SECRET                                                                                             COPY NO 4.

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISIONAL ARTILLERY

OPERATION ORDER NO. 10.

Reference Map: – HOUPLINES 36.N.W.2) 10,000

N.E. 1.) parts of Edition 6 (redrawn) C.

The 3^rd Australian Divisional Artillery will take over the Artillery support of the whole Divisional Front at an early date.

The arrangements will be as follows:-

LEFT GROUP.          30^th Battery.                            )

29^th Battery.                            ) Will remain

108^th Battery (2 Sections)       )

CENTRE GROUP     25^th Battery.                            )

26^th Battery.                            ) Will remain

107^th Battery (2 Sections)       )

RIGHT GROUP         Will be made up as follows.

27^th Battery – from 7^th F.A. Brigade.

31^st Battery – from 8^th         “

D/3 Battery –  from     (1 Section 107^th Bty.

(1       “      108^th Bty.

C.O. – Major F.P. Derham D.S.O.

Adjt. – Lieut T. Morell

O.O. –

Group Commanders will arrange the positions for these Batteries to cover the whole of the Group Zone, and they should also be able to cover the Subsidiary Line from these positions without moving.

Left & Centre Group Commanders will inform D.A.H.Q. of any alterations necessary in the positions of their batteries.

Major Derham will inform D.A.H.Q. of the positions to be occupied by the incoming batteries.

All extra communications necessary will be laid immediately.

On the order to carry out this scheme, the 175^th Brigade & “I” Battery R.H.A. will occupy reinforcing positions as follows:-

A/175              – 2 Sections C.26.c.41.05.) Att

1 Section   C.27.a.10.82.) Left Grp.

B/175.             – Remains in present position, Att. Right Grp.

D/175              –  1 Section remains – Att Right Grp.

1 Section reinforces 108^th Bty. at C.26.b.95.63. – Att. Left

Grp.

“I” R.H.A.      – C.27.a.60.82) Att. Centre Grp.

C.27.c.05.95)

A/287              – Remains in present position – Att. Right Grp.

ACKNOWLEDGE

W.D. Nichols

Major R.A.

B.M., R.A. 3^rd Aust Divn.

Issued at 8 p.m.

21.2.1917.

By D.R.

DISTRIBUTION

Cop No 1. War Diary.

2. File.
3. 3^rd Aust. Divn “G”.
4. Right Group.
5. Centre Group.
6. Left Group.
7. 9^th Infantry Bde.
8. 10^th “ “
9. 11^th “ “
10. Major F.P. Derham.
11. O.C. Signals.
12. Arty Signal Officer.

Letter

Feb 18^th 17

Dear Father

I guess you will be surprised to see I am still at Felixstowe after receiving my card.  Well we were ready to leave at 5 P.M. yesterday, had my kit on when it was cancelled so you can see we were nearly away.  I do not know the reason, but they say it was owing to a Naval battle the boats were sounding the syrens all the afternoon.

Well I am writing to wish you many happy returns of your Birthday.

I shall be pleased to hear from you to know that you are well, a post card will be sufficient in case I do not receive it.  I don’t know when we shall be leaving now, it may be to-morrow.

Well I think I must finish now (short & sweet) I know you don’t like long letters. Just going down to the Pavilion to hear the band.

With best wishes & good health.

Hoping you are all well.

With much love

From your devoted

Son

18.2.17

BEF

Dear Mar & Par

Just a line to let you know I am Gogging along OK.  I received the parcel from Mr Tabor and sent them a letter of thanks.  Fancy I could hardly believe Gladys was vingt anne.  It seems impossible to think she has nearly reached her majority.  Hope we shall all be at home to celebrate that occasion anyhow.  Willie also must be feeling rather an old bird in fact your humble can’t call himself a chicken altho I feel younger now than I did avant la Guerre.  The thaw has set in now and of course everywhere’s muddy.  Would liked to have heard Par’s old march.  I’m beginning to think we were always a military family.  Even in pretty Billie’s days.  I suppose everything is under Govt. control now.  We still enjoy plenty of food so don’t think the U boats have made much difference up to now.  Suppose Geo looked OK.  He will have plenty to do if he comes out here as there’s plenty to do.  Has Geo Hand been sent out yet what is his address may be able to drop across him-  Well I think this is all this time hoping you are all keeping well

Guss

A.A. Laporte Payne letter 18 February 1917

B.E.F.
France

Feb 18. 1917

Dearest,

So many thanks for your delightful letter and the delicious cake, which arrived quite safely. I enjoyed both especially your letter of the 12th. I am so glad to hear that you are better and that the rheumatism is not very troublesome.

So you are going to work on the land. It is very brave of you but don’t make your hands hard and your shoulders round. I should be very angry with you if you did that.

If my letters prevent you doing your work properly I must cease writing mustn’t I? Or at least write formal ones as I used to do. Let me know what you think.

I am sorry to hear that Mrs. Cross is losing her voice or rather was. I hope she is better now. Everyone at H.Q. as got a bad cold at present except me. I suppose it is my turn next.

Next time you write address the envelope 175 Brigade R.F.A. Army Field Artillery, B.E.F., France. That excites your curiosity doesn’t it! But I can’t tell you any more that that by letter.

So you still follow your intellectual pursuits. I am very glad to hear it. I have had no time to read lately. I am sure I shall lose the power to read shortly. Have you read “Mr Britling sees it through” by H.G. Wells. I have a copy which I am going to read sometimes in spare moments. Even if you do read a lot of such things as you are reading it is not necessary for your stockings to get bluer. Blue stockingness is an attitude which I don’t think you will fall into – at least I hope not, I am sure you won’t.

I dreamt about you last night and such a nice dream too I hope the opposites don’t come true as you say there are exceptions I hope to every rule. What an age it seems since I saw you last I am getting quite impatient & irritable because of its length – and I have no hope yet of getting away yet unfortunately.

I am always thinking of something I want to tell you but I can’t write. I must keep a book of notes and go over them when I see you or I am sure to forget when I do see you in the excitement of the moment.

I have got to have lunch early to day as I have to make a long expedition so I must hurry up if I want to send this by to-day’s post.

We shall be on the move again shortly so there is a lot of preparation to be got through. I hate moves.
With all my love & kisses. Ever yours Archie.

SECRET.

Right Group No. S/540

To

The Brigade Major R.A.

3^rd Australian Divisional Artillery.

Reference BM/S62

DEFENCE SCHEME.

Section 6 Last Para.  It is presumed that “O.Ps” refers only to such O.Ps as are being used as Night O.Ps.  The establishment of telephonists does not permit of all O.Ps being manned at night nor do I consider that it would be of any value.

Section 7 Para 4.  as far as this Group is concerned it is impossible to establish visual signalling between O.Ps and Group Head Quarters

Section 14. Should not squares I.21. and I.27. be included in those allotted to the Right Group?  I presume that the 3^rd New Zealand Field Artillery Brigade are responsible for O2 – 3 and 8 and I.26-31-32 and 33.

Section 16. Line 5.  Should not this read “from I.17.d.3.7. to I.9.c.6.4.”

Appendix I.  Right Group Head Quarters are situated at I.1.c.10.60.

Trenches on our Front are not now called by numbers. They are known by names of localities and Gaps.

Appendix II.  I.7.b.90.82. is incorrect.

I.7.b.98.98. 4 guns (2 others could be put in houses adjacent).   I.7.b.85.80. 2 guns firing North of our Front.

H.24.c.18.15. should be H.24.c.16.18.

Appendix IV. Night Lines of No 1 Howitzer of D/175 should be at I.27.a.43.85. instead of I.27.a.46.88.

Appendix V.  What is rate of fire please?

Para 1. 2 4.5” Hows. of H.E.6 should bombard Cross Roads and Trenches at Le QUESNE.

Appendix V. Para 2.  For I.16.b.6.0. to I.11.c.4.0. read I.11.b.6.0. to I.17.c.48.00..  For I.17.a.4.3. to I.11.c.4.0. read I.17.a.00.30. to I.11.c.48.00.

Appendix V. Para 3.  For I.21.d.20.48. read I.21.d.20.43.

Appendix VI.  H.T.M. position is I.15.c.99.76.

Maximum arc on Enemy Front Line I.22.a.25.51. to I.21.c.89.55.

Medium Trench Mortars.

Pin Point in Enemy Front Line.

POSITION                             ARC OF FIRE.

North               South

I.16.b.08.40.                            I.16.b.83.10. to I.16.d.60.96.

I.16.c.70.92.                            I.16.d.57.82. to I.16.d.20.36.

I.16.c.68.89.                            I.16.d.60.94. to I.16.d.20.44.

I.15.d.92.47.                           I.22.a.66.80. to I.22.a.28.57.

I.15.d.75.34.                           I.22.a.50.80. to I.22.a.10.41.

I.21.b.10.87.                            I.21.b.80.20. to I.21.b.14.11.

I.21.c.08.82.                            I.21.c.90.54. to I.21.c.48.11.

I.20.d.60.62.                           I.21.c.75.25. to I.21.c.16.00.

I.20.d.58.40.                           I.27.a.17.98. to I.26.b.99.82.

2 Positions firing into NO MAN’S LAND ONLY

I.15.c.80.64.

I.15.c.48.22.

Appendix VII.  Correction B/175 H.1.d.40.38.

Omissions H.Q. 175^th Bde R.F.A. G.12.b.90.20.

175^th Bde Amm Col A.29.a.00.30.

I.W. Le Cockroft

Major R.F.A.

Cdg Right Group Artillery

17.2.17

Postcard to T. Smith Esq., 24, Palmerston Rd., Bowes Park, London N. Postmarked Felixstowe 8.0 PM 17 FE 17

Union Jack logo on card.

Feb 17^th 17

Dear Father

We are leaving here to-night about 7 P.M. I will keep you posted up, & send you my address as soon as possible. Hope you are all well glad to say I am feeling A.1.  No more news to tell you at present.

Alf

Postcard to T. Smith Esq., 24, Palmerston Rd., Bowes Park, London N. Postmarked Felixstowe 8.30 PM 15 FE 17

Feb 15^th 17

Dear Father

Just to let you know we are still at Felixstowe. I do not think we shall leave this week now.

Will write again soon.

Au revoir.

Alf

APPENDIX I

Map Squares of How. Targets.

I.26.b.95.40.                Trench Junction.                                  )

I.26.b.85.75.                     “           “                                        )

I.27.a.0.7.                    Nest of Trenches                                 )

I.27.a.45.85.                Trench Junction.                                  )

I.21.c.85.00.                Trench & Rly.                                     )

I.21.c.95.15.                Trench Junction.                                  )

I.21.c.8.2.                    Junction of Road & Front Line.         )  Marked “A” on Map.

I.21.d.20.45.               Trench Junction.                                  )

I.21.d.3.7.                          “         “                                         )

I.21.d.45.75.                      “         “                                         )

I.21.b.45.30.                       “         “                                         )

I.21.b.7.2.                           “         “                                         )

I.22.a.15.15.                       “         “                                         )

Also any known M.G. & T.M. Emplacements

—————————

I.22.a.4.4.                    Trench Junction.                                  )

I.22.a.75.60.                SNIPERS HOUSE                             )

I.22a.75.85.                 Road & Front Line.                            )

I.22.a.95.80.                Trench Junction.                                  )

I.16.d.25.50.               Road & Front Line.                            )

I.16.d.35.40.               Trench & Road.                                  )

I.16.d.5.5.                   Trench Junction.                                  )  Marked “B” on Map.

I.16.d.6.7.                          “         “                                         )

I.16.d.60.95.               Salient.                                                )

I.16.d.75.90.               Trench Junction.                                  )

I.17.a.0.0.                           “         “                                         )

I.17.a.12.12.                       “         “                                         )

I.22.a.2.2.                    Ditch & Support Line.                       )

Also any known M.G. & T.M. Emplacements

—————————

I.27.a.1.4.                    Trench Junction.                                  )

I.27.a.5.2.                    Trench & Tram Line                            )

I.22.a.5.7.                    Loop.                                                   )

I.22.a.6.4.                       “                                                      )

I.27.c.9.9.                    Road & Trench.                                  )

I.27.b.25.15.                Railway & Road.                                )

I.27.b.45.90.                Trench Junction.                                  )  Marked “C” on Map.

I.27.b.65.60.                       “         “                                         )

I.22.c.7.4.                           “         “                                         )

I.22.a.55.10.                       “         “     .                                   )

I.22.b.30.55.                Point on C.T.                                       )

I.22.b.7.2.                    Battn. H.Q. (?).                                   )

I.16.d.7.2.                   Trench Junction.                                  )  Marked “D” on Map.

I.17.c.35.15.                O.P. (?)                                                )

I.17.c.6.4.                    HINDENBURGH’S House.              )

I.22.a.00.75.                CROSS Roads WEZ MACQUART. )

I.33.b.45.85.                Trench Junction                                   )

I.34.a.10.55.                   “         “                                          )

I.34.a.05.25.                HALT.                                                            )

I.27.d.55.45.               Trench Junction.                                  )

I.27.b.7.0.                    PETIT MARAIS.                               )  Marked “E” on Map.

I.28.c.2.7.                    Trench Junction.                                  )

I.28.c.85.40.                DUMP.                                               )

I.29.a.05.20.                Road Junction FLEUR D’ECOSSE. )

I.22.d.4.2.                   Road & Trench.                                  )

I.23.a.15.25.                Trench Junction.                                  )

I.22.a.45.00.                House.                                                 )  Marked “F” on Map.

I.23.d.1.6.                   Fme. De L’EPERONNERIE.                        )

I.24.a.35.90.                Road & Trench                                   )

BAS TROU                                        )

SECRET                     TARGETS                                                                  ZONE

Area (see map.)                       “I” R.H.A.                              A/175                                      B/175                                      D/175

Front Line I.22.a.45.75.          Front Line I.21.c.84.53.          Front Line I.26.b.80.60.             Front Line I.21.b.80.60.

to I.17.a.10.35.                        to I.22.a.50.80                         to I.21.c.92.57.                        to I.17.a.10.35.

RED                Communication Trenches       Communication Trenches       Communication Trenches            Communication Trenches

Support Lines within a line     Support Line within a line      Support Line within a line            Support Line within a line

From I.22.a.78.55. to              from I.21.d.20.25. to              from I.27.a.00.31. to               from I.27.a.00.31. to

I.17.a.28.25.                            I.22.a.85.59.                            I.21.d.26.30.                           I.17.a.28.25.

AREA within                          AREA within                          AREA within                          AREA within

I.22.a.78.55. to                        I.21.d.20.25. to                       Line from I.27.a.00.31.            whole of 18-pdr allotment

BLUE             I.17.a.28.25.                            I.22.a.85.59.                            to I.21.d.26.30.                       Communication Trenches

                        I.22.b.43.10. to                       I.27.b.94.60. to                       and DISTILLERY ROAD            CROSS ROADS

                        I.17.c.98.79.                            I.22.b.50.15.                            from I.27.b.99.65.                   HOUSES.

(DISTILLERY Rd)                (DISTILLERY Rd)                to I.27.c.78.40.

Communications                     Communications

Roads : Billets                         Roads : Billets

AREA within                          AREA within                          AREA within                          AREA within

I.22.b.43.10. to                       I.27.b.94.60. to                       DISTILLERY ROAD                        whole of 18-pdr allotment.

BROWN         I.17.c.98.79.                            I.22.b.50.15.                            from I.27.b.99.65 to                Communication Trenches

I.23.d.00.10. to                       I.28.d.50.25. to                       I.27.c.78.40. and line              CROSS ROADS

I.24.a.68.65.                            I.23.d.20.10.                           from I.34.c.10.86. to               HOUSES.

(Chateau                                  Communication                       I.28.d.58.33.

d’Hancandy                            Trenches. Roads

to Bastrou)                              Billets.

Communication Trenches

Roads : Billets

including BASTROU village.