The August Offensive

Gallipoli, August 1915

Army Corps Order No. 16.

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND ARMY CORPS

No.G.a.74.

From General Staff, A.& N.Z. Army Corps. To Aust. Div.

MEMORANDUM.

With reference to Organization Orders forwarded with my Ga-37 of 3rd inst, for the troops in Anzac, under Para 1. - DRESS AND EQUIPMENT F. S. Equipment, please note that coats will be worn and orders should be amended accordingly.

ARMY CORPS ORDER NO. 16.

Reference Gallipoli Maps 1/20,000, and map of area occupied by Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

1. The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps ,with attached troops Anzac, has ordered to take part in a combined operation, which has for its object, securing a position astride of the Gallipoli Peninsula from the neighbourhood of GABA TEPE to the straits north of Maidos. The main features of the immediate operations for the attainment of this object, are given below, for the information of Divisional Commanders and Staff, and of Brigade Commanders, only. Fuller and non-secret details are given in the instructions prepared for the commanders of the various operations to be undertaken by us.

(a) On August 6/7th the forces in the south of the Peninsula, are to attack with the object of drawing part of the enemy's forces in that direction.

(b) A force is to be landed North of the Anzac position with tie object of securing Suvla Bay as a base: an operation which includes the seizure of the "W” and "CHOCOLATE HILLS” and the enemy guns there.

(c) Action by the Australians and New Zealand Army Corps as detailed in the following paragraphs.

2. The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps with attached troops, to advance and occupy a line extending from the neighbourhood of GABA TEPE, along the main spur marked approximately by the track 82 - 87 - 165 - CHUNUK BAIR, and thence along the CHUNUK BAIR RIDGE to, and including, Hill 305.


3. With this object:

(a) Australian Division will assault the Turkish positions on Plateau 400 commencing at 5.30 P.M., August 6th. A subsidiary operation against GERMAN OFFICER'S TRENCH will also be undertaken, to assist No. 4. Section against Baby 700.

(b) New Zealand and Australian Division-,13th Division less one Brigade (except a battalion), and less Artillery; 9th Indian Inf. Brigade; and IMA Bde less one section, under command of Major General Sir A.J. Godley, KCMG, CB:-

1. Will carry the line. CHUNUCK BAIR - Hill 350, during the night of the 6/7th August, the operation to commence at 9 p.m. 1.m.

2. Will hold No. 3. Section less COURTNEY'S POST, and assist in "3".

3. Will hold WALKER'S RIDGE and RUSSELL'S TOP, and provide columns to assault BABY 700.

4. The General Reserve (29th Brigade, and 40th Brigade, less 1 Battalion) will be located in Rest and Reserve Gullies from 4 a.m, on 7th till, called up to move.

5. Arrangements for Naval support are included in the detailed instructions given to each commander, but consist generally of:

A Southern squadron of five vessels, stationed off GABA TEPE, and firing on targets east of Plateau 400 - Hill 180 - CHUNUK BAIR RIDGE.

A Northern squadron of two monitors and two torpedo. boat destroyers firing on targets on the Northern and Western slopes of the Sarl Bair.

SUPPLEMENT TO ARMY CORPS ORDER NO. 16.

The countersign for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and attached troops for the night of 6/7th, and 7/8th, will be:-

For troops of the 1st Aust. Div. and attached units.

Password: WALKER. Countersign. SUCCESS.

For troops of the N.Z. & A. Division

13th Division.

29th Brigade.

29th (Indian) Brigade

I.M.A. Brigade, less the section renaming with 1st Australian Div.

Casualty Clearing Stations.

Passwords: GODLEY. Countersign: SUCCESS.

Correction to Army Corps Order No. 16 - dated 3rd August 1915. In para 3. (a) - line 2 - for 5.0 p.m. read 5.30 p.m.

Further Reading:

The August Offensive, Gallipoli, August 1915

Gallipoli Campaign

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Citation: The August Offensive, Gallipoli, August 1915, Army Corps Order No. 16.

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Tuesday, 27 July 2010 12:01 PM EADT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

The August Offensive

Gallipoli, August 1915

Instructions for the New Zealand Army Corps

ZEALAND ARMY CORPS.

From General Staff A. & N.Z. Army Corps, to Aust Div.

MEMORANDUM.

Herewith 50 copies of Organization orders for troops in ANZAC for information and eventual distribution. These orders will be issued to units along with any orders based an Army Corps Orders No. 15 of 2nd August, but not before.

Reference distinguishing badges referred to in Organization Orders, the white patch should be on R shoulder blade, so as to be seen from behind, and not in front. Badges should be fixed as late as possible, especially on the arms, and every precaution taken to prevent enemy seeing men wearing them.

Further Reading:

The August Offensive, Gallipoli, August 1915

Gallipoli Campaign

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Citation: The August Offensive, Gallipoli, August 1915, Instructions for the New Zealand Army Corps

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Tuesday, 27 July 2010 12:06 PM EADT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

The August Offensive

Gallipoli, August 1915

Additional answers by Skeen

To A. Skeen, from CBB White.

1. Any reply re miners in COURTNEY'S POST? Not yet.

2. Ref. your 4th August, General Birdwood told General Walker yesterday, that an attack was to begin at 5.30 (1730) p.m. You say 5.0.p.m. May I amend your instructions.

Please await General Birdwood's return, or my catching him on phone From A. Skeen to C.B.B. White.

I got General Birdwood on the telephone. Make the hour of attack, commencing 5.30 p.m., not 5 p.m., on 6th August. Answer in the Miner question follows:-

I understand 60 is the total number employed in the mines, so that possibly this number could be reduced, as regards actual workers. However, it awaits General Birdwood's decision.

Further Reading:

The August Offensive, Gallipoli, August 1915

Gallipoli Campaign

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Citation: The August Offensive, Gallipoli, August 1915, Additional answers by Skeen

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Tuesday, 27 July 2010 12:07 PM EADT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

The August Offensive

Gallipoli, August 1915

Table "Z"

Formation	Water	Ammunition.	Gun Ammunition.	Transport
New Zealand & Australian Division.
Units remaining in trenches	Normal water supply	Up to DAC in close proximity to trenches		Nil
Attack on Baby 700	9,000 gallons in paraffin tins, i.e., 3 day's supply stored in rear of trenches. Site selected by Division	Up to DAC in rear of trenches. Site selected by Division		Nil
Movable Column	3 day's supply in paraffin tins, stored at No. 2 Outpost	Regimental Reserve BAC & DAC stored at No. 2 Outpost.	Every gun has ammunition up to DAC stored in close proximity to guns.	258 mules to be drawn by OC Train from Mule Gully at 5 p.m. 6 August 1915
Australian Division
Troops in trenches	Normal water supply and 5,000 gallons in tank top of Victoria Gully.	Up to DAC in close proximity to trenches		Nil
Attack on Lone Pine	18,000 gallons in paraffin tins (5 day's supply) stored in rear of trenches. Site selected by Division.	Up to DAC in close proximity to trenches		Nil
13th Division	3 day's supply in paraffin tins, stored at No. 2 Outpost	Regimental Reserve BAC & DAC stored at Ammunition Park, Mule Gully.	Nil - x -	364 mules to be taken over by OC Train at 6 p.m. 6 August at Mule Gully.
Indian Brigade	3 day's supply in paraffin tins, stored at No. 2 Outpost	Regimental Reserve BAC & DAC stored at Ammunition Park, Mule Gully.	Nil - x -	80 mules to be taken over by B.T.O. at 5 p.m. 6 August in Mule Gully.
Reserve Brigade 10th Division.	Local Supply	Mark 7. 130 rounds for 3,100 rifles stored rear Supply Depot Bridges Road. 10,000 rounds per 18 machine guns.	Nil	100 mules to be taken over by B.T.O. at 6.p.m. 6th August in Reserve Gully where they will remain until further orders.

- x - = As soon as the Mules have been taken over the Transport Officer will proceed straight to the Ammunition Park in Mule Gully and draw 2 boxes S.A.A. for each Mule, sot that no Mule leaving ANZAC will go out empty. This ammunition should be dumped as far forward as possible.

The Mules will work under the orders of the S.T.O. of the formation, who will arrange the daily distribution, so as to get the utmost possible work out of them. No Mules will be allotted to Regiments etc., but all will remain under the direct orders of the S.T.O. A limited number of Mules may be allotted to certain units by order of G.O’s C. Divisions for R.E. Stores etc. Loads will be taken as close as possible to the firing line on pack animals, which will be divided according to tactical requirements along the position gained. On arrival at destination, their are to deposit their loads in selected localities from which ammunition and water will then be passed forward by hand - the Mules returning at once for fresh loads. On the night 7th - 8th, it may happen that a re-distribution of the whole of the transport will have to take place, or perhaps it may be only necessary to hand over to each unit, it's supply Mules which arrive ANZAC Beach morning August 7th. Should this be so, the B.S.O’s should be detailed to take over these mules, and as soon as taken over will draw one day's supply for their Units and return with the least possible delay.

From General Staff A.& N. Z. Army Corps, to Aust Div.
 

Further Reading:

The August Offensive, Gallipoli, August 1915

Gallipoli Campaign

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Citation: The August Offensive, Gallipoli, August 1915, Table "Z"

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Tuesday, 27 July 2010 11:52 AM EADT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

The August Offensive

Gallipoli, August 1915

Instructions for G.O.C. Australian Division

INSTRUCTI0NS FOR G.O.C. AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.

Paras 1. and the dates to be kept SECRET and not to be divulged except to your staff, and to Brigade Commanders and to their staffs.

Ref. Map Gallipoli 1/20,000, and map of area occupied by A. & N.Z. Army Corps.

1. Under instructions from G.H.Q. the operations of the Army Corps, are to begin a strong and sustained attack on Hill 125 (Plateau 406).

2. This task is allotted to you. In carrying it out you will bear in mind that every effort is to be made to deceive the enemy as to the locality against which our main effort is to be made, and to induce him V to believe that it will be directed against his lines opposite to the Southern portion of our position. The Army Corps Commander considers that it will be best attained by directing your principal effort against the LONE PINE group of works. The assistance which an occupation of JOHNSTONE'S JOLLY will give this operation and your further advance should be kept in mind.

3. The force at your disposal is the 1st Australian Division as constituted in Table "A" Order of Battle, issued with Army Corps order No. 15 of 2nd August with one section, Kohat Mountain Battery added. Additional Artillery support as detailed in App. A will be given, and you will re required to give assistance to other operations with some of your guns as detailed in the same Appendix.

With this force you will:

(a) occupy and hold the defensive line from and including COURTNEY'S POST, to the sea near CHATHAM'S POST

(b) attack the Turkish position on Plateau 400 as outlined above. The attack is to commence at 5.30 p.m. on 6th August.

(c) assault GERMAN OFFICER'S TRENCH during the right of the 6/7th, preferably about midnight. In consolidation his position in GERMAN OFFICER'S TRENCH officers entrusted with the operation should keep in view the need for assisting tit offensive from, No. 3 and No. 4. Sections, against the CHESS BOARD and BABY 700 groups of trenches, which is to take place during daylight of August 7th.

(d) If, and when, the situation admits, take advantage of the pressure which the success of our other operations produces on the enemy to advance your line to GUN RIDGE, from SCRUBBY KNOLL to the sea.

4. The artillery supports, which will be given you, and the hours for which it will be available, is detailed in appendix "A", which has been distributed to the Divisional C.R.A's, to all Battery Commanders, and to the Naval Commanders concerned.

5. Casualty Clearing Station for all operations youth of MACLAGAN'S RIDGE - HILL 180, will be the Australian Casualty Clearing Station on Anzac Beach. A Dressing Station will be established it it's vicinity to deal with cases which have come down to the beach without passing through the hands of the Divisional Ambulances near the front.

6. Arrangements for replenishment of ammunition and water, are detailed in attached Appendix Z.

7. The Army Corps Report Centre, will be at it's present site till further orders.

Further Reading:

The August Offensive, Gallipoli, August 1915

Gallipoli Campaign

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Citation: The August Offensive, Gallipoli, August 1915, Instructions for G.O.C. Australian Division

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Tuesday, 27 July 2010 12:08 PM EADT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink