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

Divisional Headquarters:
March 22nd, 1917.-
 STATEMENT SHOWING O.R. EMPLOYED ON DUTY OUTSIDE
THE DIVISIONAL AREA.

23/3/17
Corps Conference
Defensive Arrangements
Memo of March 11 gave details of fronts.
X  No question of fighting a retiring action.
X Taking of part of our line by enemy - we can pocket him.
X  Immediate Counterattacks upon local successes.
Hill 63 is as important because it is the pivot on which the
holding of Kemmel Hill depends.
We to develop Armentieres defences - especially as regards Machine Guns.  XX
Corps Keeps a call on our Reserve Brigade (74^th) & they are not to be employed for
Counterattack without Corps sanction.
XX 25^th Div. 74^th Bde to prepare with me schemes for Counterattack, in case
enemy gets a footing east of Armentieres.
XX Spread it about that all our work is offensive, with a view to drive
enemy out of the country this spring. - 

XX Have Knife rests ready to close all roads.
Offensive
Bombardment 4 days, - attack at dawn - due to difficulties
of assembly.
1st day. - X Corps.
                 IX    "
                 2^nd Anzac
Red   =   1^st bound on first day
Blue  =   end of 1^st day.
Corps C^m Appreciation front of 3 Divs. with 1 Div. in reserve
Rt & centre Division must reach near their final objective (black)
in one day.
XXX Write in specially for labour from Railways & Mining.
We shall have 17 B^ts of 18 prs & 5 B^ts of Hows.
 

23/3/17
XXX Fix soon Bde fighting H.Q.
X Consider merging of Div. School & Reinforcement Camps
 

26/3/17.
UNITS OF 74th. INFANTRY BRIGADE.

J.M.
23/3/17
[*25/3/17*]
 

27/3/17
Magnum Opus.
Formation for Attack.  Two Brigades in line; each two Battalions in two lines; each Battalion
with 4 Companies in line; each Company in two platoon waves
i.e. Frontage, 16 Companies; depth, 8 lines = 4 waves.
(not counting moppers-up & &c)

Dispositions.  9^th Bgde on right; 10^th Brigade on left; 11^th Bgde in Reserve
Objectives.  First bound = Enemy front and support lines = 2 objectives
Second bound = Enemy reserve line, and strong points on line
of road = 2 objectives.
Right defensive flank.  Propose to make a front to South, on line of road running from
Westminster Avenue to Flattened Farm - ultimately refusing 
same to left along enemy switch trench.
Assembly.  Each Brigade & Battalion on its own frontage. Surveys being made.
Trenches to be renovated and made anew - to permit of definite
allotment in frontage and depth, down to platoons.
Headquarters.  Original:- Division at Catacombs
Brigades in Ploegsteert wood
Battalions - first bound in Support line
second                     do.   in our front line
Subsequent:- Division at Catacombs
Brigades in our old front line
Battalions - first bound, remains in our support line
second bound, to be established in enemy
support line.
Approach March.  Improvements to Communication Trenches through Wood to &
by Ontario & only way - different routes for the different B^ns
Reserve Brigade  At Catacombs. - Importance of full Brigade - Counterattack
Relief
Cover junction with N.Z
Working parties
Can administer two B^ns if lent me.
Communications forward. -  Russian saps; - additional trenches
Signalling Arrangements.  Present & Advanced Terminals. - Alternative Stations.
Artillery. -  Dispositions. - Works. - Ammunition Supply. - O.P's. - Mortars. -
Wire cutting. -  Front System. Rear Systems. Hedges.
Engineers. -  One F^d Company to each front Brigade - One C^o in Reserve at Catacombs }
Pioneers. -  One C^o to each front Brigade - two Co^s in Reserve at Catacombs }  
[*under C.R.E.*]
Mines  to be blown if possible.to be blown if possible.
Liaison  with Division on our left.
Signboards - large - painted - facing rear - in hand. 
Reconnaisances.  O.P. at Chateau Ruins - Alidade Chart - Camoflage
Advance Depôts:-  Bombs, Tools, S.A.A., Sandbags, Water, Lights, Wire, Rations.
Carrying parties. -  Drawn from front line Brigades - not reserve Brigade. -
Administrative. -  Pack transport. Tramways. - Medical - Concentration Camp
M.G.Co^s & L.T.M.B^ts  Rôles not yet settled 
 

Dering leave
Jobson leave
Cunnan  do.
Army Comd^r visits Th
Postpone visit to 10^th Bgde
Present frontages N 5150
                                    S 6150
                                    11300

 

[* HEADQUARTERS 
28 MAR. 1917
No G25/216
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION*]
THE ROLE OF THE INFANTRY IN CONSOLIDATING A 

CAPTURED POSITION
AND
HOW TO DEAL WITH CRATERS.
The accompanying diagrams show the Role of the
Infantry in consolidation.  The technical troops'
duties lie for the most part behind - constructing or
improving communications, erecting supporting points,
on roads etc.
With reference to the diagram showing the first
stage it will be noticed that the flanks of each
little post are refused to allow of protection to
each post by its neighbours.
It will also be noticed that the old German
trenches have not been used.   However tempting these
may be, experience has taught us that old
German trenches, accurately marked on their maps, are
things to be carefully avoided.
In course of time, after the third stage, the
"outposts" will be provided with covered ways back to
the 'new line' and still later may be joined up to
provide an 'advanced new line'. 

GOC's copy

Distribution of Advanced Troops on Capture of Position
Diagram. See original document
1^st Stage
Small Posts Completed.
Diagram. See original document
 

Original Craters
Diagrams. See original document
 

2nd Stage.

Small posts formed into continuous line. 
Diagram. See original document

3^rd Stage
Communication Trenches completed back to old 
German Support Line
Diagram. See original document