General Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 17, 1 November 1917 - 13 January 1918, Part 10

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open to contributions
Accession number:
RCDIG0000625
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

COPOSITION BiR 3 Toor t'e! 5. -2- Pight i N.c.o. Blocking 2 Bayonot men bomber a 1 earrier LEFT PATY - o.C. 2/Lieut. J.S.BMAVIS,39th Bn. Storming i N.c.o. Party 2 Bayonet mon 2 Bombers 1 earrier 1 spare man. Loft 1 N.C.0. Blocking 1 bayonet man. 1 thrower Party carrier Left rear N.C.0. Blocking 1 Bayonet man 1 Bombor Party 1 carrier. Demolition Party 1 N.C.0. 2 Soarcherg 2 demolition men. T SrEUIAL E 1 N.C.0. 2 bayonet men PAMY TOR 1 bomber MACHINE GUN 1 carrier 1 sparo man PA.TY No. 2 O.C. RAID - Lieut. N.L. FOSTER. 40th Battn, who will havo with him- à Signallers 3 runners 4 runners (attached from Sattalion:) ARPn - O.C.-2/Lt.G.E.H. MooN. 40th Battn PATY Signallers 3 Scouts 4 runners. IUVN - O.C. 2/Lt.R.A.SGAN.40th Battn PAITI a runnors. Storning i N.c.o. Party Bayonet mon Bombers 2 Carriers Demoli- 4 Searchere tion 3 Demolition men. Party Blocking i N.0.0. Party 4 men. Left i N.0.0. fighting 4 men (to mop up Party front line between points of entry)
IION P'FTIES (o WIE o AobäBll 1b. A118 LEFT Aoth Battn PANY - O.C. - 2/Lt. A.P. BRON 2 runners. 5. Sterming 1 N.C.0. Party 4 Bayonet men 2 Bombers 2 carriers Demolition 4 Searchers Pary 3 demolition men. 1 N.C.0. Right 4 men. Blocking Party Left 1 N.c.o. Blocking Par 3 men. At least two gaps will be cut in enemy wire by Artillery using 106 Fuze, on day of the raid. Gaps will be in vicinit, of U.11.d.85.68 and U.11.d.85.50 Our Front Line will be cleared between limits to be notified later, during progress of this shoot. Os.C. Raids will arrange for observation of tho results. At ZERO MLNUS 10 MINTES raiders will enter NO MAN'S LAND and willIo up clear of our wiro at point of assombly - U.11.d.45.80 At ZER0 Artillery will put down a barrage 32 on lines laid down in Artillery order At ZERO PLUS 3 MnVUTES barrage lifts and ferns a box 100 yards on Planks of Front Line objectives and 200 vards in rear of furthest objectives. At ZER0 assaulting troops will move out from assembly position and get as close as possible to the On the lift of barrage, parties will rush barrage. forward through gaps in enemy wire. Soch Dattn Party In first raid. Special Left Party will attack Machine Gun at U.II.d.85.87. On entering trenches Right Party will move to right to dugout - U.11.d.90.35 - where block will be left. Right Party will then move along treaknrunning N.E. along railway embankment to furthest point of objectiv Demolition Party will deal with dugouts and Machine Left Party will move N. to trench Gun emplacements. junction at U.l1.d.97.72; Blocking Party will form a block 25, yards along trench to North of this junction. Remainder of Party move Eastward along communication trench to dugout U.12.c.21.70, leaving a block at Demolition Party doals with dugouts and U.12.0.10.75. emplacements.
-- 9. Soch Batte Pary will move to enemy front line and Parapet Part establich telephone communication with O:C.RAID. Mopping up par till deal with ensmy front line trench between points of entry of Right and Left Purties. ? Flanking Parties will take up suitable positions on flanks of assembly positions and cover advance of renaining parties by Lewis Gun fire. olJhlpol At ZERO PLUS 23 MINUTES withdrawal will commence on command "OUT" shouted by O.C. Parapet Party and repoated by all who hear. Watches will have to be relied on very largely to decide time of withdrawal. .. At ZE50 PLUS 40 MINUTES barrage will commence to slackon- . At ZE0 PLUS 45 MnWrEs barrage cedses. V.2 .. counter batter, will oease at ZE50 Plus 50 Andur3s. 40th Battalion Party In second raid, it will be assumed, unless lst Party have fafled to deal with it, that Machine Gun at U.11.4.85.87 roquires no attention. Right Party on entering trenches will detach 1 N.C.0. and 4 men (Loft Fighting Party)'to mop up enemy front line betteen twe points of entry. Pomainder of Right Party will meve Seuthwards front line trench to U.11.d.90.35,where a alond block will be placed, thence along trench running N.E. along railway embankment to furthest point of objective. Demolition Party and Searchers will doal with anv dugouts on the way. Left Party will move Northwards to trench junction U.II.d.97.72; 25 yards along trench to North of this junction aüblock will be placed. Remainder of party will move Eastwards along communication trench to dugout U.12.0.21.70 leaving block at. U. 12.0.10.75: Demolition Party and Searchers will deal with UEL- Augouts. Parapet Party will move to onemy parapet: ichb ing out wires and talophone so that signallois Gar nEngs " O.c.Paid may keep in touch by phone as long as possible. .?e. t Lar) US 23 MINUTES withdrawal will ü commence on command "OUr" Shouted by O.C.Parapet Party iEKt and repoated by all who hear. ........1 At ZEIO PLUS 40 MnrTEs barrago will commence to slacken. barrage ceases. At ZERO PLUS 45 MLNTES Counter Battery will cease at ZERO PLUS 50 MINUTES. Didilyd
AUS -b Divisional Machine Gun Officer will MACHINE 9. arrange for Hachine Gun barrage firing 250 rounds per GUNS minute as under:- Firo ZE D PLUS 3 MnNTEs to PLUs 10 stop ZERO PLUS 10 MINUTES to PLUS 13 firo ZEIO PLUS 13 MINTES to PLUS 20 stop ZERO PLUS 20 MINUTES to PLUS 23 fire EO PLUS 23 MLUTES to PLUS 30 At ZE50 PLUS 30 MINTES Machine Guns will ceaso. STOKES loth Australian Light Trench Mortar Battery MOTTAIS 10. Details to be will engage tho following targets. arranged by Captain R.C.N. ANDE SON and Lieut. R. VARLEY of the 9th Austl L.T.M.Battery. Emplacoments about U.17.b.80.60 U. 18.a.05.65 Machine Guns Machine guns éc., about IN DEN ROOSTER C.BT. Smoko from ZEP0 TO 28P0 PLUS 3 MINTEs will, if weather conditions allow, oe used against Machine Gun noar U.11.d.90.35 but smoke bombs must be xxxx of such a nature that smoke must have cleared bofore ZE20 PLUS 3. Smoke Screen will be maintained along the line from SPIMEY along HARVETON ROAD to U.12.0.6.3. from ZERO PLUS 3 to Z3R0 PLUS 30. No web equipment except belts to be worn. owgyrll. EIUTE Respirators at the alert. Steel helmets will be worn. No identifications,colour patches,maps, papers, diaries ac., will be carried by any member of the raiding parties. Nos. 1 Lewis Guns, Scouts, Searchers, Demolition men, signallers,bombers, will carry Bayonet men, soarchers, and demelition men revolvers. All men not armed with a rifle carry electrio torches. carry a nut cracker. Sach member of the raiding parties will woar 12. DISOS a spocial dise,containing only letters and numbers. (39th Battn) will have disos No. 1 Party allotted with numbers Zo0oI to 30075 No. 2 Party (4oth Battn), numbers to 20155 200TS The 2 ordinavy dises of each member will be collectod prior to loaving billets and special dise given The duplicate special disc will be tied in exchange. to the 2 ordinary discs and rotained at billets. On roturning from the raid the two ordinary dises will be handed back to the owner in exchange for his spocial diso. Instruotions ro disposal of dises of missing will be issued to Os C. Raids in a separate meme. Lieut. J. R. FRER, 39th Battn will chock CHECKING 13. 39th Battn raiders on return at junction EGMONT AVENUE A second check will be made at and Support Line. CATACOMBS by an Officor detailed by 39th Battn. Lieut. L.K. SWAN, 4Oth Battn will check 40th Battn party at samo places as abovo.
ARä BANDS Pusuusrs TRANSPORT RUN DRINKS TAPE r SATIOM COHMUNI- FATIONS AND SIGMALS uabIOA1 S.O.S. blie slons -6 14. Every momber of raiding parties will wear a white arm band on left ann. This will be kept covered by a piece of sand bagging till ZERO HOUR 15. Prisoners who may be taken will be disarmed and will be sent under escort to CATACOHBS whor P.M. will take charge. Care is to be takon that they do not converso with each other nor dispose of any papers ac., which should be collected by searchers. C.0. 38th Battn will provide necessary eseort at requost of O.C.RAID. i6. 39th Battalion will be transported by train from CONIAUGHT SIDING, to HYDE PARK COHHER and will return by same moans after raid. 4oth Battalion will be carried to end of DOuVE TALK by motir lorzies from billets and will roturn by tho same means. Hot drinks and food will be Provided 17.at CATACOMBS Soup Kitchen for each party on return. 18. Tapos will be laid by lst Paiding Party from our trenches to points of entrance in enemy line so as to facilitate passage of second party. irst Party will also try and improve gaps in enemy wiro. Watchos will be synchronised by an 19.offioer of Paidors at Brigade Headquarters at 1 p.m. on day of the raid. Brigade Signal Officer has arranged to lay a duplicate line diroct to position of O.C.BAID in front line. oode of The following/signals will be used by raiding parties .- B 3B - ready at assembly point R.I.- Right Party in L.I. Left Party in. O.X. All eut. BIRDS- prisoners Sick casualties. 21. C.O. 39th Battalion will arrange for R.M.O. 39th Battn in consultation with Captain N.O. BOOTH to carry out all afrangements for troatment of wounded of lst Party. C.o. 40th will make similar arrangements for R.H.O. 40th Battn to trest mombers of 2nd Party. C.0. 38th Battn will arrange for R.A.P. Left Sector to be used as Drossing Station. C.0. 11th Fiold Ambulanco will arrango under instructions of A.D.M.S. for relays of bearere from R.A.P. to ond of DOUVE UILX and MESINES-HYDE PARK COXLER Road and for ambulances to olear from this spot. 22. The S.O.S. Signal will bo inoperativo on 0th Aus.If. Bdo. frut from ZE MUNS 15 MLUUTZS to ZERO PLUS 45 MINUTES in oach raid. On 9th Aus. Inf. Bdo. front it will be operative throughout. 23. Diversions will bo arranged by Artillery and Trench Mortars on both 9th and 8th Brigade fronts
-7- C.O. 38th Battn will arrange for 4 runners to 24. HNNERS be with O.C. oach raid to carry messages back to Battalion Headquarters if roquired. This order will not bo takon iorward of RoAbrlons 25. Battalion Headquarters. If it is thought advisablo to cancel the POSSPBLE CANCELLA- second reid, the dode word "HOBAR" will be wired to 26.all concerned. TION 27. ON3 Progress of raid to bo reported by wire to Brigade Headquarters. Furthor reports will bo collected at CATACOMBS whero all members of raiding parties - Officers and Other Ranks prisoners, will report en returning from trenches. 28. A CKNOWLEDG E. Rfamtte Captain A/Brigado Major 10th Australian Infantry Brigado. DIrr usunizl Copy No. 1 G.0.C. 2 Bde. Major 3 Staff Captain 3rd Aus. Div. by D.R. at 9 n.m. on 29/11/'17 37h Battn 38th Battn By runner at 8 a. m. 39th Battn 29/11/17 40th Battn 10 11 10th K s. M.G.Coy. 12 10th A.L.T.M.Battery; 10th F.Coy. Engrs. 14 10th Field Ambulanco By D.R. at 2.m. 15 29/11/'1 11th Fiold Ambulance 16 8th Aus. Inf. Bde. 17 9th Aus. Inf. Ede. 18 Captain N.G. BOOTH by runner at 8 a. m. 19. Lieut.N.L.FOSTER 29/11/'17 20. 11th Aus. Inf. Bde. 21. C.R.A. 28. C.R.E. 23. 8th Aus. F.A.Bde. By D.R at 9 a. m. 29/11/'11 24. A.P.M. 25. 23rd M.G.Coy. 25. örd Aus. Pioneer Battn) 27. FLLEDS 28, 29) AR DIAN 30)
AU AR. 844 Si8 S.G.43/292. aup ipsrutig DIrlslos Divieional Headguartere aurn 28th. November, i9l. Gunaul sphyr olsoplik No.84.A. lurmdhjoswos ssrnd - ondimlzigjos imp Fonjol. Monlunn! The machinery for collecting information within Divieion is ae followe:- Divisional O.P. Brigade O.Ps. Battalion O.Pe. - normally two per bettalion. Battalion Sniper posts and Sentry posts. Patrole fighting. (ii) reoonnoitring. Frshbes. Personnel consiete of : (e) Brigade Intelligenee offioer and Brigade observors (1 N.C.O. and 4 men per post). (b) Battalion Intelligence Officer. Battalion Observers - 4 per post. Battalion Scout Officer and scouts. (Patrole organised into, fighting and reconnoitring patrols. In each Battalion, the intelligence personnel will b. organized into a definite intelligence section under the Battalion Intelligence Officer. With, the exception of men carrying out observation from the front line, who will necessarily belong to the Coy. which is in the front line at the time. members of this section will not be changed. The Battalion Intelligence Officer should therefore keep a check of his whole intelligence section, and the Scout Officer should likewise keep a roll of his soouts. Cerman speakere within the battalion should be included as intelligenoe personnel, and should be distributed by him as he considers necessary. During sedentary warfare, a certain number might be made use of to go out with patrols, as experience has proved that a German speaking member in a patrol has often saved his patrol from disaster and has frequently been the means of bringing in prisoners under conditions when these men, had they not understood that they were to be taken prisoners, would have fought to the last. At the same time, it must be remembered that these German-speakors are invaluable during active operations for examining prisoners on the spot (also the case in large reids), and for searching dugouts. During the winter, every opportunity will be taken to prepare them for this work by brushing-up their knowledge of German, instructing them in German army organization, and tesching them military terms such as are likely to be of use to them. All Cerman-speakers in the Battalion Intelligence Section should (1). P.T.0. $ organized as directed by Brigade Communders.
3. 2 - 28/11/1917. be trained ae obeervere on the brigade front in order thet they nay learm the lie of the country, and have detailed knowledge of enemy pocitions and dugoute. They should also study ceroplane photographe. N.C.O.e, whom it is intonded to plaoe in charge of augout cearchore in active operstions, should now be in oharge of bettalien O.Ps. It may be found edviseble also to interchange ecoute and observers in order: 11) t rest the soouts. (ii) to let scouts gain a thorough knowledge of the country from a pocition where they can obtain a larger view, and to let obeervers gain e more intimate knowledge of the ground over which they are obeerving. (iii) Alse, obeervere froquently piek out spote which they consider should be searched and, from their pointe of vantage, may be able to decide the direction from which they can best be approached. From the above, it will be seen that this free interchange between ebeervere and scouts will be of great sorvice. TRALNING. Arrangemente will be made for courses for the treining of intelligene. porsonnel; these courses to take the form of:- (a) etudy of German military terms and German army organization. (6) lectures on intelligenoe duties, observation and eceuting. (c) sotual obeervation under a trained N.C.O. from Divisional O. P. (4) short poriod to be spent in each brigade O.P. on the front. svermd or Nonkluo. The whole of the above organization will simply go to waste unless the work itself is carried out on e definite system. (e). (i) Trainod observers will themselves know hoc to work a sector of country, and eech N.C.O. in oharge qí,a post will work to some extent on a systen, by Himself. At the same time it must be remembered that, though the N.O.0. does his best, it is practically impossible for him to prevont this work beooming monotonous, and in tho end useless. The P.T.0.
- 3; 28/11/1917. Bettalion Intelligence officer should, therefore. as frequently as possible, set definite tasks for each observation post: for example :- "Brigade on our right says that it has seen men moving about and disappearing just beyond the corner of that broken down white building (Describe this building definitely and make certain that the whole of the observers know it well). Soouts out last night heard digging coming from that direction. We have to get this position cleared up, and I want you to watch this track and see if you notice any movement; also keep an eye open about these spots, (Show two or throe spots) and see.if there is any sign of digging at all: then report what you think of the position and what the onemy is doing thero.' (ii) Now take the oase of the scouts on first going inte a sector. The Scout Officer will have the information handed over by the previous Scout Officer, and he will then himself set to work to get completely in touch with NO MAN'S LAND. After that, he must give direct lines on which to work. The Battalion Intelligenoe Officer will keep him informed of the situation, and will instruet him as to what points the Battalion Commander wishes oleared up. should also be able to say which parts of the line require most systematio patrolling, and which parts can be left practically alone. (iii) The same prinoiple will also apply in the case the Brigade Intelligence Officer, who should try to mako the work for tho battslions as varied and interesting as possiblé by constant- ly sending down instructions asking for inform- ation with regard to various points. (iv) Both Brigado and Battalion In-lligenee Officere should be impressed with the faot that they are at the nerve-centre of their unit or formation, and that their alertness in procuring inform- ation is seriously discounted by any lack of promptness in forwarding that information. The test of the organization ie the speedy transmission as well as the cocuracy of inform¬ ation gathered. () Tho procedure to be adopted may be summed up briefly as follows:- (i) The rosponsiblo officer will keop all those under him fully infermod of anything he can find out which affeots them. P.T.0.
28/11/1917. (ii) He will eee that thoce under him are working on a definite live syetem. (iii) He will vary the work so much as possible by frequently asking for information on special pointe, which pointe he has definitely considered himself. (iv) He will constantly visit every branch of his systom, and will discuss the situation with those on the spot with the ides of finding out where the system can be improved, where there are any difficulties, and where he can help. wrnjjogwor oyglongs. The Divisienal Commander has definitely laid down thet, in order to allow them to carry out their work thoroughly, Intelli- genee offieere may not be usod on any but intelligenee duties. ommell. It ie not expected that this scheme can be perfeoted at once, and it will depend upon the energy displayed by those who are deing the cotual spade work as to whether it is going to be suocessful or not. Brigade and battalions are asked to criti- ciee the schome offering at the same time euggestione for its improvement. When the Division withdraws from the line, it is proposed to hold a conference of all Intelligence Officers and disoues the coheme thoroughly with a view to its improvement in any way which may be considered advisable. Brigade and Bettalion Intellge offioers chould, therefore, keep a note of any points which may occur to them et various times in order that et thie conference it may be possible to make a thorough review of the citustion. Sp facharnenttng. øv. Ceneral Staff. Damysunjos. A.D.C. for C.O.0. 1: C. R. A. C. R. B. Sth. Aust. Lnf. Dde. 7 lOth. Aust. Inf. Bde. 7. Alth. Auet. Inf. Bde. 7. 3rd. Aust. Pioneer Bn. 1. 3rd. Aust. Divnl. Signal Coy. 1. 4. D: M. S. Dival. Trein. 1. D. M. c. 0. wer Diery.

-2-
COMPOSITION
OF
PARTIES
(Cont'd) 5.
Right     1 N.C.O.
Blocking 2 Bayonet men
Party      1 bomber
                1 carrier
LEFT PARTY - O.C. 2/Lieut. J.S. Beavis, 39th Bn.
Storming  1 N.C.O.
Party         2 Bayonet men
                  2 Bombers
                  1 carrier
                  1 spare man.
               
Left             1 N.C.O
Blocking    1 bayonet man
Party           1 thrower
                      1 carrier
Left rear      1 N.C.O
Blocking     1 bayonet man
Party            1 Bomber 
                      1 carrier
Demolition  1 N.C.O
Party             2 searchers
                       2 demolition men.
SPECIAL LEFT  1 N.C.O
PARTY FOR         2 bayonet men
MACHINE GUN  1 bomber
                               1 carrier
                                1 spare man
PARTY No.2
O.C. RAID - Lieut. H.L. FOSTER. 40th Battn, who will
have with him-
                             2 Signallers
                             3 runners
                             4 runners (attached from Battalion")
PARAPET 
PARTY - O.C.- 2/Lt.G.E.H. MOON, 40th Battn
                             2 Signallers
                             3 Scouts
                             4 runners.
RIGHT
PARTY  - O.C. 2/Lt. R.A.SWAN, 40th Battn
                             2 runners
                             Storming  1 N.C.O
                             Party          4 Bayonet men
                                                  2 Bombers
                                                  2 Carriers
                            Demolition 4 Searchers
                            Party             3 Demolition men.
                            Blocking       1 N.C.O
                            Party               4 men.
                            Left                  1 N.C.O
                            fighting          4 men (to mop up
                            Party                front line between
                                                      points of entry)
 

 

COMPOSITION
OF
PARTIES
(Cont'd) 5.
LEFT
PARTY - O.C. - 2/Lt. A.P. BROWN, 40th Battn
                               2 runners
                               Storming
                               Party           1 N.C.O.
                                                    4 Bayonet men
                                                     2 Bombers
                                                     2 carriers
                                Demolition
                                Party             4 Searchers
                                                       3 demolition men.

                                Right            1 N.C.O.

                                Blocking      4 men.

                                Party

                               Left

                               Blocking       1 N.C.O.

                               Party              3 men.

WIRE            6. At least two gaps will be out in enemy 

                           wire by Artillery using 106 Fuze, on day of the raid.

                           Gaps will be in vicinity of U.11.d.85.68 and U.11.d.85.50

                           Our Front Line will be cleared between limits to be

                           notified later, during progress of this shoot.

                           [[O?.C.?]] Raids will arrange  for observation

                           of the results.

ASSEMBLY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



            

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