General Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 18, 28 March - 20 April 1918, Part 6

ON HIS MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE.
R

0 657

K20[[?]]

To
Major - General Sir John Monash K.C.B.
Com^m 3^rd Australian Division.
Australian Corps. 
20

P.T.O.                          
By DRLS
Dalkeith Lt
ADC IV Army.
B.   April 1918
                           

This address was written by the Earl of Dalkeith, who
is a Lieutenant, & A.D.C. to General Sir H Rawlinson B^t
Commander of the IV Army.
D.R.L.S = "Despatch Rider letter Service"
 

9 Bde 3/4/18
35^th Bn in line from P28 - V2. All 4 Coys in the

line supplying their own supports.
33 Bn in reserve E of Villers Bretonneux
34 & 36 Bn digging switch line O34 D- U3 A & B
U2 A & B U1D & C.
No M.G's in the line
on right 18^th Div - 55 Bde
on left 1^st Cav Div
French may relieve them tonight, at present the
French come up as far as Hangard
Strength of Bn   33      34      35     36
                              500    700  800  800
                            

D.M.T.S.
 A.I.F.

D. A. G.,

A. I. F.,

Instructions have been received from the D. Of T.
(see copy of “A”) and from D.D.S.& T Second Army (copy "B")
both attached, that Lorries of certain makes in Divisional
Supply Columns, Ammunition Sub Parks etc, are to be exchanged
for lorries of other makes in Siege Battery Columns.
There will in some cases be a very considerable
difference in the values of these lorries, not only present
values, but original value.

I consulted the D.D.S.& T Second Army  in reference
to this matter, showing him that, as the Australian Government
were charged the first cot of these vehicles, there would be
a considerable amount of book-keeping and adjustment to be
made if these instructions were made to apply to Australian
Units.

Take for instance Peerless Lorries, of which make
there is a considerable number in the Australian Units, the
new value of which is from £1,000 to £1100, whereas the
Swiss Berner, which might have to be taken in exchange, are
only worth, now, from £600 to £700.

It will be seen at a glance that the Australian
Government, having been charged at first cost, for Peerless
Lorries, and then exchanging them for Swiss Berner Lorries,
would have to be credited with the difference in values of the
two makes, without taking into consideration the state of the
vehicles at the  time of exchange.

The D.D.S.& T told me at first, to use my own
discretion in exchanging these vehicles, hence the dealy in 
bringing this matter before you.

As however G.H.G. . are pressing for all exchanges
to be effected, he now asks that the matter may be put up for
a ruling.

There is also the matter of replacements.
As the Australian Government are charged the first
cost, and then pay by capitation for upkeep, either a make of
vehicle of equal value should be given, or an adjustment will
have to be made at the finish, as if for instance the first
charge is for a Vauxhall car, and at the end, the Australian
Government is 1eft with a Ford Car, it will be seen that a
considerable loss has been sustained.

Will you please put this matter up, so that a
ruling may be obtained as to:-
1. Are the instructions contained in the two

attached letter to be applied to Australian Units.

2. Should the makes of Cars, or other vehicles, sent

to Australian Units as replacements, be approximately

the same value as the makes originally supplied by, 

or charged to the Australian Government

[[MW Winbricks?]]

Lieut-Colonel.

D.M.T.S..A.T.S.

4/11/17
 

D.D.S.& T.

Second Army.

4951/1.

("B")

S.H.T.O.,

1st Anzac.

Reference my No. 4951/1 dated 24/8/17.

As Siege Battery Ammunition Columns move from one

formation to another it will at present be found that the scheme 

of exchange laid down therein has not been complied with, and as

it it necessary that this should be completed at once, will you

please give immediate attention to the matter.

It is immaterial whether the exchanges are made

with Divisional supply Columns, or Ammunition Sub Parks, and

although every endeavor it to be made to keep these Units

homogeneous, the giving of two makes to a Divisional Supply

Column must be considered rather than abandoning of a

scheme which would entail this.

Commerlorries are now to be included in the withdrawals

from Siege Battery Ammunition Columns.

Please forward a report to this Office by 20th

inst. stating details:-
 1. Exchanges that can be carrier out in the Corps.

2. Exchanges still necessary in the Corps, but unable

to be carried out.

 

(signed) R.SHelton.

Major D.A.D.T.

for D.D.S.& T., Second Army.

Headquarters.

Second Army.

15/9/17

 D.D.S.& T.,

Second Army.

4951/1.

("A")

S.H.T.O.,

1st Anzac.

Instructions have been received from the Director

of Transport that the number of types of lorries with Siege

Batteries is to be reduced.

It will be seen that this will in every way

facilitate the working of Crops Siege Parks and will greatly

lend to reduced the stock of Spare Parts necessary to be kept

by Siege Park Workshops.

The following makes are to be withdrawn from

Siege Battery Ammunition Columns as soon as opportunity arises,

and replaced by other lorries of standard makes in the Army

Halley.	Pagefield.
Hallford.	Saurer.
Kelly.	Swiss Berner
Packard.	Wolsley.

So far as can be seen, lorries with Siege Battery

Ammunition Columns being sent overseas, will in future be

confined to the following makes:-

Albion.	Maudsley.
A.S.C. & Dainier.	Peerless.
Karrier.	Thornycroft.
Locomobile (or Riker)

Commer, Dennis and Pierce Attow lorries, will in 

all probability not be sent overseas with Siege Battery Ammunition 

Columns in future, but where these at present exist, no

action in regard to carrying out exchanges need be taken at

present.

For your information and action as occasion

arises.

All exchanges made, should be reported to this

Office

(signed) A.PHELPS. Colonel.

D.D.S.& T. Second Army.

Headquarters.

Second Army.

23/8/17.

Administrative H. Qrs.
LONDON.
April 3rd, 1918.
Brig. General W. R. McNicoll, C.M.G., D.S.O.

Dear General,
May I presume on our old friendship to ask your
good offices for me?

As you know, I was in command of the 69th Bn. of the
6th Division. This unit was disbanded some months ago and I
was attached to the Fourth Division in France, but my seniority
stood in the way of my absorption and I have now probably to
return to Australia. To-day, however, I am sending in an
application to H.Q. Australian Corps to be allowed to revert
to the rank of Major and be given either second in command or
Company Commander in a Machine Gun Battalion. I have made a
close study of up-to-date methods in machine gunnery. Will
you speak for me to General Monash? General Moore has
written to General Monash concerning my work in England. If
you are prepared to speak for me, do so at once, before I am
sent overseas.

I can assure you it is not my fault that I was in
England so long. I gladly took a battalion in the 6th Division 

as offering an immediate command of a fighting unit which I
could not hope for by return to my old regiment. Its break-up
left me stranded through no fault of my own at all. I recognize 

the impossibility of a Brigadier taking me as a C.O. with the
large number of capable officers to whom he owes recognition.
Hence my willingness to revert. I do hope you will be able to
help me to continue my service longer. Act for me at once if
you can see your way clear to do so at all.
 

-2-
Hearty congratulations on your splendid success,
and best wishes.
Yours sincerely,
A.V. Deeble 

[[Lral?]]

 

Dear General
I know very little of Deeble
as a military man, He came
away with L.H., was very ill
in Wandsworth in late 15 and,
I understand, has been in England
ever since - just at Park House
then 69th Br. In view of the
present surplus of tried officers I'm
afraid his chances of employment-
are not very cozy but I send his
letter for your consideration.
Yours [[truly?]]
 

W Ramsey McNicoll
 

4/4/18
Brig - Gen Sandilands 
104^th Bgde
1700 in all
57^th - 60^th - Lt Col. Lagh [[Lafey?]] - 57^th

Capt Doyle 60^th
59^th Cross at Hamelet

60^th Cross at Corbie

CHJ94
Reply to B. M. 134
14^th Div.
All ^my Artillery & Infantry observers
are watching your the front of your left
flank for machine gun & artillery targets
10.12 AM
4/4/18