General, Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 20, 15 August - 8 September 1918 - Part 6










Conference 26/8/18
1. Withdrawal of Tanks
1a 41st Div at Cappy - ordered
to reinforce -
doesn't look like withdrawal.
2. Alteration of Strategic Policy
(a) 4th Army done its share
Reserves drawn in
(b) 3rd Army now to take burden
& 4th Army only to form flank
(c) Await results elsewhere
3. No object in hastening enemy's
evacuation of
bad ground SW. of Somme. -
No object in our entering bad
ground W. of Somme
Possible advance of French
4. Aim to further reduce Corps Front.
by French taking over to main road
∴ 3 Div. Front, - 3 in line, 3 resting.∴ Exploit
5. Advance N. of Somme to Maricourt?
∴ Exploitation to line as chosen. -
(a) by set piece attack
(b) by peaceful penetration.
but must keep touch
h.t.v.
5th Div. Gas. —
AUSTRALIAN CORPS
Wounded admitted to Field Ambulances - Operations
Formation |
From 6 pm 25-8-18 |
From Zero 23-8-18 |
||
Officers |
O. Ranks. |
Officers |
O. Ranks. |
|
1st Australian Division |
8 |
397 |
73 |
1712 |
2nd Australian Division |
|
|
|
2 |
3rd Australian Division |
2 |
39 |
12 |
336 |
4th Australian Division |
9 |
207 |
10 |
228 |
5th Australian Division |
|
1 |
5 |
34 |
Australian Total |
19 |
644 |
100 |
2311 |
. . . . Division |
|
|
|
|
. . . . Division |
|
|
|
|
32nd Division |
12 |
650 |
54 |
1297 |
Corps Troops |
|
21 |
3 |
94 |
Other Formations |
|
30 |
26 |
399 |
French Troops |
|
|
13 |
320 |
Grand Total |
31 |
1364 |
196 |
4433 |
Prisoners of War |
|
11 |
5 |
454 |
A. G. Collins Major
for COLONEL,
D.D.M.S., Australian Corps.
Headquarters,
26/8/18.
Copies to:- A.C.C.
B.G., G.S.
A.
Inf. Bureau.
(*JM*)
BGGS.
Policy for 3rd Div, for
immediate future:-
Except for dispositions ^for observation &
local defence & to enable advance
to be continued within Corps Boundary, in
conformity with any further advance of 3rd
Corps, 3rd Div. will arrange for maximum
number of troops to rest and refit aaa
Artillery inder 3rd Div. must however remain
active and some of it well advanced.
JM
27/8/18
Please return.
(* Received from Army
Commander 287/8/18*)
36
SECRET.
Ia/54473.
Weekly
Summary of
Information,
26th August, 1918.
Operations.—As a result of
minor operations south
of Outtersteene and the enemy's
withdrawal in the neighbourhood
of Merville, our line now runs
south from Outtersteene, east
of Neuf Berquin, east of Merville,
west of the Lawe to le Touret.
Our line has also been
advanced by means of
successful local
operations west of
Dranoutre, east of
Givenchy lez-La Basse,
where the old British
front line has now been
reoccupied, north of
Fampoux and
south of Neuville-Vitasse.
On the 21st August, an attack was
launched between Moyenneville
and Beaucourt-sur-Ancre,
the villages of Courcelles and Achiet-le-
Petit being captured, and an advance made to a
maximum depth of 3 miles. On the 22nd August,
we attacked between Albert and Bray, and
advanced to an average depth of 3,000 yards.
On the 23rd August, the attack north of the
Ancre was continued with success, and
the villages of Boiry, Boyelles, Ervillers, Achiet le-Grand
and Bihucourt fell into our hands. Our troops crossed
the Ancre and seized the heights
east of Albert, while south of the
Somme the enemy
was driven from
Chuignes, Chuignolles
and Herleville. On
the 24th August,
further progress was
made between
the River Cojeul and
Albert, and our line
advanced to Henin—
western outskirts of Croisilles—
east of Behagnies and
Sapignies—western outskirts of Avesnes ez-
Bapaume—Warlencourt—1
mile west of le Sars
—east of Courcelette—
Contalmaison. Bray was
also captured during
the day. By the evening
of the 25th, le
Barque, Costahmaison,
Mametz and Carnoy
were in our possession.
During these
operations, 381 officers, over
18,000 other
ranks and 68 guns have been
captured.
The French
have made considerable
progress along
the whole front between
Lassigny and
Soissons ; they
have reached the
River Divette,
which has been crossed at
Evricourt, and hold
the line of the Oise
as far east as Pont St. Mard;
thence the line runs
south to Soissons.
Distribution of
the enemy's forces.–
In the British attack
between the Scarpe and
the Somme, 22 German divisions
have been identified since the 21st
August. Ten of these
were originally in line, and 6 fresh
and 7 tired divisions from reserve have
reinforced the front.
In addition to the above
22 divisions, 4 divisions, which
were engaged in
the Franco-British
attack south of the Somme on
the 8th August,
and between them lost 8,000
prisoners, have
again been thrown into the battle.
Between the Somme and the Oise,
a total of 41 divisions, and between
the Oise and the
Aisne, a total of 15 divisions have
been engaged since the 8th August.
Thus, a total of 78 divisions, 24 of
which were fresh from reserve,
have been engaged
between the Scarpe and
he Aisne since the 8th August.
One more German division
has been disbanded, thus
reducing the total number of German
divisions on the Western front to 200
infantry and 4 dismounted
cavalry divisions,
of which
18 infantry divisions and
I dismounted cavalry division in
Reserve are fit for offensive
operations.
There are indications,
however, that 4 more German
divisions have been, or are in the
course of being, disbanded,
which would reduce the total number
of German divisions in the
Western Theatre from 200 to 196, and
the battalions from 1,856 to 1,820.
Two Austro-Hungarian divisions have now
been identified in line in quiet sectors on the
Western front, at Verdun and in Woëvre.
Besides these 2 divisIons,
there are considered to
be 2 others in the Western Theatre.
Rear organizations.–Between the Ypres—
Comines Canal and the La Bassée
Canal,
considerable activity on defences is
reported.
In the Lys salient, no attempt has been
made to
construct an organized trench system,
but the enemy's apparent intention
is to create a heavily
wired outpost zone covering the
general line Lestrem—Estaires—
Steenwerck—Neuve Eglise.
In this connection, it is interesting to
note that prisoners have referred to
the bringing up by
barge of concrete blocks
and cement for the purpose
of repairing old
lines in the
neighbourhood
of Armentières.
Ammunition
dumps south
west of Lille show
an increase, 2
more forward
hospitals
have been
withdrawn and
have
reopened
on the
Aubers Ridge,
important
bridges over the
Lawe have
been blown
up, while fires
and explosions
have been
general along
the whole front
from Houthem to the La
Bassée Canal Railway
improvements continue
to be effected west of
Lille, and a new railhead
is in process of
forming at Pérenchies.
The big dump at Ytres
appears to be in
the process of removal.
South of the Somme,
large numbers of new
bridges have been
thrown over the river
between Frise and Voyennes,
and work has taken
place on
trenches east of the river. The
movement back of
aerodromes and hospitals
from west and south of
the river is still very
pronounced. Aerodrome
accommodation has
considerably increased south-
west and north-east
of St. Quentin.
Artillery.–Activity
clearly indicates
continued
apprehension on the
Kemmel front, and
to a lesser degree
in the Scarpe Valley.
There is a
marked distribution in
depth along the
whole front. Shelling of back
areas has been
practically confined to the Foret
de Nieppe–Lens
area
Locations in the Lys salient are
approximately on the line la Crèche—
Steenwerck—Estaires,
and thence east of
and parallel to the Estaires—
La Bassée road.
On the battle front,
artillery is keeping well back
and avoiding as
far as possible risk of
capture.
Wireless.—
There is fairly definite evidence
that the enemy
is anxious to convey an
impression of
strength north of Bailleul.
He is still apprehensive
between La Bassée
and the battle front
south of the Scarpe.
The continued heavy
registration south of
the Somme indicates
no immediate voluntary
withdrawal in that sector.
[P.T.O.
Conclusion. The enemy had made
preparations to meet an offensive
south of Arras and
had reinforced his reserves
between Douai
and the Somme, which had
been dangerously reduced
as a result of our attack on the 8th
August, by 7 divisions, of which 3 had
been moved from
Flanders and 4 had
been transferred
from the Crown
Prince's Group.
Since the 21st August,
no further divisions
have been
withdrawn
from the Crown
Prince's Group,
but 3 more divisions
from Flanders and 1
division from
Alsace have reinforced,
while 4 divisions t
hat were heavily
engaged on the 8th August
and following days
have been put into
the battle again. The
re-engagement of the latter
divisions proves that
the enemy is
endeavouring
to build up a reserve
of good divisions,
without which he cannot
hope to regain the initiative,
and is prepared to use
up tired divisions to the
utmost in order to
do this. Many of
his divisions,
however, between
the Scarpe and
Soissons win have
to be relieved
if he stands on
his present line.
The enemy is
likely, therefore, to
withdraw to an
organized
defensive position,
such as the
Drocourt—Quéant
Line and Hindenburg Line,
or possibly to a water line such as the
Canal du Nord, the
Somme and
the Nesle—Noyon Canal, as soon
as he can disengage his troops.
Such a withdrawal cannot be
carried out under pressure,
and our
attack will undoubtedly meet
with resistance, especially on
the northern flank where our
advance begins to threaten
the Drocourt—
Quéant Line. The
enemy made only
local counter-attacks
against our advance
on the 8th August,
and as the state
of his reserves
has not improved
since then,It is unlikely that he
will attempt a co unter-attack
in strength to relieve the situation
on the present battle front.
The enemy is engaging his
reinforcing divisions as soon as
hey reach
the battle front and he
will probably
continue his
local attacks with the object of
bringing our advance
to a standstill before beginning a
deliberate withdrawal.
The reduction of the enemy's
eserves in Flanders has increased
his nervousness in the
Kemmel sector; there are no signs
of any further withdrawal in the
Lys salient at present.
Between the La Bassée Canal and
the Scarpe, the enemy's
attitude is still
defensive. He
apparently anticipates
the extension of
the left flank of our
present attack to
north of the Scarpe.
The arrival of Austrian
divisions in the
Western Theatre
will not do more
than compensate
for the disbanding
of German divisions,
of which 5 have been
recently reported
to have been
broken up. There are no
indications of the
transfer of any German
divisions to either the
Russian or Italian Theatres.
General Staf (Intelligence),
General Headquarters.
26th August, 1918.
"A" Form
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS
TO 3rd Australian Division.
Sender's Number
G.545
Day of Month
Aug. 27/18
AAA
Except for dispositions
for observation and
local advance and
to enable the advance to be
continued within
the Corps boundary in
conformity with the
advance of the 3rd Corps
3rd Australian Division
will arrange for a
maximum number of
troops to rest and refit aaa
Artillery under 3rd Aust. Divn.
must remain
active and some of it
well advanced aaa
Further advance may
necessitate passing through
3rd Corps territory aaa
\The actual battle
front of the Corps should
not be extended beyond
the boundary already laid
down aaa Acknowledge
From GOC
T A Blamey [[?]]
Casualties 1 8/18 - 24 8/18
Up to 15-8.18 |
To to 27 8/18 | ||
Fresh | Total | ||
1st Aust Div. | 110 | 85 | 195 |
1914 | 2018 | 3932 | |
2nd “ “ | 79 | 3 | 82 |
1174 | 22 | 1196 | |
3rd “ “ | 60 | 49 | 109 |
1231 | 972 | 2203 | |
4th “ “ | 50 | 4819 | 69 |
1004 | 504 | 1508 | |
5th “ “ | 66 | 3 | 69 |
847 | 96 | 943 | |
524 | |||
9782 | |||
10306 |
Nal
AUSTRALIAN CORPS
Wounded admitted to Field Ambulances - Operations
Formation |
From 6 pm 26-8-18 |
From Zero 23-8-18 |
||
Officers |
O. Ranks. |
Officers |
O. Ranks. |
|
1st Australian Division |
3 |
63 |
76 |
1775 |
2nd Australian Division |
1 |
15 |
1 |
17 |
3rd Australian Division |
4 |
102 |
16 |
438 |
4th Australian Division |
1 |
56 |
11 |
284 |
5th Australian Division |
1 |
20 |
6 |
54 |
Australian Total |
10 |
256 |
110 |
2568 |
. . . . Division |
|
|
|
|
. . . . Division |
|
|
|
|
32nd Division |
4 |
79 |
58 |
1376 |
Corps Troops |
|
11 |
3 |
105 |
Other Formations |
3 |
71 |
29 |
470 |
French Troops |
|
|
12 |
320 |
Grand Total |
17 |
417 |
215 |
4839 |
Prisoners of War |
|
1 |
5 |
455 |
A. G. Collins Major
for COLONEL,
D.D.M.S., Australian Corps.
Headquarters,
27/8/18.
Copies to:- A.C.C.
B.G., G.S.
A.
Inf. Bureau.
[*JM
28/8/18*]
AUSTRALIAN CORPS
Wounded admitted to Field Ambulances - Operations
Formation |
From 6 pm 26-8-18 |
From Zero 23-8-18 |
||
Officers |
O. Ranks. |
Officers |
O. Ranks. |
|
1st Australian Division |
3 |
60 |
76 |
1772 |
2nd Australian Division |
|
3 |
|
5 |
3rd Australian Division |
1 |
64 |
13 |
400 |
4th Australian Division |
|
|
10 |
228 |
5th Australian Division |
|
6 |
5 |
40 |
Australian Total |
4 |
133 |
104 |
2445 |
. . . . Division |
|
|
|
|
. . . . Division |
|
|
|
|
32nd Division |
|
40 |
54 |
1337 |
Corps Troops |
|
8 |
3 |
102 |
Other Formations |
2 |
39 |
28 |
438 |
French Troops |
|
|
13 |
320 |
Grand Total |
6 |
220 |
202 |
4642 |
Prisoners of War |
|
|
5 |
454 |
A. G. Collins Major
for COLONEL,
D.D.M.S., Australian Corps.
Headquarters,
27/8/18.
Copies to:- A.C.C.
B.G., G.S.
A.
Inf. Bureau.
[*JM
27/8/18*]

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