Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 16, 3 September - 9 October 1917, Part 10
[*HEADQUARTERS
No. G45/245
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION*]
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.
Divisional Headquarters,
24th September, 1917.
NOTES OBTAINED FROM G.S.Os'. VISIT TO FORWARD AREAS ON
21ST SEPTEMBER, 1917.
--------------------------------
1. Both "G" and "Q" matters are mixed, but as there are
copies with both Branches of the Staff, each Branch can pick out
points of interest to itself while merely glancing through the
other points.
2. First and Second Australian Divisions had a total of
about 2,000 casualties.
First Division go back out of the line to STEENVORDE
via RENINGHELST, IPENHOEK, etc., etc.
1 ANZAC Corps took 10 Officers and 730 Other Ranks
prisoner.
Some men say the barrage was too slow, others that it
was exactly right as it gave them ample time to do all they wanted.
The 117 minute wait 200 or 300 yards from final objective,
vide Barrage Map, is a point "G" Staff must enquire into
through the Liaison Officer. The reasons for such a long wait so near
to the end are not apparent,
Hostile shrapnel got one Battalion when crowded forward
at the halt ready to "Leapfrog".
Our troops were too thick on the final objective. We
got the fourth Battalion of each Brigade over immediately after ZER0.
This meant considerable crowding prior to ZER0. Brigades of the
First Division were fitted into an area 300 yards wide by 350 yards
deep. It is questionable whether the Third Division wishes to pursue
this policy.
One round of smoke fired by 18-pdrs. to notify when
the barrage had reached the various halts was very valuable.
Some say the barrage was over-thinned in order to search
during halts, result being that our men went into it.
All enemy strong points were rushed and smothered by
our leading wave being strong enough to do it.
It was found LUCAS Lamps were of little value as they
could not be seen through the spume of the barrages.
First Division attacked roughly on a 1,300 yards
front, 2 Brigades in line, a Battalion being on the frontage of each
Brigade. There were three objectives, and the Battalions "leapfrogged".
One Battalion was allotted to the first objective another to the
second, and two to the third. This may account for the overcrowding
on the GREEN LINE.
It was stated that 2 Companies covered the Battalion
front of 600 yards, but it is questionable if this is accurate, as
it would mean 300 yards per Company instead of 150 or 200 as we
anticipate.
Details of minor organisation for the attack were unobtainable.
3. Two days rations were dumped, and the men carried
another two days'. Counting one as an emergency ration there were
rations available in the ordinary way for 72 hours.
Extra water bottles were carried, and it is
thought ^1,500 were available for each of the attacking Brigades.
Comforts Fund provided chocolate for each man.
The First Division stated that their arrangements for
getting hot food forward were not as good as they might have been.
P. T. 0.
[*G.O.C.*]
-2-.
The Bosche morale is said to be poor. They came in from
beyond the GREEN LINE with their hands up, carrying papers in one
hand and identity disc in the other. 1 Officer and 4 Other Ranks of
the First Division captured 4 Bosche Officers, 60 Other Ranks and
3 Machine Guns at CARLISLE FARM.
The enemy barrage came down before ZER0 in two belts.
One just behind the tail of our assembling troops, and one ahead of
them. Neither barrage was very intense but they got thicker as time
went on. It is questionable whether some Tanks were visible which
thus brought down the barrage.
First Division recommend watching carefully in practice
where the enemy puts his barrages and arranging our assembly accordingly.
First Division recommend that known enemy strong points
should have special parties of moppers-up told to go for them, apart
from any ordinary moppers-up there may be. Great value was found from
having 100 Infantry attached to each Field Company. Each Field Company
had a certain number of strong points to make, and the Engineers
went forward about an hour after ZER0.
Each Brigade had it's own Machine Gun Company with it;
also it ( own Stokes Mortar Battery. The Machine Gun barrage was made
by using the fourth Machine Gun Company and that of the Reserve
Brigade. Bombs were detonated at the last safe dump.
Approach march routes were very clearly marked as also
were starting points. In addition to this First Division had guides who passed
Troops along, telling them in an undertone which way
to move. A bus was attached to each Brigade prior to ZER0 day for
Officers and Guides to go up and reconnoitre tracks and assembly
positions. The men only saw the actual ground on ZER0 morning. Guides
had special badges.
The First Division put the leading Battalions into the
line on X/Y night, and put the second Battalion of each Brigade into
an intermediate position on the same night. That left them 2 Battalions
of each Brigade to march up 5 or 6 miles on Y/Z night but necessitated
the attacking Battalions being in the line just over 24 hours
prior to ZER0.
There was 5 days heavy bombardment prior to First Division
attack.
The Pioneer Battalion was used to make tracks for mule
transport and Infantry use, and to make the newly captured Area easy
to traverse by putting up numerous signboards. No communication
trenches were attempted.
Each Brigade carried forward at least 200 S.O.S. Signals.
All assembly positions were taped, and each Battalion
carried a tape forward marking it's centre as it advanced. This
facilitated the movement of subsequent Battalions.
Brigades captured 17 to 20 Bosche Machine Guns each
which were promptly used against the enemy. It will be necessary for
us to see that we have personnel capable of using the enemy's machine
guns and ammunition, and the question of sending teams forward to
handle such guns must be taken up by Brigades.
--------------------------------
G. H. Jackson.
Lieut-Colonel. -
General Staff.
Copy to G.O.C. √
G.S.O.1.
"G" Staff
A.Q. Staff
C.R.E. )
9th Aust. Inf. Bde. )
10th -do- ) for information.
11th -do- )
3rd Aust. Pioneer Bn. )
Div. Bombing Officer. )
T.C.
24/9/17
Artillery at disposal of 2nd Anzac.
Div. Arty's of 3d , 9th , 49th , 59th , 66th , 3d Aus & N.Z.
Army Bgds, 38, 64, 86, 108, 232. (less guns of 1 Bgde)
= 19 Brigades ( less 1 without guns )
i.e 18 Brigades = 432 guns & hows
i.e 324 guns
108 Howitzers
"C" Form. Army Form C. 2123
(in books of 100.)
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS. 19 No. of Message
Prefix Sm
Code KA
Words 65
₤ s. d.
Charges to Collect
Service Instructions
Received
From AYC
By Hall
Sent, or sent out
At
To
By
[*Office Stamp
ARMY
AY24X17CR
TELEGRAPHS*]
Handed in at YCR Office 10/20am. Received 12/22pm.
TO 3 Austn Divn
*Sender's Number Day of Month In reply to Number AAA
AC 512 24th -
The military Secretary has
called for a confidential
report on Brevet Lieut Colonel
H.M. FARMER D.S.O Lancashire
Fusiliers AA and Q.M.G. to be
rendered on FW 2723 in
triplicate aaa As this officer
has just joined from your
division will you be so kind
as to make out and send to
me to forward aaa Please
acknowledge
JM
25/9/17
FROM 35th Division
PLACE & TIME
A.F.W. 3723
OFFICERS RECOMMENDED FOR COMMAND AND STAFF APPOINTMENTS.
______________ DIVISION.
CONFIDENTIAL
OFFICER RECOMMENDED FOR__________
| Rank, Initials, Name | UNIT |
Present Appointment |
Whether Recommended for Advancement |
Appointment for which best fitted. |
Remarks Age, Service in Years; whether P.S.C., Services General Ability, Manner in which Duties have been |
| Brevet Lt. Colonel H.M. FARMAR D.S.O. |
Lancashire Fusiliers |
A.A & Q.M.G. |
Yes. |
Staff Employment on AQ. Of Corps. |
Age _______________ Service ____________ P.S.C. ____________________________ |
| Higher Commander’s Remarks |
Services in Present War.- Remarks of Reporting Officer.- Major General |
||||
[*HEADQUARTERS
G45/245
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION*]
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.
Divisional Headquarters,
25th September, 1917.
Headquarters,
35th Division.
I am in receipt of your telegram A.C.5/2 in
following terms:-
"The Military Secretary has called for confidential
report on Brevet Lieut-Colonel H.M.FARMAR, D.S.O.
LANCASHIRE Fusiliers, A.A. & Q.M.G., to be rendered on
F.W. 2723 in triplicate AAA As this Officer Has just joined
from your Division will you be so kind as to make out and
send to me to forward AAA Please acknowledge".
To this I have replied -
"Your A.C.5/2 received. Am posting report called
for".
I have pleasure in forwarding herewith in
triplicate A.F.W.3723 made out so far as I am able to do so in
respect of Brevet Lieut-Colonel H.M. FARMAR. - Particulars as to
age, service, and services in present War, will have to be obtained
by you from this Officer in order to complete these forms.
Kindly acknowledge receipt.
John Monash
Major-General.
Commanding Third Australian Division.
"A" Form.
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS. No.
Prefix Code m.
Office of Origin and Service Instructions.
Words. Charge.
Sent
At m.
To
By
This message is on a/c of:
Service.
(Signature of "Franking Office.")
Recd. at m.
Date
From
By
TO 35th Division
* Senders Number. Day of Month. In reply to Number AAA
AQ 277 25/9 A C 5/2
your A.,C. 5/2 received
aaa Am posting report
called for
From 3rd Aus. Div.
Place
Time 4pm
RCJ
Lt Col
25/9/17
32 guns 1200
i.e 1 gun per 40x
2 Cos for Barrage.
possibly from one position
Suggest two / half. Co in Reserve
{ 9th M.G.Co }
48 {25 M.G. C.o } to D.M.G. Offic
{ 8 guns each of 10th & 11th. }
10th (less 8 guns) remain with 10th
11th (less 8 guns) " " 11th
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