Wireless Tanks

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Wireless tanks - 1917

During 1917 a number of MkI and II tanks were equipped to carry radios, these tanks appear to have remained in use for some time.

The first recorded use of wireless tanks was on the 31^st July 1917 when C and F Battalions deployed one each ^(W23), B Battalion also had a signal tank but it remained in reserve on this date ^(W2).

From September 1917 onwards MkIV and V fighting and supply tanks were also tasked with carrying Wireless sets forward; these tanks are also often refered to as wireless tanks though they were not the fully converted MkI and II types.

A number of Mk IV “Wireless” tanks were deployed at Cambrai. These were all female fighting tanks that were tasked with carrying wireless. ^{(see Cambrai narratives)}

A Battalion

20th September 1917 – “A” Battalion sent four female tanks forward, two acted as wireless carriers and two as escort / convoy tanks. One tank remained in action on the Menin Road during attacks ^(W1) 2 Company 20 September 1917

26th of September 1917 – Two tanks were committed on this date one Wireless carrier and one convoy tank, the wireless carriers wireless maintained contact for 24 hours whilst under fire. (see link below) ^(W1) 2 Company 26 September 1917

B Battalion

31st July 1917 - 4 Company were in reserve at Zonnebeke, a signal tank (probably B15 ^(W22)) under the command of Lt Reid was with them. ^(W2)

C Battalion

16^th July 1917 - Received signal tanks ^(W3)

31st July 1917 - Signal Tank 759 in action, Lt Bancroft, ditched I.5.b.42.96. ^(W23)

3^rd August - Signal tank 759 was unditched with a broken sleeve ^(W32)

6^th August - Signal tank 759 new sleeve fitted ^(W32)

7^th August 1917 – “Signal tank 759 direct hit on wrt engine badly damaged" ^(W32)

19^th August 1917 – Signal tank broke down ^(W3)

F Battalion

7th July 1917 - F Battalion drew a Signal tank from Central workshops. ^(W6)

31st July 1917 - Signal Tank 581 in action, radio broke down, tank rallied. ^(W23)

Misc

June 1917. Wireless Tank 527 was at Neuve Eglise France ^{(s7. drawing G)}

^{7 July 1917 - Photographed being inspected by Queen Mary at Erin}

^{IWM Q 3553: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205236086}

^{IWM Q 3233: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205235791}

A photograph of unknown date shows a MK I female with wireless aerials extended ^{(X7. p47)}

Wireless tanks - 1918 - Still very much a work in progress

Wireless tanks were used by several Battalions during the 100 days, these were apparently MkIV supply tanks.

It is not clear if the wireless sets were fitted in the tanks or simply carried in them.

1^st battalion

Should have had one of 4^th Battalions wireless tanks attached on 29^th September 1918. ^(W4a) There is no mention of it in 1^st battalions records.

4^th Battalion

On 8^th August 2Lt Heap FG commanded a wireless tank that proved very useful, the orders state it was to be clearly marked "SIGNALS". Thsi may have been 6099 which was "A" Company's wireless tank in September. ^(W4a)

On 17th August the Battalion had one Wireless tank on strength. (W4a)

On 22^nd August 2Lt Heap FG commanded a wireless tank that proved very useful ^(W4a)

On 27 September 1918 "A" company's wireless tank was 6099, 2Lt Mather HG; it was attached to the infantry and sent three messages. . ^(WMH)

On 29^th September "A" and "B" Companies both had wireless tanks which were detached to serve with the 1^st and 301^st US tank battalions ^(W4a)

301^st US battalion

used one of 4^th battalion's wireless tanks on 29th September 1918, it proved useful ^{(W4a) (W22US)}

Sources

W3. War Diary No3 / C Bttn Tank Corps / C Coy HBMGC 1916 – 1919 Transcript from Bovington Tank Museum

W4a - 4th Tank Battalion War Diary and Appendixes. - PRO WO 95-110

Preliminary instructions. Dated: 04/08/1918

Operational Order No. 20 dated 06/08/1918

Report on Operations - as per relevant date

4^th Tank Battalion. Order No.24 undated but probably 28^th September 1918.

W23. War Diary 3^rd Brigade Heavy Branch Machine Gun Corps / Tank Corps. PRO 95-104

W22US - 2^nd Tank Brigade American EF. Report on operations September 27^th to 0ctober 5^th 1918 - PRO WO 95 -94

W32. War Diary of No.2 Salvage Corp H.B.M.G.C. July 1917 – 1919. PRO WO 95-96

WMH - WMH - Henshall papers, IWM 73/126/1

S7 – Fletcher, David (2004). British Mark I Tank. Osprey

S11 - Fletcher, David (2001). The British tanks 1915-19

General Tank Information