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

SECRET
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
HEADQUARTERS
No G1/258
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
Divisional Headquarters,
23rd May 1917.
C.R.A.
C.R.E.
9th Aust. Inf. Brigade
10th   -do-
11th    -do-
Div. Sig. Co.
2nd ANZAC Corps (for information).
Herewith M.O.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.
   "              "      5  )  Machine Gun action.
Appendix II        )
It will be noticed that the positionsof Battalion Headqnquarters
have not yet been entered on Map No. 1 as the final
dispositions of Battalions has not yet been received from
Brigades.
G. H. Jackson
Lieut-Colonel,
General Staff.
[*GOC copy*]

[*GOC's
Copy*]
HEADQUARTERS
No G1/258/351
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
SECRET
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
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
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 that SCHNITZEL farm and GREY
Fraarm 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.
Divisional 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.
GHJ
Lieut-Colonel,
General Staff.
DISTRIBUTION
G.O.C.
B.M., R.A.
D.I.O.

G.O.C.
23-5-17.
HEADQUARTERS
No. G1/258/366
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
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.√
How 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
HUNS 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 extended 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 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 16th. referred to this matter.
38.  Control and supply, and general tactical handling of the Squadron
in PLOEGSTEERT WOOD.
39.  All 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 MORBECQUE.   Balance can be used 
by Divisions. .
In the numbers for MORBECQUE  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 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 coordinated
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 gun per minute.
On G.O.C., R.A's shewing each gun would fire 600 rounds in the 
day.
24-5-17.
Ruling at Meeting of GOC & Genl
Russell on 24^th - at +3.10. NZ
move along Unbearable Trench as far as 
they dare, having due regard to Heavy
& Div Arty Barrage which will remain
on OWL & Uncanny Trenches.
NZrs left will be out in direction
of Despagne Farm.  3^rd Div. conform &
a line of posts is to be  established.
11.30 a.m.
24-5-17
GHJ

24/5/17
Notes for Conference with 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 Battalion Organization (Brigadiers papers)
[[9.?]]  Artillery Dispositions.
10.  Barrages & Time Table 18 pdrs
Howitzers
[[11.?]]  Machine Gun Barrages.
12.  Defensive Barrages & S.O.S. action.
[[1?]]3.  Employment of Vickers & Stokes guns in the Advance.
14.  Defensive Organization - immediately after Zero
Subsequently
15.  Signal Communications
16.  Administrative - General.
17.

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION,
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 Commanders.
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) J.M.
Major-General,
Commanding Third Australian Division.
[*Back to GOC*]
[*G. I
To note action taken 
& return to me
J.M.
25/5/17*]
[*[[?]]
25/5 GHJ*]

25/5/17.

MAGNUM OPUS

Questions for discussion with Infantry Commanders.

-2-      25/5/17.