General Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 18, 21 April - 8 May 1918, Part 7

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

1 pore t $220,000 X4 200060 2100000 po odom 44 7000 1600.00 5 $400 1000r 4100n non 4 40or 800.00 700or 60 50000 400 $20/000 2o, o0 p. oro/ 1091000 tm May 1 n 14 a4 Mar Lat or e Pppo NEn torpree 144 re pot 114111 1144 777 17111 444 144 1444 11 1H 4 $24/147 4111111 484 174 1471417474 171 I 111 111/447 14 11
April WEDN aily nar e Continent. PRICE. Faes and Spain. GROWTHINSHLIING OUHUL. DROP IN LOST TONNAGE. ALLLED & NEUTRAL TOTALS. The frst of the monthly tables of our shipping losses, either by enemy action or other causes, which the First Lord of the Admiralty promised in Parliament some weeks ago, has just been issued. It gives the total tonnage losses of British, Allied and neutral shipping for each month and quarter from January 1917 down to last The Agures show February inclusive. that the losses were highest in the second quarter of 1917, and that there has been a marked drop since. 1917. Febtuary British. 8,787 231,370 1ed a Neairi 572,855 834.885 Polt 900.03 48 55 20.32 38,821 KOVI Pr BSS NATL rou August 380.238 208 British. 180,067 159.9 Aued a nev 848,385 388,161 1,34,97 6755 Tolal o F0 Rorne 288 196.356 196,.560 Brilten 480.950 155,707 136.88 2.302 Anied &N 33, 443 482,883 1,272,843 Tolals 1910. Seaiary 304.562 2 Bin as and Nesiral 133,778 128,872 338,391 383,175 Totals NEW TONNAGE. MONTHLY RECORD OF BULLDING. The following table shows the total new tonnage of shipping built in the yards of the United Kingdom for each month and quarter, beginning with March 1917, and also the quarterly totals for Allied and neutral countries and the United King- dom:- vind Wtn commo Toisa Kingdom. Mar. S 118, 68 274,189 .. 520.6 9. Totals 248,234 April 30.. 59,711 lay 69,773 June 30.. 109,847 877,109. 626.440 9. Totals 248,371 1y 2 . 83,073 102.080 Sept. 30.. 88,150 388.150 616, 453 O. Totale 218, 283 Oct. 31 .. 148,300 Nov. 30 ... 158,826 Dec. 31 .. 112,488 C. Totale 218,821. 512,102 83,ORS United 1918 Kinsdom. Jan. 31 58,568 Feb. 28 ... 100,038 Lar. 31.. 161,874 Ror S (These Agures show a remarkable in- crease of new tonnage in the United King. dom last month, and the totals for the last quarter of 1917 indicate a considerable growth in the output of the United King dom, as well as of Allied and neutral countries.) SIX NEW GERNAN CRUISERS
SDAY, MAY 9, 1918. SHIPPING OUTPUT. LARGE REDUCTION IN APRIL. HEAVT REPAIR WORK. The Secretary of the Admiralty makes the following announcement: The gross tonnage of merchant vessels com- pleted in United Kingdom yards and the tonnage launched in Allied and neutral countries during the years 1915, 1916, and 1917 and the quarter ended March 31, 1918, are sot out below: alted ond World. Nontral. Parod. U.K. 1,202,000 1015. 650.010 884,081 300 1010_ 541,.552 1140.448 837.78 1017. 1,774.312 103.474 800,007 220.280 544,327 1818,1s o.. Adjusted to inclade cartain recels advised anco Parliamentary White Paper in March the issue of th aoy APRIL COMPLETIONS. The tonnage of merchant vecsels completed in United Kingdom yards and entered for service during April, 1818, compared with pre coding periods, was as under: coo Vex Com- ending. pletions. darion Month. Grow Crow 1017 tons. tone 740,314 68.7 773,.116 60.77 835.89 100.81 805,147 Tu 102.006 928,470 Loust Ay 257,185 Eepterte 148 1,040,036 October 802. Nov. November Dec. 31 December 1918. Jan 31 January 100.038 Fobraer Feb. March 181,874 March 279 111.533 Aprll 30 prii wio It should be noted that the English p in to exprees merchant shipbuilding io goetong p hygas in the Gross 16 191. 1917 Tons 3200N0 3orvor 2,800,.00l 2,600,000 2,400,000 2,200,000 2,000,000 1,800,.000 1,800.000 1.400.000 1.200.000 1,000000 800,000 500,000 400.000 200.000 other countries the figures are recor in dead weight tons, which is a much t he Agure, and this should be remembered naking comparisons. LORD PIRRIES EXPLANATION The Controller General of Merchant St ailding makes the following comments: The outpat for April, 1818, although not rea the high Agures for March, 1818, i 60 per cent higher than the month of April, 1017. he n tendency in the rate of annual outpat b ot 13 maintained. The launchings in January rary, 1918, were low, for reasons already of and this is reffected in the tonnage of o now lssued. It should be noted that the April outy achieved notwithstanding the very large inc the merchant ships which have been rep returned to service. Since January the mncres amounts to 40 per cent, and this work has nevere strain on the shipbuilding and marine on ing recources of the country. A DISAPPOINTING TOTA BULLDERS BIG TASK AHEAD (From Our Shipping Correspondent.) the a0 Judged by the criterion recently set b. rally, the shipbuilding output for April ls disappe ing. In the White Paper baned on M Board of Admiralty stated thatto produ s in Unitod Kingdom 1,800,000 tons in 11 and reach an ultimate production at the rate of 2000 tons per annum is well within the prese it and spective capacity of our shipyards and ma enginooring shope Towards the total tons there have been produced in the Airst months of the year just 424,000 tons, lea tone to be built in the remaining eight months, tho total output considered practicable ago to to be achiored. This means that the month average output until the end of the re MNN raised to at least 172,000 tons or a much higher total than has been secured since the end of 1014. A total of 1,800,000 tone talls far abort of what to really required, but it is the minimum with which after the recent official announcements, the country should be satisfied. If the authorities should at any tme And it nocessary to rertso their cstlmates, then the public will be entitled to know on what grounds the revision to necessary. A question and answer in Parliament have recently called attention to time lost in the shipyards. especially by riveters. It would seem that to the matter, as well as to the extent to which facilitie are provided for the training of unskilled labour in the present emergancy and the degree of eflciency of the equipment of the yards, further attention might well be directed. Unlavourable weather may have affected the outpat for April, but the public to concerned mainly with results, and the output for the Arst four months still leaves much to be desired. The need for the continuance of the greatest effort on the part of every one concerned in shipbullding at least as presing as hitherto. OMTOARnSo
27 28 29 30 Night May 1/2 To 17/18 25/6 27/4 Frter Bypale Beting Yhr Rehanes th Hgh in Kipe Sastr 10th in Left to 11th 2thin Right do 10 11 Sept 2 9th Ineoat white is very plisned with you being so kind as to refer it
D t W Sor Serbmanine inking New
Warning notice aa t probable order will be such for Brgnde to rel Bongude in the line frelieg to be completed on nght May 1/2 acd 9th Brignte 2 proceed with requiste reconnaision 28.4
35th. Battalion, A.I.F., Headquarters, 29th. April 1913 C.O.Co, 9th. Australian Infentry Brigade, Reference allegation by Major Blake that I had made a statement to the effect that I would order men to fire on our own aircraft This allegation is untrue and misleading. It appears to me an attempt at revenge by distorting what had been said in friendly chaff. The history of the matter is as follows I had been conpelled to report adversely to you on the conduct of Major W.V.J.Blake while under firc. You saw him on the morning of the 22nd. instant and informed him that you had decided to send him to the Training Battalion on account of the unfavourable report made upon him by mc. He came to me at evening and asked permission to visit his brother, Major Blake of the flying service. On the evening of the 25rd. Lo arrived with his brother by car at my Headquarters. They both came into the Mcss. I called Major N.V.J.Blake into my bedroom and confirmed your decision of which you had informed me that morning. We then both returned to the McBs. The two brothers stayed about half an hour during which friendly chat took place with a littlc banter such as usually forms Mess converse- tion. The subject of low flying planes came up and mention was made of the two cases where our own planes had dropped bombs on the 35th. Battalion- The one at Heilly on the 27th. March when a plane in daylight flew very low over the Bettalion which was lying out in the open and dropped two bombs, narrowly missing the men, and the other an exactly similar procedure Dr Coy at Vaux. I said to Major Llake (of the Air Service) on E) that the planes were so low any man could have brought them down and that the flyer was lucky they did not fire at them, that I should, had I been on the spot, have felt much inclined to have had a shot at then myself. There was nothing in the converse- tien to warrant Major Blake putting the interpretation shown in the letter from General Sir John Monash - I an sure you
C.O.C. 9th. Aust. Infy.Bde. No.2. know and 1 trust that General Mcnash will be assurred that I would be the last the disobey or act antagonistically to an order given by a Ligher authority. A Commanding Officer often has unpleasant duties to perform and often becomes the target for attack by discontented failures. 1 may say, however, that 1 knew Major Llake to be well aware of Lis own failure and 1 imagined he was well -satisfied at getting off so easily. I have gealt far from harshly with Major Blake and before adversely reporting upon Lim gave him every possible chance and oncouragement and in order that you may judge of this I give you on sererate sheet some of the reasons upon which I based my decision to recommend he be not used for front line work. Set ddow Lt.Col. I pay mention that Ceptain Connell and Captain Tates were present on the evening the conversation referred to herein took place.
April 29/18 CODY 23/2/28. Headquarters. Australian Corps. D. R. L. S. 2.3.4. 5 Aust. Divs. B.C.H.A. 29/4 G.431. Following from Mil. Sec. begins AA4 Please ask Gen.,. BIRDWOOD to inform all ranks of the Aust. Corps that the Field Marshal is fully aware of the gallant conduct and magnificent achievement of the Australians and wishes to thank them AAA The splendid service of the lst. Aust. Div. in the North has not escaped his notice and the Field Marshal desires to include them in this expression of his appreciation. AAA Ends. Aust. Corps. (signed) C.B.BIRDWOOD. Lieut.
24/4/18 EOPT 23/4/28. Headquarters, Australian Corps. D. R. L. S. 2.3. 4. 5 Aust. Divs. B.C.H.A. 29/4 G.431. Following from Mil. Sec. begins A44 Please ask Gen. BIRDWOOD to inform all ranks of the Aust. Corps that the Field Marshal is fully aware of the gallant conduct and magnificent achievement of the Australians and wishes to thank them AAA. The splendid service of the lst. Aust. Div. in the North has not escaped his notice and the Field Marshal desires to include them in this expression of his appreciation. AAA Ends. Aust. Corps. (signed) C.B. BIRDWOOD. Lient.

Diagram - see original document

 

Newspaper article - see original document
April 24
Daily Mail
GROWTH IN SHIPPING
OUTPUT.
DROP IN LOST TONNAGE.
ALLIED & NEUTRAL TOTALS.
 

 

Newspaper article - see original document
 MAY 9, 1918.
SHIPPING OUTPUT.
LARGE REDUCTION IN
APRIL.
HEAVY REPAIR WORK.
 

 

27/4/18
Inter Brigade Reliefs
27 
28
29
30
9 
Night
May 1/2   9th Brigade relieves 11th Bgde in Right Sector
   "  9/10   11th     "              "          19th    "      in Left       do 
   "  17/18  10th    "             "            9th   "      in Right     do
   " 25/26   9th    "              "           11th    "      in Left       do
General White is very pleased with you
xxx you being so kind as to refer it 

 

ON HIS MAJESTY’S SERVICE.

Submarine

Sinkings

New Tonnage 

 

9.10.11th Bde

MG Pioneer

C.R.A. CRE

ADMS.Q

Warning notice aaa It is probable that

orders will be issued for 9th Brigade to relieve

11th Brigade in the line relief to be completed

on night May 1/2 and 9th Brigade may

proceed with required reconnaissance.

CMJ No 257  1.50 pm

28.4.18

 

35th. Battalion, A.I.F.,

Headquarters     ,29th. April 1918

G.O.C.,

9th.Australian Infantry Brigade,

Reference allegation by Major Blake that I had made a statement

to the effect that I would order men to fire on our own aircraft

This  allegation is untrue and misleading. It appears to me an

attempt at revenge by distorting what had been said in friendly

chaff.  The history of the matter is as follows-

I had been compelled to report adversely to you on the 

conduct of Major W.V.J. Blake while under fire. You saw him on

the morning of the 22nd. instant and informed him that you had

decided to send him to the Training Battalion on account of 

the unfavourable report made upon him by me.  He came to me

that evening and asked permission to visit his brother, Major

Blake of the flying service. On the evening of the 23rd. he

arrived with his brother by car at me Headquarters. They both 

came into the Mess.  I called Major W.V.J.Blake into my bedroom

and confirmed your decision of which you had informed me that

morning. We then both returned to the Mess. The two brothers 

stayed about half an hour during which friendly chat took 

place with a little banter such as usually forms Mess conversation.
 The subject of low flying planes came up and mention was

made of the two cases where our own planes had dropped bombs

on the 35th. Battalion- The one at Heilly on the 27th.March

when a plane  in daylight flew very low over the  Battalion

which was lying out in open and dropped two bombs ,narrowly

missing the men, and the other  an exactly similar procedure

on my "D" Coy at Vaux.  I said to Major Blake(of the Air Service )

that the planes were so low  any man could have brought them down

and that the flyer was lucky they did not fire at them, that I

should ,had I been on the spot,have felt much  inclined to have

a shot at them myself .  There was nothing in the conversation
 to warrant Major Blake putting the interpretation shown 

in the letter from General Sir John Monash -  I am sure you

know and  I trust       

 

C.C.C.  9th.Aust.Infy. Bde

No.2

know and I trust that General Monash will be assurred that

I would be the last the disobey or act antagonistically to 

an order given by a higher authority.
 A Commanding Officer often has unpleasant duties to

perform and often becomes the target  for attack by discontented
failures. I may say,however, that I know Major Blake to be 

well aware of his own failure and I imagined he was well

satisfied at getting off so easily. I have dealt far from 
harshly with Major Blake and before adversely reporting upon

him gave him every possible chance and encouragement and in order

that you may judge of this I give you on sererate sheet some

of the reasons upon which I based my decision to recommend

he not be used for front line work.
John Goddard

Lt.Col.

I may mention that Captain Connell and Captain Yates were present

on the evening the conversation referred to herein took place.

 

 

29/4/18
Copy 29/4/18.
Headquarters,
Australian Corps.
D.R.L.S.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Aust. Divs.
B.C.H.A.
G.431      29/4
Following from Mil.Sec. begins  AAA Please ask Gen.
BIRDWOOD to inform all ranks of the Aust. Corps that the
Field Marshal is fully aware of the gallant conduct and
magnificent achievement of the Australians and wishes to
thank them  AAA The splendid service of the 1st. Aust.
Div. in the North has not escaped his notice and the
Field Marshal desires to include them in this expression of
his appreciation. AAA Ends.
Aust. Corps.
(signed) C.B. BIRDWOOD.
Lieut. 

 10

29/4/18
Copy 29/4/18.
Headquarters,
Australian Corps.
D.R.L.S.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Aust. Divs.
B.C.H.A.
G.431      29/4
Following from Mil. Sec. begins AAA Please ask Gen.
BIRDWOOD to inform all ranks of the Aust. Corps that the
Field Marshall is fully aware of the gallant conduct and
magnificent achievement of the Australians and wishes to
thank them AAA The splendid service of the 1st. Aust.
Div. in the North has not escaped his notice and the
Field Marshall desires to include them in his expression of
his appreciation. AAA Ends.
Aust. Corps.
(signed) C.B.BIRDWOOD.
Lieut.

 

 

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