Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 14, 10 February - 30 March 1917, Part 15
3rd Stage Rifle Pits connected to make Firebay for 6 to 8 men
Diagram - see original
4th Stage (Communication Trench and Slits made)
Diagram - see original document
5th Stage (Emplacement for Lewis Gun made)
Diagram - see original document
MAGNUM OPUS SECRET
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
Divisional Headquarters,
29/3/17.
G.O.C
"G" Staff.
C.R.E.
3rd Canadian Tunnelling Co.
3rd Aust. Div. Signal Co.
PREPARATIONS FOR OFFENSIVE - CONSTRUCTION OF HEADQUARTERS.
1. This memo is not intended to convey absolutely final decisions,
but to lay down the principles upon which the Headquarters are
to be selected and prepared.
2. DATA. The attack will be made by 8 Battalions, in two lines, i.e.
4 Battalions in the first line, for the first "bound"; 4 Battalions
in the second line, for the second "bound". – These Battalions
are to be numbered as follows, from right to left, viz: –
First line A, B, C, D. Second line E, F, G, H.
During the assembly, the first line Battalions will form up in
front of, i.e. to the north-east of the second line Battalions;
but at the conclusion of the operation, the second line Battalions
will finish in front of, i.e. to the north-east of the first line
Battalions. –
Thus the actual relative positions of the Battalions will be
as follows , (taking the top of this sheet of paper as the NORTH-EAST viz:–
During assembly D C B A } Figure 1
H G F E }
————————————-
After advance H G F E } Figure 2
D C B A }
3. Each of these 8 Battalions will require a convenient and
reasonably safe headquarters, within our own lines, and as close
as possible to our present front line, from which to superintend
the assembly, and from which to control the advance. – It may be
assumed that the whole 8 stations will require to be occupied
for at least four days. –
4. It is proposed that the relative positions of the eight
headquarters shall be per figure 2, in para. 2 above, and not
as per figure 1, that is to say, the Headquarters will be arranged
to correspond with the relative positions of the eight Battalions
after the advance, and not of those during assembly. – The objects
of this arrangement are: –
(a) So that the Headquarters of A, B, C, and D Battalions
will not have to move forward, after the advance.
(b) So that the Headquarters of E, F, G, and H Battalions
may, on vacation – when the personnel moves forward
to new positions within the captured territory – be
available for other purposes – inter alia for
advanced Brigade report centre. –
5. Each Headquarters should be behind the area in which its
Battalion is to operate, and as centrally placed as possible, – so as to reduce to a minimum the distance to be traversed by runners &c. –
SECRET
29/3/17.
– 2 –
6. Our country N.E. of ST YVES Post Office near our front line is
much demolished, and there would be great difficulty in carrying
out underground construction therein.
7. There exist in our front line, two stations, respectively at
14. b. 9½. 4. and at 8.d.2½.1½. which are the adits to mining
operations . These two stations will also be the terminals of
buried cables. – It is very probable that the former will be
untenable until at least 24 hours after zero hour, on account
of gas fumes, but the latter will be tenable throughout. – Both
stations will therefore be available as advanced Brigade Report
Centres, – after the advance is completed; – but only the latter,
or northern, station will be available as a Battalion Headquarters.
8. As regards the front line (i.e. north-eastern line) of Battalion
Headquarters, it is uncertain how soon they may be moved forward
into captured enemy territory; whether immediately after, or some
2 or 3 days after the advance depends on whether suitable
undamaged dugouts can be speedily found and prepared in the
captured ground. –
But as regards the rear line of Battalion Headquarters, it may
be assumed that these will be vacated very soon after the advance,
(if same is completely successful and the consolidation of our
new line proceeds satisfactorily), by the withdrawal of the
A, B, C, and D Battalions to positions in rear where these
Battalions will reorganize and provide working parties to help
the garrison of our new front lines. –
9. The above considerations point to the following approximate
positions as the most suitable for the eight Battalion Headquarters,
and the two Advanced Brigade Headquarters Report Centres: – (The
reference letters correspond to the numbering of the Battalions
as per para. 2 above) : –
E 15.c.9 1/2. 5. ST IVES Post Office
F 15.a.6 1/2.1 1/2. TORONTO AVE
G 8.d.2 1/2, 1 1/2 Adit to mine Cable Head - advance for
right Brigade Report Centre after advance.
H Near point where the LA - HUTTE - MESSINESS
Road crosses our front line.
A 15.c.6.6 1/2
B. PROWSE POINT
C 14-b. 1 1/2. 9 1/2
D. 8.c.3 1/2.4
14.b.9 1/2.4 Cable Head for Right Brigade Report advance
10. Of the above locations A, B, E, F, and G are at points where
undergound accommodation already exists, which will require to
be adapted for occupation by Battalion Headquarters and Signal
Staff; but at the remaining 3 points entirely new shell-proof
accommodation will have to be constructed.
11. "G" Staff, in conjunction with C.R.E., will now submit final
proposals in the light of above considerations. - After approval
by me, all at present concerned (i.e. C.R.E., Div. Signal Co., and
Tunnelling Co.) will be notified. –
John Monash
Major-General,
Commanding Third Australian Division.
[*An example of an "Official" letter*]
March 30/17
G.O.C.
Re
Are we
Would you say carry on
as usual with our
Comfort Supplies, you
told me to carry on to Mch 31st
we leave over 1000 cases
in our depot.
H.Q. Clerke
[*Replies to
‘Adj’ Major*]
GOC
S.S. 133.
HEADQUARTERS
30 MAR. 1917
No. G19/50
THIRDS AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
SECRET.
1. In the preparation of maps illustrating Artillery bombardment schemes the following colors will be used to
indicate the various natures of ordnance employed.
18-pdr.
Diagram, see original document
4.5-in. How.
Diagram, see original document
18-pdr. & 4.5-in. How. combined.
Diagram, see original document
60-pdr.)
4.7-in. )
Diagram, see original document
6-in.. gun.
Diagram, see original document
9.2-in. or 12-in. gun.
Diagram, see original document
6-in. How.
Diagram, - see original document
8-in.. How. )
9.2-in. How. )
Diagram, see original document
12-in. How.)
15-in. How.)
Diagram, see original document
Light Trench Mortar
Diagram, see original document
Medium Trench Mortar.
Diagram, see original document
Heavy Trench Mortar.
Diagram, see original document
The number of guns or howitzers firing on each
objective should be shown by a numeral.
Chalks or coloured pencils must be used for maps
illustrating artillery bombardment schemes; NOT coloured
inks.
30/11/16
AMENDMENT TO SECRET PUBLICATION.- 30/3/17
[*Above copy amended.*]
S.S. 133.- Colours to be used in preparation of Maps
illustrating Artillery Bombardment Schemes to indicate various
natures of Ordnance employed".
The colour as used to denote Trench Mortars should be
BROWN instead of YELLOW.
JM
1/4/17
18/3/17
THEATRE DE MONTE CARLO
REPRÉSENTATIONS D'OPÉRAS
Sous le Haut Patronage
de S. A. S. LE PRINCE DE MONACO
Dimanche 18 Mars 1917, a 2 h. ½
REPRÉSENTATION
Au bénéfice des Œuvres Militaires de la Guerre
AVIS. - Le lever du rideau aura lieu a 2h. ½ très précises. - Le
public est prié d'arriver bien exactement à l'heure, car, pendant l'exécution,
les portes de la salle resteront rigoureusement fermees jusqu'à la fin de
l'acte. - Les mêmes dispostion seront prises pour les actes suivants.
Prix des Places: 20 francs
Le invitations sont rigoureusement personnelles.
3e Rang - Fauteuil d'Orchestre No 70
Côté Droit
[*CASINO DE MONTE CARLO*]
THEATRE DE MONTE CARLO
REPRÉSENTATIONS D'OPÉRAS
Sous le Haut Patronage
de S. A. S. LE PRINCE DE MONACO
Dimanche 18 Mars 1917, a 2 h. ½
REPRÉSENTATION
Au bénéfice des Œuvres Militaires de la Guerre
AVIS. - Le lever du rideau aura lieu a 2h. ½ très précises. - Le
public est prié d'arriver bien exactement à l'heure, car, pendant l'exécution,
les portes de la salle resteront rigoureusement fermees jusqu'à la fin de
l'acte. - Les mêmes dispostion seront prises pour les actes suivants.
Prix des Places: 20 francs
Le invitations sont rigoureusement personnelles.
3e Rang - Fauteuil d'Orchestre No 72
Côté Droit
[*CASINO DE MONTE CARLO*]
1
TEA-ROOM
DU
RESTAURANT DU GOF DE MONTE CARLO
Monte Carlo, le 19 - Mars 1917
Table...................... No..............
2 déjeuners | 10 | - |
1 Chablis | 5 | - |
2 filtres | 2 | - |
2 Gd Marnier | 3 | - |
Total. | 20 |
PAYE
No..............Total............
10.80
No 6
Note pour M General Monash
Hôtels Regina Palace & Balmoral
MENTON (A. -M.)
PAUL ULRICH, Propriétaire
Mois Mars | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
1917 | ||||||||
Arrangement.... | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | |
Omnibus et Bagages | 2.00 | |||||||
Appartment....... | ||||||||
Bain........................ | 1.25 |
1.25
|
1.25
|
1.25
|
1.25
|
1.25
|
||
Blanchissage...... | ||||||||
Déjeuner salle... | ||||||||
Déjeuner Apartment | ||||||||
Œufs........................ | ||||||||
Lunch..................... | ||||||||
Diner....................... | ||||||||
Note Restaurant....... | ||||||||
HOTELS REGINA & BALMORAL 18 MARS 1917 MENTON (AM) |
Regina Palace & Balmoral Hôtel 1389 29/3/17 No 6 Reçu de M General Monash la somme de [[?}} v. 94.10 |
|||||||
VINS} Macon...... | 1.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 1.50 | ||||
Bière........................ | 1.25 | 1.25 | ||||||
Eaux Minérales | ||||||||
Liqueurs................ | ||||||||
Telegrams | 1.80 | 1.30 | 1.00 | |||||
Quittance............ | ||||||||
Note du jour...... | 13.50 | 13.75 | 11.25 | 15.55 | 11.25 | 12.50 | 14.05 | 2.25 |
Report de la veille.... | 13.50 | 27.25 | 38.50 | 54.05 | 65.30 | 77.80 | 91.85 | |
TOTAL...... | 27.25 | 38.50 | 54.05 | 65.30 | 77.80 | 91.85 | 94.10 | |
Paiements.... | ||||||||
Report.... |
This transcription item is now locked to you for editing. To release the lock either Save your changes or Cancel.
This lock will be automatically released after 60 minutes of inactivity.