General Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 18, 21 April - 8 May 1918, Part 1

SECRET.

REPORT OF THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN BARON VON RICHTHOFEN. at 62D.

J.19.b.5.2. ABOUT 11 a.m. 21st APRIL 1918.

The following report is based on the evidence of eye witnesses,

written down immediately after the events.

Captain Baron von RICHTHOFEN was flying a single

seater triplane painted red and reported to be of a new pattern.

When first engaged he was pursuing one of our own machines,

reported to be a SOPWITH CAMEL, in a W.N.W. direction, flying

towards the wood in J.19.c. Here, according the a reliable

witness, he was fired at by an A.A. gun of the 24th Australian

Machine Gun Company. RICHTHOFEN's machine seemed to move

unsteadily for a moment, but still continued in pursuit of the

British 'plane.

He had now left the SOMME valley and come over the

high ground north of CORBIE. Both machines were flying very low,

being no more than 150 feet up. They were coming swiftly

towards the A.A. Lewis guns of the 53rd Battery, 14th Australian

Field Artillery Brigade, situated at I.24.b.9.5 and I.24.b.6.5

respectively. RICHTHOFEN was firing into the 'plane before him

but it was difficult for the Lewis gunner to shoot owing to

the British 'plane being directly in the line of fire. They

accordingly waited their time till the British 'plane had passed.

RICHTHOFEN's 'plane was not more than 100 yards from each when

they opened fire. The 'plane was coming frontally towards them

so that they were able to fire directly on to the person of the

aviator. Almost immediately the 'plane turned N.E., being still

under fire from the Lewis guns. It was now staggering as though

out of control. Further effective bursts were fired; the 'plane

veered to the north, and crashed on the plateau near the 
brickworks 
in J.19.b.5.2.

The aviator was already dead. There were bullet wounds

in the knees, abdomen, and chest. The 'plane was badly smashed;

it was a triplane painted dull red, and was armed with two air

cooled machine guns. It has only been assembled in March 1918.

The British plane was undoubtedly saved by the action of

the Lewis gunners. It altered its course and circled back over the

spot where the enemy 'plane had crashed.

The papers of the aviator were taken to the Headquarters

of the 11th Australian Infantry Brigade. They established his

identity as Captain BARON MANNHEIM VON RICHTHOFEN, born 2nd March

1892 in BRESLAU, province of SILESIA, PRUSSIA. The machine was

numbered D.R. 425.

Captain Baron van RICHTHOFEN was a great adversary. The

German official wireless for the 21st April 1918 , the very day of

his death, contains the notice "Captain Baron von RICHTHOFEN, at

the head of Pursuit Flight 11, attained his 79th and 80th air

victories". It was fitting that he should have fallen, in old

Roman fashion, "with all his wounds in front."

After the machine crashed, a troupe of German 'planes

flew over and circled above the spot until driven off by the A.A.

guns. An infantry guard  was posted over the body and the plane,

but they were relieved of their duty shortly after by the German

artillery, which placed a ring of shells bursting with instantaneous 
fuzes, around the 'plane.
The Lewis gunners who brought down the machine were:

No. 598 Gunner W.J. EVANS and No. 3801 Gunner R.BUIE, of the
53rd Battery, 14th Australian Field Artillery Brigade, 5th
Australian Divisional Artillery.

Copy to A.D.C. for G.O.C. 

SECRET and CONFIDENTIAL.

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.

Divisional Headquarters,

22nd. April, 1918.

Brig.-General C. Rosenthal, C.B.,C.M.G.

Commanding 9th. Aust. Inf. Bde.

Brig.-General W. H. McNicoll, C.M.G.,D.S.O.

Commanding 11th. Aust. Inf. Bde.
Brig.-General J. H. Cannan, C.B.
Commanding 11th. Aust. Inf. Bde.

Brig.-General H. W. Grimwade, C.M.G.

C. R. A. (for information).

HEADQUARTERS

No SG401/32/36

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION

1. -The Army Commander wishes it made clear that in the event of

enemy attacks the policy will be retain, by all means in our power,

the positions now held by us. - 

2. - This policy has already been clearly set out in the first

sentence of para. 3 of Defence Instructions No.1 of 12/4/18. -

3. - Brigade Commanders must therefore ensure that arrangements

for prompt counter-attack to recapture essential ground that may be

lost are kept up to date and in a state of readiness. -

4. - Such arrangements comprise (a) a decision as to which are the

localities essential to enable our positions to be maintained (b)

definite plans for recapture of such localities, if they should have 
been lost (dc) dispositions of supports and reserves in accordance with

such plans. -

(1).

(2).
22/4/18.

5. - The question of what are these essential localities applies

to the minor features of each Brigade Sector, as well as to the

Divisional front as a whole. - Each front line Brigade must therefore
study the conditions of its own ground, but also be prepared
to co-operate with flank Brigades in the defence of localities

which are important to the whole Divisional front

6. - These localities are :-

(a) The Spur running South from J.29.b. because this

is the Southern bulwark of our whole position,

and its loss would help the enemy to outflank

us.

(b) MARETT WOOD Spur, because our retention of this

Spur denies the enemy command of and observation
into the ANCRE VALLEY West of TREUX.

(c) The Spur in D.22.a. and c, because its retention

by us prevents the enemy from outflanking

both this Division and the Division on our

left.  -

John Monash

Major-General.

Commanding Third Australian Division.

File

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.  SG.40/105.

SECRET.

Divisional Headquarters,

22nd April, 1918.

GENERAL STAFF CIRCULAR NO. 78A.

Tactical Employment of Machine Guns.
(This Circular is issued in continuation of G.S. Circular No. 68A).
1. - The main principle to be observed in the employment of machine
guns is the development of direct fire from as many guns as possible
during the decisive phase of the battle which is, generally speaking, soon
after the Infantry attack begins to develop.
2. - In the defence the first object is to prevent the enemy reaching
our front line. The majority of the guns should therefore be employed
as forward guns in positions from which they can bring direct fire to
bear on all ground over which the enemy has to advance. - These forward
guns should, however, be arranged, so far as the conditions of the ground
and field of fire permit, in depth with reference to each other, so that
the liability of all the forward guns to be put out of action by enemy
Artillery action, at one and the same time, may be reduced to a minimum.
3. - Whenever possible, these forward guns should be placed in such
positions that they may be employed so as to bring oblique fire to bear
on an enemy attack as well as having a field of fire direct to their front.
Every direct fire gun must, however, be prepared in addition to its
defined task to engage any target upon which it may be able to bring
effective fire.
Geo. F Wieck Majr
for Lieut-Colonel.
General Staff.
T.C.
DISTRIBUTION.
C.R.A.
C.R.E.
9th Aust. Inf. Bde.
10th       -do-
11th        -do-
3rd Aust. Pioneer Bn.
3rd Aust. M.G. Bn.
War Diary.
File.

GOC JM
Ga
Authority for Maximum.
GB
Major C
I.G.
DSO
Lt G
 

[*Richthofen
(see over)*]
No. 125.
FOURTH ARMY,
22nd April, 1918.
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION.
CONTENTS :-
I.   SITUATION.
II.  ENEMY ACTIVITY.
III. DEATH OF CAPTAIN von RICHTHOFEN.
IV. DISTRIBUTION OF THE ENEMY FORCES.
V.  ENEMY DEFENCES.
VI. ENEMY REAR ORGANIZATIONS.
*^** 1.   SITUATION.
During the night our line was slightly advanced South of
VILLERS-BRETTONNEUX. Scattered shelling was reported along
the Army front. The enemy dropped bombs on DURY, FORT MANOIR,
ST. FUSCIEN and AMIENS.
The situation was otherwise unchanged. Normal identifications
were obtained in the HANGARD sector. A Guard Division
(already twice engaged) and a Bavarian Division (already twice
engaged) have relieved tired divisions in the MARCELCAVE and
THENNES sectors.
*^** 2.   ENEMY ACTIVITY. 
(a)  Movement.
Observation was not good yesterday owing to clouds and
mist. No abnormal road movement was reported by reconnoitring
squadrons. The number of trains in CHAULNES and FRESNES
stations was distinctly above normal, no trains were reported
between CHAULNES and WIENCOURT.
(b)  Artillery. 
Between ALBERT and the SOMME a slight increase is reported
in the activity of the enemy's artillery, strong harassing fire
was directed against forward and battery areas. During the
night of the 20th/21st villages in the valley of the SOMME
and ANCRE were engaged with Yellow, Blue and Green Cross shell,
about 350 rounds in all being used.
South of the SOMME hostile fire was unchanged. VILLERS-
BRETONNEUX was shelled throughout the day with varying intensity
and what was apparently a practice barrage placed on our
trenches to the East of the village. 21-cm. hows. engaged
the BOIS-DE-GENTELLES area yesterday morning.
Fire
JM
2
 

- 2 -
Fire from long range guns was directed against ST. ACHEUL,
LONGUEAU, CAMON, BOVES and AMIENS.
(c)  Aircraft.
Enemy aircraft were very active in the HAMEL sector. Many
scouts were seen flying in large formations, mainly at high
altitudes. Very few low-flying machines were seen. Several
reconnoitring machines were reported over CORBIE and MERICOURT
at midday. There were 21 combats in the air; 4 machines were
brought down, all of which were destroyed. One enemy balloon
was brought down in flames.
A successful bombing raid was carried out against ROSIERES,
FRESNOY, CAIX, BAYONVILLERS and CHAULNES. A direct hit was
observed on the railway North-east of CHAULNES.
*^** 3.  DEATH OF CAPTAIN von RICHTHOFEN.
While chasing one of our R.E.8. machines near CORBIE
yesterday Cavalry Captain Baron von RICHTHOFEN was shot down
within our lines and killed.
The honour of bringing to an end the career of the most
famous aviator Germany possesses, belongs, as far as can be
ascertained at present, to the Lewis gunners of an Australian
Field Artillery Battery.
Baron von RICHTHOFEN gained his 80th air victory on the day
preceding his death.
*^** 4.  DISTRIBUTION OF THE ENEMY'S FORCES.
(a) Fourth Army Front.
The following identifications have been established:-
9th Bavarian Reserve Division.
3rd Bav.Ers.Rgt. . S.E. of VILLERS-  .  .   April 21 . . . . Prisoner
                                 BRETONNEUX.                               (Normal).
                                  (P.32.c.)
This division is in the process of relief by the 4th Guard
Division. The 9th Bavarian Reserve Division has been in line
continuously since April 4th and is very exhausted.
4th Guard Division.
93 R.I.R.  . . . . . . . S. of VILLERS-  . . . April 22nd . . . Two prisoners.
                              BRETONNEUX -
                              MARCELCAVE rly.
                              (V.l.d. ) .
They state that they relieved a Bavarian Regiment last night
Evidently the 4th Guard Division from close reserve is relieving
the 9th Bavarian Reserve Division in the MARCELCAVE sector.
It will be remembered that the 4th Guard Division was
relieved in the HAMES sector by the 1st Division about April 6/7
It has, therefore, had a fortnight's rest and should be considered
a fresh division. This is the third tour of duty in the line
since March 21st.
19th Division.
 

THIRD  AUSTRALIAN  DIVISION.
Divisional Headquarters,
22nd April, 1918. -
COMPARISON  OF  FIGHTING  STRENGTHS  OF THE  DIVISION (not including detached)
as  at  27-3-18  and  20- 4- 1918. -
                                                                                Offrs.    O.R's.-
Fighting Strength at Noon 27-3-1918.             530.     11,264. -
                                                     Offs.  O.R's.
Casualties to Noon 20-4-18    125.    2529.     
Sick Wastage       -do-                13.      400.        138.      2,929. -
                                                                                   392.      8,335.
REINFORCEMENTS and Casuals received
in Corps Area up to 20-4-1918. -
                                                     Offs.  O.R's.-
Reinforcements.    . . . .             59     983.
Hospital and Leave, etc.           62     991.              121.       1,974. 
PRESENT FIGHTING STRENGTH in Corps Area
at 20- 4- 1918.    . . .    . . .      . . .                                 513.     10,309.
                                                                                    =============
                                                                                    Officers.    O.R's.-
DEBIT   BALANCE          . . .             . . .                       17.            955. -
                                                                                    ======       =====
(R.M).-
Copy for G.O.C.
A.Q.  [[RES?]]
A.
G.I.-
 

22/4/18
9^th Bde.
1. Promotions of Capts. to majors for 2^nd in Command
Div. to post as 2^nd in Comm^d
Connell  35     ✓
Doig       36
                33
                34
1. Promotion of Str. to Company Commanders.   ✓    
2. Hawkey to be asked for
Blake to be sent away
3. Study strengths of B^ns & prospects
of reinforcements.
Decide if B^ns to be scrapped, & which
4.  Future Commands & Staffs
5.  Tactical - Withdrwawal scheme
| Bn Franvillers
| Bn Bonnay
| Bn La Honxxxya
6.  Hawkins & Dunlop - to British Formations
7
 

22/4/18
Total with 9th Bde                     2281
at 10 a.m. on 22^nd                       2363
At Corps Reinf. Camp.                   85
On leave, schools, tempy sick    152
                                                        2600
In England en route                     180
                                                         2780
Diverted from other sources
say                                                     220
                                                         3000
= 4 B^ns ea 750.
 

D.H.Q.
22/4/18.
9^th Aust Inf Bde
In Div Area but not yet joined Unit.

	Reinforcements		Hospital		Casuals		TOTAL.
33rd Bn	3	16	.	.	.	2	3	18
34th Bn	2	18	.	.	.	1	2	19
35th Bn	.	17	.	1	1	1	1	19
36th Bn	.	18	2	1	.	2	2	21
	5	69	2	2	1	6	8	77