General Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 18, 21 April - 8 May 1918, Part 13

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Part of Quest:
Sir John Monash (General, b.1865 - d.1931)
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
RCDIG0000629
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

2/5/18 e e . Cnen C te Ctte. A. A 66.00 000 Limber ovr 10200 frinch Mules 200 17400 16 Juns & 44 & 4 2068 40 30 147.0.8 I canly 20 addition Mgs & Ann 5x900 3088 44426 x 4 25000 23 3000 H x 4 x 27
2/5/18 EXTRA TRANSPORT REAUIRED PER BATTALION, CONSEGUENT UPON THE INCREASED MUMBER OF LENIS GUNS, AND OTHER STORES. REGUIRED TO BE CARRIED - AUTHORISED UNDER G. R. O's. FOR WHICH NO TRANSPORT IS PROVIDED. a-00000000 ELE 5 G.S.LIMB. 4 extra Lems Guns per Battalion, with 176 Magasines NACONS. for Ordinary Defence purposes, and 9,000 S.A.A. 10 4 extra Lewis Guns per Btn, wth 64 Magazines for To A.d. Defence, and 14,000 S.A.A. 8 Stokes Mortars require 2 G.S. Limbers. Per Btn 3/4s. 132 Stokes Bombs 1 G.S. Limber. Limber. Equals 3 G.S. Limbers per Brigade. 96 Discharger Cups per btn for No.36 Gren- Equals 1/5th ade. Limber. 250 Grenade Carriers per Btn. over aboe Mot stontible but ordered b C.R.O. to be card 2 Extra Bootmakers Kits, 50 Pairs Repai rable Boots, Leather for Repairs Boots and Harness, Stationery necessary for Btn H.ers.- Q. M. Stores. 16 Camp Kettles, and other necessary Cooking gear, No. of Rounds of S.A.A. necessary to be dumped consequent upon the carrying of the extra Lewis Guns. 10,000. ScAcd. Dumped to earry Trench Mortas. 22,000. Bootmakers Kits, C.M. -do- -do- Stores, etc. 22.0000 54,000. Other Battalion Transport is represented by 2 G. S. Wagons of Divisional Train. Baggage to be carried per Battalion.- S.S. NACONPLCADS. 44 Officers Valises, equals 1,000 Blankets for which extra transport should be provided in accordance with establishment, but which is not avail- able, equals 24. It is pointed out that there are numerous other artic- les, which it is essential for Battalions to carry, in addit ion to these mentioned above, which, in themselves, are not heavy bulky, but like those just referred to asiderable EeeD o space when loaded on to transport, and Tepresentsa Tull load for a limber. It is also pointed out that on arrival in this Area, there was only a very limited quantity of S.A.A. available and It would, therefore, appear no Stokes Mortar Ammunition at all. essential that at least the quantity of Stokes Bombs referred to above, should be carried, and at the same time the dumping of such a large quantity of S.A.A. wuld very seriously impair the mobility of the Unit as a fighting force.
15/18 Notes tre Conpeaner wit. B. G. G.S. Defensive Offanization H. Assuming that my Front is not attacked, but that, - in con- Sequence of an enery attack between Albert & Avoas, my left Hank Division wese to fill back & leave my left Kank Uncovered- What dispositions should I make to meet thisI Proposal:- Left Brignte to be resporiatle for refuring it left bank, from Cemetry Eof BOIRE, North Westerly to Inter Duriony Bown- dary at D. 23 Central. For this purpose left Byde hon 21½ Brs N.g Anere, & E Picken guns still un committed Dispose Reseive Bde as follow 1Br at 5.13 - to support my man position. 1Br at D. 19 central 1Br at Franvillers 1Br at Lattonsavye Reserve Byde - using 3 Brs - to be ready to proling left Hank defence from D. 23 central to D.16 central, & thence round N. A Breshe and Hent along spur in D.8cx d to Amiens line - Total Fontage $4000 - Two Mrs in line, I Has in support. _ H. Q. pechuncout Adv. H. D. ramviller
this leaves me in Dris. Reseve 1 Bm of Reseive Bppe in F.13 - for Bidg Hend Lime & to cave withdrawal (Be at La Honssoge may be the me told of toe Unclens Gartious Secad Love Fronce Bn 1/2 Cr M.G. B Time bo deployment:- Fom D 19. Centrae to ippebank 3000 2 13 h. 2 ho. from Franviller to left flank 5500 - 3 1/2 Obove plan would definitely commit my Reserve Hignde, & the scheme would therefor refuire Corps approval. Corps must make itself responsible:- (a) to take over, as soon as possibly, the defengive blank North of my Drs. Houndary, & thus velaase my Reserve (p) to decise if & when I should withdraws fom my fowerd Ione (d Bx alternatively to incrense my seserves by sending me 2 BrS [to datonscoye
A.D.E. 6. 7th Brgate No edentification obtained by you since you took over right Bryade Sector not has anything been received here to show that any serious attempt has been made to any Secure and This matter most urgent Especially in view of enemys order of buttl change in enemys order of battle established 6 10th Bryade last night 7687- 4/5718
Anst. Copp Reference my L 9 136 two prisoners were Captured as result of t minds operation led PHVLOP by Lt.H.S.E M.C. with 2N.C.Os and T 12 OR of 37th Battation ana some astillely cooperation party which had lain two gronps in up in recuity of enemy post at K.1. A.35.22 rrished the post at 1.30 a.m. and in spite of heavy enemy M.G. five from both Flanks took and (brought in two prisoners. and Enemy reported and resised capture. to have put up good fight aan our casnallies two slightly wounded. Aust Corp W hew 5t and Dw atte
General Sir D. H.L. Allenby Sthird Army Lieut. Gen. J.A.L. Haldane II Carps 12th Division Maj. Gen. A.B. Scott "H.J.S. London 35th I Sio. S.D. Snow Lieut. General VIL Colps Maj: Gen. V.A. Cowkes Devision 4th " J.S. M. Shea 30th Sir C. Feegusson Lieut. Gen. VIII Corps Maj. Gen. S. Lukin 9th Division Lt. Gen. R.G. Broadwood 57th Lieut. Gen. F. J. Maxse VIIILlorps Maj. Ten. W. Shwaites 46th. Division E. M. Perceval 49th "H.D. Tanehawe " 58th (not yet appointed) DI Cerpe (no Divisions yet attached) Sir H. S. Rawlinson Fourth Army General Lt. General. Sir W. P. Pulteney II. Corpo 1st Division Maj. Gen. E. P. Strickland F. H.N. M. Cracken 15th R. Tanshawe 48th " P.S. Wilkinson 50th 10 Lt. Gen. Sir. W. S. Birdwood I Angac Coips 1st Austr. Div. Maj. Gen. H.B. Walker N. M. Smyth 2 " ". W. Hormes 4th J.J. T. Hebbe 5th
Lt. Sen. Sis J.P. Dn Cane LI Corp. 4th Division Maj. Ten. Hon. W. Lambton W. C.G. Henekes 9 th " " 33rd " R.J. Renney H. G. Buggles- Blise 40 Lt. Gen. the Earl of Cavan III Corps Guards Division Ma. Gen. G. P.S. Fiebting 17th P.A. Reberteon W.D. Smith 20 29th H.B. de Lisle Sir H. de la Peer Gough Fifth Army L. Gen. St. Gen. Sir C. W. Jacob I Corps 3nd Division Maj. Sen. C. C. Pereira R.P. Lee 18th C.D. Shute 632d Gen. Sir. E.A. Tanshawe Lt. FCerpe 19th Maj: Ser: G. T. M. Bridges Division R.R. R. Barnes 32 62nd W. P. Braithwaite Gen. Sir C. L. Woollcombe. Lt II Corps Maj. Gen. A.B. Ritshil 11th Division F. M. Harper 513 C. V. Mackengi 613t Lt. General. Sir W. N. Congreve LII Corps Maj. Gen. P. J. Deveil 32d Division 7th H.o. Watte 31st R. Wanless O Soean Cavaley Corps Gen. Sir C. J. Mc. N. Hhavanag Lt Maj: Ten. A. L. Mullegs 1st lavalry Div. W. H. Greenley 2nd 3rd L. Vaughan 4th A W. Hennedy th H. J. M. Macandes Royal Flying Corps Maj. General H. M. Trenenard
Arstration Coops the operation of pushing out my line on Front. left Brigade, South of Ancoe, was successply con- timed last night ann total fround jaied during tat two nights represents an advance of 400 to 600 yuods on a totel trntage of 1400 yard and 3posts New front line which have been effectively duy in and garrisoned and partly wived now vur from J. 12. b.S. O through T.C.d.C.O aaa J.S.C.3.7 Addsa Aust Corp repeated flank division & G Bde. C10 pm 1.15 2618
aaananna £ 325 1/157 £

2/5/18 
S.A.A.
Would have to dump the whole Regt.
S.A.A. Reserve for the Rifles.
3 Limbers @ 22000   =        [66000]
4     "           @ 9000     =          36000
                                                   102,000                                     
2 Tools
1  Grenade
6 Mules @ 2000      =                12000
                                                     114,000                                          
16 guns x 44 x 47  =
188
2068
[[?]] 2408
33088                                            33088
                                                       147088
If I carry 20 additions L.G.
& mgs & Amn.      = 5

                           @ 22000 =         110000
                                                         37088
188
282        +  5 x 9000     = 45000    
3008        44 x 16 x 47 = 33088    
                  16 x 4 x 47   =    3008   81096
                                                           118184

 

2/5/18
EXTRA TRANSPORT REQUIRED PER BATTALION, CONSEQUENT UPON
THE INCREASED MUMBER OF LEWIS GUNS, AND OTHER STORES,
REQUIRED TO BE CARRIED - AUTHORISED UNDER G. R. O's.
FOR WHICH NO TRANSPORT IS PROVIDED. -

-------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                                                        G.S.LIMB.
                                                                                                                        WAGONS.
4 extra Lewis Guns per Battalion, with 176 ∧ 44 Magazines     
for Ordinary Defence purposes, and 9,000 S.A.A.                                          1.
4 extra Lewis Guns per Btn, wIth 64 Magazines for                            
A.A. Defence, and 14,000 S.A.A.                                                                           1.
8 Stokes Mortars require  2 G.S. Limbers.               )   Per Btn  3/4s.)
132 Stokes Bombs 1 G.S. Limber.                               )     Limber.         )                  
Equals 3 G.S. Limbers  per Brigade.                         )                             )            1.
96 Discharger Cups  per btn for No.36 Grenade  ) Equals  1/4th      )
 250 Grenade Carriers  per Btn.                                 )  Limber.                                                 
(* over & above Not suitable but ordered by G.R.O. to be carried *)
 
※2 Extra Bootmakers Kits,                                         ) 
50 Pairs Repairable Boots,                                          )
Leather for Repairs Boots  and Harness,                 )
Stationery necessary for Btn H.Qrs. -                        )           -     -                       1.
 Q. M. Stores. -                                 )
16 ∧ 19 Camp Kettles, and other necessary 
Cooking gear.              ) 
No. of Rounds of S.A.A. necessary to be dumped
consequent upon the carrying of the extra 
Lewis Guns.              -                                             -                                         10,000.     
S.A.A. Dumped to carry Trench Mortars.        -                                         22,000.
      -do-                 -do-    Bootmakers Kits, Q.M.
                                           Stores, etc.                           _                                  22,000.
                                                                                                                               54,000.         
( Other Battalion Transport is represented by
(  2 G. S. Wagons of Divisional Train.
( Baggage to be carried per Battalion.-                    G.S.  WAGONSLOADS.
( 44 Officers Valises, equals                                                              1.
( 1,000 Blankets for which extra (  transport
(  should be provided in accordance with
(  establishment, but which is not available, 
equals -                                                                                                  2½.
 ※ It is pointed out that there are numerous other articles, 

which it is essential for Battalions to carry, in addition 

to those mentioned above, which, in themselves, are not  heavy
bulky, but like those just referred to, take up considerable
space when loaded on to transport, and represents  ∧ really, considerably more than a full load
for a limber.
It is also pointed out that on arrival in this Area,
there was only a very limited quantity of S.A.A. available and
no Stokes Mortar Ammunition at all.   It would, therefore, appear
essential that at least the quantity of Stokes Bombs referred to
above, should be carried, and at the same time the dumping of
such a large quantity of S.A.A. would very seriously impair
the mobility of the Unit as a fighting force.
                         ------------------
 

 

3/5/18
Notes for Conference with B.G.G.S.
Defensive Organization
H.  Assuming that my front is not attacked, but that, - in consequence 
of an enemy attack between Albert & Arras, my
left flank Division were to fall back & leave my left flank
uncovered; - What dispositions should I make to meet this?

Proposal:-
Left Brigade to be responsible for refusing its left flank, from
Cemetry E of BUIRE, North Westerly to Inter Divisional Boundary
at D. 23 Central. - For this purpose left Bgde has 2½
Bns, N. of Ancre, & 8 Vickers guns still uncommitted

 Dispose Reserve Bde as follows :-
1 Bn    at J.13  -  to support my main position.
1 Bn    at D. 19 central
1 Bn     at Franvillers
1 Bn     at La Houssoye

Reserve Bgde - using 3 Bns - to be ready to prolong left flank defence
from D. 23 central to D.16 central,  & thence round N. of Bresli
and West along grid line spur in D.8.c & d  to Amiens
line. - Total frontage 4000 x. -  Two Bns in line, I Bn in
support. - H. Q. Frechencourt. -  Adv. H.Q. Franvillers
 

 

This leaves me in Div. Reserve :-
1 Bn of Reserve Bgde in J.13 - for Bridge Head
Line & to cover withdrawal.
(Bn at La Houssoye may be the one told off for
nucleus garrisons Second Zone)
Pioneer Bn
1½ Cn  M.G. Bn.

Time for deployment :-
From D. 19. central to right flank 3500x  =  2m  =  1½ hrs.
From Franvillers to left flank 5500x  =  3 ½m  =  2 hrs.

Above plan would definitely commit my Reserve Brigade,
& the scheme would therefore require Corps approval.

Corps must make itself responsible :-
(a) to take over, as soon as possible, the defensive flank
North of my Div. Boundary, & thus release my
Reserve
(b) to decide if & when I should withdraw from my forward
zone
(c) xx alternatively to increase my reserves by sending me
2 Bns to Lahoussoye
 

 

A.D.C.
G.O.C.
9th Brigade.
No identification obtained by you
since you took over right Brigade Sector
nor has anything been received here to show
that any serious attempt has been made to
secure xxx  any   aaa   This matter most urgent
especially in view of enemy's order of battle
change in enemy's order of battle established
by 10th Brigade last night. -
G687 - 4/5/18. -
 

 

Aust. Corps
Reference my I g 136 two prisoners were
captured as result of x minor operation led
by Lt. W.S. Philp ∧ PHILIP M.C. with 2 N.C.O's and
12 O R of 37th Battalion   aaa   With ∧ After some
artillery cooperation party which had lain
up in ∧ two groups in vicinity of enemy post at K.1. a.35.22
rushed the post at 1.30 a.m. and in spite
of heavy enemy M.G. fire from both flanks
∧ took and brought in two prisoners.   aaa Enemy reported
to have put up good fight ∧ and resisted capture.-  aaa   Our casualties
two slightly wounded.
Aust Corps
47th Div
5th Aust Div
9th Bde
Ig.137
9.45 am
4/5/18

 

Third Army General Sir S. H.H. Allenby
VI Corps Lieut. Gen. J.A.L. Haldane
12th Division Maj. Gen. A.B. Scott
35th       "            "         "    H.J.S. London 
VII Corps Lieut. General Sir. T.D. Snow
4th Division Maj. Gen. V.A. Cowper
30th      "         "         "    J.S.M. Shea
XVII Corps Lieut. Gen. Sir C. Ferguson
9th Division Maj. Gen. T Lukin
57th     "         Lt. Gen. A.G. Broadwood
XVIII Corps Lieut. Gen. F.J. Maxse
46th Division Maj. Gen. W. Thwaites
49th      "            "        "      E.M. Percival
58th      "            "         "     H.D. Fanshawe
XIX Corps (not yet appointed)
                   ( no Divisions yet attached)
Fourth Army  General Sir H.S. Rawlinson
III Corps Lt. General Sir W.P. Pulteney
1st Division Maj. Gen. E.P. Strickland
15th    "            "       "     F.H.N. McCracken
48th   "            "       "     R. Fanshawe
50th   "            "       "      P.S. Wilkinson
I Anzac Corps Lt. Gen. Sir. W. H. Birdwood
1st Austr. Div. Maj. Gen. H.B. Walker
2nd   "         "      "        "      N.M. Smyth
4th   "          "      "        "      W. Holmes
5th    "          "      "        "      J.J.T. Hobbs
 

 


XV Corps. Lt. Gen. Sir J.P. Du Cane
4th Division  Maj. Gen. Hon. W. Lambton
8th      "            "        "      W. C.G. Heneker
33rd.    "            "        "      R.J.Penney
40th    "            "        "       H.G. Buggles - Blise
XIV Corps.  Lt. Gen. the Earl of Cavan

Guards Division Maj. Gen. G. P.S. Fielding
17th              "           "        "     P.A. Robertson
20th             "           "        "     W.D. Smith           
29th             "           "        "     H.B. de Lisle
Fifth Army Lt.Gen. Sir H. de la Poer Gough
II Corps Lt. Gen. Sir C.W. Jacob
2nd Division Maj. Gen. C.E. Pereira
18th      "           "        "      R.P. Lee
63rd     "           "        "      C.D. Shute
V Corps Lt.Gen. Sir E.A. Fanshawe
19th Division Maj. Gen G.T.M. Bridges
32rd        "         "        "      R.H.R. Barnes
62nd       "         "        "      W.P. Braithwaite
IV Corps Lt.Gen. Sir C.L. Woollcombe
11th Division Maj. Gen. A.B. Ritchie
51st       "             "       "     G.M. Harper
61st       "             "        "    C.V. Mackenzie
XIII Corps Lt. General Sir W.N. Congreve
3rd Division Maj. Gen. C.J. Deverall
7th        "            "       "     H.E. Watts
31st        "            "       "     A. Wanless  C Gowan 
Cavalry Corps  Lt.Gen. Sir C.J. Mc N. Havanagh
1st Cavalry Div.  Maj.Gen. A.L. Mullens
2nd     "          "         "      "     W.H. Greenley
3rd      "          "         "       "     J. Vaughan
4th      "          "         "       "     A.A. Kennedy
5th      "           "         "       "      H.J.M. Macumber
Royal Flying Corps  Maj.General H.M.Trenchard
 

 

Australian Corps
The operation of pushing out my line on front of
left Brigade, South of Ancre, was successfuly continued 
last night.   aaa  Total ground gained during
last two nights represents an advance of 400 to
600 yards on a total frontage of 1400 yards  aaa
New front line ∧ of posts which have been effectively dug in
and garrisoned and partly wired now runs
from J.12.b.5.0 through J.6.d.6.0 to
J.6.b.3.7. Repeated   aaa   Addsd Aust Corps
repeated flank division & 9th Bde.
CHJ/266
1.15 p.m
2/5/18
 

 

Diagram - see original document
 
 

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