General, Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 20, 15 August - 8 September 1918 - Part 4










22.8.18
Gen Monash
At 12 noon Gen Currie arrived
and expressed his regrets at not
see you. He wishes to have a talk
for ½ an hour with you, but will
now not be able to see you for some
time.
He is writing to you.
He spoke of his pleasure in being alongside
the Australians & said they are the
only troops who are never behind the
Canadians in an effort.
He is lunching at Army, & going
North.
[[Amis?]]
Yarra Borderers
....Company, 56TH INFANTRY
DRILL HALL,
GIPPS STREET,. RICHMOND,
All communications to be addressed to O.C.
....Coy, 56th Infantry, Gipps St., Richmond.
...191
From
to
"A" Form.
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS
TO
(General Griffiths
(Administrative Headquarters
(London
Please inform Byrne of
Times Office agree OConnor
going to Scotland but restrict
messages to striking phrases
of speeches and personal
incidents am endeavouring return
Tuesday please inform Deane
Prime Minister secretary whole
cost probably 250 sterling
first essential get GHQ
permission and secure Bertangles
Chateau from Murdoch [[aaa?]] Sir
John Monash entirely concurs
Murdoch
From Aust Corps
[*22/8/18*]
SECRET
Fourth Army No. 236(G).
III Corps.
IX Corps.
Australian Corps.
I am directed by the Army Commander to forward the
Following letter, which has been received from the
Commander-in-Chief. for the information of all ranks.
[[signature?]]
Major-General,
General Staff, Fourth Army.
H.Q., Fourth Army,
23rd August, 1918.
"General Sir H.S. RAWLINSON,
Commanding Fourth Army.
O.A.D.911
"I request that Army Commanders will, without delay,
bring to the notice of all subordinate leaders the changed
conditions under which operations are now being carried on
and the consequent necessity for all ranks to act with the utmost
boldness and resolution in order to get full advantage from the
present favourable situation.
"The effect of the two very severe defeats and the
continuous attacks to which the enemy has been subjected during
the past month has been to wear out his troops and disorganise
his plans. Our Second and Fifth Armies have taken their share
in this effort to destroy the enemy and have already gained
considerable ground from him in the LYB Sector of our front.
Today the Tenth French Army crossed the ATLLETTE and reports
that a Bavarian Division fled in panic, carrying back with it
another division which was advancing to its support. Tomorrow
the attack of the Allied Armies on the whole front from SOISSONS
to NUEVILLE-VITASSE (near ARRAS) is to be continued.
"The methods which we have followed hitherto in our
battles with limited objectives when the enemy was strong are
no longer suited to his present condition. The enemy has not
the means to deliver counter-attacks on an extended scale, nor
has he the numbers to hold a continuous position against the
very extended advance which is now being directed upon him.
"To turn the present situation to account the most
resolute offensive is everywhere desirable. Risks which a
month ago would have been criminal to incur ought now to be
incurred as a duty. It is no longer necessary to advance in
regular lines and step by step. On the contrary, each
division should be given a distant objective which must be
reached independently of its neighbour and even if one's flank
is thereby exposed for the time being.
"Reinforcements must be directed on the points where
our troops are gaining ground, not where they are checked.
A vigorous offensive against the sectors where the enemy is
weak will cause hostile strong points to fall, and, in due
course, our whole Army will be able to continue its advance.
This procedure will result in speedily breaking up the hostile
forces and will cost us much less than if we attempted to deal
with the present situation in a half hearted manner.
"The situation is most favourable. Let each one of
us set energetically and without hesitation push forward to our
objective.
(sd) D. HAIG.
22nd August, 1918.
23/8/18
Army Commander
3[[?]] - Div. - Lewis Gunners for 2 planes.
one last night
one tonight. -
[* 43 R
21
107
185*]
[* 59
1946
2006*]
not included wounded up to 1 o'clock
& still coming in
Brigadiers say more dead than ever they have seen
before.
We have 3 Bn Commanders. -
Today we struck 10 Regiments
No new Division within ear.shot of Wireless
Question of [[Boundary?]] with French
[*24/8/18*]
AUSTRALIAN CORPS
Wounded admitted to Field Ambulances - Operations.
Formation | Zero 23-8-18 to 6pm 23-8-18. | |
Officers | Other Ranks | |
1st Australian Division | 32 | 519 |
2nd Australian Division | 2 | |
3rd Australian Division | 35 | |
4th Australian Division | 14 | |
5th Australian Division | 2 | 18 |
32nd Division | 11 | 207 |
Corps Troops | 22 | |
Other Formations | 3 | 63 |
Australian Total | 34 | |
Grand Total | 48 | 880 |
Prisoners of War | 2 | 120 |
A. J. Collins Majorfor Colonel,
D.D.M.S. Australian Corps.
Headquarters,
August 23rd 1918.
Copies to:- A.G.C.
B.G., G.S.
A.
[*JM
24/8/18*]
24/8/18
15" Naval
or permanent duty or [[?]] Concrete bed
traverse of 90o each way. -
Blown up by enemy on Aug 8 or 9
Barrel 70ft long.
.277o Magnetic: -
[[Broad Gunners Reg?]] to you - no Ammunition.
"A" Form
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS
Office of Origin
D.R.L.S.
URGENT
[* [[?]] *]
SECRET
To G.O.C.
Senders No. 0.440
Day of Month 24
In reply to Number
AAA
Operation detailed in Battle Instructions,
Series "C", No. 7, paragraph 3, dated 22nd
instant will take place at 2.30 a.m. on the
night 24/25th instant AAA Programme of
attack will be arranged by 3rd Australian
Division in co-operation with right flank
division of III Corps AAA G.O.C., R.A.,
will issue instructions for co-operation of
heavy artillery AAA acknowledge AAA
Added. 3rd Australian Division, G.O.C., R.A.,
III Corps, Repeated all recipients of Battle
Instructions, Series "C", No. 7.
From Aust. Corps.
(Z) [[?]]B.G.G.S.
Signature of Addressor or person authorised to telegraph in his name.
[*JM
24/8/18*]
AUSTRALIAN CORPS
Wounded admitted to Field Ambulances - Operations.
Formation | 6 pm 23-8-18 to 12 noon 24th | Zero 23-8-18 to 12 noon 24th. | ||
Officers | O. Ranks | Officers | O. Ranks | |
1st Australian Division | 32 | 409 | 56 | 928 |
2nd Australian Division | - | - | - | 2 |
3rd Australian Division | 5 | 90 | 5 | 125 |
4th Australian Division | - | 3 | - | 17 |
5th Australian Division | 1 | 10 | 3 | 28 |
££Australian Total | 30 | 512 | 1100 | |
32nd Division | 4 | 64 | 15 | 271 |
Corps Troops | - | 32 | - | 54 |
Other Formations | 6 | 116 | 9 | 179 |
Grand Total | 40 | 724 | 88 | 1604 |
Prisoners of War | 273 | 2 | 393 |
A.J. Collins Major
for COLONEL,
D.D.M.S., Australian Corps.
Headquarters,
August 24th 1918.
Copies to:- A.C.C.
B.G., G.S.
A.
Inf. Bureau.
[*JM*]
AUSTRALIAN CORPS
Wounded admitted to Field Ambulances - Operations.
Formation | 6 pm 23-8-18 to 6 am 24-8-18. | Zero 23-8-18 to 6 am 24-8-18. | ||
Officers | O. Ranks | Officers | O. Ranks | |
1st Australian Division | 24 | 383 | 56 | 902 |
2nd Australian Division | - | - | 2 | |
3rd Australian Division | 14 | 49 | ||
4th Australian Division | 3 | 17 | ||
5th Australian Division | 1 | 8 | 3 | 26 |
Australian Total | 25 | 408 | 59 | 996 |
32nd Division | 4 | 62 | 15 | 269 |
Corps Troops | 16 | 38 | ||
Other Formations | 3 | 41 | 6 | 104 |
Grand Total | 32 | 527 | 80 | 1407 |
Prisoners of War | 259 | 2 | 379 |
A.J. Collins Major
Colonel,
D.D.M.S., Australian Corps.
Headquarters,
August 24th 1918.
Copies to:- A.G.C.
B.G., G.S.,
A.

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