General, Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 19, 23 June - 7 July 1918 - Part 1

Copy 
Copy No. 2.
SECRET L.715.
General Staff,
Headquarters,
Fourth Army.
190(G).
23.6.18.
G.H.Q.
1. I beg to submit herewith for the C.-in-C's approval
the proposed plan for an operation on the front of the
Australian Corps South of the SOMME.
2. The advantages claimed are briefly as follows:-
(a) The straightening and shortening of our line.
(b) The deepening of our defences East of HILL 104.
(c) Increasing the ground available for artillery
positions which are at present limited, and the
improvement of our observation.
(d) Disorganisation of the enemy's defences and of any
possible plans for a hostile offensive against the
VILLERS BRETONNEUX plateau.
(e) Inflicting losses on the enemy's troops and disorganising 
still further the divisions in the line, viz., 24th,
77th and 108th, whose moral, especially that of the first
two, is already considerably shaken.
(f) Maintenance of the initiative on the Australian
Corps front.
3.  The only point that has to be considered against the
above advantages is the question of whether we are justified in
incurring casualties in the Australian Corps in view of the
present man-power situation.
The situation in the Australian Corps at the present
time is as follows:-

One brigade 3rd Australian Division and two brigades of
4th Australian Division have now been reduced to three battalions
each.
4.  After going into General Monash's proposals I am of
opinion that if the operation is successful, the casualties should
not be great, as it is intended to make the operation essentially
a surprise tank attack. I consider that the advantages gained will
be well worth the cost.

-2- 
5.  The objectives are shown in blue on attached map.
6. The troops to be employed will be 4th Australian
Division (3 brigades), 3rd Australian Division (1 brigade), 2nd
Australian Division (2 battalions). Of these, only 2½ brigades
will actually take part in the attack. The remaining two brigades
(of 4th Australian Division) will be held in readiness to take over
and hold the objectives when gained. The whole of the troops
engaged will be under the command of G.O.C. 4th Australian
Division.
7.  From 4 - 6 companies of Mark V tanks will be employed
to cover the infantry advance. These can be found from the three
battalions of 5th Tank Brigade now under my command. Practices
for infantry working with tanks are being commenced at once.
8.  The zero hour for the attack will be about 60 - 70
minutes before sunrise and will not be preceded by any bombardment.
9. (a) At zero an artillery barrage, including smoke,
will be brought down on the objectives to be attacked and will be
lifted according to time table in front of the advance of the
tanks. There will be no creeping barrage. When the objectives
have been reached a protective barrage will be brought down some
400 yards beyond the objectives.
(b) At zero the bulk of the Heavy Artillery will be
employed in neutralising and destroying the hostile artillery,
using gas.
(c) The III Corps Heavy Artillery will assist in
dealing with hostile groups North of the SOMME.
(d) The French will be asked to assist by neutralising
the hostile groups about MARCELCAVE and WIENCOURT.
(e) A smoke barrage will be put down on each flank of
attack by Field Artillery and trench mortars.
(f) It is calculated that there is sufficient artillery
available within the Army for the operation, provided that
permission is given to employ the following brigades now in the
Army area:-
47th Divisional Artillery.             ( In G.H.G.
3rd Cavalry Divisional Artillery. ( Reserve.
The A.F.A. Brigade in Army Rest
Area which is in G.H.Q. Reserve.
Six brigades are already available on the divisional
front to support the attack; three (one of them in G.H.Q. Reserve
see above) can be brought up from the rest area for the operations.
This will give a total of 12 F.A. Brigades, or about one gun or
howitzer every 25 yards.
The Australian Corps will have nine brigades R.G.A.
available, which can be supplemented by three brigades R.G.A. from
the Artillery Rest Area (two of which are in G.H.Q. Reserve). This,
with the assistance of the French and III Corps, should be
sufficient.
The artillery on the remainder of the Army front
cannot be weakened and will remain as at present.
10. Sufficient machine guns can be found from the
reserves available in the Army.

-3-
11. I should be glad of the assistance of a Handley
Page Squadron for bombing purposes. This squadron could
arrive the evening before at BERTANGLES and would be of
material assistance in bombing villages and woods where the
enemy's reserves are known to be quartered.
12. The proposed date for the operation is the
2nd July.
13. The essence of the plan is surprise, and the
success of the operation will, in my opinion, depend entirely
on whether it is possible to keep it secret. I would therefore
urge that if the C.-in-C. approves of the operation being
carried out and agrees to the date, it should, weather permitting, 
be carried out on that date, and not be treated as
one of the minor operations which have been prepared and are to
be held ready awaiting orders from General Foch.
14. I should be glad to be informed as early as
possible whether the following can be made available for the
operation:-
47th Divisional Artillery.
3rd Cavalry Divisional artillery.
x The A.F.A.Brigade in G.H.Q.Reserve in
Artillery Rest Area.
x The two brigades R.G.A. in G.H.Q.
Reserve in Artillery Rest Area.
One Handley Page Squadron R.A.F.
15. I understand that the brigades of artillery
marked x have this evening been ordered to leave the Army Area
and one other F.A. Brigade in addition. In order to carry
out the operation these Brigades will have to be replaced from
outside the Army as a temporary measure.
(Signed) H. RAWLINSON
General,
Commanding Fourth Army.
H.Q. Fourth Army,
23rd June, 1918.
Copy to:
Lieut.-General Sir J. Monash, K.C.B.,V.D.,
Commanding Australian Corps.

23/6/18
6^th Bde Paton 21 Duggan  )
                            22 Wiltshire) Vict.
                            23 Brazenor)
                            24 James     )
Personal - Corps Command
Corporate Collectively
Ville sur Ancre
General situation
Prestige of Austr. Arms.
Standard of soldierly behaviour
public opinion.
Rest period - hope enjoy
Victorian Brigade.

23/6/18.
Rosenthal
Hobbs & Complaints re Handover
Paton
Report to Maclagan re operations
Gellibrand
McNicoll's case - Conversation
with him
I see him tomorrow
11^th Bde - out 27^th - train
28.29.30.1.2.3. = 6 days.
Woolcock to report to Maclagan.
News re Comm
Tine for Vict -
Bxxxxxxxxxx

25/6/18
General B.
Hobbs leave
McNicoll & Gellibrand
McGlinn's letter
Mossley wounded
Travers return to Aust.
Maclagan & Sanday.
Hamel offensive - no news.
Accident re gassing 3^rd Div.
re Chief & his supporting my retention. -
 C.B.B.W.
Gellibrand's manner
Carruthers 
Ross & Dunlirones
[*not seen*]

25/6/18
7th AUSTRALIAN BRIGADE CONCERT PARTY.
Present a Vaudeville Programme.

*******

PROGRAMME.

1. Overture. ... "The Merry Widow" ... ... Orchestra.
2. McINTYRE. ... ... ... ... ... ... Baritone.

3. WARRINGTON. ... ... ... ... ... ... Comedian.

x. In Harry Weldon''s burlesque

"Breakin' into a 'ouse"

4. PERKS. .. ... ... ... ... ... ... Caricaturist.

5. EADES. .. ... ... ... ... With and without a

Piano.

6. REID. .. ... ... ... ... ... ... Monologuist.

7. BAIRNSFATHER... ... ... ... ... ... Comedian.

8. KLAUER. ... ... ... ... ... ... Baritone.

9. Selection. ... ... ... ... ... ... Orchestra.

10. A burlesque entitled -

"The Dress Rehearsal"

11. Selection. "Popular Melodies" Orchestra.

12. An Original Trench Scene entitled -

"The Humour of it"

GOD SAVE THE KING. 

26/6/18
Major-General G. MONASH, C.B., V.D.,
Commanding Australian CORPS.
I Beg to enclose herewith ^^{copies of my} lists of recommendations
for french military and civil decorations.
M.F. Sur Gue.
Lieut.
O.C. French Mission,
att. Australian Corps.
MISSION MILITAIRE FRANCAIS 
attarchée à I'ARMEE BRITANNIQUE
AUSTRALIAN CORPS
8571
26-6-18.
J.M
File

Mission Militaire Française
attachée à
l'Armée Britannique
22 Juin 1918.
CORPS AUSTRALIEN
PROPOSITIONS POUR DECORATIONS CIVILES.

-----------

PROPOSITIONS POUR CROIX DE GUERRE. 

- - - - - - - - - 

Mission Militaire Française
attachée à
l'Armée Britannique
Le 22 Juin 1918.
CORPS AUSTRALIEN
PROPOSITIONS POUR CITATIONS.
Major A.B. DOUGLAS-BROWN, D.S.O., A.P.M., 2nd. Australian Division
Officier Supérieur de l'Armée régulière Australienne, au
front depuis le début de la guerre. N'a cessé de donner, en
toutes circonstances, le plus bel exemple de courage et d'abnégation, 
notamment à ARMENTIERES, ALBERT, BAPAUME, NIEPPF, et sur
la SOMME, où il assure sous de violents bombardements le sauvetage
des personnes et la protection de la propriété civile. Officier
distingué, d'une haute valeur morale qui a rendu à la France de
grande et inappréciables services.
Lieutenant E.J. McKay, 31st. Batton, A.I.F., Assistant A.P.M.,
5th Australian Division
Officier modeste et brave, s'est dévoué sans compter à CORBIE
au cours des mois d'Avril et Mai. Par son attitude courageuse et
son inlassable énergie a, sous un bombardement constant, maintenu
l'ordre et donné l'exemple aux équipes de travailleure qu'il
dirigeait. Très sérieucement atteint par des gaz toxiques, a
refusé à plusieurs reprises de se laieser évacuer, n'a quitté
con poste qu'à la relève de sa division.
Captain D.T. Mc AULIFFE, 4th. Australian Pioneer Battalion, attached 
4th. Aust. Div. Salvage Coy.
Détaché à CORBIE du 11 su 24 Avril, y a donné un bel exemple
de courage, d'initiative et de méprie du danger. Sous de très
violentes concentrations d'obus toxiques, a maintenu au complet
son équipe de travailleurs, payant partout de sa personne et
permettant le sauvetage de matières intéressant au plus haut
point le défense nationale.
Captain J. WALLEY, 3rd. Australian Salvage Coy.
A organisé du 28 Mars au 20 Mai l'évacuation du bétail et
des denrées de la zone avancée de la division. A sauvé des
vieillards infirmes abandonnés sous le feu de l'ennemi. Notamment
à TREUX, BUIRE et RIBEMONT, s'est dépensé sans compter sous de
très violents bombardements pour permettre la récupération de
matières premières intéressant au plus haut point la défense
nationale.