16 September 1916 - Supporting 41st Division
The Tanks on the Somme. 16th September 1916.
D Company, 3 section, with 41st Division, XV Corps, 3rd Army
D Company, 3 section intended to get 10 tanks into action on 15th September 1916
3 Section (reinforced), Capt Sellick SS
D9, 546, “Dolly”, 2Lt Huffman V
D11, 547, “Die hard”, 2Lt Pearsall HG
D14, 534, 2Lt Court GF
Notes:
Orders
Zero was at 9:25am.
547 had lain up all night just in front of the new British line to the East of Flers (WDA)
546 and 534 were to move up the eastern side of Flers and then assist 64th Brigades attack on Gueudecourt. (S1)
Account of operations
At 9am the enemy opened fire and 547 was ordered forward by the local infantry commander to engage the enemy and help launch the infantry attack. At 9.05am the tank's roof was penetrated by a shell splinter which slightly wounded one of the gunners. At 9.10 the tank was put out of action at N31a.8.2 when a shell exploded under the tank, smashing the belly, the gearbox and and base of the engine. The tank's crew dismounted one Vickers and set it up in a trench alongside the infantry; the OIC occasionally returned to the tank throughout the day and fired the Vickers guns therein at the enemy. At 4pm the crew left the tank and returned to the green Dump. (WDA)
546 moved to Box and Cox, at the New Zealand infantry’s request it then moved down Glebe Street towards Gueudecourt. 534 continued onwards, leading the 64th Brigade who had arrived at the font somewhat late. It was hit by shells fired from German guns hidden in Gueudecourt. and exploded. 546 saw the explosion as it advanced along Grass Lane, then it too was hit and knocked out at N25b.55.00. (S1)
Summary
Intended: 3
At start: 3
Failed to Start:
Engaged enemy: 3
Ditched / Broke Down: 0
Hit and Knocked out: 3
Rallied: 0
Penetrated by AP bullets: 0
Note
Trevor Pidgeon states 547 was at N31a.23.87, this is apparently based on a German aerial photograph, but this would put the tank north of Flers when it was operating to the east, the location given in Pearsall'ss detailed account in the Adjutants Correspondence book is thus more likely.
Aftermath
All three tanks remained in Situ.
547 was photographed whilst derelict just north of Flers:
IWM Q46138: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205280267 , X16.p102, X7.p22, X42.p15
and drawn in the same position: AAAC 898 NCWA 402: http://warart.archives.govt.nz/node/449
Source
WDA - "D" Company HBMGC Adjutants Correspondence book, Lt Pearsall's account of operations on 15th and 16th September 1916.
S1 - The Tanks at Flers (1995) Trevor Pidgeon, P180ff
S16 - Flers & Gueudecourt (2002) Trevor Pidgeon
S42 - Tanks and trenches (1994) David Fletcher