1. The 17th Armoured Car Battalion has been placed at the disposal of the Australian Corps, and will join the 5th Tank Brigade shortly.
2. This battalion is organized in two companies of eight (8) armoured cars each. Each armoured car carries one forward and one rear Hotchkiss gun.
3. One and a half (1½) companies are allotted to the 5th Australian Division, and half (½) a company will remain in Corps Reserve.
The half company detailed to remain in Corps Reserve will select a position of assembly in Square 0.26, and will occupy this position by 9.30 p.m. on Y/Z night. During the action its orders will be transmitted through the 5th Australian Divisional Signal Service. The Commander will arrange with the 5th Australian Division accordingly.
4. As soon as the Battalion Commander or his representative reports to the 5th Tank Brigade, he will be instructed to report to the General Staff, Australian Corps, and then to Headquarters, 5th Australian Division.
1. The 17th Armoured Car Battalion is being given definite rôles in accordance with paragraph 3 of Battle Instructions No. 14. The rôles assigned to this battalion may carry the cars forward for a considerable distance into enemy territory, and may necessitate their returning through other Divisional Sectors than that of the 5th Australian Division.
2. British Armoured Cars can be recognized by the red and white band markings which are similar to those of the British Tanks.
3. All troops will be warned of the possibility of our armoured cars coming into our own sector, and of the way in which they are marked.
1. Zero Hour.
Zero hour will be notified in writing from Australian Corps Headquarters by noon on the day prior to zero.
2. Synchronization of Watches.
Watches will be synchronized by officers detailed by Australian Corps Headquarters, who will visit Headquarters in the following order, leaving Corps Headquarters shortly after noon and 6 p.m. on Y day:
(a) One officer to Headquarters Heavy Artillery, 3rd Australian Division and 4th Australian Division.
(b) One officer to 2nd Australian Division and 5th Australian Division.
1. The Air Forces which will operate on the Australian Corps front during the battle will be as follows:
(a) Corps Squadron—3rd Australian Squadron.
(b) 5th Tank Brigade—8th Squadron.
(c) The 22nd Wing, consisting of eight Scout Squadrons, which will be exclusively employed in engaging ground targets by bombing and machine-gunning along the whole Army front.
(d) One night-bombing squadron—101st Bombing Squadron.
(e) One Reconnaissance Squadron—48th Squadron.
Four additional day-bombing squadrons and three additional night-bombing squadrons are being obtained from other Wings for co-operation with the above, making 19 Squadrons in all.
2. Low-flying Scouts.
The low-flying scouts of the 22nd Wing are being detailed on an even distribution to the Corps front. They will operate in two phases, viz.:
(a) From zero to zero plus four hours eastward from the green line.
(b) From zero plus four hours onwards eastwards from the red line.
In each phase favourable targets will be engaged in addition to the targets marked by the green and red lines.
3. Markings on Planes.
The following will be the special markings of machines allotted to special duties:
(a) Contact patrol machines—Rectangular panels 2' by 1' on both lower planes about three feet from the fuselage.
(b) Machines working with Tanks—Black band on middle of right side of tail.
4. Ammunition-carrying Squadron.
Aeroplanes carrying small arms ammunition will drop it at points as laid down in Battle Instructions No. 11, para. 3 (b). The first ammunition-carrying planes will arrive over the battlefield at zero plus seven hours.
5. Aeroplane Smoke Screens.
In addition to carrying small arms ammunition, this Squadron will be employed to drop phosphorus smoke bombs to obstruct the enemy's view. The areas to be screened and the time at which the screening in each case shall cease in order not to interfere with the advance of the Infantry will be shown on a map to be issued later.
1. S.O.S.
(i) Each line division will arrange for four field artillery brigades, or an equivalent number of guns, to fire on S.O.S. lines at any time up to zero minus fifteen minutes.
(ii) From zero minus fifteen minutes until zero hour S.O.S. arrangements will be inoperative.
2. Heavy Artillery.
In the event of the enemy opening a gas bombardment on the Villers-Bretonneux area, arrangements have been made for the co-operation of the Canadian Corps Heavy Artillery in an artillery counter-attack on enemy batteries. The Canadian Corps will deal with the enemy artillery about Wiencourt and Marcelcave. Fire will be opened, on application, direct between the two Corps Headquarters.
G.O.C., R.A., Australian Corps, will arrange details with G.O.C., R.A., Canadian Corps.
1. Officers are detailed for liaison duties as follows:
(a) At Canadian Corps Headquarters—Capt. Shearman, D.S.O., M.C.
(b) At Third Corps Headquarters—Major R. Morrell, D.S.O.
(c) With 1st Australian Division—To be notified.
(d) With 2nd Australian Division—Major H. Page, M.C.
(e) With 3rd Australian Division—Lt.-Col. A. R. Woolcock, D.S.O.
(f) With 4th Australian Division—Major G. F. Dickinson, D.S.O.
(g) With 5th Australian Division—Lt.-Col. N. Marshall, D.S.O.
2. The main function of the liaison officer is to relieve the Staff of the fighting formation of the necessity of:
(a) Supplying information to Australian Corps Headquarters.
(b) Collecting information from Corps Headquarters for transmission to the formation for whom they are carrying out liaison duties. It is their function to save the Staff as far as possible, and not to get in the way. At the same time, they are expected to keep Corps Headquarters and the formation to which they are attached fully informed of events.
3. Direct telephone lines exist between Australian Corps Headquarters and neighbouring Corps.
For the battle there is a special General Staff switchboard with direct lines to 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Australian Divisions.
4. An information bureau will be established in a marquee to be erected on the lawn in front of the Headquarters offices. Major W. W. Berry will be in charge of this bureau. It will be provided with a telephone, writing material, maps, etc.
Liaison officers from other formation at Australian Corps Headquarters will be accommodated in this marquee.
During the battle officers whose business does not require them to visit the General Staff Office will make all inquiries at this office for information as to the progress of the operations.
1. The First Cavalry Brigade, plus one company of Whippet Tanks attached, comes under the command of the Australian Corps Commander at 9 p.m. on Y/Z night.
2. Its function is to assist in carrying out the main Cavalry rôle by seizing any opportunity which may occur to push through this Corps front.
3. The First Cavalry Brigade will operate north of the Amiens—Chaulnes railway in conjunction with 5th Australian Division. It will move from its assembly position in Square n.32 under orders of G.O.C., 1st Cavalry Division, via the southern side of Bois de l'Abbé.
It will cross to the north side of the railway east of Villers-Bretonneux.
It will push forward patrols to keep in touch with 8th and 15th Australian Brigades.
After crossing the railway the main body of 1st Cavalry Brigade will march roughly parallel to it, keeping close touch with the remainder of 1st Cavalry Division to the south.
4. If a break in enemy's resistance occurs, the remainder of the 1st Cavalry Division may be employed in support of 1st Cavalry Brigade.
5. Command of 1st Cavalry Brigade will pass from Australian Corps to the 1st Cavalry Division when the Infantry reaches the red line unless the brigade is required in the area south of the Australian Corps to exploit success gained before that hour. This will be determined by G.O.C., 1st Cavalry Division, who will inform Australian Corps and 5th Australian Division, and issue orders direct to 1st Cavalry Brigade.
1. Reference paragraph 1 of General Staff Memo. No. AC/42, dated 7th instant, ZERO will be 4.20 a.m. 8th instant.