Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 15, 10 June - 31 July 1917, Part 9

(3).
Australian Infantry Brigade was in Divisional reserve, but one
of its Battalions (44th.) had been trained and prepared to
duplicate the task of the 37th. Battalion, in case the latter
should meet with unexpected difficulties. - The Reserve Brigade 
was disposed with one Battalion in the CATACOMBS (44th.),
two Battalions in the Subsidiary Line (42nd. and 43rd.), and
one Battalion (41st.), which had held the Defensive Front during
the later stages of the preliminary bombardment, and which was
withdrawn one hour before Zero, at TOUQUET BERTHE.-
The internal Brigade dispositions involved that
in each Brigade the right half of the Brigade front of attack
was dealt with by a single Battalion in depth, but the left half
of the Brigade front of attack was dealt with by two Battalions
in depth. In the case of the 9th. Brigade the 34th. Battalion
leapfrogging through the 35th. Battalion, and in the ease of the
l0th. Brigade the 38th. Battalion leapfrogging through the 40th.
Battalion. - In order to deal with the serious tactical obstacle
formed by the River DOUVE where it crossed NO MAN'S LAND, five
Platoons of the 40th. Battalion were launched to the attack from
the Offensive Front of the New Zealand Division, i.e., north of
the DOUVE, the remainder of the Battalion attacking from the
south straight across the river.
Technical troops were disposed as follows :¬
With each assaulting Brigade, one Field Company and one Company
of the Pioneer Battalion. -
In reserve, one Field Company and two Companies of the Pioneer
Battalion.-
An additional Company of the Pioneer Battalion had been 
organized out of surplus personnel to carry out road construction
and repair. -
All technical troops remained under the command
of the C.R.E. and, with the exception of a few sappers allocated
et the rate of two per Infantry Company, none of them took part
in the first advance. -
P.T.0.
 

(4).
Narrative. - The approach march of the assaulting Brigades
commenced from back billets from 10 p.m. onwards on "Y' night,
four separate routes being used. Very serious difficulties
were encountered during the approach march by the fact that
the enemy put up a concentrated gas shell barrage between
HIDE PARK CORNER and MAISON 1875, through which the whole of
the assaulting Infantry had to pass. - There were many gas
casualties owing to the element of surprise, and the assaulting 
troops reached the assembly trenches generally from 15 to
30 minutes after the times allotted, with a certain amount of
disorganization and, as is estimated, with about 1,000 men
short. In spite of these disturbing factors, the assaulting
waves were rapidly reorganized in the assembly trenches 
without attracting any attention.
Precisely at Zero the four deep mines were fired
by the No. 3 Canadian Tunnelling Company, and simultaneously
the Divisional advancing and standing barrages, and the Heavy
Artillery barrage and counter-battery fire came down. All the
assaulting Infantry were clear of our old front line trenches
so rapidly that no trouble was experienced from the enemy
barrage, which came down in places on our old lines within from 3
to 5 minutes after Zero.
The whole advance of the Infantry up to the
BLACK LINE proceeded exactly to time-table, although opposition
was met with in the enemy front and support line, at GREY FARM,
at SCHNITZEL FARM, and at BETLHEEM FARM - the opposition came
chiefly from enemy machine guns, but every objective was taken
with a rush and without loss of time. - The leading wave of
the 33rd. Battalion was actually digging in on the BLACK LINE
within 15 minutes after Zero. - The 38th. Battalion had established 
strong points, defended by Lewis and Vickers machine guns,
at both SCHNITZEL and BETLHEEM FARMS within 4 hours after Zero.-
The 'mopping up' was particularly well done, and there was no
trouble of any kind resulting from trenches or dugouts having
P.T.0.
 

(5).
been left unsearched. A considerable amount of killing was
done in both enemy front and support lines, both with the bayonet
and by bombs in the dugouts.
About 6 hours after Zero the 37th. Battalion
moved forward from its place of assembly to the BLACK LINE and
lay deployed waiting for 'New Zero'. - At 'New Zero' this
Battalion advanced towards the GREEN LINE and it was for some
hours believed that it had fully made good its objective. Contact 
aeroplane reports showed, however, that the Battalion was
digging in come 150 yards short of its proper objective, and
this was found to be subsequently due to the obliteration of
old trenches having made the identification on the ground, of
the GREEN LINE, very difficult. - About 2 hours after 'New Zero'
it was reported that the 37th. Battalion had yielded ground in
sympathy, it was alleged, with the retrograde movement of troops
on their left, but there is no evidence that this was due to any
pressure from the enemy, and it appears to have been due to
shelling which the forward troops imagined came from our own
artillery. - In order to clear up the situation and make certain
beyond any doubt that the capture of the whole territory up to
the original GREEN LINE should be effected, the 44th. Battalion
was placed under the orders of the 1Oth. Australian Infantry Brigade,
and moved up during the darkness to the BLACK LINE. The
Battalion advanced at daybreak en June 8th., and carried all
ground up to the GREEN LINE and commenced consolidating thereon.
On the afternoon of the 8th. instant the 9th.
Australian Infantry Brigade pushed out daylight patrols and 
established posts on the line THATCHED COTTAGE to the bridge over
River DOUVE where GREEN LINE crossed the latter. - On the evening 
of the 9th. instant the 9th. Australian Infantry Brigade
(33rd. and 36th. Battalions), with the assistance of an advancing
artillery barrage, captured the whole of the LA POTTERIE System
of trenches south of the River DOUVE, and established posts on
the eastern side of same extending as far south as FUZE COTTAGE.
P.T.0.
 

(6).
The l0th. Australian Infantry Brigade, having been
considerably weakened owing to losses during the advance and
from subsequent shell fire, was withdrawn in the early morning
of the 9th. instant, and the 11th. Australian Infantry Brigade
took over the captured territory north of the DOUVE. - On the
evening of the 9th. instant the 11th. Australian Infantry Brigade
co-operated with the 9th. Australian Infantry Brigade in
the attack on LA POTTERlE by the capture of the whole of
UNDULATING TRENCH and the establishment of a line of posts on
the eastern side of same.
The Division was withdrawn from the line on the
night June 12th/13th., by which date both the BLACK and the
GREEN LINE consolidation had been considerably advanced, and
the whole of these lines were defensible.
On Zero day our line from ST. YVES to the River
LYS had been held by two Battalions of the 57th. Division.-
These were relieved on night 10th/11th. June by the 4th. New
Zealand Infantry Brigade. - On 12th. June this latter Brigade
pushed out daylight patrols towards the enemy's front and support
lines and found same practically unoccupied. During the night
of the same day the 4th. New Zealand Infantry Brigade establish-
ed poets in the enemy's lines and substantially effected the
complete capture of this portion of the enemy's defensive system.
This Brigade remained in the line when the 3rd. Australian
Division was relieved by the Now Zealand Division. -
Booty. - The total enumerated captures of the Division during
the operation was as follows :-
Prisoners - 4 Officers, 310 0. R.
Field Guns - 11, - of which 3 were brought in before
the Division was relieved, and
the remainder were left in the field.
Machine Guns - 27.
Trench Mortars - 10.
Small Guns - 2. (Nature unknown).
It is certain, however, that a considerable
P.T.0.

(7).
number of machine guns, trench mortars and weapons of this
nature were destroyed during the bombardment, or remain
buried in the debris. -
Administrative Matters. - No hitch whatever occurred in
regard to supply, either of munitions or of water and rations.
The majority of the men in the forward lines received hot
food on the night of Zero day. The success of these supplies
rested entirely upon the previous organization of pack 
transport on an extensive scale. - The evacuation of wounded was
carried out most expeditiously, and there was no congestion,
either at the aid posts or at the ambulances. -
Recommendations for distinction. - I have already submitted
my recommendations for immediate rewards in connection with
the above operations.
J Monash
Major-General.-
Commanding 3rd. Australian Division.
 

CONFIDENTIAL.
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.
Divisional Headquarters,
26th. June, 1917.
G.1/258/949.
Herewith copy of narrative forwarded to 2nd. Anzac Corps with
regard to recent offensive operations.-
"I beg to forward hereunder report on the recent offensive
operations in connection with the capture of the MESSINES-WYTSCHAETE
RIDGE in which this Division was engaged. -
Objective. - The objective allocated to this Division was the capture,
in two stages, of a triangular piece of country in enemy possession,
bounded by a line commencing opposite WESTMINSTER AVENUE and running
generally northwards, passing east of the GREY FARM System to the DOUVE,
and thence north-easterly to the inter-section of HUN's WALK and OWL
SUPPORT trench system. - The respective stages of the advance were
marked by what was known as the BLACK and the GREEN LINES. These lines
merged into one line south of the DOUVE, but north of this River the
GREEN LINE bore away to the east. - The total depth, of the advance
necessary to capture these objectives was, on the right of the Divisional
Sector 250 yards, and on the left of the Divisional Sector 2,300
yards. - The frontage of the attack of the Division was roundly 2,000
yards. -
Preparatory Measures. - Although the Divisional Artillery, considerably
reinforced by Army Brigades, was placed under the general command of the
G.O.C., R.A., yet the detailed direction of the Divisional Artillery as
to targets to be engaged, and as to nature of the barrage within the
Divisional zone of operations, remained in the hands of the Division,
as also the nomination of targets for the destructive bombardment by
Heavy Artillery.- Wire cutting by Medium and Heavy Trench Mortars and
by Divisional Howitzers with instantaneous fuzes was also carried out
under close Divisional supervision.
Ten days prior to Zero day the two assaulting Brigades were
put into the line on the Offensive Front of the Division in order to
prepare their own assembly trenches and to clear and improve the avenues
and lines of approach and the tracks, both overland and underground,
leading back to the billets to be occupied prior to the approach march.-
Dumps for ammunition, water, rations, bombs, flares, etc., were formed
by Brigades and Battalions, and underground Headquarters were completed
for the use of Brigade and Battalion Commanders. -Two large Divisional
dumps of Engineering material were also formed. - Advanced dressing
stations and forward regimental aid posts were constructed. -
Plan of Battle. - The plan adopted was to attack with two Brigades of
Infantry in line and one Brigade in reserve; the attack following
immediately upon the firing of four mines, with which the opening of
the Divisional Artillery and Heavy Artillery barrages synchronised. -
The advance to the BLACK LINE was designed as a continuous operation
with two short pauses to permit of rear waves leapfrogging through 
forward waves and creeping close to our advancing barrage. There was a
pause of about 10 hours on the BLACK LINE, whereupon the advance to the
GREEN LINE north of the DOUVE was to be carried out by an additional
Battalion which had not taken part in the original advance, and had not
moved from its assembly trenches until some 7 hours after Zero. -
P.T.O.
 

(2).
The dispositions of the combatant troops of the Division
was as follows, vis. -
9th. Australian Infantry Brigade on the right, with a frontage of 1,000
yards, attacking with three Battalions (33rd., 34th. and 35th), with one
Battalion (36th) in Brigade Reserve, and to form carrying parties.-
1Oth. Australian Infantry Brigade on the left with a frontage of 1,000
yards, attacking with three Battalions (38th.,39th. and 40th), with the
37th. Battalion held back for 6 hours in order to carry out the second
stage of the attack.
The 11th. Australian Infantry Brigade was in Divisional reserve, but one
of its Battalions (44th) had been trained and prepared to duplicate the
task of the 37th. Battalion, in case the latter should meet with 
unexpected difficulties. - The Reserve Brigade was disposed with one 
Battalion in the CATACOMBS (44th), two Battalions in the Subsidiary Line
(42nd. and 43rd), and one Battalion (41st), which had held the Defensive
Front during the later stages of the preliminary bombardment, and which
was withdrawn one hour before Zero, at TOUQUET BERTHE..
The internal Brigade dispositions involved that in each Brigade 
the right half of the Brigade front of attack was dealt with by a
single Battalion in depth, but the left half of the Brigade front of
attack was dealt with by two Battalions in depth. In the case of the
9th. Brigade the 34th. Battalion leapfrogging through the 35th. Battalion
and in the case of the 1Oth. Brigade the 38th. Battalion leapfrogging
through the 40th. Battalion. - in order to deal with the serious tactical
obstacle formed by the River DOUVE where it crossed NO MAN'S LAND
five Platoons of the 40th. Battalion were launched to the attack from the
Offensive Front of the New Zealand Division, i.e., north of the DOUVE
the remainder of the Battalion attacking from the south straight across
the river.
Technical troops were disposed as follows :-
With each assaulting Brigade, one Field Company and one Company of the
Pioneer Battalion.
In reserve, one Field Company and two Companies of the Pioneer Battalion.
An additional Company of the Pioneer Battalion had been organised out of
surplus personnel to carry out road construction and repair.
All technical troops remained under the command of the C.R.A
and, with the exception of e few sappers allocated at the rate of two
per Infantry Company, none of them took part in the first advance.
The approach march of the assaulting Brigades commenced
Narrative.- The approach march of the assaulting Brigade commenced
from back billets from 10 p.m. onwards on "Y' night, four separate routes
being used. Very serious difficulties were encountered during the
approach march by the fact that the enemy put up a concentrated gas shell
barrage between HYDE PARK CORNER and MAISON 1875, through which the
whole of the assaulting Infantry had to pass. - There were many gas
casualties owing to the element of surprise, and the assaulting troops
reached the assembly trenches generally from 15 to 30 minutes after the
times allotted, with a certain amount of disorganization, and, as is
estimated, with about 1,000 men short. In spite of these disturbing
factors, the assaulting waves were rapidly reorganized in the assembly
trenches without attracting any attention.
Precisely at Zero the four deep mines were fired by the No.3
Canadian Tunnelling Company, and simultaneously the Divisional advancin
P.T.0.
 

(3).
and standing barrages, and the Heavy Artillery barrage and 
counter-battery fire came down. All the assaulting Infantry were clear of
our old front line trenches so rapidly that no trouble was experienced
from the enemy barrage, which came down in places on our old
lines within from 3 to 5 minutes after Zero.
The whole advance of the Infantry up to the BLACK LINE
proceeded exactly to time-table, although opposition was met with in
the enemy front and support lines, at GREY FARM, at SCHNITZEL FARM
and at BETLHEEM FARM - the opposition came chiefly from enemy machine
guns, but every objective was taken with a rush and without loss of
time. - The leading wave of the 33rd. Battalion was actually digging
in on the BLACK LINE within 15 minutes after Zero. - The 38th. Battalion 
had established strong points, defended by Lewis and Vickers
machine guns, at both SCHNITZEL and BETLHEEM FARMS within 4 hours
after Zero. - The 'mopping up' was particularly well done, and there
was no trouble of any kind resulting from trenches or dugouts having
been left unsearched. A considerable amount of killing was done in
both enemy front and support lines, both with the bayonet and by bombs
in the dugouts.
About 6 hours after Zero the 37th. Battalion moved forward 
from its place of assembly to the BLACK LINE and lay deployed
waiting for 'New Zero'. - At 'New Zero' this Battalion advanced towards 
the GREEN LINE, and it was for some hours believed that it had
fully made good its objective. Contact aeroplane reports showed, 
however, that the Battalion was digging in some 150 yards short of its
proper objective, and this was found to be subsequently due to the
obliteration of old trenches having made the identification on the
ground, of the GREEN LINE, very difficult. - About 2 hours after 'New
Zero' it was reported that the 37th. Battalion had yielded ground in
sympathy, it was alleged, with the retrograde movement of troops on
their left, but there is no evidence that this was due to any pressure
from the enemy, and it appears to have been due to shelling which the
forward troops imagined came from our own artillery. - In order to
clear up the situation and make certain beyond any doubt that the
capture of the whole territory up to the original GREEN LINE should be
effected, the 44th. Battalion was placed under the orders of the 1Oth.
Australian Infantry Brigade, and moved up during the darkness to the
BLACK LINE. The Battalion advanced at daybreak on June 8th., and carried
all ground up to the GREEN LINE and commenced consolidating thereon.
On the afternoon of the 8th. instant the 9th. Australian
Infantry Brigade pushed out daylight patrols and established posts on
the line THATCHED COTTAGE to the bridge over River DOUVE where GREEN
LINE crossed the latter. - On the evening of the 9th. instant the 9th.
Australian Infantry Brigade (33rd. and 36th. Battalions), with the
assistance of an advancing artillery barrage, captured the whole of the
LA POTTERIE System of trenches south of the River DOUVE, and established
posts on the eastern side of same extending as far south as FUZE COTTAGE.-
The l0th. Australian Infantry Brigade, having been considerably 
weakened owing to losses during the advance and from subsequent 
shell fire, was withdrawn in the early morning of the 9th. instant, 
and the 11th. Australian Infantry Brigade took over the captured
territory north of the DOUVE. - On the evening of the 9th. instant the
11th. Australian Infantry Brigade co-operated with the 9th. Australian
Infantry Brigade in the attack on LA POTTERIE by the capture of the
whole of UNDULATING TRENCH'and the establishment of a line of posts on 
the eastern side of same.
P.T.O.
 

(4).
The Division was withdrawn from the line on night June
12th/13th., by which date both the BLACK and the GREEN LINE 
consolidation had been considerably advanced, and the whole of these lines
were defensible. -
On Zero day our line from ST. YVES to the River LYS had
been held by two Battalions of the 57th. Division. - These were relieved 
on night June 10th/11th., by the 4th. New Zealand Infantry
Brigade. On June 12th. this latter Brigade pushed out daylight
patrols towards the enemy's front and support lines and found same
practically unoccupied. During the night of the same day the 4th.
New Zealand Infantry Brigade established posts in the enemy's lines
and substantially effected the complete capture of this portion of
the enemy's defensive system. This Brigade remained in the line when
the 3rd. Australian Division was relieved by the New Zealand Division.
Booty.-
The total enumerated captures of the Division during the operation was as follows:-
Prisoners- 4 Officers, 310 Other Ranks.
Field Guns - 11 - of which 3 were brought in before the Division
was relieved, and the remainder were left in
the field.
Machine Guns - 27.
Trench Mortars - 10.
Small Guns - 2 - (Nature unknown).
It is certain, however, that a considerable number of
machine guns, trench mortars and weapons of this nature were destroyed
during the bombardment, or remain buried in the debris.
Administrative Matters. No hitch whatever occurred in regard to
supply, either of munitions or of water and rations. The majority of
the men in the forward lines received hot food on the night of Zero day.
The success of these supplies rested entirely upon the previous organization 
of pack transport on an extensive scale. - The evacuation of
wounded was carried out most expeditiously, and there was no congestion,
either at the aid posts or at the ambulances.-
Recommendations for distinction. - I have already submitted my 
recommendations for immediate rewards in connection with the above operations.
J. M. Monash
Major-Ceneral. -
(D.G.)
Commanding Third Australian Division.
 

No. of Burials 23/24 - 24/25 June 1917