Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 14, 1 December 1916 - 10 February 1917, Part 4

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Part of Quest:
Sir John Monash (General, b.1865 - d.1931)
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open to contributions
Accession number:
RCDIG0000617
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

1994 Amendments to General Routine Orders. References to L. G.C. in General Routine Orders Part I. should be amended to read G.O.C. L. of C. Area. G. H. FOWKE, Lieutenant-Genera), Adjutant General, British Armies in France. QUARTERMASTER GENERALS BRANCH. 1995Amendments to General Routine Orders. Consequent on the abolition of the appointment of the LG.C. and the creation of the appointment of G.OC. L. of C. Area, the following amendments will be made to General Routine Orders, Part II.: In G.R.Os 1378, 1238, 990,870,1170, 1539, and 1792, for "I.G.C. read "G.OC. L. of C. Area In G. R.Os 1121 and 628, for "H.O, IG.C." redd "H.O., G.O.C. L. of C. Area. In G.R.O. No. 1729, omwit the words "H.O, LG.C. and insert "Advanced Base. In G.R.O. No. 1673, for "IG.C. read "Advanced Base. In G.R.O. No. 487 (1). Omit words "to the I.G.C. and insert "te the Army Commander of the Area in which the Offcer is serving or tothe G.O.C., L. of C. if the Ofücer is serving on the L. of C. or in G.H.O. Area 1998 Boots-Care of It is important that during the winter, when boots are exposed to mud and water, they should be dressed, daily if possible, with dubbing, which should be applied specially round the welts of the boots. A plentiful supply of dubbing /s sent up weekly in bulk to meet units requirements. 1997 Steel Helmets- Protection of. Drilling holes in the steel helmets to enable badges to be worn weakens the structure of its steel and reduces its power of protection. The practice is therefore forbidden. Badges, if required, can be painted or stencilled in a neutral tint. 1998 Special Winter Clothing. Approval is given for the issue of Oilskin Suits to drivers of "Holt Tractors" and "Foster- Daimler Tractors" in leu of “Coats, sheepskin lined." The drab greatcoat may be retained in addition. Indents should be sent to Ordnance Offcers concerned and issue will be made as supplies become availablé. G.R.O. 1824 should beamended accordingly. 1999Stretchers Tunnelling Companies. Appróval is given for the issue of Stretchers Ambulance to Tunnelling Companies on scale of 10 per Company. Indents should besent to Ordnance Offcersconcerned
AUS 12 e CONTIDYNTIAL I ANZAC Corpe. At a meeting of corps oommanders held two days ago at Army headquarters, the army commander asked that certain points in con- -nection with officers generally throughout the forces in France should be especially brought to notice of divissonal-generals and those under ther. (i) It was pointed out that througnout the whole army we are urdouotedly in a very different position from what we were two years ago, and of course the same applles, possibly to a greater extent, to the Germans. When we started the war, we had a large number of thoroughly trained profes-ional officers. Of these a very large, number nas dleappeared, and to a great extent had to be replaoed by men wno previously knew nothing of soldiering. All units are more or less in the same state, so that it is quite impossible for us ever to look to the old regular army to provide officers, and we must therefore realise that we must be self- -supporting. Indeed, in this esspect I cannot help thinking that we are probably muoh better off than a great many others, as we have in the A.I.F. such a large number of young men who have had a muoh wider experience than many of the boys who have joined tne New Army in FTGLAND. We have enlisted men of intelligence, initiative and resouroe, and it therofore behoves us to make full and arple use of these, and to satisfy oursalves that our re¬ -souroes in this respect are not allowed to lie fallow. When we come to further heavy fighting, we must again expeot heavy losses among officers, and it ie to make good these that we have now to look well ahead. The army commander therefore laid great stress upon the necesstty for a thorough training in our divisional schools, while we have the opportunity, of all young officers, non¬ -oommissioned officers, and aspirants to thos: posts, as platoon officers and platoon sergeants. The Commander-in Chief has said that this is a platoon officers' war, and, this being the oase, it behoves us to se that no steps are neglected to ensure the selaction of our best men for appointment as platoon officers. While seeing different battalions as I do, I am often told by some oommanding officers that they have exoelent young officers and non-conmissioned officers, and still a number ef men in the ranks wno they have reason to suppose will train on satisfactorily in time to replace casualties. In other bat- -talions I am told that the, are absolutely at their last gasp in this respect - that every eligiole man nas been promoted, and that they have not even one man left in the ranks who is fitted for promotion to sergeant. It may well be the case that among older men in the ranks there are none left who are suitable for promotion, as they will be those remaining after sifting out time after time the fit men to replace casualties incurred in our various engagements. If this is the case, it must not be overlooked that among reinforcements there must be a certain number of men whom it will be well worth while taking in hand with a view to their improvement and fitting them for pro otion. I am aware that in some bat alions there is a dislike to promoting a private of reinforcements (who possioly oame out from AUSTHALIA as a temporary sergeant, and who has had to revert on joining us) over the heads of the old soldiers. If it is thought that such a man would not be suitaple as an officer in his own battalion, his name should at once be, noied, and given to the brigadier, with a vieg to has possible promotion in another battalion of the same er probaoly a different brigade. To maxe sure, however, that we do not miss a onance of
(2) gaining a full knowleige of the qualifications of our men, it is absolutely essential that evary platoon officer should know ever man in hia platoon, theroughly, and once he does this he should have no difficulty in bringing to the notice of the company ccmmander men who seem to him to be fitted for advencement. This point can¬ not be too strongly impieesed on the young officers as a really im- portant part of their duties. Cnly a few days ago I was told by a staff officer that a priyate who had recently been killed was in his opinion almost fatted to conmand a regiment, for he had nown him while in AUSTRALIA, and if he had only heard that the man was with our force as a privabe would have brought his name to notice, but unfortunately he knew that he was with us only when his name came in as a oasvalty. le going gound battaliene, too, I frequently meet non - cornissioned off'ceys, with whom I discuss their work for a ehort time, and on several sucn occasions have noticed man who seemed to me to be eminently fitted for edvancerent, while I have been told by the commanding officer that be has no one suitable. I may, of cousse, have been wrong in my opinjon after such a short acquain- tance, but still it has given me the irpressjon that great im- portence is not laid on the necessity of ascertaining the exact qualifications of all our men. I think, too, it is probable that only the infantry regi¬ ments are considered for the pool from which we hope to draw our good n.c.o's. and young officers. Ocoasionally I think ve should look beyond them with a view to obtaining suitable men for promo- tion from the artillery, engineers, pioneers, A.S.C. and A.AM.C. I know of course that these units have to provide men to fill vacancies for oommissions in theis ovo services; on the other hand I inew that in somo battaliens cormanding officers have looked to other brarches, and that with success, for I lately canc deross three excellent young efficers who had been promoted from the ranks of the A.A.X.C. As it is probaole that all our batteries will shortly be converted from four- to six-gun batterjes, it will mean a great reduction in artillezy staffs, etc., and a considerable slowing-up of promotion an that branch for a considerable time while super¬ numeraries are being absorbed. It might, therefcre, be well worth while lookung out for suitable mon for promotion from that arm of the service. I naturally do not want to think of mon who are thoreughly expert in the engincering line being withdrawn from sapper com- panies for whe infantry, but promotion is very often slow in that biausk of the servioe, while it may yet be that there are men of charsoter and leadership, whose ohances of promotion in their units may be small. trust that all oonoerned will give their earnest con- sideration to this matter, which is so important for our future welfare. (Li) The other point to which the army oommander referred was the fast that it had ocme to the notice of the Commander - in - Chief that a certain number of officers in XRXXCE were writing home very often in a tone of disparagement and depression, and both in letters and conversation passing unfavouzable oriticiams. These critlolons we were told were often not directed against in- dividual officers, but more frequently against troops alongside of whom they were serving, attributing any failures that might have taken place not to themselves, but to those who were perhaps on their right or left flank. All must of course realise how very undesirable this is, and I am sure it has only to be mentioned to be put right, if such has occurred at all among our troops, which I hope may not be the oase. W. R. BIRUTOOD 14th Dec., 1916. Lieutenant-General,
al OorI. G. 130/83. First ANZAC Corps. 16th. December, 1916. GENERAL STAFF CIRCULAR NO. 38. SUBJECT. - Organization, Training and Fighting of Infantry Battalions. ------------ In view of the need for standardization of Infantry Battal 1. ions, and particularly as regards the proportion and employment of specialists for fighting purposes, Infantry Battalions will be organised and trained on the following principles. ORGANIZATION. The platoon will be the "fighting unit" and will be i. self-contained. The weapons at the disposal of the platoon commander ii. will be rifle and bayonet, grenade and rifle grenade, and, as a rule, the LEWIs gun as well. The rifle and bayonet is, and will remain, the prineipal iii. weapon of the infantryman, but every soldier should be capable of fighting with grenades and rifle grenades. There will be no difference between the specialists and iv. the riflemen in a platoon, and they will live and fight together. v. Before an operation, the platoon commander, guided by the company officer, will deeide the proportion of bombers and rifle bombers to riflemen which the situation requires. When making a deeision a platoon commander will consider the characteristies of the various weapons. Generally speaking, the long range weapons, namely, the LEWIS gun and rifle, will be used against the enemy above ground, while the short range weapons, i.e.- grenades and rifle grenades, exist for use against the enemy below ground, protected by trenches or concealed in dug-outs. It stands to reason, therefore, that the more open fighting there is above ground, the less will the grenades and rifle grenades be required. The platoon commander, from the knowledge of his platoon, vi. will be able to seleet the men or groups of men most suitable to act as bombers, riflemen, or LEWIS gunners. LEWIS guns are primarily a company weapon, at the disposal vii. of the company commander, but it is desirable to allot to platoons a proportion of these guns for training, and to ensure that in action they accompany the leading platoon in the attack. LEWIS gunners are specialists, and should be selected men, viii. but the majority, if not all, infantrymen should be able to fire the gun, so that sufficient personnel may be immediately available to replace casualties during an action. It must be impressed on all ranks that the object of this ix. organization is to develop the use of all weapons in combination, particularly in trench warfare, bearing in mind also that the rifle and bayonet must always remain the soldier's chief weapon, by which decisive victory will ultimately be won. B. TRAININC. Certain instructions on the tactical training of both company and platoon commanders were issued as First ANZAC 130/71, dated 11th. November, and in General Staff Circular No. 35 of l0th. December. The success of future operations will greatly depend on ii. the thoroughness of this tactieal training, and the corps commander desires the importance emphaised of the tactical instruction and the use of ground, which is now being .T.0.
C. (2). carried out at divisional sehools. Too much care and attention cannot be devoted to this important branch of training. It must be impressed on all platoon leaders that each of them will now have a "self-contained command". and that it is within the power of each one of them to influence to a very considerable extent the course of an action by his skill, his resolution, and his courage. OPELATIONS. - FICHTINC. A decrease oi denseness in attacking lines and an increase of depth are to be aimed at. ii. Formation for Attack - Diagrams illustrating the various formations used by units during the operations on the SOMME have been issued with Fourth Army No. G.S. 360 (First ANZAC 130/82 of 11th. December), and these indicate considerable divergence of opinion. The example given in the appendix hereto illustrates the organization for an assaulting platoon, when attacking over ground interseeted by a number of trenches, when it is probable that a large proportion of tne enemy will have to be dealt with in trenches and dug-outs. Such formation may be takes as the normal for a platoon engaged in the assault of a hostile line claborately prepared for defence. The number of companies of a battalion, of the number of iii. platoons of a company, put into the front line, must depend upon the operation to be undertaken and the front which has to be covered, but it is advisable, so far as the platoon is concerned, that a normal formation should be laid down, which is adaptable, with slight modifications, to any form of attack. This is necessary in order to simplify the platoon commander's task when training. (Sgd). C.B.B. White. Brig-General.
EMOI Ist Wave 2nd Wavs. APPENDIX to First ANZAC General Staff Circular No. 38. ASSAULTING PLATOON. 50myards to 100 yards. Rirlemen Riflamen. o o o o 0 o o o o o o o o o o o o o X Bombers. ORifle Bombers, LEWIS Gunners. 4Rifle Bombers. PBombers. oo00000 o o o o o00ooo o o o oooo (1) The number of bombers and rifle bombers in the 2nd wave can be reduced and their places taken by riflemen, as required. (b) Reinforcing platoons should use the same formation if moving in extended order. 2 throwers, 2 carriers, 2 bayonet men, 1 N.C.0. 0 2 rifle bombers, 1 carrier, 1 N.C.0. -- or 2 rifle bombers and 2 carriers. + 1 rifle bomber, 1 carrier, 1 N.C.0. -e2 throwers, 1 carrier and 1 N.C.0. -- or 2 throwers, and 2 carriers.
Talzb lwbrRulled bivislos. Divisional Headquartere, 18th. December, 1916. c. 36/26. C.R.E. 9th. Aus. Inf. Bde. 10th. ilth. 3rd. Aus. Pioncer Bn. OENERAL STAFF CIRCULAR No. 94 With referenoe to General Staff Circular No. 8A 1. of loth. Dacember on the subjeot of Subsidiary line works, it is anticipated, owing to a temporary shortage of materials that these works (except those desoribed as "Preparatory" in para 5.A) cannot be undertaken for some little time to come. This ciroumstance will release a very large amount of labour now held in readiness for the subsidiary line works, and will permit of same being at once concentrated upon urgent works in the front line system. 3. The fullest advantage is therefore to be at once taken, by all concerned, of this available labour, to effeot exten¬ sive and substantial repairs in the firing and support lines, both in the localities and gaps; that is to say that all labour of the eight front line Battalions not absorbed in normal trench duties or in connection with drainage and communication trenches is to be con- centrated upon the forward lines. 4. A very great deal of repair and constructional work of an extremely urgent character is required, to parapets, revetments, fire-steps, traverses, fire-bays, parados, and front trenches gener- ally, in the defended localities and posts themselves,- while in the gaps the breastworks require raising to give cover from view, and thickening to make them bullet proof, and gangways clearing, and duckboards laying and repairing to facilitate movement. 5. All this work is to be immediately undertaken and systematically prosecuted, by allocating to each part of the line s definite amount of labour under Officers who are to be held respons¬ ible that such labour is efficiently directed throughout its allotted shift - whether by day or by night. - The sooner the forward lines are thus put into a good defensible condition, the sooner will labour be released for work in the subsidiary line. Harbere 4. Lieut-Colonel. General Staff. Distribution. C.R.E. 4 copies. ....... 9th. Aus. Inf. Bde. " 10th. 11th." Pioneers. 1 copy.
19-12-16. DeR. SOPY. Headquarters, II ANZAC. No. 3632 A. Headquarters 3rd. Australian Division. The Commander-in-Chief will inspect the Corps on Friday, 1. December 22nd. Itinerary attached. 2. The 3rd. Australian Division will parade in a field at Sheet 36 N.W., square A.24.a.7.5. The 34th. and New Zealand Divisions will parade on the South T GHEM-SAILLY-ESTAIRES Road in two ranks facing side of the ERQUINC North. The right of the 34th. Division to be 50 yards West of o the turning to the EhQUINGHEM BRIDGE. The right of the New Zealand Division to be at the junction of the RUE DE BRUGES and the Main Road. In the case of the 3rd. Australian Division the Commander-in¬ Chief will arrive at the entrance to the field at the hour named f (senior staff officers, where the Divisional General and Staf numbers not to exceed six) will meet him, and in the case of the 34th. and New Zealand Divisions he will arrive at the hour named at the right of the line where Divisional Generals and Staffs (senior staff officers, numbers not to exceed six) will meet him. Dress: marching order, with or without greatcoats at the dis¬ cretion of General Officers Commanding, but all troops in a No swords will be worn. division must be dressed alike. fficers will be in marching order and dressed like their men. All mounted Officers on parade will be mounted. On the parades of the 34th. and New Zealand Divisions, all ficers and Company Commanders will be on the right of Commanding O their commands. Brigadiers will be on the right of such troops as are paraded from their brigades. C.R.A's and C.R.E's will be on the right of Artillery and Engineer detachments. Representatives of all units of the Division possible will be on parade. Traffic arrangements will be under the direction of the A.P.M. Second Anzac. Divisions will render to these Headquarters by 10 a.m. the 20th. instant, parade states giving the Commanding Officers by name. These states will be compiled in the order that the troops stand on the ground from right to left of the line. (Sgd). Alex. Delavoye. Brig-General, D.A. & Q.M.G. 2nd. A. & N. Z. Army Corps. 18th. December, 1916. ------------- yroo TTINERARY OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. 10.0 a.m. Leave Cassel. Corps Headquarters, BAILLEUL. 10.30 Leave by motor. 10.45 Parade 3rd. Australian Division - Ride. 11.5 Leave and ride to 11.50 Parade 34th. Division. 12.20 p.m. FORT ROMPU, (Lunch). 1.10 Leave FORT ROMPU and ride to 2.0 Parade New Zealand Division. 2.15 Leave by motor for 3.0 Corps School, MORBECQUE. 3.30 A.2.
. 9o DIVISIOT. TTIRD AUSIN SEORST. Division 1 We deuarters) December 19th, 1916. CIRCULAR M2UAUUM No. 36.- r ) iNar GLION EI GOSDURIMU3.F. .. . ... Map Reference 36 N. ": 10300. 1. The Commander-in-Chief will inspect the Division on Friday, Decem¬ ber 22nd, 1:16. Representatives of all Units of the Division vill parade in the 2. Field at sheet 36 N. J., Square A.24.a.7.5. as follows :- On the right facing west - 11th Infantry Brigade. Composite Battalion 9th and 10th On the left facing west Infantry Brigedes. On the right facing east - 11th Machine Gun Company. 11th Light T. M. Battery; Detach- and in succession ments of D.A.C., 11th Field Company, R. L., Divisional Train, 11th Tield Ambulance, Mobile Vetorinary Section. Massed Bands of the 11th Infantry Brigade and of one Battalion each 9th and 10th Brigades will attend under the Sonior Bandmaster, 11th Infantry Brigade. Battalions will be formed up in column of Companies, on a half Com¬ pany frontage. Other Units will be formed in line. No Transport or Hand Carts will parade. All Mounted Officers will be mounted. The Parade will be commanded by Brigadier-General J. H. CANLAn,C.B. DRESS :- Marching Order. Officers will be dressed like the men. Australian Head-dress will be worn. Steel helmets oarried on back of pack. Horses will be in Marching Order with appointments burnished. The Parade will be formed up by 10-45 a.m. vide attached plan. On arrivel Units will pass the points named socording to the following time-table:- 3. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Circular Momorandun No. 36. - Page 2. Inspcetien by C.-in-C. -------------------------------------- --......----- Polrs. Shoet 36 N.W. 1.18.c.4.2. TIMS. 9th Brigade (2 Companios from "C” and "Dy Battalions 10.15 a.m. 10th Brigado (2 Companios from do. 10.18 a.m. 44thBattalion: 10.21 a.m. 45rd Dattalion. 10.25 a.m. 42nd Battalion. 10.29 a.n. 4lst Battalion. 10.33 a.m. 11th Machine Gun Compang. 10.36 a.m. lith Light T.M.Battery. 10. 37a.m. D. A. C. Dotails. 10.38 a.m. Field Company Details. 10.303a.m. Divisional 7 in. 10.39 a.m. A. A. M. C. 10.3022.m. A. A. V. C. 10.40 a.m. 9. Battalions will be formed in Compenies, oqualized and sized, of 120 in the ranks. Non-Commissioned Officers below rank of Sergeant, and spocialists, to be in the ranks. 11th Machine Gun Company at full strength. 11th Light T.M.Battery et full strength. Other units one Offioor and 12 representatives oach. The following Officers only, in addition to the foregoing will attond: G.0.c. 9th Infantry Brigade with 1 Staff Officer. fantry Brigado with 1 Staff Officor. G.O.C.10th C.R.A. O.C., D.A.C. O.R.E. O.C., Divisional Train. A.D.M.S. A.D.V.S. (Staff Officors will woar Staff Ceps). 10. Battalion end Unit markers will report on tho ground at 10.0 a.m. to tho D.A.A. & Q.M.C. 11. Battalions from ARMENTIERES will be providod with hot tea after park , under arrangoments to bo made by the C.O.C. 11th Infantry Brigado. 12. Traffic arrangements will bo under the diroction of the A.P.M.,2nd Anzac. 13. Aftor leaving tho Parade Ground, the Commandor-in-Chief will ride to ERCUINGHEM, via No. 4 Section D.A.C.Standings, JESUS TARM and PETIT MOULIN. Units quartered on the line of route will bo drawn up facing the road, each detachmont under an Officer. Dress, as for parade. 14. Entrancos to Standings, etc. will bo propared in anticipation of the Commander-in-Chief riding in, and will be left cloar. H. FARMAR, Lisut. Coloncl. A.A.8 G.L.G., 3rd Mustralian ivision.

1994 - Amendments to General Routine Orders.

Reference to I.G.C in General Routine Orders Part I. should be amended to read G.O.C.,
L. of C. Area.
G.H. FOWKE, Lieutenant-General,
Adjutant General, British Armies in France.
QUARTERMASTER GENERAL'S BRANCH.
1995 - Amendments to General routine Orders.
Consequent on the abolition of the appointment of the I.G.C and the creation of the 
appointment of G.O.C., L. of C. Area, the following amendments will be made to General 
Routine Orders Part II,:-

In G.R.O.s 1378, 1238, 990, 870, 1170, 1539, and 1792, for "I.G.C." read "G.O.C, L. of C.

Area."
In G.R.O.s 1121 and 628, for "H.Q., I.G.C." read "H.Q., G.O.C., L. of C. Area."

In G.R.O No. 1729, omit the words "H.Q., I.G.C." and insert "Advanced Base."

In G.R.O No. 1673, for "I.G.C." read "Advanced Base".

In G.R.O No. 487 (1). Omit words "to the I.G.C." and insert "to the Army Commander of
the Area in which the Officer is serving or to the G.O.C., L. of C., if the Officer is serving on the
L. of C. or in G.H.Q. Area."

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