Cambrai. Supply ( Wire Pulling ) Tanks.
Supply ( Wire Pulling ) tanks
All the tank battalions handed in their old Mk I and Mk II supply tanks in October 1917.
Each battalion was then assigned six Mk IV female tanks fitted with equipment that enabled them to pull sledges; these tanks were usually called Top Towers as the equipment was on top of the tank).
On November 20th four of these tanks were then detached from each battalion to form three tank brigade wire pulling companies, one per brigade. It was felt that the cavalry would not be able to cross the barbed wire even after it was crushed by the tanks. These wire pulling tanks were issued with grapnels and were ordered to follow the assault and clear lanes through the wire.
These tanks were to return to their battalions and act as sledge pulling supply tanks after their wire pulling duties were completed (H8). All the wire pulling tanks whose identity is known were ordinary female tanks presumably fitted with the Top Towing gear, many start with a 45 serial number, only four fighting tanks were known to carry this number (two in "I" and two in "B" battalions) it is possible that they were all new tanks. They reverted to the control of their respective battalions on the 21st.
Note that in direct contradiction of the wire pulling orders "A" and "B" Battalion's did not send 4 Top Towers to join the wire pulling company. "A" Battalion apparently only sent three tanks, the other three being used as a sledge puller (i.e.e a supply tank) and (presumably) two radio carriers. One of "B" Battalions wire pullers was used to carry cable for the cavalry (WMH) or 3rd Army (WPR); the other two missing wire pullers may be the two tanks allocated to carry bridging equipment for the cavalry Corp (WPR), these tanks may be 4 Company's wire pullers as 4 Company was ordered to support the cavalry once the Hindenburg support line was secured.
Designation
As each of the tanks were fully equipped female fighting tanks they were apparently allocated a full crew. The tanks are sometimes referred to by the crew's letter (i.e. A36, F37 and F21).
In addition many of the tanks were also identified by the Battalion letter, followed by a "S" for supply tanks or a "W" for wire pullers, then by a number (normally 1 to 4). Some tanks carried this letter on their hulls where the crew number would normally be found. (i.e. CW1, CS2)
Lastly some of the tanks were named, "A" and "C" Battalion's records indicate their supply tanks were named but not their wire pullers. "B" Battalion names at least two of their wire pullers.
Organisation
Each of the Battalions should have sent their four wire pulling tanks to form three tank brigade wire pulling companies, each 12 tanks strong.
The preliminary Report for Nov 20th - 1st Dec in PRO WO 95-92 indicates only 32 tanks were used as wire pullers, one of "A" Battalions wire pullers appears to have been used as a supply tank or radio carrier, possibly the other three missing wire pullers are the two tanks used to carry bridging equipment and the "B" Battalion tank used to carry cable.
These companies were commanded by:
1st Brigade – Coy Commander Capt Arnaud
According to Stephen Pope, Arnaud commanded one of the wire puling sections from 1st Tank Brigade. (S99.p72)
2nd Brigade – Coy Commander Capt Hawkins
3rd Brigade – Coy Commander Capt Hopkins
Supply and Wire pulling Tanks on 20th November
Some of the wire pullers were crewed by instructors (officers and NCOs) from the tank driving school at Wailley, Stuart Hastie (the driving school commander) was in overall charge of the company, Lt Arnaud commanded one of his section's. (S99.p106)
A Battalion - Maj D Bingham in charge of Wire pullers (W1a)
Wire pullers
A36, 2575, Lt Burns WP
A37, 2826, 2Lt Dudley GH
A39, 2610, 2Lt Pettigre GR
12 section (Supply and Radio carriers)
A56, 2885, “Amazon II”, 2Lt Grove A
A59, 4586, “Ambrosia II”, 2Lt Ehrhardt
A60, 8056, “Atalanta II”, 2Lt Hunnikin
The wire pullers Battle History Sheets have survived so their identity is certain.
A59 is probably a supply tank (as implied by its name).
A56 and A60 are presumably the last two Top Towers, though there is no direct evidence for this.
B Battalion
Wire pullers
4 Coy – 2 wire pullers (W2 -18 nov)
5 Coy - 2 wire pullers (WMH)
B29, 6017, “Bijou”, Lt Lynch-Staunton LA
B32, 6013, “Baron II”, 2Lt Allison JA
6 Coy - 2 Supply tanks (W2 - 16 nov)
C Battalion - 2Lt CM LaClair in charge of Wire pullers (W3)
CW1, 4515, 2Lt. MGR Elliott
CW2, 4568, Sgt. J Hunt
CW3, 4559, 2Lt M McBean
CW4, 4514, 2Lt JT Yeoman
CS1, 6003, "Clown", 2Lt G Ritchie, 8 section - Note: C36 crossed out and replaced with CS1
CS2, 6004, "Carnation", 2LT Prophet., 9 section
All listed as wire pullers or supply tanks in the list in the War Diary.
D Battalion
8 Section - [Supply ?]
D24, 6005, f, “Deuce Of Diamonds II”, Lt. R.C. Grant, (W21)
D32, 4572, f, “Dop Doctor II”, 2/Lt. G.V Butler, (W21)
This is educated guesswork: 8 section were 11 Company's supply tanks at 3rd Ypres; there are only 2 tanks in the section;
E Battalion
4 Section
E19, “Eradicator II”, 2Lt Briant
Both "E" Battalion's supply tanks attacked with the first wave of "Wire Crushing" tanks , one then returned to collect it's sledges but broke down with big end trouble just after leaving Havrincourt wood. This may have been "Eradicator II" of 13 Company.
F Battalion
FW1
FW3
F21 Crew F21 fought in tank “Five Knights” on the 27th, this tank not listed on the 20th
FS1 FS1 / F53, Lt GM Mellor, according to S37
FS2, 6014 FS2 / F59, 2Lt CS Hodges according to S37
F37 note same crew number assigned to “Ferocious II”
All listed as Wire pulling or supply tanks; F21 and F17 were presumably FW2 and FW4.
G Battalion
2 Section Capt Rudd - Possibly includes 2 Supply tanks
2 of:
G2, 2/Lt. Mackenzie,
G45, 2/Lt. Dudley,
G49, “Goff”, 2/Lt. Waine,
H Battalion
HW1, 4580
HW2 (possibly 4563)
HW3, 4565
I Battalion
IW3
IW4
I41
I41 is photographed ditched after it went into action on the 21st November; it is not listed as being in action as a fighting tank on the 20th November (W9). It is equipped with top towing gear and thus was presumably either a supply tank or a wire pulling tank (X64.plate 30).
Notes:
HW1 and HW3 serial numbers from H Battalion War Diary entry in January 1918
HW1, HW2 and HW3 not recorded on the 20th November but all listed as being in action on the 23rd.
"F" battalion: No wire pulling tanks are specifically mentioned in the narrative or on the battlegraph.
FW1 is listed in the narrative participating in the Marcoing action on the 21st.
FW3 is listed as a spare tank in the battlegraph.
IW3 is listed as being with the battalion on Nov 19th (W9)
IW3 and IW4 are listed as spares on the battlegraph according to which they did not see action on the 20th.
Wire Pullers Orders
The Timetable for tanks prior to Cambrai lists 4 Wire pullers being dispatched to every battalion except "A" and "D". (W23e)
"A" Battalion deployed at least 3 Wire pullers (W1a)
A page of orders relating to the Wire pulling tanks in PRO WO 95/98 (Instructions To Officer I/C Wire Pulling Companies) indicates "D" Battalion also had wire pulling tanks.
It seems reasonable to assume that all nine Battalions should have deployed 4 Wire pulling tanks (36 in total).
In the event "A" Battalion appears to have only employed three tanks as wire pullers the fourth being used as a supply tank (both "A" battalions designate Supply tanks being used to carry wireless); and "B" battalion only used one tank as a wire puller (B29), one other tank being used as a cable carrier (B32) and, presumably, the remaining two wire pullers being the tanks that were used carry bridging equipment for the Cavalry (4 Company's) (this leaves 32 wire pullers in total).
Orders
From the first page of “Instructions To Officer I/C Wire Pulling Companies” in PRO WO 95/98, The Author was only able to locate the first page.
Lying up places:
1st Brigade – Q15a.8.5 (Havrincourt Wood)
2nd Brigade – W1b & c (Dessert Wood)
3rd Brigade - Q36a central
On arrival at the lying up place the tanks were to be formed into their Wire Pulling companies and come under the orders of their respective Company commanders at 9pm on the 19th.
The tanks were each allocated a party of Pioneers. They were to meet them at their respective starting points which were:
1st Brigade – Q10a. central (along Trescault Road)
2nd Brigade – R13d.7.4 (following two companies of “A” battalion proceeding to Villers Plouich) W
3rd Brigade - R20c.8.3 (along “I” battalion Tracks).
Rally points were:
1st Brigade – K54c.8.1
2nd Brigade – L.26.central
3rd Brigade - R17a.2.9
The tanks were to form up behind all the fighting tanks and start work as soon as the second combined Infantry tank Wave had moved forward.
Tasks:
1st Brigade;
E section: Our Wire and outpost line
G section: 1st line Hindenburg front system.
D section: 2nd line Hindenburg front system.
E section: Wire between second line and Ribecourt
G section: Ribecourt up to and including 1st line support.
D section: 2nd line support to Marcoing
Unfortunately the 1st page of the Instructions finishes here, the Author has not yet located the other pages.
Wire pulling tanks were not to be used as fighting tanks (W1a)
The routes to be followed are indicated the map: Cambrai Wire Pullers map
Account of operations (Wire pullers only)
1st Brigade
Major WHL Watson watched 1st Brigade’s Wire pullers go forward (S62.p174). No other record exist of their actions
2nd Brigade
"A" Battalions’ Wire Pullers cleared 50 – 100yd path all the way to Marcoing, using fascines to cross enemy trenches when necessary. A39 suffered from repeated Auto Vac trouble and finally lost a track before reaching RP at L26 central, it was handed over to central Workshops.
B29 cleared a 50 yd gap from Villers Plouich to Marcoing; B32 laid a cable for the cavalry between the two villages.
The actions of "H" Battalion's Wire Pullers are not mentioned in the narrative, nor are they listed on the relevant battlegraphs.
3rd Brigade
The actions of the Wire Pullers are not mentioned in the narrative, nor are they listed on the relevant battlegraphs.
Prior to the attack "I" Battalions wire pullers reached the SP ( R20c.9.4 0) by 2am on the 10th November; except for IW3 which was delayed until 6.15am after breaking down whilst going forward (w9) .
Aftermath
A36, A37 and A39 all in action on 30th November
HW1, HW2 and HW3 not recorded on the 20th November but all listed as being in action on the 23rd.
FW1 is listed in the narrative participating in the Marcoing action on the 21st.
IW3 and IW4 are listed on the battlegraph according to which they saw action on the 26th.
I41 and FW3 were captured by the Germans (X74.p27)
One top tower was converted into a Beutepanzer, no.128 "Dora" by the Germans (X75.p158f)
Sources
W2 – War Diary of 2nd Tank Battalion. Transcript from Bovington Tank Museum
W2a – War Diary of 2nd Tank Battalion PRO WO 95/113
Movement order No. 2
H8 - War History of 8th Tank Battalion. Transcript from Bovington Tank Museum
W8a – War Diary of 8th Tank Battalion PRO WO 95/114
Preliminary report on Assembly and Movement Forward and Actions of 20th, 21st and 23rd November 1917.
W23 – War Diary of 3rd Tank Brigade, relevant battle graph and narrative PRO WO95/104
W23e – Train timetable prior to Cambrai PRO 95 / 92
WTPR - Preliminary Report on Tank Corp operations with the 3rd Army 20th Nov. - 1st Dec. 1917. Appendix 4 to Tank Corp War Diary for November 1917 in PRO WO 95 / 92
WMH - Henshall Papers, IWM 73/126/1
S37 - Following the Tanks, Cambraii (1999) Jean-Luc Gibot and Phillippe Gorczynsk
S62 – A company of Tanks (1936 ?) Major WHL Watson
S74 - Beute Tanks (2011) Rainer Strasheim