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

18/5/18
G.O.C.
The Corps Commander would
like to speak to you on the 'phone
on your return.
H.W.G.
10.15AM
18/5/18
[*11.30 a.m. —
Corps Commander says "Had a
cable. Australia agrees to
everything xxxxx i.e. all the
appointments; but as regards*}

himself, it must go before the Cabinet :— There is however no
hurry.   Matters are in abeyance just at present; & it is likely to 
be the end of the month before much happens. - He shall do
nothing for a day or two."-
[*3DRL12316*] 

19/5/18
4^th Div.
Infantry dispositions. ✓
Role of Reserve Brigade. ✓
M.G. dispositions. 50 guns in.
Arty. dispositions ✓
[[Engineers??]] ✓ (C.R.E. = Dyer)
Pioneers. ✓
Liaison with French ✓   
Liaison with 5^th Div. ✓      
Enemy Order of Battle [Jäger.   
Enemy attitude. | Alert but quiescent]  
Heavy artillery ✓. | 6" How, 60 prs,
[*General de Division
Garnier du Plesoin.
37^th Div. in T.I.
Liaison Officer.
H.Q. Antlin. -
& Capt. Lewis for G.H.Q.*]
Time for taking over | 22^nd, - at 10 a.m. -
Dumps of food ) 
Water                  ) 
S.A.A.                   ) 
Se  Capt. Jackson:-]]
Visit Maclagan 2.30 to 2.45. on 21^st
B.G. Curruthers on 20^th to lunch

Mission Militaire Francaise
attaches à
l'Armee Britannique
3rd Australian Division H.Q
Officier Inteprete de
Gail, 3^e [[?div]] Australienne,
à Major General Sir John Monash

KCB. V.D. Commandant la 3^e [[?div}

Australienne -

April 1918

May 19/18

Cher Genéral Monash
Je me fais un heureuse devoir de
vous transmettre la lettre élagieuse
et reconnaissante que Mr. Hourdequin,
proprietaire de la filature de
Ribemont, m'aprie de vous faire
parvenir.  Je vous l'adresse en
francais car je sais que vous la
comprendez facilement.  Cette
lettre constitue un precieuse   

témoignage de reconnaissance
en faveur de la vaillante division
que vous commandez, et que j'ai
vue a' l'oeuvre depuis plus de 18
mais: a Messines, a Paschendaele
et dans la Somme.  Des Australiens
peuvent [[?]] dire avec fierte': qu'ils
savent aussi bien organiser et
sauver qu'ils savent se battre!
Je suis heureux de profiter de
cette occasion pour vous remercier
du précieuse & assi dû concours
que vos officiers et vos soldats
m'aut pêeté dans les circonstances
difficiles que nos populations 

viennent de traverser.
Veuillez croire, cher Général Monash,
a' mon respectueux le'vanement[[?]]
F. le Gail
Officier interprete
.MC.
MISSION MILITAIRE FRANCAIS
3^e D^oo Australienne
1915.1918 

Monsieur le Major General Monash.
Commandant la 3ieme division Australienne
France
Avant de quilter la Somme et la region devoistie de
Ribe'court où je possede ma filature de laines, je me fais
{[??] devoir de vous remercier du concours aussie devo??
qu'assidu, 
 

20/5/18
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISIONAL ARTILLERY.
To Major-General Sir John MONASH, K.C.B., V.D.,
G. O. C., 3rd AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.
My Dear General,
I want to let you know how my Artillery is situated,
and what they are doing.
My Staff and I are located at EPAGNE; 7th F. A.
Brigade at COCQUEREL; 8th F. A. Brigade at EPAGNE, and D.A.C.
at EAUCOURT. They all arrived in this area on Thursday last.
I had a conference of Commanding Officers on Friday, and
told them that they would have 3 days clear in which to let the
men have as much rest as possible, and the Battery Commanders to
get hold of their Commands, and clean and straighten everything up.
Intensive training is being started to-day. I have
found a few uncultivated areas for the Batteries to work on, and
I have not the slightest doubt in a week's time they will show
full benefit of what they are doing.
The weather is delightful, and the men are thoroughly
appreciating their change. Most of their spare time is spent
in bathing in the River SOMME. I, myself, have been guilty of
enjoying a few dips also.
Major-General BUDWORTH came down and saw me, and the
Brigade Commanders, on Saturday, and ^∧ had a good talk with us all.    He
informed me that, unless anything unforeseen happens, Batteries
will get a clear 14 days here;  this, I hope, will eventuate, as
the Batteries thoroughly deserve it.
Lieut-Colonel KING reported for duty late yesterday,
and is busy taking over his Brigade to-day, and JAMES will go off
to LONDON tomorrow. The former was detained at HAVRE for six
days, which is a procedure I absolutely fail to understand.
We propose holding a Race Meeting on Sunday afternoon
next, schedule of which I enclose you herewith. It would be a
P.T.O. 

- 2 -
gratification to all of us if you could come down and be with us
on that afternoon;  you would perhaps give us the pleasure of your
company at lunch at about 12.30 p.m.
I hope all is well with you, and that you are benefiting
by the rest you are getting.
With kind regards,
I remain,
Yours sincerely,
H W Grimwade
Brig-General.
Headquarters,
20-5-18.
P.S. Would it be possible for us to have the Pioneer Band for
Sunday next? A Motor Lorry could run them each way, and
their services would be much appreciated.
HWG 

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISIONAL ARTILLERY.
RACE MEETING  -  PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME.
Meeting will probably take place on Sunday, 26th May, 1918.
Place Meeting to be held - Second E of EPAGNE.
Abbeville 1/100000

P.T.O.