Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 14, 10 February - 30 March 1917, Part 12

(3). 
the A.P.M. by me:-
"Following Corps Order issued  AAA  Except in cases of
necessity thaw precautions will be continued until the 27th.
inst.  AAA  Where it is found necessary to depart from instructions 
issued the orders regarding loads on vehicles will be
adhered  to  AAA  Depleted Supply Columns will however be refilled 
from Railhead without delay  AAA".
So little impression did this telegram make in his
mind that in his weekly report dated 24th.  February he reported
that "Thaw Restrictions had been removed".   On his attention
being called to it, he said "Put your pen through that part".
I have not attempted an exhaustive list of instances,
but merely refer to these as evidence in support of the view
that the duties are not being satisfactorily performed.
(Sgd). F.S. TATHAM.
Lieut-Colonel.
A.P.M. 2nd. A. & N. Z.  Army Corps. 
4-3-17.

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.
Divisional Headquarters,
7th. March, 1917.
My dear General.-
I return you herewith TATHAM'S letter. - As you
have expressed the wish that I should not enter into a detailed 
discussion of the points raised, I refrain from doing so. - 
But perhaps you will permit me to say, briefly, that I had
previous knowledge of most of the specific allegations, and
am in a position to assure you that nearly all of them are a
tissue of inaccuracies.  To one paragraph indeed, viz. - 
para 6, I am bound to take very strong exception. - TATHAM
did not hesitate to insinuate to me in conversation that the
apparently good discipline of my Division was due to crime
going unreported and unpunished. - That is a most unjust
calumny, and I told him so. - He now reiterates it, without
the smallest justification. - I have, from the first, employed 
my police to prevent crime, and they have succeeded. - 
After all, the main question is as to the
efficiency of my A.P.M., his command, his police and his work. - 
Applying, for the time being, only the test of the efficiency
of the police personnel, as such, I shall, on my return, ask
you to be so kind as to let me parade them before you.  They
P.T.O.

(2).
are a very fine body of men, and I am very proud of them.
As to other aspects, I shall, as I promised,
give some careful consideration.
Yours sincerely.-
Lt-Gen. Sir A.J. Godley, K.C.B., K.C.M.G.
2nd. A. & N. Z. Army Corps.

124  7/3/17

"C" Form.                     Army Form C. 2132.                 MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.  No. of Message...
ARMY
AY 7.11.17
TELEGRAPHS   

Prefix    Sm    Code    HAR    Words    16
Charges to collect 
₤    s.    d.
Service Instructions.
Buo
Received.
From  Buo
By  Martin
Sent, or sent out
At.......................m.
To........................
By........................
Office Stamp.
Handed in at .......... Office  8.6 pm  Recd.  8.10 pm
TO           H Q    3rd  Aust  Div

Sender's Number.    A 192
Day of Month    7th
In reply to Number
AAA
Leave  for  GOC  division  approved
from  tomorrow
(*  R 8.20 pm *) 
FROM                      2nd  Anzac
PLACE & TIME  

Corps Conference                                  7/3/17
Corps Commander.
Strictly Secret.
Preparations for Attack on Messines Wytschaete ridge.
Objective - Capture ^∧ of this ridge from Observatory Ridge on N to St Ives on the S.
(on a curve -  with convexity to W.
Operation by 4 Corps & one Reserve Corps

We to take over offensive Front.
Arty are to have (306/ 18pr 102 4.5, 180 heavy per Corps.)
= field guns per 15^x of front.
Bosch may try & make an attack on W of Army Sectors - to be met by Divisions
from the South.
※ Make some of our Defensive arrangements on our new fronts.
[Zero + 3 weeks
Consider that in view of enemy being fresh troops our attack must be
more deliberate
Training - of N.Z. & 3^rd Div. - each have a Bgde out.
two areas (1) Bailleul
(2) Neuve Eglise
& possible send Brigades to Tilques
Moves onto new front -
Refer to letter of Feby 20
My left will be between Ploegsteert Wood & St. Ives 

provided N.Z. keeps St. Ives salient.
N.Z. takes over attacking front of 2 Divisions - holding it with 2 Brigades.

Div. H.Q. Ramelsburgh     Northern Div
                  Westropp Farm N.Z.

                  Steenwerck       )
                  Nieppe                ) 3 Aust.
My northern Bde - goes to Pt de Nieppe (i.e. 11^th Bde)
X We to take over from N.Z their proposed raid in Nieppe Sector.

Front Breastwork mustn't be too thin; there must be plenty of men
in the front line. —
X  There must be no question of training for the Brigades which are
holding the line of ^(present) 2 Brigade fronts. -
Information as to accommodation must be accurate.
10^th Bde to be out by 10^th & go into La Greche, & with H.Q. in
Bailleul
11^th Bde to be out and to have completely taken over by midnight on 
15^th 

9^th Bde to have taken over 11^th Bde front by midnight of 10^th. —

PARIS 10/3/ 1917
PARIS
12 MARS 17. TR--6
P-L-M
GOVERNMENT MILITAIRE D
DE PARIS
ETAT-MAJOR
Bureau
INTELLIGENCE ANGLAISE
Le Lt. Colonel The Hon. M.Brett
Commandant Militaire de la Place Anglaise a Paris
prie M.le Commissaire Militaire de la Gare de Lyon
de faire delivrer a l'Officer anglais General Monash
un billet ¼ de place de Paris á Turnton et whois
 MENTON
20 [[?]] RS TR 1917
P.L.M

GOVERNMENT MILITAIRE DE PARIS
INTELLIGENCE ANGLAISE

L'Officier de Service.
Maurice W Hurst/Lt. Colonel

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.
Divisional Headquarters
14th. March, 1917
NOTES FROM CONVERSATION AT 5.45 p.m. BETWEEN A.D.C., SECOND ARMY,
AND GENERAL MONASH.
1,100 reinforcements at Base made up as follows:-
               122  Dental cases.
               209   sick.
               107  temporary base.
                 97  permanent base.
               654  under training
Total.   1,189
Of the 654, 460 have been ordered up.
           ------------------------------
NOTES OF CONVERSATION ABOUT SAME TIME AS ABOVE (5.45 p.m.)
BETWEEN DIVISIONAL COMMANDER AND B.G.G.S., SECOND ARMY, ANZAC
No cancellation of 9th Field Coy. going down to 
Training Area to be ordered until B.G.G.S. has seen Corps
Commander again and informed us.
                   --------------------------
(* G.O.C.
GHJ *)