Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 14, 10 February - 30 March 1917, Part 7
To accompany G.S. Circular No. 39A.
of 24-2-17.
APPENDIX "B".
Battalion Headquarters :- Administrative Portion.
Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant. 1.
Company Quarter Master Sergeants. 4.
Clerk. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.
Groom for C.O. . . . . . . . . 1.
Transport Sergeant & Personnel. 28. (1).
Postal Clerk, Tailor, Butcher, Armourer. 4.
Provost Sergeant. . . . . . . 1. (2).
Shoemakers. . . . . . . . . . . 2. (3).
Storemen. . . . . . . . . . . 5.
Cooks. . . . . . . . . . . . 17. (4).
Batmen (for Q.M. and Transport Officer). 2.
Sanitary Man. . . . . . . . . . 1.
Sundry Duties. . . . . . . 3.
—
TOTAL. 70. (5).
NOTES:- (1). These may be augmented by the brakesmen, when the
Battalion is not fighting, i.e. on the march or
in passive warfare.
(2). Remainder of Regimental police must belong to
platoons.
(3). Extra shoemakers taken from Companies when actually
required.
(4). Includes Company Cooks, detached to Companies -
not fighting men.
(5). "Attached" A.A.M.C. are additional to this total.
All other administrative duties not provided for in this
organization must be performed by trained fighting men in the
platoons. - Such men must either remain with their platoons
or be made available to rejoin their platoons whenever required
to fight. - The number of platoon fighting men thus "employed"
must be kept down to an absolute minimum.
To accompany G.S. Circular No. 39A.
of 24-2-17.
APPENDIX "C".
Company Headquarters.
Company Sergeant Major. 1.
Batmen. . . . . . . 2.
Gas Personnel. . . 1.
Clerk. . . . . . . 1.
Signallers & Runners. 9.
—
TOTAL. 14.
N.B. - All above are fighting men.
--------------------
APPENDIX "D".
Platoon Headquarters.
Platoon Sergeant. 1.
Batman. . . . . . . 1.
Runners. . . . . . . 2.
—
TOTAL. 4.
N.B. - All above are fighting men.
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.
Divisional Headquarters,
25th February, 1917.
C O N F I D E N T I A L
CIRCULAR MEMORANDUM No. 51
PRESENTATION OF DECORATIONS BY THE ARMY COMMANDER.
MAP REFERENCE, 36 N.W. 1/20,000.
(1) The Army Commander will present decorations awarded to
members of the 3rd Division on Wednesday 28th February, 1917 at 2.30 p.m.
(2) Representatives of all Units of the Division will parade
in the field G.12.d.5.8., and will form three sides of a square, central
side facing North, Units in line.
The recipients will parade in line, facing North, in front
of the centre side of the square, in gradation, Senior on the left. The
Commander of the Parade will be six paces in front of the centre of the
recipients.
The following is the allotment (pro rata) and personnel
will be drawn up from right to left in the following order :-
Other
Unit. Officers. Ranks.
Divisional Artillery 1 21
Divisional Engineers 1 21
Divisional Signallers - 6
9th Infantry Brigade 2 129
10th Infantry Brigade 2 129
11th Infantry Brigade 2 129
Pioneer Battalion 1 28
Divisional Train 1 12
A.A.M.C. 1 21
Mobile Veterinary Section - 2
Divisional Salvage Company - 2
__________________
11 500
__________________
The Pioneer Battalion Band will attend. Arrangements
for extra bandsmen will be made by C.O. Pioneer Battalion direct with
Brigade Headquarters, in order to form a strong Band.
(3) The Parade will be Commanded by Lieut. Colonel A.R. WOOLCOCK,
42nd Battalion.
(4) DRESS. Marching Order, Officers will be dressed like the
men; Australian Headdress will be worn; Steel Helmets on the back of
Pack. No Officer or man will be mounted. All personnel will be fully
equipped and special care taken that all ranks have colour patches. The
mess tin will be worn on top of the pack.
(5) STARTING POINT. Detachments will report in order mentioned
in para (2) to D.A.A. & Q.M.G. at G.6.d.3.5. at 1.30 p.m.
P.T.O.
[*AQ*]
Page 2.- CIRCULAR MEMORANDUM No. 51. 25th February, 1917.
CONFIDENTIAL.
(6). Luncheon should be arranged by Infantry Brigades at Respective
Transport Lines. 11th Infantry Brigade will make arrangements for Pioneer
Battalion.
(7). Units in ARMENTIERES may arrange to march out with the Pioneer
Battalion Band.
(8). The C.R.E. will arrange to lay 50 yards of planking or bridging
leading to the Parade Ground, from the roadway Eastwards, and will
not sink trestles into the ground unless absolutely necessary.
Planking to be completed by 10-0 a.m. 28th instant.
The C.R.E., will also arrange for sufficient duckboards to be
laid from edge of bridging to 5 yards South of Flagpole (single row only)
and a small standing at Saluting Point for final March Past.
(9). A lorry will be at Half Past Eleven Square, ARMENTIERES, at 1-0
p.m. to convey recipients of decorations to Parade and return to
ARMENTIERES on conclusion of Parade.
(10). PROCEDURE ON PARADE: On the arrival of the Army Commander the
parade will PRESENT ARMS, and the band will play the General Salute.
On the completion of the General Salute the parade will SLOPE ARMS and
come to ATTENTION on the order of the O.C. Parade and await the word to
Stand At Ease by the Army Commander. The Parade Commander will OPEN
RANKS, whereupon the Army Commander, accompanied by the Corps and
Divisional Commanders, will inspect. Platoon Commanders will accompany
them to the limit of their respective Commands. On completion of
Inspection the Parade Commander will CLOSE RANKS and take post four yards
in rear of the recipients.
The Ribbons will then be distributed.
The Parade will then move to the Right in fours and wheeling to
the left will MARCH PAST the Army Commander.
Each Officer on reaching the first flag marking the Saluting
Base, will give the command EYES RIGHT.
H. FARMAR, Lieut-Colonel.-
A.A. & Q.M.G. THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.
(* G.O.C. Copy *)
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
Divisional Headquarters,
25th. February, 1917.
[*HEADQUARTERS
No G 6/1
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION*]
Headquarters,
2nd. A. & N.Z. Army Corps .-
I beg to forward herewith detailed report of
raiding operation carried out last night at 10.30 p.m. by a
detachment from the 33rd. Battalion. - This operation was
part of a connected series of operations culminating in the
proposed large operation on the 26th. instant. The object
of this small subordinate operation has been to endeavour to
persuade the enemy that the recent wire cutting operations
have culminated in this raid and to allay his suspicions
that further operations at the same point may be intended so
soon as tomorrow night. From this point of view, it is
thought that last night's operation has been entirely effective and
successful, apart from the great dash and enterprise shown by
the Officers and men of the raiding party, as disclosed by
the following detailed report :-
"Until Zero hour the enemy was particularly
"quiet. Raiders left our Sally Port at 10 p.m. and got into
"position at the place of assembly without any loss. Every
"man knew exactly his place and what he had to do. The party
"was under excellent cover.
"On the left of the Howitzers at Zero plus
"3 the party moved forward and rushed the enemy trench at Zero
"plus 5 on the formation of the box barrage. They entered the
"hostile trenches at Zero plus 6½.
"There was a large gap in the enemy's wire
"which did not offer the slightest difficulty. It was
"unnecessary to use straw mats. In front of the enemy's line is
"a disused trench. This was heavily wired with coils of
"French wire and a mass of jagged iron lengths. This was crossed
P.T.O.
(2).
by light bridges for the purpose. There was no
Borrow ditch. -
The enemy's trenches are duckboarded and well
revetted with hurdles. They are in a very muddy state and
much water is lying about, and they were very greatly knocked
about by our artillery fire.
RIGHT PARTY. - Commanded by Lieut. L.C.B. SMITH.
On rushing the gap both the leading bayonet men were wounded.
This did not deter or delay the party. They dashed forward into
the trench, cheering. The enemy had established a strong bombing
post in a disused trench in front of his parapet about 20
yards from our point of entry. He put up a stiff fight here,
but was eventually cleared off. This part of the trench was well
organised and very plentifully supplied with bombs, chiefly Stick
Handle Grenades. Our party forced its way for 50 yards along his
front trench, when it was held up by the enemy's artillery which
fired on his own front trench. This party accounted for at
least 10 Germans, but it is probable that in the heavy bomb fighting
they overlooked casualties inflicted. No prisoners
were taken. The Germans were wearing long grey greatcoats.
LEFT PARTY. This was under the command of
2/Lieut. W.D. McKENZIE. Almost as soon as it entered the trenches
the leading bayonet men bayonetted an enemy bomber, who was in the
act of throwing a bomb. Altogether this party accounted in the
trenches for 16 Germans and captured 4, including an Officer.
A large dug-out with a steel door was demolished and on examination
was found to be an explosive bomb store. Two men were killed in
this. Further along a post with a concrete bottom and steel
sides was also demolished. This was evidently a post from which
a machine gun could enfilade a considerable portion of his trench.
Close by was found a large door in the side of the parapet. This
was demolished and proved to be the entrance to a sally port
leading into a disused trench outside. In it was a heap of machine
gun ammunition, but no machine gun, although there were signs of
P.T.O.
(3).
recent use. There were three rifles and bandoliers hanging
on the wall. The Germans had evidently cleared off with the
gun which, more than likely, is a light machine gun.
It is estimated that this party got 150 yards
North of the point of entry, but could not move further forward
owing to our barrage. A machine gun and emplacement
were discovered, but they were found to be totally destroyed.
Pieces of chain were lying about.
In one bay used as a bombing post were found five
men. They were tied to a strong wire attached to a large post
at each end of the bay by means of strong straps or wired cloth
bands round their shoulders and attached either to their belts
or to another strap round their waists. Three of these men were
dead and the two surviving ones were quite willing to surrender.
Lieut. McKENZIE cut one free, but as he lost his knife in a
puddle he was compelled to shoot the other. The Officer prisoner
was found hiding in a recess which was not searched until the
party was returning. He made no resistance until the party
were leaving the trench, when he asked in English "Where are you
taking me". Lieut McKENZIE told him to be quick and, as he
hesitated, hit him on the head with his revolver. He then came
along but while passing through the German wire was blown to
pieces by a German shell. Lieut. McKENZIE was himself blown
over and dazed by this shell. Private SEAGROTT knew that
Lieut. McKENZIE was the last to leave the trench and realizing
that he was not coming on, went back to look for him. He
found him with the arm of the German Officer lying close beside
him. Private SEAGROTT, although of small stature, carried his
Officer right back to our trenches. Another prisoner became
fractious just after leaving the German trenches, and had to be
shot. The third prisoner knelt down and cried "Merci Kamarad"
but would not come on. As his escort found that he had a
revolver and being alone in NO MAN'S LAND with him he shot him.
P.T.O.
(4).
This happened close to enemy's wire. The fourth prisoner also
had to be killed. The three men escorting him had two wounded
men to bring in and as the going in NO MAN'S LAND was very bad
they shot him and used his body as a bridge, to get over the
enemy's wire. This party showed great daring and did excellent
work.
The following articles were brought in:-
Steel Helmets, caps, shoulder straps marked "23", bombs, rifles
and saw edged bayonet.
Our artillery put down an excellent barrage and
not only caused great damage to enemy trenches, but inflicted
heavy losses on his personnel. A number of dead were seen in
the trenches. All ranks speak very highly of the accuracy of
our shooting. Special mention must be made of the excellent
work of the Stokes Mortars which assisted very largely in the
quietening of enemy machine guns.
RED LIGHTS. At Zero plus 1 the first RED LIGHT was fired
and was followed half a minute later by two more. They were
then fired at intervals without apparent result. They appeared
to be a warning to the artillery and to indicate that fire is to
be kept up.
GREEN LIGHTS. A GREEN LIGHT was fired at Zero plus 2.
The enemy's guns opened fire at Zero plus 4. Two Green rockets
were fired at Zero plus 2, whereupon the enemy concentrated at
about the points from which they were fired.
WHITE LIGHTS. A great number of Very Lights were fired
throughout, particularly between Zero and Zero plus 5. Three
parachute rockets were fired.
German artillery action was again weak resembling
that of "W" night. 5.9 and 4.9 H.R were mostly used. Very
little 77 mm. Shrapnel was fired. As usual he sent a considerable
number of Rifle Grenades over to Localities 11 and 12, and
Gap "L". Fire was directed at first on xx his usual targets,
the Orchard, towards the Cemetery, tram line, Gloucester and
P.T.O.
(5).
Wessex Avenues. More fire was directed on our front line than
last night. The enemy bombarded his own line. He kept his guns
trained on the one spot and neither lengthened nor shortened. He
did not traverse. He has very few guns and what he has are not
made the best use of. Compared to ours, his artillery is very
feeble.
During our bombardment the fire from his machine
guns was negligible. After our fire ceased he fired two guns,
but their fire was very high.
The raiders were in the trenches for fifteen
minutes when the signal to withdraw was fired.
Progress in NO MAN'S LAND is very arduous.
OUR CASUALTIES. Killed - 2.
Missing - 2. Probably killed.
Wounded - 20.
Of the wounded 4 are serious and 3 badly
injured; the remainder sustained only minor injuries.
Very valuable assistance was rendered by the
10th. Field Ambulance in evacuating the wounded. This unit
has given most valued assistance at all times.
JohnMonash
Major-General.-
Commanding Third Australian Division.
26/2/17
Normal Formation for the attack.
delivered 1/3/17
Introductory.
Purpose of this address.
Previous views as to principles - against Stereotyping
Inf. Trg. Ch IX S114 p. 120.
Revolution of thought - more definite conditions
e.g. trench to trench attack, & variations of it.
Many views - as to formations, dispositions, frontage, depths
weapons &c. - | Our Lark Hill training
| Somme & Aucre experiences
Search for some more definite & standardized method.
C-in-C's decisions :- (1) Undesirable leave question at large.
(2) Desirable find method - suitable for
trench-to trench attack, yet
applicable to open warfare
(3) Desirable to Standardize for
Smaller units.
Hence - Orders have come - soon to be promulgated
but plates not yet available.
∴ This address
(a) To introduce subject to Division
(b) To explain - altho ' apparently simple
it really complex, & principles
not quite easy to see & grasp
(c) To arrange for immediate start with
training. -
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