Cambrai Start Formation
I Battalion
The above diagram has been created using several sources, see below.
Infantry orders and intentions
61st Infantry Brigade's attacked in three waves (W20d p19ff)
First wave: Two Companies of the 7 DCLI were to capture the trenches about Corner Work about R15central. Meanwhile the 7 and the Somerset LI were to capture La Vaquerie
Second Wave: Two Companies of the 7 DCLI and two Companies of the 12 Kings (Liverpool) were to capture the Blue line from R10a.5.6 to R16b.6.4
Third wave: The 7 KOYLI and two Companies of 12 Kings (Liverpool) to capture the Brown line from L34b.2.5 to R5d.2.9
It is not clear how A and B Companies of the 7 DCLI were formed up, A Company may also have been formed u like B Company is shown in which case one section of tanks may not have been followed by infantry.
The infantry advanced in irregular lines of sections in file (W20d p26).
The 7 KOYLI A and B Companies formed up in rear of the main body tanks in two lines of sections in single file 26 paces interval 60 paces distance. C and D Companies with battalion HQ formed up in rear in two lines of 1/2 platoons in file, 35 paces intervals 60 paces distance. (W7KOYLI p 32)
The diagram above shows the authors interpretation of these orders. Other interpretations may be correct.
Tanks
"I" Tank Battalion operated with 61st Brigade, see narratives for orders.
The actual distribution of sections is somewhat speculative as the narrative only indicates which tanks are in each section and which sections are in the first second or third wave. In addition whilst the composition of the sections is known the actual identity of the advanced guard and main body tanks is also not given. (W9t)
The above allocation is based on the lists and assumes the first tank is the advanced Guard tank, the second listed is the left main body tank etc.
The tank account states two sections supported 12 DCLI in the third wave. The infantry accounts indicate this is incorrect, three tanks supported each of the 7 KOYLI and 12 Kings (Liverpool). (W7KOYLI p32) (W12Liv. p62)
Note that the above diagram is similar to the formation recommended in "Tank and infantry operations without methodical artillery preparation" (W9Suf p62ff) except only nine tanks and six infantry platoons form the first wave.
Sources
W9t – 9th (I) Battalion’s War Diary. Pdf download from PRO Kew. PRO-WO-95-107-4
P2ff - Report ion operations on 20th November
W20d - 20th Infantry Division War Diary, Pdf download from PRO Kew. PRO-WO-95-2097-2_2
p19ff - Narrative of operations 20th (Light) Division - 20th November 1917
p24ff - Experiences gained in recent operations 20th and 21st November 1917.
W61b - 61st Infantry Brigade War Diary, Pdf download from PRO Kew. PRO-WO-95-2125-1_2
p65ff - 61st Brigade Orders
p87ff - 61st infantry Brigade Report on Operations 20 /21st November 1917
W2DCLI - 2nd Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry War Diary, Pdf download from PRO Kew. PRO-WO-95-2126-1_2
p172ff Orders with infantry company locations
W7Som - 7th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry War Diary, Pdf download from PRO Kew. PRO-WO-95-2127-1_2
p23f - Narrative
W12Liv - 12th Battalion Kings Own (Liverpool) Regiment War Diary, Pdf download from PRO Kew. PRO-WO-95-2126-2_2
p59 - Two line narrative
p62 - Narrative of Operations on 20th November 1917
W7KOYLI - 7thBattalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry War Diary, Pdf download from PRO Kew. PRO-WO-95-2127-2_10
p32 - Orders including company positions and formations.
Cambrai start formation I Battalion
I / 9th Battalion List of narratives