Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 15, 1 April - 10 May 1917, Part 6

-7-      10/4/17.

 

15. ADMINISTRATIVE.  The following is a brief outline of proposed
arrangements:-
TRAFFIC CONTROL.- Any traffic control off main
circuits to be undertaken by the Division. It is
probable that counter-battery work will destroy
the road PLOEGSTEERT to HYDE PARK CORNER, or, in
any case, make it difficult to use. PLOEGSTEERT
Cross-roads will, naturally, be a bad place, and
it is hoped to arrange for a diversion via SOYER
FARM (Sq. B.6.)
Regimental Police will be available to supplement 

the Traffic Control Personnel. It is proposed
to have personnel of the Divisional Train at the
western terminals of Trench Tramways to supervise
traffic on these tramways, and to see that the
forwarding of ammunition, supplies, and stores,
is carried out in order of urgency. Tracks are
being surveyed for the passage of Infantry and Pack
Transport, and roads for the diversion of wheeled
traffic in order to avoid dangerous points. These
roads and tracks will be specially marked.
DUMPS AND THEIR REPLENISHMENT - Small Arm Ammunition, 

Bombs, and Stokes Mortar Ammunition.-
It is proposed to have small dumps in, or near, our
present front line, and Brigade reserve dumps at
western terminals of trench tramways. The reason
for the small dumps well forward is that ammunition
will be wanted quickly, and carrying parties cannot
be depended on if they have a long way to go under
shell fire, especially if they get a long way back
from the fighting zone. Further, there is the
difficulty of the PLOEGSTEERT WOOD. It is hoped
to get some Stokes Mortars xxxxxxxxxx xxxx forward
early in the proceedings, to assist in dealing with
 

-8-     10/4/17

15 ADMINISTRATIVE (Contd.) 
DUMPS AND THEIR REPLENISEMENT (Contd.) - 
isolated enemy Machine Guns; these will supplement
the action of Rifle Grenadiers. It is proposed
to establish liaison between the D.A.C. and
Brigades by appointing Brigade Bombing Officers
to be in charge of Infantry Brigade Ammunition
Reserves.
MEDICAL ARRANGEMENTS. - It is proposed to establish
Regimental Aid Posts in our present forward system
for use only when the troops have made progress in
the attack. Unless Regimental Aid Posts are well
forward, the carry for Regimental Stretcher-bearers
will be too long. The Corps Advanced Dressing
Stations at U.19.d.1.5. and U.13.c.3.1. may be subjected 

to a considerable amount of shell fire, seeing
that they are in the middle of the battery positions.
If these stations are being heavily shelled, it might
be well to evacuate wounded by a Southerly movement
through PLOEGSTEERT WOOD, and thence via TOUQUET
BERTHE or MAISON 1875 to the South of PLOEGSTEERT,
thus avoiding the mass of our own Batteries. At
TOUQUET BERTHE, accommodation could be provided for
some 200 wounded, and it is thought that ambulance
wagons will be able to visit this spot at certain
times when hostile shelling slackens. The foregoing 

is merely a suggestion, the idea being to get
the wounded away to the flank of the probable hostile
retaliation. If this is approved, wounded could
then come back through MORTELETTE CHAPELLE (Sq.C.7.).
and thus avoid the ROMARIN- PLOEGSTEERT Road.
WATER SUPPLY - PLOEGSTEERT system can supply 10,000
gallons per day. It is dependent on the RED LODGE
Bore. I would ask that this Division may take over
 

-9-       10/4/17.

15. ADMINISTRATIVE.  (Contd.)     
WATER SUPPLY (Contd.)
 this bore for maintenance, as at present it is
becoming silted. In the event of RED LODGE supply
failing, water can be obtained from the pumping
station at the CREAMERIES, PLOEGSTEERT, but the
water is not good. There is good water at BRUNE
GAYE, and a considerable number of wells in the area.
A supply of petrol tins, specially cleaned, and
painted "WATER" have been collected by the Division.
Crates for carrying petrol tins on pack saddles are
being made. A superstructure for carrying twenty
2-gallon tins of water is being placed on all watercarts. 

Full use will be made of YUKON Packs for
water carrying.

CONCENTRATION CAMP.- STEENWERCK reinforcement camp
to be supplemented by tents and Labor Bn. accommodation. 

Reinforcements to be accommodated here under
Divisional control. Permanent staff of Divisional
School to be available for handling these.

[*Motor cars for Officers.

Buses for men*]
TRAMWAY CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION - It is understood
a type of 3-ton truck will be supplied by Corps to
run from the 60 centimetre line to the Trench Tram.
3,000 yards of extra tramline will be required in
order to continue lines after our troops have advanced.
None of the present tramlines can be taken up xxfely
as they will all be required later in the operations.
Traffic on Divisional Tramlines to be controlled by
an officer selected from the Divisional Train. It is
estimated that 80 trucks will be required. These have
been asked for. Trucks must be capable of carrying
stretchers, necessary adjustments to be made.
Tramway proposals for artillery already submitted.
 

-10-    10/4/17.
15.

ADMINISTRATIVE. (Contd.) 
TRAMWAY CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION (Contd.)
If sufficient rolling-stock is available, the EEL
PIE FORT Line might be used for the evacuation of
wounded. There are good Regimental Aid Posts at
present in use in the vicinity of this line. The
PROWSE- BOYD Tramline will be largely used. If
wounded from this line could be taken south on the
60 cm. line in order to avoid the PLOEGSTEERT -
HYDE PARK CORNER ROAD, it might be an advantage.
SUPPLIES - Apart from what is carried on the man, it
is proposed to have one day's rations tied in sandbags 

dumped well forward, for the two fighting
Brigades.
One day's rations for 3 Brigades and
affiliated troops at Western Terminals of Trench
Tramways; rations to be dumped by Battalion groups.
Each area to feed the troops in it, irrespective 

of who they would normally be fed by. One
day's Divisional reserve of rations to be dumped
at the Transport Lines (1st line transport), platforms 

to be constructed here for refilling. Supplies
will be taken by first line wagons or pack animals
up to Trench Tramways. Artillery in position to
have 5 days supplies dumped near them.
16. POSITION OF HEADQUARTERS.
Division           STEENWERCK.
9th Inf. Bde.    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

-11-        10/4/17
16.POSITION OF HEADQUARTERS. (Contd.)                    
 H. Bn.            Not yet reconnoitred.
Note. - E, F, G, and H Battalion Headquarters will

move forward, after assault, to suitable dugouts 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.,

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 the 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 Coy., 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; - 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 operation, 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
 

-12-   19/4/17.
19. DEFENSIVE FRONT ST YVES TO RIVER LYS. (contd.)  
from another formation, as foreshadowed in Corps

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

Garrison will be available for defensive measures
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.
Major-General
Commanding Third Australian Division.
 

[*per Phil. Schiyler

Apl 11/17*]
[*JM*]
THE" Y EMMA"
Work Amongst the Third Division.
Frank Beau^repaire's Success.
Constantly you hear this phrase of one trench veteran to another
as they come out of a communication trench into the precincts
of what once had been a grand town. " What are you going to do
tonight, Frank !" " Dunno" "Lets go over to the Y. Emma".
And later on they go.. probably into some shattered building
patched to keep out the snow gusts and winds. For those not
accustomed to decipher the army s short cuts to words, it must
be explained that the "Y Emma" is the Y.M.C.A. that moves now
with the troops as part and parcel of the army. Those lads
once inside the building will feel (if they cannot see ) the
glow of a fire. There are papers on the tables and a supply
of writing material. No need therefore, to explain how first
Mun and Dad, a sister, brother and always a sweetheart get a letter
written more freely than when the"Minnies " and other messages
done up in iron are coming o ver from Fritz. A hot drink of
tea or coffee does not go badly and there it is ready.. together wi
with the variety of things to be found in army canteens that range
from pickles to pipes and penholders, and pies.
But just for an instant glance at the other side of the
picture . . the town or village|in which there still stay a few
of the unfortunate inhabitants living on the freely spending
spent pay of the Australians. Of course they cannot compete
in cigarettes and chocolates and hot drinks .  . except coffee; so
and they find it easier to sell wines and beer of the country.
It is poor stuff at the best and at the worst, vile. So the
Y Emma has slipped in and a constant stream of fighting men flow
through its portals and are served saved the evils of the poor
estaminets or cafes. It must not be imagined , however, that the
Y Emma stands alone in this work. The Padres . . this is where the
padres are certainly invaluable . . establish small battalion
canteens running them on the small profits, corps funds, and the
liberal and constant donations of that fine organisation the
Australian Comforts Fund.
It would be grossly unfair to compare the work or
the scope, of either of these admirable bodies. There is room for
both. And to those who level the accusation that the Y Emma
charges for all that it gives as compared withthe free distribution
from comforts funds, it will be remembered by many of those vailant
chaps who charged across Noman's land to the german first, second
or even third line ttrenches, during the raids in January, February
and March entrusted to the 3rd Division, that on their return th
they found the canteens pushed right up to the entrance of the
communication trenches, and flowing with hot drinks and food. In
this shell stricken zone during the cold weather excellent
work has been done. And the Boche too was not denied as he
has passed prisoner, exchanging a button or some slight souvenir
for more sustantial things. Unfortunately the rules of war
prohibit the naming of the place where all this has taken place. It
is a hot spot, so hot indeed that to save being "blown off the map"
the Y Emma had to remove one of these happy homes. The profit
on two canteens alone for February and March was sufficient
to defray the free issue  . . some £I25.
Turn from the supply of comforts for the inner man
(nine canteens were at one time run by the Y.M.C.A. ) to the
amusements that are buoying up and bringing into tune again with
the natural (as compared to the unnatural tension of trench life) our fighters
Much has been written and more talked of, concerning the wonderful
german comfort behind the lines.) In that "long sleep" which at so
many points of the line, Fritz took, like a mole buried in the
ground, during I9I6, he, in his waking hours - -  burrowed out
theatres where "real" actresses came to entertain, not the men, but
 

2

the officers. Of the men, the Fritz's that the Anzacs meet . .
that is another story altogether. Here are some figures of the amusements

that have been organised by the Y.M.C.A. during the
period (not six months) that the 3rd Australian division hasv. been
in the line. Through the generosity of the Australian Y.M.C.A.
the original outlay of approximately £l70 for the cinema machines,
chairs and lighting plants was born by them and when up to the e
end of March £630 had been paid into the Field Cashier from
the recreations, the Y Emma would not take the refund which has
now passed into the corps fund which is held for the benefit of
the troops of the division generally. Only a nominal charge
of 5d is made to see a rattling good performance. Fritz may
boast of his actressess but what of the Pierrot shows and "movies"
up within a couple of thousand yards of the trenches that were
not run for officers but for the men ! The attendances ^in under
three months numbered 40000, which figure speaks for itself. That
is to say that each man of the Division could have seen the
shows twice.
You might stroll one evening at six down towards the
Cinema hall . . quite a pretentious building ^with posters on the walls, to find a long
cue waiting to gain admission. Many have to be turned away before
a "full house". It is a good hall and up to date if it was a
bit "shell holey" before the Australians took it. It is well
tucked away moreover, from the shells that now come floating
around. You can see a change of pictures three times a week
and pierrot items once. An amount of portable scenery has been
collected and if the sight of St Kilda Pier does not gladden,
gum trees may.
There was an old hall in a deserted suburb (a mile
or so from the line near a wood) that the Pioneers got to
work on. Wonderful chaps the 3rd Pioneers. They turned that
place into something quite cosy in the sh^ape of a concert hall . . a
twice weekly programme; and any unit wanting to increase its funds
or"treat" its men can buy the hall for the night for I00
francs( about £3-7-6-). Matinee performances are popular. One
other things; should be mentioned and that is the fine libraries x
that are so highly appreciated by the troops. They have comfortable

deck chairs to read in and it is a bright comfortable room.
Can you wonder therefore, that in the midst of the
terrible frosts, the persistent rains, and snow storms ,-- leaving
the war out of the argument.– with barns and broken cottages and
crumpled factories as their best,and dugouts as their working,
homes, the division has maintained its vigor, its spirit, and
its " punch ”. Major General Monash has offerred every possible
encouragement to the work. On the mental state of your troops
and their physique depends the largenesss of your success, is the
argument he uses;and disregarding for the moment the military
side of the question, the cheery optimism of the officers, the
interest in the very weapons of war, its arrows, bombs, shells
and explosives – - there has been one man The ^General has turned to and in
whom the General has placed a well merited confidence, Frank
Beaurepaire.
How is it that one man will win the heart of troops
and another no less devout earnest and hardworking will fail? War
is just where personality ^soonest tells. Frank Beaurepaire was well
known over Australia as the champion swimmer. Illness compelled
him to "go slow" for a while, but his spirit took him amongst the t
troops and now, when" go slow " has changed to " hustle " each
day and part of the night from firing line to back billets, he
could ill be spared from the work he so enthusiastically carries
out. To him alone may be given the credit of the building up the
"Y Emma" scheme which plays such a part in the lives of all these
Australians.
II.4.17
 

MAGNUM OPUS
D.H.Q.
12/4/17.
(Corps letter No SG98 dated 7th Apl'17)
DIVL PLAN TO REACH CORPS 20th inst
To include
Map - shewing:-
1. Brigade boundaries
2. Successive intermediate objectives with time table
for their capture.
3. Assembly positions.
4. Battalion Headquarters.
5. Brigade Headquarters.
6. Communication trenches (proposed or in existence) which
will be used.
7. Forward dumps.

8. Dressing Stations etc.

[*G.O.C.

This is what we

have to have ready

by 20th Aprl.

12/4/17 GMZ*]
 

SECRET.
NOTES FROM CORPS CONFERENCE ON 13th. APRIL.
[*G.O.C.

GMZ*]
"A" Scheme equals North and South, both going.
"B"      "               "        South only.
"C"       "              "        "HOOSH HASH"   [*Houronch*]

Get out preparations so that one fortnight more would be
sufficient notice for us.
In certain circumstances things will move more rapidly, and
we should go to final objective on first day.
Note:- This does not seem to have been accurately defined
as yet, but I have always thought that there are grave disadvantages

in sitting down under the enemy's guns, when the
capture of one more trench would mean getting those guns.
Some time ago I asked PAIN to put on a map for us how the
guns are situated for capture, so far as we are concerned.
If things develop we might represent this and be allowed to
try for the guns, and so avoid heavy casualties over a protracted

period.
We are to study use and employment of gas shell. B.G.G.S.
to take action.
I will inform our gunners.
Corps Commander ruled that our supporting Battalions of
the Reserve Brigade should be in position before Zero hour.
Distribution of Machine Guns. - Part of 9th. and 10th.
Machine Gun Companies on flanks. Divisional Company augmented

by guns from the Reserve Division covering front.
Clock hour at which balance of 9th. and 10th. Companies
come under their respective Brigade Commander's orders.
Necessary to consider advantages and disadvantages of
defensive wiring after the advance,
Advantages. Check counter attack and enable our line to
be held more lightly, thus reducing casualties.
Disadvantages. Reveal the position we are holding to the
enemy's guns, which they would not be able to locate so
easily if they had to look for us merely among the shell
holes.
Second Disadvantage. Might interfere with our subsequent
advance.
This is not a very real disadvantage, as we could always
allow plenty of gaps, and in any case there would not be
such a mass of wire, that it could not be cut rapidly by
patrols.
Personally I am all for putting out some low wire which
won't show up, but would check a rush.
We might be able to use short screw pickets, or something
similar. I will go into the question with the C.R.E.
The wire would, of course, have to be made up in a
collapsible form, ready to extend along the pickets.
Wire for strong points is, to my mind, necessary.
Corps sanctioned our digging a trench to straighten our
front line and asked that it might be put in hand forthwith

I am taking this up with CLOGSTOUN.
Concentration camp at MORBECQUE, where/our extra men will
be not under our own control. - I will let FARMER know
about this.
P.T O.