Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 15, 10 May - 9 June 1917, Part 7

SECRET

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION        G1/258

Divisional Headquarters,

23rd May 1917.

C.R.A.

C.R.E.

9th Aust. Inf. Brigade

10th Aust. Inf. Brigade

11th Aust. Inf. Brigade

Div. Sig. Co.

2nd ANZAC Corps (for information).

Herewith M.C.Circular No. 29. The  following are

not attached and will be forwarded subsequently:-

Map No. 2 - 4.5 Howitzer Barrage.

Diagram No. 4. - Signal Communications.

Diagram No. 6. ) Machine Gun action.

Appendix II       )

It will be noticed that the positionsof Battalion Headqu

quarters have not yet been entered on Map No. 1 as the final

dispositions of Battalions has not yet been received from

Brigades.

GOC COPY

(Sgd) G. H. [[Janitor?]]

Lieut-Colonel,

General Staff.

 

GOC'S COPY

SECRET

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION         G1/258/351

Divisional Headquarters.

23/5/17.

 

General JENOUR called at 11.45 a.m. on 23rd inst. and stated

that exclusive of wire-cutting, and exclusive of counter-battery

work, he had the following allotment of ammunition to be

expended up to and including the 31st inst.

          3,500   8" and  9.2" Most of which are 8"

          8,000   6" 

                 80  12"

He stated that there would be big counter-battery shoots on the

26th and 27th, and therefore it is probable that the same

number of hours destructive bombardment as usual could not take

place on these dates. It will be necessary, therefore, to allot

a large amount of ammunition on other days.

He guaranteed that targets within the Black Line would be

suitably dealt with before the Division went over the top, and

suggested that targets up to the 31st should be selected, which [[XX]]crossed out?]] owing to their position, were difficult and requiring aeroplane observation.

The G.O.C. ruled that the ammunition above referred to

should be expended. -

          (a) On important targets

          (b) On Difficult targets.

It was agreed at the meeting just SCHNITZEL farm and GREY

Farm systems, BETLHEEM Farm system, and UNCANNY Trench up to the Trench junction. LA POTTERIE system, and UNBEARABLE Trench from

the second "E" in MESSINES  to  the junction eastward, should be

engaged amongst other targets. The 12" should be put down for

LA POTTERIE system on account of the heavy dugouts there.

0Divisional Intelligence Officer with B.M., R.A. will

forthwith make out a plan to be submitted to General JENOUR by

2 p.m. to-day by Special D.R. Plan will show Date. Target.

Number of Rounds. Distinction of Gun, from to-morrow (inclusive)

to the 31st (inclusive).

Thus, the Heavy Artillery will have nothing to do but

submit the scheme direct to Army who have asked for it.

We shall arbitrarily allot the dates, the targets, type of

ammunition, and the number of rounds.

Liuet-Colonel,

General Staff.

DISTRIBUTOR

          G.O.C.

          B.M., R.A.

          D.I.O.

 

G.O.C.                                                           23-5-17    G1/258/366

POINTS OUTSTANDING REQUIRING ATTENTION.

1. Light signals, especially signal to stop machine gun barrage.-

                                     Suggestions.

                  S.O.S., Red Very Light                    )

                  Lengthen, Green Very Light.       )  For Artillery.

                  

                  S.O.S., Red Very Light.

                  Stop, White Very Light by day only, as it      )

                  would not do for use at night owing to       )  Machine

                 enemy's lights, - or some form of rocket      )  Guns.

                 for day and night.                                                ) 

2.  Signals to indicate positions of F.O.Os.

3.  Approach march, and getting into position of Machine Guns Coys.,

     prior to Zero.

4.  Special letter to all concerned re exact position and action of

      mines, and policy with regard to Russian Saps.

5.  Flares not to be lit by rear waves. - Aircraft to be informed.

6.  Exact positions of all Battalion Headquarters.

7.  Places of assembly for "E" and "H" Battalions, and one Engineer

     Coy., and one Pioneer Coy., working with the 10th. Brigade.

8.  Details re Pioneer Coys. to work for the artillery after Zero hour.

9.  Fix staff for GEDDES and two Battalions of the 57th. - Go into

     details with them at personal interview.

                    Points for Discussion

             Method of holding line.

             Method of control.

             Signal communications.

             Billets.

             Artillery.

             Machine Guns.

            Trench Mortars.

            How relief to be conducted.

            New Supply.

            Medical Officers. Medical.

10.  Mark all approach routes.

11.  Detailed orders for 2nd. June move to be made out by G. II, i.e.

      the taking over of the Offensive front by the 11th. Bde., and

      the handing over of the Defensive front by them to the 57th.

12.  Allotment of billets and a certain amount of "dry nursing" for

      the 57th., as they are new to the line.

13.  Definite orders re move of Brigade Headquarters to Fighting

      positions on or about "X" day.

14.  Definite orders re whole Division moving into its Offensive area

       on a date to be notified later.

15.  Report from 11th. Bde., re exact distribution of their Battalions

      on "W/X" and "X/Y" nights. -

      "Q" Staff to work this up, e.g. - On "W/X" night they have two

      Battalions in Back Billets.

      On "X/Y" night they have one Battalion Back Billets, one Battalion

      Forward Defensive Area ready to side step.

These Back Battalions and Forward Areas will require to be finally

settled.

P.T.O.

(2).

16.  Get decision rom Corps re necessity of blowing birdcage group,

       as well as FACTORY FARM. - Instructions in case they don't go up.

17.  G. I to have final look at the approach routes and assembly

      trenches with C.R.E.

18.  Get from Brigades (9th. and 10th) nominations of Battalions to

      "A", "B", "C", etc.

19.   Send into Corps alteration in plan to suit new conditions as soon

        as they give us definite information in regard to GREEN line.

20.  Warn 10th. Brigade re alteration of Divisional boundary on to

        HUES WALK, as by most recent Corps plan.

21.   Get from Brigades positions selected for strong points and for

       Battalion Headquarters in enemy's territory.

22.  Get from Brigades their scheme for protective detachments in

       addition to the crater post pushed out by the 9th Bde.

23.  Wiring of BLACK line South of the DOUVE at once. - North of the

       DOUVE not till ordered.

24.  9th. Bde., to have an O.P. near SEPTIME BARN.

25.  Details to all concerned re pushing forward our batteries.

26.  10th. Bde., action against STEIGNAST FARM battery.

27.  Destructive bombardment to be examined in scope owing to      capture of GREEN line. -

      D.I.O. to notify those concerned.

28. Query necessity for signal to quicken up or slacken down barrage.

29.  Corps to decide on general question of all signals.

30.  Special order re gas, smoke and 4" Stokes Mortars.

31.   Artillery details. - Are 106 fuze to be used in barrage work, as

       it affects distance ahead of 18-pr. barrage?

      Prevention of wire repair in back areas by machine guns.

      In forward areas by Lewis Guns.

      How to deal with machine guns, and snipers in trees? Query

      shrapnel burst high, or better to leave to the Infantry to deal

     with, and not interfere with gun programme.

     Forward ammunition dumps [[for guns]] inserted?]] that it is    proposed to move after Zero.

    How will guns knocked out be replaced?

32.  G.S.O. I study times of daylight and moon from 1st. to 15th. June.

33.   9th. Bde., re their extra water.

34.   G.S.O. I draft -

                (a) Approach March Orders.

                (b) Attack Orders.

       Have them ready by the 27th.

35.  Re-distribution of guns for "S.O.s".

36.  Special action re wire cutting in back areas. G.S.O. I make sure

       O.K.

37.  Masked guns of the Reserve Corps. - Query their being used to

       help capture MESSINES RIDGE, and after that to help capture GREEN line. - Query positions for these masked guns.

P.T.O.

(3).

       Corps conference on 15th. referred to this matter.

38.  Control and supply, and general tactical handling of the Squadron

        in PLOEGSTEERT WOOD.

39.   AT1 references now to hours and minutes - not merely to minutes

        of time. - All concerned to be notified.

40.   Pioneers have 5 Companies. - This must be remembered in handling them.

41.    Question of destruction of guns captured.

42.   G.S.O. I to work out how "S.O.S." rockets are going to be seen

         from the GREEN line and information conveyed to batteries, if

         F.O.Os communications do not hold.

43.   Take advantage of good weather for wire cutting.

44.   Divisions to give definite statement with reference to numbers of

         Officers, N.C.Os and men to go to MOREBECQUE. Balance can be used by Divisions.

        In the numbers for MOREBECQUE  we are allowed to count  in the

        numbers away at Schools. - G. II was asked to take action re this.

45.   When "K" gas is to be carried out, and up to when other gas can be

        let go.

46.  WILSON re practising visual D.D. messages, and daylight signalling

        lamps.

47.  G. III re numbers sausage signalling panels.

48.  Get from Brigades their extra requirements for destination patches

        BLACK, WHITE, PINK, YELLOW - in order of objectives.

49.  G. I speak A.Q. re extra carriers for stretcher bearers.

50.  Encyclopedia Positions other than BUNHILL ROW, available for

        troops, affording a certain amount of protection.

        G.S.O. I to get.

51.   Instructions re use of Naval Code Position Calls and ciphering

       generally.

52.  Issue of flares to be carried by men.

53.   Orders are that [[for]] inserted?]] Battalion Headquarters are to go forward. Scrutinise this in Brigade Orders.

 

----------------

GOC         

NOTES FROM CORPS COMMANDER'S CONFERENCE,

HELD ON 23rd. MAY.

1.  Third Division to make plans with the New Zealanders to go

      forward as soon as possible and as far as possible.

2.  Don't blow birdcage group, and don't put letter up re this.

     G.S.O. I to notify DAVIS.

3.  G.S.O. I to make absolutely certain that our artillery is co-

      ordinated with New Zealanders up to the BLACK line.

4.  Fourth Division to make plan for assembly and counter-attack

     on any of the three Divisional fronts. -

     G.S.O. I to pick assembly position for them in our area.

5.  G.O.C., R.A. stated guns would only fire 3 rounds per gun per

     minute during the creeping barrage, and 1 round during

    protective action. S.O.S. barrage rate not stated: presumed

    4 rounds. - During the advance to the GREEN line 1 or 2 rounds

    per guns per minute.

    On G.O.C., R.A's showing each gun would fire 600 rounds in the 

    day.

24-5-17.

Ruling at muting of GOC & G end

[[?]] on 24th - at +3.10. wh

move along [[?]] Trench as far as 

they can, having done again to [[?]]

& their Arty Barrage which will

on OWL & [[?]] Trenches.

[[?]] [[?]] left will be out in direction

of Porcupine Farm. 3rd Div. confirm

a time of posts is to be  established.

11.20 a.m.

24-5-17

[[?]]

 

Notes for Conference into Army Commander 15/5/17

& C. in C. on 24/5/17

Notes on Divisional Offensive Plan

1.  Billeting prior to Zero.
2. Distinctive Bombardment.
3. Holding line prior to Zero -3 Bns.
4. Approach March.
5. Assembly.
6. Method of issue.
7. Infantry dispositions & tasks.
8. Details of Battlelines Organization ([[?]] papers).
9. Artillery Dispositions.
10. Barrage & Time  Table [[?]] [[?]].
11. Machine Gun Passages.
12. Defensive Barrage & S.O.S. action.
13. Employment of Vickers & Starkes guns in the Advance.
14. Defensive Organization - immediately after Zero Subsequently.
15. Signal Communications
16. Administrative - Several.

17

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISIONS,

Divisional Headquarters,

25/5/17.

Brig-General A.Jobson,

Brig-General W.R.McNicoll, D.S.O.

I forward you herewith an advance copy of the list

of questions which I propose to discuss with Battalion Com-

manders.

My conferences with them will not commence before

June 1 or 2 at earliest, so that there will be adequate time

to have them fully instructed on all points.

Prior to the date named, I propose to go through

this list with Brigadiers personally, in a general and not

minutely detailed way. - I shall fix appointments for this

purpose within the next week.

(Sgd) JM

Major-General,

Commanding Third Australian Division.

[[Bank?]] [[?]]

G.   I

To note action  taken 

& return to me

JM

25/5/17

[[?]]

25

-- JM

5

25/5/17

MAGNUM OPUS

Questions for discussion with Infantry Commanders.

Reconnaissances (a) by Commander (b) Subord-               inates.	35	38	39
2.  Visits to Model at BRUNE GAYE (a) by Officers          (b) by Platoons.
3.  Personnel selected to be kept out and sent to           MORBECQUE.
4.  Raiding prior to Zero day.
5  .Maps and Plans :- what received, what required.
6.  Study of Air Photos.
7.  Arrangements as to Dumps, Supply, Medical, Prisoners
8. Carrying arrangements ;- Yukon Packs.
9.  Circular No. 30 re "Final Training".
10.  File of M.O. Circulars and Orders
11. Resting all ranks [[on day]] inserted]] prior to Zero day.
12. Billeting arrangements prior to Zero day.
13.  Reconnaissance of approach routes, and by whom;                  erection of stops to prevent taking wrong                  turnings.
14. Reconnaissance of Assembly places.
15.  Manhandling . . troops into their places, and over                   the top.
16.  Arrangements for issue, - Steps, bridges, clearing                our wire.
17.  Reconnaissance of enemy wire and gaps.
18.  Arrangements for closing up lines under out                 barrage to get our tail clear rapidly.
19.  Action re Mines opposite ANTON'S (a) if blown (b)                if not blown.
20. Action re Mines at end near FACTORY FARM.
21.  Organisation of the Unit for the operation.
22.  Actual dispositions for the attack.
23.  Moppers-up, telling off to objectives and special                   instruction.
24.  Discussion of tasks allotted to Companies and                   Platoons.
25.  Measures taken to ensure proper direction.

-2-                 25/5/17.        

26.  Measures taken to identify on ground lines                                     to be consolidated.	45	28	29
27.  Measures taken to deal with special objec-                tives, or anticipated difficulties                 during the advance.
28.  Artillery Barrages -  if fully known and                 understood.
29.  M.G.Barrages - if fully known and understood.
30.  Arrangements for Effective siting of our new                                                   lines.
Employment of attached sappers.
Selection of Strong Points.
Covering troops during consol-                                                   idation
Orders to covering troops, if                                                   counter-attacked.
Rapid consolidation of new front                                                    lines.
Rapid consolidation of new                                                    support line.
Consolidation of Crater near                                                   our right flank.
Adequate supply of digging tools.
Firing in front or our new line.
31.  Crossing the DOUVE, in NO MAN'S LAND.
31.  Arrangements for opening Communications to               new lines
33.  Arrangements for forming bombing blocks, and               their defence.
34.  S.O.S. messages by Infantry (a) by day (b)               by night.
35.  Forward Signalling arrangements.
36.  Timing of all messages.
37.  Reconnaissance of all runner routes - use of                guide tapes.
39.  Liaison - to front, flanks, and rear.
40.  Employment of Smoke Barrage on right.
41.   Any questions, or difficulties.
42.  Preparation and use of Agenda lists.