General Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 18, 25 May - 3 June 1918, Part 4

popular one ever
notified in A.I.F.
orders & I sincerely hope
that the notification
of your appointment in
A/lia will result in
a huge revival in recruiting,
for the A.I.F. is now
distinctly "Australian" & 
I am certain that there
will be general rejoicing
in A/lia as result of
your appointment.
No one is more pleased
at the elevation of their
"original chief" than
myself.
Yours sincerely
Jas. H. Cannan

G.O.C. 
Re A.I.F. circ. 27/13
31-5.18
I think that all Communications 
from units 
in the Aust Corps ^to AIF HQ should
pass through Corps (Townsend).
Matters that come under
3 (a) would be dealt with
by GOC Corps: matters
that come under 3 (b) would 
be passed in to D.A.A.G. A.I.F,
Townsend having no power
to take action, but he could
bring any matter included
to the attention of the Corps
Commander before passing
the case on. This the  would

constitute true liason
It is wrong in principle
that x individuals ^or units in
the Corps should be able

to refer such matters as
to make applications

for leave ^to Aust or to refer "questions
arising out of the application
& interpretations of A.I.F.
orders" (which opens the a
pretty wide door!)  to
higher Authority without
the Corps Commander

knowing anything about
it.

RaC

HQ.
Is a for consolidated parade state of
whole Corps Command compiled?
If so, at what intervals?
I should like to see the last one,

if any copy available.

J.M.
31/5/18

G.O.C.

There is a consolidated weekly Strength Return
showing the Strength of Infantry, Pioneers

& Machine Gunners ^(attached). No other consolidated
return is made out. The Strength Return on
A.F. B213, goes direct from units to 3rd Echelon
RaC

AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE  27/13
Headquarters, A.I.F.,
Attached Australian Corps,
31st May, 1918.
Circ. Memo. 27/13

1. Consequent upon the separation of the appointments to
 command the A.I.F. and to command the Australian Corps the 
following instructions are issued concerning the procedure to

be observed in the administration of the functions of the 
G.O.C., A.I.F. regarding matters of A.I.F. policy, organisation 
and administration.
2. The office of the D.A.G., A.I.F. will maintain a close
liaison with the G.O.C., Australian Corps.
3 (a) Divisions and other units serving in the Australian 
Corps will forward recommendations and correspondence on 
the following matters to Headquarters, Australian Corps -
(i) Appointments, promotions and transfers &c. of all regimental 
officers above the rank of Major and of all Staff 
officers except General Staff Officers, 3rd Grade and 
Staff Captains;
(ii) Appointments, seconding, removal &c. of staff trainees 
except those training as General Staff Officers, 3rd 
Grade and Staff Captains;
(iii) Removal of officers on grounds of inefficiency or
misconduct;
(iv) Organisation, ^establishments, disposal of personnel and other matters 
affecting policy;

Final action on these matters will be taken by the 
G.O.C., A.I.F. to whom the recommendations of the G.O.C. 
Australian Corps will be submitted.
(b) Recommendations and correspondence concerning the 
following will be submitted direct to D.A.G., A.I.F. by 
Divisions and other units:-
(i) Appointments, promotions, transfers, seconding &c. of 
all officers not included in para. (a) (i) above;

(ii) Appointments, seconding, removal &c. of officers in 
training as General Staff Officers, 3rd Grade and Staff 
Captains;
(iii) Appointment of Warrant Officers, Class I; 
// 

2.

(iv) Selection and appointment of candidates for cadetships 
in England;
(v) Reduction or removal of Warrant and N.C.Os. on the 
ground of inefficiency or misconduct;
(vi) Applications for leave to Australia;
(vii) Applications for discharge from the A.I.F.;
(viii) Exercise of the powers of the G.O.C., A.I.F. re
forfeitures, punishments and their remissions;
(ix) All questions arising out of the application or interpretation 
of A.I.F. Orders and Defence Regulations;
[*X*] (x) Special notification of casualties among Commanders 
and Staff Officers;
[*X*] (xi) Weekly strength return;
(xii) Returns of deserters for publication in Australia;

(xiii) All other matters not specifically enumerated
in (a) or hereinafter provided for which have hitherto
been referred direct to the D.A.G., A.I.F.
(c) Divisions and other units not serving in the

Australian Corps will correspond direct with the D.A.G., 
A.I.F. on all matters mentioned above.
4. The following matters which do not normally come within 
the functions of the G.O.C., A.I.F. will be submitted to and 
dealt with by the Corps or other formation to which Australian 
units belong -

(a) Disciplinary questions of all kinds, Courts martial,
Courts of Inquiry;

(b) Honours and rewards;

(c) Casualties;
(d) Leave (other than to Australia);
(e) Questions which by their nature are matters of B.E.F. 
administration and/or are not connected with any special 
system in force for the A.I.F.
When by the nature of the case it is clearly desirable
that the G.O.C., A.I.F. should be informed of any matter 
which comes under these headings the necessary action to that 
end will be taken by Headqrs., Australian Corps in respect to
units serving in the Corps and by Divisions or other units 
direct in the case of units not serving in the Australian 
Corps. Provided that Divisions or other units will invariably 
forward to the D.A.G., A.I.F. a copy of any return submitted 
to the Base containing particulars of Courts martial 
held for the trial of officers.

//

3.
A copy of the consolidated daily casualty return will 
be furnished to D.A.G., A.I.F. by H.Q., Australian Corps and 
direct by Divisions not serving in the Corps
5. When correspondence on any matter requiring the final decision 
of the G.O.C., A.I.F. has been initiated by H.Q., 
Australian Corps, or has been passed down to Divisions or 
Australian units of Corps Troops by Corps Headquarters all
further correspondence on that particular question will pass 
through Corps Headquarters.
6. Transfers of "other ranks" The following principles
will be observed -

(a) Transfers or exchanges of individuals between units of 
the same arm within a Division may be approved by Divisional 
Commanders and between Divisions by arrangement 
between the Divisional Commanders concerned.
(b) All other transfers will be submitted to the D.A.G.,
A.I.F. for approval by the Divisions, &c. concerned.
7. Relations with Australian Section, 3rd Echelon. -
(a) Australian Section, 3rd Echelon will correspond direct 
with units and Divisions on routine matters as heretofore;
(b) On all matters of policy, including the posting of reinforcements 
and disposal of personnel Australian Section 
3rd Echelon will communicate with the D.A.G., A.I.F.

8. Relations with Admin, Headqrs., A.I.F. and Headqrs., A.I.F. 
Depots in U.K. -
(a) The channel of communication between units in the Field 
and A.I.F. organizations in U.K. will be the office of 
the D.A.G., A.I.F., except that -
(i) On minor matters concerning individuals and questions 
of routine, correspondence may proceed direct with 
Divisions and units as heretofore.

(ii) Divisions may communicate direct with A.I.F. Depots 
and vice versa concerning the details of reliefs between 
units in the Field and training units, the 
policy of which has been settled by the G.O.C., A.IF.

9. Relations with Officers holding special appointments in 
France. -
The relations of the O.C., Australian Provost Corps,
France, O.C., A.A.O.C., France and D.M.T.S., A.I.F. with the 
office of the D.A.G., A.I.F. will continue as heretofore.
This will not affect the jurisdiction of the Corps

Commander over these officers in respect of matters within 
their functions as A.P.M., Aust. Corps, A.D.O.S., Aust. 
Corps and S.M.T.O. respectively.
/

4. 
10. Schools - Normally the attendance of officers and
other ranks at Schools of Instruction is not a matter which 
comes within the functions of the G.O.C., A.I.F.
There are, however, certain Schools for which an

allotment is made to the A.I.F. as a whole, such as the 
Senior Officers' School, Aldershot and the Senior and 
Junior Staff Courses, Cambridge.
Recommendations for attendance at these Schools
will be submitted through Headquarters, Australian Corps to 
D.A.G., A.I.F. by Divisions and units serving in the Corps, 
and direct by Divisions and units not so serving.
Similar action will be taken regarding any other
special schools arranged by the office of the D.A.G., A.I.F.

When candidates are sent to Schools in England
which have not been arranged by the D.A.G., A.I.F. a copy 
of the nominal roll of candidates sent will be furnished to 
the D.A.G., A.I.F. by Headquarters, Australian Corps, or by 
the Division or unit direct if not serving in the Aust.
Corps.
11. "Q" Matters - Correspondence on "Q" matters of all
kinds will be submitted to Headquarters, Australian Corps 
by the formations and units thereof. When any reference to 
the G.O.C., A.I.F. regarding such matters is necessary -
e.g. the supply of Australian boots and clothing, colour 
patches, financial adjustments for equipment between Imperial 
and the Australian Governments - the matter will be 
referred to the D.A.G., A.I.F. by Headquarters, Australian

Corps.
TH. Dodds,
Colonel.
D.A.G., A.I.F.
Distribution - All A.I.F. units in France,
Admin. Headqrs., A.I.F.,
H.Q., A.I.F. Depots in U.K.

27/14

AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE.

Headquarters, A.I.F.,

Attached Australian Corps,

31st May, 1918.

Circ. Memo. 27/14.

With reference to this office 27/13 of 31.5.18

you are informed that correspondence for the D.A.G., A.I.F. 
will continue to be addressed for the present to

"B" Echelon, Headqrs., Australian Corps.

TH. Dodds, Colonel.

D.A.G., A.I.F.

Distribution - All A.I.F. units in France,

Admin. Headqrs., A.I.F.,

H.Q., A.I.F. Depots in U.K.

31/5/18
Staff Conference
B.G.G.S & D.A. & Q.M.G.
1. Day's programme - forenoon in.
afternoon out.
1a No fixed hours. Elastic & accessible.
2nd. Direct dealings kept in close touch with D.A.A.G. - Who else?
Intelligence.
3. Clerk for my use. - & buzzer - [WILSON.]
3a. A.D.C., as Private Secretary.-
4. I to see (a) All from & to Army - except routine.
(b) All instructs issued in my name.

(c) closest possible touch with Tactical Situation.
at all hours.
5. My A.D.C. - collecting data for my use from
all members of staff concerned.
5a Intelligence summaries. AQ notes.
6. Notify Divisions I have taken over.
7. Morning & Evening situation reports - to A.D.C.
8. Using messengers, instead of seeing me personally - prefer
to read lengthy papers alone - except when immediate
decision is required.
9. Meeting officers of Corps H.Q.