General, Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 18, 8 May - 25 May 1918, Part 1

8th May 1918.

General,

I hear by my representative

Mr DEMARQUET that the furniture

belonging to me, and rather valuable, is

taken from the rooms and thrown, broken,

in the garden; among others is a

golden console in the Roselet Pavilion

situated near the main gate of the

chateau, my property.

I take the liberty, General,

although I know you have

very much more important cares

at present, to ask you to be good

enough to give strict orders to your

soldiers to leave all the furniture

where it is and under cover.

Some objects have a great value

and it is only just, General,

to ask our allies to spare us as

we are already partly ruined by the War.

 

 

Moreover I hear that an

antiquary of Franvillers comes into my

chateau to take what he fancies.

To stop it I ask you to forbid to

anyone to take anything from

any part of the chateau without a

writen permission from me. No

civilain (except Mr Demarquet' and his 

daughter) should be allowed to

enter the chateau and the soldiers

should be warned against giving

selling or exchanging any piece of

furniture, tapestry xx, linen etc.

I was told that a shell fell

in the dining room of the chateau

where there is some old family

furniture of great value to me.

Could it not be destroyed!

I apologise for the trouble I

am giving you but in these times

of sorrow I have only confidence in

the chiefs who not only can defend

our soil - and your army is doing

it with glory - but also our property.

 

 

With my gratitude and my

thanks I beg to convey to you,

General, my very respectful

consideration

PAULA FURSY.

4 square Petrelle

Paris

IX^e

______________________

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.

Divisional Headquarters,

8th. May, 1918.

Memo for G.S.O.I.

Issue orders to the following effect :-

Two Coys. of  the 44th. Battalion, which were pushed up

last night to the 9th. Brigade forward area, are to remain on

with under the tactical command of G.O.C., 9th. Brigade, until the

relief on the night May 10th/11th. - They are not to be employed

for other than defence in support, unless the tactical situation

makes their employment beyond these limits compulsory. -

After relief these two Coys. are to be returned to the 44th.

Battalion. -

Notify 9th. and 11th. Brigades.

JM

Sent CHJ

 

 

Headquarters, Australian Corps.

8th May, 1918.

My Dear General,

Will you please see the enclosed copy of a rather

pathetic letter, which I have received from the French Mission,

and which explains itself. I well know what all the difficulties

are, especially in an area from which none of the French

inhabitants have been evacuated, but if you will urge your

troops to help in the way asked by the French Mission, I shall

be most grateful.

It is naturally the mounted troops who would probably

cause a good deal of the damage in the way of grazing, 

destruction of haystacks, etc. Anything our officers can do to

help the poor unfortunate French people in their trouble will

be so very much appreciated.

I enclose several copies of the communication I have

received, an you may care to distribute them to units.

Yours very sincerely,

W.R. Birdwood.

 

To...

General Sir W. R. BIRDWOOD, K.C.B., K.C.S.I., K.C.M.G., C.I.E., D.S.O.

Commanding AUSTRALIAN Corps.

Sir,

I beg to submit copy of a letter (and translation) of which the original was sent to the

Préfet of the Somme.

In the course of my first month with the AUSTRALIAN Corps, the opportunity was

largely afforded me to fully appreciate the constant endeavour of all divisional units to amend

the situation described by the Maire of BUSSY-LES-DAOURS in his moving appeal.

But, as he rightly says, further assistance is wanted in order to create friendship,

instead of resentment, and hasten victory.

I feel certain it will, as always, be generously granted.

I beg to remain,

Sir,

Yours respectfully,

M.F. LONGUE. Lieut.

O.C. French Mission,

AUSTRALIAN CORPS.

4/5/18.

 

Translation.

We undersigned, Mayor and Farmers of the Commune of BUSSY-les-DAOURS, beg to

point out to you the disastrous conditions made to Agriculture in our Commune since

one month.

We realize quite well the necessities of the present moment, and will say nothing of the

billeting and quartering organization all over the country, whatever restraint it puts upon

us. But it is a shame to see every day hundreds of horses graze at liberty newly sown corn

fields which will soon be turned into real waste land. Corn ricks and hay stacks disappear

day after day. This would not be too bad if the troops were to make good use of them; but

it is a downright squandering; everywhere trusses of hay or straw are to be seen along the

roads, in the mud or under the rain. Ere long there will be nothing left to feed our cattle.

In spite of all this, we are going on with our work. Oats sowing is almost over; the

potatoes are planted. We remained insensible to the sarcasms of those who openly said we

were losing our time; and that we had better let soldiers have full scope. Now we

understand the meaning of the advice. Our farms are plundered while we are away, whatever

short our absence may be, and even when we are present. In the twinkle of an eye, hens

and rabbits disappear, sometimes even sheep and cows. The agricultural implements are

burnt or broken, the doors are taken away, the barns left bare. To avoid ruin we want to

perform our task up to the end and keep confident for the future. We know the country

wants us to do our best, to give her what she needs. For this purpose we only ask for one

thing; let the Military Authority stop these irrational depredations which excite the spirits

to such an extent that regrettable acts are to be feared.

We are confident that the necessary steps will be taken and severe orders given to the

troops to have the crops and agricultural instruments preserved, which is a condition for

victory.

 

 

18

WIRELESS PRESS.

8th. May 1918.

(Morning)

FRENCH OFFICIAL (Evening.) 8/5/18.

Activity of the opposed artilleries north and south of the

AVRE without infantry action.

Day calm on the rest of the front.

 

ITALIAN OFFICIAL.

On the whole of the front the bad weather limited the

reciprocal activity of the artilleries and patrols.

 

LATE GERMAN OFFICIAL.

Local encounters south of DIKKEBUSCH LAKE.

 

BRITISH OFFICIAL, London, 8/5/18. Western Front.

a.m.    Not reported.

 

8.20. p.m.

This morning the enemy launched a strong local

attack against the sector between LA CLYTTE and VOOREMEZEELE and

in the region of YPRES. The attack succeeded after heavy fighting

in penetrating the front-line of the allied positions at

certain points. Fighting is continuing in these local places.

At all other points the enemy attacks were repulsed. By successful

local operations the French troops of LA CLYTTE captured

a number of prisoners.

On the remainder of the British front there is nothing of

special interest to report.

 

 *     *     *      *

 

 

WIRELESS PRESS.

8th. May 1918.

(Afternoon)

GERMAN OFFICIAL.

Western Front.

South of the NIEUPORT CANAL we captured a

number of Belgians in the course of a successful reconnaissance.

On  the battle-field in FLANDERS and of the LYS the artillery-duel

increased at KEMMEL and near to the west of BAILLEUL.

In advanced post encounters on the SOMME battle-field we took

British and French prisoners. On both sides of the CORBIE-BRAY

road the enemy attacked unsuccessfully after strong trench-mortar

preparations. The points of assembly were effectively engaged by

our fire. After a repeated attack during the night south of this

road we repulsed the enemy in a counter-thrust.

Violent artillery activity continued near the LUCE STREAM

and on the west bank of the AVRE.

On the remainder of the front there is nothing of importance

to report.

There is no change to report from the other fronts.

 

AUSTRALIAN OFFICIAL.

South-Western Front.

The artillery action was only lively in

places. East of CAPO SILE, in the LAGHI BASIN, on MONTE PERTICA and

on the southern slope of MONTE ALESSI hostile reconnaissances

were repulsed.

 

FRENCH OFFICIAL.

Great activity by the opposed artilleries during the night

north and south of the AVRE. A number of raids attempted by the

Germans west of MONTDIDIER, and also in the regions of HANGARD,

THENNES and GRAVESNES were failures. The French captured a

number of prisoners.

There is nothing of importance to report on the remainder of

the front.

 

 *     *     *      *

Urgent

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.

Divisional Headquarters, 9th. May, 1918.

Headquarters,

Australian Corps.

 

Subsequent to the successful operation by the 9th. Aust.

Inf. Brigade on the night May 5th/6th., a supplementary operation

was undertaken on the night May 7th/8th. in order to improve in

Squares K.19.a and c. the Right Flank of the Advance previously

made, and to link up with an Advance to be made by the Division

on my Right. -

This Operation was entrusted to the 34th. Battalion with

orders to employ two coys. on the task. -

Information as to the progress of this Operation reached

Divisional Headquarters in a very unsatisfactory and incomplete

manner, and by day-break on May 8th. information as to the exact

position of this part of my Front was very obscure; nor was any

information furnished by the Brigade from which it might be

supposed that there had been any serious losses, or that any

personnel was unaccounted for. - Owing to the exposed position

of  the terrain and the brightness of the day, no daylight

reconnaissances could be made during the daylight on May 8th. -

Last night, May 8th/9th. the Brigade was ordered to clear

up the situation, definitely ascertain how far the Advance made

on the previous night had progressed, and to consolidate all ground

(1).