Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 15, 1 April - 10 May 1917, Part 4

[*(Copy)*]
2

SECRET
9/4/17.

DRAFT ONLY.

MAGNUM OPUS.

OUTLINE  OF  PLAN.

1.  DISPOSITIONS of BRIGADES :-
in Frontage - Two Brigades in line - each Brigade
on a frontage of two Battalions.  -

in Depth -  Each Brigade in two lines - two
Battalions in each line.
2.  DISPOSITIONS  of  BATTALIONS
in Frontage -  Each Battalion attacks with 3 or/with 4
companies in line - (according to

frontage and nature of objectives.).

Each Company forming two platoon

waves on a two platoon frontage.

3.  BOUNDARY BETWEEN  RIGHT AND LEFT BRIGADES.
A line running from the point where ANSCROFT AVENUE

joins our front line, through M in GREY FM. -

4. OBJECTIVES.
Leading four Battalions capture 1st objective (which

is the enemy's front line) and 2nd objective (which is 

enemy's support line; and digs in on the line

D, E, F, G, H, J (see plan attached) which is 60

to 100 yards beyond enemy's support line and takes

in LA DOUVE FARM MOAT, and AVENUE FARM.

Rear Four Battalions pass through leading Four Battalions

(during a short halt of the Creeping Barrage) and 

then follow the barrage to capture ULNA AVENUE and 

the line of the ULCER RESERVE and ULSTER RESERVE

trenches, including SCHNITZAL FARM and GREY FARM. - 

These four Battalions dig in on the line E, K, L,

M, N (see plan), and also establish an/outpost line

with picquets at points T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z marked

on map.

-2-
9/4/17.

5. REFERENCE LETTERS OF BATTALIONS 
The Battalions are lettered from right to left;

the leading Battalions being A, B, C and D, the

rear Battalions being E, F, G, H.  On completion

 of the operation, the Battalions will occupy the 

relative positions shown thus :-

D, C, B, A )
H, G, F, E )

6. PROBABLE  DISPOSITIONS OF BRIGADES & BATTALIONS.
The probable dispositions will be as follows:-

A Bn. 9th Inf. Bde.  33rd Bn  (Lt-Col.MORSHEAD)

B Bn        do.             35th Bn  (Lt-Col.GODDARD)

C Bn. 10th Inf. Bde. 39th Bn  (Lt-Col.HENDERSON)

D Bn.       do.             40th Bn. (Lt-Col.LORD)

E Bn.  9th Inf. Bde.  36th Bn. (Lt-Col.MILNE)

F Bn.         do.            34th Bn. (Lt-Col.MARTIN)

G Bn. 10th Inf. Bde. 38th Bn. (Lt.-Col.DAVIS)

H Bn.         do.            37th Bn.  (Lt.-Col.SMITH)

7. RESERVES.      11th Brigade furnishes Divisional Reserve,

one Battalion to move up ^before Zero to vicinity of PROWSE

POINT and one Battalion to vicinity of FUSILIER

FARM, after ^immediately that the assaulting is launched; Battalions are clear; remainder of 
Reserve Brigade to remain under arms at ^the CATACOMBS

With the exception of C and H Battalions (which owing

to Frontages and Objectives allotted will attack

with all four companies) ^at least one Company of each

Battalion will be held available as Brigade Reserves

and to provide Brigade Carrying Parties.  -  The

moppers up and Battalion carrying parties will be 

drawn from the Assaulting Companies themselves. -

- 3 -
9/4/17.

8. ARTILLERY BARRAGE & TIME TABLE.
It being understood that "Zero" is the time

when the leading Infantry leave our trenches, the 

following time-table is proposed :-

(Here follows the time table arranged in 

conference with "G" Staff & B.M., R.A.)

9.  MACHINE GUN COMPANIES.
One M.G.Co. will be held in reserve at the 

CATACOMBS.  -  Prior to and during the assault,

the other three M.G. Companies will be employed to

barrage objectives, selected in consultation with

Corps Machine Gun Officer.  -  After capture of

all objectives, (and when ^at a clock time decided by Divisional

Commander) one M.G.Company will pass/under orders

of each front line Brigade for defence against

Counter-attack; the Divisional Machine Gun Co.

being held in Reserve in vicinity of ST YVES P.O.

near our outer flank, also for defensive employment.

10.  ENGINEERS AND PIONEERS
One Field Company, and Pioneer Battalion less 2

companies will be held in reserve.  - The remainder

will remain under the orders of the C.R.E.  One

Field Co. and one Company Pioneers will be employed

by him with each of the attacking Brigades. -

One hundred Infantry from 11th Brigade will be

allotted to each of these two Field Companies.

Special Tasks.  -
Communications across NO MAN'S LAND.

Formation of Strong points in our

new lines.

Clearing overland routes in captured

territory.

Bridging LA DOUVE RIVER.

Defensive wiring (if ordered) in 

front of right Brigade.

-4-
9/4/17.

11. MEDIUM TRENCH  MORTARS.
These will be employed in cutting wire prior to

Zero; during the "time table" they will participate

in the barrage of enemy front lines from Zero to

Zero plus five minutes.

12.  LIGHT TRENCH MORTARS.
One Battery is held in reserve.  -  One Battery

remains at disposal of each attacking Brigade, to 

move forward, under Brigadier's orders, into

captured territory, for employment defensively,

and to engage any suitable targets within range, -

particularly on the new front of the right Brigade.

13.  APPROACH MARCH & ASSEMBLY
("G" to draft)

14.  METHOD OF ISSUING FROM TRENCHES.
("G" to draft")

15.  ADMINISTRATIVE.
The following is a brief outline of proposed

arrangements.

(a)  Traffic Control                                      )

(b)  Dumps, - & their replenishment    ) Extracts from

(c)  Medical arrangements                      )  A.Q. Scheme to 

(d) Water Supply                                        ) be inserted.

(e) Concentration Camp                          )

(f) Tramway construction and                )    

operation.                                                    )

&c.   &c.                                                         )

-5-
9/4/17.

16.  POSITION OF HEADQUARTERS 
Division                  STEENWERCK

9th Inf. Brigade    U.20.a.8.9.

10th  do.                  U.14.c.5.2.

11th   do.                  CATACOMBS

A Bn.                        U.15.c.6.6½

B Bn.                        Prowse Point

C Bn.                        U.14.b.1½.9½.

D BN.                       U.8.c.3½.4.

E Bn.                        U.15.c.9½.5.

F Bn.                        U.15.a.6½.1½.

G Bn.                       U.8.d.2½.1½.

H Bn.                       (not yet reconnoitred)

Note:-  E, F, G, and H Battalion Headquarters will

move forward, after assault, to suitable dug-outs

in captured territory. -

17.  ARTILLERY   PREPARATIONS
The whole of the Gun positions, Group H.Q., O.P's.,

Communications, liaison, dumps and tramways have

been settled in accordance with the orders of 

B.G., and R.A.

18. DISPOSITIONS  AFTER OPERATION
In accordance with the situation, and at times

to be determined by the Divisional Commander,

the captured ground will be organized for defence

in depth, on the basis of a single Brigade front,

with two Battalions in the line and two in close

support.  -  If not otherwise employed, the 11th

Brigade, with Headquarters at the CATACOMBS, with

its associated Machine Gun Co., Light Trench

Mortar Battery, Field Co , and one Company of

Pioneers, will be allotted to this duty, the

troops of the assaulting Brigades being withdrawn

in stages to billets and camps within the concentration

area, to rest and reorganize; -

-6-
9/4/17.

those in the most forward positions being the 

first to be relieved. -

19. DEFENSIVE FRONT ST YVES TO RIVER LYS.
Inasmuch as two Battalions of the Reserve Brigade

are proposed to be pushed forward in immediate

support of the operations, as per para. 7, and

200 of the remaining two Battalions will be

attached to Field Companies, it will be seen that

the total of unallotted troops remaining at the 

disposal of the Divisional Commander will be less

than two Battalions.  It is hoped, therefore,

that the garrison of the Defensive front -

estimated to require two Battalions and a Brigade

of Artillery, can be supplied form another

formation, as foreshadowed in Corps Provisional

Plan, para. 6. - The left flank of this Garrison

will be available for defensive measure covering

the ground south of the line of ULTIMO AVENUE

(inclusive), and liaison will be established,

for this purpose, between this garrison and our

right assaulting Brigade. -

20.  MISCELLANEOUS
The following measures have still to be considered: -

(a) Arrangements for signalling our progress by

light signals.

(b) Arrangements for S.O.S action upon new front, 

by day and by night

(c) Preparation of timed barrage maps for

guidance of Infantry.

9.4.17
SECRET

MAGNUM OPUS

Preliminary Outline

10^th A.I.B.
1.  THE DISPOSI TIONS OF THE BRIGADE -
39th.Battalion
( 1st. Objective - ULRICA trench from the
( Right Bank of La DOUVE to Brigade Right
( boundary, a frontage of 550 yds.
( 2nd. Objective - ULRICA support from LA DOUVE
( to Brigade Right Boundary, a frontage of
( 550 yds.
400th. Battalion
( 1st. Objective - ULRICA trench U.8.b.00.40.
( to RIVER DOUVE, frontage 400 yds.
( 2nd. Objective - ULNA Switch inclusive from
( ULNA Support to the RIVER, frontage 300 yds.
( (It is desired to extend the frontage to
( (U.8.b.00.40. on the left)
38th. Battalion
less 2 Coys.
( 3rd Objective - Portion of ULSTER RESERVE.
( Strong point at GREY FARM, and line of
( ULSTERR RESERVE to the RIVER DOUVE,
( frontage 350 yds.
( (The desirability of a strong point to
( the EAST of Road at U.10.a.15.50 is
( suggested.)
37th. Battalion
( 3rd. Objective - ULCER RESERVE from Brigade
( Left Boundary to the RIVER, frontage 500 yds
( 4th Objective - UPSET (new) TRENCH from
( Brigade Left Boundary to RIVER,
( frontage 500 yds; and two strongpoints,
( one at BETHLEAN FARM and the other at
( HUT.
2 Coys. 38th.
Battalion
( BRIGADE RESERVE.
2. & 3.  INTERNAL DISPOSITIONS OF THE BATTALIONS -
39th.Battalion
( Four Companies in line, each company with
( two platoons in line, making eight platoons
( in the FIRST WAVE.
( First Wave to take SECOND OBJECTIVE, and
( consolidate the new line "D F ".
( Second Wave to take FIRST OBJECTIVE, & to
( supply Moppers Up.

(2)
2. & 3.  INTERNAL DISPOSITIONS OF THE BATTALIONS  (Continued) -
40th. Battalion 
( Two Companies to assemble in our front
( and support trenches immediately NORTH of
( the DOUVE - the First Wave to advance in
( line with the First Wave of the Brigade on
( our left, and to push on to ULNA SUPPORT and
( ULNA SWITCH.  The Second Wave to provide
( Moppers Up for the front line trench, and to 
( cooperate with the Third Wave in constructing
( crossings over the RIVER DOUVE in NO MAN'S
( LAND.  The remaining two Companies in two
( Waves - Third and Fourth Waves.  The Third
( Wave cooperates with the Second Wave in
( constructing the crossings.  The Fourth Wave
( completes the taking of the First Objective,
( and ultimately sends forward help towards
( the digging of the new line "D F ".
38th.  Battalion
( Two Companies in two Waves. The Third
( Wave goes through to the furthermost edge
( of GREY FARM Strong Point and the line of
( trenches prolonging it towards the RIVER.
( The Forth Wave provides Moppers Up and
( takes ULSTER RESERVE.
37th. Battalion
( Crosses the DOUVE RIVER by crossings
( placed in position by the 40th. Battalion.
( Fifth Wave goes to UPSET TRENCH and the
( two Strong Point positions.
( The Sixth Wave supplies Moppers Up, and
( takes ULCER RESERVE.
4. DISTRIBUTION OF LEWIS GUNS DURING CONSOLIDATION -
38th.  Battalion
( Four Lewis Guns garrisoning the suggested 
( strong point and guarding the Road running
( NORTH EAST from it.
( The other four in the hands of Company
( Officers in the consolidated line.
37th.  Battalion
( Four Lewis Guns in each Strong Point.  One
( gun in U.10.a.0.7.
The remainder of Lewis Guns in the new
lines.
5.  EMPLOYMENT OF VICKERS GUNS -
There does not seem to be much chance of
using Vickers Guns on the actual Brigade Sector during the
Assault, and a first-hand knowledge of the ground is necessary
before adequate tasks could be allotted.

3.
6.  RESERVES IN OURLINE -
Two Companies of the 38th. Battalion, will
form the Brigade Reserve.
7.  STRENGTH AND ORGANIZATION OF CARRYING PARTIES -
From Brigade to Battalion - One Officer and
40 men to each of the 37th. and 38th. Battalions.
Company carriers, from Battalion to Company,
two sections/per Company.
8.  SUPPLIES OF TOOLS, WIRE, and AMMUNITION - 
A Brigade Dump, and Battalion Dumps for the
39th. and 40th. Battalions will be established in or near our
front line trench, and well stocked beforehand.
Company carrying parties of the 39th. and 40th.
Battalions will carry the required stores direct from their
Battalion Dumps.  Company carrying parties of the 37th. and
38th. Battalions will be assembled at Brigade Dump before ZERO
hour, and loaded with supplies in anticipation of requirements.
They will follow the last wave of their battalions.
Battalion carrying parties of 40 men per
battalion of the 37th. and 38th. Battalions under an Officer
will carry forward material to establish battalion dumps in
rear of the third objective.
9.  METHOD OF ASSEMBLY,  &c.
The 39th. and 40th. Battalions in our front
line trench will sally ports at the rate of at least one per
platoon.
The 37th. and 38th. Battalions - The
preliminary assembly is to be provided for in the support
trenches and avenues as close to the front line as possible.
This cannot be arranged in detail without further knowledge
of the locality.
10.  KEEPING DIRECTION DURING ADVANCE -
It is not anticipated that the matter of
direction will give any great difficulty in this case.  The
First and Second Objectives of the 40th. Battalion offer some
slight difficulty, but it is proposed to attack them at first
in a due EASTERLY direction, which will bring the first Wave
to the southern half of ULNA SUPPORT.  This fact coupled with
the barrage should make ULNA SWITCH untenable.  A slight
change of direction to the left will be necessary for this 
Wave to reach its final objective.
11.  CROSSING LA DOUVE- 
The suggested method has been indicated in
the above "Dispositions of Battalions", viz. for two
Companies of the 40th. Battalion to assemble in our front
trenches NORTH of the DOUVE, and to attack in an EASTERLY
direction, One Company will make good the trenches between the
BEAK and the southern half of ULNA SUPPORT.
Parties detailed from Second Company will
cooperate with other parties from the Third Company in placing
across the RIVER in several places between the BEAK and ULRICA
TRENCH light bridges previously constructed by the Engineers
and carried out before ZERO hour.
W Ramsay McNicoll B.G.
10^th A.I.B  9.4.17.

SECRET.

2nd ANZAC.

No. S.G. 109

10/4/17.

Major General J. Monash, C.B., V.D., 

Commanding 3rd Australian Division.

The attached notes have been received from

G.H.Q. regarding the policy which governs the employment

of the R.F.C.,during the present operations.

The Commander-in-Chief has directed that the

notes should be made known to Divisional Commanders, and

that the paper is not to be reproduced.

CW Gwynn
B.G.,G.S.,

2nd ANZAC Corps.

[*Lt Col. Jackson.

For your personal perusal. - I do not

propose to use this document, except to meet

criticisms of our air policy which may be

voiced by our Artillery or other units.  Please

return to me -

J.M.

11/4/17

GHI*]