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The Tanks on the Somme. 15th September 1916.
D Company, 2 section, with NZ Division, XV Corps, 3rd Army
D Company, 2 section intended to get 8 tanks into action on 15th September 1916
2 Section, Capt Nixon G
D8, 720, 2Lt Bown, HGF
D10, 535, 2Lt Darby H
D11, 547, 2Lt Pearsall HG
D12, 719, Capt Nixon G
Notes:
2 section also had two other tanks which were detached and operated with other units on the 15th September 1916.
Orders
2 Section was to support the New Zealand Division
Zero was 06:20. The tanks were to reach Switch Trench five minutes before the infantry and thus enable their advance. En route 535 and 547 were to turn right along Crest trench and help clear it of the enemy; 719 would turn right upon reaching Switch trench and clear the lower half of it of opposition, these three tanks would then rendezvous at the southern end of Fish Alley. Meanwhile 720 was to move right, cross Switch Trench and cover the infantry who would be consolidating in front of it.
The advance was to halt at Switch Trench until 7:20am, partially to allow the tanks to assist with mopping up.
Account of operations
The tanks arrived late and followed the infantry over the German front line, which had already been captured, the infantry making use of the lane left in the barrage to push forward.
The advance resumed, and despite enfilading fire dorm each flank the infantry swiftly capturing their second objective, Fat Trench and the upper part of Fish Alley. A further advance was now halted in front of the heavily wired and well defended Flers Line which lay in between the second and third objectives. 535 continued northwards in an attempt to support this attack but was hit and Knocked out at M36c.2.6.
547 and 720 advanced either side and probably a little to the rear of 535. At 10:30 547 advanced into the centre of the Flers Line and enfiladed the twin trenches with MG fire, the infantry rapidly advanced over the crushed wire and captured the position. 720 meanwhile, may have done much the same on the extreme left of the Division, all the while probably firing on the Germans on the Division left who had not been silenced by the unsuccessful attack of the 47th Division.
719 advanced on the extreme right of the division, catching the infantry up at the second Objective, where Fat Trench abutted Flers trench. At 9:15am, at the request of the infantry, the tank moved into the depression to the south west of Flers and silenced enemy Mgs ensconced in a farmhouse there. The tank then moved towards Flers, its steering was damaged by shell fire and then tank then ditched, at M36d.9.9, whilst attempting to withdraw. More shells hit the tank, it caught fire and was burnt out.
The New Zealanders, possibly with the assistance of 547 and two other tanks, were able to capture Grove Trench, and two field guns therein. The trench could not be held due to the failure of the attacks on either flank and the infantry withdrew and consolidated on the Blue Line, 547 ignored the general order for all tanks to withdraw and remained behind to cover the consolidation, eventually withdrawing into Flers after dark.
Summary
Intended: 4
At start: 4
Failed to Start: 0
Engaged enemy: 4
Ditched / Broke Down: 0
Hit and Knocked out: 2
Rallied: 2
Penetrated by AP bullets: 0
Note
Rallied is 720, and 547 which remained in the field.
Aftermath
535 possibly photographed ditched X16.p62
719 photographed ditched X16.p63
547 in action on 16th September
720 in action on 1st October 1916
Source
S1 - The Tanks at Flers (1995) Trevor Pidgeon
S16 - Flers and Gueudecourt (2002) Trevor Pidgeon
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