General Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 18, 21 April - 8 May 1918, Part 14

5/5/18
Hand drawn diagram; see original
 

SECRET.
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.
Divisional Headquarters,
5th. May. 1918.
"A. & Q." Branch.
Attached secret letter from B.G.,C.S. enclosing copy of
letter from C.G.S. handed to you for action, so far as relates
to Divisional Headquarters.-
I have taken the necessary action so far as concerns the
three Infantry Brigades and the Divisional Artillery. -
As regards Divisional Headquarters, all I wish to be
assured of is that there is no unnecessary accretion of
personnel, either officer or other rank, in excess of authorised 
establishments, for which a thoroughly good reason cannot
be given in each individual case. - The Departments of the
Camp Commandant, the A.P.M. and the Amusement and Comfort
Services should be closely scrutinised.-
Please make a report to me in writing on completion of
your inquiries.
John Monash
Major-General.
Commanding Third Australian Division.
 

5/5/18
M^cNicoll re 18^th Div.
Firing 23 rds per hour per man.-
Firing Very lights.- & annoying our working parties
Lewis Gun section didn't turn up - at point post.
Men not being fed; our men have to feed them.
1 man deserted - leaving a note
No flank liaison, - on their part. -
Standing to for hours; - both by day & night.
Express doubt as to troops on left hanging on & they
would have to go back too. -
 

133
Australian Corps
Special attention is invited to fact that on last
two nights we have taken prisoners ^all from 199^th
Division, respectively at K.1.a.3.2 and J. 30. b. 7.8 
these points being 3200 yards apart aaa
This indicates that enemy is holding front opposite
this Division very thinly aaa There is however reason
to believe that 199^th Division contains 4 Regiments
all of which may be in line aaa Interrogations are
proceeding aaa  Addssd Aust. Corps repeated Flank
Divisions and 10th Bde. 9th 8^th, 9^th & 10^th Bdes
GB 90
5-5-18
10.10 am
6 copies
 

Australian Corps.
Further to my Eg. 146   G.292, during last
night our my line on front of right Brigade has been advanced 
average 700 yards on a frontage of 1500 yards
aaa  New front line of ^ eight posts which have been dug, wired
and garrisoned now runs J. 30. a. 8. 5 to K. 19. C. 1 .9
to K. 19. a. 2. 7 to J. 18. d. 8. 2 aaa We captured
6 prisoners of 199^th Division aaa Our casualties
nil aaa Addressed Austr. Corps, repeated Flank
Divisions and 10^th Bde and 8^th Bde
GB 91
5-5-18
10.10 am
 

Australian Corps.
All objectives believed captured and
consolidation of both new line and refused
flanks is proceeding aaa 39 unwounded  prisoners all 237 I.R  and
1 M.G already bought in aaa another ^captured
M.G. being used in line ^ in K. 19. a  aaa Enemy
battery can be seen in K. 20. b  aaa Am
arranging engage same with observed heavy
Artillery shoot. -
Aust Corps 2^nd 4^th 5^th Aust Div 47^th Div
10-11 Bdes.
CHJ. 270.
2AM
6/5/18

Australian Corps
Operation proceeding satisfactorily and Second
objective reached by some parties aaa Five prisoners
so far reported 237th K. I. R. 199^th Div. aaa
Addssd Aust. Corps reported Flank Divisions. -
C H. J. 269
1.3 AM
6/5/18
 

Australian Corps.
All objectives definitely captured aaa
We hold whole enemy second line from 
K. 19. a .9. 5  to K. 7.
in K. 19. a, K. 13. A & C, and K. 7. C
and both Flanks in touch
aaa Prisoners xxxxexceed 60 aaa Our
Casualties appear believed very light.
aaa  Addressed Austr. Corps repeated 2^nd
4^th 5^th Aust Divisions, 47^th Div, 10^th 11^th Bdes
C.H.J . 271
2. 18 AM
6/5/18
 

General Rosenthal
9^th Bde.
Corps Commander desires to me to convey
to you his very hearty congratulations to
you and all Units Arms and Services who
cooperated in last nights' very fine success
aaa I wish you also on behalf of myself and remainder of the Division to thank all who
took part for so brilliantly
upholding the traditions of the Division both
for gallantry and for carefully planned and 
executed operations. aaa General Monash
[repeat by AQ in Routine orders]
ADC 94
8.6 AM
6/5/18
 

G 30 3.   6/5/18
8.10 am
Australian Corps.
In my G.302 the northern pivot
of last nights' advance should read J. 12. b. 4.7
instead of J .12. b. 4. 0 aaa We
have ^during night dug and occupied 8  teeheads ^east from
enemy second line in J .7.d, and J. 13 a & c.
It appears that we ^killed or captured
not only whole garrison but within limits
attacked but also whole ration food carrying 
parties who ^had been sent up from rear because on
preceding night regimental cookers had been
destroyed by our artillery. aaa  Our casualties
estimated 10 ^O.R. killed 4 offices and 54
others wounded. -Addssd &c   c.