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

Conflict:

First World War, 1914–18

Part of Quest:

Sir John Monash (General, b.1865 - d.1931)

Subject:

Documents and letters

Status:

Open for review

Accession number:

RCDIG0000618

Difficulty:

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

(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

28-44 average 36

H.Q. - Platoon C^nl

R. Sgt, Batman, [[Z ru??]]

Four Sections, end ~~annds~~

under an N.C.O.

(2) Weapons.

(a) Rifle & Bayonet } 2 classifications:-

(b) Bombs. } A. {Above Ground

} {Below Ground

short range
(d) Rifle Grenades } Rifle Grenades = Howitzers

Lewis Gun = opportunity

(3) Arrangement of Weapons -

Naturally - A 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^o1 of Lewis gun

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

(5) Detachment of Lewis Guns , for grouping.

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 Co or Bn even.

This in early stages, when objectives highly

organized.

Moppers-up badges - White bank 1½" wide

round left arm.

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

No 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) not help consolidate

N.B. Distinct party - ~~xxxxx~~told off to a definite objective

moving in separate line

under own leader

definitely instructed.

Formation for attack.

Objectives :-

1. What they are:- trench lines

strong points

fortified houses or farms

woods,

2. Numbering - nearest 1st 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, hold off

specially for that objective.

The Diagrams

1. Company formation

Company H.Q. - 1 Capt.

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 & No. 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. }

Tactical Operations

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 follow 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 party.

Barrage will halt for 10 minutes on reserve line

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

Moppers- up for 1st objective

Second wave to 1st objective

Third wave to 3rd objective

(leap-frog) ) does own mopping

Frontage of 300* into left 180 yds right 120 yds
: A Co on right in 2 platoon waves each 60 yds

front

B Co on left in 2 platoon waves each 80 yds gfront

½C Co ∧ & ½D in one wave - ~~xxxxx~~

CD Co - finds Moppers for rear platoons of

B Co - finds its own moppers from its rear

sections

½C & ½D Co - finds carrying parties

rest in reserve

7

Training

A. Individual:-

1. Every man a bayonet man except No 1 of Lewis Gun

2. Every man a bomber

3. Every man in 2nd 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

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
NOMINAL ROLL OF OFFICERS EMPLOYED ON
DUTIES OUTSIDE THE DIVISION
3rd Divisional Artillery.
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.

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Last edited on:

3 December 2024, 2:58 am

Last updated: 3 December 2024