General, Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 21, 25 November - 31 December 1918 - Part 1

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
RCDIG0000639
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

AUS Ser. rect Eet Ir Taber ohening frrtoskonste eler Jr Austtehan Rovng Garfs Arriet Ir Sr veandk g E offeneige om skr Hestens Toont in 1918 Notei The herisd esverdiret ins sket derring sstriet va offenensleg ie) Str 5 Bmaons g Ihr AnsttatinCarf. oferelet ns ArWast as ie t oct Sfie (ho datt hetnans) a: St Anøtortin Bvnrin Ats Rutit Austrelim ferentip Prsvmer Cltung! . Andvrundav. 3o.3 Stestuhet a 15234 Auste. Hrautit Fesrtrg e lärel Sg. vunle AnstorleBrsns sa 18. Sther trurt d ./ Ausd Hinnntep a. Guns aftend 2 Antalien Bvinn tooe Ftn Rürs a Aut Hrn Kate Vrger. verle troshidin otnngke 58 Tspes Fonig 29 Iu
25-11-18. TABLE - UHOWING THE TROPCRTIONATE SHAR3 O THE AUSTRALIAN ARAY CORPS TE ALLISD OFFENSIVE ON IN TME RESULTS( STRN FRONT IN 1918. THr ------ The period considered is that during which the 5 Divisions NOTE: of the Australian Corps operated offensivoly; i.o., from March 27, 1918 to October 5, 1918. (both datos inclusive). ----------- iin Ohls. 30. Australian Divisions ... ... 53 Other British do. Australian percentago - 9½ ralsorne CAFTUNUD: ia Australian Divisions 153,4 Other British do. Australian percentage - 183 alroni Garrunz5. Sg.milos. 377 Australian Divisions 1,847 Australian percentage - 21] pp TED: GU. CAPT 53t Australian Divisions 2.416 Other British do. Australian porcontage - 14 RATIO of rolative results to relativo strongths :- 1.95 isoners Forritor - 2.23 - 1.47 - Guns ------------------
225./.. AUTTRALKAR ANEI CORFS. Fur Ms mer 28 monyyrioys or rkyuygvord krysons The performanoe of the Australian Kray Corpe, dring the Spring, Summor and Autumn Campaign of 1918, cannot be desbribod with any protence at doing thom adequate justioo, except at con¬ siderable langth, and with the sid of many mape and diagrams. It is possible, however, to enumorate in tabular form, cortain statistics, which are in thomselves some index of the cheracter and extent of this series of brilliant vietories, - whethor considered relatively to the performances of other Pritich Corpe, or absolutely on their oen merits. These criteria may be classified thus:- (a) Prisoners and Ouns Captured. (b) Toene and Villages receptured. (c) Frontages, depthe and aroas of the suo¬ essive sdvanses. (d) Enony Divisions Engaged and Defeated. In ordar to aid parusal sevoral of the above date have been subdivided over nins arbitrarily chocen periods or phases er¬ tending from March Söth., 1918 - when Australian troope first ar¬ rived oppoeite AaLæs - until October Sth., 1918, when the Corpe was withoreen for rest. Dach of the above mantioned eriteria has, thørefore, been tabulated in nine successive stages, and the total is also given in cach case for the period as a whole.
OFFENSIVE FIGHTING BETWE N 8th AUGUST & 4th OCTOBER, 1918. -------------------------- - Colour to Nos. of Prisoners Units represent employed. Action Remarks. or Offs. O.Rs. Total. Guns. sdvanse. 183 7742 7925 173 Including 2 Railway Guns Thick Blue 1, 2, 3, 4, Advance of 8th August. one 11.2, one 9". 5 Aust.Divs. Line. -------- ----- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- 1127 26 1101 Coe/Capture of PROYART, 1, 3 4 Thick Green 22-ETINEHEm Spur & fighting Aust. Divs. Line. Nug up to outskirts of BRAY. ------------ ----------- ------ ----- Including 15" Gun on 88 3000 3092 23-e Capture of CHUIGNES Thick Brown 1st Aust. Div. mounting. Line. Aug CHUIGNOLLES ---------------------------------- -------------- --- ------------ 7 577 584 D/Fighting up to line of 2, 3 & 5 Thick Red Aust. Divs. Line. 28f SOE and Canal Bank g South of PERONNE. --------- ---- 45 1621 Capture of MONT ST QUENTIN 1668 Thick Blue 2. 5, and PERONNS. Line. Aust. Divs. ---------------------------------- ----------------- 47 1901 Thick Green 1948 Advance towards HINDENBURG 3, 5, Aust. Divs. Line. Line to Stage where lst & . 4th Divs.relieved bytk 2nd and 5th Divs. ------- -------------- Prisoners include a fair Vo. Thick Brown 158 4348 4506 Advance up to HINDENBURG of Bn. Commanders and several Syet. Line. Line. Aust. Divs. Regimental Commanders. ---------------------------- -------- 3057 94 2983 Thick Red 12 Sreak through to 2, 3, 5, Line. Aust. Divs. 4Owe. BEAUNEVOIR Line. ----------------- ------------------ ---- 2a9 23905 332 . T O T AL S.- rinst dung (, unnggardf, uns dlas mang kkomante g Tachine Gune, soslard 3soe * Total of Guns conservative estimate anly. Seanabgkke, Dehralan, Kalahan vave a, ot-s v pdielinan g pomat g dotelenng, tamnntit
OFTFWSIVS FROtTIWO FETTFEN 2Tth M RCH and ath OCTOET, 1918. PRISOTERS AND CUNS CAPTTRSD. _ Nos. of o.5 Units Rr Action. TDulte. Employed. Prisoners Ouns. Total. ------ -- end, 3rd, * 5th 3,500 Feried from March Aust. Divns. 27 till Aug. sth. ------ ist. Znd, Srd.4h,5th 7.005 Inelunding 2 Feilwar duns-eme11.3 Aamanee of sth Aug. sth August. tust. Divisions. and one o" ------------ -- Ast, 3rd and th Cavture of PR0.A. Up to 22nd August. ETINBEEM SFUR and Aust. Divisions. 1.127 fighting up to out- skirts of BRAY. ------------- Capture of CHUICEES 2o0h ast Aust. Division. 2I Including 15" gun on meunting. Weard hussst. and CHUIGNOLLES. aai Fighting up to line End, 3rd and 5th Up till 29th August. hust. Divns. of SOMME and Canal Bank S. of PERONNE. -- Fnd and Stn Aust. 1.e66 Capture of MT. ST. Up till eth Sept. pivisions. QUENTIN & PFRONRE. Brd and 5th Aust. Advance towards HIN. Upitlll ITihn Sent. 1.948 DERBURO LINE to stage Divisions. where lst e eth Aust. Divs. relieved 3rd and sch Aust. Divs. Ist and ith Aust. Advance up to SIh- Loth September. Divisions. DENBURG LINE. a Ena, ord and 5th Break thraugh to Up tIII Ich Ot. Aust. Diyns. BEAUREVOIR I Capture or uorIhng. End Aust. Sivn. a0 bin botober. EAN. TOLS 20008 ber -7-------- ----------- ------------------------- Also many thousands of Machine Ouns, Nortars, Searchlights, Vehicles, Kitchens, "otal of Ouns conservative estimate only. 4c. kc., and millions of rounds of artillery ammunition. P'risoners include a fair number of Bn. Commanders and several Regimental Commanders.
uptralzalssjes From 27th Morch to 3rd October 1918. 2nd Ouærd Division. god twice. Alpine Corps. nggei onse. Joeger Division. onoe. ist Division. onoo. 2nd ons. Sth onety. Ien throe ti os. 18th onso. 21st twioe. 25th twice. gon onoe. 3Sch twice. alst throe timos. Sich twico. 1on troe timos. looth twice. 100th once (now diabanded) 119tn three tinos. nivun twioe. 121st once. Faurd onco. 1asch twioe. 199ch orso. Reun once(now disbanded) göünd onse. göurd telseinow disherded! 24rrd onses. 1st Res. Division. onco. 24ch twico. 28th ono. ri fom
(A) Contd. 5Oth Res. Division. Engaged three times. 5ith" three times. (Now disbanded) 75th" once. 77th " twice. 79th " once. 5th Bavarian. Division. twice. " 14th once. (now disbanded) 9th " Res. Division. once. It is usual to reckon that when a Division has been engaged more than once it is to be taken as two or three Divisions. On the above basis the total number of Divisions engaged and defeated amounts to 73 during the period under review, or more than one-third of the total German Army on the western front. Of these Divisions not less than six are definitely known to have been disbanded as the result of the shattering losses suffered during these engagements. There is however very good reason to believe that a number of others of the Divisions named have also been disbanded but it is customary to sift the evidence very carefully and conservatively before drawing such a definite conclusion.
(B) rowws and VILLAGES etc. captured by the Australian Army Corps during operations undertaken between 27th March and 4th Octr. '18 Treux. Operations up Ville-sur-Ancre. till 7th August Hamel. Recapture of Village-Bretonneux. Haroonnieres. Cerisy-Gailly. Warfusee-Abancourt. Advance of Lamotte-en-Santerre. Mericourt-sur-Somme. Morcourt. 8th August. Gailly. Bayonvillers. Rainecourt. Lihons. Chipilly. Up to Framerville. Etineham. 22nd August Vauvillers. Proyart. Chuignolles. 23rd August. Chuignes. Herleville. Lihu Farm. Bony-en-Santerre. Bray-sur-Somme. Biaches. Upx to 29th La Neuville-les-Bray. La Chapellette. Borg, August. Cappy. Bovent. Fontaine les Suzanne. Ablaincourt. Fay. Cappy. Assevillers. Genermont. Eclusier. Barleux. Comiecourt. Vaux. Eterpigny. Mazancourt. Frise. Fresnes-Mazancourt. Foucoucourt. Curlu. Misery Estrees.. Hem. Belloy-en-Santerre. Briost. Feuillers. Villers-Carbonnel. Cizancourt. Buscourt Dompierre. Becquincourt. Soyecourt. Vermandovillers. Herbecourt. Deniecourt. Flaucourt. Omniecourt-les-Clery. Mont. St. Quentin. Upto Halle. Fouillaucourt. Peronne. )h September. Clery-sur-Somme. Sainte-Radegonde. Flamicourt. Mons-en-chaussee. Hervilly. Brie. Tincourt-Noucly. Hesbecourt. Le-Mesnil-Bruntel. 1tn September. Jeancourt. Doingt. Boucly. Hamel. Bernes. Bussu. Courcelles. Beaumetz. Vendelles. Hancourt. Flechin. Buire. Bouvincourt. Soyecourt. Brusle. Vraignes. Poeuilly. Cartigny. Bihecourt. Catelet. Marquaix. Hanret. Vermand. St Cren. Roisel. Bias. Le Verguier. Villeret. 18th September. Vadencourt. Hargicourt.
Up t. 4th Potober. (B) Conte. Ballicourt. Naurey. Pony. xt. St. Martin. Lornisset. Tetzzes. Jonsourt. Piancourt. Har lccurt. ontorehein. A total of 116 to ne and villages - not including many fortified farme, mille, sugar refineries, woode and copses.
RIOD. Zarch 27 till Angust Tth. August Oth. till August End. Auguat fürd. Up till August 22th. Sp till Sept. ath. Up til Sept. 17th. Coat lsth. till Oct. eth. voygsos Is vaans. 14.300 e.oo 11,300 1o,00 18.000 7.k0 10,00e 8.300 e.de D AUES OF RE OUCCHOSIOS ATANES AVEEAOZ DEPT ASVARCE. N xxnvoed. 63 sro I3.ho 4.300 IV. 304 5.oo d 251 Sq. Miles. ZTAL

[Foolscap - 6 Copies] Date:-
Table - showing ^the proportunate share
of the Australian Army Corps
in the results of the ^Allied Offensive
on the Western Front in 1918
Note the period is that during which all
the 5 Divisions of the Australian Corps operated ^offensively i.e. from
April March 27/18 to Oct 5/18 (both dates inclusive)
                                                           No
Strengths Australian Divisions    5
                    Other British    do         53
Australian percentage = 9½
Prisoners Captured         No
Australian Divisions      34133
Other British    do       158447
Austr. percentage = 24½
Territory Captured     Sq. miles
Australian Divisions     394
Other British    do       1817
Aust. alian percentage = 21¼
Guns Captured               No
Australian Divisions     344
Other British    do       2400
Austr. percentage = 14½
Rates of results [[?]] relative results to relative strengths: -
Prisoners = 2.58
Territory = 2.24
Guns = 1.53
 

 

25-11-18.
TABLE - SHOWING THE PROPORTIONATE SHARE
OF THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY CORPS
IN THE RESULTS OF THE ALLIED OFFENSIVE ON
THE WESTERN FRONT IN 1918.
NOTE: The period considered is that during which the 5 Divisions
of the Australian Corps operated offensively; i.e., from
March 27, 1918 to October 5, 1918. (both dates inclusive).
STRENGTHS:             No.
Australian Divisions   5
Other British  do.      53
Australian percentage - 9½
PRISONERS CAPTURED:
                                          No.
Australian Divisions    29,144
Other British do.        153,447
Australian percentage - 18½
TERRITORY CAPTURED:
                                    Sq.miles.
Australian Divisions   394
                                       1,847
Australian percentage - 21¼
GUNS CAPTURED:
                                          No.
Australian Divisions    338
Other British do.         2,416
Australian percentage - 14
RATIO of relative results to relative strengths :-
Prisoners - 1.95
Territory - 2.23
Guns - 1.47
 

 

[*?25/11/218*]
AUSTRALIAN ARMY CORPS.
RECORD OF PART OF THE WORK DONE IN 1918.
DESCRIPTIONS OF TABULATIONS ATTACHED.
The performance of the Australian Army Corps, during the
Spring, Summer and Autumn Campaign of 1918, cannot be described
with any pretence at doing them adequate justice, except at considerable
length, and with the aid of many maps and diagrams.
It is possible, however, to enumerate in tabular form,
certain statistics, which are in themselves some index of the
character and extent of this series of brilliant victories, -
whether considered relatively to the performances of other British
Corps, or absolutely on their own merits.
These criteria may be classified thus:-
(a) Prisoners and Guns Captured.
(b) Towns and Villages recaptured.
(c) Frontages, depths and areas of the successive 
advances.
(d) Enemy Divisions Engaged and Defeated.
In order to aid perusal several of the above data have
been subdivided over nine arbitrarily chosen periods or phases extending
from March 26th., 1918 - when Australian troops first arrived
oppoeite AMIENS - until October 5th., 1918, when the Corps
was withdrawn for rest.
Each of the above mentioned criteria has, therefore, been
tabulated in nine successive stages, and the total is also given in
cach case for the period as a whole.
 

 
OFFENSIVE FIGHTING BETWEEN 8th AUGUST & 4th OCTOBER, 1918.

DATE

Action

Units
Employed.
 

 Colour to
Represent
Advance.

Nos. of Prisoners

 No.
of
Guns.

Remarks.
Offs. O.Rs. Total.
8th Aug. Advance of 8th August 1, 2, 3, 4,
5 Aust. Divs.		 Thick Blue
Line.

183

7748

7925

173

 Including 2 Railway Guns
one 11.2”, one 9”.
Up till
22nd
Aug.		 Capture of PRYART,
ETINEHEM Spur & fighting
Up to outskirts of BRAY.		 1, 3 & 4
Aust. Divs.		 Thick Green
Line.

26

1101

1127

6

  
23rd 
Aug.		 Capture of CHUIGNES
CHUIGNOLLES		 1st Aust. Div. Thick Brown
Line.

86

3006

3092

21

 Including 15” Gun on
Mounting.
Up till
28th
Aug.		 Fighting up to line of
SOMME and Canal Bank
South of PERONNE.		 2, 3 & 5
Aust. Divs.		 Thick Red
Line.

7

577

584

5

  
Up till
4th Sept.		 Capture of MONT ST QUENTIN
And PERONNE.		 2, 5,
Aust. Divs.		 Thick Blue
Line.

45

1621

1666

6

  
Up till
17th
Sept.		 Advance towards HINDENBURG
Line to Stage where 1st &
4th Divs. were relieved by the
2nd and 5th Divs.		 3, 5,
Aust. Divs.		 Thick Green
Line.

47

1901

1948

-

  
18th
Sept.		 Advance up to HINDENBURG
Line.		 1, 4,
Aust. Divs.		 Thick Brown
Line.

150

4348

4506

86

 Prisoners include a fair No.
Of Bn. Commanders and several
Regimental Commanders.
Up
Till 
4th Oct.		 Break through to
BEAUREVOIR Line.		 2, 3, 5,
Aust. Divs.		 Thick Red
Line.

94

2963

3057

35

  
      TOTALS.-

646

23259

23905

338*

  
  * Total of Guns conservative estimate only.            
 

Prior to Aug 8, since March }

 over 646 Also many thousands of Machine Gunes, Mortars
Searchlights, Vehicles, Kitchens etc etc
& millions of rounds of Artillery Ammunition
     

27}

   3500
          27405
      Oct 4 & 5 1250      
          28655      

 

 
OFFENSIVE FIGHTING BETWEEN 27th March and 4th OCTOBER, 1918.
PRISONERS AND GUNS CAPTURED.
Date. Action. Units
Employed.
 		 Nos. of
Prisoners
Total.		 No. of
Guns.		 Remarks.
Period from March
27 til Aug. 8th.		 - 2nd, 3rd & 5th
Aust. Divns.		 3,500 -  
8th August. Advance of 8th Aug. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
Aust. Divisions.		 7,925 173 Including 2 Railway Guns - one 11.2”
And one 9”.
Up to 22nd August. Capture of PRYART,
ETINEHEM Spur & fighting
Up to outskirts of BRAY.		 1st, 3rd and 4th
Aust. Divisions.		 1,127 6 -
23rd August. Capture of CHUIGNES
CHUIGNOLLES		 1st Aust. Division. 3,092 21 Including 15” Gun on Mounting.
Up till 29th August. Fighting up to line
of SOMME and Canal
Bank S of PERONNE.		 1st, 3rd and 4th
Aust. Divisions.		 584 5 -
Up till 4th Sept. Capture of MT. ST.
QUENTIN & PERONNE.		 2nd and 5th Aust.
Divisions.		 1,666 6 -
Up till 17th Sept. Advance towards HINDENBURG
Line to Stage
where 1st & 4th Aust.
Divs. relieved 3nd
And 5th Divns.		 3nd and 5th Aust.
Divisions.		 1,948 - -
18th September. Advance up to HINDENBURG
Line.		 1st and 4th Aust.
Divisions.		 4,506 86 -
Up till 4th Oct. Break through to
BEAUREVOIR Line.		 2nd, 3rd and 5th
Aust. Divns.		 3,057 35 -
5th October. Capture of MONTBREHAIN. 2nd Aust. Divn. 1,250 - -
    TOTALS. 28,655 338 x  
Total of Guns conservative estimate only. Also many thousands of Machine Guns, Mortars, Searchlights, Vehicles, Kitchens,
&c, &c., and millions of round of artillery ammunition.
Prisoners include a fair number of Bn. Commanders and several Regimental Commanders,
 
(A)  
DIVISIONS ENGAGED BY AUSTALIAN CORPS
and
NUMBER OF TIMES ENGAGED.
From 27th March to 3rd October 1918.
2nd Guard Division. Engaged twice.
Alpine Corps Engaged once.
Jaeger Division. “ once.
1st Division. “ once.
2nd “ “ once.
8th “ “ once.
13th “ “ three times.
18th “ “ once.
21st “ “ twice.
25th “ “ twice.
27th “ “ once.
38th “ “ twice.
41st “ “ three times.
54th “ “ twice.
107th “ “ three times.
108th “ “ twice.
109th “ “ once (now disbanded)
119th “ “ three times.
117th “ “ twice.
121st “ “ once.
183rd “ “ once.
185th “ “ twice.
199th “ “ once.
225th “ “ once (now disbanded)
232nd “ “ once.
233rd “ “ twice (now disbanded)
243rd “ “ once.
1st Res Division. “ once.
24th “ “ “ twice.
26th “ “ “ once.
43rd “ “ “ four times
 
(A) Conts.  
50th Res. Division. Engaged three times
54th “ “ “ three times.
(Now disbanded)
75th “ “ “ once.
77th “ “ “ twice.
79th “ “ “ once.
5th Bavarian. Division. “ twice.
14th “ “ “ once.(now disbanded)
conclusion. “ once.
It is usual to reckon that when a Division has been
engaged more than once it is to be taken as two or three
Divisions. On the above basis the total number of
Divisions engaged and defeated amounts to 73 during the period
under review, or more than one-third of the total German
Army on the western front. Of these divisions not less
than six are definitely known to have been disbanded as the
result of the shattering losses suffered during these
engagements. There are however very good reason to believe
that a number of others of the Divisions named have also
been disbanded but it is customary to shift the evidence very
carefully and conservatively before drawing such a definite
conclusion.
 
(B)      
TOWNS and VILLAGES etc. captured by the Australian Army Corps
during the operation undertaken between 27th March and 4th Octr. ‘18
Operations up
Till 7th August		 Truex.    
Ville-sur-Anore.    
  Hamel.    
  Recapture of Village-Bretonneux    
Advance of
8th August.		 Warfusee-Abancourt. Haroonnieres. Cerisy-Gailly.
Lamotte-en-Santrerre. Morcourt. Mericourt-sur-Somme.
  Bayonvillers. Gailly.  
Up to
22nd August		 Chipilly. Raincourt. Lihons.
Etineham. Framerville.  
  Proyart. Vauvillers.  
23rd August. Chuigonolles.    
  Chuignes.    
  Herleyville.    
  Lihu Farm.    
upx to
29th August.		 Bray-sur-Somme. Biaches. Bony-en-Santerre.
La Nevuville-Les-Bray. La Chapellette. Borgny.
  Suzanne. Fontaine les Cappy. Bovent.
  Cappy. Fay. Abliancourt.
  Eclusier. Assevillers. Genermont.
  Vaux. Barleux. Comiecourt
  Frise. Eterpigny. Mazancourt.
  Curlu. Foucoucourt. Fresnes-Mazancourt.
  Hem. Belloy-en-Santerre. Misery.
  Feuillers. Villers-Carbonnel. Briost.
  Buscourt Dompierre. Soyecourt. Cizancourt.
  Recquincourt. Vermandovilliers.  
  Flaucourt. Deniscourt.  
Up to
[[?]]h September.		 Mont.St. Quentin. Omniecourt-les-Clery.  
Peronne. Halle. Fouillaucourt.
  Clery-sur-Somme. Sainte-Radegonde. Flamicourt.
Up to
17th September.		 Brie, Mons-en-chaussee. Hervilly.
Le-Mesnil-Bruntel. Tincourt-Voucly. Hesbecourt.
  Doingt. Boucly. Jeancourt.
  Bussu. Hamel. Bernes.
  Courcelles. Beaumetz. Vendelles.
  Buire. Hancourt. Flechin.
  Brusle. Bovincourt. Seyecourt.
  Cartigny. Vrainbes. Poeuilly.
  Catelet. Marquaix. Bihecourt.
  St. Cren. Hamrlet Vermand.
  Bias. Poisal.  
18th September. Le Verguier. Villeret.  
  Hargicourt. Vadencourt.  
 
(B) Contd.      
Up to
4th October.		 Bullicourt.    
Maurey.    
  Pony.    
  Mt. St. Martin.    
  Lormisset.    
Eatrrees.    
  Joncourt.    
  Biencourt.    
Ramicourt.    
  Montbrehain.    
A total of 116 towns and villages – not including
many fortified farms, mills, sugar refineries, woods
and corpses.

 

 
(C)      
FRONTAGES, DEPTHS AND AREAS OF SUCCESSIVE ADVANCES.
PERIOD FRONTAGE
IN YARDS.		 AVERAGE DEPTH
OF ADVANCE.
IN YARDS.		 SQUARE MILES
OF TERRITORY
CAPTURED.
March 27 till
August 7th.

14,000

2,500

12
August 8th.

8,000

11,000

29
Up till August
2nd

11,000
4,000

2,500)
5,000)

16
August 23rd.

10,000

3,000

10
Up till August
29th.

16,000

13,000

80
Up till Sept.
4th.

7,000

4,500

10
Up till 
Sept. 17th.

10,000
2,000

17,000
3,000

57
13x
Sept. 18th.

8,000

3,000

13
Up till Oct.
4th.

6,000

12,000

34
    TOTAL - 251 Sq. Miles.
 
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