General, Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 20, 31 July - 15 August - 1918 - Part 8

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
RCDIG000635
Difficulty:
3

Page 1 / 10

- 2 . C.O., 17th Armoured Car Battalion, should establish a collecting point for information, and transmit same as rapidly as possible to 4th and 5th Australian Divisional Headquarters, the latter Division arranging for repeating same to Corps by priority wire. All returning cars will inform all our troops whom they pass of any information likoly to be of immediate value to them. Brigadier-General, General Staff, Australian Corps. DISTRIBUTION. 2nd Australian Division. 3rd Australiar Division. 4th Australian Division. 5th Australian Division. G.O.C., R.A. B.G.H.A. C.E. Fourth Army. III Corps. 10. Canadian Corps. 5th Tank Brigade. 11.
a AUSTRALLAN CORPS Corps Headquarters, August 7, 1918. To the Scldiers of the Australian Army Cerps.- For the first time in the history of this Corps all five Australian Divisions will temarrow engage in the largest and most important battle operation ever undertaken by the Corps.- They will be supported by an exceptionally powerful Artillery, and by Tanks and Aeroplanes en a scale never previously attempted.- The full resources of cur sister Dominion, the Canadian Cerps, will also eperate en cur right, while two British Divisions will guard our left flank. The many successful effensives which the Brigades and Battalions of this Corps have so brilliantly executed during the past four months have been but the prelude te, and the preparation fer, this greatest and culminating effcrt.- Because of the oompleteness of eur plans and dispositions, of the magnitude of the operations, of the number ef treops emplayed, and of the depth bo which we intond to overrun the enemy's positions, this battle will be one of the most memorable of the whole war; and there can be no doubt that, by capturing our objeotives, we shall inflict blows upon the enemy which will make him stagger, and will bring the end appreciably nearer.- I entertain ne sort of doubt that every Australian soldier will worthily rise to so great an occasion, and that every man, imbued with the spirit of victory, will, in spite of every difficulty that may confront him, be animated by no other resolve than a grim determination to see through, to a clean finish, whatever his task may be.- The work to be done tomorrow will perhaps make heavy demands upen the endurance and staying pswers of many of you; but I am confident that, in spite of excitement, fatigue, and physical strain, every man will sarry on te the utmast of his powers until his goal is won; far the sake of AUSTRALIA, the Empire, and our cause. I earnestly wish every soldier of the Corps the best of good fortune and a glorious and decisive victory, the story of which will re-echo througheut the world, and will live fr.ever in the history of cur heme land.- dbtvortwronadtr. Lieut.-General, Commanding Australian Corps.
D3let C.E. Australian Corps.270106 CHFIWE 8th. August 1918. G.O.G. Australian Corps. There are at present in Poulainville Dump nine (9) lorries each loaded with sufficient wiring materials for 250 yards of double double apron fence - each 500 yards of single double apron fence. These lorries are loaded in the proper proportionate numbers of wire and pickets as follows: Each 100 coils of wire, 200 long pickets, 400 short pickets. They can be moved at any moment under your orders through S.O.R.E. (Captain Burnell). In addition to the above stores, Advanced C.E.Headquarters reports the existence of the following Boche dumps in good condition. d.27.c. Road junction containing inter-alia,barbed wire, con- certina wire, angle iron pickets, and screw pickets in large quantities and undamaged. Barbed wire in large quantities. Q.25.d. Railway Dump at W.7. Not yet personally inspected by my Officer but reported to contain quantity of undamaged stores, of which he is getting å detailed report. A Brigadier-General. Chief Engineer AUSTRALIAN CORPS.
T i me a. m. 3.20 4.20 4.59 S.27 Se 5.43 S8.32 e30 e. e.39 6.43 6.50 7.20 Ta 8.20 sa 8.30 8.40 8.50 3 10.20 10.50 11.20 as Ausr Grnsva. TIME - TABLE OF EVENTS. .-- E vent -1------ Planes in air. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . Lero. Barrage Opens. . . . .. .. . . . . . .- Infantry clear of TAILLOUX WOOD. . . . . . . . . . Barrage reaches protector on North Flank. . . . . . . . . . .- IIl Corpe reaches ORkks Llmg. ............. Infantry enter MasrsEr. .. . ....... Infantry clear of LA MOTTE en SANTERRE. . . ... . . . . III Corps leaveg GRELN LINE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3rd DIVIslON all on CRLEN LINS. . . . . . . . . . . . . end DIVISION all on CREEN LINE. . -. .. . .... Barrage reaches protective line on South Flank. . ..- Contact Plane flies along First Objective Line. ....- Canadians reach GREEN LINE at our Boundary. . . . ...- III Corps reaches BROWN LIME. . . .. . . .. . .. . . ... ath th DIVISIONS cross GREEN LINE. .. . . ......... III Corps reaches RED LINK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . Heavy ARTILLERY lift off CERISY. Canadian Heavy ARTILLERY lift off WIENCOURT. . . Heavy ARTILLERY lift off WEST end of BAYONVILLERS. . Heavy ATILLERY life off EAST end of BAYONJILLERS and MORCOURT. Heavy AmrILIERI lift off EASEERN WORCQURT vALLEY. Heavy ARTILLERY lift off HARSONNIERES. Contact Patrol Planes fly over Secend Objective Line. Contact Patrol Planes fly elong Third Objective Line. Ammunition-Dropping Planes drop their S.A.A. o
.1 25. Nevada Coal Pit. 26. Central Workshops. 27. Main Road. do. - another view. 28. Trl
4 glotie INFCRMATION GIVEN BY EFE. CARTER - ARMOURED CARS COMOR. Got armoured cars through WARFUSEE-ABANCOURT. When we reached the other side we found that some of the road was good choe but a number of trees (large and small) had been tdown and lay right across the road in places. Removed obstacle by chopping up the smaller trees and hauling off the big trees by means of a tank. We practically cleared the road all the way down. We did not come up to the advancing troops until theyw ere well up to the Red Line. When we came to 0.29 & 35 we found quite a number of Huns there. Had to wait on account of barrage but went through light barrage. When we got to 0.30 we detached 3 sections to go down to FRAMERVILLE. When they got there they found all the Boche transport (horse transport and lorries) drawn, up in the road ready to move off. Head of column tried to bolt in one direction and other vehicles in another. Complete confusion. Our men filled up the lot (using 3000 rounds) and left them there. (4 junior staff officers shot also). The cars then came down to the East side of HARBONNIERES, on the S.E. road towards VAUVILLERS and met there some steam wagons and fired into them causing an impassable block. Some shooting round VAUVILIERS. Then came up to main road. Two sections of cars went to XXXX FOCAUCOURT and came in contadt with a Boche gun in Wood N.E. of FOCAUCOURT. This gun blew thee wheels offone car and also hit three others. However three of the cars were got away. 2 other cars came towards PROYART and found a lot of troops billeted there having lunch in houses. Our cars shot into the houses, killing quite a lot of the enemy. One section went towards CHUIGNOLLES and found it full of Germans soldiers. Our cars shot at them. Found rest billets and old trenches also. Engaged them. Had quite a battle there. Extent of damage not known. Our cars then
.2. came back to main road, where I met them. We were well in advance of Blue Line. Everything was perfectly quiet - no shell-fire of any kind. I went --mile beyond LA FLAQUE. There was a big dump there and Huns were continually coming out and we brought quite a lot of them back as prisoners. (Time: about 12.30 p.m.) A party of Huns was detailed to tow back one of my disabled cars. I saw no sign of any wiring system anywhere.- Old overgrown trenches but no organised trench system. I proceeded to some rising ground in W.6. Did not go into FRAMERVILLE but could see that the roofs of the houses were intact. Saw no trace of any organised system of defence of any kind and no troops. My people saw no formed bodies of troops of any kind during the day going towards us, but quite a number of fugitives going in the other direction. I saw,from the hill, open country with a certain amount of vegetation on it. An advance of a line of tanks would require a very good smoke barrage. Shell-fire is increasing from the valleys CHUIGNOLLES - CHUIGNES- HERLEVILLE and RAINECOURT. Infantry on the spot gave me our line as follows - About 1000 yards East of our Blue Line.
80838. sune ege 8oPr Andon Sinn Ex Solsnesr Got armoured cars through WARFUSEE-ABANCOURT. When we dvomai laid. reached the other side we found that scme of the road was good but a number of trees (large and small) had been shot down and veoank bog lay right across the road in places. Romore Obstaclesbe chopping up the smaller trees and hauling off the big trees Tten-taspat ty means of a tank. We prectieelly clear the roac all the vay dorn.) ( We did not come up to advancing troops until they akned mere ko were well up to the Red Line, upal, aat om daadag aa [Then we Lu to dr2d and 28-ve fcant quite a number of ank anekt eik kkan.) a doe o Runs h. [Had to wait on account of barrage but went through a ed dene då- light barrage. When we got to ---0 we detached 3 sections to ga down to FRAMERVILLE. When they got there they found all the Boche,transport therse-transpert and lorries drawn up in e the road ready to move cff. Head of column tried to bolt in one direction and other vehicles in another. Complete con¬ fusion. Our men Willed the lot (using 3000 rounds) and left them there. Znfe jenter staff officers,shot alsof (The cars then a down to the East side of HARBONNIERES, ono on the S.E. road tows VAUVILLERS and met there ceme steam dbir dle) dald wagons,-- fired into,en causing an impassable block. eme bed snooting around VAUVILLERS. Then came to main road. Two sections of cars went to FOCAUCOURT and came in contact with a Boche gun in Wood N.E. of FoGAUCOURC. This gun blew the wheels off one car and also hit threenothers. However,three of the care were got away.) [Two other ears dam towerde- PROYART and found a lot of troops billeted there having lunch in houses. Our oars shot Farnng Ne vomdavad (Inte the Houses, killing euite a lot ofthe eneny, e section went towards CHUICNOLLES and found it full of Cerman soldiers. Our cars shot them. Found rest billets ais kosk-- an and old trenches also, Engaged them. Had quite a battle there.
AUS 2. mt omeicansl. Extent of damage not known, éars then came back to main road, where I met them. We were well in advance of Blue Line. Everything was, perfectly quiet - no shell-fire of any kind. pe2 I went -mile beyond LA FLAQUE. There was a big dump there and Runs continually coming out and we brought quite a Ma) lot of them back as prisoners. (Pimet/about 12.30 p.m.k /A party of Hune was detailed to tow back om od my disabled ear. [I saw no sign of any wirtt system anywhere.- Old over- grown trenches but no organised trench system. ned tvameville. /I proceeded to some rising ground . Did not go into FRAMERVILLE but could see that the roofs of the houses were intact. Saw no trace of any organised system of defence of any kind and no troops./ /My people saw no formed bodies of troops of any kind emning vg larp during the day gtowards us, but qutted number, of fugitives kang opand egaaat av annng s dan a.av-dte valedk soe geing in the rdirection. /I saw, from the hill, open country with a certain amount of vegetation on it. n edvance- of a line of tanks woul require avvery good smoke barrage. -Shell-fire is ineroasing from the valleys eHUIGNOLLES-- nI - Infantry on the spot gave me our line as follows. About 1000 yarde cast of our Blue LIne.
Bended Rirdnord St Rinng. Erngang frg oct et t. 45 an Heng toud Frust frelthetig aur atmne, filte dekeging kfnsten aam Brfantg gr ant tunks fot avn, Puunstalig aur Ouf Atturk ums a Evrgtatt aurfin ame Gaultg aut Reasche tord ergteuet nag Tnenng detding, tas ehnd ch Frg sug lshsd trort am Fkundt Grfr dong well Aäo 1r 184

- 2 -
7. C.O., 17th Armoured Car Battalion, should establish a
collecting point for information, and transmit same as rapidly
as possible to 4th and 5th Australian Divisional Headquarters,
the latter Division arranging for repeating same to Corps by
priority wire.
8. All returning cars will inform all our troops whom
they pass of any information likely to be of immediate value to
them.
Brigadier-General,
General Staff,
Australian Corps.
DISTRIBUTION.
1. 2nd Australian Division.
2. 3rd Australian Division.
3. 4th Australian Division.
4. 5th Australian Division.
5. G.O.C., R.A.
6. B.G.H.A.
7. C.E.
8. Fourth Army.
9. III Corps.
10. Canadian Corps.
11. 5th Tank Brigade.
 

 

 

AUSTRALIAN CORPS
Corps Headquarters,
August 7, 1918.
To the Soldiers of the Australian Army Corps.-
For the first time in the history of this Corps all five
Australian Divisions will tomorrow engage in the largest and
most important battle operation ever undertaken by the Corps.-
They will be supported by an exceptionally powerful
Artillery, and by Tanks and Aeroplanes en a scale never
previously attempted.- The full resources of our sister
Dominion, the Canadian Corps, will also operate on our right,
while two British Divisions will guard our left flank.
The many successful offensives which the Brigades and
Battalions of this Corps have so brilliantly executed during the
past four months have been but the prelude to, and the preparation
for, this greatest and culminating effort.-
Because of the completeness of our plans and
dispositions, of the magnitude of the operations, of the number
of troops employed, and of the depth to which we intend to
overrun the enemy's positions, this battle will be one of the
most memorable of the whole war; and there can be no doubt
that, by capturing our objectives, we shall inflict blows
upon the enemy which will make him stagger, and will bring
the end appreciably nearer.-
I entertain no sort of doubt that every Australian soldier
will worthily rise to so great an occasion, and that every man,
imbued with the spirit of victory, will, in spite of every
difficulty that may confront him, be animated by no other
resolve than a grim determination to see through, to a clean
finish, whatever his task may be.-
The work to be done tomorrow will perhaps make heavy
demands upon the endurance and staying powers of many of you;
but I am confident that, in spite of excitement, fatigue, and
physical strain, every man will carry on to the utmost of his
powers until his goal is won; for the sake of AUSTRALIA, the
Empire, and our cause.
I earnestly wish every soldier of the Corps the best of
good fortune and a glorious and decisive victory, the story of
which will re-echo throughout the world, and will live forever
in the history of our home land.-
John Monash
Lieut.-General,
Commanding Australian Corps.
 

 

CHF/WE 

C.E. Australian Corps.270/186
8th. August 1918.
G.O.C. Australian Corps.
There are at present in Poulainville Dump nine (9)
lorries each loaded with sufficient wiring materials for 250
yards of double double apron fence - each 500 yards of single
double apron fence. These lorries are loaded in the proper
proportionate numbers of wire and pickets as follows:
Each 100 coils of wire, 200 long pickets, 400 short pickets.
They can be moved at any moment under your orders through
S.O.R.E. (Captain Burnell).
In addition to the above stores, Advanced C.E.Headquarters
reports the existence of the following Boche dumps in good
condition.
Q.27.c. Road junction containing, inter-alia,barbed wire, concertina 
wire, angle iron pickets, and screw pickets in
large quantities and undamaged.
Q.25.d. Barbed wire in large quantities.
Railway Dump at W.7. Not yet personally inspected by my Officer
but reported to contain quantity of undamaged stores,
of which he is getting a detailed report.
JGB
C. H.
Brigadier-General.
Chief Engineer AUSTRALIAN CORPS.
 

 

8TH AUGUST OFFENSIVE.
TIME - TABLE OF EVENTS
 

Time Event 
a.m.
3.20
Planes in air.
4.20 Zero. Barrage Opens.
4.59 Infantry clear of TAILLOUX WOOD.
5.27 Barrage reaches protector on North Flank.
5.28 III Corps reaches GREEN LINE.
5.43 Infantry enter WARFUSEE
6.27 Infantry clear of LA MOTTE en SANTERRE.
6.30 III Corps leaves GREEN LINE.
6.31 3rd DIVISION all on GREEN LINE.
6.39 2nd DIVISION all on GREEN LINE.
6.43 Barrage reaches protective line on South Flank.
6.50 Contact Plane flies along First Objective Line.
7.20 Canadians reach GREEN LINE at our Boundary.
7.28 III Corps reaches BROWN LINE.
8.20 4th & 5th DIVISIONS cross GREEN LINE.
8.24 III Corps reaches RED LINE.
8.30 Heavy ARTILLERY lift off CERISY.
Canadian Heavy ARTILLERY lift off WIENCOURT.
8.40 Heavy ARTILLERY left off WEST end of BAYONVILLERS.
8.50 Heavy ARTILLERY lift off EAST end of BAYONVILLERS
and MORCOURT.
9.50 Heavy ARTILLERY lift off EASTERN MORCOURT VALLEY.
10.20 Heavy ARTILLERY lift off at HARBONNIERES.
10.50 Contact Patrol Planes fly over Second Objective Line.
11.20 Contact Patrol Planes fly along Third Objective Line.
Ammunition- Dropping Planes drop their S.A.A.

 

 

25. Nevada Coal Pit.
26. Central Workshops.
27. Main Road.
28.  do. - another view.
 

 

4
8/8/18
INFORMATION GIVEN BY EFE. CARTER - ARMOURED CARS COMDR.
Got armoured cars through WARFUSEE-ABANCOURT. When we
reached the other side we found that some of the road was good
but a number of trees (large and small) had been cut shot down and
lay right across the road in places. Removed obstacle by
chopping up the smaller trees and hauling off the big trees
by means of a tank. We practically cleared the road all the
way down.
We did not come up to the advancing troops until they w ere
well up to the Red Line.
When we came to 0.29 & 35 we found quite a number of Huns
there. Had to wait on account of barrage but went through
light barrage. When we got to 0.30 we detached 3 sections
to go down to FRAMERVILLE. When they got there they found
all the Boche transport (horse transport and lorries) drawn,
up in the road ready to move off. Head of column tried to
bolt in one direction and other vehicles in another. Complete
confusion. Our men filled up the lot (using 3000 rounds) and
left them there. (4 junior staff officers shot also).
The cars then came down to the East side of HARBONNIERES,
on the S.E. road towards VAUVILLERS and met there some steam
wagons and fired into them causing an impassable block. Some
shooting round VAUVILIERS. Then came up to main road. Two
sections of cars went to XXXX FOCAUCOURT and came in contact
with a Boche gun in Wood N.E. of FOCAUCOURT. This gun blew the
wheels off one car and also hit three others. However three
of the cars were got away.
2 other cars came towards PROYART and found a lot of
troops billeted there having lunch in houses. Our cars shot
into the houses, killing quite a lot of the enemy.
One section went towards CHUIGNOLLES and found it full
of Germans soldiers. Our cars shot at them. Found rest
billets and old trenches also. Engaged them. Had quite a
battle there. Extent of damage not known. Our cars then
 

 

.2.
came back to main road, where I met them. We were well in
advance of Blue Line. Everything was perfectly quiet - no
shell-fire of any kind.
I went --mile beyond LA FLAQUE. There was a big dump there
and Huns were continually coming out and we brought quite a
lot of them back as prisoners. (Time: about 12.30 p.m.)
A party of Huns was detailed to tow back one of my disabled cars.
I saw no sign of any wiring system anywhere.- Old overgrown
trenches but no organised trench system.
I proceeded to some rising ground in W.6. Did not go into
FRAMERVILLE but could see that the roofs of the houses were
intact. Saw no trace of any organised system of defence of any
kind and no troops.
My people saw no formed bodies of troops of any kind during
the day going towards us, but quite a number of fugitives
going in the other direction. I saw,from the hill, open
country with a certain amount of vegetation on it. An advance
of a line of tanks would require a very good smoke barrage.
Shell-fire is increasing from the valleys CHUIGNOLLES - CHUIGNES-
HERLEVILLE and RAINECOURT.
Infantry on the spot gave me our line as follows - About
1000 yards East of our Blue Line.
 

 

8.8.18.
INFORMATION GIVEN BY COLONEL CARTER - ARMOURED CARS COMDR
Got armoured cars through to WARFUSEE-ABANCOURT. When we
reached the other side ^of the main canal we found that some of the road was good
but a number of trees (large and small) had been shot down and
lay right across the road in places. Removed Obstacles be removed by
chopping up the smaller trees and hauling off the big trees
means of a tank. We practically Prisoners helped us to cleared the road all the
way down.  We did not come up to the our advancing troops until they
were well up to the almost near the Red Line. When we came got to 0.29 and 35 we found past our leading infantry and we came upon quite a number of
Huns there. ^and dealt with them. Had ^them to wait ^a little on account of ^our barrage but went through a
light barrage. When we got to 0.30 blue line we detached 3 sections to
run down to FRAMERVILLE. When they got there they found all
the Boches ^horse transport (horse transport and ^many lorries t drawn up in
the ^main road ready to move off. Head of column tried to bolt in
one direction and other vehicles in another. Complete confusion.
Our men killed up the lot (using 3000 rounds) and
left them there. Four junior staff officers ^on horseback shot also. 
The cars then came ran down to the East side of HARBONNIERES,
on the S.E. road towards VAUVILLERS, and met there some a number of steam
wagons, and fired into them ^their limbers causing an impassable block. Some Had a lot
^of good shooting around VAUVILLERS. Then came up back to main road. Two
sections of cars went ^on to FO^UCAUCOURT and came in contact with a
Boche gun in ^a Wood North.East. of FO^UCAUCOURT. This gun blew the wheels
off one car and also hit three others. However, three of the
cars were got away. Two other cars came went towards  PROYART and found a lot of
troops billeted there having lunch in ^the houses. Our cars shot
^shot through the windows into the houses, killing quite a lot of the enemy. Another
section went towards(CHUIGNOLLES?)and found it full
of German soldiers. Our cars shot at them. Found rest billets
and old trenches also, ^with troops in them. Engaged them. Had quite a battle there.
 

 

2.
Extent of damage not known, ^but considerable. Our Cars then came back to main
road, where I met them. We were ^then well in advance of Blue Line.
Everything was ^now perfectly quiet - no shell-fire of any kind.
I went a quarter of a mile beyond LA FLAQUE. There was a big dump there
and Huns continually coming out and ^and surrendering and we brought quite a lot of them back as prisoners. Time ^It was then about 12.30 p.m.k A party of
 Huns ^prisoners was detailed to tow back one of my disabled cars.
I saw no sign of any wired system anywhere.- Old over-grown
trenches but no organised trench system. I proceeded to some rising ground near FRAMERVILLE but could see that the roofs of the houses were
Did not go into
intact. Saw no trace of any organised system of defence of any
kind and no troops. My people saw no formed bodies of troops of any kind
during the day going coming towards us, but quite a very large numbers, of fugitives
going hastening in the other opposite direction. Engage as many of them as could be reached from the roofs I saw, from the hill, open
country with a certain amount of vegetation on it. in advance
of a line of tanks would require a very good smoke barrage.
Shell-fire is increasing from the valleys CHUIGNOLLES--
CHUIGNES -HERLEVILLE AND RAINECOURT.
Infantry on the spot gave me our line as follows.
About 1000 yards east of our Blue Line.
 

 

General Birdwood
5th Army.
Everything going well at 6-45 aaa Heavy ground
mist facilitation our advance, but delaying information
aaa Infantry go and tanks got away punctually aaa
 Attack was a complete surprise aaa Gailly and 
Acarvche Wood captured aaa Enemy artillery was chased
along  whole front line aaa. Both flank corps doing well.
ADC 44
7 AM
8/8/18

 
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