CHAPTER XII.
PREPARING FOR FRANCE.
Early in 1916 the Australian Government decided to raise and maintain three new Divisions of the Australian Imperial Force. One of these—the 3rd—was to be recruited in Australia and the other two—4th and 5th—found from personnel available in Egypt. By this decision Australia was committed to providing, straight off, a new formation of 20,000 men and, in addition, to increasing her monthly flow of reinforcements by 150 per cent., in order to adequately maintain the five divisions in the field.
When the 1st and 2nd Divisions moved down to the east bank of the Suez Canal, the 4th and 8th Brigades were taken back to Tel-el-Kebir camp to form the nuclei of the 4th and 5th Divisions, respectively. As a means of preserving the admirable spirit of the A.I.F., and also to ensure a backing of trained and experienced personnel, 50 per cent. of the new infantry brigades, technical and departmental units, was secured by splitting up the four original infantry brigades and their attendant auxiliaries. The balance was furnished from the accumulating reinforcements at the training camps, near Zeitun. By this means, the two original Western Australian Battalions—11th and 16th—became the parent units of the 51st and 48th Battalions, respectively.
Following on this very important addition to the forces, the A.I.F. was now divided into two Corps. General Birdwood remained in supreme command, but personally directed the operations of the 1st Anzac Corps, whilst to General Godley fell the 4th and 5th Divisions which, added to his own New Zealanders, formed the 2nd Anzac Corps. The main body of the Light Horse became a separate Division under the command of Major-General H. G. Chauvel.
In consequence of the necessity for filling up the ranks of the new formations, a goodly portion of the body of reinforcements—officers and others—intended for the 28th Battalion was diverted to the 51st Battalion.
Following on the action taken in regard to the creation of the new Divisions, steps were taken to form several new units. These included a Cyclist Battalion for the Corps, a Pioneer Battalion for each Division, and a Machine Gun Company for each Brigade. Heavy calls were made on the infantry to man these, and the transfers which ensued made serious gaps in the ranks of the 28th. Lieut. J. J. S. Scouler, the Signalling Officer, was selected to command a company of the Cyclists and secured his third star. Lieut. G. D. Shaw and 2nd Lieut. A. M. Hope went to the 2nd Pioneers and were accompanied by many well tried N.C.Os. and men.
To the Machine Gun Company Lieuts. T. O. Nicholls and C. R. Field went together with the whole of the Machine Gun Section, which had done such sterling work on Gallipoli. For the future, in order to ensure a tactical use more in keeping with their fire power, machine guns were to be grouped under the Brigade Commander. Their place with the Battalion was taken by two Lewis Guns—an automatic rifle and a new weapon. These were given into the care of 2nd Lieut. F. Sears who, with a newly formed Section, was sent to attend a School of Instruction in that arm.