General, Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 21, 10 September - 3 October 1918 - Part 5

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
RCDIG0000637
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

N PROGRAMME OF EVENTS. Event Event Event. Time. No. Event. Tine. No. 2 p.nn. 24 Westhoeke AIule Race First heat l0am. 1 Ville Sur Ancre Sprint Final 2 13 13 Ypres Struggle Second heat 405 Pozieres Team Race Thid heat 2 23 10 10 Musica! Chairs on Crcles First heat 10 15 14 Sack Racc 8 Lagnicourt Stakes, 100y ds. Oficers First heat 2 40 Second heat 10 20 Second heat First heat 17 Egg and Spoon Cyche 2 43 10 23 Thidheat Second heat 2 30 10 30 19 Best Sustained Character 2 50 First round Ypres Struggle Tug of War 10 33 5 Broodseinde Tlhrce Afiles Villers Bretonneux Gallop, 220y de. Fist heat 2 50 10 35 Finn! Wrestling on lforscback Second heat 2 30 10 40 Final Ville Sur Ancre Sprinz, 100, ds First round 10 43 Wrestling on Horrebuck Best Sustained Characters start Norieul Half-mile Championship [ferdeucourt Fluster; 3 fürlongs 11 10 Ypres Struggle Tug of War . Sccond round 3 15 Final Villers Bretonneux Gallop, 220r ds 11 15 Clery Sur Somme Broad Jump Dapanme Plate for flunters The Morlancourt 440y ds. First heat 11 13 Final Lagnicourt Stakes, Offcers Second heat 3 30 11 20 Fhwl 6 Zonnebeke IIurdles, 120; ds 3 33 11 23 26 Flag Race Fist heat Tea Interval. I1 30 Peronne IIop, Step aud Jump 11 33 Final Final Sack Raco The Morlancourt 440y ds. 4 15 Fina! 23 Flers Trot, one mile 11 40 Egg and Spoon Race 11 45 6 Zonuebeke Hurdles, 120 Hurdles First heat Peaceful Penetration Obstacle Rice 4 25 11 50 Second heat Threadneedle Race Final Third heat 11 53 440 26 Flag Race Luncheon Interval. PRESENTATION OF PRIZES. 9 pin, 13 Three Legged Race Fiual )
LIST OF OFFICIALS. Ground Marshal: Major J. Lesper-Fisher, D.II. O. Statters; Alhletic - Mnjor C. A. Chowes, NI.C. DiV. Arillery: Major W. P. NeCallum, NI. C., Sth A. I. Ble. ALs- Equestman -Major P. J. Thorn, 26th Battn. cellaneous - Capt. J. Sullivan, AI.N, 21st Battn.; Licut. A.Siadden, NI.C., Div. Sig. Coy. Judges: Allletic- Lt-Col. C. I. E. Manning. D.SO, Div. Train; Lt-Col. J. M. A. Durrant, C.NI.G, D.SO. Div. IId. Ors.; Lt. Col.J. M. C. Corleit, D.SO, Div. Engrs.; Lt. Col. I. L. St V. Welch, D.SO, 6ch Fiell Ambulance; Major S. A. Middleton, 19e Battn; Capt. E. L. Medlyn. N1.C. Div. Train, Equestrian -Maj-Gen. Charles Rosenthal, C.B, C.N. G. D.SO.: Brig.-Gen. E. A. Wisdom, C.B, D.SO.TIh A. T. Bgde; Lt-Col. F.R. Chalmers, 2TIh Bafin: Miajor R. Mitchell llore, Div. Head (hrs. Miscellaneous - Major T. F. Borwick. D.S.O. Div. Iid Ore; Chaplain-Capt. S. L. Buckley, 2Ist Battn; Liept. R. Gillespie, Div. Engis.; Lieut. J.C. Price, Div. Sig. Coy. Omcial Recorder: Capl. E. T. Bazeley, N.C. Div. Heal Ors. Assistant Recorders: Chaplaie-Major Humplreys, 271h Battn; Lieut. E. N. Anmt, 1944 Battn. Dressing Room Stewards: R.S.NI. Colson, 28th Battn; Sgt E. Mioffatt, 20th Batin; Sgt. Porter, 23rd Batin ; Sgt. Mills, 27th Battn. Canteen Oficer: Lieut. H. A. Gleadow, 2ith Battn. Totalisator: Miajor N. C. Harwis, D.SO. N.C. Div. Engrs. Printed in the Field by 25rd Battn. Press
1/913 NOTES ON THE SIEGFRIED LINE BETWEEN BELLICOURT AND BELLENGLISE. --------00000.-- The main line of defence appears to have been selected with West of the object of using the Canal as a protective obstacle. BELLICOURT enemy positions are not protected by natural obstacles. Arrangements have been made for keeping the water in the Ganal, for damming it where necessary, and for inundating the ground near it where possible. West of BELLICOURT, the trenches are sited on a reverse slope. It was not possible to site them further forward at the time as the junction of the Second German Army on the right had to be secured. From an artilery point of view, the SIEGFRIED LINE is considered very strong, by reason of its generally good observation The line was selected to enaple small garrisons to facilities. The main features of the enemy stand against superior numbers. defences are, the construction scheme and the disposition of the troops, which means the rigid defence of the main line. As far as construction went, the idea appears to have been to make it impregnaple by means of concrete dug-outs and wire Tanks can The wire is enormously strong. entanglements. Tanks make their way through it, as was done before CAMBRAI. can oross only by the tunnels or the existing bridges. Where the Canal passes through the two tunnels at LELLENGLISE and LE TRONQUOY, special arrangements for the defence are made, and these cannot be regarded altogethe as weak points in the line, owing to the use that is made of the tunnels for shelters for reserves. There are numerous sub-ways to te tunnels with concealed entrances, while barges inside the tunnels accommodate the men. The ordinary entrances are blocked with barricades. The enemy trenches are well constructed and contain a large number of concrete dug-outs, machine gun emplacements, artillery The wire in front of the trenches, O.Ps., and flank positions. generally speaking, appears to be in strands numbering from 3 to 5, each about 12 yards in width, at intervals of about 20 yards. From the front of the wire to the trench, the distance is in Generally speaking, it is tactical some cases about 180 yards. wire, and in places inter-stranded, with a large number of M.G. emplacements in the wire. The series of ridges, known as COLOGNE RIDGE, LES HAUTES BRUYERES RIDGE, and ridge south of BELLENGLISE, limits the enemy's own ground ooservation towards the west, and affords us a view into and behind his own positions, as well as the possibility of enabling our artillery to come into position close to the enemy's lines, Similarly the ridge in G.28. -
Dege g skg e Aorngennt e balug itigt 3 Basvafe Tine Vabin Teat drast khome t Trlanng Shhet Boovard lürfe Otaetvakin t Brarson Let Hind dreckøn
A5
2 tats. Gunfantrg i Te Bu. Strangtthe at ndon 15.919 3 Kers aferose uganli 5 dusf on furlongh 16-4-12 Approse stengtte 16-918 Jne beamanbate on 20.9 15 for entraunmnent on 27 9-18 on furlongh 6o aot. apbwon. obrength zor aasun no earnallle vr srrdavrtesså dprese. balanee 3 i9ie ufanlreg ho relur 6 Aust on furlonghe Balanee 31 unfanting semnans iig after all iose have laft on furlonshe Assuweveg o lasvalbog 171213. Arfartrrg Lintandig 44 2su Diy 68 0 o. oR 440 90pp 528 10800 U2a4 7523 tut 6848 693 6 101 418 7446 435 674 6 1 217 4i 6434 412 7305 54 1 109 y 131 7058 5933 3036 291
TIME a.m. 5.20 5.46 6.- 6.10 5.32 7.12 7.20 7.50 8.30 9.10 e.30 7.53 10.20 P.m. 1.20 TIME - TABLE of EVENTS FOR BATTLE 18TH SEPTEMBER, 1918. E VE NT Z or.. LE VERGUIER captured. ith Division reaches Green Line at nearest point. 4th Division reaches Brown Line at nearest point. 4th Division on whole Brown Line. HARGICOURT captured. lst Division wholly on Brown Line. Contact Patrol Aeroplane flies along Brown Line. Advance from Brown Line begins. Mobile Artillery commences to pull out. Red Line reached. Protective barrage stops. Contact Patrol Aeroplane flies along Red Line. Heavy Artillery lifts off Blue Line. Contact Patrol Aeroplane flies along Blue Line.
1794. F brga Drord Disfram- Tnke - &o ao dad Fmed Lcre Pooaat boste bomderies Loneoran, Befenane Torsfr:- ser soså t E 1legt g ATteg I Eu. E e.. E b each 1o e Densea 18 Bre for tnåm offort ov Govo Woe I2 (ors to tooutel attack 4 3 Hre d ach frant fr Bifonine Tlank. Zysk Bis rik tare avaitatle 9 Pr - 3 Kr 2V rero Ter Ryt. IKeyt. Rapt 1oytt IKyt for t K At tak
W2 I4 Ir Gun re IGich Offs voen for iltenn tr Alftan Afofstwannnte ovlg 8tt3p wvrilk komes m lntnseie t . nassd . 70! 12 Grnghe Nostte homer eladvste 89 Lee voorsdknanredd 2S Se Homd Corfe AIR
e AUSTRALTAN GORES Wounded admitted to Field Ambulances - Operations From..... . . . . . . . . . . . Formation From Zero. 48-9-18.... To... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . To.6 pg 1849-38. Officers O.Ranks. Officers O. Hanks. 1st Australian Division 3o1 2nd Australian Division 3rd Australian Division 4th Australian Division 5th Australian Division Australian Total ..... . . . . .Division ...... ...Division .. . . . . ... .Division Corps Troops Other Formations French Troops Grand Total 38 764 Prisoners of War 2 128 Aedr Pllnd Mraro COLONEL Headquarters, D.D.M.S.; Australian Corps. 18/9/18. Copies to:- A.C.C. B.G., G.S. Inf.Eureau.

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS.

Time

No.

 Event  
10 a.m.

1

 Ville Sur Ancre Sprint First heat
10 5

1

 " Second heat
10 10

1

 " Third heat
10 15

14

 Sack Race First heat
10 20

14

 " Second heat
10 25

17

 Egg and Spoon Cycle First heat
10 30

17

 " Second heat
10 35

13

 Ypres Struggle Tug of War First round
10 35

2

 Villers Bretonneux Gallop, 220 yds. First heat
10 40

2

 "               " Second heat
10 45

25

 Wrestling on Horseback First round
11

4

 Norieul Half-mile Championship  
11 10

13

 Ypres Struggle Tug of War Second round
11 15

10

 Clery Sur Somme Broad Jump  
11 14

3

 The Morlancourt 440yds. First heat
11 20

3

 " Second heat
11 25

26

 Flag Race Final
11 30

 

 Peronne Hop, Step and Jump  
11 35

14

 Sack Race Final
11 40

17

 Egg and Spoon Race Final
11 45

6

 Zonnebeke Hurdles, 120 Hurdles First heat
11 50

6

 " " Second heat
11 55

6

 " " Third heat
 

 

 Luncheon Interval  
2 p.m.

15

 Three Legged Race Final
Time

No.

 Event  
2 p.m.

24

 Westhoeke Mule Race Final
2 15

13

 Ypres Struggle Final
2 25

7

 Pozieres Team Race  
2 35

18

 Musical Chairs on Cycles  
2 40

8

 Lagnicourt Stakes, 100 yds. Officers First heat
2 45

8

 " " Second heat
2 50

8

 " " Third heat
2 50

19

 Best Sustained Character  
2 50

5

 Broodseinde Three Miles  
2 50

25

 Wrestling on Horseback Final
3

1

 Ville Sur Ancre Sprint, 100yds Final
3

19

 Best Sustained Characters start  
3 15

22

 Herdeucourt Flutter, 3 furlongs.  
3 20

2

 Villers Bretonneux Gallop, 220 yds Final
3 25

21

 Bapaume Plate for Hunters  
3 30

8

 Lagnicourt Stakes, Officers Final
3 35

6

 Zonnebeke Hurdles, 120yds Final
3 40

 

 Tea Interval.  
4 15

3

 The Morlancourt 440yds. Final
4 20

23

 Flers Trot, one mile  
4 25

12

 Peaceful Penetration Obstacle Race  
4 30

27

 Threadneedle Race  
4 40

26

 Flag Race Final

PRESENTATION OF PRIZES.

 

LIST OF OFFICIALS.

Ground Marshal: Major J. Leaper-Fisher, D.II.Q.

Starters: Athletic-Major C. A. Clowes, M.C., Div.

Artillery ; Major W. P. McCallum, M.C., 5th A. I. Bde.

Equestrian-Major P. J. Thorn, 26th Battn. Miscellaneous

-Capt. J. Sullivan, M.M., 21st Battn. ; Leiut.

A. Sladden, M.C., Div. Sig. Coy.

Judges: Athletic-Lt.-Col. C. H. E. Manning. D.S.O.,

Div. Train ; Lt.-Col. J. M. A. Durrant, C.M.G/, D.S.O.
Div. Hd. Qrs, ; Lt-Col. J.M. C. Corlett, D.S.O., Div.
Engrs. ; Lt-Col. H. L. St. V. Welch, D.S.O., 6th Field

Ambulance ; Major S. A. Middleton, 19th Battn ; Capt.

E. L. Medlyn. M.C., Div.Train. Equestrian-Maj.-Gen.

Charles Rosenthal, C.B., C.M.G. D,S.O. : Brig.-Gen. E.

A. Wisdom, C.B., D.S.O., 7th A.I. Bgde ; Lt.-Col. F. R.

Chalmers, 27th Battn ; Major R. Mitchell Hore, Div.

Head Qrs. Miscellaneous-Major T. F. Borwick, D.S.O.

Div. Hd Qrs ; Chaplain-Capt. S. L. Buckley, 21st Battn ;

Lieut. R. Gillespie, Div. Engrs. ; Lieut. J. C. Price, Div.

Sig. Coy.

Official Recorder: Capt. E. T. Bazeley, M.C., Div. Head

Qrs.

Assistant Recorders: Chaplain-Major Humphreys, 27th

Battn ; Lieut. E. N. Annit, 19th Battn.

Dressing Room Stewards: R.S.M. Colson, 28th Battn ; Sgt

E. Moffatt, 20th Battn ; Sgt. Porter, 23rd Battn ; Sgt.

Mills, 27th Battn.

Canteen Officer: Lieut. H. A. Gleadow, 24th Battn,

Totalisator: Major N. C. Harris, D.S.O., M.C., Div. Engrs.

 

 

[*17/89/18*]

NOTES ON THE SIEGFRIED LINE BETWEEN BELLICOURT
AND BELLENGLISE.

The main line of defence appears to have been selected with

the object of using the Canal as a protective obstacle. West of

BELLICOURT enemy positions are not protected by natural obstacles.

Arrangements have been made for keeping the water in the

cCanal, for damming it where necessary, and for inundating the

ground near it where possible.

West of BELLICOURT, the trenches are sited on a reverse

slope. It was not possible to site them further forward at

the time as the junction of the Second German Army on the right

had to be secured.

From an artillery point of view, the SIEGFRIED LINE is

considered very strong, by reason of its generally good observation

facilities. The line was selected to enable small garrisons to

stand against superior numbers. The main features of the enemy

defences are strong the construction scheme and the disposition

of the troops, which means the rigid defence of the main line.

As far as construction went, the idea appears to have been

to make it impregnable by means of concrete dug-outs and wire

entanglements. The wire is enormously strong. Tanks can

make their way through it, as was done before CAMBRAI. Tanks

can cross only by the tunnels or the existing bridges.

Where the Canal passes through the two tunnels at BELLENGLISE

and LE TRONQUOY, special arrangements for the defence are made,

and these cannot be regarded altogether as weak points in the

line, owing to the use that is made of the tunnels for shelters

for reserves. There are numerous sub-ways to the tunnels with

concealed entrances, while barges inside the tunnel accommodate

the men. The ordinary entrances are blocked with barricades.

The enemy trenches are well constructed and contain a large

number of concrete dug-outs, machine gun emplacements, artillery

O.Ps., and flank postitions. The wire in front of the trenches,

generally speaking, appears to be in strands numbering from 3 to

5, each about 12 yards in width, at intervals of about 20 yards.

From the front of the wire to the trench, the distance is in

some cases about 180 yards. Generally speaking, it is tactical

wire, and in places inter-stranded, with a large number of M.G.

emplacements in the wire.

The series of ridges, known as COLOGNE RIDGE, LES HATUTES

BRUYERES RIDGE, and ridge south of BELLENGLISE, limits the

enemy's own ground observation towards the west, and affords us

a view into and behind his own positions, as well as the possibility

of enabling our artillery to come into position close to the enemy's

lines, Similarly the ridge in G.28.

 

 

17/9/18

Battle of Sep 18.

Arrangements [re waking, bkfst &.

Barrage Time Table

Test direct 'phone to Blamey

What forward Corps Observation & Liasion

Set Wind direction

 

R.14.C

Knoll R.4.

In trench W. of Quay wd

Arty in R.22.d.

 

17/9/18


 

Infantry
1st A Div

Infantry
4th A Div

 

O.

OR

O

OR
Estab. Of infantry of the Div.

528

10800

440

9000
Strength at noon 15.9.18

441

6848

424

7529
Less approx. infantry
to Aust on furlough
16-9-18

6

107

6

83
approx strength 16-9-18

435

6741

418

7446
Due to concentrate on
20-9-18 for entrainment
on 27-9-18 on furlough
to Aust.

13

267

6

141
approx. strength 20-9-18
assuming no casualties
in meantime

422

6474

412

7305
approx. balance of 1914
infantry in return to
Aust on furlough

131

541

109

247
Balance of infantry
remaining after all 1914
have left on furlough
assuming no casualties

291

5933

303

2058
6958
 

TIME-TABLE of EVENTS FOR BATTLE

18th SEPTEMBER, 1918.

TIME EVENT
a.m.
5.2		 Z e r o.
5.46 LE VERGUIER captured.
6- 4th Division reaches Green Line at nearest point.
6.1 4th Division reaches Brown Line at nearest point.
6.32 4th Division on whole Brown Line.
7.12 HARGICOURT captured.
7.2 1st Division wholly on Brown Line.
7.5 Contact Patrol Aeroplane flies along Brown Line.
8.3 Advance from Brown Line begins.
9.1 Mobile Artillery commences to pull out.
9.3 Red Line reached.
9.53 Protective barrage stops.
10.2 Contact Patrol Aeroplane flies along Red Line.
" Heavy Artillery lifts off Blue Line.
p.m.
1.20		 Contact Patrol Aeroplane flies along Blue Line.
 

18/9/18
St Quentin Tunnel
Diagram of Fronts
Diagram - see original document
Leaves 18 Bns for main effort on 6000x
Use 12 Bns for Frontal attacks
& 3 Bns on each flank for Defensive Flanks.
Each Div. will have available 9 Bns = 3 Regts = 1½ Bdes
Diagram - see original document
 

 

[*18/9/18*]
4th Aus Div
1914 Offs & men for return to A/lia
Approximate only.

with homes in Australia Off OR
married

15

24
Single

173

701
with homes elsewhere

 

 
married

25

89
 

213

814

[[?]] Corps 18/9/18
 

 

AUTRALIAN CORPS
Wounded Admitted to Field Ambulances - Operations
 

Formation From 
To		 From Zero 23-8-18 
To 6 pm 18-9-18

 		 Officers O. Ranks. Officers O. Ranks.
1st Australian Division    

22

301
2nd Australian Division    

 

10
3rd Australian Division    

 

14
4th Australian Division    

9

351
5th Australian Division    

 

9
Australian Total    

31

685
. . . . . . . . . Division    

 

 
. . . . . . . . . Division    

 

 
. . . . . . . . . Division    

 

 
Corps Troops    

 

11
Other Formations    

7

68
French Troops    

 

 
Grand Total    

36

764
Prisoners of War    

2

188

A G Collins Major
for COLONEL,
D.D.M.S., Australian Corps.
Headquarters.
18/9/18.

Copies to:- A.C.A.
B.G., G.S.
Inf. Bureau.
 

 

 

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