Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 15, 1 April - 10 May 1917, Part 16

Canadian Corps.
6th May 1917.
Page 4.
No. 46.
My Dear Büssenschütt (O.C. 8th Coy),
In my opinion tho Regiment does not
understand the position. They think that the 8th Coy.
is on the right flank. A side-slipping to the right
is certainly intended while maintaining touch on the
left. If you move to the right a gap will result -
What is your opinion as to the method in which this order
should be carried out?. I roquest an immediate reply.
(Signed) BAUROSE,
(C.C., 6th Company ).
--------
Our gunners were suppliedwith full details of the readjustment
being carried out in the German lines last night and immediate action
was taken, It is hoped with satisfactory results.
A full examination of prisoners of 56th Division, 80th R. Div.,
and 15th R. Div. captured last night will be issued later.
HOSTILE ARTILLERY.
When reporting on hostile shelling by infantry units it would
greatly facilitate matters if the following points were obsorved and
reported on:-
a. Exact time.
b. Direction (If location of Battery is given, state
data from what deductions were made. 1, 2 or 3
inter-sections.
c. Area shelled.
d. Calibre.
AEROPLANE PHOTOGRATHS.
Photographs taken yesterday show that the enemy has continued
work on his new front line in T.3.b. and T.4.a. The trench is clearly
defined and appears to be of good depth.
A new communication trench to this front line has been partly
dug from N.33.d.8½.0 to about T.3.b.9.4½. Another communication
trench has been dug from T.4.b.1.6½ to N.34,d.1.1.
The old front line shows considerable new work, evidently deep
dug-outs are undèr construction.
The piece of fire trench in T.5.a. has now been completed to
T.5.b.4½.6 as a communication trench.
Work is being done along the railway at T.5.b.5.7.- N.35.d.0.3.,
and dug-outs are probably being made in the cutting.
Work is still in progress on the new front line trench between
T.3.a.2½.1 - T.2.b.2.3.
A new trench has been dug from LA COULOTTE (N.31.c.9.5.) to
T.2.b.1.5.
As result of a prisoners statement regarding night signalling
stations further examination of photos has been made with a view to
locating other stations similar to the one given at U.21.a.71.90.
What are thought to be signalling stations are located at
T.12.d.80.20.  U.14.d.22.38.   U.20.c.77.35

U.13.b.1.3.       U.14.d.90.96.   U.21.b.20.53.

U.13.b.66.75.  U.15.a.10.23.    U.21.a.05.52.

U.8.c.70.15.    U.15.c.35.90.    U.6.d.35.10.
Another prisoner gave location of a night signalling station at
U.28.b.95.55.

Canadian Corps.

6th May 1917.
No. 46.    Page 5.
In several cases straight tracks connect those signalling stations
and it is though this may be caused by telephone wires connecting them
or that they are sited on old air line routes. If cables now run
botween them the straight tracks may be caused by signal men walking
up and down the cables repairing breaks.
Further information from observers is required.
PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN 5.5.17.
16 a.b. 767.  N.32.  N.33.  T.2.
762.  N.19. N.25.
769.  U.20.  U.14. U.15.
770.  T.5.  T.6.
771.  M.30. N.25.
772.  N.33. N.34.  T.3  T.4
773.  T.12.  U.7.
J.L.R. PARSONS, Lieut.-Col.G.S.
for Brigadier-General, G.S.
Canadian Corps.
-------
Part II.
Information from other Sources.
PRISONERS STATEMENTS.
The Civilans were constantly being told that the English
would keep tho Pas-de-Calais but such statements were disregarded,
and the civilians morale is very high. That of the German troops on
the other hand is said to be bad. The men no longer believe in a
German victory. They long for peace and are only kept going by very
rigid discipline.
OUR ARTILLERY.
Prisoners state that they noticed what is to them a new shell
that we are using. This shell bursts immediately on or after impact
and make scarcely any crater. The shell has a wide danger zone,
causes heavy casualties and is much feared. (The prisoner refers
protably to either the ordinary shell with 106 fuze or ricochet H.E.)
Prisoners think that our field artillery ammunition is both good
and effective. Shrapnel is more feared than H.E. in the improvised
positions the Germans have been compelled to occupy.
The heavier howitzer shell (6" upwards) is not feared to anything
like the same extent as the above. Prisoners state that a considerable
proportion of the shell are "blind”. In addition they penetrate to such
a depth that the force of the explosion is smothered.
---

Canadian Corps.
6th May 1917.
EXAMINATICN OF PRISONERS OF THE 10th Co. 118th I.R. and
12th Co. 34th R.I.R. Captured night 5/6th
May 1917, in M. 36.
-------------
ORDER OF BATTLE. N. to S. 88th I.R., 35th Fusilier Regt., 118th I.R.,

34th R.I.R., 266th R.I.R.

118th I.R.
METHOD OF HOLDING LINE. etc.
1 Battalion in front line system.
3 Companies in front line, 1 company in immediate support.
1 Battalion in Supports.
2 Companies in dug-outs in M.30.a.
2 Companies in dug-outs on main road to LENS.
1 Battalion in rest at FOUQUIERES.
RELIEFS. Last relief 4th May: 1st Bn. relieved 3rd Bn. in supports.
3rd Bn. relieved 2nd Bn. in front line.
2nd Bn. went to rest.
Usual tour of duty 5 days.
COMPANY STRENGTH. Trench strength 100/120 (10th Co.)
CASUALTIES. Few recently in 3rd Bn. 1st Bn: said to have suffered
severely in VIMY RIDGE Battle.
HEA QUARTERS. Regtl. FOUQUIERES.
Regtl. Battle H.Q. N.21.a.51.80 in concreted cellar.
Bn. H.G. N.20.c.05.20.
LINE HELD BY REGT. M.36.b.50.00. to about M.30.b.10.00.
DEFENCES: - 
Central Eiectric Station. Is stated to be empty. All cellars are
blown in and the place is said to be untenable.
Lens. All the cellars in LENS are concreted, in many cases to 4 or 5
feet above ground level. All arc connected so that it is possible
to walk to any house in LENS underground.
M.30.a. Dug-outs here are 10 metres deep, 5 metres of the head cover
Is concrete.
ROUTE TO TRENCHES. 1. FOUQUIERES by main road through LENS on 2.
FOUQUIERES to HARNES thence along either side of the canal. In both
cases the LENS-ARRAS Road is followed to N. 25.b. whence a route is
taken along the South side of the SOUCHEZ RIVER to the front line.
LIGHT RAILWAY. NOYELLES - LENS is confirmed. This is frequently
broken by shell fire, but is always repaired.
TRENCHES. Are stated to be mostly destroyed.
WIRE. Is said to be in good condition.
STURMTRUPP. 2 Groups ( 2 N.C.O's and 16 men) . in each company are

detailed as Sturmtrupp. They are billeted close to the Company Commander,
and are reserved for special duties.

Canadian Corps.
6th May 1917.
PRISONERS EXAMINATICN cont'd.Page 2.
ARTILLERY. There is stated to be a 15 cm. battery at N.21.b.10.10
and N.21.b.20.15.
34th R.I.R.
METHOD OF HOLDING LINE.
Front line. I Bn. 3 Coys. in front line.

1 Coy. in close supports probably in GORONS
in N.32.c.
Supports. 1 Bn. In cellars in AVION. One company definitely
located in neighbourhood of N.32.b.65.68.
Rest Billets.1 Bn.- 3 Cos. MONTIGNY-en-GOHELLE.
1 Co. SALLAUMINES.
RELIEFS. Last relief 4/5th inst.
HEADQUARTERS. Bn. N.32.b.5.5. approximately.
ROUTE TO TRENCHES. MONTIGNY-en-GOHELLE by road through BILLY MONTIGNY
along the main road, by the usual route to AVION, by road to N.31.b.1.2.
thence along railway embankment to front line.
The usual route is sometimes varied by walking along the railway
from BILLY MONTIGNY to the tunnel at N.27.c.85.10.
DISPOSITIONS DURING ATTACK. 2nd Co. 34th R.I.R. when alarmed sent
two platoons from billets in AVION to N.31.c.7.8. where they remained
in the open. A runner was sent forward to obtain instructions from
O.C. 9th Co. of front line garrison. This runner was captured.
GENERAL.
FL00DS are said to be natural and not caused by Germans.
FIRES in LENS are said to be caused by our shelling.
OUR ATTACK. Our attack was a complete surprise. It was not thought
that we should attack before dawn.
MORALE. Good.
UNITS SEEN ETC. In LENS working in dug-outs 112th Pioneer Co. (56th
Division).
Signallers of 34th R.I.R. aro attached to the 480th FERNSPRECHER
ABTEILUNG for technical details.
66th Field Artillery Regt. in SALLAUMINES.
-o-o-o-0-o-o-o-o-o
 

Canadian Corps.
6th May 1917.
TRANSLATION OF REGIMENTAL ORDER 2.5.17
1. On the night 3/4th inst the 3rd Bn., 34th R.I.R. will relieve
the lst Bn. 34th R.I.R. in the front line. The 1st Bn. 34th R.I.R.
will go into supports and the 2nd Bn. 34th R.I.R. to rest with 3 companies 

in MONTIGNY-en-GOHELLE, and one company in the intermediate
tion at SALLAUMINES,

2. The relief will take place under direct co-operation of the
Battalion Commanders.
The relief of the front line battalion will start immediately
at dusk.
3. No company and no sentries will leave their respective positions
until arrival of the relief.
4. The English "Lewis Guns", bomb throwers, Verv Lights, Pistols,
Minenwerfer and trench stores and munitions will be left behind in
the line. The Minenwerfer will bo taken over by the Minenwerfer
Detachment of the 3rd Battalion, 34th R.I.R.
5. The relief of the signal posts and runners will take place 6 a.m.
on 4th inst, according to the instructions of Vizefeldwebel Steinert.
6. Should anything happen during the relief or an attack take place,
the Bn. Commander or Company Commander of the Bn. in process of
relief will assume command.
7. A report will be sent to the Reg , on completion of relief and
distribution of units.
(Signed) v. KöRORITZ.
BATTALION SUPPLEMENT.
1. 1.  9/34 relieves D.l. sector.
10/34           "         D.2.  "
11/34            "         D.3  "

12/34           "         the supporting company of I/34th.
2. The companies will move off in such a manner that they are
hidden from view of hostile balloons.
The 9th Coy. 34th R.I.R. will arrive between 10.30 and 11 p.m.
in D.I.
3. The companies will march at half hour intervals in succession,
pass through the 12th Company, and the relief of each company in the
line will be consequently later.
4. Report will be made on completion of relief and the strength
distribution.
(Signed) DAVIDS.

FIRST ARMY INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY NO 845.
INTELLIGENCE. Air reconnaissance.
Thick ground mist made observation diffioult yesterday, and very littlo
road or railway movement was seen. Barge traffic on the LA BASSEE Canal was
reported to be more than usual. Fresh digging is reported on the trench
running E. of the railway in T.2.b. & d. S. of AVION. Two small pieces of
fresh trench are reported behind the DROCOURT - QUEANT Line in approximately
D.3.c., D.9.d. and further S. in D.28.d. and J.4.b. All the bridges over
the DEULE Canal between LENS and HARNES are reported to be in good condition,

with the exception of the bridge at N.21.a.8.5., which ssems to be

damaged. The LENS - SALLAUMINES road is reported to be in good condition
a small dump is reported at N.20.d.7.3., S. of LEHS. Very heavy fire from

A.A. guns was directed against our machines when passirg over LENS. Fires
were seen yesterday in NEUVIREUIL, BOIS BERHERD, MERICOURT, ROUVROY, HENIN

LIETARD, ATION, and LENS . Ground observers report that more fires than

usual were seen in LENS this morning.
Artillery and photographic his work was hampered yesterday by poor
visibility. Bombs were dropped on NEUVIREUIL, ROUVROY, and AVION, a number

of effective hits being observed in all 3 places.
Hostile aerial activity was below normal yesterday. A.A. Observers
only report having seen 47 machines, of which 4 crossed our line. In the
course cf 6 air combats we shot down 2 hostile machines. Enemy balloons
were observed to ascend at QUIERY-la-MOTTE, N.E. of DROCOURT, and near HENIN
LIETARD and MONTIGNY. We lost no machines yesterday.
Information from our own front.
Hostile artillery showed no unusual activity yesterday on any
part of our front; there was a good deal of desultory shelling of our
Southern front, including the neighbourhood of PONT du JOUR and GAVRELLE, W
of OPPY, FRESNOY, etc. Last night we attacked and captured the trenches in
M.36.a.b.d., S. of the SOUCHEZ river and W. of AVION, taking 1 officer and
33 O.R., belonging to the 80th Res. and 56th Divisions. Severe fighting
took place, and the enemy made determined counter-attacks on our new
positions.
Prisoners of the 69th Res. Regt., l5th Res.Div were captured last night
of TESEOY.
N. and E.
Important information regarding an enemy relief was obtained last night
as a result of which our artillery was able to take action, probably with
good effect.
We located 43 active hostile batteries yesterday.
Movements of German Divisions.
The 40th Division, XlA (Saxon) Corps ,from reserve, has relieved the
2nd Division, W. of MESSINES.
The 28th and 52nd Res. Divisions from VERDUN and Eastern CHAMPAGNE
respectively have reinforced the battle front N. & N.W. of REIMS.
The 50th Div. has been withdrawn from the battle front N. of REIMS.
First Army front.
(1) In the course of our successful operations last night W. of AVION we
captured 1 officer and 33 O.R. belonging to the 118th Regiment, 56th Div.,
and 34th Res. Regiment, 80th Res. Division. According to the statements of
these prisoners the Order of Battle from N. to S. is :- 118th Regiment [[?]]
Division; 34th, 266th and 264th Res. Regiments, 80th Res. Division (normal)
The boundary between these 2 divisions is said to be M.36.b,3.4., S. of the
Electric Station, W. of AVION.
(2) Two Germans were killed last night opposite HULLUCH. They belonged to
the 72nd Regiment, 8th Division (normal).
(3) Two prisoners of the 69th Res. Regiment, 15th Res. Div, were captured
last night E. and N. of FRESNOY (normal). They give the Order of Battle,
from N. to S. as 5th Guard Grenadier Regiment, 4th Guard Division; 69th,
25th and 17th Res. Regiments, 15th Res. Division (normal).
Information from Prisoners.
[1) The lst Guard Res. Regiment, 1st Guard Res. Div. has its rest billets
at QUIERY-la-MOTTE.
P. T. 0.
-1-

- 2
The 28th Regt., 16th Division is stated to have arrived at BUMOFT
(2)
rom RUSSIA on April 29th,
Newly formed regiments numbered 600 and upwards are now either in
(3)
or on the DUTCH Frontier.
RUSSIA
The average Company strength in the 15th Res. Division - 150 to 180,
(4)
average trench strength 100 to 120.
A 10.5-cm. howitzer battery is in position in BOI3 BERNARD, about
(5)
U. 15.0.6.2
MAUVILLE Farm is still used as aRagimental H.Trs.
There äre deep
Fiold Kitchens halt at
dug-outs on the Lastern sido of the buildings.
, according to the shelling.
different places around the building,

TEMPLNUVE Station, supplies for the 25th
There is a large depot at
(7)
Regt. come up by logries from here.
Information frem our own Front, (Additional).
o
Yesterday kerning, a hostile patrol attempted to raid our trenches
Thoy were disco vered by cur patrols and driven
in the CAMBRIN Sector,
Noar the LA BASSHD Canal, enemy
back with combs and Lewis gun fire.
troops seem to be new to their secter, as theywaro continually exposing
Our snipers took advantage of this, killing at least 4 of
themselves.
tho enemy.
an officer of the 76th Res. Regt., 17th
ixtracts from a note-book of
Reserve Zivision, opposite ai2., dated 574717.
"Anemy's aerial activity extraordinary and fearless. Own observation
once by enemy's fighting planes. Hardly any
planes are chased away at
At times as many as seven captive balloons, close
planes of ours.
fighting
were obsorved.'
behind the enemy's lines,
TTT
STT
HONT CTANNIC IN.- (From G.H.d. Summary).
ua
TION Of T
DriT
The following is an extract from an order of the 14th Bavarian
Division, duted 20/3/17
long telephone conversations to and from the front
"On the 25th Macch,
line, were carried on ty ono of the regiments of the division. From these
conversations the enemy could have discovered without difficulty, and
probably has discovered, the presence of the division and its order of
battle in every detail.
"I condemn such conduct most severely; the individuals responsible
will bo punished."
--
Information from Air Ihotos takon on 4/5/17.
A new switch line is under construction from the FRESNES - ROUTROY
o
at U.14.a. Central approximately, to the communication trench, S.E.
line
of MERICOURT, at T.12 a.5.7.
The line is wired, and isolated sectors of trench have been dug,
(Photo No. 16 AB/749 £ 752).
-------
There is also the line of wire, previously reported E. of ACHEVILLE,
which runs from U.7.c.l.1. through U.13.c.8.8., to U.14.c.2.5. The trench
itself is still little more than a trace.
------
W. L. O. TWISS, Lieut.-Colonel,
Sunday, 6th May, 1917.
General staff, First Army.
5.18 a.m. sets 8.20 p.m.
Sun rises (7th)
9.28 p.m. sets 5.31 a.m. (8th).
(7th
Moon
(8th) 10.40 p.m. sets 6.16 a.m. (9th).
Moon

RT.- Mid-day, May 6th to mid-day, May 7th:
Wlalzk 4
Wind - N.E. 20 to 30 m.p.h. with gusts of gale force; decrea ing
considerably at night.
Weather - Mainly fair; good visibility; cold but temperature rising.
Temperature - To-day, 50 to 55 dogrees, to-night 35 to 40 degrees;
to-morrow 55 to 60 dogrees.
 

7
 

Skeg et
SUUT R
7-MAM 194
e
NINTH AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE.
s../E
Brigade Headquarters,
7th May, 1917.
Major Gencral J. MONASH, V.D., C.B.,
c. 0. c.,
3rd Australian Division.
Re Assembly of "A" and "B" Battalions.
I have given your suggestions as th the
assembly of these Battalions very careful thought, and think
that the plan set out by you is the best possible and
should prove satisfactory. I have now discussed the matter
with the Acting C.R.F., and he is now proceeding with the
preparation of the assembly, and for the points of exit.
The sketch given to me by you is returned
herewith.
Alichtsor
Brig. General.
attCommanding 9th Australian Infantry Brigade.
A. I.
od
EIR.)
 

.
NOTES OBTAINED ON 8/5/17 from lst CANADIAN DIVISION.
Eighteen 18-pdr. Batteries, Six d.5""Howitzer Batteries,
Two Groups of Heavy Artillery, under Divisional Control.
Division attacked on 1600 yard front. 2 Brigades in line.
3 Battalions on 800 yards. 1 Battalion Brigade in reserve.

Leading Battalions went 1500 yards in, then there was a
'leapfrog' and Battalions of another Brigade took on the work -
finally went in some 3000 yards.
Regimental Stretcher-bearers carried the whole 3000 yards
back to our original firing line.
Each of the Battalion's stretcher bearers were augmented
by 56 carriers.
Stretchers allowed by Corps were insufficient.
Rule is that every Battalion clears its own wounded, and
some Battalions, when relieved, and out of the line, sent hack
for their wounded. It was a point of honour that they should
leave none. Notwithstanding the long catry, no wounded were
left out more than a few hours.
All Artillery Barrages followed the shape of the trenches.
There were no straight lines.
Lifts were 100 yards at a time. 4.5" howitzers 200 yards
in front
of the infantry, not 200 yards in front of artillery
barrage.
4.5" Howitzers did not creop, but were on certain
selected
points and lifted from one to the other.
Machine Gun barrage crept 300 yards in front of 18 pr.
barrage.
No assembly trencheswere dug, as the Division got into
the area so late that there was other more important work to be
done.
Assaulting troops were in the line 48 hours wefore the show
started.
The leading jumping off trench consisted of old french
trenches and saps. Battalions assembled in the best way they
could and were supposed to remove the wire with which these old
trenches were filled. As a matter of fact a lot of this wire was
not removed, and the men just sat on top of it.
No Battalions assembled more than 150 yards back from
the front line. In some places the old scratchy French trenches
in front of our front line were so close to the enemy's front line
that our artillery dared not barrage. The result was Canadians
suffered from Machine guns. If they had to do the work x
over again, they say they would put their xxxxxxxxxxxxx
assembling troops further back in order to be able to
barrage every bit of the enemy's front line.
They say they carried few wire nippers, but almost every
man carried a wire breaker on his rifle.
Supply allowed of cups for Mills grenades was hopelessly
inadequate, and they got a very large number at the last x
moment from workshops.
In order to get their range with the Mills Grenade, they
cut down their rifles to the lower band. This avoided the necessity
of having a longer rod, the result was a range of 160 yards, but
impossibility of using the rifle from the shoulder when firing the
grenade, nevertheless, accuracy was good, and they actually hit
the machine guns. The shortness of range of the Mills grenade is a
bad point. Army said they could not countenance such a mutilation
of Government property, but if it were done they would arrange not
to hear about it. Short rifles shot quite weel enough with S.A.A.
to stop a rush.
 

-2-
s/A/17.
First Division very much in favour of putting wire in front
Used French wire and collapsible
of our consolidating line.
knife rests, the latter invaluable. Collapsible knife rests same
pattern as those that our Brigades have been advised to use.
Absolutely necessary to have Engineers forward with Infantry to help
lay out trenches.
Inadvisable to have big Engineer Working parties.
Their lines of colsolidation were taped by the Engineers and
the result was wonderfully good trenches, properly traversed,
instead of scratchy diggings.
From wire-heads they ran out 4 wires per Inf. Bde. for the
Infantry and 4 for the artillery.
Battalions took out Infantry ones and when their new
headquarters were established, Brigade Sig. Co. joined them up
later
Most of their balloons were up but were not much use for
signalling to by visual.
They laid tape lines for runners which proved
invaluable both for runners coming back and parties coming up.
Second waves carried tools. TThus large tool carrying parties were
unnecessary.
They had a problem rather like ourselves and the New
Zellanders in regard to LA PETIT DOUVE FARM, inasmuch as the
Division on their right had our job and they had the New Zealanders
job. Their solution was as follows.-
1 Battalion of the Imperial Division on the right was
detailed to attack the portion south of LA PETI- DOUVE FARM in
a northerly direction, and halt when they cleared up the situation.
The Canadians attacked east and when they had made good their
objectives the Battalion put into attack north was withdrawn.
can explain this better verbally with the aid of the map.
The Canadians, wherever possible, issued from their
assembly trenches on the frontage of half a platoon in xsingle
rank, i.e. about 20 yards.
Barrage lifted 100 yards at a time, pace 4 minutes per 100
yards. If in difficult ground, woods, or villages, 5 to 6 minutes
per 100 yards.
Where hostile machine guns were encountered, special parties
were told off to deal with them, and the remainder of the line
moved forward. They found that these hostile M.Gs. always took post
behind any bit of uncut wire, and fired generally to their front
at the biggest mob of men they could see. Party detailed to deal
with them took special measures, while the waves on either flank moved
forward covered by the fact that the M.Gs could only fire one way,
and were already engaged on an existing target.
---------
NOTES FROM 4th CANADIDN DIVISION
4th Division had the artillery of two Divisions.

During consolidation they let their batrage die down.
Their gas activity was 1 round per minute for every 120
yards lasting 1 hours, this was on a flank.
During consolidation they had posts 100 to 300 yaras out.
These posts had boards giving the number of the post, which were
stuck in the gound, or held up, in order to notify the position
to the troops in rear.
The protective barrage was sone 120 yards in front of the
S.O.S. signals were sent up from the post.
post.
Posts were to fight to a finish, and S.O.S. was to come
back on to them. In one case their S.O.S. blotted out two of their
posts.
Their new line was made fightable with 4 hours digging.
Their 4.5" Howitzers were not added to their standing
barrage.