1 Company 30 November 1917
The Tanks at Cambrai. 30th November 1917
1 Company, A Battalion, with 35th Brigade, 20th Division, III Corps
1 Company had 7 tanks in action on 30th November 1917 (W3):
Company Commander Maj Tilly JC
. Section. Lt Brown JC (aboard A1)
A1, m, 8078, “Armagh II”, 2Lt Hayward W
A4
A18, m, 8092, 2Lt Lambert W
A20, f, 2597, “Airs and Graces”, 2Lt Monkton FG
. Section. Capt J Miskin (aboard A17)
A3, 2773, “A-Merry-Can”, 2Lt Bell SC EWB
A16, m, 8066, “Argus II”, 2Lt S Houlton
A17, m, 8090, “Achilles II”, Lt Simpson AG
Note:
According to A20’s battle History Sheet Lt Brown was aboard A4. A1’s battle history sheet states Lt Brown was aboard A1. The author has assumed A20’s battle history sheet is in error.
Both Lt Brown’s report and A18’s battle history sheet state the section was composed of four tanks. Only three battle history sheets survive, the fourth vehicle may have been A4 which is mentioned on A20’s battle history sheet.
A4 is not otherwise mentioned at Cambrai.
Background
When the Germans counter attacked on the 30th November the three tank brigades were in the process of being withdrawn (OH.p170). At 10am the II tank brigade was ordered to send one battalion to attack Gouzeacourt directly and another to attack the village for the direction of Hendicourt, the tanks were made ready as quickly as possible. At 12.40pm 22 tanks of "B" battalion moved towards Gouzeacourt, followed by 14 "A" Battalion tanks which made for Revelon Ridge. I tank brigade, in Havrincourt Wood also sent 10 tanks from "E" Battalion and 17 from "D" Battalion, but these did not get into action. (OH.p189)
Orders (W1a)
1 company were to attack on the right of the battalion.
At 2.45pm Lt Brown’s section was to support the Queens Regt attack on Chapel Crossing. Specifically to proceed to Chapel Crossing, cross the Railway and turn North to skirt Gauche Wood on the right and continue until abreast of Gouzeacourt then to turn into the village.
Capt Miskin’s section was ordered to proceed directly to the East side of Gouzeacourt and then cover the infantry’s consolidation.
Account of Operations (W1a)
Lt Brown’s section
A20 started for Revlon Wood some time after 11.30am. The four tanks left W11 central at 2.5pm and proceeded to Chapel crossing reaching their objective, R31c.9.3, between the Railway and Gauche Wood, at 11.30am; the tanks proceeded in line ahead formation, A1 then A20 with A4 and A18 presumably bringing up the rear. The tanks had been under direct fire from enemy batteries on Revlon ridge until Gauche Wood was reached. They skirted the north of the wood and were fire on by a battery 200yds away , west of Gonnelieu, which was engaged by A1. The tanks engaged and silenced various MG emplacements and a Battery in Gauche Wood. The shelling and MG fire was very heavy which is presumably why the infantry didn’t follow the tanks. The tanks proceeded to the Sunken Road East of Gouzeaucourt and got in touch with the Irish Guards. Finally the tanks entered Gouzeaucourt and parked with the rest of Company at Q35d.5.4 [probably Q36]. A20 broke down in Gouzecourt with Auto Vac trouble. The tank was recovered by workshops on 1st December. A1 and A18 proceeded to Q34b.2.8 where they formed a defensive screen, the tank crews were relived at 5 pm on the 1st December.
Capt Miskins Section
A16 broke down at W9 central thus did not go into action.
The other two tanks both started at Zero. A3 Reached the objective at Zero + 80mins, only to find the Village already in British hands. A17 may have been with A3 as it was hit and burnt out at 4pm. A3 stood to and then, at midnight, moved to the Sunken Road at Queens Cross, where the crew was relived at 6pm on the 1st.
At 1am on the 1st the company retired to Q34b.2.8. and formed a defensive line until 5pm when relieved.
The 2nd Tank Brigade's account of operations says the brigade sent 36 tanks into action, 22 from "B" and 14 from "A" Battalion. 5 tanks were knocked out (W22) The BHS indicate "A" Battalion sent 20 tanks forward (W1a).
Summary
Total Tanks: 7
Reserve: 0
At Start: 6
Started: 6
Engaged enemy: 4
Ditched / Broke Down: 1
Hit and Knocked out: 1
Rallied: 4
A4’s fate is unknown, she is presumed to have survived as none the evidence indicates otherwise and is thus included in the rallied total.
All four “Rallied” tanks remained in the field.
Aftermath
A / 1st Battalion were in action again in March 1918
Sources
W1a – A Battalion War Diary PRO WO 95/109
Company and Section Commanders reports
Narrative of Operations and relevant Battle History sheets
W22 - 2nd Brigade Tank Corps. Report on Operations. November 20th to December 1st 1917. PRO WO 95 / 101