General, Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 20, 31 July - 15 August - 1918 - Part 2

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
RCDIG000635
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

loss, consideration should be given as to what extent the heavy artillery should be reinforced. It is advisable not to withdraw the heavy brigades which are operating north of the SOMME but to emplace new guns on the south side. As it is proposed to continue the advance to the final objectives with a Brigade Group organization, six Field Artillery Brigades will be required to carry this out. These Artillery Brigades will require to be in such positions as may be required by "C" and "D" Divisions at the time when these Divisions cross the line of the first objective. These brigades may be utilised in the barrage for the advance to the first objective and then withdrawn from this barrage to move up prior to the cessation of the barrage fire of the remainder. They must be emplaced with this in view. It should not be very difficult to have the teams standing by from zero hour with loaded ammunition limbers in previously allotted positions near the batteries. If, however, these six Brigades are to be withdrawn from the Barrage there would be a considerable delay before they could reach the first objective to support the advance of the Brigades of "A" and "B" Divisions. The question of the desired length of time of a halt on the first objective will be controlled in a very large measure by the time it will take to withdraw these guns and bring them forward into pre- arranged supporting positions for the second advance.
4 5. E NGINEERS. The Engineer resources per Division consist of three Field Com- panies and one Pioneer Battalion. These are all up to strength and in some cases well over strength. Owing to the dry weather the employment of the Engineers and Pioneers throughout the operation will be almost entirely devoted to the opening and improvement of communications. As the advance proceeds this becomes more and more a function ofnthe Corps. It will be essential to select and allot definite roads for various classes of traffic. The main roads as far forward as CORBY-VILLERS BRETONNEUX line will be required to carry lorries. It is not likely that roads can be repaired and put into a fit state for lorry traffic in advance of this at first. It will not be possible to use lorries on the main road east of VILLERS-BRETONNEUX owing to its visibility. The following main roads forward will be required chiefly for wheeled traffic :- Main VILLERS-BRETONNEUX - WARFUSEE Road; HAMEL - CERISY - GAILLY - WARFUSEE Road; VILLERS-BRETONNEUX - MARCEL CAVE ROAD by arrangement with the right flank Corps. MARCELCAVE - WARFUSEE - HAMEL Main Road. Fullxdetails of roads allotted to wheeled traffic and pack transport are shewn in attached maps. The instructions as to the extent to which the Engineer and Pioneer personnel cat be most
2. eeffectively employed by Corps and Divisional arrangements respectively would seem to indicate that a large proportion of Engineer units should be pooled under the direction of the Chief Engineer of the Corps. It is, therefore, proposed to withdraw the following: From "A" and "B" Divisions - 1 Field Company each; From "C" and "D" Divisions - 2 Field Companies each. PIONEERS. From "A" Division - The whole Phoneer Battalion; From "D" Division - The whole Pioneer Battalion. The Pioneer Battalion of "B" Division wtill be distributed under its own C. 0. - Two (2) Companies to "A” Division; Two (2) Companies to "B" Dtvision. The Pioneer Battalion of "C" Division will be distributed under its own C. O.- Two (2) Companies to "C" Division; Two (2) Companies to "D" Division. These units will be employed under C.R.E's. throughout the operation.
. T A N KS. The total number of Tanks available is - 109 Mark V.. .. .. 1 Brigade; 653 36 Mark V.. .. .. 1 Battalion; Whippets. .. .. .. 1 Battalion; Supply Tanks... . 12. DISTRISURION. (a) Whippets - Final Objective moving independently, allotted to each divisional front. i Company of Whippets - 2 Companies (each 12 tanks. Acting under Divisions. Coy. of Whippets each s 1 Company. (6 tanks). (b) MARK v - - Allotted to each Division detailed to the final objective for exploitation. 1s tanks. 1i Companies s (Man carrying capacity - 20 per tank.) MarkV (c), Allotted to each Brigade detailed to first objective. 1 Company - 12 Tanks. Allotted to each Brigade detailed torsecond objective. i Company - 12 tanks. Reserve for each Division - Company (é tanks). (3) (d) Supply Tanks. - To each Brigade in final objective, 2 tanks.
Anrag Staf 756en Aug IR Colors emblemalic Wattle Red Gum orWaratah TheSea Raa of NZ N.L.Fern
Sa De. 104110r0 Australian Corps, ist August, 1918. 4th Australian Division G.O.C.R.A., Aust. Corps B.G.H.A., Aust. Corps ------------------------ The fellowing infermation regarding enemy organizations in the järritory north of the LUCE is forwarded: Camps and Bivouas 15 Way PROYART Large hutments at R.28.d.6.5 30 May IGNAUCOURT N. Artillery echelons in the ravine (V.28.a.5)) 7 June YART N.W. Huts - resting battalion of 97 I.R., 10s DétA. 15 July LIHONS W. Heavy artillery in a weod. Heavy batteries with tractors under trees of rcad. Bivouacs for more than 100 horses in vicinity. ROSIERES and e sen-Lager. A term apparently applied to ral camps, and bivouacs sltuated between LIHONS seve ROSIERN ES and LIHONS, comprising chiefly: ist and 2nd line transport of 87th and a field butchery of the LI Army Corps in a quary. - 303 Field Ambulance (21 Divn.) south of HILL 109. - 154 Field Ambulance, east of the ROSIERES . VAUVILLERS road. - 49 Field Ambulance (5/6 tents) north of LIHONS. - An ambulance north of the railway on the LIHONS - ROSIERES road. Sfiote 22 May BAYONVILLERS H.Q. 174 Bde., 109 Divn, on the western side, Place des Maronniers. (2. 32.c.5.3) 15 July ROSIERES Advanced H.9. of LI Arny Cerps. Shelter 'n passage in a house. English P. ofV. Cemp near the station. 19 July WTENCOURT Guard Pioneers att. to the 109 Divn. 21 July BAYONVILLERS Resting battalion of 26 R.I.R. and also of the 2nd Gren. Fegt. 21 July HARBONNIERES H.Q. of the 109 Divn. in the neighbotrhood of Te HARBONNIMRES. lst line transport and kitche. of 2nd Gren. Regt. 21 July PROYART H.G. 2nd Gren. Regt. 1 battalion of End Gren. Regt. probably returned at present to BAYOW. VILLERS. Corps Headquarters 15 July ROSIERES Advanced H.Q. of iCorps in a mined dug-cut under house.
A0 15 July 19 July 25 July 19 July 21 July 29/30 June 13 July 19 July 21 July 19 July 21 July 2 July 13 July 19 July 21 July - 2 - Divisional Headquarters 21 Div. PARISOT quarry N.E. ROSIERES. H.9. ROSIERES HARBONNIERES H.9. 109 Divn. neighbourhood of HARBONNIERES or village itself. Brigade Headquarfers BBYONVILLERS H.Q. 174 Bde. 109 Divn, western side, Place des Marroniere. Regimental Headquarters H.C. 378 I.R. Quarry between AUHERCOURT and IGAUCOURT (V. 21.c.5.2) H. 0. 2nd Gren. PROYART Regt. H.9. 26 R.I.R. Ravine PANTALEON (Artillerie Mulde). Battalion Headquasters (U.229. Front line Bn. H.9. 217 R.I.R. western edge N.E. of HANGARD Front line Bn. H.J. 26 R.I.R. TOTEN MULDE (U. 24.a. 36) Ravine N.W. of AUBERCOURT, about Support Bn. H.Q. 376 R.I.R. V. 19. d, 2. 6. Front line Bn. H.Q. 2 G. R. BUDA-PESTH TRENCH, about V.7.a.3.0 Mitzhens Vrn T about W.15.a.5.0. Kitchens of 376 I.R. Wood sast of GUILLANCOUR Kitchens of 26 R.I.R. Ravine south of GUILLACCOURT, W.20.d.2.8. ...... o lst and 24d line asport Ravine S.W. 500m. east of BOIS LEMAIRE. Ist line WIENCOURT transport and kitchens of 26 R.I.R. Bn. in line about y.20.a.4.0. 2nd line transport and kitchens of 26 R.I.R. BAYONVILLFRS lst line transport and kitchens of 376 I.R. Wood GUILLAUCOURT to east about W.15.a.5.0. HARBONNIERES lst line transport and kitchens of 2ndGren. Regt, 2, Brigadier-General General Staff, Australian Corps.
nermallir Somrs Headquarters. SECREI gust, 1918. ist major-General sir J.J.T. Hobbe, K.C.B., v.D., Commanding 5th Australian bivision, Major-Ceneral E.G. Sinclair-Meelagan, C.B.. D.S.O., Commanding eth Australian Division, major-General J. Cellibrand, C.S.. D.S.O., Commanding 3rd Australian Division, Brigadier-Ceneral E.A. Wisdom, C.B., D.S.O., 2/commanding 2nd Australien bivision. The,following notes deal with modifications upon the plans and dispositions as announced by me at yesterday's conference and also with replies to questions which have been raised by Divisional Commanders since the conferenoe The reliefs of the dth Australian Division will take 1. placo as follows s Two Canadian Brigades will relieve two deh Australian (a) Pivision Brigades on the night 4/Sth August. Command passes from Ceneral Maclagan to Canadian (b) Divisional Commander at 10 a.m. on 5th August. Ihe last brigade of the dth Australien Divisig (.) relieved by a Canadias Brigade en the night?woeh August and, after concontrating, will be embussed to Che loce- tion decided upon by the Divisional Commander. The ith and 5th Australian Divisions will so select the positions ef readiness for their battle brigades and will so time the hour of their departure from these positions on zero day as will ensure their advano- guarde (including the Tank venguards) crossing the green line at zero plus four heurs. t the conference I steted that the command of the 3. battle front would pass from G.Os.C. Znd and 3rd Australiam Divisions to c.o's.t., sth and eth Auitralian Divisions as soon as the green line had been reached. This must now be varied to read that the command of the battle front will pass from C.O's.c., 2nd and Srd Australian Divisione to c.O'e.C., Sth and ath Austra- lian Divisione respectively at soro plus four hours. There will be attsched to cach of the four Divisions a section of a Tunnelling Company chich may be empleyed en such work as exploration for enemy dugouts and other underground accommoda- tion for our troope. The Army has laid doen that as a provizional defensive 5. policy the blue line will be definitely organised es a main line with the red line es e recerve line.- The question of whether there should be an outpoet line established cast of the blue line is recerved for future consideration. There is ne intention of carrying the exploitation of the success castward of the blue line. The defences of the blue line will be organised as soon as possible,- in depth,- on the basis of two Prigades in lino and one Brigade in roeerve for cach front line Division. This duty will devolve upon the eth and 5th Australian Divisions until /.errangemente can be
errangemente can be made for the relief of the battle troope. No thippet Tanks will be aveilable for the Australian s. Corpe. The disposition of the tanks given at the conference will o. be slightly veried by reeson of the fact that there are only throe Tank B.ttalions te be allotted to the four Divisione. The ellot- ment propo-ed at the conference involves difficulties of command for the Tank Brigade and will, therefore, be modified on the follow- ing lines which will, however, eneure to cach of the four Australia Divieione the assistence of et least the seme mumber of tanks as already foreshadowed, vis. (a) A complete Tank Battalion of three Companies (S6 tanks) will be allotted to the 2nd Australiam Division. these, two companies, that is, 24 tanks, will follow the berrege with the infentry, end one goæpery, 12 tanke, ollow the treferred to as the Roserve Compen; assaulting waves. then the green line has been reached the above Reserve is) Company of 12 tanke will be the company which will fors the vanguard for the southern brigade of the 5th Division. There eill be precisely similar errangements for the 3rd (e) Australian Division as regards the second Tonk Battalion, with the differenoe thet the Reserve Company of this ad the northern Battalion eill be the Company shich brigade of the ath Division. The third Tank Pattalion will move on both sid-- of the ) inter-divisional boundary, that is, one company on each side of the boundary, the southern company leading the inner brigade of the 5th Division and the northern company leading the inner brigade of the dth Division. Tne third company of this third Battalion vill be in Corpe Reserve. The 4th and Sth Australian Divisione will, therefore, be () aszured cach of teo definite companies of 12 tanks each, the companies being, however, drawn from different Tank Battalions. But in additicn the eth and 5th Australian Divisions will also heve all the tanks of thoso companies chich lond the 2nd and Srd Australian Divisions in the first stage and chich hevo survived the battle and are able to proccod to the second objective. The c.O.C., Sth Tank Erigade, will ensure that there is (f) a definite named Tank Company Commandor responsible to and in lisison with cach ef the sight Infentry Prigadiers seneerned. Thore will be ne American troope employed is the eperation. 10. Corpe orders cill be issued for disengaging the American troops now atteched to Divisions and for their transfer to the Ill Corpe. This disengagement of Ammrican troope will not take placo before 6th August. It is suggested te c.O's.C.. eth and 5th Australian Divi- 11. cions to arrange for the Artillery Trench Mortars of their Division al Artilleries to be carried forward in their carrying tanks. When the green line is reached the protective barrage w 12. be mmintsined in front of it until zero plus four hours at a slow rate of fire, a proportion of the guns searching in depth to the limits of their range. This will be arranged for by C.O.C., R.A. 13. Divisional Commanders will please be prepared with all their detailed plans in time for a final cenferenee probably im
the forcnoon of ith August. Divisional Commanders will please furnish me at the 14. carliest possible moment with their order of battle, that is to the numbers and positions of the Erigades in their plans of say. battlc. Lieutenant-General Commanding Australian Corps.

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loss, consideration should be given as to what extent the heavy
artillery should be reinforced. It is advisable not to withdraw the
heavy brigades which are operating north of the SOMME but to emplace
new guns on the south side.
As it is proposed to continue the advance to the final objectives
with a Brigade Group organization, six Field Artillery Brigades will
be required to carry this out. These Artillery Brigades will require
to be in such positions as may be required by "C" and "D" Divisions
at the time when these Divisions cross the line of the first objective.
These brigades may be utilised in the barrage for the advance to the
first objective and then withdrawn from this barrage to move up prior
to the cessation of the barrage fire of the remainder. They must be
emplaced with this in view. It should not be very difficult to have
the teams standing by from zero hour with loaded ammunition limbers
in previously allotted positions near the batteries.
If, however, these six Brigades are to be withdrawn from the
Barrage there would be a considerable delay before they could reach
the first objective to support the advance of the Brigades of "A" and
"B" Divisions.
The question of the desired length of time of a halt on the first
objective will be controlled in a very large measure by the time it
will take to withdraw these guns and bring them forward into prearranged
supporting positions for the second advance. 

 

- 10 -
ENGINEERS.
The Engineer resources per Division consist of three Field Companies
and one Pioneer Battalion. These are all up to strength and
in some cases well over strength. Owing to the dry weather the
employment of the Engineers and Pioneers throughout the operation
will be almost entirely devoted to the opening and improvement of
communications. As the advance proceeds this becomes more and more
a function ofnthe Corps. It will be essential to select and allot
definite roads for various classes of traffic. The main roads as
far forward as CORBY-VILLERS BRETONNEUX line will be required to
carry lorries. It is not likely that roads can be repaired and
put into a fit state for lorry traffic in advance of this at first.
It will not be possible to use lorries on the main road east of
[*?*] VILLERS-BRETONNEUX owing to its visibility. The following main roads
forward will be required chiefly for wheeled traffic :-
Main VILLERS-BRETONNEUX - WARFUSEE Road;
HAMEL - CERISY - GAILLY - WARFUSEE Road;
VILLERS-BRETONNEUX - MARCEL CAVE ROAD by arrangement with the
right flank Corps.
MARCELCAVE - WARFUSEE - HAMEL Main Road.
Fullxdetails of roads allotted to wheeled traffic and pack
[*x*] transport are shewn in attached maps. The instructions as to the
extent to which the Engineer and Pioneer personnel cabn be most

 

- 11 -
effectively employed by Corps and Divisional arrangements respectively
would seem to indicate that a large proportion of Engineers units should
be pooled under the direction of the Chief Engineer of the Corps. It
is, therefore, proposed to withdraw the following :-
From "A" and "B" Divisions - 1 Field Company each;
From "C" and "D" Divisions - 2 Field Companies each.
PIONEERS.
From "A" Division - The whole Pioneer Battalion;
From "D" Division - The whole Pioneer Battalion.
The Pioneer Battalion of "B" Division wwill be distributed under
its own C. O. -
Two (2) Companies to "A” Division;
Two (2) Companies to "B" Division.
The Pioneer Battalion of "C" Division will be distributed under
its own C. O. -
Two (2) Companies to "C" Division;
Two (2) Companies to "D" Division.
These units will be employed under C.R.E's. throughout the
operation.

 

- 12 -
TANKS.
The total number of Tanks available is -
Mark V .. .. .. 1 Brigade; [*(5th) 108*]
Mark V x .. .. .. 1 Battalion; [*(15th) 36*]
Whippets. .. .. .. 1 Battalion; [*?*]
Supply Tanks. .. .. 12. [*?*]
DISTRIBUTION.
(a) Whippets - Final Objective moving independently, allotted
to each divisional front.
1 Company of Whippets = 2 Companies
(each 12 tanks.
Acting under Divisions.
½ Coy. of Whippets each = 1 Company.
(6 tanks).
[*96/12 8*]
(b) MARK V x - Allotted to each Division detailed to the
final objective for exploitation.
1½ Companies = 18 tanks.
(Man carrying capacity - 20 per tank.)
(c) ^Mark V Allotted to each Brigade detailed to first objective.
1 Company - 12 Tanks.
Allotted to each Brigade detailed toxsecond objective.
1 Company - 12 tanks.
[*X*] Reserve for each Division - ½ ¼ Company (63 tanks). [*(3)*]
(d) Supply Tanks. - To each Brigade in final objective,
2 tanks.

 

Anzac Star
Ribbon -
Hand drawn drawing - see original document.
Colors
emblematic
of
Wattle
Red Gum or Waratah
The Sea
Rata of N.Z.
N.Z. Fern
[*Aug/1918*]

 

[*G.O.C.*]

Lg. 106/1000
Australian Corps,
1st August, 1918.
4th Australian Division
G.O.C.R.A., Aust. Corps
B.G.H.A., Aust. Corps
The following information regarding enemy organizations in the
territory north of the LUCE is forwarded:

Camps and Bivouacs
15 May PROYART Large hutments at R.26.d.6.5
30 May IGNAUCOURT N. Artillery echelons in the ravine (V.28.a.59)
7 June PROYART N.W. Huts - resting battalion of 97 I.R., 108 Divn.
15 July LIHONS W. Heavy artillery in a wood. Heavy batteries
    with tractors under trees of road. Bivouacs
for more than 100 horses in vicinity.
  ROSIERES and Presssen-Lager. A term apparently applied to
  LIHONS several camps, and bivouacs situated between
    ROSIERES and LIHONS, comprising chiefly:
- 1st and 2nd line transport of 87th and
a field butchery of the LI Army Corps in a
quarry.
- 303 Field Ambulance (21 Divn.) south of
HILL 109.
- 154 Field Ambulance, east of the ROSIERES -
VAUVILLERS road.
- 49 Field Ambulance (5/6 tents) north of
LIHONS.
- An ambulance north of the railway on the
LIHONS - ROSIERES road.
Billets    
22 May BAYONVILLERS H.Q. 174 Bde., 109 Divn. on the western side,
    Place des Maronniers. (Q.32.c.5.3)
15 July ROSIERES Advanced H.9. of LI Army Corps. Shelter in
    passage in a house. English P. of W. Camp
near the station.
19 July WIENCOURT Guard Pioneers att. to the 109 Divn.
21 July BAYONVILLERS Resting battalion of 26 R.I.R. and also of
    the 2nd Gren. Regt.
21 July HARBONNIERES H.Q. of the 109 Divn. in the neighbourhood of
    HARBONNIERES. 1st line transport and kitchen
of 2nd Gren. Regt.
21 July PROYART H.Q. 2nd Gren. Regt. 1 battalion of 2nd Gren.
    Regt. probably returned at present to BAYONVILLERS.
Corps Headquarters
15 July ROSIERES Advanced H.Q. of [[LI?]] Corps in a mined dug-out
    under house.
 

- 2 -

Divisional Headquarters
15 July ROSIERES 21 Div. PARISOT quarry N.E. ROSIERES.
19 July HARBONNIERES H.Q. 109 Divn. neighbourhood of HARBONNIERES or
    village itself.
Brigade Headquarters
25 July BAYONVILLERS H.Q. 174 Bde. 109 Divn, western side, Place des
    Marroniere.
Regimental Headquarters
19 July H.Q. 376 I.R. Quarry between AUBERCOURT and IGNAUCOURT (V. 21.c.22)
21 July H.Q. 2nd Gren.  PROYART
  Regt.  
  H.Q. 26 R.I.R. Ravine PANTALEON (Artillerie Mulde).
Battalion Headquarters
    [[(U.2.?9.?]]
29/30 June Front line Bn. H.Q. 217 R.I.R. western edge N.E. of HANGARD
13 July Front line Bn. H.Q. 26 R.I.R. TOTEN MULDE (U. 24.a. 3.6)
19 July Support Bn. H.Q. 376 R.I.R. Ravine N.W. of AUBERCOURT, about
    V.19.d.2.6.
21 July Front line Bn. H.Q. 2 G. R. BUDA-PESTH TRENCH, about V.7.a.3.0
Kitchens
19 July Kitchens of 376 I.R. Wood east of GUILLANCOURT, about W.15.a.5.0.
21 July Kitchens of 26 R.I.R. Ravine south of GUILLACCOURT, W.20.d.2.8.
1st and 2nd line Transport
2 July WIENCOURT Ravine S.W. 500m. east of BOIS LEMAIRE. 1st line
    transport and kitchens of 26 R.I.R. Bn. in line
about W.20.a.4.0.
13 July BAYONVILLERS 2nd line transport and kitchens of 26 R.I.R.
19 July GUILLAUCOURT 1st line transport and kitchens of 376 I.R. Wood
    to east about W.15.a.5.0.
21 July HARBONNIERES 1st line transport and kitchens of 2ndGren. Regt.

[Signature Maj?]
-Brigadier-General
General Staff, Australian Corps. 

 

AUSTRALIAN CORPS.
SECRET. Headquarters,
1st August, 1918.
Major-General Sir J.J.T. Hobbs, K.C.B., V.D.,
Commanding 5th Australian Division,
Major-General E.G. Sinclair-Maclagan, C.B.. D.S.O.,
Commanding 4th Australian Division,
Major-General J. Gellibrand, C.B., D.S.O.,
Commanding 3rd Australian Division,
Brigadier-General E.A. Wisdom, C.B., D.S.O.,
T/Commanding 2nd Australian Division.
The following notes deal with modifications upon the
plans and dispositions as announced by me at yesterday's conference
and also with replies to questions which have been raised by
Divisional Commanders since the conference :-
1. The reliefs of the 4th Australian Division will take
place as follows :-
(a) Two Canadian Brigades will relieve the 4th Australian
Division Brigades on the night 4/5th August.
(b) Command passes from General Maclagan to Canadian
Divisional Commander at 10 a.m. on 5th August.
(c) The last brigade of the 4th Australian Division is
relieved by a Canadian Brigade on the night 4/5 5/6th August
and, after concentrating, will be embussed to the location
decided upon by the Divisional Commander.
2. The 4th and 5th Australian Divisions will so select the
positions of readiness for their battle brigades and will so time
the hour of their departure from these positions on zero day as
will ensure their advanced guards (including the Tank vanguards)
crossing the green line at zero plus four hours.
3. At the conference I stated that the command of the
battle front would pass from G.Os.C., 2nd and 3rd Australian
Divisions to G.O's.C., 5th and 4th Australian Divisions as soon
as the green line had been reached. This must now be varied to
read that the command of the battle front will pass from G.O's.C.,
2nd and 3rd Australian Divisions to G.O's.C., 5th and 4th Australian
Divisions respectively at zero plus four hours.
4. There will be attached to each of the four Divisions a
section of a Tunnelling Company which may be employed on such work
as exploration for enemy dugouts and other underground accommodation
for our troops.
5. The Army has laid down that as a provisional defensive
policy the blue line will be definitely organised as a main line
with the red line as a reserve line.- The question of whether
there should be an outpost line established east of the blue line
is reserved for future consideration.
6. There is no intention of carrying the exploitation of
the success eastward of the blue line.
7. The defences of the blue line will be organised as soon
as possible,- in depth,- on the basis of two Brigades in line and
one Brigade in reserve for each front line Division. This duty
will devolve upon the 4th and 5th Australian Divisions until
/. arrangements can be 

 

- 2 -
arrangements can be made for the relief of the battle troops.
8. No Whippet Tanks will be available for the Australian
Corps.
9. The disposition of the tanks given at the conference will
be slightly varied by reason of the fact that there are only three
Tank Battalions to be allotted to the four Divisions. The allotment
proposed at the conference involves difficulties of command
for the Tank Brigade and will, therefore, be modified on the following
lines which will, however, ensure to each of the four Australian
Divisions the assistance of at least the same number of tanks as
already foreshadowed, viz. -
(a) A complete Tank Battalion of three Companies (36 tanks)
will be allotted to the 2nd Australian Division. Of
these, two companies, that is, 24 tanks, will follow the
barrage with the infantry, and one company, 12 tanks,
(referred to as the Reserve Company) will follow the
assaulting waves.
(b) When the green line has been reached the above Reserve
Company of 12 tanks will be the company which will form
the vanguard for the southern brigade of the 5th Division.
(c) There will be precisely similar arrangements for the 3rd
Australian Division as regards the second Tank Battalion,
with the difference that the Reserve Company of this
Battalion will be the Company which lead the northern
brigade of the 4th Division.
(d) The third Tank Battalion will move on both sides of the
inter-divisional boundary, that is, one company on each
side of the boundary, the southern company leading the
inner brigade of the 5th Division and the northern
company leading the inner brigade of the 4th Division.-
The third company of this third Battalion will be in
Corps Reserve.
(e) The 4th and 5th Australian Divisions will, therefore, be
assured each of two definite companies of 12 tanks each,
the companies being, however, drawn from different Tank
Battalions. But in addition the 4th and 5th Australian
Divisions will also have all the tanks of those companies
which lead the 2nd and 3rd Australian Divisions in the
first stage and which have survived the battle and are
able to proceed to the second objective.
(f) The G.O.C., 5th Tank Brigade, will ensure that there is
a definite named Tank Company Commander responsible to
and in liaison with each of the eight Infantry Brigadiers
concerned.
10. There will be no American troops employed in the operation.
Corps orders will be issued for disengaging the American troops now
attached to Divisions and for their transfer to the Ill Corps. This
disengagement of American troops will not take place before 6th
August.
11. It is suggested to G.O's.C.. 4th and 5th Australian Divisions
to arrange for the Artillery Trench Mortars of their Divisional
Artilleries to be carried forward in their carrying tanks.
12. When the green line is reached the protective barrage will
be maintained in front of it until zero plus four hours at a slow
rate of fire, a proportion of the guns searching in depth to the
limits of their range. This will be arranged for by G.O.C., R.A.
13. Divisional Commanders will please be prepared with all
their detailed plans in time for a final conference probably in

 

- 3 -
the forenoon of 4th August.
14. Divisional Commanders will please furnish me at the
earliest possible moment with their order of battle, that is to
the numbers and positions of the Brigades in their plans of
battle.
Lieutenant-General,
Commanding Australian Corps.

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