,

Sir,

Your obedient servant,

(Sd) S.C. Chambers Capt.

D A A G.

for Assistant Adjutant General.

Mobilization.

Copy   SECRET

121/Overseas/2860  (M)

31st October 1916.

Sir,

I am directed to inform you that the 3rd Australian

Division should be prepared to commence embarkation to France

on 21st November 1916.

2. The Headquarters Divisional Artillery, and the 7th,

8th, 9th and 23rd Brigades Australian Field Artillery with

their respective portions of the Divisional Train will not

accompany the Division overseas, but will remain in this

country for further training.

3. The undermentioned Line of Communication Units will be

prepared at War Establishments Part VII and will proceed overseas 
with the Division. -

3rd Australian Field Bakery

3rd Australian Field Butchery.

Five Depot Units of Supply.

3rd Australian Infantry Base Depot.

4. Each Infantry Battalion of the Division will proceed

overseas with officers surplus to establishment up to a

maximum number of fourteen. Each surplus officer will take

a batman who will also be surplus to establishment.

5. With reference to your endorsement C.R.S.C. 148236 A4

dated 28th October 1916, and War Office letter numbered as

above dated 9th October 1916, I am to say that the existing

war establishment of the 9th, 10th and 11th MachineGun

Companies will each be increased by 32 privates, 1 driver,

2 draught horses, and 1 limbered wagon.

Instructions regarding the formation of a fourth

Machine Gun company will be issued separately. This Company

will not be sent overseas until sufficiently trained.

6. The Instructions contained in War Office letter No.

79/6249 (M) date 30th April 1915 regarding the closing of

accounts and return of surplus clothing and equipment will be

carried out forthwith. Only new surplus clothing should be

returned.

7. Any details officers and other ranks left by units should

be sent as soon as possible after the Division has embarked

to an Australian Reserve Unit of the same branch of the service.

8. I am to request that you will make the usual arrangements

with regard to appointment of officers to command details.

9. I am to request that a return showing the probable

embarkation strengths of the Infantry Units of the Division

may be forwarded to reach this office on the 10th November,1916.

10.  A copy of this letter has been sent to the General

Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Administrative

Headquarters, Australia Imperial Forces, 130 Horseferry Road.

S.W. and to the General Officer Commanding 3rd Australian

Division, Lark Hill.

 

-2-

I am, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

(Sd) J.C.  CHAMBERS,  Capt.

D.A.A.G.,

for Assistant Adjutant General.

Mobilisation.

The General Officer.

Commanding-in-Chief,

Southern Command.