Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/257/1 - 1916 - 1927 - Part 8

COPY.
PARAPHRASE OF TELEGRAM. The Secretary of State for the Colonies
to the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.
(Sent 5.20 p.m., 24th August 1916)
It is desired by Army Council that your Government be informed
that it will be necessary to draw on 3rd Division for reinforcements
owing to heavy casualties recently suffered by Australian
Divisions in France. They therefore recommend that in addition
to the normal monthly reinforcements a special draft of 20,000
infantry be sent as soon as possible to make good present deficit
and so enable 3rd Division to be again brought up to strength.
They recommend further that for three months following despatch of
this special draft the monthly reinforcements of infantry sent
should be calculated at 25% of establishment, that is, about
16,500 per month for five divisions. This is the only means of
retaining 3rd Division for service in field though the Army
Council are aware that the provision of this additional personnel
may greatly inconvenience your Government in training and other
arrangements.
BONAR LAW.

60PI.
INWARD.
THE ADMINISTRATIVE HEADQUARTERS, A.I.F.
COPY OF CABLEGRAM.
CIPHER No. W 13463.  Received 5/9/16, 3.30 p.m.
From Secretary for Defence Melbourne to Administrative
Headquarters, A.I.F., London.
Secret. W C 13463. Following cable was sent on August 31st to
S. of S. With reference to your telegram of August 24 which
conveyed intimation from Army Council that it will draw on 3rd
Division for reinforcements, on account of heavy casualties
recently suffered in France by Australian divisions and
recommended special draft of 20,000 infantry said special draft
of 20,000 infantry will be sent immediately by Government as
transport comes to hand and xxxx 16,500 per month thereafter.
Do not however understand position with regard to reinforcements
last state you furnished of date August 29th shows 45,000 in
depots and camps of whom 14,000 probably 3rd Division. This
leaves 31,000 reinforcements available with longer training than
3rd Division. Are they not being absorbed in the field force?
In addition, 15,000 at least are now at sea on passage. Despatch 
of normal reinforcements is taking place in September and
October. Hope to despatch special draft of 20,000 middle of
November if transport available but at present uncertain if
full normal reinforcements can be despatched November, but they
will be December. The 16,500 reinforcements desired will be sent
January also February and March.
Defence.

From Minister for Defence to War Office. 26 August 1916.
C.173. It is suggested by Commonwealth that 11th and 12th
Light Horse, all dismounted double squadrons of light horse
all members Australian Imperial Force, with CamelCorps companies,
and all, excepting reinforcements beyond 6 per cent for the nine
regiments in light horse division, should be sent as soon as
possible to England to meet requirements for infantry reinforcements 
for four divisions in France.
From War Office to Minister for Defence, Australia.
28 August 1916.
(No. 22115, cipher. S.D.2.) Your No. C 173. The troops to which
you refer are all fully employed in the defence of Egypt and it
has been recently stated by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief 
that the Anzac troops are keystone of the defence of Egypt.
Army Council therefore greatly regret they cannot comply with
your suggestion.

The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia to the
Secretary of State for the Colonies (Received Colonial Office,
2.14 p.m., 11 November 1916).
The following message is from the Prime Minister:- It is
necessary to amend my cable August 31st. It is not now possible to
provide the 20,000 nor the large reinforcements promised. I suggest
that for the present Third Division be retained in England. I make
this suggestion, however, subject to its not interfering with operation 
plans in progress. If this is done, it will probably be likely
to provide by voluntary enlistment reinforcement on present scale of
fifteen per cent for infantry for the other four divisions. This
month those for five divisions proceed normally.
MUNRO-FERGUSON.
PARAPHRASE TELEGRAM:
The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia to the
Secretary of State for the Colonies. (Receive Colonial Office,
2.12 p.m., 15 November 1916.)
Your telegram 9th November respecting tonnage for reinforcements. 
Steamers mentioned not now required in view of information
in my telegram of 11th November.
Paraphrase.
Telegram. The Secretary of State for the Colonies to the
Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. (Sent 6 p.m.,
16 November 1916)
War Office send following message. Begins. Referring to
your telegram 11th November. As already arranged 3rd Division must
proceed France on 21st November. It would seriously interfere with
plans in progress to cancel this decision. Army Council therefore
urge that even if it be not feasible to provide whole or part of
20,000 special draft no effort be spared to maintain adequate reinforcements for 5 divisions. End of message.
BONAR LAW.
121/Overseas/3056.
From War Office to Minister of Defence, Melbourne.
(No. 25056, cipher S.D.2) 15th November 1916.
1 p.m.
Continuation my No. 24967, 13th November. If possible infantry
reinforcements should carry out in Australia first six weeks'
training laid down in syllabus which was issued with Army Council
Instruction No. 1103 or Army Council Instruction No. 1968 when
received. Latter has been sent to you. If for any reason
despatch of reinforcements who have completed six weeks' training
is delayed, instruction should be continued as indicated in
syllabus. Number of weeks training completed should be shown in
nominal rollsof reinforcements against each man's name. Can you
arrange for above. 

Copy for the [[Heney?]]
from Official Historian
Formation and Disbandment of
6th Australian Division
Communications between England & Australia
and action taken at the front 

FORMATION AND DISBANDMENT OF 6TH AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.
COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN
ENGLAND & AUSTRALIA.
ACTION AT THE FRONT
28 March 1916. From Birdwood to
Defence on creation of second
army corps. Birdwood and Godley
to command 1st and 2nd Anzac
respectively. Base depot moved
to England.
2 April 1916. Formation of an
Aust. army (cable from War
Office).
16 May 1916. Secretary of State
bays (? cables) that sixth division 
should not be formed unless
sufficient reserves can be maintained. 
Prime Minister consulted 
and cable sent June 9.
1 February 1917. Secretary of
State for the Colonies cables:
"The possibility of raising further 
troops is being anxiously
considered ...... Government
aware that last November your
Govt. were doubtful whether ....
it would be possible to maintain
five Aust. divs. in the field.
Nevertheless in view of urgent
need for men they ask your
Ministers to consider earnestly
once more possibility of forming
at once a sixth Aust. Division
........."
6 February 1917. From Secretary 
of State. Army Council suggests
new formations be raised in England 
gradually. This would
expedite formation and training.
8 February 1917. Sir William
Robertson to Prime Minister
(through Sec. of State) - says
"Operations of current year will
be of supreme importance to ultimate 
issue of war. Enemy knows
this..... A Sixth Australian
Division with or without its artillery, 
ready to take the field
during July, would be invaluable
addition to the fighting strength
of the Imperial Army on the Western 
Front."
15 February 1917. To British
Government. Commonwealth Govt.
anxious to assist but mentions
limits. 286,950 despatched
108,000in England, Egypt, Australia,
and at sea. "It will be seen
... that a sixth division can be
formed at once ... The Commonwealth

2.
COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN
ENGLAND & AUSTRALIA.
ACTION AT THE FRONT.
from forces already available.
The Commonwealth Government agrees
to your request.... but considers
that one of the three infantry
brigades should be formed first.
...."
25 February 1917. Deputy C.I.G.S.
War Office (General Whigham) to
Birdwood. Have now received a
reply from Aust. Govt. re 6th
Div. "or at any rate additional
infantry brigades corresponding
to a sixth division." General
idea is to proceed with formation
of one inf. bde. at once. "Our
first care must of course be to
maintain the divs. already at the
front.
3 March 1917. Birdwood to
Whigham. Is going to England,
and will fix up about commencing
to raise the new division.
Suggests that three of the five
divisional machine-gun coys. for
the divs in France (then training
at Grantham) should be earmarked
as brigade coys for the new div.
B. feels that divs. in France can
get on quite well without these
new coys. Says that artillery
can easily be provided by Aust.
Army bdes.
4 March 1917. Order issued by
A.A.G. ,A.I.F. (Witham), at I
Anzac Corps H.C., France (i.e.,
main A.I.F. H.Q.). Orders have
been received for the formation
of a 6th Australian Division; and
the Lieutenant-General commanding
is making preparatory arrangmts
to form one infy. bde together
with one field company, Brigade
Signal section, one coy of Div.
Train, and one field ambulance.
It is proposed to first form two
N.S.W. and Two Victorian battalions.
The two latter will aftwds
be transferred complete to the
second bde to be organised.
Div. commanders asked to submit
recommendations for officers and
N.C.O's for transfer to these 4
battalions and for 1 coy, A.A.S.C
(for infantry, 4 battalion commanders, 
4 seconds-in-command,
majors, 30 company officers, 6
warrant officers, 40 sergeants
including specialists; for
A.A.S.C., 10 officers, and 15
warrant offers and sergeants).
Officers and N.C.O's in need of
rest, or who deserve promotion but

3.
Communications between
Australia and England.
Action at the Front
have no opportunity of getting it
should be chosen.
9 March 1917. Later amendment.
Infantry Brigade (16th) to consist
of -
1 Bn. N.S.W. - 61st (Mackenzie)
1 Bn. Vic. - 65th (Wanliss)
1 Bn. Q & Tas - 69th (Deeble)
1 Bn SA & WA - 70th (Denton)
(N.B. All rather worn out and or
feeble C.O's)
(? prob. from Birdwood)
8 March 1917. From Administrative
H.Q., London, to Defence Dept.
"A5468. Am now raising 16th Bde.
under Antill. Field ambulance
engineers, and supply coys also
being raised with brigade."
11 March 1917. From Newton Moore
[G.O.C., A.I.F. Depots in U.K.) to
Antill. Order to Antill (apptd.
brigade commander). Infantry to
be mobilized at Wareham from A3
men. Captain Read, 22nd Lancers,
Indian Army, G.S.O. 2, 6th Div.
to act as brigade-major, 16th Bde.
Captain Berkely Ayris to be staff-captain. 
Following units formed
1 light trench-mortar bty, at
Perham Downs.
1 coy, A.A.S.C., 6th Div.
Train, at Parkhouse.
16th Fld. Ambulance, being
formed.
M.G. Coy., one of the m.g. coys
training in England will be detailed 
as 16th M.G. Coy.
14 March 1917. Formation of other
machine-gun companies for divs. to
remain in abeyance for present,
and taken up again after those for
6th Division provided.
31 March 1917. Only N.C.O's who
have actually served at Anzac (on
becoming fit) may be given option
of rejoining their units instead
of 6th Division (63 so desire).
31 March 1917. Defence Dept. to
Administration H.Q. A.I.F.,
London. 1 message Cable stating
that press messages concerning the
formation of new brigades were
arriving in Australia, and asking
that the information should be for
the present suppressed, pending
further advice.
2 April 1917. Newton Moore to
Birdwood. 61st and 60th Bns.over
strength; 69th and 70th under
strength. Surplus personnel will
go to form nucleus of 17th Bde.,

4.
COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN
ENGLAND & AUSTRALIA.
ACTION AT THE FRONT.
"Which I intend to mobilise on receipt 
of instructions. Can get
about 60% of 17th Bde. from same
category (? A3).
Gn Birdwood
13 April 1917. Birdwood has to write
to Moore to ask for all N.C.O's and
men of 4th and 12th Brigades, as
"they suffered rather severely" at
Bullecourt.
Newton Moore to Birdwood. 227 of
4th Brigade and 140 of 12thvbeing
sent.
On Birdwood asking Moore recommends
on 24 April 1917 - then available
for 17th Brigade: N.S.W., 1058,
Vic, 1000
S.A.    90
W.A.   50
Qland 100
Tas      46
Suggested composition - 62nd and 63rd
Battalions, N.S.W.; 66th and 67th,
Victoria. (Build up each with
reinforcements). These are figures
of B1A4.
24th April 1917. Birdwood approves,
but battalions to be grouped as
follows -
16th Brigade
61st
62nd N.S.W.
63rd
69th   Q'land and Tasmania
17th Brigade.
65th
66th Victoria
67th
70th S.Aust. & W.Aust.
Defence Dept. informed of
arrangements outlined in
in message of April 24th
opposite.
28 April 1917. Newton Moore's proposal.
Following units formed - 
H.Q., 16th Bde. 
61, 65, 69, 70 Battalions.
16th Light Trench Mortar Battery.
16th Bde Coy, AASC, 16 6th Div.
Train.
16th Field Ambulance.
17th Bde (to be under Paton).
62, 63, 66, 67 Battalions.
O.C.'s received - Lieutenant-Colonels
McConaghy, P.P. Abbott (approved),
Rankine (approved), Flintoff (approved)

5.
COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN
AUSTRALIA & ENGLAND.
ACTION AT THE FRONT.
(McConaghy asked for by 5th Division;
Lt.-Col. M.W. Logan appointed)
Suggested -
61                 65        69 Q'land.
62  N.S.W.  66 vic. 70 S.A.
63                67         71 W.A?.
64                68         72 half Tas;
                                        S.A., Qld.
29 April 1917. Moore handing over to
M'Cay "this week" (asks to come to
France to see Birdwood).
Next letter, from M'Cay to A.A.G.,
A.I.F. H.Q., France. x The War Office
is anxious that the formation of this
division should be expedited. Suggests
that officers for 17th Bde
(4 to a coy) should be sent at once
from France. He could then form
nucleus of 18th Bde.
Answer: This is being done. 18th
Bde not to be formed.
24 May 1917. General Whigham sends
Birdwood report by Major-General
Howard on 16th Bde - Wareham; 17th
Brigade - Windmill Hill. 16th Bde
is "not so far forward as it should
be." 17th Bde is "starting well.
Push and go was apparent everywhere."
Birdwood doesn't attach much importance
to this ciriticism (probably
rightly).
5 June 1917. Birdwood to G.H.Q.
As 16th and 17th Bdes are practically
completed, can newly formed 4th N.Z.
Bde be incorporated in division.
8 June 1917. Birdwood cables
Defence Department: xx
"T.3366. N.Z. has raised a 4th
Brigade concurrently with our
raising 16th and 17th Infantry
Brigades. To form the artillery
for 6th Division I have recommended
that two of our three Army
F.A. Brigades be allotted and
that the division be completed
by incorporation of 4th N.Z. Bde
and thus save us raising the
18th Australian Inf. Brigade. I
trust that this will meet with
your approval and that Sincalir-MacLagan
should command the
division."
10 June 1917. G.H.Q. to Birdwood
(through Third Army, under whom I
Anzac was then serving). "Information
has, however, recently been received