Cambrai Start Formation
E Battalion
The above diagram has been created using several sources, see below.
Each of "E" Battalion's eighteen fighting tanks carried the numbers E1 to E18 (right tank to left tank), the wire crushers were marked WC (WO 95-2846-3_2 Pg 5) this was painted on their rear between the horns and the other tanks probably carried the numbers E1 to E18 in the same location. The tanks were numbered from right to left to aid the infantry who were ordered to follow them.
Both infantry assault battalions (1/8 Argyll and 1/5 Seaforth) following "E" Battalion's tanks advanced two section's directly behind the wire crushers to help clear the outpost line.
6th Seaforth's War Diary implies "Exquisite" and "Eurylaus" were marked WC. The numbering thus also indicates 9 section were on the left, 11 section in the centre and 12 section on the right (W6SH). Thus "Eygpt II" and "Eager II" would have been numbered E9 and E10, though which tank was which cannot be determined.
Likewise 11 section's tanks would be numbered E13, E14 and E15 though we cannot say which tank carried which number
The nine tanks from each company in the first wave were to be 100 yds ahead of the first infantry which was to consist of three platoons advancing in two lines about 10 to 15yds apart. The four sections in each platoon were thus not allocated to a tank each (W21).
The supporting infantry platoons were to advance 150 to 200yds behind the first wave, they were to advance in section columns 10 to 15 yds long and maintain this formation for as long as possible (W21).
Both infantry assault battalions (1/8 Argyll and 1/5 Seaforth) following "E" Battalion's tanks advanced two section's directly behind the wire crushers to help clear the outpost line; the fighting tanks were followed by three platoons advancing abreast to capture the Hindenburg front line, three platoons then passed through and captured the Hindenburg support line (Blue Line); two platoons passed through to capture the grand ravine and finally four fresh platoons to capture the railway embankment support line. One company of infantry was held in reserve. The infantry advanced in short section rushes. (Infantry battalion's war diaries) This agrees with the illustration in the Summary of Operations which shows eight tanks (6 fighting and 2 wire crushers) leading a single company with two infantry platoons alongside one another and two following in support (W21) . The other sources which state that each infantry company was supported by 12 tanks (3 wire crushers and 9 fighting tanks) (W5o) are therefore incorrect.
See narrative for orders
Sources
W4a = D Battalion War Diary PRO WO 95/110
W21 = 1st Tank Brigade War Diary relevant Battlegraphs and after action report
W32 = 2nd Field Salvage Coy War Diary PRO WO 95/96
W51d - 51st Division War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew, WO 95-2846-3_2, p4
W5SH - 5th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew, WO 2866-2_1
p69, 1/5th Bn. Seaforth highlanders Operation order No 60, 5-11-17
p62, plan
W6SH - 6th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew, WO 2867-2_1, p131
1st Brigade 20 November 1917 Map
D / 4th Battalion - List of narratives