Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 14, 10 February - 30 March 1917, Part 8

Normal form of Trench-to-Trench attack.

Underlying principles

(1)  Theory of the limited objective

(2)  Inflexible as regards Platoon

nearly so - Company

Thoroughly flexible - for Battalion.

(3) Platoon -       {   (a) definite formation

                 Fixed   {   (b) definite arrangement of weapons 

                               {  (c) definite position of leaders
Variable (a) Frontages                      | within narrow
                 (b) Depths or distances.  | limits

(4) Company -  the four platoons usually in a

normal & regular arrangement

(5) Battalion - variable

depends on 
(1) Number of objectives

(2) Character of do.

(3) Frontage allotted

(4) Nature of artillery Barrage

 

(2)

Platoon

Weapons n- rd

(1) New Organization - Effect of new xxx

orders re extra-regimental employment ~ new

28-44 average 36

H.Q. - Platoon Cⁿ 

R. Sgt, Batman, 2 runners

Four Sections, each annds

under an N.C.O.

(2) Weapons. 
(a) Rifle & Bayonet  } 2 classifications:-

(b) Bombs.                 } A. {Above Ground 

                                      }     { Below Ground
(c) Lewis Guns          } B. Bayonet & Bomb -short range

d) Rifle Grenades     }      Rifle Grenades = Howitzers

                                      }      Lewis Gun = opportunity                                                                                   

(3) Arrangement of Weapons -

Naturally - 4 sections

1 weapon to each section

Short range - in front i.e. bayonet & bomb

(4) Line - intervals - 3, or 4 or 5 yards.

Wave = 2 Lines. - Platoon Wave -(Lark Hill discussions)

(5) Platoon diagram - leaders.

Lewis Guns & Bombs on outer flank.

 All armed with rifle - except N^o 1 of Lewis gun

 All men with Lewis gun ^line able to  work it:-                          

(5) Detachment of Lewis Guns , for grouping.

3

                                               

Moppers-up.               

All - importance of these, - real Keynote.

Somme experience, and this front also - re not leaving

a captured objective behind - unmopped

Dugouts - enemy use of
 ∴ Moppers - clear - by bomb and bayonet

                                     picket and empty dugouts

                                     disarm prisoners.

                                     Clear Communications forward.

Specially selected and instructed - under own leader.

Never taken from Unit which passes over

an objective - why.

Preferably taken from Unit which has, for objective,

the same objective that they mop up.

Always precede the unit for which they mop up.

Sometimes taken from other C^on or B^ns even.

This in early stages, when objectives highly organized.

Moppers-up badges - White bank 1½" wide round 
left arm.

Refer "Training of Divisions &c " page 16 para 4.

N^o of Moppers -  25% on trenches

                                50% to 100% on Villages, strong points.

[But Sub-para VI on page 17 now superseded]

After work done,  (a) escort prisoners

                                  (b) rest help consolidate

N.B. Distinct party - one for each told off to a definite objective

moving in separate line

under own leader

definitely instructed.

 

4

 

Formation for attack.

Objectives :-  

1.  What they are:- trench lines

                                   strong points

                                   fortified houses or farms

                                   woods,

2.  Numbering - nearest 1^st  to furthest.

3.  Always a complete  & separate Wave, for 

each separate objective.

RULES - which govern formations. (on board)

1.  Moppers-up always precede the wave for which they

 are to mop up.

2.  If the barrage cannot halt between objectives the

 leading wave must go to the furthest objective.

 3.  If the barrage can halt between objectives, the 

 leap-frog plan is the best.

 4. The wave which assaults the objective nearest

 to each halt of the barrage does its own

 mopping up.

COROLLARY -5  No wave crosses any objective unless there are

moppers up provided, and following it, told off

specially for that objective.

 

5

The Diagrams

1. Company formation  

Company H.Q. - 1 Capt.                                  

                               1 C.S.M                             

                              9. Sgts & Runners                                                            
                               1 Gas personnel
                               1 Batman    
                               1 Clerk                                

2.  Describe a Battalion Formation

(a)  ordinary
(b) leap-frog  

Arrangements of Moppers up
Where they come from

Frontages & N^o of objectives.

3.  Position of Battalion H.Q

doesn't move

See "Training XIII para 3, p xx 41

4.  Artillery formations - of new waves

5.  Distances - closing up during assembly.

6.  Variations for 3 objectives - hereafter

7.  Reserves - every Commander (Bⁿ or Bgde) must have
(a) either separate - (from another unit 
perhaps       )
(b) Garrisons of rear objectives

i.e. Unit Comes to halt in depth.

Carrying Parties  - importance

1.  Bombs & rifle grenades  }

2.  Picks & Shovels                 }  Better Provide All

3.  S.A.A. Ammunition          }  Soldiers Wanting

4. Sandbags                            }  Leave with Rations

5.  Water                                   }

6.  Light Signals.                     }

7.  Wire.                                     }

8.  Rations.                               }

5

 

Tactical Applications

 [*200* to 600**]

Frontage - usually settled by higher Commander

Dispositions - in frontage - nature of objectives

                           in depth - number of objectives

                           provision of reserves  xxxx

                           provision of carrying parties

                           Moppers-up - where from

Allotment of objectives -

(1)  If barrage will "halt" before reaching 
furthest objective - then leap-frog.

(2)  If barrage cannot halt - leading 

waves to follows to furthest objective

N.B. Stands to reason barrage mustn't halt beyond an

uncaptured objective

200 yds between objectives is shortest space in which

barrage can halt.

Example for a Battalion Commander:-

Task - Frontage 300 yds - Three lines of trenches -

front line - support 70 yds back - reserve 300 yds back

Numerous dugouts towards right hand end of frontage

Barrage will halt for 10 minutes on reserve line

Solution:- First wave to 2^nd objective - own mopping up

Moppers- up for 1^st objective

Second wave to 1^st objective

Third wave to 3^rd objective

(leap-frog)   ) does own mopping

Frontage of 300^x into left 180 yds right 120 yds
∴  A C^o on right in 2 platoon waves each 60 yds

front

B C^o on left in 2 platoon waves each 80 yds 
front

½C C^o ∧ & ½D in one wave - 4 platoons abreast

CD C^o - finds Moppers for rear platoons of

B C^o - finds its own moppers from its rear

platoons

½C  & ½D C^o - finds carrying parties

rest in reserve

7

 

Training

A. Individual:-

1.  Every man a bayonet man except N^o 1  of Lewis Gun

2.  Every man a bomber

3.  Every man in 2^nd line either a Rifle Grenadier

or a Lewis Gunner (not a mechanic)

B.  Collective:-

1.  Formation of the platoon - in two ranks.

2.  Movement of the platoon

(a)  in close order

(b)  in extended order

(c)  in Arty. formation

3.  Similarly - the Company.

4.  Battalion Staffs - work out on map - numerous

Cases - & form up Bⁿ in field.

5.  Practice actual trench-to-trench attacks

on (a)  flagged lines

      (b)  dummy trenches.

Conclusion

Final points:- (1)  Impress on platoon Commanders & Sgts they now 

have a "Self-contained command"

(2)  Much depends on Skill, resolution & courage

of platoon Commander.

(3)  We have proved that - with our magnificent

Artillery support - we can enter and seize

(4)  We must also learn to hold - against

Counterattack, i.e. Consolidate

&thin

& hold in depth.

 

8

RULES

1. Moppers always precede the wave

 for which they are to mop up   

 2. If the barrage does not halt between

objectives, the leading wave goes to the

furtherest objective

3. If the barrage does halt between objective

the “leap - frog” plan
is the best
4. The wave which carries the objective
 nearest to each halt of the barrage
does it’s own mopping up -
5. No wave must pass over any objective
unless there are provided and 
immediately following it, moppers up
specially told off for that objective
 

Diagram, see original document

 

Diagram-see original document

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
NOMINAL ROLL OF OFFICERS  EMPLOYED ON
DUTIES OUTSIDE THE DIVISION

                                                              UNIT                           PRESENT EMPLOYMENT             
3rd Divisional Artillery.
    Lieut.       H.S. NURSE                   3rd D.A.C.                General Staff Office [*returned 2/3/17*]
  Captain     A.V. RICHARDSON                                         Area Officer with Corps.

9th Infantry Brigade.
Lieut.             J. SAUNDERS.             33rd Bn.                   Forest Control Section
Lieut.             T. G. GILDER.               34th Bn.                  Railway Construction

                                                                                                 Work, WEST CAPPEL.
Captain.        R. D. DIXON.                35th Bn.                   In charge “G” Party
                                                                                                  Railway Construction
                                                                                                  Work, WEST CAPPEL
2/ Lieut.         A. P THOMPSON       36th Bn.                   8th Constructional
                                                                                                  Railway Company, WEST
                                                                                                  CAPPEL.
10th Infantry Brigade. 
Major            C. B. STORY.                   37th Bn.                 At School -Seniors Officers
                                                                                                 Course, OUDENARDE,
                                                                                                 Barracks, ALDERSHOT.

2/ Lieut.        H. CRISFIELD.               38th Bn.                 In charge of Railway
                                                                                                 Construction Party from
                                                                                                 38th Battalion.
Lieut.             H. SOUTHBY.                39th Bn.                 Corps Area Officer.
Lieut.             A. A. BROWNE.            39th Bn.                 Railway Construction.
Lieut.             C. W. Rock.                    40th Bn.                Musketry School, TILQUES.
11th Infantry Brigade.
Lieut.              L. WELLINGS.              41st Bn.                   Railway Construction 
                                                                                                  Party.
2/Lieut.          E. HOCKING.                44thBn.                  Railway Construction 
                                                                                                  Party.
Lieut.              W. UREN.                     41st Bn.                    Instructor of reinforcements
                                                                                                  at EYTAPLES.
2/Lieut.          T. B. MANNING.          43rd Bn.                  2nd Army Intelligence
                                                                                                 Branch.
Lieut.              J. S. EVERETT.             44th Bn.                 Instructor 2nd Army
                                                                                                 School of Musketry.
A. A. M. C.
Captain          G. W. SMITH.               11th Fld. Amb.       M.O. at New Zealand
                                                                                                 D. S. C.
Captain.        W. W. CHAPLIN.         10th Fld. Amb.      M.O. at 175th R. F. A.