General Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 18, 28 March - 20 April 1918, Part 5

Notes of my visit to CORPS this morning (2/4/1918).
"G" Staff.
Saw B.G. ,G.S. - generally discussed situation.-
CORPS does not want us to do any pushing nor to engage in
any enterprises likely to involve losses or dislocation. -
They are well satisfied with their ^∧ our present dispositions and
with our proposals for switch lines running South-west - North-east.
The situation as regards barbed wire is very unsatisfactory.
Our main dumps lying Eastward have been captured by the Bosche.
CORPS has been told that they are not likely to get more than 40
tons of wire for a month to come. - Let C.R.E. know.
It is not correct that we have to send transport back to
ROSEL for wire and in ^∧ and Engineers' stores. - The C.E., is establishing
a CORPS Dump at QUERRIEU and we will not be required to send our
Engineer transport further back than QUERRIEU for such materials
as are available. - Let C.R.E. know.
The B.G. ,G.S., wants us to establish liaison between the
railway bridge at AUBIGNY (0.2) and the bridgehead at DAOURS
which has been established by the Cavalry. - I have already spoken
to the 15th. Brigade about this, and it should be confirmed by
field message. -
CORPS approve of our lay out of the Reserve line South-West
of BONNAY.
The 35th Division lying N.W. of the ANCRE in BONNAY, HEILLY, 

-2-    2-4-18.
LA HOUSSOYE, etc., will shortly be withdrawn.
The 2nd Australian Division is detraining to-day and
to-morrow West of AMIENS, and will go into the Villages North of
AMIENS with Headquarters at BERTANGLES.
Major CASEY informed me that AUSTRALIAN Corps is coming
down at once.- This is no longer a secret. - A number of advance
Officers arrived to-day and General WHITE arrives 
to-morrow.   Our
Corps will take over from the 7th Corps in two or three days.
Major CASEY says that from the high ground in P.24 and 19
one can get an excellent view of all the roads leading into CERISY,
CHIPILLY, MORCOURT, ^∧ and/ MERICOURT-SUR-SOMME (Q.12).-I went to see our C.R.A.
about this and instructed him to get our heavies to establish an O.P.
in P.24 or P.19 with a view to directing the fire of our own 60-pdrs.
on to the traffic observable on these roads.
As the supply of wire is so unsatisfactory, B.G.,G.S.
considers that all barbed wire which may be given to us should be
employed to the best possible advantage.  He agrees that our picket
line in front of our Right Brigade is the most urgent, and that next
in order the new Reserve Line South-West of BONNAY is urgent.
B.G. ,G.S. considers that a strong attack on our immediate
front is not probable;  indications rather point to an attack North
of ALBERT.
Sgd John Monash
M.G
2/4/18 

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
SUMMARY OF ACTUAL CASUALTIES IN THE
DIVISION - FROM NOON 26/3/18 to
NOON 2/4/18.
.......

6  of   9 O.R.   at Duty
            2 O.R.   S.I.W.
            3 O.R.   Accidental
D.H.Q. 3/4/18. 
(FED) 
G.O.C.
A.Q.Rgt
A. real
G .1 

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS
Prefix    DM      Code    RJ      Words    26
£    S.    D.
Charges to Collect
Service Instructions
JSH
Received. 
From JSH
By [[Armitg?]]
Sent, or sent out.
At 118
To...............
By..............
Office Stamp
ARMY
AYC-2-IV.18.
TELEGRAPHS
Handed in at       Office 10. pm. Received 1030 pm.
TO       Major ^∧ Genl Sir Julien Monash
             3rd Aust Div Hdqrs

Sender's Number    -
Day of Month.    -
In reply to Number.    -AAA

7^th Artillery Brigade wish
to thank General Monash
for his expression of
sympathy

(*re death of Lt Col Churchus
Comdg. 7^th F. Arty. Bgde.*)

FROM 7^th Austln Field Arty Bde
TIME & PLACE

G.O.C. 
Approx Fighting Strength as at Noon 2-4-18

There are 400 details at Caestre
units of which are not known
men on leave not included.
3/4/18
JB
Robt. E. Jackson Lt Col
AA&Qmg 

Copy 7/4/18.
9th. Australian Infantry Brigade.
12th. Lancers. (for information).
War Diary.
The report on your successful action on 30th. March has
been forwarded to me by 2nd. Cavalry Division.
I wish to express my thanks to you and your magnificent
troops, for the appreciation you accord to the 12th. Lancers of
any assistance that Regiment was able to give you on that occasion.
We are extremely proud of having had the opportunity
to co-operate with such splendid troops.
May I thank you at the same time for the kindly help
you gave to all the troops of my Brigade in bivouac.
(signed) D.F.COLLINS. Lt.Col.
Brig.General.
Commanding 5th. Cavalry Brigade.
Headquarters,
R.M.O.433.
3rd. April, 1918.
5th. Cavalry Brigade. 

Copy 7/4/18.
12th. Lancers.
9th. Australian Infantry Brigade.
War Diary.
A report on the counter-attack operations carried out
by 9th. Australian Infantry Brigade on 30th. March has been
received.   In it the G.O.C., 9th. Australian Infantry Brigade
expresses his appreciation in enthusiastic terms of the fine work
of the 12th. Lancers, who acted in co-operation with this attack.
G.O.C. 5th. Cavalry Brigade wishes to record afresh his
pride in having the 12th. Lancers under his command, and considers
that the regiment has won fresh honours for itself and the Brigade
by earning the appreciation in action of such gallant comrades as
the 9th. Australian Brigade.
(signed) D.F.COLLINS. Lt.Col.
Brig.-General.
Commanding 5th, Cavalry Brigade.
Headquarters,
No.B.M.O.432.
3rd. April, 1918.
5th. Cavalry Brigade. 

Copy.
4061 Sgt. MacDOUGALL. Stanley Robert.
When the Hun attacked in force our right flank on the
ALBERT- DERNANCOURT Sector, Sgt. MacDOUGALL quickly realised the
situation.
I saw him charge the enemy, who were about 200 in strength, with
the bayonet.
Afterwards I saw him working the L.Gun from his hip, and he
demoralised the attack.   When the Hun saw him running towards them
at close quarters and firing the gun their formation was broken by
his daring.   He brought in several prisoners.
At one time the Hun rushed him with bombs, but he hung on, firing
his revolver until fresh magazines for the gun were brought along,
when he continued firing.
(sgd) XXXX 2206 J.C.LAWRENCE, Sgt.
47th. Battalion, A.I.F.
28/3/18.
This statement sworn to before me.
3/4/18. 
(sgd) A.P.IMLAY, Lieut-Colonel,
C.O. 47th. Battalion, A.I.F. 

Copy.
4061 Stanley Robert MacDOUGALL.
I was in Command of 'D' coy., ALBERT-DERNANCOURT Sector on 28th. when
the Hun made a determined attack to break through.
I saw Sgt. MacDOUGALL on the right flank of the attack, he did
great work.   I saw him kill several Huns with his bayonet.
He then took a Lewis Gun by himself and ran right into the main
attack, firing the gun from his hip into the Hun inflicting heavy
casualties and causing confusion in their ranks. When his ammunition
was expended he continued using his bayonet.  He was absolutely
responsible, singlehanded, for smashing up the attack.
He seized a second gun, and although his hand wad badly burnt
owing to the heating of the gun he continued pouring in a spray of
bullets from within 10 yards of the Hun.
(sgd) C.A.SYMONS, Captain,
O.C. 'D' Coy.
1/4/I7.
This statement sworn to before me.
3/4/18.
(sgd) A.P.IMLAY, Lieut-Colonel,
C.O. 47th. Battalion, A.I.F. 

Copy.
To the O.C.,
47th. Battalion, A.I.F.
Sir,
I have to report th at this morning, 28th. instant, at
DERNANCOURT, when the enemy attacked at the level crossing in force,
I saw 4061 Sgt. Stanley Robert MacDOUGALL with a M.G. by himself
firing into the enemy's second wave at very close quarters outside
our lines.   I was on the other side of the crossing hastening to the
place when I saw him pick up a bayonet rifle and bayonet and kill
several more of the enemy.  He then picked up a L.G. and fired it from
the hip until it became red-hot, burning both his hands.   Then
he went to the assistance of Lieut. ROBINSON and bayonetted a German
who had crept up behind him.
By this time assistance had arrived and we were enabled to take
a number of prisoners.  Sgt. MacDOUGALL then got hold of another
L.G. and continued firing on the enemy.
(sgd) Geo. C.REID, Lieut..
47th. Battalion, A.I.F.
28/3/18.
This statement sworn to before me.
3/4/18.
(sgd) A.P.IMLAY, Lieut. Colonel,
C.O. 47th. Battalion, A.I.F.