Embedded Files
The above diagram has been created using several sources, see below.
Infantry orders and intentions
TO BE UPDATED
See narrative for orders
Infantry company positions and formations from 60th brigade's War diary (W60b)
Tanks
"A" Tank Battalion operated with 60th Brigade, see narratives for orders.
The positions of the sections are from the tank Company Commanders reports (W9t p75, p84)
Tank positions are from the following sources:
When both the advanced guard tank and the section commander's tanks are know they are always one and the same.
It seems reasonable to conclude that the section commander always rode in the advanced guard tank.
1 Section - Tank A1 carried the section commander, the position of the other two tanks are guesses, they may have been the other way round.
3 Section - Tank A13 carried the section commander, tank A11 dropped its fascine first and is therefore assumed to be the tank on the left. (A13's BHS, W9t p48)
4 Section - Tank A17 carried the section commander, tank A20 dropped its fascine first and is therefore assumed to be the tank on the left. (2 Sect. Com. report, W9t p48). A16 was echeloned behind the other two tanks (A16 BHS W9t p50). A20 followed A17 (A20 BHS W9t p54).
5 Section - A24 was the lead tank (BHS W9t p58). A25 was the rear tank (BHS W9t p61)
6 Section - Formation from Section commanders report (W9t p83)
7 Section - Formation from Section commanders report (W9t p81)
Note that the above diagram is more or less identical to the formation recommended in "Tank and infantry operations without methodical artillery preparation" (W9Suf p62ff) except for 4 section being echeloned behind the others and 6 section being deployed to advance in line along the right flank of the first wave.
Sources
W9t - I / 9th Tank Battalion War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew. PRO-WO-95-109-4
W60b - 60th Infantry Brigade War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew. PRO-WO-2119-2_2
p34ff - Orders and plan
2nd Tank Brigade. 20 November 1917 - Map
A / 1st Battalion List of narratives
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