General Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 18, 28 March - 20 April 1918, Part 13

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
Divisional Headquarters,
13th. April, 1918.-
CIRCULAR MEMORANDUM No. 88.
The Divisional Commander desires that the following
instance of exemplary courage and highest initiative be made
known to all ranks.--
" On the 28th. March the enemy made a determined attack
on our line near DERNANCOURT, and his first wave succeeded in
getting through at a crossing.
Serjeant S.R. MacDOUGALL, 487th, Battalion, who was
at a post in a flank Company, gripped the situation, and at
once charged the enemy’s second wave single-handed with rifle 
and bayonet, killing 7 and capturing a Machine Gun which they
had. This he turned on to them, firing from the hip,
causing many casualties and routing that wave. He then turned
his attention to those of the first wave who had got in,
firing from a distance of 10 yards until his ammunition ran
out, when he seized a bayonet and charged again, killing three
men and a German Officer who was just about to kill one of
our Officers.-
He then used a Lewis Gun on the enemy, killing many
and caused the surrender of 33 prisoners.
His prompt action saved "the line."
Robt. E. Jackson.
Lieut.-Colonel.-
(W.E.B) A.A. & Q.M.G. Third Australian Division.
JM
13/4/18
 

SECRET   Copy. No. 6
TENTH AUSTRALIAN INF. BRIGADE.

15th April 1918.
HEADQUARTERS
16 April 1918
SG401/32/14
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
INSTRUCTIONS FOR OCCUPYING SECOND ZONE.
REF. MAPS: - Special Map 1/100,000 issued on 13th inst.
Sheet 62 D 1/40,000
1. In the event of a deliberate withdrawal
being ordered to Second Zone Defences, the following
will be the sequence of moves. -
 2. On the order "MOVE - 1st STAGE" being
received from Brigade Headquarters, the 2 Right Companies
1st Stage. "A" battn will withdraw to First line of resistance -
marked by 2 pink lines on Special Map - which is the
line of recently dug switch line on W. side of gorge
in J.12. If necessary the left Company "A" Battn
will adjust its right flank to keep touch with Centre
Company. At the same time "D" Battn will man the
RIBEMONT Bridgehead line shown in Dark blue on Special
Map and "B" echelon will strengthen garrisons on HEILLY
bridgeheads (near HALTE and on 2 emergency artillery
bridges). The 4 reserve Trench Mortars will move to
positions in First System Second Zone Line.
2nd Stage  3. On the order "MOVE - 2nd STAGE" "A"
Battn will move through the green line (held by "C"
Battn) to the red line S. of MERICOURT, and get in
touch with 11th Aust. Inf. Brigade "D" Battn on their
right flank. "B" Battn will move through green line
and RIBEMONT Bridgehead line to AMIENS line (1st
System 2nd Zone) from HEILLY-RIBEMONT Road to AMIENS-
ALBERT Road both inclusive. Roads should be avoided
as far as possible on this move - Companies of "B"
Battn South of the ANCRE will cross by TREUX Bridge
and Railway Bridge in J.4.b.
3rd Stage  4. On the order "MOVE - 3rd STAGE" "C"
Battn will move through the red line and Bridge head.
line to the HEILLY defences to the right flank of "B"
Battn using emergency bridge in J.2 and bridges between
HEILLY HALTE and the village. On arrival in this new
line "C" Battn will become "A" Battn with Headquarters
in vicinity of J.1.Central.
4th Stage.  5. On the order "MOVE - 4th STAGE" the
original "A" Battn will move from Red Line via same
bridges as used in Stage 3. to support position East
and South of FRANVILLERS. It will become "C" Battn
with Headquarters in FRANVILLERS. The troops holding
the high ground in J.15.a. to move last.
5th Stage.  6. On the order "MOVE - 5th STAGE" which will
be given only after receipt by Brigade of direct orders
from 3rd Aust. Division. The garrisons of Bridgeheadx
lines at RIBEMONT and HEILLY will withdraw - the former
to reserve position immediately West of FRANVILLERS,
the "B" Echelon to a position near transport lines which
will be in vicinity of FRECHENCOURT.
Headquarters.  7. 10th A.I. Bde.Hdgrs will be situated at C.27.a.5.5.
                               Advanced   "        "          "     "        "           "    FRANVILLERS

                                                                                                            C.29.c.0.6.
              11th A.I. Bde. Hdqrs   "         "          "     "        "          "     I.7.b.8.8.
[*10.25am

Achd

3 copies
1 sent AS 
GOC.*]
 

-2-
Trench 

Mortars & 

Machine 

Guns.  8. The 4 active Trench Mortars and the
Machine Guns covering this Brigade front will move with
the Units they are covering at the time the move
commences.
Artillery 9. No garrison is to withdraw from a position

till it is seen that the covering guns have withdrawn.
Movement  10.  At each stage withdrawal is to be made by
small parties covered by fire of remaining parties  who
will in turn withdraw covered by fire of remaining
parties those previously withdrawn.
Pioneer
Company.  11. The Pioneer Coy at BUIRE will move with
"B" Battn.

Reports.  12. When each Unit has completed its move in
any stage reports must be sent to Brigade Headquarters
and to Units both on the flank and in front.

13.  A C K N O W L E D G E.
R. Lamber   Captain

Brigade Major

10th Australian Infantry Brigade.
 DISTRIBUTION

Copy No. 1 G.O.C.

2 Bde. Major

3 Staff Captain

4. Bde. Sig. Officer.

5)

6) 3rd Aust. Div.

7)

8  37th Battn

9  38th Battn

10 39th Battn
11  40th Battn

12  10th A.M.G. Coy.

13  10th A.L.T.M. Battery
14  3rd Aus. M.G. Battn

15  7th Aust. Inf.Bde.

16  11th Aust.  "     "
17  10th F.Coy.  Engrs.
18  10th F. Amb.

19  Capt. H. DENCH

20 C. R.A.
21   C R.E.
22 3rd Army Bde. A.F.A.

23  6th Army Bde.  A.F.A.

24  A.D.M.S.

25  Major A.T.PATERSON

26 3rd Aust. Pioneer Batn

27)

28)  WAR DIARY

29)

30)

31  FILE

32-37  Spare.
 

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.
[*V*]

Department of Defence,
WAR MUSEUM
Melbourne, 15th April, 1918.
DEAR SIR OR MADAM,
An Australian War Museum is being established for the collection and display of objects
of historical interest connected with Australia’s share in the War.
There will be official exhibits, but these will lack the personal appeal attaching to souvenirs
individually obtained by soldiers, their relatives and friends, whose co-operation alone can supply
this need. The Government therefore invites you to donate to the National collection any of
the following articles which you may possess:-
(a) Trophies, relics, curios, documents, and photographs picked up on the
battle-field
or in the war zone, especially enemy war material.
(b) Photographs of life in camp, at sea, training camps abroad, on active service, the
battle-field, &c.
(c) Letters from soldiers containing descriptions of the various places visited, of
battles, life in camp, at sea, deeds of heroism witnessed, &c.
In this connexion diaries are very desirable, also envelopes from the war
zone bearing postage stamps.
(d) Photographs of the brave soldiers who have paid the supreme sacrifice, or have
been awarded medals or mentioned in despatches. Two of these photographs
are desired, as it is intended to send one to England for the British War Museum.
They should be unmounted permanent prints on glossy bromide paper, any
size, but not more than 10 inches by 8 inches.
(e) Ship and trench magazines, journals, poems, popular songs, writings, sketches,
caricatures, maps, and so forth.
(f) Soldiers employ their leisure in making all kinds of memorials, and gifts of such
representative souvenirs will be valued.
The above is by no means a complete list, and everything connected with the War and the
soldier is wanted, no matter how small or seemingly unimportant. If you do not wish to part
with original documents or photographs copies will be accepted. The originals may be sent with
a request for their return, when they will be carefully copied and returned to you; or copies may
be sent by you, but in this case you will, of course, understand how necessary it will be to exercise
the greatest care to insure that faithful copies are forwarded.
On the backs of photographs of soldiers should be written IN PENCIL the number,
name, rank, and unit of the soldier, and any other information available regarding him. On
backs of other photographs should be written the subject of the picture.
As next-of-kin of a member of the Expeditionary Forces, the Government would appreciate
your help in this great work, and it is hoped you will do all in your power to make the collection
as complete as possible, not only by doing what you can yourself, but also by asking your
friends to assist. A record will be kept of everything presented, and the donation will be duly
acknowledged.
Naturally your first impulse will be to retain every possible memento associated with your
soldier relative, but it is pointed out that these will be accessible to you if placed in the
War Museum, and, in addition, they will be objects of interest and, possibly, veneration to the
thousands of visitors who are sure to go there when it has been fully established. Your pride,
instead of being kept to yourself, will thus be shared by the whole world, and strengthened by
the knowledge that something of yours is helping to build up a lasting monument to Australian
heroism.
[OVER.
D.1253/4.18.-C.4810.-350M.
 

2

When Peace returns and men are back at home, memory of the great days and adventures

through which they lived will grow dim with the advancing years, and, unless some permanent
record is established, ultimately pass into forgetfulness. The Government strongly holds the
view that the sacrifices of your kinsfolk in this War, your own silent sufferings during their absence,
and the efforts of the present generation, are far too sacred to allow this fate to befall them. The
creation of the War Museum is the outcome of this view, and will provide against such an unfortunate 
happening. To future generations it will be a never-failing source of inspiration, at once
reminding them of the privations of their forefathers and urging them to imitate their conduct.
But your own personal gifts will constitute the strongest appeal to those who are to follow. The
Museum will be a place where soldiers, and relatives of soldiers, will visit with their friends and
children, and there revive the past and see again the weapons with which they fought, the uniforms
they wore, pictures and models of the trenches and dug-outs in which many weary hours were
spent, or of positions which they carried, and ground every yard of it memorable to them. The
occupations of their leisure hours will then be recalled, and the likenesses of the men who died
for their country seen perhaps by the comrades beside whom they fell. Your children will pay
similar visits in the future, and gathering around your exhibit tell again to their children the story
learnt from you, and so on, through the succeeding generations, keep for ever green the memory
of the present stirring times. The best possible result will be desired by all; let all 
co-operate heartily and it will be achieved. 

Yours faithfully, 
G.F. Pearce
Minister of State for Defence. 

NOTICE.
Gifts for the War Museum may be sent by Post to the-
Secretary,
Department of Defence
(War Museum),
Melbourne.
or by rail or steamer to-
War Museum,
Care of The Senior Ordnance Officer,
Ordnance Stores,
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane,
Adelaide, Perth, Hobart,
as the case may require.
If they are too bulky to be handled by yourself they will be sent for if you write to the
Secretary, Department of Defence (War Museum), to whom all communications should be
addressed.
When sending any gifts be sure you advise the Secretary and send him a list of the contents
of the parcel. A list should also be put in the parcel.
D.1253/4.18.-C.4810.- 350M.
 

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.         Copy No: 20

S E C R E T:

Divisional Headquarters,
16th April, 1918. -

ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTION NO. 35: - ISSUED UNDER THIRD AUSTRALIAN

DIVISIONAL OPERATION CIRCULAR NO. 5. -
Reserves of Ammunition will be distributed throughout
Second Zone, as per attached list.-

Dumping of Ammunition in the BRIDGE-HEAD LINE will be
carried out by the 13th Australian Infantry Brigade.-
The Dumps in the three successive systems, excepting
dumps Nos. 14 and 17, will be made by the Brigades at present responsible 
for the Areas.-
Dump No. 17 will be arranged by Divisional Headquarters,
and will be used as an alternative Ammunition Re-filling Point, to
dump No. 14 if necessary.
Dump No. 18 is already in existence.-
Brigades will arrange necessary Guards. 
Robt. E. Jackson

Lieut-Colonel. -

(R.E.J/R.M). - A.A. & Q.H.G., Third Australian Division.

DISTRIBUTION:

No. 1. "G" Staff.

2. D.A.C. S.A.A. Sect:

3. Div. Artillery (for information).

4. C.R.E.-

5. 9th Aust. Inf. Brigade.

6. 10th Aust. Inf. Brigade.

7. 11th Aust. Inf. Brigade.

8. 12th Aust. Inf. Brigade.

9. 13th Aust. Inf. Brigade.

10. 3rd Aust. Div. M.G.Btn.-

11. 3rd Aust. Pion. Battalion.

12. Div. Bombing Officer.-

13. Div. Salvage Officer.-

14. Base Records, Melbourne.

15. -do-

16. War Diary.
17. -do-
18. -do-

19. File.
20. Spare.

21. Spare.

22. Spare.

[* G.O.C.*]
 

AMMUNITION SCHEME FOR DEFENSIVE ZONES:

DUMPS TO BE ESTABLISHED AS FOLLOWS:

SYSTEM	DUMP No.	LOCATION	S.A.A.	T.M.C.	GRENADES.	S.O.S.
BRIDGE-HEAD LINE.	1. 2. 3.	J.29.b.6.3. J.24.b.3.5. J.15.o.5.8	30,000. 30,000. 30,000	- - -	No. 23,300. No. 23,300. No. 23,300	- -
BAIZIEUX LINE	4.	Vicinity of 1.26.6.8.6.	25,000.	500.	No.25.1000 No.35.2000	12.
	5.	Vicinity of BONNAY; I.16.b.7.9.	25,000.	500.	No.23.1000. No.34.1000. No.35.200.	12.
	6.	HEILLY Brickworks I.6.B.2.7.	25,000.	500.	No.23.1000.	12.
	7.	G.30.c.9.7.	10,000.	500.	No.35.200.
FRANVILLERS SYSTEM:	8.	Vicinity of I.13.c.7.4.	50, 000	100.	No.23.1000. No.35. 200.
	9.	BOIS ESCARDONNEUSE. Vicinity of I.14.b.9.6.	10,000.	500.
	10.	LA NOUSSYE: I. 8.b. or d.	50,000	500.	No.23.1000. No.35. 200. No.34.1000.
	11.	Vicnity of FRANVILLERS: 0.23.c.3.2.	50,000.	500.	No.23.1000. No.35.  200.
LA BOUSSOYE SYSTEM:	12.	H.30.c.7.3.	10,00
	13.	I.13.c.7.4.	(See FRANVILLERS System). -
	14.	I. &. Central.	50,000.
	15.	C.26.c.7.6.	50,000.
	16.	Wood - C.20.d.4.5. (Wagon Lines).	50,000.
	17.	B.30.b.4.7.	100,000
ST. GRATIEN LINE:	18.	(Divisional Reserve for Forward Systems).
		B.20.d.6.2.	50,000.	2000.	No.23.5000. No.35.2000.

Divisional Headquarters,

3rd. Aust. Division. 16/4/1918

(R. M).-
 

16/4/18
Preparation for Attack
Artillery Counter preparation.
Cutting our expeditions.

Glasgow Reserve Bgde 2 Bns to stand by

Pioneer Bn to stand by.

Tanks to move up.

Clear Buire & Ribemont

Superimpose two silent Brigades.

Staff to be alert during night & morning of 17^th

Anti-Tank 18pr. guns.

Use of Stokes Mortars against Tanks.

Liaison to 47th
[* 247th (5th Brigd) *]

 

Toilet & Medicines

			Unit	Reserve stock on 13/4/18, exclusive of articles in use, & reserves in packets.
TOILET	1.	Shaving Soap	Tin	2
	2.	Toilet Soap	Cake	1
	3.	Toothpaste	Tube	2
	4.	Amyderm or Face Cream	Tube	6
	5.	Brilliantine	Tube	1
	6.	Talcum Powder	bottle	-
	7.	Boracic Powder	bottle	1
	8.	Hazeline Cream	tube	2
	9.	Eau de Cologne	bottle	1
	10.	Scrubbs Ammonia	bottle	1
	11.	Petrol	bottle	-
	12.	Eucrol Tooth powder	Tin	3
	13.	Permanganate of Potash	phial	-
	14.	Nail Crayon	stick	-
MEDICINES	1.	Eno's Fruit Salts	bottle	1

16/4/18

.G.I.

at Corps.
Tank order - not known to Major Lakin ✓

do re. 13 platoons
Counter preparation ✓
8^th Div. Order. ✓

General.