General Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 17, 11 February - 18 March 1918, Part 7

Para 1. I do not quite agree. I recognize that the M.G.
has been so developed as to raise its offensive
power but primarily it remains a defensive
weapon.
Para 3. I do not think that 3 is a logical conclusion
from 2. The changes brought by this war are in
time space & numbers. The concentration of power
in the hands of higher Comds is a result of these factors.
Para 18. I think it would be well to lay stress on the
value of defilading m. guns from enemy frontal
fire and ensuring that they, the m.gs, bring
enfilade fire on an attacking enemy.
Para 23. Quite correct. The difficulty is to appraise
the probabilities correctly. The enemy comes where
least expected.
Paras 20,21.  I think shtrs shd be laid on the
distribⁿ of m. guns in depth.
Para 24. To be consistent I think it would be well
to associate Barrage with rear Guns
Consolidatn    "      forward Guns
[*CW 18/2*]  General I suggest a para that "infantry Comd^s Cannot
disassociate themselves from responsibility as to the smplact
sites & control of machine guns covering them.

[*29^th Div    18/2/18*]
PROGRAMME OF
THE DIAMOND TROUPE
Feb 18th/1918.
1. Overture.                                      The Diamond Band.
2. Prologue.                                     Pte. Giordano.
3. Pierrot Parade.                           The Troupe.
4."Here comes Queenie".             Cpl. Pollard.
5."What do you want to make
those eyes at me for?".                 Cpl. Pollard.
6.The song of the 29th Division. Pte. Hill.
7. Comedy Interlude.
8."In these hard times."                 Pte McKinley.
9."Swannee River".                         Cpl. Pollard.
10."There's a long, long trail.        L/Cpl. Sykes.
-   Sing me an English Song."     Cpl. Pollard  Pte McKinley.
12."Professor Man."                        The Troupe.
Interval.
The audience is requested to swell the chorus when invited to do
so by the Troupe, and to sing during the interval.
PART II
1. Travesty.  "Hullo my Dearie."
2."Somewhere a voice is calling".  Pte. Morris.
3."Proud & Beautiful."                     L/Cpl. Dean.
4."Faust Scena."                               L/Cpl. Sykes  Pte. Hill.
5."Come sing to me."                      Pte. Morris.
6."Mary from Dundee."                  Pte. McKinley  Threfall.
7."Roses of Picardy."                        L/Cpl. Sykes.
8.Comedy Cycle Act.                      Pte Nicol.
9."Van Tromp."                                 Pte. Hill.
10.Sketch. "At School."                   The Troupe.
GOD SAVE THE KING.
29th Division Souvenirs may be purchased from Programme sellers.
Price, 1 Franc.
 

18/2/18
G1. For discussion later 
43/57
Draft
1.  A conference of senior officers of the Infantry of the Division
will be held at Divisional Headquarters (Ravelsberg) on
Feb 26 commencing at 10 am 30 a.m.
2. The object of the conference is to discuss questions of organization,
re-organization, tactics and training of current importance,
in relation to the probable employment of the Division in the
near future.-
3. The following officers will attend viz: Brigade Commanders ∧Brigade Majors.
Commanding officers of Infantry & Pioneer Battalions, and
Machine Gun Companies; - General staff officers GSO 1 ^ AA&QMG D.M.G.O,
C.R.A. & B.M.R.A; ^ C.R.E. O.C. Div. Sigs.-  [arrange in proper 
sequence]
4.   Brigade & Battalions  Commanders in the line will ensure that responsible
officers are left in control while they are themselves absent
from their stations.
5. The conference will assemble at 10 am. -30 a.m., and will continue
after an adjournment for lunch, breaking up at or about
4 p.m. - Officers attending will make their own arrangements
for a havresack lunch. Tea & Coffee will be provided by
Div. H.Q. messes.-
6.  Officers will be prepared to bring forward for discussion, ∧ any matters
covered by the scope of the conference as defined in para 2
7.The D.A.Q.M.G. will arrange to motor cars to collect officers
from ∧ & return them to the more distant points; & will issue a timetable for each the
tour of each car.
Lt COL
G. Staff
_________________________
Local arrangements
Large open or other room  - with heating
Seating accommodation
Blackboard & chalk
Shorthand Clerk to take notes (in two relays)
Arrangements for current business of the day to be carried on
p.t.o.-
  

order of procedings
Time available 10.30 to 1, 2 to 4 =                 4½ hours
I have note of matters which should take me not
more than -                                                         1½ hrs
G.S.0.1, to prepare notes to occupy, say,         ¾  "
AQ to be allowed                                                  ½  "
B.G.G.O. to be invited to speak for                   ¾  "
                                                                                  3½
Available for C.o's to bring forward points.    1
                                                                                  4½ hrs.
Agenda:-  G.1. & self to confer to see that our subjects 

don't clash
AQ: - to make list of matters he wishes to
discuss:-
Write A.G.G.S. for  inviting him to come to speak. -
Probable date - (Brig. Sen. Cannon returns 22^nd)
say Monday Tuesday, Feby 26
i.e. after relief of 10^th by 9^th
gives everybody plenty of time to prepare
Notices should go out not later than Feby 22. -
 

G.1

Points at Conference
for issue of instructions
1. Smoke observable in our
forward posts &.
2. Helmets with shiny tops to be
painted & sanded, -or
covered with sacking.
3.  Rifles to have only 5 rounds
in magazine, during
normal trench duty

GVC

Done

19/2/18

ANJ 19/2/18
JM

19/2/18


 

19/2/18
Divs Com^rs. Conference
at Dranontre.
German Dispositions (per Army)
Western Front 178 Div - 110m Line - Res. 68.-∧ 50 opp. Brit Army
Es
26 in Flanders a Reserve opp British.
1,225,000 German     |    8800 F.Arty 5500 Heavies
1,364000 Allies           |     8000 do       6350      do
Alteration of Corps Policy.-
Strengthen our forward dispositions.
Prepare for Mass Attacks; - prepare the men for it
one platoon, if it keeps its head, can deal
with a whole Brigade.
Be very cautious about using up our Reserves. -
Increase mobility by getting rid of extra Kit. -
Defensive Preparations:-
vigilance
make for ourselves a daily appreciation.
A.F.C. to make daily reconnaissances - every night
& morning, - & daily photos.
Use our Corps Squadron to take part in the
actual fighting - by M.G. & bombs.
* Send B.G.G.S. my Brigade graph also.]
 

Let Corps know if we want any night flying
for night bombing.
Closely watch progress of our preparations.
See that one actual front line is well wired.
if we can compel him to bombard our wire, it
takes several days & prevents surprise.
Subsidiary Drains - to drain trenches into
our main system.
Marking of Defences - in iron-
Wire frame & biscuit tin labels:-
Cooperation of Arms - whole 1^stDiv. Arty is to go
in at once, to cover 4^th Div.
Siting of Machine Guns. - in 3 tiers-
& enfilade fire across features
Ease off a bit on the wire, in order to make more
trenches for small nuclei of defence.
Push troops up into forward area. - (e.g. C. Bⁿ left Brigade)
Necessity of immediate counterattack - by
platoons as we cannot get a brigade together
owing to being so scattered.
 

Tanks- get A.P. bullets -
X Keep special belts, & magazines.
[X Tracer - not the time trajectory.]
Arty- to use gas shell in large quantities.
his masks are bad - unless the
wind is absolutely against us.
[X Smoke from pill boxes - refuse allow wood]
[X Paint Helmets with sand.]
[X Only 5 rounds in magazines]
We are to retain all the 2" Mortars.-
X Prepare a plan Fo capture of Warneton.
Muzzle Protectors