General, Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 21, 10 September - 3 October 1918 - Part 9

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
RCDIG0000637
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

2/9/18 Beaneion Offence Flan General (as Imperative to reduce number of troops, parsing accontunuel, during first two days, to a minimem. - Two Ameacan, & 3 Anstralian Dursions will alone involve passing through over 40,000 Infantry & Artillery - It is therefore out of the question to pan any trops of IIL & IL. Corps through the pap for tiat 48 hours. It is most important to widen the base of the patient, formed 6 by our penetration, just as soon as possible. This must be done on first day, and th must be done by troops already on the ground. - We cannot, therefore, afford to wait for troops of banking Corps to get East of Canal Line, whether through the fape, at by Lorcing the canal on the flanks () It will be cheaper to triow the Canal (both blanks) than to force the coossings by direct assault; and the captures will be large. Therefore, it is proposed that IX & VII Corps defantry should stand fast until the completion of the second Phase of the first day. - This phase should, by 4 p.my uncover the canal. on the Front of the IL Corps for a length of over 3000 on the bront of the III & L Corps be a length of over 5000 The sapper of these Corpe should be prpared to throw bridges, on these Frontages, commencing at 3 p.m. on trat Con day. - These should be ready to pase Infantry & field Astillery to East side of Canal by dawn on 2nd day. These troops would, during the 2nd day, deploy on that battle Fante, on the blanks of the Aust. Coops, & be realy to resume their advance Enstward, within their proper boundanc, – on the 3rd day.
Thares Map shows plases foe 1st & 2d day tr Aust Corps. Green: - Fret Day; 1st phase; 27th & 30 Am Divs. no Cay (27th & 30th Am Dis 2 Red. do reserves.- S& Sa Aust Dis Brown:- Second day 27th 30th Am Divse 345th Anst. Drs. Riseive Brigates 2nd Div. (2 B jades) General Time table – Assume Qers Hhom & B a A. Barrage attack, Frontage P300, depth $300. – Time taken say, under Bhre. Green Line reached at 9 a.m. B. Infantry & Artillery Fracks will be started at Caim, & will be completed to de Catelet Line by 10a.m. Explviting Divisions may con Green him, at say 12 moon Assume 3 & 5th Aust Divs: - (2 Brignee Gronps each. C with their Astillery Brigile & Tanks, - Each Brigade Group using a separate road) will have to march a maxine of 12,000 yords from this bivonacs, - allow 3000 per hour. Tome of Mach the Kenyth of Colum he Time to deplay The Chr. Totch These Units must therefore stad from their broonac at or very soon after Lors. D. The two American Brignler - composid each of Regt. Specially detailed tr Onter Flanks; and I Regt. which held the line defensively (the latter in receive] must be deplized on then Start line (on the Flanks) with their Artillery and tanks - by 11 am. This allows I h f the two defensive regiments relue to be concentrated, & moved to positions S.H.o Catelet, and cast of Belliconst
E. The outir Hank American Brigader must, on no account tuse any of the foue roads prepared for the 3&S Divo; & must give way to hnst troops at all crossing F The Reserve Brigale Gronps of 3 4 5th Dur. will move from their Civonace, & 2 hos after their battle brigader, reshing the ircinity of freen live by 1 p.om. (saving the hour necessary for deployment)-- The two Artillery Boyndes allatted to these Brigndes puill out of the Barrage about 9 a.m., & will thus have t hour to liriby up teams & wayons, limber up & march to yoi thei Brigades on Green Line. of the G. Nompioneers, engineers, or transport of 3 & 5th Dr is to pass through the pape, not even get on to the Etactical roads, before 4 pome on first day; unless they are certain to be requised during the second phase by their Divisions. £ H Phase 2 begins, - on Front of LAnsti & 2 Ameriaa Brigades - at 12 noon. L. Red him reached say 3 p.m. 5 Armoured Cass to be at point (ast of Estan) where Le Catelet road crones Beauveois French, at they 3 pconi, & are lamiched on this mission at that hour K Second Aust. Division to be deplozed on rel line - in the Sistor allotted – by I peom on fiest day. - They debus at Ronsson, and Hargiconst Length of march from theye to red line 2 12,000 time to reach red line 4he Time to deploy 1h Thr The debrissing must therefore be complete by 2 p.m (This propamme allow very ample manin of time, as sicond Durnion need not beally be on ved line until, he before O
2 H) H Re dave on 2nt. D The Artillery for 2nd Divinon will have from 9 a.m. on first day, till dawn on second day, to pull out of Carrage positions & join tii Divsion on Ved line. Hwhith Dursion make their approach The tanks of march to Red Lune during hours of darkness o 2/A night Reserve Brigades of 3 & 5th Divisions, with their Tanks, to be deplozed on their secton of ved line one houe before dawn on second Day there Resiive Regiments of 27th & 30th American Durnian (repored to in passn above), to be cimilarly deployed, with then tanks, out same howr, on their Leators Operation of 2nd Day should be completed by 9 a.m. - Whole of remainder of Second Day os available for IIL x TX Coops is cross Caual, & deploy on Flanks of 2nd Aust Dursi on Brown Line - to referming the Army order of Cattle ready for an advance on 3 Day. The two Amesan Brigades which carried out the original barny phase must conrolidate on freen line, until all of 34 5th Anst Divs are clear - I.c. at or after 2 p.m. – They will then conscutiate & move to resive positions N.7 he Catelet, and S.E.g Belliconst respectively - keeping clear of the Anstralian tacical roaks. Brigade of Cavaley, of employed by this Corpy, should betime to reach Brown Line, by 10 aim. on second day, for action N.E. in drection of Busyny and Le Catelet 2
Concentration of Amercan Coops Above plan provides for Concentration of Amnersan Corps by Divisions, respectively on North & South Flanks by evening of 1st day – It would be most objectin able to allows the Northern Division to Cross the battle front to join the Southern Dursion (or vice vesss] during the Frist day – as the would cup through all Anstzalian traffic If desired this concentration of the Amerian Coops can be effected to either Flank, on 2nd day, ar peperably on 3 Day. Lanks Allotment to Units. 4th Bignt 88 Tanks. For 4 regiments (U.S.A) making Fontal barrage attack) 12 Tanks pre Regt & Apec Brs 48 F.c. 1 Fank per, 121 For 2 regments explaiting to the Flanks, 12 each 24 Reserve 16 88 t. Bript 76 Tanks Fi 3 Divins 24 12 pe Byte N 5th do 24 Fre Reserve Bydi of alre on 2nd day 12en. 2 24 4 Corps Riserve 72 25 thipe 3- Brigale 44 MaxT & 50 Whppits In Corps reseive for employment on Sesond Day, as may be determined, by all Dursinn, but chuefty 2nd Divinn. N.B. Above allows of Every tank resting when it has caunt out its ou trk
Molie Avtiting 3 Dr. (2 Byde of 3 Dro. Arty I mobile Ffrom gew. 1Battery 60 prr. I Anch Army Brigade, which will be employed to left Flank smoke till 9a 5t. 3 2 Bepter of 5th Div. Arty 2 molale hrom zeis I Battiry 60 pr. I Aust. Army Brigade which will be Employeh ho L Flank Smake till I aee 27th Amercan Dis 2 Brygades to pull out of barrage positions at 9 a.m. & take up 30 positions to cover explvitation South dod 2 Brigader to pull out of Warrage positions at 9 am, & take up positions to cove expevitation North N.B.) These fou Brgnder must not use Anstratian rrads; they must attange for thiir own trench covrsings, by help of proneers allotted to them. 2n Anst Du 2 Brigader of 2d Div. Arty & 1 Anst Army Bde, and IBattery Cop. - to yomr Division on hime during night 2/A ready for action by dawn on Second day. Remaining 10 Field Astillery Borigndes to remain in Coops Reseive; on completion of Barrage, - They May be prished forward East, for Employment ffensivaly o defensively, after tail of 2nd Dio. in clut of green line, Ic about 6p.m. on first day No Heavy Astillery (except sop] to cross Erast of Tunnel till 22 Day. 0 1
HE.RTER AUNA. FCOArS. 1361356 AUSTRALIN EORPS. SECRET. Headquarters Elst September, 1918. ist Australian Division, 2nd Australian Division, 3rd Australian Division, 4th Australiar Division, 5th Australian Division, A2.1 C.E. A.D. Signals, A.D.C. for G.O.C. OODDDDDDDDDDDDT0 With reforence to the Table showing the organisation of an American Division issued with Australian Corps 136/356 of 20th instant, the Divisional Machine Gun Battalion is a four company battalion. Each Machine Oun Battalion contains 16 guns; 4 guns Porsonnel is provided to give sufficient are resorve guns. teans for 12 guns only in each company. aBlamert Brigadier-General, Gonoral Staff, Australian Corps.
Reduction of Battatrons togo:- attation 192 2 21 25½ 42 the 29 54 50 21/9/18
A05TR A T 7AN 00'R2S Nounded camitted to Fleld Ambulances – Operations m From G m 29-9-18... From Zero. 18-9-18... Formation 78 M. 21-9-1 To. E.M 21-9-1... OffiCors O. Ranks. O. Ranks. Officers samo 57 483 lst Australian Division 2nd Australian Division 3rd Australian Division 20 580 Eth Australian Division 5th Australian Division 124 50 1112 Australian Totsl sion ion Corps Troops 223 14 25 Other Formations French Troops 138 10 1240 69 Grand Total ce 348 Prisoners of Far A A. CollinMeye COLONEL, Headquarters, D.D.M.S., Australian Corps. 21 128. A.S.C. M Coples to. B.G., C.S. 14 FME. HurSEN.
USTRA L LAN CORPS Nounced admitted to Fleld Ambulances – Operations From..S. pm 20-9-18.. From Lero. 18-9-18... Formetion To. noon..2d-9-18.. Tonoon 21-9-18..... Officers O. Ranks. Officors O. Ranks. 461 Ist Australian Division 2nd Custralien Division 3rd Australian Division 4th Fustrallan Division 18 578 19 5th Eistralian Division 11 Australian Totel 96 57 1084 So Lon Corps Troops Other FoFrations 108 French Troops wo Grand Totel 103 2205 67 Prisoners of Wer 341 meso CKallie COLONEL, Headquarters, D.D.M.S., Australian Corps. 21 19 128. A.G.S. Copies to: B.G, G.S. InE. Burean.

21/9/18

Beaurevoir Offensive

Plan

General 

(a) Imperative to reduce number of troops, passing across tunnel, during

first two days, to a minimum. - Two American, & 3

Australian Divisions will alone involve passing through

over 40,000 Infantry & Artillery. - It is therefore out of the

question to pass any troops of III & IX Corps through the

gap for first 48 hours. -

(b) It is most important to widen the base of the salient, formed

by our penetration, just as soon as possible. This must be

done on first day; - and there xxx must be done by troops

already on the ground. - We cannot, therefore, afford to wait

for troops of flanking Corps to get East of Canal Line, whether

through the gap, or by forcing the Canal on the flanks.

(c) It will be cheaper to turn the Canal (both flanks) than to

force the crossings by direct assault; and the captures

will be larger.

Therefore, it is proposed that IX & III Corps Infantry

should stand fast until the completion of the Second

Phase of the first day. - This phase should, by 4 p.m.,

uncover the canal: -

on the front of the IX Corps for a length of over 3000x

on the front of the III & V Corps for a length of over 5000x

The sappers of these Corps should be prepared to throw

bridges, on these frontages, commencing at 3 p.m. on first

day. - These ^Corps should be ready to pass Infantry & Field

Artillery to East side of Canal by dawn on 2nd day. -

These troops would, during the 2nd day, deploy on their

battle fronts, on the flanks of the Aust. Corps, & be ready

to resume their advance Eastward, within their proper

boundaries, - on the 3rd day. -

(1)

 

Phases. Map shows phases for 1st & 2nd day for Aust 
Corps.

Green :- First Day; 1st phase :- 27th & 30th Am Divs.

Red :-      do ; 2nd day phase :- {27th &  30th Am Div
                                                         { reserves. -

                                                         { 3d & 5th Aust Divs

Brown :- Second Day :-  27th & 30th Am. Divs.

                                             3d & 5th Aust. Div. Reserve 
                                             Brigades

                                             2nd Div. (2 Brigades)

General Time Table - Assume Zero Hour = 6 a.m.

A. Barrage attack; frontage 6200x, depth 4300x. - Time

taken say, under 3 hrs.
Green Line reached at 9 a.m.

B. Infantry & Artillery tracks will be started at 6 a.m. &

will be completed to Le Catelet Line by 10 a.m.

Exploiting Divisions may cross Green Line at

say 12 noon. -

C. Assume 3d & 5th Aust. Divs. - (2 Brigade Groups each -

with their Artillery Brigade & Tanks; - each Brigade Group

using a Separate road) will have to march a maximum

of 12000 yards from their bivouacs; - allow 3000x

per hour. - 

Time of March        =    4 hrs.

Length of Column =  1 hr.

Time to deploy       =   1 hr.

                         Total      6 hrs.

These Units must therefore start from their bivouacs

at or very soon after Zero.

D. The two American Brigades - composed each of 1

Regt. specially detailed for outer flanks; and 1 Regt.

which held the line defensively - (the latter in reserve)

must be deployed on their Start lines (on the flanks)

with their Artillery and Tanks - by 11 a.m.

This allows 5 hrs for the two defensive regiments

to be concentrated, & moved to ^reserve positions S.W. of

Catelet, and east of Bellicourt. -

(2)

 

E. The outer flank American Brigades must, on no account

use, use any of the roads four roads prepared for the 3d & 5th 

Divs; & must give way to Aust troops at all crossings.

F. The Reserve Brigade Groups of 3d & 5th Divs. will move

from their bivouacs, at 2 hrs after their battle brigades,

reaching the vicinity of green line by 1 p.m. (saving

the hour necessary for deployment). - The two

Artillery Brigades allotted to these Brigades pull out of the

Barrage about 9 a.m., & will thus have 4 hours to

bring up teams & waggons, limber up & march to join

their Brigades on Green Line. -

G. None ^of the pioneers, engineers, or transport of 3d & 5th Div

is to get into the pass through the gap, nor even get

on to the 4 tactical roads, with before 4 p.m. on

first day; unless they are certain to be required during

the second phase by their Division. -

H. P

H. Phase 2 begins, - on front of 4 Austr & 2 American

Brigades - at 12 noon. -

I. Red Line reached say 3 p.m.

J. Armoured Cars to be at point (N.East of Esteres)

where Le Catelet road crosses Beaurevoir trench, at

3 p.m., & are ^then launched on their mission at that

hour. -

K. Secound Austr. Division to be deployed on red

line - in the Sector allotted - by 7 p.m. on first

day. - They debus at  Ronssoy, and Hargicourt

Length of march from there to red line = 12000x

                                Time to reach red line = 4 hrs.

                                            Time to deploy  =  1 hr

                                                                              5 hrs.

The debussing must therefore be complete by 2 p.m.

[This programme allows very ample margin of time, as second

Division need not really be on red line until 1 hr. before

(3)

 

dawn on 2nd Day]

The Artillery for 2nd Division will have from 9 a.m.

on first day, till dawn on second day, to pull out

of barrage positions & join their Division on red line.

The Tanks ^& Whippets of 2nd Division make their approach

march to Red Line during hours of darkness on

2/A night.

L. Reserve Brigades of 3d & 5th Divisions, with their

Tanks, to be deployed on their sectors of red line

one hour before dawn on Second Day. -

M. Reserve Regiments of 27th & 30th American Divisions (^those referred

to in para D above), to be similarly deployed, with

their tanks, at same hour, on their sectors. -

N. - Operation of 2nd Day should be completed

by 9 a.m. - Whole of remainder of Second

Day is available for III & IX Corps to cross

Canal, & deploy on flanks of 2nd Aust Division

on Brown Line - fo reforming the Army order of

battle ready for an advance on 3rd Day. -

O. The two American Brigades which carried out the

original barrage phase must consolidate on green

line, until all of 3d & 5th Aust. Divs are clear - i.e.

at or after 2 p.m. - They will then concentrate &

move to reserve positions N. of Le Catelet, and

S.E. of Bellicourt respectively - Keeping clear of the

Australian tactical roads. -

P. Brigade of Cavalry, if employed by their Corps, should

be timed to reach Brown Line, by 10 a.m. on

Second Day, for action N.E. in direction of Busigny

and Le Catelet. -

(4)

 

Concentration of American Corps

Above plan provides for Concentration of American Corps,

by Divisions, respectively on North & South flanks

by evening of 1st day. - It would be most objectionable

to allow the northern Division to cross the

battle front to join the Southern Division (or vice versa)

during the first day - as this would cut through

all Australian traffic. -

If desired this concentration of the American Corps

can be effected on Second to either flank, on

2nd day, or preferably on 3d Day. -

Tanks. Allotment to Units.

4th Brigade 88 Tanks.

For 4 regiments (U.S.A) making

frontal barrage attack)

12 Tanks per Regt = 4 per Bn.  =   48

i.e. 1 Tank per 125x

For 2 regiments exploiting to the

flanks, 12 each                              =   24

Reserve                                               16

                                                              88

5th Brigade 76 Tanks.

For 3d Division         24

12 per Bgde.

For 5th  do                 24

For Reserve Bgdes of above

on 2d day 12 ea     = 24

Corps Reserve           4              72

25 Whippets

3d Brigade 44 Mark V & 50 Whippets

In Corps reserve for employment

on Second Day, as may be determined,

by all Divisions, but chiefly 2nd Division. -

N.B./ Above allows of every tank resting when it has carried out its

one task. -

(5)

 

Mobile Artillery

3d Div. - { 2 Bgdes of 3d Div. Arty. } mobile from

                { 1 Battery 60 prs.               } zero.

                { 1 Aust Army Brigade, which will be

                { employed for left flank smoke till 9 a.m.

5th Div. 2 Bgde of 5th Div. Arty } mobile from

                1 battery 60 prs.             } zero.

                1 Aust. Army Brigade, which will be

                employed for left right flank smoke till 9 a.m.

27th American Div

                2 Brigades to pull out of barrage

                positions at 9 a.m. & take up

                positions to cover exploitation South

30th  do  do. 

                2 Brigades to pull out of barrage

                positions at 9 a.m., & take up

                positions to cover exploitation North

N.B.) These four Brigades must not use Australian

roads; they must arrange for their own trench

crossings, by help of prisoners allotted to them.

2nd Aust. Div.

               2 Brigades of 2nd Div. Arty & 1 Aust Army

               Bde, and 1 Battery 60 prs. - to

               join Division on Brown Red Line during

               night Z/A ready for action by dawn

               on Second day. -

Remaining 10 Field Artillery Brigades to remain in

Corps Reserve, on completion of Barrage. - They

may be pushed forward East, for employment offensively

or defensively, after tail of 2nd Div. is clear of

green line, i.e. about 6 p.m. on first day.

No Heavy Artillery (except 60 prs) to cross East of Tunnel

till 2nd Day. -

(6)

JM.

 

HEADQUARTERS

AUSTRALIAN CORPS

136/356

AUSTRALIAN CORPS.

SECRET.

Headquarters,

21st September, 1918.

1st Australian Division,

2nd Australian Division,

3rd Australian Division,

4th Australian Division,

5th Australian Division,

AQ.,

C.E.,

A.D. Signals,

A.D.C. for G.O.C.

With reference to the Table showing the organisation

of an American Division issued with Australian Corps 136/356

of 20th instant, the Divisional Machine Gun Battalion is a four

company battalion.

Each Machine Gun battalion contains 16 guns; 4 guns

are reserve guns. Personnel is provided to give sufficient

teams for 12 guns only in each company.

TaBlamey

Brigadier-general,

General Staff,

Australian Corps.

 

21/9/18

Reduction of Battalions

Battalions to go :-

2nd    192

           21

           252

3d      42

5th    [29]

           54

           60

 

AUSTRALIAN CORPS

Wounded admitted to Field Ambulances - Operations

Formation From 6 pm 20-9-18 From Zero. 18-9-18
  To 6 pm 21-9-18 To 6 pm 21-9-18
  Officers O. Ranks Officers O. Ranks
1st Australian Division

8

98

37

483
2nd Australian Division

 

4

1

19
3rd Australian Division

 

2

 

19
4th Australian Division

1

20

19

580
5th Australian Division

 

-

1

11
Australian Total

9

124

58

1112
................ Division

 

 

 

 
................ Division        
................ Division        
Corps Troops

 

-

1

13
Other Formations

1

14

10

115
French Troops

 

 

 

 
Grand Total

10

138

69

1240
Prisoners of War

 

7

5

348

A.J. Collins Major

for COLONEL,

D.D.M.S., Australian Corps.

Headquarters,

21/9/18.

Copies to :- A.G.C.

B.G., G.S.

A.

Inf. bureau.

[*JM 21/9/18*]

 

AUSTRALIAN CORPS

Wounded admitted to Field Ambulances - Operations

Formation From 6 pm 20-9-18 From Zero 18-9-18
  To noon 21-9-18 To noon 21-9-18
  Officers O. Ranks Officers O. Ranks
1st Australian Division

7

76

36

461
2nd Australian Division

 

2

1

17
3rd Australian Division

 

-

 

17
4th Australian Division

1

18

19

578
5th Australian Division

 

-

1

11
Australian Total

8

96

57

1084
................ Division

 

 

 

 
................ Division        
................ Division        
Corps Troops

 

-

1

13
Other Formations

 

7

9

108
French Troops

 

 

 

 
Grand Total

8

103

67

1205
Prisoners of War

 

-

5

341

A.J. Collins Major

for COLONEL,

D.D.M.S., Australian Corps.

Headquarters,

21/9/18.

Copies to :- A.G.C.

B.G., G.S.

A.
Inf. bureau.

[*JM*]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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