Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/274B/1 - 1918 - 1939 - Part 5

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open to contributions
Accession number:
RCDIG1066714
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

Monash monast conld not have to Hay's place. He had an exceptionally fine organising brain, a great grasp, very wide Browledy amarvellous pawor of ble, exppsition a personaty wh attached her &wteresrs staff -selto ai him, thoedidot Hr asauiation. He had I respect of many of his commanders though there were stuking exceptions Egplangow & Cellebrand But he had little mora courage - he could not resist political pressere or th of powerful He had less reseitence thr witson ao aloe intrigaers- see He i so high is Berewoodos he real His ideals wers no has a towe conception of the men. we many His nelilery cpacity consisty wery in organisay but his conceplions were of tem widely wrong. His weat ware of His handliy of the American diverions a at Handenburg Line - allowing the 29th to ar attack w its barrip 800 a head - was gross mismndaagoment, & was directly responite for I loss supered by divn & forits failur; trs he immediately trus to throw I blame on the Americans – (so my dearees) His conception of I battle hereby as an enjulery tack was completely indequate, & duo to lack of iagination & appreciation of the henan factors - he never really
grasped I mentality of his man His greetest feats were Hamel, Any I Soch's, Haes, & Kawbuson's (wh of course was rp a mont H Q-Peroune. place in the nam This last was I only one in which there was d any tactical ugenait. His planning of Proyart () was bad. r Monash neaw atitired to capacity hes sottiers by planning methoor of attack saelar to s o1 fernans. But he dis keep them effectivel supplied & administere - & provided all was right in rear the Austh Soldier was then capable of ingough doing forward work almost for humsely Blancy ws probably quite is as white witout his personality and leae nobility If the war had gone on Monash at have been up against gt difficulties of disciptive, part due to his netd of flattering the troop? & he fac thess would not have had neoval to difficulties. Fee Glangow's account of hows Monask leant on him fordeating with the meeting in the 6t Ba - monask had not caurage. He too have sone to Londow as & got white to carry on were 1667
Appocatient of Monach. (pom fellebran 9/1/35) gen White. BW Jellibrand that Hobts was one of seriously thoee considered for pronotion to Corpo Cdr. But he was discerded asBeod felt that he had not outseders the personality to impress those who dealt with him. Certainly the Augac staff, working logally as a team, could have carried him or Walker but walker apparently was not considered. Latie (when there arose some question as to -probably when Haghes was known to be going to consult them- Monash's condand) Glasgow, fellibrand, & McLagan & possibly Rosey discussed monash's appointment. MacLagan washe only one who possibly thought him ineficient - that is he thaught monash was lacking in miletary knowledge. Ine others recognined that at Hamel he had given proof of his repacity Comparatively spenking he was unknown before, but reputed to have been succesful sometimes & unsuccessful at others. They agreed that no action should be taken to usseal Monash. if he lacked in anything the team could fall him through. fas Birdwood when he visited aushalia white toh Gellibrand that golden opinions had been recorded concerning Monast. Coapeoe, who had tatele had him under him, had written (to Rawlmson saging that he was the beat divisional commanded with whom he had had contact. Hughes told Gellibrand when they were both in Parlia that He had practically offered White the command of the Coypo but white would not take it. This, ofcoursh I already knewI.
tberla 34 JI3ULATE GENERAL MONASH. Commenting on Mr. Lloyd George's reference in his memoirs to his fruitless wartime search for a suitable British Commander-in-Chief and that since the war he had been told by men, whose judgment he valued, that the only soldier thrown up by the war on the British side possessing the necessary qualities was : dominion General the Evening Standard diarist says:That soldier was the late General Monash whose military genius came as naturally to him as to Nanoleon's Generals
1E8 ME) 38 54 Je. 15 88545 CENERAL MONASH. Some Sidelights. (BY NORMAN CAMPBELL) A man so various that he seemed to be not one but all mankind's epitome. in his informative article on the War Let- ters of General Monash, R.G.H. says: When, fter the war, he led 5000 picked men through ondon, 1t must have been truly the most plendid moment of his career. Once I asked General Monash that very question, What was the proudest moment of your carcery He knit his brows for a moment, in his characteristic way, and then said: Tve had two proud moments which I recall. One was when I called a council of war just before we broke the Hindenburg line, the other was when I had a yarn with Ned Kellyr Of course, I asked for details as to both events. I was a school kid at Jerilderter explained Sir John, when Ned Kelly and his gang took possession of the township and held it for three days. That was in February. 1879. Like all the other youngsters in the place, I was keen to set a glimpse of the famous outlaw. So I went round in the morn- ing, rather early, to the hotel which Ned had made his headquarters, and saw him come out of the place and squat on the verandah's edge to have a smoke. He beckoned me over, asked me my name, and so forth, and then gave me a short lecture. A Sunday- school superintendent couldn't have given me tter advice as to human conduct. The council of war I called on the West- ern Front on the occasion I have mentioned was a ticklish business. I wasn't afraid that 1 couldn't convince my Australian generals that I was right, but several British generals were also present. Each one of these was a professional soldier. Each had been born into the cast-iron traditions of the British Army. Each subconsciously felt some disdain for my views—I, a mere citizen soldier. Well. I had to convince these men that my plan was the best possible in the circumstances, and not only that, but send them away from council enthusiastic about it, and eage carry it out I did it he concluded simply and that, I think, was really the proudest moment of my life. THE GALLIPOLL EVACUATION. 1 once sat next Sir John at a long and rather dreary political banquet, and as usual he chatted freely on all kinds of things. The subject of the evacuation of Gallipoll came up and he told me many details concerning that masterly operation. We had strict orders to leave no scrap of writing—and not even a newspaper—behind. Well, my party was almost the last to leave, and, just as we had sot to the embarkation point, I suddenly Tenembered that I had lett at my pinsie papers and diary-letters in my dugout, three miles away. 1 simply told the others to carry on, and dashed back through the night to retrieve my precious documents. I ran all the way, got my papers all right, and then dashed back safel The point of the story is that there was not a man betweenme and the entire Turkish army. One pictures the sturdy little fgure selld- ding through the night! A few days later I wrote and asked Sir John H he would allow me to print the story. Thanks for your letter of the 18th inst. Here is his reply. and for the enclosure from your little niece. Please tell her that I appreciate her letter of thanks just as much as she could have ppreclated my autograph. Regarding that story I told you about the night of the evacuation, by all means use 1t If it is of interest to you. I should add that the despatch case which I went back to And contained not only the whole of the orders for the evacuation—which we had been strictly enjoined to destroy after perusal. but which I had wickedly hung on to as an historical souvenir—but also contained the Is diary-letter to my folk at home, which con- tained a detailed account of everything that had happened in my part of the Anzac posi- Iton from the date—some ten days previously —when sentor officers first became aware, 16 considentially, that the evacuation was to le take place. It would have been very disastrous 1 all these documents had fallen into enemy hands. As regards the diary-letter above referred to. I managed (again against orders) to get this smuggled into Australia so as to escape the censorship, and subsequently, during 1916. many coples of same were made and widely circulated among my acquaintancesn erested strangers. I hope that in writing about these matters. you do not deal too hardly with me for disobeying orders. THE KING AND THE AUTOGRAPH BOOK. The alluston to a letter from my Uitte Mjnlece recalls another matter of some interest. I had asked the General for his autograph for this little sirl, and he willingly gave it. You know he said. I am very fond of collecting autographs myself. I have a book containing specimens from every notabllity associated with the war—a most catholic collection. One day in France I was in my H.Q. and this autograph book was lying on the table, when the King strolled in Casually, he picked up the book and slanced through it. By Jove. Monash. he said you have a wonderful collection here. Ves. Sir, says I. Then the King said, Do you mind if I take thisr Not at all, Sir says 1 and his Majesty slipped my precious book (into his overcoat pocket and walked off. Some weeks later he strolled in again. Tve brought you back your book, Monash.! he said, and handed it to me. The signature of every member of the Royal family from King George down, had been added to my collection, with a word of good cheer from each. When Sir John came back from India where he had been representing the Common- wealth at the Durbar at Delnl, I remarkec (to him that he seemed to work harder as grew older. Ves. he said, Tm a busy man. Some- times I wish I could find time to play with my toys What are your toys. Generall' I asked Standard roses and the plano he answered. never seem to get time to practise now Not many people knew that he was quite an accomplished musicial et
2324 .VSL l s550cxs 2 6522543 642 30 ₤1223 B3sala a ext vlt et 20 ote Fredire EE retted end ses E 255ETL 0EE monash's letters. 26 S52G LIsTesRS ASo Non Pod Peos, SO Att busezs OlaTat I ToNOE about me or my advancement. For me it counts for very little. If the want me to command a division they ero know where to find me. So far no- (body has passed over me. McCay, Chauvel and Legge are all 30 6A 20 (my seniors. I might have Rad the 14th Division. Pearce cabled Bird- wood asking that either Brudenel White or I might get it; but Bird- 545 BI (wood preferred to entrust it to Cox a Kitchener man, and an old Indian (colleague of Birdwood's. MCSTERS RSA ES 51½ My thoroughly successiul command (of my own brigade, and my satisfac- tory performance of every task se (my brigade is quite good enough for RoKlertasd odt as me, and I know what Cox and God- (ley and Birdwood, and Commander- in-Chief (Sir Archibald Murray) brsC of BEd. W29E2 think of me and my brigade. AUSTRALLAS ABLEST SOLDIER AA 225 Brudenell White, brigadier-general, was Director of Military Operations in Australla. He was Bridges's right- hand man. He was the general staff officer, first grade, of Bridges's divi- sion. Later on he was chief of the general staff of Birdwood's Arm) Corps. He is far and away the ablest soldier Australia has ever turned out. He is also a charming good fellow. Since last writing, the only two things of interest that have hap- pened are, firstly, the successful raic 21 by a portion of our front line here on an advanced Turkish post, in which we captured 33 Turks and one/ad 2568 Austrian officer, with the loss of only (one man, and. secondly, the visit) wi to Serapeum of the Commander-in- Chief (Sir Archibald Murray). 32Ant He came along with his great (retinue of generals and staff, with) Godley and his staff, the Prince of p 135 118 nis stat. I put up a star turn with o5 Iaoh all the brigade at work all over the, Wales, now gasetted a captain, with 5052 325 .5½ desert—musketry, bayonet fighting, grenode fighting (real grenades) and machine-gun practice galore. The 5207 5825 26 2 old Commander-in-Chief was might- ws pleased, and said so. O 6813 320 336 253 pa 3 nt 20 020T½ 30 3355 DLL M 73 O eaE e eas as ooas lett os or as of bas istyar est of sais DpoElettes Rst eat 2s 4751 63
3.35 WIMLTHE FIRIIS, SITTEIEE MITME, OCDDTR IO. IBSI TOIINMONASH- The BOY Who Made The Man By HLLX MEYER HCNOrr JSON 154 Mnans an 1. 2 C J T M 210 Ma. SooK An. 2. My Wr. Mans N. Sanins 0 128 1 23.05 29.10 1.8 A No Pelad MSNN 1 5 Jine as Me Faans 2 2 MSMSO sane 1 20 2 Manes Foand Fnd. 5 A M S 4 JOAN NONASH AOED I JOuN MONASH, AORDE Mads, FCar 20.5 Ao Mnaaen 1 232 T J 20.00 HIsty A RECENT PICTURE OF THE LATE HH IOHN MONASH MsississispitiN Mne 1. an Tewkbeyer An M a COASN 29.20 n M 29.743 29.33 2 Mneanes Mne 1 R ttes the Ne 3 M t S S M S MMnLKEN 29.0 3.29 1and FASHIONS DICTATION HS and Aid Matian MeMa ve ArOtD MnCL drded t Away Sea Boat's Crew S0 Misistisisisseanes M m ink te cot sall h one button or to a oe ba bt JO Stopping A Big Ship At Sea Je FS MN By Julian Storm JA SN M men Ino M 6883 Tis Fr MA ST ST M T T PTRS F MONN Re an t at hist WUHEN MAaN Misto SAd NN M MS tal Lens M n Mad on Mians 2.0 22 2 48 tn bt dome Mesrns 1 . . MISRd n A Fsian M ON in ovetion 15 2 TOM6 as ade. A woald on EO TOSNON bol sump il 50 202 2.88 F Mr nd Fatter Me aad about to 2.5 the rMar Bo T 2.4 8 acching the 13 2 0 2 M Mn a AM tan 1 M A. Mand Mr t n AT M IST 3 2 MA SMNSM SMNS 29.22 wt on w 2 am M CON F 2000 Man M 20.7 20.0. 5 non relland to w S r 23 Misernt Cings Mis Can ndnt an t 3 M A IA t Stiching a Crtcket Ball M MA. M 2 43 M e Mam Ma O Beleshin Seamins of Sea SA TN MSMRSMNIN A A N LN C N M Tie CR 2 PtS o a . 220.82 M 1 M tis A ASA 55 0. 2.2 M a Anan SAA M 30.00 8 J M MnAS Titt oic nd M te w ohent hom shisismon
THE HERAIN, SAITEDAY MIIINE, OCTOBER 10. 133I. Cring Hinay Halt Cur Protils Fany Brad Frans Ostsesd Hich Finance 614 Enda W. W. Hudhes ef 50 FseV to bxcan 1 2 (400 53 2 Maenaes Mane MO. 20 2 M. M. 23 bits of a mee who Arow a Berd berta M A VR t M SAS M Wr Eerias A M o clak Don on o T O te A Sane Me Mnn 2.4 1 M 29.59 Tr A. Startling Value Here's a fashion Trt Wis rn S S winner- in Weel de Chene 20.0 Ensembles 5/114 Grey Suits Arrened Com att M SGIAA 241. ae a M 5 3638 M 2.2 Monday Specials Exciti MEVAceI A hrower $8 JAM te rnnt 5 M no 16 13 TSSE BIIIFloral Voie Frol t a M Ad. CMIISS 3 M r T N MMTIMILS Moral Frod 40 We n. 7 XX 55 26 812 FaW Hat Atilline Aa M 1 MMN MPI M . Fis ans a 18111 Morocco Handbag Bring Your TURE PRON HIS PASI TEAUra Oee our Free CIGI& Eary Layby Foot orders. Bat M Titte FM T TS hiffon, 3Sin. 2 1B Itish F C M A 264 4 F n Ao C as M Crene Marccain at 2/6 Creve Fuil Bloomers, 211 Silk and Cotton Vests 20.08 W11 Satin Brilliant, SSin. Sh1 113t 2111 LHH Monedn M n M MONN Fs A M C MILS HAS as a M M 2 Mon& Or EMn 33 WIIILANSilL Shantung 41 LO.S. House Frocks 2. 2 J ad aibt MSSANN anne 5 1 Colored Shantung at 511 Crepe dechene for O.U linora Smocks for. L.O.S. Bloomers nor 2 6 Man WKHI 3113 AHR 211 Mas Cit FonT tom CF AI. TAM. CML. IIII MTI. MMI J M. M e an An Pr BEety Ms 1 191 an t CtteeMYS 11- Striped Fujide Luxe e A MME WA Ca on 2h M ortoms tor 211 Suspender Brassicre 10 Tny Pot Cambrics for rls Blaners now 24 1162 MBHd. T MISIMA MANTE CMLI. MISL. FARN FAS FTS SIMIE ELHI BABIES AT THE2OO 7111 STI CM S A OA 20.27 vuI GRO hene. 116. ilhd Arine Tunics $14 WFr there ma to be no decton bu tee mntully an 57 6 AA the to M a t M May a 1. New Scason Halrcords 211 Art. Silk Nots, all at 1/8 Reller Tonelling for Moral Chilton Voiles for. I M 230.0 MMSN 53 211 MAAM Catt With Kins Bc 11111. 5 Cotton, Winch IISilk Fin, Liste Clores 13P t MN M M S iats Trie a . Man M. aae waned 1 8M-Brussells Kid Clves 1211 Metal lace FTeings 8 1l Honeycomb Quitts at Large Colored Towels Mn, a Me Maanan M Md Mslis 6HI 211 216 411 3 TIIEODUN tM an and I VourarTL DAYS m bt the sophas ato TTWISM SN t t 12.0 She wasa c Hose WIl Honeycomt Mui A M af now the 4 244 M om a on 22 WI M and Mdy o n TTt CA SAS Tit B tean obe antmats of the 2o 411 Pure Silk Hose for.. 511 Art. Marocain Scarves hile Flannelette for 2/6 Elephant Steeting 33 Mnes A M. W Tas M Fnng inn M Bld. M M a a 111 M an R 111 116 T M CS WL, DIA M M Me an SI F M Aitte AMian MIIMexcerised Liste Hose DIIPON MRUNSN lly 2 4 2.2 EE T. C C, Mt B M M 2 3 Prices that build Freater business, Manton’s 240 Bourke St. ot Ea i t A A Fle Hitts Hous Wa Cureats 1ORIE
8 Wnish was not always a by Australian where be kought his personal caterest lay the of hes attetude in claimng other way Bde was not part of the L.1.F. aet t 4 but a separate force Casd Wrs. Clep & wohite
HN disbandment John Monash & the of bettelious flengow holds that monast was fortunate in having command of the A.U.T. only in tues? him success - ( that this is my opinion too). was ag Monasha retunist & could not have led the A.LF., as Berdwadd could have done, if afairs had gone against him. He could not inspire men with a high motive, & hat not the moral courage to support his own views where stron ken were can araed. When 100 av of the 1st Battalion materied, glasgow, entering a welap behend the tives, saw a number of rat shamefaced men walking about. He taught they must be worn out by necent fighting but young Lven Mackag came up to him & said. Ire bat – & totd him of the new for you, Sir mating What have you done ? said Glargow. I've put tem all ander arrest to be trus by court martial" Sd Mackay. flasgow approved & they were triet &

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