Guide to the Papers of General Sir John Monash

This collection consists of 18 boxes (3.8m) of papers dating from 1914-1919 covering Monash's wartime military career and his related activities as Director-General, Repatriation and Demobilisation from 1918-1919 while still in the Australian Imperial Force. While the majority of the material relates to military operations there is a significant amount of material relating to Monash's social activities while on leave. Also of interest is the inclusion of extensive examples of sports, social and leisure programs and menus. These provide a strong record of the social life of the men during their military activities. The diverse wartime records includes Monash's authority to conduct court martials, training instructions for protection against gas attacks, the use of the Lewis gun and tactical exercises for trench warfare and assaults, recommendations for awards, commendations for promotions, codes, convoy and transportation orders, schedules of movements by foot, train and ship, published documents, standing orders, operation orders and reviews of operations, conference agendas, handwritten and typed notes, translations of enemy documents, summaries of interviews with German prisoners of war, information from scouting expeditions, reports relating to external conditions such as the moon phases, rain, terrain, presence of water, place names, signal operations, force orders and special orders, messages and signals.When planning operations and in conference with his officers, Monash initially created draft documents in extensive note form, followed by a second draft with detailed editing and finally as a document for use. Monash's thinking processes and particular emphasis are thus revealed.