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

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Part of Quest:
Sir John Monash (General, b.1865 - d.1931)
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open to contributions
Accession number:
RCDIG0000620
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

DOURTH AUSTRALLAN IUFANTRY BRIGADE. BOKLNG. Tuesday evening 29th May 1917 at 6.30. p.m. On High Road through DOULIEU L. 29.d.9.3. - aoouDo Reoroet Caro WCDL. GODFREY 15th Battalion A.L.F. V Seret. WooDs 2nd Anzac Mounted Troops 10 rounds of each 2 minutes with 1 minute rest between rounds. Welterweights 10 stone 7 1bs. CPL. WOALFE 13th Battalion A.L.F. V C.M.S. CLAYTOR End Anzac Mounted Troops 4 rounds of each 2 minutes with 1 minute rest between rounds. TEAUCMELpO. 2nd Pte. BENT (8 stone 12 16s) 16th Battalion A.L.F. v ppr. RYLAM Anzac Mounted Troops. 4 pounds of each 2 minutes with I Minute Fest between rounds. Widdloneights (Officers), 11 stone 7 16s. Zdout WK.MERIFTELD 13th Battalion A.I.F. V Officer of New Zoaland Division. 3 rounds of each 2 minutes with 1 minute rost between rounds. Lightweights. V Tpr. WESTON 2nd Pte. WIGHART (9 stone 6 16s) 16th Battalion A.I.F. Anzac Mounted Troops. 4 pounds of each 2 minutes with 1 minute rost between rounds. Widdloweights. Sergt. BUCHANAN EAA IALSC Pte. McDONALD 15th pattalion A.L.F. v Mounted Troope. 4 rounds of each 2 minutes with CM. Johuston Major 1 minute rest between rounds. M Secretary. 4th Aust. Ink. Brigade H.Q.
AU. Magnum Opr Secret G. Staff Linadion 3unnting o Div. Sig. Copy h G.0.16. Preparations for Offensive - Construction of Headquarter 1. This memo. is not intended to convey absolutely tinal decisions, but to lay down the principles upon which the Headquasters are to be setected and prepared. 2. Data. The attack will be made by E Battalions, in two lines, 1.0. o Battalions in the first line, for the first bound"; 4 Battations in the second line, for the second bound - These Battalions are to be numbered a follows, from right to left second Line t, F,9.H. i: First Line A,B, C.D During the assembly, the first line Battations will form up in bront of, to the nortlast of the second line Battalions; but at the conclusion of the operation, the north second line Battalions will timih in tront of 1c to the east of the first line Battalions the Battations will be as follows (taking thes the actual relative positions 2 the top of this sheet of paper as the ((AST) ug:- D C BA During Assembly Figure HG F E 1 C F E After Advance & Figure 2 DC.BA 3. Each of these 8 Battations will require a convenient & reasonably safe head quarters, within onr own lines, & as close as possible to our present Front line, from which to superintend the assembly, and from which to control the advance.- It may be assumed that the whole 3 stations will requive to be occupied to at Cast four days. It is proposed that the relative positions of the eight headquarters shall be as per figure 2, in pasa 2 above, & not as per pfipure1, that is to say, the Headguarter will be arranged to correspond with the relative positions of the eight Battalions after the advance, & not of those during assumbly. - The object of this arronpment are. (at So that the H.Q. 9 A,B, C &D Battalions will not have to move Foward, after the advance (6) so that the H.Q. of E,F,G,H Battalions may, on vacation - when the percounel moves forward to new poartions withon the captared teritory be available for other purposes inte alia to advanced Brigale report centre. ll bete tat aho in tit wed necessarite Each Headquatter should ato behind the area in which its Battalion is to operate & as centrally plased as possible, - so as to reduce to a mineme the distance to be traversed by runners &c. near one tout line 6. Our Country N.E. of St. Ives post office to much demolished, and there would be freat difficulty in currying out underground construction therein, There exest, in our Front line, two stations, respectively at 14. 6. 94 and at 8.d.2½.2 which are the adits to mining operations. These two stations will also be the terminals of buried cables.- It is very probable that the former will be untenable o untll at least 24 hours after zero hour, on ac count of gas tumnes; but the latter will be tenable throughout.- Both stations will therefore be available as advanced Brigade report centres, - after the advance is completed; - but only the Catter, as northern, station will be available as a Battation Head quarters As regards the font line (1.c. north-eastern line) of Battalion H.Q, it is 8. uncertain how soon they may be moved forward into Capturel enemy territory; Whether immediately after, some 2 or 3 days after the advance
depends on whether suitable undamaged dugonts can be speedily found and prepared in the Captured pround. But, as regards the rear line of Battation H.Q., it may be assumed that i there will be vacated very yafter the advance, (if same is com. pletely snccessful and the consolidation of our new line proceeds satis. -factorily), by the withdrawal of the A,B, CsD Wns to positions in rear where these Battalions will reorganze & provide working parties to help the garriion of one new front lines. The above considerations point to the following approsunate positions to H.Q, & the two as the most suitable to the eight Battation. advanced Biigade repart centres The reference letters correspond to the numbering of the Battalions as pee pari 2 above)! 8 St Ives Post office, 15.8.9: 15:9:6 1/½: 12 Toronts Avenue + Adit to Mine - table head - Available for Left Brigade -r 8.d.22t2 report antoc after advance Near point where the La Hutte - Messines Road crosses our, Front line HD 15.0.6:61/½ AX Powse Point B X 14. 6.8.9/½ 05 8.83/24 DX Cable head 14t9 Available for right Hisgade report centre after advance are at points where underfround ac. 15 Of the above locations A, B. GE [) comodation already exists, which will repuise to be adapted for occupation by Br. H.Q. & signal staff; but at the remaining Spoints cuturely new shell-poof accomodation will have to be constructed 11h t Staff in consultation with C.R.E. will now submit final proposals at present in the light of above considerations. - After approval by me, all concerned C.c.C.R.E, Did. Sys & Tunnelling Co) to be notified. N.G.
29 Letter fo6 Oroms Worch Concnte bot line go out of his frnt lis Lgtt is burthe i but off leading wave, & then dent with them ty loutd attecks methods suffected alt Question to be answered to 8.50 tomorriow are note 2 After Ford sor Inceen with gusf fector M. G. Burrage most of fective e th by drin Rinset daylight
Wethod supetet Oocenpy ending frend truch dischoss his pu positions & somash them Ca by hingar mines art day (b)or sudber tonbodment accon- pramed by fas shell (3 44 days before es) second time we will explade the Miner Spotting
40 COIIDIITI (NO. 3708/26 O MII II ANZAC. CONFDENTLAL REPORTS ON OFFICERS. 123708/26 30.5.17 30 M1. 1 Au6 Caen Headquarters, SRD AUSTRALLAN DIVISTON. Will you please forward to this office as early as possible, Confidential Reports (in duplicate) on the under- named Officers? Should a report be of an adverse nature, it will be communicated to, and initialled by, the Officer concerned. A copy of the form to be adopted when forwarding the reports is attached. Maj. (Tmp. Lt.Col.) H.M.Farmar, D.S.O., Lancashire Fusiliers. Asst. Adjutant & Quartermaster-General, 3rd Aust. Division. Ma jor R.E. Jackson, Australian Imperial Forces. Deputy Asst. Adjutant-General, 3rd Aust. Division. Captain C.A.Pyke, Australian Imperial Forces. Deputy Asst. Quartermaster-General, 3rd Aust. Division. Major T.F.Borwick, Australian Imperial Forces. Brigade-Major 9th Australian Infantry Brigade. Ma jor G.F.Wootten, Australian Imperial Forces. Brigade-Major 11th Australian Infantry Brigade. W. H. Rideen Headquarters, Captain, D.A.A.G., 2nd ANEAC Corps. 30.5,1917.
AU. May 38 my dear general. I am sending back the correspondence for your official remarks- The Corps Commander agrees with your view & will of course, do as you suggest & apply for the best man available to the goc af1. I am sorry that this bother has wnsen when you & all of us are so busy. yrs sincerely AlDelavoy
1OOPY 3/31 FrON A.P.N. 3rd Australian Division. To Officer-in-charge, French Mission, 3rd Aust. Division. 23/5/27. I am instructed by Major General MONASH, Commanding 3rd Australlan Division, to forward a request that all estaminets, farms, and private houses situated in ULLPE, FONT DE ULEPTE, and Clef de DOLLAUDL may be forbidden to sell or supply any Liquor to British Troops from June lst to June 10th inclusive. This is considered necessary for the good of the troops in view of certain important operations during which it is essential that the troops should have no chance of obtaining too much drink. I trust you will be able to obtain the necessary authority from your Chief. (sd) HENRY E. DERLNG, Major, Assistant Provost Marshal, 3rd Australian Division. -2 MISSION MILITAIRE FRANCAISE, 3e Don Australienne. 23/5/27. Transmis a Monsieur 1'officier interprete attache an 2d ANEAC. L'officier Interprete 3 c1 DE GAIL. S.D.S. 2 Armee No. 974 A1/4 5- 7 May, 1917 MISSIAN MILITAIRE FRANCAISE. attachee a No. 975/42/4 L'Armee Briiannique. Sous-Direction de la 2e Armee. to P.M. 2nd Army. The French regulations do not permit to put out of bounds the estaninets of a whole area as long as there is nothing to reprove. - The only way to meet your A.P.Mcs wishes, would be to issue an order prohibiting to all ranks the entrance in the estaminets - But no notices will have to be posted on the
RaCE KCC MSN. estaminets, neither any sanction taken against the owners of the estaminets. - Men only can be punished for trespassing a military order. (sd) 7 MILLAND. -4- CONFIDENTLAL SECREE Sec. Army No. A.P. 19 28/5/27. 1. The attached memo signed by Major Sir HENRY DERLNG, A.P.M. 3rd Australian Division, has been handed to me by French Mission Second Army. 2. I beg to draw attention to the mention of dates in connection with operations and to the fact that the memo is not marked secret. 5. I have at different times received verbal reports from A.P.M. II ANEAC commenting adversely on Major Sir H.DERING's suitability for the appointment he holds. 4. I am of opinion that an officer who can commit such an indiscretion at the present time is unsuited for employment in the forward area. 132) N.S Irevor Lt. Col. P.M. Second Army. 27/5/27. -5- Second Arm SECREP A.P. 23. Headquarters, 2nd ANEAC Corps. Forwarded for your information. The memorandum of the A.P.M. 3rd Australian Division was a most indiscrete one to have written. The Army Commander would be glad of your opinion as to whether it is considered desirable to retain this officer in his appointment. (Sd) G.S.BURDET, Lieut-Colonel, A.A.G., Second Army. 28/5/27.
THIRD AUSTRALLAN DIYISION. Divisional Headquarters, 30/5/27. My dear General, I return herewith the papers you shewed me. - I apologise for the delay, but have not had a moment to myself since yesterday. My hesitation in not immediately giving you my views yesterday was due merely to my desire to search my memory as to whether, by any possibility, I had inadvertantly instigated this egregious indiscretion, but I am now confident that this was not the case, and that the writer of the original minute was wholely responsible for its objectionable passages. Whatever view might be taken of the gravity of this lapse, I am certainly much incensed at such an incident, and am not prepared to remain liable to a repetition of it. - If, therefore, these papers are sent on to me officially, I am prepared to make an adverse recommendation; or in the alternative to acquiesce in a proposed change.- Hasked to name a substitute from this Division, that would be difficult at the present juncture, as all of the few men who are at all suitable for such a job already have their roles and work for the operations mapped out. - Doubtless, A.A.G., A.L.F. has a much wider field of choice than I have, and it would, 1 think, ensure my securing the best man available 1f G.O.C., A.L.F. were asked to make the nomination for this appointment. Yours sincerely. Brigadier-General A. Delavoye, II A. 8 N.2. Army Corps.

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