Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 14, 1 December 1916 - 10 February 1917, Part 9

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
Divisional Headquarters,
11/1/17.
The arrangements for rest, sleep and free time in the
Third Australian Division are as follows. -
1. Holding the front line system of trenches there are four
Battalions, nominally 4,000 men. The sentry duties and the
working parties of these 4 Battalions are so arranged that never
less than one-third of the men are ensured a complete rest; that
is to say 8 hours out of the 24 are at the man's own disposal for
sleep and rest. This is exclusive of meal times during the
remaining 16 hours. - The four platoons of each of the companies
holding the front line are rotated according to a graph which
ensures that each Platoon in rotation performs the severest tasks
and then returns to rear lines to ensure the maximum rest.   No
blankets are permitted in the front line trenches and no sleep is
encouraged there. In Support and Subsidiary lines all men have
two blankets. - Naturally, actual sleep is frequently disturbed
by enemy bombardments and by our own offensives, also by Gas
'Alerts' and the occasional necessity of clearing men out of
resting places in anticipation of enemy retaliation;  but the
orders are very strict that at least one-third of the whole personnel
should be entirely off duty at any one time.
2. In Reserve at ARMENTIERES there are 6 Battalions. Of these
six, 4 Battalions act in immediate support of the 4 front line
Battalions and they provide the working parties in the front line
system. The whole of the personnel of these Support Battalions
is assured a complete night's rest under cover in comfortable
billets with two blankets per man. It very rarely happens that
a working party from these Battalions is turned out during the hours
of darkness. Thus the great majority of the personnel of these
Battalions regularly enjoy a complete night's rest in the normal
fashion.
3. The Support Battalions and the Front Line Battalions interchange
at 6 days' intervals.
4. The remaining two Battalions in ARMENTIERES are Reserve
Battalions and enjoy even more rest than the 4 support Battalions.
From these two Battalions there are occasionally found cable burying
parties who are compelled to work xx during the hours of darkness,
but the maximum amount of work called for from any man never exceeds 
8 hours in the 24. These men also have two blankets.
5. The real stress as regards rest and sleep is felt only by the
personnel of the 4 front line Battalions, and the ideal of allowing
each man 8 hours to himself is carried out as far as it possibly
can, except as interfered with by quite unforeseen enemy action
or our own offensives. e.g., on a night when it is contemplated to
discharge our gas, it sometimes happens that men destined for sleep
are compelled to keep awake for several hours in a state of alertness
while a favorable condition of wind for the discharge is being
awaited; but ^in such cases, as far as possible, the lost time of rest
is restored to the men concerned.

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.
HEADQUARTERS
No- 1/120.
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
Divisional Headquarters,
11th. January, 1917.
GENERAL STAFF CIRCULAR No. 24A.
The Division is likely to gain credit for its TACTICAL WORK
(as distinct from good behaviour, good marching, smartness, etc.,)
under the following headings: -
(a). Defensive.
(b). Offensive.
As regards (a), we shall get a good name if we have good
defensive arrangements kept in good repair, well sited and well 
constructed; also if we are successful in repelling all hostile raids,
and preventing the enemy from obtaining any advantage.
As regards (b), we shall gain credit by infantry offensives
with or without artillery help, by active patrolling, and by a large
tally of prisoners taken, and enemy definitely put out of action.
Artillery offensives by themselves, though they may inflict
considerable damage, and many casualties on the enemy, will not
bring the same credit to the Division that infantry offensives will.
Moreover, the enemy retaliates when we employ artillery offensive
action by itself. This retaliation damages our defensive works, and
makes our defensive policy more difficult. On the other hand the
enemy does not appear to retaliate to the same extent in the case of
infantry offensives.
Artillery therefore should rarely be used except for. --
1. Retaliation.
2. Preparatory action to help infantry.- e.g. wire
cutting.
3. Covering trench mortars..
4. S.O.S.
5. Active assistance to the infantry during a Minor
Offensive.
6. Taking advantage of good targets reported by observers.
It will be necessary for the 3rd. Divisional Artillery to
have a certain amount of practice in addition to the above, but the
expenditure of ammunition in these practices must be reduced to the
minimum necessary.- e.g.- it will be well if the artillery practice
putting down barrages for a very short period only.
Apart from the credit accruing to the Division by infantry
offensives, they have the added advantage of combining the action of
artillery and infantry, and giving the infantry confidence in themselves 
and in their artillery. Every round therefore of artillery
ammunition that can be saved should be put aside to assist in infantry
offensives.
If the enemy continues to find that we are able to raid
him, but that he is not successful in raiding us, it will react badly
on his morale. The German soldiers are already receiving letters
from their friends in GERMANY advising them to desert. On the front
held by one of our Divisions desertions were numerous until one batch
were fired on by their own machine guns. This, and the letters
referred to above, indicate that there is not the same fighting
spirit that there used to be in the German Army. 19 Prussians were
recently taken by the New Zealanders during a raid. The Prussians
[[?]]
P.T.0. 

( 2 ).
had only been in the trenches about an hour and a half, and a relief
was in progress. They suddenly found the New Zealanders, among them
and promptly put their hands up. This also is an indication of the
present state of German morale.
This incident points to an additional lesson and that is
that we must be specially careful not to disorganise defensive arrangements 
during the course of a relief. Troops must be warned, before
going into the trenches, of the action they are to take in the event
of a hostile Minor Enterprise. - We must in fact not be caught napping 
like the Prussians were.
In order to give effect to the deductions enumerated in
this Circular, Brigades in the line will arrange. - - 
1. To have a very large amount of wire cutting done.
2. To keep the gaps so cut open by means of fire from rifles,
machine guns, rifle grenades, etc.
3. Patrolling must be active, and every form of ruse to kill
or take prisoners must be resorted to. - e.g. - if the
enemy put flags in NO MAN'S LAND we should lie up and try
to destroy them when coming out to look at their traps.
A flag was recently put up by the enemy surrounded by bombs
with wires attached.
4. It may be possible to lay traps ourselves for the enemy.
5. Patrols when they are certain the wire is cut, and that the
portion of the enemy's trench in front of the gap is only
patrolled, should endeavour to enter the enemy's trench and
lie up in order to destroy the hostile patrol when it comes
along.
6. Silent raiding parties will have to act very much on the
same lines, that is to say, they will have to go out ready
to enter the enemy's trenches, but will not effect an entry
unless conditions are suitable.- i.e.- wire cut and enemy
not particularly active. If conditions are unsuitable on
"X" night, they will probably be found to be suitable on
"Y" night, when the attempt can be made again.
7. Brigade Commanders will devote attention to the larger form
of offensive, when anything from a Company to a Battalion
may be launched.
If the above course of action is followed, in addition to
the credit gained by the Division, the troops themselves will gain
such confidence in their powers that their fighting value will be very
considerably increased. This confidence will only exist if our detailed 
arrangements are such as to ensure that our enterprises are
successful.
G. H. Jackson
Lieut-Colonel.
General Staff.
DISTRIBUTION.
C.R.A. ...... ...... 12.
C.R.E. ...... ...... 6.
9th. Aus. Inf. Bde. ... 25.
10th.   "       "      "     ... 25.
11th.     "      "      "     ... 25.
3rd.  Aus. Pioneer Bn. .. 6.

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
HEADQUARTERS
No G 26/383
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
Divisional Headquarters,
15/1/17.
A.Q.                                     
C.R.E.                                   G.S.O.    1
9th Aust. Inf. Bde.            Lt-Col. G. Carlyon
10th          -do-                   Lt-Col. M.B. Burnand. 
11th           -do-                   Capt. N.W. Bowker
A.D.M.S.                                 
Colonel Kettlewell,           2nd A. & N.Z. Army Corps  (for infmn.)
Major Blacklow
Conducting Officer.
G.O.C.  
The following officers will leave SOUTHAMPTON on the
15th January for STEENWERCK via HAVRE. -
A. A party to be attached to New Zealand Division.
B. A party to be attached to 34th Division.
C. Lieut-Colonel. G. CARLYON, 98th Training Res. Bn.
To be attached to the Right Brigade, 3rd Aust. Div.
Lieut-Colonel. M.B. BURNAND, 101st Training Res. Bn.
To be attached to the Left Brigade, 3rd Aust. Div.
Captain N.W. BOWKER, 12th Bn. Suffolk Regiment. Command
Musketry School.
To be attached to the Reserve Brigade.
"Q" will arrange conveyance to meet the above officers and
deliver them at their respective Headquarters.
"G" will arrange an officer to meet them, as they will
not know to whom they are attached. The attachment will be for
6 days, inclusive of the day of arrival in, and departure from,
the Second Army Area.
The officers will return to ENGLAND under arrangements
to be made by the "Q" Staff of the Division.
Brigades will do their utmost to make the visit of the
above officers as valuable as possible as regards the acquisition of
experience and instruction.
The programme of work is attached.
G.H. Jackson
Lieut-Colonel,
General  Staff.
JM
15/1/17.
 

THIRD  AUSTRALIAN  DIVISION
Programme of Work referred to in G 26/383 dated 15/1/17.

Right Brigade              Left Brigade		Reserve Brigade
Lieut-Colonel G.CARLYON       and	Lieut-Col. M.B.BURNAND	Captain N.W.BOWKER

1st Day.	Arrive. report at Divisional Headquarters. Proceed to Billets. Discuss general questions and General Policy with Brigade Commanders and their Staffs. Visit one Battalion Headquarters, and ascertain full details regarding system of Billeting and Maintenance.
2nd Day.	With Brigade Majors of Brigades in Office going through tactical dispositions, system of reliefs, trench standing orders, and Divisional tactical circulars, and ascertaining the general system from a tactical point of view.	With Lieut-Col. KETTLEWELL and Major BLACKLOW, to obtain the maximum of information possible.
3rd Day.	As above, with Staff Captains. EVENING - Visit Trenches by night with Brigade representative.	Half day with Brigade- Major, of Reserve Bde. Half day with Staff-Captain  of Res. Bde. EVENING - Visit trenches by night with Right Bde. Repve.
4th Day.	Morning with Col. KETTLEWELL. Afternoon with the Divisional Staff discussing "G" and "A. Q." matters.	With G.S.O.3 going round Sniping and Observation Posts, studying plans of NO MAN'S LAND. General system of scouting, sniping and Intelligence. In the evening be attached to a Scout Officer of the Bn. of Right Bde., and become conversant with the  working of scouts from our front line trenches. To be actually in trenches at the time scouts leave and return.
5th Day.	Go round trenches by day with Brigade Representatives. Captain BOWKER to do this tour with Right Brigade Representative.
6th Day.	2 hours in the morning with C.R.E. discussing types of trenches, types of dugouts, possibilities and limitations of engineering work, siting and construction of trenches. One hour with A.D.M.S. discussing Medical Arrangments generally and in detail. AFTERNOON - Leave for HAVRE.

16/1/17
Programme of Musketry.
to be carried out for inspection of the

Corps Commander at ARMENTIERES

on TUESDAY 16^th January 1917 at 10 A.M.

A.	Revolver Range Rue de Notre Dame	Demonstration of a course for the Training of Scouts. 36th Battalion - A.I.F. Instructor - Capt Grant.
B	Municipal Infants School 30 Yards Range.	Squads of Lewis Gun Gunners undergoing course of Instruction 35th Battalion Instructor - Lieut Gilpins 43rd Battn Lieut. Sayers.
C.	Lunatic Asylum 100 Yards Range	Squad of Snipers undergoing course of Instruction Instructor - Lieut Gilpin 43rd Battn.
D.	Rue de Gambetta 30 Yard Range	Squad of men undergoing course of Musketry Practice 37th Battalion Instructor - Lieut. Todd.

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.

Divisional Headquarters.

17th. January. 1917.

9th. Aus. Inf. Bde.

10th  ''       ''       ''
11th   ''       ''       ''
G.2.   

"Q" 

RULES AS TO NEW COMMISSIONS.   

The practice hitherto prevailing in this
Division of granting direct commissions to Warrant and
Non-commissioned Officers, unconditionally, has been
superseded by recent A.I.F orders, which both limit the
number of direct commissions which may be granted, and
impose certain conditions which the candidates must fulfil
before they can be nominated. -

In view of the facts that many reinforcement
Officers of this Division have been diverted to
other Divisions, and that candidates commissioned through
Cadet Battalions in ENGLAND (who form an A.I.F. pool) have
not so far been made available to this Division, - I have
applied to the G.O.C.. A.I.F. and have obtained a dispensation
of the existing regulations until March 1st.

This means that all recommendations for
first commissions which may reach the G.O.C., A.I.F.  from
this Division up to March 1st, will be approved as heretofore

but that after that date there will be only two
methods by which an N.C.O. or Private of this Division
may obtain a commission:-

(a). He must first attend the Divisional School for
one month, and must thereafter join a Cadet Battalion in
England. If commissioned, he joins the A.I.F. pool, and
may or may not be available to this Division.

(b). A limited number, possibly 2 or 3 per month
for the whole Division, my receive direct first commissions

within the Division after having attended the Divisional

School for a period of one month or upwards; (regulations

as to this not finally settled).

I have taken steps immediately to increase

the scope of the 3rd. Divisional School, so that it may at

once undertake the training of ''Cadet'' Officers, at the

rate of 16 per month. Some of these (probably 13 per

month) will thereafter be sent to ENGLAND, the remainder

will probably receive direct first commissions. - Vacancies

at the school will be allotted to Infantry Brigades

in equal proportions as far as possible.

In the meantime, Brigadiers should take all

steps that are open to them to ensure that, not later than,

say, February 25th., they will have submitted to me reccomendations

which will bring the Officers of their Units up

to establishments, plus 6 per Battalion. -

The probable number of vacancies to be filled

by direct commissions now or at any time up to March 1st.

must be kept in view in selecting candidates for the Divisional 

School, because no Warrant or Non-commissioned officer

P.T.O.

(2).
or Private now or hereafter sent to the School will be
available for direct commissioning, except under the
new regulations, which come into force for this Division
on March lst.

Major-General.-

Commanding 3rd. Australian Division.

17/1/17

GOC

POSSIBLE NOTES FOR CONFERENCE.
1. Distribution of workers. I will produce our
various Circulars on this subject for your
perusal, when required.
Suggest order of urgency:-
(a). Wire in front and behind the firing line.
(b). Maintenance of communication trenches.
(c). Maintenance of lateral communication, and
if possible, defensibility along the whole
front, either in the firing or support
line, or partly in one, partly in the other.
1lth. Brigade have a special method of allotting
workers.
2. Use of portable concertina knife rest barbed wire.

3. Positions of dug-outs.

4. Numbers to who e hold front line, 150 per 1,000 yards.
Support line, 300 per 1,000 yards.

5. Dug-outs in front and support line for one-quarter

of garrisons.
Authority Corps Commanders Conference of 29th.
November, 1916.

6. Hybred dug-outs, half splinter proof and half
bomb proof to be tabooed.

7. Better facilities for rest in subsidiary line. 

Necessity for having at least portion of "A" and
"B“ Battalions in subsidiary line.
Raison d'etre of garrisons of front and support
lines.

8. Discuss numbers of machine gun concrete emplacements
in front and support lines.
Numbers of machine gun crew. Concrete Dugouts.
Papers concerning Conference of Machine Gun Company
Commanders.

9. General Staff Circular No. 24A re Tactical Work of
Division.

10. Secrecy with regard to raiding parties.  Consider
advisability of dressing the parties for the part,
and sending them out at different times each day,
in order to mystify spies.
The spy question a far larger problem than is
generally supposed.

11. Lateral communication by telephone between Companies
of "A" and "B“ Battalions.

12. On the 14th. January there was no platoon of "D''
Company, 39th. Battalion, in the subsidiary line.
Giles, the O.C., stated he had so few men that they
all had to be up forward. The fighting strength
of one of his platoons at that time consisted of
4 N.C.O's and 7 men.

"A" Company of 40th. Battalion on date in question
had a fighting strength of 107. Of these, 70 were
required to furnish lookouts, and continue to furnish
lookouts on every night during their tour of duty in

the trenches. Balance accounted for as follows. -
4 cooks.
4 signallers.
P.T.0.

(2).
3 runners.
2 water and ration men.
1 Gas N.C.0.
5 Gas guard.
3 water guard.
4 gap patrol.
4 stretcher bearers.
2 batmen, who did Officers cooking.
2 spare men available for odd jobs.
1 man to divide up food and see to the issue
to individuals.
All cooking done in HOUPLINES and brought up in Thermos
Boxes.

GJ.