General, Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 20, 31 July - 15 August - 1918 - Part 16

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
RCDIG000635
Difficulty:
2

Page 1 / 10

SPECLALORDER OFTHE DAY By FIELD-MARSHALSIR DOUGLASHAIG K.T. G. C.B. G.C.V.O, K.C.I.E M Commander in-Chief, British Armies in Prance. Thefollowing letter from His Majesty the King is published for the information of allranks:- 13th August 1918. MY DEAR FIELD-MARSHAL, Atthe beginning of the ffth year of the war I again have had the pleasure of being with my Armies. Writing to you after my last visit on the 30th March, and alluding to the then necessary withdrawal from certain of our positions, I dwelt upon the impression made upon me by the splendid spirit of the troops which I saw during those days. Subsequent events have given ample proof that this was a true impression. For never since that time has the spirit of the Armyfaltered. Wehave seen it reasserting itself and carrying to a triumphant issue the operations of the past week. On these happy results Imost warmly congratulate you andthetroops thathave fought so magnifcently under your command. I gratefully recognise that this high morale is in part the outcome of a hearty co-operation between the fghting Army and the great organisations behind the line; the transport service by land and sea; and those vast industries in which the men and women at home maintain the supplies of food and munitions of war. I have heard on all sides of the inestimable value of the Machine Gun Corps in the fghting line, and this was brought home tome bythefneappearance of detachments which saw in the different areas. I have inspected detachments of the Royal Air Force. Its prowess and established superiority over the enemy makes me proud to be the General-in-Chief of this last creation in the fghting forces of the world. It was specially satisfactory that I was able to see the work of the Tank Corps, and thus to form some slight idea of the part which this wondrous and steadily developing invention has played in the present victorious battle. I gained for the frst time an insightintothe thorough and practical manner in which the Forestry Department is carrying out its varied duties. It was a pleasure to me to fnd from the admirable condition ofthehorses and mules of the various units Linspected that the New Armies fully uphold our national reputation as good horse-masters. During my visit I have conferred a number of Victoria Crosses for deeds of valour and self-sacrifce, the records of which fll my heart with pride and veneration.
Of the hospitals, their efdciency, skill, devotion and untiring efforts of the stads, I cannot speak in too high praise. Irealise with thankfuiness all thatis done for the spiritual welfare of the troops by the chaplains of the different denominations. I am glad to fnd that the Army Commanders appreciate theimportance of afording means for the amusement and diversion of the troops in their leisure time, and that every effort to this end is undertaken by the authorities and by private help. I return home with feelings of profound admiration of our Armies, convinced that in union with those of the Allied Nations we shall, with Gods help, secure a victorious peace worthy of the noble sacrifces made; a peace which must be a surety to coming generations against sufferings such as the present world has endured throughout years of relentless war. Believe me, very sincerely yours, GEORGE, R.I. Hart: Thhr: Commander -in-Chicf, General Headquarters, Brütish Armies in Fraucc. August 15th. 1918. edivdas olemods Sh uesf sdst r o ensA-8118 PRINTED IN FRANCE BY ARMY PRINTING AND STATIONZRY SERVICES.
f A USTRALIAN CORPS -------------------- Wounded Admitted to Field Ambulances - Operations 8.8-18 From Zero From 6pm 12-8-18 13-8-18 To 6pm õpm 13-8-18 FORMATION Officers D/Ranks O/Ranks Officers 1292 37 1st Australian Division 1039 23 2nd Australian Division 739 29 68 3rd Australiar Division 696 4th Australian Division 598 32 5th Australian Division 493 40 Corps Troops 937 26 127 Other Formations 2304 208 139 Australian Total 5790 265 Grand Total TTG P risoners of Var Kesttreder COLONEL Headquarters D.D.M.S. Australian Corps 13th August 1918 Copies to :- A$C.C. B.G.G.S.
CORPS A US TR A LIA N ------- ------- ----------------- Wounded admitted to Field Ambulances - Operations From 3ero 8-8-18 From opm 12-8-18 To 12 nn.13-8-18 To 12 nn 13-8-18 vormation fdicers O/Ranks Officers O/Ranks 1281 1st Australian Division 1030 ivision 2nd Australian 726 55 29 3rd Australian Division 695 29 4th Australian Division 597 5th Australian Division 486 Corps Troops 854 34 44 Other Formations 2325 93 207 Australian Total 5663 270 135 Grand Total TT8 26 Prisoners of War Restreuhen COLONEL Headquarters D.D.M.S. Australian Corps. 13th August 1918 Copies to A.C.C. 4.G.G.S.
COPY. FRAN C E, 14-8-18. My dear Father, Warm congratulations on the winning of the G.C.M.G. Everyone here expresses pleasure at the preferment. I read of it very casually in the paper early one morning. At mess that night the Colonel proposed your health and asked that I should convey the compliments and congratulations of the Battalion to you. Some very nice speeches were made and on all hands I am being congratulated. As you see we are in the thick of it. My Battalion is in the front line with the Colonel. We take it in turn to take the Battalion in. I was appointed Liaison Officer with the Brigade which took the Final Objective on the first day and with Will Stewart went up to the front line posts. An Australian Mach, ne Gunner would have ensured us staying there, but this particular Hun has lost his punch and his skill and, tho' sniped at by a Machine Gun at less than 200x range neither of us were hit. I am back now with the Battle Surplus, my duties being finished. There was no sign of fight in the 10,000 yards I covered. The Hun surrendered freely and it was a picnic compared with the Landing or Lone Pine. Very few casualties quite a walk over. In the last sector I took the Battalion in and we were getting Huns in broad daylight. The position seems to be that the Huns puts rubbish and troops who won’t fight in his front line and keeps
.. his picked troops in reserve. We have been mopping up this rubbish day after day for months. No we can see that his picked troops are being brought in; so that he must be tapping his reserves. The organization of the show was wonderful. Monash seems to be making good. I have seen nothing to equal it. It puts fresh heart into one to see the evidences of the master hand. We are in dug-outs in a hillside which remind one of Gallipoli. Lights have to be dispensed with at night. The planes are unfailing in their regularity. I suppose the Hun will turn round and make another big attempt to secure the initiative. In the meantime he is losing very valuable time which I think is the direction along which this success The country seems to me worthless and the is to be measured. prisoners are mostly poor stuff and his losses in booty negligible I think. Very warm congratulations. Affectionately Yours, (Sgd) SYD. G.S.COOK. (ask P.S. What is the correct form of address?
14812 Gonffense at Pla Chatan, Wülns-retoueng-Oug'St 1. Oferatm portponet eøne die. Thankke 5o Bis Comanders, Staffor drärleng. 2. Desseagg.- Boraches of.s Cane under notiér. Reakood:- (a) Brffrenlkerg out teovan (5 Dvaning vrennses to an dey dit kuntn esmevheo etar (d) than, osken agam dinvggnniget or tit hin oobadlg [o Bdage at lenst onr ofarako, haofoa, onlg poatponed (as necnnantg tr reat-trospa om lne Owrng hortfonemaent- (d vonfvorite deføniketgt forskatas batee dinnim posbadtg 12 o adg tå hr wodee. I75 u t e e 4. Apova:: AMTwsychen (, atrgeeiStt – it t (a) 55 Du. velienn gt, on after righebg- 4 322. 20s rehiane 2 2 du, om navon tvrt, - oken avartatee. (9 Lianvodtovsl, - atautetart. (d1 3 Døv. rande tast, bat mooee favneket pagke hr I. g Rvvet. (e) Tohreston finr enenng onskea or Kig bore tunt atis- (a) hianov toore Slanke fast -decmonting Sovag Valleg S. Toleg 66. 45 Du. Stand fast - me epftatatan-ty fromd påm woreendling (chantnan) Trap- oy tors bul aggaante patvollung enerashe avunnng ofplnon gas kndd o lvneinaan. I kattonat sottr enevng- Tnat erflstat STgi.-Detin (c) Entong disospaingston here Raassmei- Tanskona baadl enevng gune Tevollg a dvaond cavne edvstast nåk Lianavodver Ssffianlein g fiepaneifnt llønate sed lene 17 22 dud. E plag apa an pospamne mett valared 2hiDis! egfentatsnit pram liee måd velandt (d) (e) dete 3sål+ t feite omt de-eutant, to tomnlin. it Bate Bipaung, bosbety 3o1, a 3v2 &. Aleidg, borfo it Sormtvanping t lømntktatteg klatlem Tleprasation ohhstugapdlg. - lesfi Fogart font) TTesfartkng eipkat lomalton. (a) Orpanpetosg arcn 6. Adminntratin:- (6) Sopstamats Satsage, Collastim a Frophin, Bnrgalg enenng deld o Loses. vrrr (a) Reting, batung, Ferospangeti vtrgmnis. () (d) Honva v Avvard.. ( Laave h het leitavotift I Du. Kiünender 3 skon Copevibbom
AUSTRALIAN GORPS. Wounded Admitted to Fiold Ambulances - Oporations Prom Zoro 8-8-18 Prom Gnn. 13th.-8-18 öpm. 14th.-8-18 To FORMATION To öpm. 14-8-18 Ohanks Orsisorp Orficer LRanks 32 1324 stAustralian Div. øndAustralian Div. 1056 742 SrdAustralian Div. 20 4th. Australian Div. 712 32 5thäustralian Div. 598 510 Corps Troops. Othor Formations. 101 1038 17th. Div. Australjan Foual brand Total Prisoners of! lhetner Mf COLONEL. Headquarters D.D..St Australian Corps. 14th. Aug.1918. Copies to :- A.C.C. B.O.,G.S. Inf. Burcau.
AUSTRALIAN CORPS. Wounded Admitted to Field Ambulances - Operations. From Zero 8.8-18. From 6p.m. 13th-8-18. To 12noon. 14th.8018. To 12noon14-8118. Formation. o/Ranks. Officers Officers o/Ranks. 1317 25 lst. Australian Div. 47 1048 2nd. Australian Div. 742 3rd. Australian Div. 709 29 4th. Australian Div. 598 5th. Australian Div. 510 Corps Troops. 1029 26 Other Formations. 17th. Div. Sald Australian Total Prindnäpt! aor Grand Total Prisoners of Mar CChatmen The( CoLoust. Headquarters D.D.M.S. Australian Corps. 14th. Aug. 1918. Copies to;- A.C.C. B.G.G.S.
A USTRALIAN CORPS ----------- --------------------------------- Wounded admitted to Field Ambulances - Operations From Zero 8-8-18 From opm 13th-8-18 6am 14-8-18 To 6am 14th-8-18 FORMITION Officers O/Ranks. O/Ranks. Offioer: 1309 71 17 lst Australian Division 1042 2nd Australian Division 740 29 Division 3rd Australian 706 10 4th Australian Division 598 Division 5th Australian 503 10 Corps Troops 998 26 61 Other Formations 4395 and Australian Total 274 5896 36 Ind Iobal 782 26 Prlsoners of Var dioment Chetno- MCOLON Headquarters D.D.M.S. Australian Corps 14th Aug.1918 Copies to :- A.C.C. B.G.,G.S.

SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY
By FIELD-MARSHAL SIR DOUGLAS HAIG
K.T., G.C.B., G.C.V.O., K.C.I.E
Commander in-Chief, British Armies in France.
The following letter from His Majesty the King is published for the information of all ranks:—
13th August 1918.
MY DEAR FIELD-MARSHAL,
At the beginning of the fifth year of the war I again have had the pleasure of being
with my Armies.
Writing to you after my last visit on the 30th March, and alluding to the then
necessary withdrawal from certain of our positions, I dwelt upon the impression made
upon me by the splendid spirit of the troops which I saw during those days. Subsequent
events have given ample proof that this was a true impression. For never since that
time has the spirit of the Army faltered. We have seen it reasserting itself and carrying
to a triumphant issue the operations of the past week.
On these happy results I most warmly congratulate you and the troops that have fought
so magnificently under your command.
I gratefully recognise that this high morale is in part the outcome of a hearty
co-operation between the fighting Army and the great organisations behind the line; the
transport service by land and sea; and those vast industries in which the men and women
at home maintain the supplies of food and munitions of war.
I have heard on all sides of the inestimable value of the Machine Gun Corps in the
fighting line, and this was brought home to me by the fine appearance of detachments which
I saw in the different areas.
I have inspected detachments of the Royal Air Force. Its prowess and established
superiority over the enemy makes me proud to be the General-in-Chief of this last creation
in the fighting forces of the world.
It was specially satisfactory that I was able to see the work of the Tank Corps, and
thus to form some slight idea of the part which this wondrous and steadily developing
invention has played in the present victorious battle.
I gained for the first time an insight into the thorough and practical manner in which
the Forestry Department is carrying out its varied duties.
It was a pleasure to me to find from the admirable condition of the horses and mules of
the various units I inspected that the New Armies fully uphold our national reputation
as good horse-masters.
During my visit I have conferred a number of Victoria Crosses for deeds of valour and
self-sacrifice, the records of which fill my heart with pride and veneration.
 

 

Of the hospitals, their efficiency, skill, devotion and untiring efforts of the staffs, I
cannot speak in too high praise.
I realise with thankfulness all that is done for the spiritual welfare of the troops by
the chaplains of the different denominations.
I am glad to find that the Army Commanders appreciate the importance of affording
means for the amusement and diversion of the troops in their leisure time, and that
every effort to this end is undertaken by the authorities and by private help.
I return home with feelings of profound admiration of our Armies, convinced that
in union with those of the Allied Nations we shall, with Gods help, secure a victorious
peace worthy of the noble sacrifices made ; a peace which must be a surety to coming
generations against sufferings such as the present world has endured throughout [[these]]
years of relentless war.
Believe me, very sincerely yours,
GEORGE, R.I.
D. Haig. F.Lu.
Commander-in-Chief,
British Armies in France.
General Headquarters,
August 15th. 1918.
PRINTED IN FRANCE BY ARMY PRINTING AND STATIONERY SERVICES. PREFS A-8/18
 

 

AUSTRALIAN CORPS
Wounded Admitted to Field Ambulances – Operations
 

Formation From 6pm 12-8-18
To 6pm 13-8-18
From Zero 8-8-18
To 6pm 13-8-18
  Officers O/Ranks Officers LO/Ranks
1st Australian Division

3

37

71

1292

2nd Australian Division

1

23

47

1039

3rd Australian Division

1

68

29

739

4th Australian Division

-

1

29

696

5th Australian Division

1

-

32

598

Corps Troops

1

9

40

493

Other Formations

4

127

24

937

Australian Total

6

139

208

4364

Grand Total

11

265

272

5794

P ris oners of War

1

3

25

779

[[?signature]]
COLONEL
D.D.M.S. Australian Corps
Headquarters
13th August 1918
Copies to :- A.C.C.
B.G.G.S.
 [*JM
14/8/18*]

 

AUSTRALIAN CORPS
Wounded Admitted to Field Ambulances – Operations

Formation From 6pm 12-8-18
To 12 nn 13-8-18
From Zero 8-8-18
To 12nn 13-8-18
  Officers O/Ranks Officers O/Ranks
1st Australian Division

3

26

71

1281

2nd Australian Division

1

12

47

1030

3rd Australian Division

1

55

29

726

4th Australian Division

-

-

29

695

5th Australian Division

-

-

31

597

Corps Troops

-

2

39

486

Other Formations

4

44

24

854

Australian Total                5                93           207         4329
Grand Total                9               139           270         5669
Prisoners of War                1                   2             26            778

[[?signature]]
COLONEL
D.D.M.S. Australian Corps.
Headquarters
13th August 1918
Copies to A.C.C.
A.G.G.S.
 

 

COPY.
FRANCE,
14-8-18.
My dear Father,
Warm congratulations on the winning of the G.C.M.G.
Everyone here expresses pleasure at the preferment. I read of it
very casually in the paper early one morning. At mess that night
the Colonel proposed your health and asked that I should convey the
compliments and congratulations of the Battalion to you. Some very
nice speeches were made and on all hands I am being congratulated.
As you see we are in the thick of it. My Battalion is in the
front line with the Colonel. We take it in turn to take the
Battalion in. I was appointed Liaison Officer with the Brigade
which took the Final Objective on the first day and with Will
Stewart went up to the front line posts. An Australian Machine
Gunner would have ensured us staying there, but this particular Hun
has lost his punch and his skill and, tho' sniped at by a Machine
Gun at less than 200x range neither of us were hit. I am back now
with the Battle Surplus, my duties being finished.
There was no sign of fight in the 10,000 yards I covered. The
Hun surrendered freely and as it was a picnic compared with the
Landing or Lone Pine. Very few casualties quite a walk over.
In the last sector I took the Battalion in and we were getting
Huns in broad daylight. The position seems to be that the Huns
puts rubbish and troops who won’t fight in his front line and keeps 

 

-2-
his picked troops in reserve. We have been mopping up this rubbish
day after day for months. No we can see that his picked troops are
being brought in; so that he must be tapping his reserves.
The organization of the show was wonderful. Monash seems to
be making good. I have seen nothing to equal it. It puts fresh
heart into one to see the evidences of the master hand.
We are in dug-outs in a hillside which remind one of Gallipoli.
Lights have to be dispensed with at night. The planes are unfailing
in their regularity.
I suppose the Hun will turn round and make another big attempt
to secure the initiative. In the meantime he is losing very
valuable time which I think is the direction along which this success
is to be measured. The country seems to me worthless and the
prisoners are mostly poor stuff and his losses in booty negligible
I think.
Very warm congratulations.
Affectionately Yours,
(Sgd) SYD. (Cook)
G. S. COOK.
P.S. What is the correct form of address?

 

14/8/18
Conference
at Red Chateau, Villers-Bretonneaux - Aug 15th/18
1. Operations postpones sine die. —
Thanks to Div.  Commanders, Staffs & Artillery.
2. Secrecy.  — Breaches of.—. Case under notice. —
3. Reasons: — (a) Difficulties of our terrain
(b) Drawing reserves to us
(c) Hit him somewhere else
(d) Then, when again disorganized, we hit him.
Our operation, therefore, only postponed  — probably 7 or 8 days at least
Owing postponement  — (a) necessary to rest troops in line
(b) impossible definitely to foreshadow battle divisions
probably 72 or only 48 hrs notice. —
4. Moves: — 17th Div. to go; 32nd to come. —
(a) 4th Div. relieves 1st, on night 15/16 - 1st to rest & refit
(b) 5th Div. relieves 17th, on or after night 16/17 —
(c) 32nd Div. relieves 2nd, on narrow front,  — when available.

(d) Liason Force, - stands fast.

(e) 3rd Div. stands fast, but moves Hamelet Bgde to N. of River.
5. Policy:- The objection give enemy notice we keep battle front alive. —
(a) Liason Force stands fast  — reconnoitring Bray Valley
(b) 4th Div. stands fast — no exploitation — by ground gains
 - but wire cutting [[ch?]] map - by 6" Hows.

aggressive patrolling

energetic artillery offensive & gas. —
put in Americans.
Keep touch with enemy. —
(c) 5th Div.— Active exploitation  — map 
Reasons: —E nemy disorganisation here

Pushing back enemy guns
Pivoting on Somme
Close contact with Liaison Force
Difficulties of [[Sugamme ?]] Spur

Ultimate red line

17th Div. to play up to this programme until relieved

(d) 2nd Div. exploitation to green line until relieved
(e) Later 32nd & 4th flatten out re-entrant, to brown line.
(f) Battle [[D?]], probably 3 & 1 , or 3 & 2. —
6. Administrative (g)  Corps: — Sound ranging & Counterbattery
Artillery Preparation
Photography.- (esp. Proyart Front)
Perfecting Signal Communications.
6. Administrative:- (a) Organization of area
(b) Systematic Salvage, Collection of Trophies,
Burying enemy dead & horses-, &c &c
(c) Resting, bathing, re-organization & training.
(1 & 3)
(d) Honors & Awards.
(e) Leave to tired leaders & staffs.
7. 4th Div. Prisoners.
8 Show Anzac ribbon.

 

AUSTRALIAN CORPS.
Wounded Admitted to Field Ambulances – Operations

Formation From 6pm. 13th.-8-18
To 6pm. 14th.-8-18
From Zero 8-8-18
To 6pm. 14-8-18
  Officers O/Ranks Officers O/Ranks
1stAustralian Div.

-

32

71

1324

2ndAustralian Div.

1

17

48

1056

3rdAustralian Div.

-

3

29

742

4th Australian Div.

-

16

29

712

5th Australian Div.

-

-

32

598

Corps Troops.

-

17

40

510

Other Formations.

2

101

26

1038

17th. Div.

1

2

1

2

Australian Total

1

68

209

4432

Grand Total

4

188

276

5982

Prisoners of War

-

5

26

784

C L Chapman Major   COLONEL.
D.D.M.S. Australian Corps
Headquarters
14th August 1918
Copies to :- A.C.C.
B.G.,G.S.

Inf. Bureau.

A. 

 

AUSTRALIAN CORPS.
Wounded Admitted to Field Ambulances – Operations

Formation From 6pm. 13th-8-18.
To 12noon. 14th-8-18.
From Zero 8-8-18.
To 12noon14-8-18.
  Officers O/Ranks. Officers O/Ranks.
1st Australian Div.

-

25

71

1317

2nd Australian Div.

-

9

47

1048

3rd Australian Div.

-

3

29

742

4th Australian Div.

-

13

29

709

5th Australian Div.

-

-

32

598

Corps Troops.

-

17

40

510

Other Formations.

2

92

26

1029

17th Div.

1

2

1

2

Australian Total

-

50

208

4414

Grand TotalP ary

 

 

 

 

Grand Total

3

161

275

5955

Prisoners of War

-

4

26

783

C L Chapman Major   COLONEL.
D.D.M.S. Australian Corps
Headquarters
14th August 1918.
Copies to ;- A.C.C.
B.G.G.S. 

 

AUSTRALIAN CORPS.
Wounded Admitted to Field Ambulances – Operations

Formation From 6pm 13th-8-18
To 6am 14th-8-18
From Zero 8-8-18
To 6am 14-8-18
  Officers O/Ranks. Officers O/Ranks.
1st Australian Division

-

17

71

1309

2nd Australian Division

-

3

47

1042

3rd Australian Division

-

1

29

740

4th Australian Division

-

10

29

706

5th Australian Division

-

-

32

598

Corps Troops

-

10

40

503

Other Formations

2

61

26

998

Australian Total

-

31

208

4395

Grand Total

2

102

274

5896

Prisoners of War

-

3

26

782

Clement Chapman Major    COLONEL
D.D.M.S. Australian Corps
Headquarters
14th Aug.1918
Copies to :- A.C.C.
B.G.,G.S.
[*JM
14/8/18*]

 
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