Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 16, 3 September - 9 October 1917, Part 4

(2).  13/9/1917.
would be very undesirable to deprive him of his Brigade Major.-
10th. Brigade.  The Trainee Brigade Major of this Brigade is
only just appointed, and is not considered qualified to carry on, if
the Brigade Major were detached. -
11th. Brigade.  The Brigade Major is a new appointee, and
there is nobody available to carry on his duties.
As regards Staff Captains, it is considered very undesirable
to detach any of these on the eve of offensive operations, especially
seeing that the whole of the 'A.Q.' Staff of the Division has recently
been changed, and serious situations in regard to administrative
arrangements for an offensive would be likely to arise, if the work
were entrusted to Staff Officers without prior experience of such
arrangements. -
ARTILLERY OFFICERS.  The Artillery of this Division is
detached from my command, and not accessible except after much delay, -
Perhaps, this subject could be taken up with my C.R.A. through the
First Australian Division to whom he is attached. -
The present juncture is, so far as this Division is concerned,
a most inopportune one for a detachment of any Staff Officers to
Schools, partly by reason of the imminence of active operations, and,
partly, by reason of the fact that the majority of the Staff Officers,
at present holding office in this Division, have only recently taken 

(3).    13/9/1917.
up their appointments, and their respective under-studies have not
yet acquired sufficient knowledge of their work to carry on in their
absence.
John Monash
Major-General.
Commanding Third Australian Division.

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISON.
Divisional Headquarters,
13th September, 1917.-
CIRCULAR MEMORANDUM NO. 64.
REFERENCE SECOND ANZAC HORSE SHOW.
The Second Anzac Horse Show will be held on Saturday
the 15th instant at a spot about the "V" in DRIONVILLE reference
HAZEBROUCK 5a Map. First event is timed to start at 2 p.m.
There will be two (2) Judging Rings. -
Ring No. 1 for all riding events.
Ring No. 2 for all Transport Events.
Time Table of events is attached.
The following are the Representatives selected
to represent the Third Australian Division :-
EVENT NO. 1.  Best Turnout, Mounted N.C.O. or man.
DRILL ORDER.
Farrier Serjeant HORKINGS, 3rd, Aust. Div. Headquarters.
Corporal H.J. ROSE, 869th Company A.A.S.C.
Corporal PENHALIGAN, 3rd. Aust. Mobile Veterinary Section.
EVENT NO. 2.  Best Regimental Officers Charger, to be ridden by an
Officer.
No Staff or Departmental Officer is allowed to compete
in this class.
DRILL ORDER WITHOUT ARMS.
Lieut.-Col. HENLEY, D.S.O., 3rd. Aust. Div. Train.
Major T. WILLIAMS, D.S.O., 9th Aust. Field Coy., A.E.
Major CHAPLIN, 11th Aust. Field Ambulance.
EVENT NO. 3. Best Officer's Charger, to be ridden by an Officer.
DRILL ORDER WITHOUT ARMS.
Lieut.-Col. JACKSON, CMG., DSO., 3rd. Aust. Div. H'Qrs.
(2 entries).
Captain P. SIMONSON, 3rd. Aust. Div. Headquarters.
EVENT NO. 4. Jumping Competition for Officers.
DRILL ORDER WITHOUT ARMS.
Lieut.-Col. JACKSON, C.M.G., D.S.O., 3rd. Aust. Div.
Headquarters (2 entries).
Captain C.A. PYKE, 3rd. Aust. Div. Headquarters.
EVENT NO. 5. Jumping Competition for N.C.O's and men.
DRILL ORDER WITHOUT ARMS :- Regimental Saddle, stripped
and Regimental Bridle, cellar chain or bead-rope
Bandolier or pouches, has helmet.
Farrier Serjeant HORKINGS, 3rd. Aust. Div. Headquarters.
Serjeant BEARD, 38th Battalion, A.I.F.
(Continued).

Sheet No. 2.   SECOND ANZAC HORSE SHOW.    13TH SEPTEMBER, 1917.
EVENT NO. 6. Steeplechase for Mules, barebacked (no spurs or whips)
9th Field Company Engineers.
EVENT NO. 7. Open jumping competition - Post entries.
Open to Officers of Allied Armies.
EVENT NO. 8. G.S. Limbered Wagon and pair, light draught.
DRILL ORDER.
9th Aust. Inf. Brigade (9th Machine Gun Company).
EVENT NO. 9. G.S. Wagon and pair, heavy draught.
DRILL ORDER.
3rd. Australian Divisional Train.
EVENT NO. 10. Pack animal with saddle and S.A.A. boxes complete.
DRILL ORDER.
9th Aust. Inf. Brigade (34th Battalion).
11th Aust. Inf. Brigade (43rd Battalion).
11th Field Company Engineers.
EVENT NO. 11. Section of Field Artillery (less 1st Line Wagons)
DRILL ORDER.
No entry.
EVENT NO. 12. G.S. Limbered Wagon and Pair Mules.
DRILL ORDER.
9th Aust. Inf. Brigade (33rd Battalion).
[*X*] EVENT NO. 13. G.S. Wagon and team 4 mules.
DRILL ORDER.
3rd. Aust. D.A.C. (No. 3 Section).
EVENT NO. 14. Cocker and Team.
9th Aust. Inf. Brigade (35th Battalion).
EVENT NO. 15. Two horsed Ambulance.
11th Aust. Field Ambulance.
DRESS: --    DRILL ORDER WITHOUT ARMS FOR OFFICERS. Regimental Saddle stripped and Regimental Bridle, head-rope,
sam-browne belt, gas helmet.
DRILL ORDER. Regimental saddle and bridle, cellar
chains, wallets, wallets, baggage straps, bandolier or
pouches, gas helmet, rifle and bayonet.
In all jumping competitions any horse that refuses will be
disqualified.
A Brakesman will parade with each limbered wagon or G.S.
Wagon which is not driven from the box.
Competitors will parade at Show Ground 45 minutes before their
event is timed to start.
(PL).-
Captain.-
D.A.Q.M.G. Third Australian Division

14/9/17
R.S.M's
Importance of R.S.M,in a unit; my experience 33 yrs.
Strictness & discipline. -
but not martinet
not bully
Theory of the Square Deal - fairness
No favorites
Hear both sides
Preserve own dignity & self respect
entitled to "Sir"
Never overlook or condone a fault
or an error.
Relations with Officers - senior - loyalty
junior - no bounce.
Carman's xxx

Reason for Class
Strictness & Fairness
Own dignity
Thoroughness
Relations with Officers

14/9/17

October Offensive

Settle Liaison Officer with 5th Div.

Settle Liaison Officer with N.Z.Div.

Arrange a Special file for papers

Set maps prepared - settle scale & layering.

Preliminary escorts Brigadier -

Study photos.

Parties from Reserve Bgde & [[Traniers??], for C.T's.

select officer & 2nd teams

re Enemy "massing".

Aeroplane S.O.S. signal

Carriers for M.G. & Stokes ammn.

Lewis Gun Mag. supply

Think & act quickly

Role of rear Battalions, as support to 1st line

16/9/17

 

Corps S.G.61A of Sep.14.- Close protective barrage, to cover consolidation, 200 x out

Protect by posts 100x out.-

No patrolling until after consolidation.

After consolidation we may put S.O.S. barrage further out.

 

Corps S.G.26/58A  G 110/22/159 of Sept.13 - In rehearsals, infantry must follow the lifts of the barrage, & halt with it. -

 

Army G.790 of Sep.10. - Attack, like defence, must be in depth.

Have sufficient men & time to clear each area

& reserve bodies to meet counterattacks.

Supporting troops - must know conditions in front

Assembling Troops now move slowly, but act quickly.

Gaps, or exposed flanks don't matter, if troops hold their ground.

Troops for initial assault, lightly equipped.

Consolidate in depth.

Deal with "Strong points" without delay or hesitation.