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

2.

EVENT	DESCRIPTION	Remarks.
8.  6 p.m.	Mule Race for D.A.C.Mules.  - 1½ Furlongs-	Entries 6 per Section. Sweep-stake of 25 Fres. 60% to Winner. 30% to 2nd. 10% to 3rd.
9 6.30 p.m.	Trotting Race-Open-Sweepstakes & ontrios as in Evont 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 canter 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.

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, D.S.O.

JUDGE. - Capt. J. JOICEY,

Assistant - Capt. R.W.MILES, R.F.A.

STARTER. - Capt. W.J. COBB.

CLERKS of COURSE. - Capt. T. MORELL

Lieut J. BRAKE.

TREASURER - Capt. C.H.FERGUSON.

SECRETARY - Lieut. A.L. CHOMLEY.

Responsible for protection & preparation

of ground.
)  Capt. R.B. OWEN.
)  Lieut. W.R. EALES.

)      "      A.S.NIVISON.

Headquarters, Australian Corps,

Confidential.  21st 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
B.E.F._/

21.5.18._/

My dear General

I hear on all sides how

perfectly splendidly the old 3^rd Austn

Div has done so wish to offer my

congratulations. We are still in the line

& no hope of leave. Very busy so will

stop as expect you, as usual, are

doing an immense amount of work._/

Yours as aye

Peter Jackson._/
[*JM*]

AUSTRALIAN 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    DIVISON.

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 BOIS L'ABBE
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 this 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.Z. 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 & C & 0.26.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, et c., the following in the

programme :-

0.27.D.85.80.  Champagne Emplacement for two Machine Guns in

Railway Embankment- nearing completion.

O.28.D.2.3.  Champagne emplacement - two M.Gs. - sited on 18th

instant - work commenced by 4th Pioneer Bn.

Suggested dugout for two guns and advanced M.G.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 M.Gs. and advanced 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. No 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
[*3DRL12316*]

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

passageway. 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 brigadier

& 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 Godley