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[Page 4]
SECTION 1.
A.H. I. PREPARATORY ARRANGEMENTS.
1. In the 1st. Phase, August Offensive, on the SOMME, the Third Australian Division was allotted the role of capturing the first objectives on the Northern Flank of the Australian Corps, with its left resting on the River SOMME.
2. On the right, the Second Australian Division was to similarly advance, while the III Corps was to swing forward its right flank to include the CHIPILLY Spur and conform to the movement of the Australian Corps, on its Northern flank.
3. The Objective (or the GREEN Line), allotted Third Australian Division, is shown on the attached Map "A", which also shows the Divisional boundaries.
4. The outstanding feature of the preparation for the attack was SECRECY; therefore, in the initial stages, conferences of Brigadiers were called and instructions issued verbally, and were passed, by them, only to those by whom action had to be taken immediately.
5. The date fixed for the attack was the 8th. August, and on 2nd. August a conference of Brigadiers was called and the general intention outlined.
6. The Australian Corps was to penetrate the enemy defences to a depth of 8,500 yards and seize the old British Reserve Defence System from MERICOURT-sur-SOMME to HARBONNIERES, thus providing a strong Northern flank for a deeper penetration by the Canadian Corp which was to operate South of the VILLERS-BRETONNEUX-ROSIERES-en-SANTERRE. Later the Australian Corps was to conform to further penetration by the Canadian Corps.
II. PLAN
1. The attack on the Northern divisional front was divided into three phases :-
(a) The capture and consolidation of the GREEN Line by the Third Australian Division under an artillery barrage, and with the assistance of Tanks.
(b) The "leapfrogging" through the Third Australian Division by the Fourth Australian Division, and the capture by the latter of the RED Line (Map "a"). This operation was to be carried out on the principles of "Open Warfare", with the assistance of Tanks.
(c) The exploitation, by the Fourth Australian Division, of the success so gained, by pushing on and gaining the old British Reserve line. (BLUE LINE).
2. On the night 4th/5th. August, the 10th. Inf. Brigade relieved the 11th. Inf.Brigade in the line, and thus, until battle, held the whole Divisional front with four battalions in line.
3. The 9th, 11th., 4th. and 12th. Inf. Brigades were concentrated in the areas shown in the attached Map "B" by the morning of the 5th August, the 4th. and 12th. Inf. Brigades being bivouaced furthest forward, as their objectives were furthest; and it was desired that they should arrive at the GREEN Line (from which they jumped off) as fresh as possible.
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