General Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 18, 28 March - 20 April 1918, Part 10

Aust. Corps
About 9 this morning enemy 30
strong attacked our post in J 24 b
and was driven off with loss without casualties
to us. -
Repeat   10^th
                 15^th
                  5^th Div
                  2^nd Div

---------------
No. C.H.J. 160.
11.55 am

----------------------
9/4/18

[diagonal pencil line centre of letter]

Hand drawn diagram - see original

ask Elliott re Bougaincourt
Summarize Kit & papers
Molesworth re Mess. -

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
Divisional Headquarters,
9th April, 1918. -
ACTUAL CASUALTIES REPORTED. -
Reported from NOON 26/3/18 to NOON 8/4/18.

G.O.C.

A.Q.

A.

G. 1

(FED)

G.O.C.

9th Bde Hqr
April 9^th 1918
Dear Sir John
Early this morning the 5^th Bde A.I.F
intended to advance north of HANGARD to a line
practically U 24 central - V 13 central - V. 7 central
[[?]] our present line at V 1 central. You will observe that
this is the line I handed over to 18^- Division after our

counterattack of March 30^th and which line was lost by

them on 4^th April. -

In order to give the Battalion of 5^th Brigade a short rest

and clean up before undertaking the operation, it

was decided to defer it for perhaps 48 or 72 hours -

Therefore tonight my 36^th and 34^th Battalion are to

take over from HANGARD to about V 11 central 

and will hold this line till the attack is ready -

From U 11 Central to V 1a to P 26 d the line is

held by 175^th Bde 18^th Division. The 33^rd and 35^th Battn

remain as Divisional reserve also our Machine Gun Co,

[[and?]] these three units are accommodated in strong factory

cellars in O-29, c and d - It is not satisfactory during

this inclement weather to have them bivouacked (in woods

O-31-32 and 33) and beside we run there even more

risk of casualty by shell fire.

Nothing further to report -
Charles Rosenthal Brg Gen

Maj Gen Sir John Monash KCB VD

9^th Bde  HQr
10 April /18.
My dear John
The Boche put down a heavy Artillery
Bombardment on HANGARD last evening and attacked
at 7 PM. He succeeded in gaining the eastern edge
of the Village. Fresh Counter attacks cleared him
out at 3 AM and we are now again back on
the original line -
Last night I received an order to detail a
Battalion as Garrison for the defence of VILLERS-BRETONNEAUX
together with 8 machine guns -   Col Morshead with
the 33^rd has been detailed and has been given some
tunnellers a Sapper Officer and a Staff Officer
from 58^th Division -
Otherwise nothing to chronicle -
Charles Rosenthal Brg Gen
Major General Sir John Monash KCB  VD
JM

10/4/18
Secret
(Not issued)
11^th  Brigade
10^th  Brigade} For information.
 5^th  Aust. Div.}

1. At an early date, and at very short notice, the 5^th Aust Division may
decide to undertake an operation, probably at dawn, with the object of
gaining ground to the East. - The objective line, towards its northern
end will be approximately the 'green line' AB.   
2. [[This?]] day and Zero hour will be notified by telegram to 11^th Brigade. -
3. 11^th Brigade will forthwith make all reconnaissances, prepare and
promulgate all instructions, for the purpose of carrying out, simultaneously,
a minor operation, consisting of swinging up its right flank
to the green line CD.
4. The objects are :- (1) To conform to the advance of the 5^th Aust. Div.
(2) To obtain observation into and command of the
Vally running N.E & South through J 36.c & a
(3) To gain a suitable jumping-off position for a further
advance eastward, should same be ordered later.
5. The new line CD in 1300 yards long. - It is to be established, at the
outset, by not fewer than 6 platoon posts, tactically disposed along
its length. - Later it is to consolidated and wired as a line of resistance.
6. The position of the Southern extremity C will be governed by the position of
the point B actually gained by the 5^th Aust. Div., but the line  ^CD for the
remainder of its length should in any event be pushed sufficiently far
east to achieve objects (2) & (3) of para 4 above.

7. The 11^th Brigade will notif arrange with P direct with right Group artillery
for (a) Artillery Preparation - prior to Zero
(b) Artillery Support - from Zero onwards
(c) Protective Barrage, & S.O.S. modification of S.O.S. lines.
8. Copies of all orders & particulars of all Artillery, Machine Gun & Trench
Mortar arrangements to be forwarded to Div. H.Q. in ample time.
9. Acknowledge.

1^st Cav: Div
10.4.18
My dear Monash
I was hoping to have come
to see you when the battle allowed
to thank you, your BrG. R.A. & your
brigadiers who were alongside
of my Division for your most
valuable & encouraging support
& assistance especially on 30^th
March when we had a hard
fight to keep the Boche out of
our position - I was very much
struck by the courtesy of your 

officers in coming to see me

personally & for your own &
their keen desire to do every
thing in their power to help.
As you know we had a curious
collection of units to deal with
& it was a very real relief to
know that I had your stout
hearted fellows on my left
flank & later also on my
right flank & that all worry
was therefore eliminated
as to the safety of my flanks.
Your order for the placing of your
heavy guns & batteries so as to
cover our front was of very real
assistance, incidentally they
killed a lot of Huns, & was much
appreciated by us all -
Will you convey to all concerned
my own appreciation & that
of all ranks of the 1^st Cav: Division
for your valuable assistance.
It was a pleasure & an honour
to be fighting alongside troops
who displayed such magnificent

moral - I only hope we may
have the chance of cooperating
with you again & under more
favourable circumstances.
We have been kept on the move
& very busy trying to refit at
the same time and have left
your area for the moment or
I should certainly have been
myself to tender you my
thanks & congratulations.
Yours Sincerely
R.L. Mullens 
C.B.MJ 

Letter from Major-General Mullins
Comdg 1^st Cavalry Division.
Apl 10/18.