Supply Tanks
Supply Tanks. General
3rd Ypres
When “A” and “B” Battalions first used the Mk IV on the attack on Messines Ridge in June 1917 they were accompanied by twelve supply tanks (2 per company). These were old MkI and II tanks with their guns removed and their sponsons cleared for the carriage of stores (S11.p82).
For Third Ypres each of the other seven Battalions were similarly provided with six old MKI and II tanks which were converted into supply tanks.
Cambrai
All the old Mk I and II supply tanks were replaced with purpose built Mk IV female sledge pulling supply tanks prior to the Battle of Cambria in November 1917. These tanks were known as Top Towers as each was fitted with a special towing apparatus on the top of the tank to allow it to pull supply sledges without the cables fouling on the tanks rear horns; this apparatus consisted of two cables which ran from the drivers turret to a Box affixed to the rear of the top of the tank. It is clearly visible on photographs of:
I41 (X64. Plate 30),
FW1 http://www.flickr.com/photos/7700258@N05/3411465173/in/set-72157601074582281/
FW3 http://www.flickr.com/photos/7700258@N05/3923327744/in/set-72157601074582281/
and L52, “Lyric” http://www.flickr.com/photos/7700258@N05/3064888210/.
The kinked unditching rails can be seen on:
FS1: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7700258@N05/7706831364/in/set-72157601074582281
Note that I41, FW1 and FW3 have their unditching rails extended to run over the box, unusually for a Mk IV “Lyric” is not fitted with unditching rails.
6 tanks were provided per battalion; 4 of which were placed in Brigade wire pulling companies and used to clear wire on November 20th.
As the Top Towing tanks were apparently fully equipped female tanks they were used in action by some battalions on November 20th. “E” battalion definitely used their two remaining supply tanks as wire crushing (and Machine Gun destroying) tanks in advance of the first wave of infantry, it seems likely that “D” and possibly “G” Battalions did likewise.
The Wire pulling tanks returned to their battalions on November 21st and should presumably have reverted to sledge pulling supply duties; however many of the Top Towers were thrown into the battle and a number were knocked out.
See link below for more details.
1918
Whilst the Sledge pullers worked well in 1st Tank Brigade (W21a), they were not deemed successful by some battalions who asked for their old Mk I supply tanks back. This may explain why a decision was made to fit MkIVs with unarmoured supply sponsons and use them as supply tanks in 1918. Battalions were presumably allotted 6 supply tanks each but the actual number varied from battalion to battalion. A number of Supply tanks were lost during the March retreat, some being captured by the Germans. At least one top tower was captured by the Germans and converted into a Beutepanzer, no.128 "Dora" (X75.p158f)
See link below for late 1918 information.
Photographs of supply tanks:
Near Villers -Bretenneux with Australians X101 p204
Sources
H2TS – History of 2nd Tank Carrier Company PRO WO 95-103
S7 – British Mark I Tank. Osprey (2004). Fletcher, David
S11 - The British tanks 1915-19 (2001). Fletcher, David
S62 – A Company of Tanks (1934 ?) Major WHL Watson
W21a – Summary of Operations 20th November to 23rd November 1917 of 1st Brigade Tank Corps PRO WO 95-98
CWa – “Situation of Tanks and Crews” – various summary sheets for September 1918 PRO WO 96-94
Cambrai. Supply and Wire Pulling Tanks.