7 October 1916 - Supporting 23rd Division

The Tanks on the Somme. 7^th October 1916.

C Company with 23^rd Division, III Corps, 4^th Army

D Company intended to get 1 tank into action on 7^th October 1916

D company

D2, 539, Lt Bell HR

Notes:

Orders

The attack was originally scheduled for 4^th October but was delayed by bad weather.

Zero 1:45pm

539 was to support the 12^th Durham Light Infantry’s attack on La Sars. It was to start from M22c.7.1, proceed along the road leading North East out of Martinpuich to M28a.8.9. then turn towards the first objective, The Tangle centred on M22a.7.9. Once this was captured the tank was to go west along the sunken road and enter the village in support of the infantry.

Account of operations

539 started on time, supported the successful attack on The Tangle but was hit, set afire and burnt out at M16c.78.08 as it moved towards Le Sars. Three crewmen were wounded. The village was captured by the infantry before the end of the day ^(S2p46f).

Summary

Intended: 1

At start: 1

Failed to Start:

Engaged enemy: 1

Ditched / Broke Down:

Hit and Knocked out: 1

Rallied: 0

Penetrated by AP bullets: 0

Note

Aftermath

539 - no further record

Sources

W4 - D Company’s War Diary. Transcript from Bovington Tank Museum.

S2 - Pidgeon, Trevor (2010) Tanks on the Somme

S12 - Chris McCarthy. (1998) The Somme. The Day by Day Account. Brockhampton Press.

S22 - Staedman, Michael (1995) Thiepval, Leo Cooper P. 86ff

7 October 1916 - Map

Somme1916 Narratives