General, Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 19, 23 June - 7 July 1918 - Part 15

SECRET
G8/7
Australian Corps,
7th july, 1918.
Fourth Army.
Monument Wood Offensive.
1.-  I beg to submit in outline a plan for offensive action,
involving the capture of ground on a frontage of about 4000
yards, to an average depth of 700 yards east of VILLERS
BRETONNEUX. It is submitted, however, that this plan should
be considered only as the first stage of a comprehensive
operation to eliminate the enemy salient to the east of CACHY
and VILLERS BRETONNEUX.
As it may be very difficult to arrange for synchronised
action by this Corps and the 3lst French Corps d'Armee,it is
suggested that the objectives proposed for the respective Corps
should be considered together,i.e., as a complete operation; but
that the carrying out of the task for this corps should take
place first in order of time, the action of the French Corps
(which would thereby be greatly facilitated) following after a
very short interval of time.
2.- It is further pointed out that action by this Corps
alone, without any subsequent action by the French, would form
for us an awkward, and in some aspects, a very undesirable
salient; disadvantages which would largely counteract the
advantages to us of the proposed operation.
3.-  The advantages to us are :-
(a) Shortening and straightening of our line:
(b) deepening our defences east of VILLERS BRETONNEUX:
(c) ejecting the enemy from the remainder of the high
ground which he still holds in P.31 (hill 105):
(d) maintenance of the initiative.
4.-  Accompanying map shows:-
(a) in black, approximate present British and French
front line:
(b) in red, proposed final objective for Australian
Corps, in the first stage:
(c) in blue, proposed final objective for the French
Corps, in the second stage.
5.-  The red objective will involve the capture of the
Monument and wood, and the remainder of Hill 105 in P.31 and
P.26. The new frontage will be 4550 yards, until the completion
of the second stage,when it will be reduced to 3000 yards. A
temporary encroachment of about 150 yards upon and south of the
French Corps tactical boundary is also involved.
6.- The red objective task will involve the employment of
one brigade of Infantry of the 2nd Australian Division with
three battalions in front line, and one battalion in immediate
support of the Monument Wood flank. An additional battalion
of the 2nd Australian Division would be placed at the disposal
of the attacking Brigadier, as a Reserve to deal with any
unexpected emergency. The brigade allotted for this task to
be the 5th Australian Infantry Brigade, (Brigadier-General
MARTIN). This brigade is at present in the line.
 

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7.-  In view of the occurrence of an inter-divisional relief
in 'B' Divisional Sector, of the fact that one other brigade of
the 2nd Australian Division was employed in the battle of July 4th
and urgently requires a few days rest, and of the fact that at
least 4 days will be required to prepare the 5th Brigade for the
operation, it is considered that the operation cannot take place
before July l5th; but that it would be better to plan it to take
place on July 17th, so that proper co-ordination of all arms can
be assured.
8.-  It is proposed again to employ Tanks, in order to reduce
casualties to the Infantry. It is considered that one battalion
of Tanks should be held in readiness for employment, including
supports and reserves, and counter-attack tanks. Probably 21 or
24 Tanks will be sufficient in the actual advance with the Infantry.
9.-  It is also proposed to employ a normal advancing artillery
barrage. The frontage will require 9 brigades of field artillery,
all of which could, if obligatory, be provided from Corps resources,
but the loan of two brigades of field artillery from Army resources
would materially simplify the artillery dispositions, and obviate
any encroachment upon the normal artillery defences of the Corps.
10.-  All other subsidiary arrangements would be on normal lines,
i.e., counter-battery work, M.G. barrages, use of smoke, employment
of aircraft etc, etc. None of these matters would present any
difficulty.
11.-  Very special attention will have to be given to the
working out of plans to disguise our preparations, and to conceal
during battle, the actual frontage of the attack, with a view to
dislocating the enemy artillery reaction. It is hoped that, in
this, novel expedients will suggest themselves, after fuller
consideration of the matter.
12.-  As, in view of the necessity for secrecy, I have
refrained from discussing these proposals, in detail, with any
of my subordinate commanders concerned, they must be regarded, for
the present, as tentative only, and subject to modification in
detail.
Lieutenant-General,
Commanding Australian Corps.