General Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 17, 14 January - 11 February 1918, Part 6

G.O.C. Q/104/444.                
CONFIDENTIAL: 

THIRD AUSTRALIAN  DIVISION,
Divisional Headquarters,
27th January, 1919.-
D.A.G., A.I.F.
Attached Australian Corps.
Further to my letter of 26th instant re Captain
J. W. COLPITT.
I beg, in fairness to him, to forward herewith a
copy of a further letter received from him in explanation of 
his conduct.
Although he categorically denies one of the 
accusations which were made against him, in my opinion, 

it this does
not materially affect the  situation in which he has placed
himself,  and I do not vary in my  previous recommendation in
any way.
Signed
John Monash
Major-General.
Commanding, Third Australian Division.
 

(COPY). 27-1-1918.
CONFIDENTIAL:
Headquarters,
3rd. Australian Division.
27th January, 1918.-
The GO.C.,
3rd. Australian Division.
Sir,
In continuation of my report dated  the 25th instant, I
respectfully request to be allowed to add the following particulars 
in further explanation.
After carefully  reading over your letter I now find that I
omitted to give any explanation regarding the latter portion of
your letter wherein it is stated that I "procured and instructed
"Corporal Easby to join me in falsely concealing the true facts
"of the case" etc.-
The only explanation I can give regarding this omission
is that I was mentally in such  state as made it practically
impossible for me to concentrate my thoughts at the time.-
This allegation I now deny entirely. I have already
stated that I wish to make a clean brest, and repeat that I have
no desire to conceal anything, but in fairness to myself, I cannot 
do otherwise than deny this.
On the road from METEREN to MERRIS, Corporal Easby was
greatly perturbed about the accident, and asked me to do everything 
I possibly could  for him, as he did not want the Division,
and especially Major LYONS, to think that he was 
to blame for the
(1) 

-2-
accident. He requested me to see Major LYONS personally
and clear him of responsibility, which I promised to do, and
did do so on the 23rd instant.-
Easby further said that if it was found that he had
been out of the Divisional  Area with the car, he would
.probably lose his job, even although I told him to go, further 
stating that he should have refused to go.-
He then asked me not to say that  the accident had
occurred outside the Divisional area. I told him not to
worry, that I, as being the senior Officer in the car, would
report the accident  to "Q" myself, and it would be  unnecessary 
for him to say anything. Immediately on arrival at
MERRIS  about 8-20 a.m. I rang up Major KING's Office and
asked an Orderly to take down the following message as near
as I can remember. - "Divisional car No. 5 rather badly
damaged last night. Is  now lying in METEREN Village. Have
asked D. S. C., for a First Aid lorry to take car to workshop". 
I afterwards rang up the same orderly and told him
the number of the car  should read 6 instead of 5.
I have the honour to be Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Signed)  J. WATSON COLPITTS
Captain. 

Medium French Mortars  27-1-18
- new organisation- 
Extra men  required  16  other Ranks
Dispensed with  2 Sergeants  

AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE
D.A.G.
42/628
A.I.F.
CONFIDENTIAL
Headquarters, A.I.F.
Attached Australian Corps,
28th January, 1918.
G.O.C.,
3rd Australian Division.
The G.O.C., A.I.F. wishes to see all Divisional Commanders 
at Headquarters, 5th Australian Division,
at 11 a.m. on Saturday, 2nd February, 1918.
The following subjects will be considered:-
G (a) Scheme for re-organization of the  Australian Divisions
on a three-battalion Brigade basis.
Q (b) Design for head-stone on graves  of Australian soldiers.
Q (c) Levy on profits from Entertainments and Canteens to
be ear-marked for wounded and distressed Australian
soldiers (vide this  office 66/95  of 25th January).
(d) Return to Australia of unsuitable officers.
(e) Suspension of promotion of officers excepting temporary
ranks for purposes of command.
(f) Retention at Depots for the present of all Infantry
subalterns and cadets.
Should you have any other matters which
you would like considered, and which concern the A.I.F. generally,
will you please submit them to this office without delay.
TH Dodds
Colonel,
D.A.G. A.I.F. 

 29/1/18
G.O.C.,
3rd Australian 

Division.
[[*G.
CHJ*]]
AMERICAN OFFICER Major Lott,  U.S.A. is attached for Intelligence
duties at present to Right Brigade in he line, and has been 
patrolling with Right Battalion.
It is suggested that he should return to 3rd Aust. Div.H.Q.
about Monday, 4th February, and study duties of Artillery
Intelligence Officer, also of G.S.O.III.
He is due to leave for PARIS about 15th February.
[[*G. √
CHJ*]]
Action Taken
HEAVY ARTILLERY Batteries able to bear on 3rd Aust. Div. front are
enumerated on attached paper,  and shown on the artillery map
handed over to G.O.C.
The Officer for destructive shoots is General FRASER at
Australian Corps.
[[*G.
CHJ*]]
O.Ps. The Infantry Brigade and  Divisional O.P's. have 'phones to
communicate with artillery for switching on bursts of gun fire.
Battalion O.P's. send a messenger to Company H.Q. with
information.
[[*Q.*]]
 SALVAGE. The furnaces for obtaining solder from old tins have 
recovered at the rate of 14 ozs.solder per 100 tins.
The Corps has been approached with the suggestion that old
zinc should be salved from ruined houses as in PLOEGSTEERT and
LE BIZET, to be melted down at the base for munitions, and the
price paid to Belgian Authorities.
There is still much salvage along all duckwalks - as loose
cartridges, wire drums, etc. - which may be collected if regular
daily salvage  patrols are told off.
[[*G.
 Action Taken 
CHJ*]]
TRACKS. Overland tracks have been staked  out and marked by plain
wire for counter-attack and reinforcing. These are shewn on
maps handed over.
N.M. Smyth.
M.G. 

Identifications 29/1/18
49th- Rev Div - 
from  N to S. 226 R.I.R.) ast Jan 21.
                         225 "
                         228"
S. Company of 49th in Lgs (La Basseirlle) 
not aggressive
South of them ? - South Boundary is due E of Houplines

? 5th Bavarian (21
                             (19 N to S)

                             (7th 
Watch our for Crossing
8th Div N of 49th - 
4 Div S of 5th BN  (expecting relief) - Relieved by 42nd -.-