General Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 18, 28 March - 20 April 1918, Part 12

HQ 46th Bn
12.4.18
My Dear Simonson
Would you please inform the
Divisional Commander that I will be glad to
accept his kind invitation tomorrow
evening - having due regard, of course for
sudden moves etc, in the event of which I
will let you know.
The Bn is O.K. & feeling
elated over their recent tour.
Trusting the
General is well, yourself also
Yrs sincerely
H C Ford 
Lt Col.

HQrs
9^th Aus Inf Bde
April 13^th 1918
My dear Sir John
Many thanks for your letter of
sympathy which has gone onto 36 Battⁿ -
Majr White took over Command this morning.
The operation of which I spoke have been further
postponed and it is highly probable will be cancelled
together at least so I was this morning informed by
Gen CATOR GOC 58^th Div who takes over the
sectn at 3 PM to day -
The 36^th came out last night with bivouac and the
34^th came out tonight. Present intentions are
that we shall be Divisional Reserve from 13^th to
about 19^th April excepting 33^rd Battⁿ etc which is
to remain a permanent Garrison for VILLERS BRETTONEUX.
The three battalion are to occupy the Corps line
known as BOVE-BLANGY line from T14a - T9a -
T4 central to main East & West Amiens road at
H 29-C. Trenches are partially dug - fairly good
wire in front and the 58^th Div will help us to get
some material for shelter- Here we shall have to
remain till approximately the 19^th when we may expect
to again take over part of the front -
Yours faithfully
Charles Rosenthal
Maj Gen Sir John Monash KCB. VD.

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.
Divisional Headquarters,
13th. April, 1918.
My dear General, -
[*1*]  It is not often that I trouble you with a serious
complaint, but a matter has been worrying me which I think I ought
to bring informally under your notice. -

[*2*]  While the Division was being organised in ENGLAND

and while our Divisional Supply Column was still under my direct

orders, I went to an immense amount of trouble, - realising its

importance to the Division - to see that the Supply Column was
equipped in the most thorough fashion possible, with the very best
vehicles and plant that money could buy, all in the very best order.

By dint of establishing friendly relations with the Mechanical

Transport Depots, I fully succeeded in this, and the high standard

of efficiency of my D.S.C. has been hitherto a paramount factor in

the smooth working and in the mobility of the whole Division.  -   

During the last two months, however, a re-organisation has taken

place, as the result of which the Third D.S.C. has suffered very

badly, and has been made the victim of a most atrociously bad

bargain.  -

[*3*]  It appears that it became necessary to interchange
vehicles; so that D.S.C. should have vehicles all of one

type. - In pursuance of this, some 37 lorries (COMMER), in first

(1).

(2).
13/4/1918.

class order and in every way highly efficient, were withdrawn and

37 DAIMLER lorries were substituted. -

[*4*] It appears that the whole of these 37 DAIMLER lorries

were in the worst possible working order.  -  My private inquiries

go to show that these very vehicles had formed the subject of an

adverse report while they were still on charge of the Units from

which they were withdrawn. - There is, I am told, in existence,

a report from an Inspector of Mechanical Transport condemning

these very vehicles; yet the Officer responsible for the re-organisation
of the Australian Motor Transport permitted these derelict

vehicles to be palmed off on us, without apparently making proper

inquiry. -

[*5*] This very interchange of 37 good for 37 bad vehicles,

although it has been hanging fire since last October, was suddenly

rushed through on March 21st. on the very day that this Division

was ordered to move into the fight.  -  The result was that my

D. S. C. found itself woefully deficient in serviceable vehicles,

and very great inconvenience, worry and trouble has been caused,

ever since, in the various rapid moves of the Division, owing to so

many lorries being out of commission.  -

[*6*] The unserviceable vehicles are now being gradually

evacuated, but this is a slow process, and it is likely to be some

time before my D.S.C. again reaches the standard of mobility and
efficiency at which I and Major LYONS have always aimed to keep

it, - realising fully the great importance to the smooth working

(3).
13/4/18.

of our Supply and other Departments that we should have all our

lorries in good working order.  -

[*7*] There is a financial side to the question also.  -  The

original COMMER lorries were bought and paid for by the Commonwealth,

and it seems a shame that we should now have unserviceable vehicles

palmed off on us in their place.  -

[*8*] I consider the whole transaction reflects discredit upon

the authority responsible for supervising the interchange, - both

as regards the quality of the vehicle taken over, and as regards the

rushed manner in which the whole business was carried out at a 

time of crisis.  -

[*9*] I feel sure that you will consider that this is a matter

worthy of close inquiry; so that responsibility for the muddle may

be fixed.

Yours sincerely,

John Monash

General Sir W. R. Birdwood, K.C.B., K.C.S.I., etc.-

Commanding Australian Imperial Force.

ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTION NO. 34.
13-4-1918.

D I S T R I B U T I O N .

1.  A.D.C. for G.O.C.
2. "G"
3. "A.Q".
4. C. R. A.
5. C. R. E.
6. 3rd. Aust. Divl. Signal Company.
7. 3rd. Aust M.G. Battalion.
8. 9th. Aust. Infantry Bde. (for information).
9. 10th.  "           "             "
10. 11th.   "           "             "
11. 13th.    "          "             " (temporarily under 3^rd Div.)
12. 3rd. Aust. Pioneer Battalion.
13. 3rd. Aust. Divl. Train.
14. A. D. M. S.
15. D. A. D. V. S.
16. 3rd. Aust. Divl. Salvage Company.
17. Camp Commandant.
18. D. A. D. O. S.
19. A. P. M.
20. 3rd. Aust. M.T. Coy.
21. Australian Corps Q.
22.  "               "         "
23. 2nd. Australian Division.
24. 4th.           "                 "
25. 5th.            "                 "
26. File.
27. )
28. ) War Diary.
29. )
30. )
31. ) Base Records, Melbourne.

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.                           Copy No .1...............

S E C R E T:
Divisional Headquarters,

13th April, 1918. -

ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTION NO. 34:

Issued as an Amplification and Summary of Instructions

already issued. -
1. A R E A:  TOWN MAJORS.   The undermentioned Officers have been
detailed to act as Acting Town Majors :-

Captain J.D.W.	CHISHOLM,	40th Battalion.	- RIBEMONT.
Captain L. J.	BEATTIE,	38th        "	- MERICOURT.
Lieut. W.	RICHARDS,	39th        "	- HEILLY.
Lieut. V. J.	CROTTY,	39th        "	- FRANVILLERS.
Lieut. G. S.	ARMSTRONG,	41st          "	- LA HOUSSOYE.
Captain R.	O'BRIEN,	41st          "	- BONNAY.
Lieut. I.G.	SYMONS,	43rd         "	- QUERRIEU.
Lieut. J.L.	PATON,	44th         "	- ST. GRATIEN.

DUTIES:  An acting Town Major will be in possession of

a map of his village, showing each building, and the number 

of troops which can be accommodated therein. -

He will submit to Divisional Headquarters, daily, a 

statement of accommodation available and present occupants

of town.

If the town is an evacuated one, Town Majors will issue

necessary instructions for the protection of Civilian property
against fire, theft and unnecessary damage; -

Commanding Officers of troops billeted in, or located 

near, villages will ensure that all ranks are conversant with

the instructions regarding the village.  -  All Regimental

Police of units in occupation of these villages will be

placed at the disposal of the Town Major of the village, and 

allotted definite duties by him.  The Town Major has authority
to place any building Out of Bounds to troops, and will 

mark any such building. -

DISPOSAL OF FOODSTUFFS FROM EVACUATED ZONE:  The sale

by the British Military Authorities of goods from grocers'

shops and estaminets in the evacuated zone is authorised by

the French Mission.  -  When any such sale is made, a statement
must be handed in to the French Mission giving nature of

goods sold, quantity, amount for which they were sold, and also 

the name of the Commune in which the goods were found.  -  

All such sales will be carried out by the Town Major in consultation
with the representative of the French Mission.

AMIENS: No Officer under the rank of Lieut-Colonel, or

man, will be allowed in AMIENS without a pass, signed by

his Commanding Officer. -

CORBIE:  The Town of CORBIE is out of bounds to

ranks of the Division except those on duty. - 

(P. T. O. -

-Sheet -2-. Administrative Instruction No. 34.   13-4-1918. -

2. -  POLICE DUTIES: - A. P. M.- Headquarters, FRANVILLERS.

Prisoners of War Collecting Cage:  HEILLY.

Traffic Control Posts:  Traffic Control Posts have been

established as follows :-

2 at FRANVILLERS.

1 at HEILLY.

1 at BONNAY.

1 at LA HOUSSOYE. -

Traffic Map already issued.

Battle Straggler Posts:

1 at Junction of Roads ½ k.m. north of "T" in RIBEMONT.

1 at North side of railway at HALTE, South of HEILLY.

1 at Railway end of BONNAY.

1 at West of CORBIE, at Junction of roads at third "L" 

in LA NEUVILLE.

Advanced Collecting Post:  At Field Punishment Compound,

HEILLY.-

Prisoners of War will be taken over from units at Prisoners
of War cage, HEILLY, and escorted by A: P:M. to the 

Corps Cage, MONTIGNY.

3. - TRAFFIC REGULATIONS:  Lights will not be used on cars or lorries

east of ST. POL -- AMIENS Road, inclusive.

Motor Cycles may use headlights, but will cover them

 when halted.  -  Cars and lorries when halted will cover 

or extinguish side lights, except sufficient to mark convoys.
4. - PERMANENT FIELD GENERAL COURT-MARTIAL:

During the present active operations, it was deemed
advisable to constitute a Permanent Field General Court-Martial
to deal with all cases.  The Court assembles at
Headquarters, 11th Aust: Infantry Brigade, HEILLY, at
10-0 a.m. every Tuesday and Friday, a Corps Courts-Martial
Officer being made available on those days. -
5. - ARRANGEMENTS for RECEIVING REINFORCEMENTS:
A Corps Reinforcement Camp, consisting of a Corps Depot,
and a wing for each division, is established in the
BERTEAUCOURT - ST LEGER Area.
Commencing 13th instant, reinforcements will detrain
at CANAPLES, and will then proceed to the Corps Depot, where
they will be drafted to their Divisional wings. -
The Third Australian Divisional Wing is situated at
ST. LEGER. -
In addition to the Divisional Wing, there is a Divisional
Staging Camp, which is situated at QUERRIEU, and
where a hot meal and accommodation for the night is provided. -
Reinforcements, etc., will proceed to the Staging
Camp from ST. LEGER, moving on next day to join their
Units. -
(Continued):

x.
Sheet -3-. Administrative Instruction No., 34.   13-4-1918. -
6. - MEDICAL LOCATIONS:
Advanced Dressing Stations. -
HEILLY,
BONNAY,
LA NEUVILLE.
Main Dressing Station Sheet 62D, H.10.a.9.4., near QUERRIEU.
Divisional Collecting Station QUERRIEU M. D. S. - Men discharged
from the Divisional Collecting Station will be sent
to the Divisional Staging Camp. -
7. - BURIALS: All burials will be carried out under unit arrangements,
with the assistance, where necessary, of the Divisional
Burials Officer, whose Headquarters is:
Billet No. 42 - FRANVILLERS. -
Cemeteries are established at :-
HEILLY,
BONNAY,
QUERRIEU, and
FRANVILLERS.
The Divisional Burials Officer has a small staff attached
to him for duty at the Main Dressing Station. -
8. - ORDNANCE SUPPLIES: Main Dump - VILLERS BOCAGE. -
Forward Dump and )
D.A.D.O.S' Office.       ) PONT NOYELLES. -
9. - SUPPLIES: - Refilling Points - No. 867th Coy. LA HOUSSOYE.
866th Coy. QUERRIEU.
869th Coy.  BLANGY TRONVILLE.
870th Coy. PONT NOYELLES.
Supplies are drawn by Motor Transport from Railhead
to Refilling points, and from thence to Units Q. M. Stores
by wagons fo the Divisional Train. -
10. - W A T E R:

BUIRE:	Wells. Plentiful and good supply requiring mostly one scoop.
RIBEMONT:	Mostly well water; plentiful and good supply requiring one scoop.
MERICOURT:	Mostly dependent on rain water; good quality.
HEILLY:	Good and plentiful supply, mostly requiring one scoop.
LA NEUVILLE:	Well supply. Water is plentiful and good, requiring one scoop.
BONNAY:	Good and plentiful supply, requiring one scoop.
LA HOUSSOYE:	Very bad. Water varies from 3 to 6 scoops.
PONT NOYELLES:	Good and plentiful supply, most one scoop.
QUERRIEU:	Mostly underground water; quality good.
FRANVILLERS:	Fairly plentiful and good supply; some underground tanks and a few wells unfit.
ST. GRATIEN:	Water is scarce and not very good. A good many sources of supply are underground tanks.
FRECHEN COURT:	On outskirts of village is a series of springheads, which could be easily utilised as a water-filling point. Supply is practically unlimited. -

P. T. O. - 

Sheet -4-. Administrative Instruction No. 34.   13-4-1918. -
11. - AMMUNITION: Artillery Refilling Point - Sheet 62D, I.18.a. and o.
S.A.A. and GRENADES - Sheet 62D, I.7.Central.
12. - SALVAGE:  The collection of Salvage in this are will be carried
out as follows : -
Horse transport returning empty from Units to
Divisional Supply and Ammunition Refilling Points
will carry salvage. -
Supply wagons will dump salvage collected at
Sheet 62D, H.17.a.6.8c, where the Divisional Salvage
Officer will receive and sort same. Supply
lorries after dumping supplies will collect such
salvage and convey it to R.T.O.  Supply Railhead.
Returning D.A.C wagons will carry shell cases
and ammunition boxes on return to A.R.P’s, where
the shells will be reboxed and loaded on the Ammunition
lorries and returned to Ammunition Railhead.
A representative of the Divisional Salvage
Officer will be at each Refilling Point for purpose
of recording all salvage returned to Railheads.
The above procedure will be followed for all
Salvage, including paper, cardboard, solder and
fat. Units may obtain acknowledgement for salvage
handed in. -
13. - BATHING: CLEAN CLOTHING: CARE OF FEET:
Baths have been erected at HEILLY and BONNAY,
where men are bathed as opportunity offers for
bringing them from the line. -
CLEAN CLOTHING: is now supplied direct to units by
D.A.D.O.S., dirty clothing must be returned article
for article through D.A.D.O.S., to 11th Aust. Field
Ambulance at QUERRIEU for disinfection prior to passing
to ABBEVILLE Laundry, from whence clean clothing,
article for article, can be drawn in return
for the dirty clothing. - 
CARE OF FEET: Camphor Treatment Ingredients are
held by all Field Ambulances for issue to R.M.O’s. -
14. – DIVISIONAL CANTEEN: - FRANVILLERS. -
15. – PIERROT TROUPE AND CONCERT PARTY: This has been temporarily
converted into a Divisional Employment Company. -
16. – Y. M. C. A: Branches are established at HEILLY, BONNAY and the
Divisional Staging Camp, QUERRIEU. -
17. – THIRD AUST. M.T. COY: Is located at ALLONVILLE.
18. – ACKNOWLEDGE. -

Robt. E. Jackson
Lieut-Colonel.-
A.A. & Q..M.G., Third Australian Division.
(R.E.J / R.M). -