General, Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 18, 8 May - 25 May 1918, Part 9

2.

Entries for all Events to be sent in to 3rd Aust. D.A.H.Q.
by 12 noon; Friday, 24th instant;
to be accompanied by name and description of horse; name
of owner; amount of sweepstake.

RULES:-
Runners & Riders names to be given into the Clerk of
the Course on the Racecourse one (1) hour before starting time for
each event.
Starting Bell will be rung 15 mins before time of
starting of each race; an additional warning bell 5 mins before
starting of each race.
Horses late at the starting point will be disqualified.
Horses taking part in a race to enter past spectators
before proceeding to starting point.
Objections as to correct description and qualifications
of horses to run to be made to the Clerk of the Course half an hour
before the time fixed for the race.
Objections as to qualifications of riders or the running
of the race to be lodged to the Clerk of the Course within 5 mins
of horse passing the winning post.
A RED Flag will be hoisted in the event of an objection
being lodged. - A WHITE Flag hoisted means O.K.

Bookmakers - There will be a special, ring for Bookmakers.
- no odds to be called outside this enclosure.
COLOURS.

Will be provided by Com [[mittee?]].

CAPS covered with the colours chosen will be worn by
all riders.

 COMMITTEE:-
Stewards - Brig-Genl GRIMWADE, C.M.G
Lt-Col. W. G. ALLSOP, D.S.O.
Lt-Col. G. H. M. KING. C.M.G,, DSO.
JUDGE. - Capt. J. JOICEY,
Assistant - Capt. R. W. MILES, R.F.A.
STARTER. - Capt. W. J. COBB.
CLERKS of COURCE. - Capt. T. MORELL
Lieut J. BRAKE.
TREASURER - Capt. C. H. FERGUSON.
SECRETARY - Lieut. A. L. CHOMLEY.
Responsible for protection & preparation } Capt. R. B. OWEN.
of ground.                                                           } Lieut. W. E. EALES.
                                                                               }     "      A. S. NIVISEN.

 

Headquarters, Australian Corps,
Confidential.  2lst May, 1918.
My dear General,
There is a point, which has lately come to my notice in
connection with our men, and which is to some extent a very serious
matter, and particularly hard to deal with. I know that we have
in the ranks a considerable number of most excellent men, who have
done very gallant service, some of them getting on for four years
now. Among these, one must recognize that it is only natural
there should be some, whose nerves have suffered to such an extent
as to render them physically unfit to take their place in the
trenches when heavy fighting is on. I know everyone of us must
deeply regret when such a man is brought up for desertion or
A.W.L., for in such cases the fact of absence may be said to be
almost beyond the man's control.
It is, of course, quite impossible to issue any order
on the subject as regards such men not being sent into the
trenches, etc., for any such order would naturally lead not only
to misunderstanding, but almost certainly to applications from
men, who could not be deemed to be generally covered by it. The
only thing I think we can do is to see that battalion commanders
watch their men carefully, and report such genuine cases to
brigadiers, so that men who really are physically unfit through
no fault of their own, could be quietly withdrawn, and utilized
in suitable positions beyond the firing line.
I am sure you will give this matter your consideration,
and if you have any suggestions to make regarding it, I shall be
very grateful to receive them.
Yours sincerely,
W. R. Birdwood.
 

24/5/18
H.Q. 87^th Inf Bde
21.5.18  B.E.F.
My dear General
I hear on all sides how
perfectly splendidly the old 3^nd Aust
Div has done so want to offer my
congratulations. We are still in the line
& no hope of leave. Very lousy so will
stop as Impact you, as usual, all
doing an immense amount of work.
Yours as [[?]]

Peter Jackson
[*JM*]
 

AUSTRALLAN CORPS.
B.E.F., FRANCE.
22nd May, 1918.
My dear Monash,
Would you please see the enclosed, which, as
far as I can make out, is with reference to the chateau
at Heilly. Whether, or not, the complaints made cover
the period during which it was occupied by the 3rd
Division, I of course cannot say, though probably it
would be so, and I fancy things were pretty well intact
with the people there when you first took over that front.
Perhaps you would have inquiries made to enable
me to send a reply.
Yours ever,
W. R. Birdwood.
 

FOURTH AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.

SECRET.

Headquarters,
22nd May, 1918.
HANDING OVER STATEMENT OF WORKS POLICY AND PROGRAMME.
Reference attached "Master" Map 1/10,000.
1. Policy.

The policy on which work on the defences has been carried on since
the 4th Aust, Division took over the line has been as follows :-
(a) The construction of a continuous front and support systems in so far
as the proximity of the S.E. corner of VILLERS- BRETONNEUX to the
actual front line would allow.
(b) The construction of a system of "Keep" defences within VILLERS -
BRETONNEUX as an intermediate defence between the Support System
and the Reserve System with the following objects :-
(i) To form in conjunction with other portions of the all-round
defences of VILLERS - BRETONNEUX a pivot for counter-attack to
regain any part of the line which may be lost.
(ii) To deny VILLERS- BRETONNEUX and its facilities for observation
to the enemy.
(c) The extension and improvement of the CACHY Switch to form, In
conjunction with the VILLERS SWITCH and part of the VILLERS line,
the Reserve System of the defences of the Divisional area.
(d) The construction of two complete switches extending from the most
forward line of defence to the AUBIGNY Line, (Forward system of
2nd Zone) South and North of VILLERS- BRETONNEUX and the BOlS L'ABB
respectively,
(e) The construction of a number of Machine Gun dugouts within the
forward zone.
(f) The continuation of the buried system as far as the H.Q. of
Battalions in the line.
2. PRESENT SITUATION.
(a) Effect has been given to practically the whole of the policy
outlined above, but there has not been sufficient time to develope
it. in its entirety. The whole organization is in a fighting
condition and there is plenty of wire.
(b) There is a complete circle of defences round and outside the
village, in addition to the internal "Keep" defences and their
complementary flanking and supporting posts, These defences have
been constructed to face E, S.E., & S., but can be used, if
necessary as all-round defences for the village. Thus the defen
of the village, taken as a whole, form a complete system and can
be fought as such if the situation demands it. This system, has r
however, been made a separate command, as it includes portions of
the regulation parallel systems, which must be defended as such,
as they are garrisoned by portions of distinct formations. The
Village System should provide a very strong point d'appui for
counter attack.
P.T.O.
 

(2).
(c) There is a normal Forward Zone organization for frontal defence,
of three systems with a subsidiary "Keep" System within the
Village.
(d) There are two East and West switch lines, very nearly complete,
North and South respectively of VILLERS- BRETONNEUX and the
BOIS L'ABBE.
3. PROPOSALS.
(a) So far as the actual organization of the defences is concerned
the policy detailed in Para. 1 has been carried out, with two
minor exceptions. These are the Eastward and Westward extensions
of the VILLERS SWITCH, (which is shown on the handing-over map,)
to the front line and the AUBIGNY system respectively. These
are urgent and would have been taken on by thas Division at once,
now that the still more urgent work S, S.E. & E. of VILLERS-BRETONNEUX
has been finished,
As regards the extension to the front line, a C.R. has just
been dug leading from the VILLERS system across the Support
System as far as the Front System. This could be quickly
adapted for Defensive purposes, and would provide the necessary
link.
The only continuation of the VILLERS Switch westward is at
present the line of the Railway Embankment and that of the cutting
in 0.27.D & 0 & 0.25.D. These form a defensible line as they
stand but a trench should be dug south of and approximately
parallel to them, through the wood. The line of the Railway
would then form useful cover for supports.
(b) As regards Machine Gun dugouts, etc., the following in the
programme :-
0.27.D.85.80. Champagne Emplacement for two Machine Guns in
Railway Embankment - nearing completion.
0.28.D.2.3. Champagne emplacement- two M.Gs. - sited on 16th
instant- work commenced by 4th Pioneer Bn.
Suggested dugout for two M.Gs. and advanced Coy., H.Q.
0.34.D.1.5. Champagne emplacement - Field of fire N.E. along
road to Village and S.E.
Suggested dugout for two guns and advanced M.G.Coy.,H.Q.
0.23.A.5.8. Champagne emplacement - Field of Fire N.E. & S.
TACTICAL WIRING on eastern edge BOIS D'AQUENNE is being strength-
by an extra double apron. Work to be completed 21st inst. by
4th Aust, Pioneer Bn.
(c) Buried cable has been extended up to Brigade Report Centre at
0.26.A.2.5. This system consists of 14 pairs. Ne more were
put in by the Division, as the bury was merely an extension
of the existing system, which had this number. The issue of
the Corps Scheme has interfered with the progress of this
work. But if the execution of the Corps Scheme is long
delayed it would be as well to extend the present bury in
accordance with its provisions and absorb the present bury
as a
 

22/5/18
Cannan
1 operation appd. - but don't risk men
2 pioneers - only 1C: - release from garrison of
V.B.
& then tomorrow
3 Frontage - deprecate -
4 Salvage. 

22/5/18
Wiring along front
line reported complete
but in places only
single apron.
Support line only
wired in places.
Wire lanes. Posts are
painted WHITE &
RED. White being
passage way. Red
leads to entanglement.
 

24/5/18
Headquarters, XXII Corps.
May 22^nd 1918
My dear Monash
My most
hearty congratulations on
the news I hear that you
are to command the
Australian Corps. It gives
me the greatest pleasure
to think that it passes
into the hands of an
 

officer who served with me
for so long both as a [[higadien?]]
& in command of a division
& who I know from much
experience is so well
qualified for the command
& will do it so well.
Wishing you the best of
luck Yrs Very Sincerely
Alex Rodley