General, Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 18, 8 May - 25 May 1918, Part 2

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).
 

(2)

9/5/18.
gained, but not to attempt and further advances. -
At day-break this morning, the Brigade reported that the
front line was established on the line as reported in my telegram
No. C.H. J.282. -

Subsequently information was received from the Brigade
that up to time of notification four officers and ten other ranks
who took part in the Operations on the night May 7th/8th had not
been accounted for, and were, for the time being, to be classed as
missing, believed killed, but that inquiries were proceeding. -
In the Casualty Report Return furnished to Australian Corps
through "A.Q." channels this evening, it is reported that four
officers and thirty six other ranks of the 34th. Battalion are
missing; but I regret to say that this report was not submitted to
me, and was transmitted without reference to me. -
On reference to the Brigadier, it appears that his Staff
Captain also transmitted this report, without informing him of its
nature. -
It has resulted from above circumstances that neither I
nor the Brigadier were aware of the magnitude of the number of men
unaccounted for, and my attention was not drawn to the matter until
this evening. - In the meanwhile Lieut.-Colonel FRY commanding
the 34th. Battalion has been evacuated ill and is not available
for reference to explain the circumstances under which these men
came to be missing, or as to why reports in this matter were so
belated. -
 

(3)

9/5/18.
I have at once given instructions for an exhaustive
inquiry into the whole of the circumstances covering full details
as to the plans of the operation, as to the probable circumstances
under which these men came to be made prisoners, whether as the
result of advancing too far or as the result of counter-attack,
and also as to the very unsatisfactory lapse of 48 hours before
the facts were properly brought under notice.

Major-General
Commanding Third Australian Division.
 

Ga

- 2 -

9/5/18
Rosenthal. (conversation)
Prisoner 4 & 44 - report wanted A ]
General Investigation & report.
✓joint post - Corp Commander. (Hobbs)
✓Action & clear up front. -
✓ Expect attack tomorrow. -
✓ Pioneers - 2 Co. & work.
✓ Wick & report re rum.
✓ Tactical Command of 44th till Relief

Q.
Reports of prisoners | & material.]
Relief order.
Hawkins & Cruikshank.
Canteens
5/6

7/8

8/9
9/10
 

C.R.A.
9/5/18

Artillery (Div. & Heavy) Observation
& enfilade fire, on Southern
side of Ry. embankment
Ville - to & beyond Dernancourt
Ring up Brig. Gen [[?Tancred]]
G.O.C.R.A.
Sr with M. Guns

 

Australian Corps.
Situation in K. 19.C. not still
not fully satisfactory xxing and a little obscure
aaa. We are definitely in touch with 8th Brigade
at K.19.c.00 aaa Thence our line of posts
runs North easterly to K.19. a.9.3 aaa
From there northwards our front line is well
established and consolidated aaa Owing to
darkness of night and enemy alertness the
situation in South eastern part half of K. 19.c is
still obscure, but this part of our front line is
well covered by our supporting troops.
N^o. C.H.J. 282.
10.45 am. 9/5/18.
 

9 

10 

11 

Warn all troops that enemy, during an local
attack on Third Army this morning which
was we repulsed with heavy loss to him his
troops loudly shouted "Retire". -

        ✓

CHJ/286

6.6 pm

9-5-18
 

Hand drawn sketch - see original document
 

AUSTRALIAN CORPS,
B.E.F., FRANCE.
9th May, 1918.

My dear Monash,
I think it is possible that before long I may
be asking you for Wieck to be transferred as G.S.O. 2.
Corps Headquarters, if, as is probable, Ross moves on.
I mention this only that you may not be caught without
a warning.
In Wieck's place, I should probably wish to
put in McColl, whom you possibly know - a very excellent
man, whom I recently sent to the 2nd Division to get
more regimental experience after a long spell on the
staff.
I have heard definitely that the Bishop of
Bathurst will be available for a church parade on
Sunday at any time after 10.30, so you might perhaps
arrange your parade for 11 a.m. - if it is possible to
hold one at all.
Yours ever,
W.R. Birdwood.