Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 15, 10 May - 9 June 1917, Part 17

REPORT ON OPERATION OF 44TH BATTALION FROM

Y/Z NIGHT UNTIL BATTALION LEFT OFFENSIVE AREA.

 

On the night of 6th/7th June 1917 the Battalion was billetted

at the CATACOMBS  as part of the reserve Brigade.

At 9.30 pm on the 7th June 1917 the Battalion paused under the

control of the 10th Infantry Brigade for action, and at 10.30 pm

received instructions to proceed to the BLACK LINE near MESSINES

from U.9.70.55.  to  U.3.d.40.90. and form up ready to attack the

GREEN LINE at 3 a.m.   Owing to the late receipt of instructions the

Battalion was not in position for attack until 
3.20 am. at which hour

it attacked with companies in the following order.

B Coy on left flank, C Coy in centre, and A Coy on the right.

Before the attack Headquarters was informed that a company of

the 40th Battalion held the line from the DOUVE RIVER at  U.10.a.05.60.

While the attack  was in progress information was received that this

was not so, and two platoons from D Coy (reserve company) were sent to

take and hold the right flank.   The attack was succesful and the

GREEN LINE was taken, but as the 12th Brigade had not come up on our

left flank, it exposed our flank which had to fall back forming a 

defensive flank.   The line then held stretched from  U.4.a.15.40  to

U.4.a.40.40. thence to U.4.a.50.05. thence to U.4.a.50.80. thence

along the GREEN LINE  to the RIVER DOUVE. This was the. line held at

3.45 am.   At 5 am the 47th Battalion came up on our left and

occupied a line running northward from the junction of OWL TRENCH

and HUNS WALK.   The left flank of the Battalion then moved forward

and connected up with them crossing UNCANNY TRENCH at U.4.a.45.50.

This was completed by 6 am and consolidation rapidly proceeded.

At 11 am an intense enemy bombardment came down and lasted until 
8.30 a.m.  
At 3 am on the night 8th/9th June 1917 the 40th Battalion

moved in and occupied OWL support trench. 
At noon instructions were

received from Headquarters to B and C Companies that they must move

forward and occupy the GREEN LINE connecting up with the 48th Battn.

on their left.   Heavy opposition was met with from snipers and machine

guns, but this was accomplished by 3 pm and the consolidation of the

new line immediately put in hand.  The line now held therefore stretched

from  U.4.b.05.72.  to  U.4.a.90.15.  thence U.4.a.70.90.  thence in 

a general line to  U.4.c.20.03.  thence to the LA DOUVE RIVER at

U.10.a.05.60.    At this point we connected up with the 9th Brigade. 

Throughout the whole of the 9th June 1917 machine guns and snipers were

very active and a steady bombardment was maintained on us by the 

enemy.   A patrol was sent out by B Coy. to examine a hedge running from 

HUNS WALK at  U.4.b.20.60.  to  U.4.b.30.20.  at 
4 pm, two snipers were

found and dealt with. and the patrol after further searching the hedge

and finding same all clear returned.   A patrol was sent out by D Coy

at 4 pm to the point  U.4.C.90.io.  to reconnoitre but were driven back

casualties 1 killed 5 wounded.   A Coy sent a patrol to the point  U.4C.90.50. 
to examine that portion of UNDULATING TRENCH and if possible to

establish a standing patrol.   At this time the trench was found to be

fairly strongly held by the enemy and it was estimated that there were 

about a 100 Germans in this portion of UNDULATING TRENCH and the formation 
of a standing patrol not possible.   At 4.30.pm. a S.O.S. barrage was

put down by our own artillery and B Coy and part of C Coy were forced to 

retire from the Green Line into shell holes in rear of our line owing to

short shooting of one of our Batteries.   This was reported and afterwards

corrected. Then the barrage ceased at 5.15.pm. the GREEN LINE was again

reoccupied.   Steady shelling by the enemy over the whole of the captured

sector continued throughout the night.   At 5.pm. on the 10th June the

the heavy batteries commenced shelling the La Potterie System of trenches 
where Huns were known to have massed and a counter attack was expected 
from this direction.   At 7.5. pm. it was reported that some of the

Heavies were firing into and even as much as 50 yards in rear of our

line on the right flank from the LA DOUVE BRIDGE at  U.10.a.05.60.  and

D Coy and part of A Coy were forced to retire until the Heavies were t

turned off at 7.15.pm. when the GREEN LINE was again wholly occupied. 

The Battalion was relieved at 10. pm on the night of the 10th 

June 1917 but owing to the enemy putting down a heavy barrage at this

hour the relief was not completed until 3. am. on the morning of the

11th instant.   The total casualties for the operations were 9 officers

and 249 other ranks.

REMARKS.

The whole of the execution of these operations was

marked by the devotion to duty of all ranks. 

The C.o. and his Headquarters Staff established themselves 
in shell holes and despite every effort being made to effe  [[effect]]

even partial protection such was unavailing;  as Hqrs were forced

to seek shelter in no less than 4 separate shell holes - some 

special detail i think should be earmarked to carry forward material 
for purposes of building cover for the Battalion Head Quarters

Experience teaches that having to vacate various shell holes does

not tend to the most efficient working of the Higher Command,

having in view the nature and calibre of the enemys heavy shells. 

 

W. C. Mansbridge

Lt- Col.

Commanding 44th Battalion A.I.F.

SECRET    6/6/17

PRELIMINARY INSTRUCTIONS

A R M O U R      B A T T A L I O N.
Copy No.

Reference Map 28 S.W. 1/10000

INFORMATION
1.   In the event of this Battalion becoming H Battalion in the 

prospective attack on the enemy's position South of MESSINES
the following dispositions will apply.

INTENTIONS. 

2.  The portion to be attacked is that part
between the BLACK and
GREEN LINE making good the GREEN LINE
as indicated on Map 1
copies of which are already in the hands of
Company Commanders

ARTILLERY SUPPORT 

3.   Artillery creeps forward at the rate of 100
yards in three
minutes to the line of UNCANNY TRENCHES
where it remains for 15
minutes barrage, subsequently it becomes
stationary for an
indefinite period in front of the GREEN LINE
to allow of this
line being consolidated. The barrage table for
artillery
programme from the BLACK to the GREEN LINE and beyond will be
issued later.

FORMATIONS

4.   The Battalion will issue from our trenches in Artillery formation
up to the assembly position in rear of the BLACK LINE.
Waves will be formed as follows: -
FIRST WAVE - "C"Coy on the left 
"A"Coy centre   "D" Coy less two platoons 
on the right opposite their respective 

objectives
SECOND WAVE - "B" Coy opposite their objectives.   Two platoons

of "D" Coy will form Battalion reserve. 

OBJECTIVES

5. "C" Coy that portion of UNCANNY TRENCH from Brigade Boundary
U.4.a.35.55.  to  U.4.c.70.94.
 "A" Coy from  U.4.c.70.94.  to  U.4.c.20.05.
"B" Coy UNCANNY SUPPORT, UNDULATING SUPPORT and UNDULATING
TRENCH between  U.4.b.05.66.  to  U.4.c.70.94.
"D" Coy (less 2 platoons)  U.4.c.20.65.  to          Bridge over LA DOUVE
RIVER at  U.10.a.05.60.

DIRECTING FLANK.

6.   The advance from the BLACK LINE to the
GREEN LINE will be by
the left and in co-operation with the advance of the 47th
 Battalion which is on our left. 

ACTION BY COMAPNIES. 

7.   "C" Coy. after making good their objective
will establish a strong
point in the vicinity of SEPTIEME BARN and also consolidate a
 support trench from the said strong point to U.4.a.44.35.
"B" Coy. will estbalish blocks in UNDULATING SUPPORT and
UNDULATING TRENCH  Special care is to be taken by this company
in charnging their direction is passing through "C" Coy. to
 reach their objective.
 "A" Coy. on reaching their objective will immediately consolidate
"D" Coy (less two platoons will consolidate their objective)
B A and D Coys. on reaching their objective will at once push
forward OUTPOSTS , and the utmost vigilance must be displayed to
cover the consolidated parties. The two platoons of D Coy
forming the Battalion reserve under LT. BIRKS will await further
instructions. All companies will adhere to the principles of
mutual support and covering fire during the advance.  The necessity
of digging in quickly must be impressed on all ranks.  The
picquet line of the outposts will be the line of resistance
until such time as the consolidation of the GREEN LINE is completed
 when the GREEN LINE becomes the line of resistance.    Os.C.
Companies will utilise their Lewis Guns to the best advantage.
Tools will be carried as per instructions already issued.

LIAISON

8.   "C" Coy will detail one NCO to report to Company Headquarters
of the company of the 47th Battalion in touch on our left.

COMMUNICATION TRENCH

9.   After GREEN LINE is captured a Communication Trench will be dug by 
a company of the 39th Battalion from BLACK LINE to GREEN LINE
to a point near the junction of UNCANNY AND UNDULATING  TRENCHES.  
This communication trench will run back via ULCER  RESERVE, RIVER DOUVE, ULRICA ROW, to the only  ONLY WAY.

2.

WIRE

10.  Line of consolidation will be wired as soon as material is
obtained.   Strong points must be wired during
their construction.

CONTACT PLANES

11.  Contact planes are permanently allotted to
Divisional Area and
the hours at which they fly xxx will be.

             Zero plus   1 H.      5 min.

             Zero plus   2 H.   30  M

             Zero plus   4 H.   30  M

             Zero plus   6 H.     15  M

             Zero plus   8 H.       -

             Zero plus  10 H.    40   
The call for flares will be a series of "A"s sounded by the
planes on a Klaxon Horn and by the firing of a
white very light
Troops will be prepared to light flares at any time if thr
plane calls for them.

WATCHES

12.  Watches will be synchronised at B.H.Q.

GENERAL

13.  Special attention is directed to and read in conjunction with
this order 
(a) /rd A.D.TRENCH STANDING ORDERS 
(b) Standing Orders for War 3rd A.D. 
(c) s.s.135 
(D) s.s.144

REPORTS

14.  Reports to bB.H..
Issued at 5 pm
AC K N O W L E D G E.
 

Sgd W,C, MANSBRIDGE Lt-Colonel.

Commanding ARMOUR Battalion. AIF

Copy  No.1   C O 44th Bn

                  2    A Coy

                  3    B Coy

                  4    C Coy

                  5    D Coy

                  6    Brigade Hqrs.

                  7    War Diary

                  8

                  9

ADDENDUM.

The 11th Trench Mortar Battery will detail 2 guns which are 

allotted to C Coy and so placed in the strong point that it

will assist the bombing blocks and resist counter attacks

in addition to performing its duties at the strong point.

"A" Form                                       Army Form C2121.
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.   No. of Message_
Prefix....................Code..................m.
Office of Origin and Service Instructions.
"X"
Words     Charge
Sent
At..................m.
To....................
By....................
This message is on a/c of:
............................Service.
.................................
(Signature of "Franking Officer".)
Recd. at...................m.
Date...........................
From..........................
By.................................

TO                        G.F. 76.
Sender's Number.    S.82.
Day of Month.    9
In reply to Number.
AAA

Report from patrol despatched by "D" Company has

just been received aaa  They reached their position

within 50 yards of UNGODLY AVENUE and were driven in

by enemy snipers and enemy in UNGODLY AVENUE. aaa

Estimated strength 100 aaa   From observation

enemy were in small parties in rear of UNGODLY AVENUE

AND appeared to be working and about 
5 o'clock they

ceased work and moved South in small parties towards

LA POTTERIE Farm aaa   The Sergt. in charge became a

casualty   .  This patrol is being again despatched.

aaa
 

From
Place
Time               9.22 p.m.

(Z) ARMOUR.
(Signature of Addressor or person authorised to telegraph in his name.
 

"A" Form.                                     Army Form C 2121.

 MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.  No. of Message...
Prefix....................Code...................m.

Office of Original and Service Instructions.
Priority    

[[WRMCll?]]

8/6
Words      Charge
Sent
At.........................m.
To.........................
By.........................
This message is on a/c of:
...............................Service.
......................................
(Signature of "Franking Officer".)
Recd. a   A   m.
Date..............................
From.............................
By....................................
 

TO                  44^th

Sender's Number.    MC 278
Day of Month.    8
In reply to Number.
AAA

Are you on UNCANNY

SUPPORT AAA  Send

markings of your new

line on message form map.

(*2N
10.8a*)
 

From                GE 37
Place
Time                  10.7 am

(Z)

[[WRMCll?]]
(Signature of Addressor or person authorised to telegraph in his name.
 

 

"A" Form                                 Army Form C.2121.

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.   No. of Message...
Prefix....................Code...................m.

Office of Origin and Service Instructions.              

Priority
Words     Charge
Sent
At.....................m.
To.....................
By.....................
This message is on a/c of:
.......................Service.
.................................
(Signature of "Franking Officer".)
Recd at        B      m.
Date...................
From................
By......................
 

TO               44^th    37^th

Sender's Number.    MC 279
Day of Month.    8
In reply to Number.
AAA

Please wire reply to my

MC 278 AAA   It is necessary

that we hold, or include in

our line the Trench junction

at U 4 a 58.18 AAA    Be

prepared to hold Brigade

section of GREEN LINE by

yourself AAA   38^th will hold

BLACK LINE AAA    Report the

earliest you can spare

37^th for withdrawal AAA

Addressed 44^th  repeated

37^th.

ARMY

AZ8VII7
TELEGRAPHS

(*JB
11-43
o*) 

 

 

From            GE 37
Place
Time             11.40 am

(Z) [[WRMCll?]]
Signature of Addressor or person authorised to telegraph in his name.
 

 

"A" Form                            C       Army Form C.2121.

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.    No. of Message...
Prefix....................Code...................m.
Office of Origin and Service Instructions.
Words     Charge
Sent
At.........................m.
To.........................
By.........................
This message is on a/c of:
......................................Service.
.......................................
Signature of "Franking Officer".)
Recd. at......................m.
Date.,............................
From.............................
By....................................

ARMY
AZ8V117
TELEGRAPHS

TO                  44^th

Sender's Number.    MC 283
Day of Month.,    8/6
In reply to Number.
AAA

Please verify your front line

position.    12^th Bde definitely

state they and you are digging

on OWL & UNCANNY SUPPORT line

AAA   This would make your

S 27 inaccurate AAA.

(*2JA

1.28p*)

From         GE. 37
Place
Time           1-22 p

(Z)

[[WRMCll?]]
Signature of Addressor or person authorised to telegraph in his name.
 

 

"C" Form                      D             Army Form C. 2123.

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.   No. of Message...
Prefix    SB      Code    FAJ      Words    58

£    s.    d.
Charges to collect
Service Instructions.
Priority  Phone from Loft Nieppe
Received
From    GT2
By  Thomas
Sent, or sent out
At     1  m.
To.......................
By.......................
Office Stamp.

ARMY
AZ
TELEGRAPHS

Handed in at GT2 Office  65 m.  Recd  68 m.

TO                10^th  Bde  AIF

 Sender's Number.    
Day of Month.    8
In reply to Number.
AAA
 

No 534 shelling by heavy

HE still in progress and

very heavy aaa   Work of

Consolidation interfered with and a

great deal of the work

destroyed aaa   In the event

of a heavy Counter-attack

will require all present personnel

of 37th and 38th to

assist me.
 

From                    (SD) W O Mansbridge
Place & Time       C O 44^th  Bn  
 

"A" Form.                                    Army Form C. 2121.

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.  No. of Message...

 Prefix    SB      Code  C.E pm. 
Office of Origin and Service Instructions.
Priority G.22
Phone
from Loft 42^nd [[ ? ]]
Words        Charge
17 
Sent
At........................m.
To........................
By............................
This message is on a/c of:
...............................Service
F       ...........................
(Signature of "Franking Officer".)
Recd. at 3.25 pm.
Date  8/6/17
From  42^nd  [[ ? ]]
By G. L. Day

ARMY
AZ
TELEGRAPHS

TO            44^th  Batt
 Sender's Number.    
Day of Month.    8
In reply to Number.
AAA

We  are  driven  out  of 

trenches    All  wires  cut

44^th  Batt

(* 3/30 *)


From
Place                     44^th  Batt.
Time
(Z)
.......................................................
Signature of Addressor or person authorised to telegraph in his name.