General Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 18, 21 April - 8 May 1918, Part 17

WIRELESS  PRESS.
7th.May 1918.
(Afternoon.)
GERMAN OFFICIAL. 

WESTERN Front.  On the battle-fronts the artillery-activity
was lively during the morning-hours but slight throughout the
day. On the north bank of the LYS thrusts by British companies
failed. Between the ANCRE and the SOMME the enemy sent forward
Australians to a night-attack. On both sides of the road CORBIE-BRAY
they were able to reach our front-line. Otherwise their
double attack failed with casualties in front of our advanced
posts. The artillery-duel continued with great strength here until
daybreak.
South of BRIMONT [[storm?]] -detachments crossed the AISNE CANAL
and penetrated the hostile positions near COURCY and returned
with prisoners.
On the remainder of the front isolated advanced post encounters.
EAST.
We were shelled by Russian ships in MARIUPOL harbour.
Macedonian Front.
Strong British detachments attacked the
Bulgarian positions yesterday evening south of LAKE DOIRAN.   They
were repulsed.
Asiatic Front.
The thrust by British brigades from JERICHO
across the JORDAN to the east and north-east was brought to
failure. After five days' fighting the enemy was thrown back into
his starting-positions. Some German troops here advanced by the
side of their Turkish comrades. The booty taken from the British
is considerable.
AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL.
South-Western Front.
The artillery activity decreased owing
to the unfavourable weather.
FRENCH OFFICIAL.
Activity of the opposed artilleries north and south of the
AVRE. A German raid on one of the French advanced posts west of
HANGARD failed. On the other hand the French in the course of a
minor operation in the same region captured a number of prisoners.
Nothing to report on the rest of the front. 
 

(*GOC*)
WIRELESS  PRESS.
8th.May 1918.
(Morning.)
BRITISH OFFICIAL,London,7/5/18.
Western Front.
10.30.a.m.   We carried out a successful raid
last night in the neighbourhood of NEUVILLE VITASSE and
captured a few prisoners and three machine-guns with slight
casualties to our troops. A raid attempted by the enemy near 
BOYELLES was repulsed.
There is nothing further to report.
FRENCH OFFICIAL (Evening.)
Marked activity of the opposed artilleries on the front
HAILLES - VILLERS BRETONNEUX.  A German raid south of HARTMANNS-
WILLERKOPF failed.
There is nothing to report on the rest of the front.
Aviation.
During the day on the 6th.inst.four German aeroplanes
were brought down by French pilots in aerial combat and
ten others were observed to fall out of control in their lines.
During the same day the French air-service for bombarding
dropped 4500 kg.of projectiles on the stations of FLAVILLE-
MARTEL, MENNESSES,HAM,GUISGARD,NOYON and VERMOND.
ITALIAN OFFICIAL.
To the west of MT.STARLEL (ADAMELLO area), in the neighbourhood
of PREZZO ( CHIESE VALLEY ), on the DOSSO CASINA (northern slopes of
MT.ALTISSOMO ), we disporsed and put to flight by bursts of
machine-gun and rifle-fire and with hand-grenades the hostile
patrols which attempted to approach our outposts. The enemy
artillery activity was confined to desultory and intermittent
firing with the exception of some harassing-fire on our lines
and on houses in the VAL BRENTA. Our batteries carried out concentrations
of fire on enemy troops on the march to the south of
CISMON.
British aviators shot down three hostile machines in the
MOTTA DI LIVENZA district and bombed the enemy's rear areas
between the ASTICO and the BRENTA.
LATE GERMAN OFFICIAL.
There is no change to report from the fronts.
 

[*7/5/18*]
Army Form C2123A (France).
"C" Form.
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.
No. of Message   28
Prefix    SM      Code    LGn      Words    28
Received
From    WM
By E Edwards
Service Instructions
Sent, or sent out
at    11.40 am
to......................
by   R
Official Stamp
ARMY
AYC 7.V.18
TELEGRAPHS
Handed in at AMO Office 11.35 m. Rec. 11.39 m.

To      3rd  Aust  Div.
Sender's number    G 34
Day of Month    7/5
In reply to number    -
AAA
Following from FENNEL (II Army) begins
aaa   The Army Commander wishes
to congratulate the 3rd Australian
on this latest success   aaa
Ends
[* R 11.35AM*]
From    Aust  Corps
Place and Time    --
 

SECRET & CONFIDENTIAL.
HEADQUARTERS
AUSTRALIAN CORPS.
No. S/4419.
Date
G.
Australian Corps,
7th May, 1918.
Major-General N. M. SMYTH, V.C., C.B.,
Commanding 2nd Australian Division.
Major-General Sir J.MONASH, K.C.B., V.D.,
Commanding 3rd Australian Division.
Major-General E.G. SINCLAIR MACLAGAN, C.B., D.S.O.,
Commanding 4th Australian Division.
Major-General Sir J.J.T. HOBBS, K.C.B., V.D.,
Commanding 5th Australian Division.
Brigadier-General L.D.FRASER, D.S.O.,
Commanding Aust. Corps Heavy Artillery.
Consequent on recent changes the following
will be the
headquarters to which divisions will move in
the event of a withdrawal:
'A'  Division                    -  St.SAUVEUR.
'B'  Division                    -  VAUX-en-AMIENOIS
'C'  Division                    -  BERTANGLES
Corps  Headquarters  -  VIGNACOURT
H.A. Headquarters      -  VAUX-en-AMIENOIS.
C B B White
Brigadier-General,
General Staff,
Australian Corps.
[*SUPERSEDED.]
Copy to -
A.D.Signals.
[*To be destroyed after noting.*]
 

Aust. Corps
During last night my left Brigade established a forward line ∧of posts
North of Ancre from Railway at E.19.d.O.2 to River
Bank at E.25.b.0.4 ejecting an enemy post at
latter point;  also destroying enemy bridge at E.25.a.9.2
aaa  On South of Ancre, same brigade advanced our line
400 yards on a frontage of 800 yards, and have established ^garrisoned
dug in and partly wired a new line of ^7 posts from J.6.D.4.2
to J.6.b.3.8 aaa This latter line will be extended 
Southwards tonight aaa New positions thus established give
much better control of entrances to and exits from
VILLE SUR ANCRE. aaa  Adanced Aust Corps
reported Flank Divisions and 11^th Brigade. -
C.H.J.  264  )
1/5/18            )    1/5/18
12.15 pm       )