Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 15, 1 April - 10 May 1917, Part 15
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
Divisional Headquarters,
4/5/17.
[*HEADQUARTERS
4 - MAY 1917
NO. Q22/4
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION*]
9th Aust. Inf. Bde. -
10th -do-
11th -do-
I have been in correspondence with the Headquarters
A.IF. in United Kingdom, on the subject of providing the
Training Battalions of this Division each with a band. - It
appears that the 9th, 10th, and 11th Training Battalions are
the only ones which are so far without a band, and there can
be no doubt that bands would be of great assistance both to the
comfort and pleasure of the men and to the training in marching
and general discipline.
I consider that the parent Brigades should take an
active interest in this matter, and wish, therefore, to learn
your views.
Assuming that an initial outlay for each band, on a
modest scale to start with, would be, say ₤100 or ₤110, my proposal
is that one half of the sum, or ₤50, should be raised by subscription
among the present members of the Training Battalions;
the sum of ($)50 should be contributed by the parent Brigade, and
I am willing to contribute out of Divisional Funds, for the three
bands altogether, another ₤50. - the manner in which the Brigade
contribution of ₤50 should be raised, would be left of the
Brigades to decide.
Will you please let me know at your earliest convenience
whether or not you approve of the idea and would under-
take to contribute the quota names. It would not be necessary
to pay over any money until I have ascertained whether the
Training Battalions themselves are agreeable to fall in with
this scheme. In order that there may be no undue delay, please
let me have an early reply.
[*Presis*]
A to see
No 1. P.14 5/17
JM
Maj or-General.
Commanding Third Australian Division
5/5/17
War Medals
Major General Chichester visited me today, & showed me a War Office paper
discussing the proposals for War Medals - with a view to getting an expression
of opinion from me.
The paper set out that the War Office had decided as follows: -
1 A British Medal - distinctive design - & distinctive ribbons - for
every officer & man who has put on Khaki voluntarily, whether he
had entered a war zone or not; A clasp to be given for each
year or part of a year that he was serving - but not for that
year or part of a year in which he had entered a war zone, &
for which latter he received a clasp on the International Medal.
2 An International Medal - Each country has its own distinctive
design, but all countries have the same ribbon. - To be given to
every officer & man who enters a war zone - (one of the several
zones geographically defined; A clasp to be given for each
year or part of a year spent in a war zone. -
Under above rules I would get:- British medal, with clasp for 1914
International Medal, with clasps for 1915
1916
1917
et.fol.
JM
G.O.C.
5/5/17
On 25th May. Gun mins
at 4.54. a.m.
∴ light about 3.45 a.m.
∴ our tps must be
assembled by 2.45 a.m.
i.e. 1 hour before attack
at Dawn.
∴ Short approach march
about 11.30. P.M. ※
allowing 2000+ per hour
pace of advance.
G06
"C" Form. Army Form C. 2123
(In books of 100).
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS
No. of Message
Prefix SM
Code KB
Words 29
Received
From GI3
By a young
[*ARMY
AY-6.V.17.C
TELEGRAPHS*]
₤ s. d.
Charges to collect
Sent, or sent out
At m.
To
By
Office Stamp.
Service Instructions.
Handed in at G13 Office 1010pm. Received 1012pm.
To GI2
*Senders Number Day of Month In reply to Number AAA
C144 6th Q22/4
All units this brigade are
agreeable to proposed formation
of 10th Training Battalion
band and are prepared
to contribute to initial cost
[*10th Bde*]
FROM GI 3
PLACE & TIME 10 15
61
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION,
Divisional Headquarters,
6/5/17
Major-General The Hon. J.W.McCay, C.B., V.D.,
A.I.F. Depots, TIDOWRTH,
ENGLAND
My dear McCay,
It occurred to me that you might like some specific
instances to illustrate the matters referred to in my recent
letter to you of the 3rd inst.
Here are some particulars relating to only one of
my three Brigades, which happen to be before me at the present
moment.
This Brigade has sent over to the 10th Training
battalion, the following officers. -
Captain W.L. ALLEN 37th Bn.
Lieut. C. KERRY do.
Lieut. C.J. CALLAN 38th Bn.
Major G.S. ARMFIELD 39th Bn.
Lieut. E. FLEITER M.C. do.
Lieut. V.C. SMITH 40th Bn.
Lieut. I.A. DORRINGTON 37th Bn.
Lieut. H. CRISFIELD 38th Bn.
Lieut. P.S. SPARK do.
Capt. A.L.T. CRUICKSHANK 40th Bn.
Lieut. F.C. BURGESS do.
We have also recommended that Lieut-Colonel F.G.WOODS,
formerly commanding 37th Bn., and at present commanding the
5th Divisional Base Depot, should be sent to ENGLAND to command
the 10th Training Battalion.
No officer has yet arrived from the 10th Training
Battalion to replace any of the above, and the following
officers of the 10th Training Battalion have been specifically
asked for as exchange officers, some considerably over 2 months
ago, viz.-
-2- 6/5/17.
Lieut. L.J. BEATTIE 38th Bn.
Lieut. H.H. McCOLL do.
2/Lt. P. NEILSON 39th Bn.
2/Lt. C.P. CRISTENSEN 39th Bn.
2/Lt. C.F. SHARLAND 40th Bn.
Apart from the Training Battalion, there seems great
difficulty in getting back convalescent officers. - All our
officers are instructed that if evacuated sick or wounded to
ENGLAND or elsewhere, they are to at once notify their Units
when they are convalescent. - They drift to PERHAM DOWNS and
there they seem to stick. - The following are some names of
officers who are known to be at PERHAM DOWNS, and who have
been reported 'Fit for general service' in some cases 4 or 6
weeks ago. Viz. -
Lieut. W. MAXWELL 38th Bn.
Lieut. S. MOORE 40th ''
Lieut. P.G. TOWL 37th Bn.
Lieut. L.J. BREWER do.
Lieut. C.L. McINTYRE 40th Bn.
It has also been requested that Capt. W.K. FINDLAY, a
reinforcement officer of the 40th battalion, should be sent to
join his Unit.
The delay in effecting exchange with officers from the
front, and in sending to rejoin their Units, convalescent
officers, is naturally having a serious effect on the strength
of the officers of the Units. - As direct commissioning has been
done away with, it is not possible to maintain the strength of
officers under these circumstances, which is particularly
unfortunate in view of a probable early offensive.
Yours sincerely
JM.
Received from Ag. Gen Farmar 8/5/17
No. 46
Canadian Corps.
6th May, 1917.
A.Q.M.G.
CANADIAN CORPS.
SUMMARY OF INTELLIGENCE.
THIS SUMMARY IS OF SUCH A CONFIDENTIAL CHARACTER THAT IT MUST NOT BE
TAKEN NEARER THE FRONT THAN BATTALION HEADQUARTERS AND ITS CONTENTS
ARE NOT TO BE COMMUNICATED TO ANYONE OUTSIDE HIS MAJESTY'S SERVICE.
Part 1.
Information from our own Front.
PRISONERS OF WAR.
Prisoners passed through Corps Cage today - 1 Officer 17 O.Rs.
" " " C.C. Stations 4
_________________
1 Officer 21 O.Rs.
GRAND TOTAL since 9th April 5.CC3.
OPERATIONS.
A successful minor operation was carried out last night by the
Left Bde. Left Division, resulting in the capture of the triangle of
trenches bounded by M.36.d.42.75 - M.36.b.65.10 and M.36.d.30.93.
Blocks have been established at M.36.b.40.13 - M.36.d.40.70 - M.36.d.60.80
and M.36.b.62.10.
Severe fighting took place and the enemy made two determined
counter-attacks against the right of our now position in which he
suffered heavily. One Officer and 33 O.R. were taken prisoner.
Enemy artillery was very active throughout the operation. 4th Cdn.
Division reported at 10.30 a.m. enemy snipers very active from front
and support lines about M.36.d.7.4, causing us some casualties.
CALLOUS Trench is reported heavily manned by the enemy.
The Right Division captured a prisoner of the 69th Regiment
carrying orders for a relief on which action was taken by our
artillery.
Front line right sector was shelled intermittently throughout
the night and communication trenches more than usual. There was
considerable shelling with 77mm. and much machine gun fire on the
centre sector after midnight.
ARTILLERY.
Yesterday afternoon trenches in vicinity of FRESNCY were subjected
to several bursts of heavy fire. During the night there was
considerable activity on both sides, on the Northern Sector of the
Corps front, the shelling being particularly heavy about 11 p.m. to
midnight, due to a small raid carried out by Left Division against
triangle of trenches in M.36. At 2.40 a.m. S.O.S. signals were
reported on Left Brigade front of Left Division; our 60-pdrs. opened
up on S.O.S. line and counter-battery on hostile batteries was kept
up till 4 a.m., when situation was reported normal.
Late this morning there was heavy shelling in S.5 & 6 and M.35,
from the direction of LENS.
Owing to heavy ground mist and bad visibility only one successful
aeroplane shoot was carried out. Five hostile batteries were engaged
with ground observation.
IDENTIFICATIONS
Result of successful minor operation, prisoners belonging to the
118th Regiment, 56th Division, and 34th R.I.R., 80th R.Division, were
captured.
The. . . . .
Canadian Corps.
6th May 1917.
No. 48.
Page 2.
The order of battle from North to South is as follows:-
118th Regt. - 34th R.I.R. - 266th R.I.R. - and 264th R.I.R. (Normal)
A prisoner belonging to the 69th R.I.R., 18th R. Division was
also captured and the order of battle obtained from this man is as
follows:-
5th Guard Grenadiers, - 69th R.I.R., 25th R.I.R. and 17th R.I.R. (normal)
Prisoner was a battalion runner and had documents of great interest
in his possession when caught.
According to prisoners statements he had taken orders to the 6th
Coy., and was proceeding to the 8th Coy. when he lost his way, and
wandered into our lines. He further states that the frontage of the
69th R.I.R. was reduced on the 3rd inst by a side slipping of the 5th
Ground Grenadiers, and that the movement referred to in the captured
orders were to readjust the distribution of forces and place them on
the same basis as they were prior to the 3rd inst.
The following is a transaction of the order in possession of
prisoner as well as a comment on the Regimental orders by one O.C.
Company to another: -
R.I.R. 69
5.5.17.
REGIMENTAL ORDER.
(I). The re-grouping of the Regiment is to take place during the
night 5th/6th May 12 p.m. (midnight) in the following manner: -
KAMFF BATTALION (Front Line Battalion).
Commander - Capt. CAESAR.
4 Coys. IT Battalion (altogether 200 men)
beginning on the right flank.
8th Coy. G.C. Lieut. BUSSENSCHUTT.
6th Coy " " BAUROSE.
5th Coy " " PASSBINDER.
7th Coy. " " HANDWERK.
Each company will be divided into two parties of equal strength at
a distance of 150 - 250 metres.
The 1st Party constitutes a line of outposts in touch with
one another - garrisoning the pieces of trench and shell-holes that
are available
The 2nd Party will be in groups in shell holes.
(B) Battalion Reserves: - (Supports for front line Battalion)
garrisoned in hollow road near Bn, Battle H.Q. II Bn., 69th R.I.R.,
consists of a platoon of bombers 32 men, Schanz Coy. (Entrenching
Coy.) 45 men.
(Signed) BUORKOLTZ,
Colonel and C.O. Regiment.
II/R.69.
5/5.
8th & 6th Coys.
Addressed to 5th, 6th, 7th, & 8th Coys.
BATTALION SUPPLEMENT.
The ordered re-grouping starts to-night 10 p.m. The 8th, 6th,
5th, 7th Companies will gradually quadruple the intervals bearing in
Canadian Corps.
6th May 1917.
No. 46.
Page 3.
mind that constant touch is kept on the left and on the right until
they come in contact with the 5th Grenadiers in the neighbouring
sector.
The Company Commanders will place themselves on the right flank
of their company during the process of extending to the right.
The 1st and 4th Coys., the Grenadier Guards, also the companies
of the 3rd Battalion, withdrew from the front line rearwards to the
extent of 150 metres and remain there, until the companies of the 2nd
Battalion have completed the distribution as laid down in Regimental
Orders.
Attached sketch will give an idea of how the re-grouping will
appear on completion.
During the process of withdrawal from the front line, the
Company Commanders will remain on the left flank of their Companies
and in this manner be able to keep in touch with the companies of the
2nd Battalion.
Only after personal agreement between the Company Commanders
of the Grenadier and the 3rd Battalion with the Company Commanders
of the 2nd Battalion, will Grenadiers and the 3rd Battalion proceed
with the re-grouping in the ROUVROY VORRIEGEL, which will
now on be considered as Regimental Reserve.
The Company Commander of 12th Coy. will personally bring the
written statement of the C.O. of the 8th Coy. (Lt. BUSSENSCHUTT).
(LT. BAUROSE). - The C.O. 1st Coy. Grenadier Guards that of the 5th
Coy., to the Battalion Commander of the KAMFF Battalion when marching through the Reserve position.
The 7th Coy. will release, during the re-grouping the detailed
platoon of the Schanz Company, who will report to the Battalion
Reserves on the Sunken Road.
(Signed) CAESAR,
Capt. and O.C. Battalion.
PLAN.
Of a Company after carrying out the arrangements laid down by
Regimental order of 5th May.
Diagram: see original document.
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.