General, Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 22, 1 February - 10 April 1919- Part 3

Mid-Day Luncheon Club
ELMER J. KNEALE, SECRETARY
ILLINOIS STATE REGISTER
SPRINGFIELD, ILL.
To Lieutenant General John Monash,
Australian Expeditionary forces,
Paris,
FRANCE.
La Perouse
 

[*RD*]
11/2/19
To all whom it may Concern.
I have great pleasure in very strongly recommending
Major Keith Officer, M.C, O.B.E. for appointment in the Egyptian
Civil Service.
This officer is in my opinion eminently qualified for such an
appointment. He has had a brilliant & highly successful career
in the Australian Imperial Force, concluding with a period of over twelve
months as an officer of the Administrative Staff of the Headquarters of the
Australian Army Corps.
In this capacity he displayed qualities of industry, initiative
judgement & tact of a high order, & his services proved were of the greatest value
to me. - He will undoubtedly prove of qualified for responsible administrative
duties requiring force of character and application
Lieut. General.
Comg Australian Army Corps.

[*RD*]
The affinity of the Australian people and Australian soldiers for the great
American Republic took birth from the memorable visit of the American fleet
to our shores. -It was fostered by the mutual sympathy and with the common ideals shared
by these two democarcies, - and by the community of their interest in the
problems of the Pacific. - It culminated in the comradeship of their fighting
men in the Great War.- The flower of the youth of Australia and of
America met and fraternized upon the battle scarred soil of France.
They recognized, in each other, a Kindredship of spirit and ^of their outlook upon
life. They were privileged to fight shoulder to shoulder in several of the most
notable battles of the War.-
From ^July 4 the famous day of Hamel, when American troops just entered the conflict,
until the final and decisive series of victories which ^in September & October resulted in the capture
of the great Hindenburg line in its most formidable sector, Australians &
Americans have worked and fought and bled together. These stirring events
have set the seal upon this brotherhood. -
For none of the American troops with which they have been thus associated
will the "diggers" (as they are affectionately nicknamed) have a more
 

affectionate lasting remembrance than for the boys of the 27^th American
Division. To the gallantry and sacrifices of this splendid Division, as
displayed in that heroic feat of arms which led to the capture of the famous
Tunnel, and of Bony, Gouy and Le Catelet, our men bear willing
witness. - It was this Knock-out blow which that compelled the Germans
to launch their final peace offer, which so soon ^after led to the Armistice.
It has been, to me personally, a source of great pride to have had
the 27^th Division, together with its sister Division, the 30^th, under my
Command ^for these great operations and to have been afforded the opportunity of so close and
successful an association with their Commander, staff and soldiers.-
And the ^whole Australian Army Corps will ever remember with pleasure that
close and happy association. And I do not doubt that the men of the 27^th
Division will not soon
forget their comrades of the Australian Army Corps. -
Lieut. General.
 

[*RD*]
12-2-19
Austr. Base Havre
Telegraph maximum number of Quota you
can accomodate at Havre from and after
nineteenth instant aaa Monash
Demobaust.
 

[*RD*]
13/2/19
Stralis Cairo
Shipping strikes render impossible reserving
any space for you in ^few. ships embarking up to
end February aaa Shall consider March possibilities
and advise you aaa Only a few March ships
will go via Suez. -
 

[*RD*]
13/2/19
Second Australian Division
Desire Wisdom here earliest possible aaa
Telegraph date can expect him aaa Monash
Demobaust.
 

[*RD*]
[*3 Copies*]
15/2/19
General John J. Pershing XXX
Commander-in-Chief
American Expeditionary Forces
France
My dear General
I have just received your letter of January 31, and hasten to thank
you very warmly for same, and for the great honor which the President
of the United States has, through you, conferred upon me by the award of
the Distinguished Service Medal. - No doubt ^I am sure that you fully realize the
close intimate comradeship which has been consummated engendered between us Australians
and the American troops. - Their close association in the great operations
of September & October last has cemented will remain for us a proud memory
for all time. I accept this splendid mark of the President's recognition, on
my own behalf & that of my Corps, as a token and symbol of that comradeship,
and I am confident that it will be so regarded by the people of my
Dominion. - Again thanking you most cordially
yours very sincerely
 

[*RD*]
17/2/19
Salaustra
Tidworth
For General McCay aaa Approval given ^to your allotting to number
one and two Command Depots first two troopships
hereafter notified provided you safeguard only
fit men being selected ^embarked therein and explain to other troops
emergency nature of this measure. aaa Monash
Demobaust.
Copy to 
2.D.
3 D. .
 

[*RD*]
17/2/19
Q.M.G, G.H.Q
For Demob. Liaison. aaa Number nine or number ten
quota whichever first ready can now be despatched to
England provided it does not reach Weymouth before afternoon
of nineteenth aaa Consign it provisionally xxx to Heytesbury
[*B*] aaa Drafts not exceeding total six hundred can also be
sent England aaa No further entrainments after Quota twelve
can yet be notified to Corps aaa Acknowledge aaa
Addressed Demob. Liaison, repeated Salaustra, Australian
Corps, Australian Base Havre SEARAIL. War Office.
Demobaust.
 

[*RD*]
17/2/19
To confine troops for each State to separate steamers would
involve complete and fundamental change of whole Demobilization
procedure aaa No such change could be made initiated until
all troops ^already in England as at present organized have embarked ^as at present organized this being
not earlier than middle April aaa While change being effected
by rearranging English depots all further withdrawals of troops
from xxx France would have to cease ^and all previous methods of withdrawal entirely recast aaa This would cause most
serious disaffection ^and great delay aaa Even after change of system effected
results could not be felt in Australia until June at earliest.
Attached letter to Capt Barker 17/2/19