(Part of the RAEAV collection BP 118)
About this Document;
The Author (Sir Clive Selwyn Steele KBE, DSO, MC mid(2))
Major General Sir Clive Steele (1892-1955) graduated in civil engineering from University of Melbourne and during his working life became a distinguished structural engineer. He was commissioned into the Militia and allotted to the Australian Engineers in 1912. He volunteered for active service in both world wars. He saw action on the Western Front in WWI where he was awarded an MC. In WWII he was appointed CRE 6 Div (1939-40), CE 1st Corps (1940-41), and CE Anzac Corps (1941). In 1941 he was awarded a DSO and Greek Military Cross.
He was promoted to Major General and appointed EinC (1942-45). The war-time CGS Lieutenant General Sir Vernon Sturdee recognised his considerable intellect and far sightedness, and engaged him regularly as a general confidante. General Sturdee demonstrated his understanding of Steele’s paternal affection and support for RAE by referring to all Sappers as “‘Steele’s boys”.
Despite his impatience with bureaucracy, Steele respected the need for paper-work, but would never let formalities stop him from gaining his ends. He was admired throughout the army for his energy, drive and ability to get things done. Within the RAE, his humane leadership and loyalty to his officers and soldiers fostered esprit de corps.
On 12 March 1946 he transferred to the Reserve of Officers. He was also regarded highly by the civilian community. The University of Melbourne awarded him the W. C. Kerot medal for 1944. He was a member of the Institution of Engineers, Australia Council in 1933 and 1946-50, was Victoria Division Chairman in 1946, and was made an honorary member in 1954. In 1953 he was knighted (K.B.E). Major General Steele had a vision for the Corps of RAE and was influential in its post WWII development into a standing professional engineering organisation.
With his prominence in both RE and IEAust, he was instrumental in establishing the Supplementary Reserve to prepare for future military Lines of Communication needs within Australia. Major General Steele is generally acknowledged as the ‘father’ of today’s Corps of RAE. He believed there was a need to record all lessons learnt by Australian Sappers during WWII. He initiated EinC Technical Directives recording all Sapper experiences and also this Document.
The Purpose;
As stated in the Introduction to the Document: “This document records experience gained by the Corps of RAE in this war. It is written in the form of lessons which apply especially at the Headquarters of the Australian Military Forces. This record was made so that useful doctrine will be preserved for the future.” The Document was signed by all senior RAE officers at HQ AMF to signify their unanimous support, and then distributed to all senior RAE officers. It is understood that when the existence of this document was made known to the Directorate of Staff Duties that an order was placed to withdraw all copies on the basis that it was not an authorised Army publication. Despite this, a few copies are known to exist. This Document continues to have an importance within RAE.
Although conditions as existed during WWII have changed, there are many in the Corps who recognise that the principles listed in the Document are as pertinent today as they were then, and that it would be folly for any changes to be made to the Corps without regard to these principles.
The Original Owner;
(Brigadier Jack (Joe) Mann DS0 mid(2))
This copy of the Document has the signature “J Mann” and is accepted as being the copy given to Brigadier J Mann by Major General Steele. Brigadier Mann (1897-1968) was a distinguished Sapper officer highly regarded by Sir Clive Steele. He graduated top of his RMC Duntroon class of 1917. His service daring WWII included CRE HO 9 Div 1940-41 (including Tobruk), CE First Army 1942-44, CE NG Force 1944, and CB. 2nd Corps 1944-45. Post war he was CE E Comd 1947-48 and EinC 1949-1952. He was Colonel Commandant RAE S Comd 1955-65 and Patron of the Old Sappers’ Association of Victoria.
Mann was a forthright officer who made his thoughts clear. He expected no less of others. For example: he is quoted in the Corps History Volume Four: ‘Some commanders and staffs will, often erroneously, give praise to their engineer advisers who invariably, when posed with the question, “Yes Sir, the engineers can and will do it”. Sounds fine but experience has taught that these engineer “Yes Men” usually lead the commander, his staff and the engineers themselves into a mess. The usual answer to any request, snap or otherwise, by a staff officer or commander, should be “what is the latest time before you must have my advice?” When the advice is given it must be well reasoned and take into account every known or projected factor and the engineer resources available.’
Mann was a practical engineer who told it as he saw it.
The Journey;
Brigadier Joe Mann and his wife Molly were good friends with Lieutenant Colonel James Wearing Smith and his wife Violet. Lieutenant Colonel Wearing Smith was a Captain on Brigadier Mann’s staff at HQ RAE 9th Division in North Africa and was a Lieutenant Colonel on LHQ EinC’s staff under Major General Steele. On Brigadier Mann’s death Molly Mann passed this document to Lieutenant Colonel Wearing Smith. Following his death this Document passed to his daughter Mrs Megan Martin.
The Presentation;
“Mrs Megan Martin has great pleasure in presenting this document to the Old Sappers* Association of Victoria for safekeeping and display.”
6th June 2010
Prepared by Brigadier R A Slater AM RFD
Former COMD 6 Engr Gp and HQ LSF Engrs
Former COL COMDT RAE S Region
Patron, the Old Sappers’ Association of Victoria
UBIQUE
RAEAV Collection BP 118
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