13 Company
20 November 1917
13 Company 20 November 1917
The Tanks at Cambrai. 20th November 1917
13 Company, E Battalion, with 152nd Brigade, 51st Div, IV Corp, 3rd Army
This was 13 Company’s second action.
13 Company had 12 tanks in action on 20th November 1917 (W21):
13 Company Maj Morgan (W5o)
1 Section. Capt Bruce
“Eyewitness”, 2Lt Curruthers possibly crew E1
“Escapade”, 2Lt Black possibly crew E2
No name given, 2Lt H Clifford possibly crew E4
2 Section. Capt Hooley
“Empire”, 2Lt CA Blancrowe possibly crew E6
“Extinguisher II”, 2Lt Llewellyn possibly crew E10
“Exclusive II”, 2Lt Calder possibly crew E9
3 Section. Capt Roberts
“Eclipse II”, Lt Tripe possibly crew E3
“Explorer”, 2Lt Lenard
“Earwig”, 2Lt H. Stokes
4 Section. Capt Tatnell
2342, m, “Exterminator”, 2Lt Green possibly crew E17
“Eradicator II”, 2Lt Briant possibly crew E19
“Emblem”, 2Lt H Claughton
Note:
Only the tank names are given in the Cambrai Battlegraphs.
Each of "E" Battalion's eighteen fighting tanks carried the numbers E1 to E18 (right tank to left tank) (WO 95-2846-3_2 Pg 5), hence the numbers assigned to "Emperor II" and "Edinburgh II". Thus 13 Company's tanks probably did not carry crew numbers at Cambrai, the wire crushers were marked WC (WO 95-2846-3_2 Pg 5) this was painted on their rear between the horns and the other tanks probably carried the numbers E1 to E18 in the same location. The tanks were numbered from right to left to aid the infantry who were ordered to follow them.
E1 and E2 details from 26th September records when they were in action with 14 Company, E1's serial number incorrectly given as 2345.
2Lt Blencowe OIC of crew E6, (tank 2340 "Executioner" which was ditched and presumably lost) on 20th September 1917.
Tank crew numbers from based on crew number of original tank on 20th September (i.e. ”Eclipse” was with crew E3 on 20th September so presumably “Eclipse II” is still with the same crew in November), otherwise crew numbers a guess.
Extinguisher II and Eradicator II may have been wire crushing tanks as both broke down in the German front line (W21bg) ; the report indicates the two tanks which broke down in the German front line were disabled due to wire damage (W5r), this is more probable on wire crushing tanks.
The third wire crusher /(supply tank) was presumably 2Lt Cliffords tank which, according to the battle-graph turned back and rallied after reaching the Blue Line (W21bg). The supply tank should have turned back before crossing the German front line but the Battle-graph appears to be somewhat optimistic in its indication of how far the tanks proceeded.
Orders
51st (Highland) Division was supported by both "D" and "E" Tank Battalions. "E" Battalion was on the right supporting 152nd brigade (OH) .
152nd Brigade was to attack and capture the first objective (Blue line, far side of Enemy’s front line system (W5o)) with the 1/8th Argylls on the left and the 1/5th Seaforths on the right (OH). 13 Company were to lead 1/8th Argylls and 15 Company the 1/5th Seaforths (W5o)
Two fighting tanks and a haulage (supply) tank from each of the leading tank company's were designated as wire crushing tanks; they, accompanied by two sections of infantry were to start five minutes prior to Zero, move 150 yds ahead of the first tank wave and then create as many gaps in the wire as possible and deal with enemy MGs not located in the main enemy line [i.e.in the outpost line]. The supply tank was not to proceed beyond the wire in front of the enemy's first trench, [once the fist wave passed the tank ? ] it was instead to turn back to Havrincourt Wood and collect its sledges (W5o). The other two wire crushers were to advance with the rest of the company (W5o)
they were to rally at K30C98, in the Grand Ravine with the wire crushers from "D" Battalion and form a reserve (W21) seven of these tanks were used to attack Flesquires in the afternoon (W21). Note: In “Flesquieres”, Jack Horsfall and Nigel Cave state these seven tanks were from 14 Company, "E" battalion’s reserve Company, and that one was E40. (S44.p98). It is possible that the tanks were a mixture from both Battalions.
The nine tanks from each company in the first wave were to be 100 yds ahead of the first infantry which was to consist of three platoons advancing in two lines about 10 to 15yds apart. The four sections in each platoon were thus not allocated to a tank each (W21).
The supporting infantry platoons were to advance 150 to 200yds behind the first wave, they were to advance in section columns 10 to 15 yds long and maintain this formation for as long as possible (W21).
Both infantry assault battalions (1/8 Argyll and 1/5 Seaforth) following "E" Battalion's tanks advanced two section's directly behind the wire crushers to help clear the outpost line; the fighting tanks were followed by three platoons advancing abreast to capture the Hindenburg front line, three platoons then passed through and captured the Hindenburg support line (Blue Line); two platoons passed through to capture the grand ravine and finally four fresh platoons to capture the railway embankment support line. One company of infantry was held in reserve. The infantry advanced in short section rushes. (Infantry battalion's war diaries) This agrees with the illustration in the Summary of Operations which shows eight tanks (6 fighting and 2 wire crushers) leading a single company with two infantry platoons alongside one another and two following in support (W21) . The other sources which state that each infantry company was supported by 12 tanks (3 wire crushers and 9 fighting tanks) (W5o) are therefore incorrect.
Once the blue line had been secured the Division was to pause 800yds beyond it (OH) whilst the adjacent Divisions advanced to capture Ribecourt and Havrincourt on either flank.
The second objective (Brown line, the far side of Flesquieres) was to be captured by the second wave of infantry (1/6th Seaforths on the left, 1/6th Gordons on the right), each infantry battalion being led by six tanks from 14 Company and the survivors of 13 and 15 companies (W5o) (OH) The tanks were to advance 100 yds in front of the infantry (W21)
14 company was to exploit to capture any hostile guns in Orival Wood (L7) and to proceed as far as the sunken road from Graincourt to Marcoing (W5o) to the Third and Fourth objectives
Finally the Company was to Rally at the Battalions R.P: K24d2.4 (W5o)
Zero was 6:20am (W21)
Account of Operations
Escapade broke down in Havrincourt wood and wasn't repaired until 5 pm (w5r)
The wire crushers set off five minutes before the other tanks and commenced their Wire Crushing duties, the wire was well crushed, many gaps were made and the infantry were able to pass through without difficulty (W21). The supply tank returned to Havrincourt Wood to collect its sledges along with the other supply tank that had acted as a wire crusher with 15 Company. One of these tanks broke down in the wood with its big end gone (W5r) , if 2Lt Clifford 13 company was commanding 13 Company's supply tank then the supply tank that broke down must be from 15 company.
The remaining eight tanks in the first wave all advanced at Zero and encountered very little resistance up to the first objective, though they fired upon parties of Germans retreating in the open and along trenches. (W21) The 1/8th Argylls did encounter some opposition and had to take the Hindenburg front trenches using platoon rushes., in addition "The Triangle" in the support line was quelled with tank assistance and the infantry cleared dugouts in the grand Ravine with bomb and bayonet (OH)
Extinguisher II and Eradicator II both broke down in the German front line (W21bg) due to wire damage (W5r). 2Lt Llewellyn, Extinguishers II's OIC, took command of another tank whose OIC had been wounded and fought with this tank until it was KKO by a direct hit (H5)
Emblem broke down on the blue line (W21bg) .
The tanks were 100 yds ahead of the infantry when they advanced to the Second Objective (Brown Line) (W21)
The remaining seven tanks rallied on the Blue line at 9am and then attacked towards Flesquires ridge with the 6 tanks from 14 company when the barrage lifted at 9.30am.
Th advance recommenced the second wave crossing the railway line about 9:30am and advancing up slope towards Flesqueires ridge (OH) . Part of the company appears to have baulked at passing through the woodland to the right of Flesquires village, these tanks moved to the right and thus crossed the ridge crest in line astern.As the tanks crossed the skyline they were knocked out by direct fire from the field guns that had survived the artillery bombardment (OH)
Earwig was hit and burnt out (W21bg) the OIC was killed (CWG), Exclusive II was hit and knocked out. Eyewitness and Empire were also both hit but rallied. (W21bg)
The tanks were knocked out before they cleared paths through the wire [or at least enough paths], the infantry suffered sixty casualties form fire from the trenches and Flesquires village and were thus forced to withdraw to Flesquires ridge where they dug in. (OH)
According to the battle- graph Eclipse II, Explorer and Exterminator all made the fourth objective before rallying (W21bg), though this seems unlikely. Explorer proceeded a mile [unlikley] beyond its objective [the Brown line] where he silenced and captured two field guns, he then helped the 29th Divsision, assisting in the capture of three strongpoints. (H5) They may have been three of the seven 1st Brigade tanks that attacked Flesquires ridge in the late afternoon.
Summary
Intended: 12
Reserve: 0
At Start: 11
Started: 11
Engaged enemy: 11
Ditched / Broke Down: 3
Hit and Knocked out: 2
Rallied: 6
Rallied includes Eyewitness and Empire, both of which suffered direct hits prior to rallying.
Aftermath
Escapade, Eclipse II, Explorer, Exterminator and Eradicator II were all in action on the 23rd. (W21)
Sources
W5o - "E" Battalion Tank Corps Operational Order No.7 in PO WO 95 / 111
W5r - "E" Battalion Tank Corps. Report on Operations 20th November 1917 (dated 26/11/1917). PRO WO 95 / 111
W5a - E Battalion Tank Corps. Report on Operations on 20th September and 26th September 1917. PRO WO 95 / 111
W21 - 1st Brigade Tank Corps Summary of Operations 20th to 23rd November in the 1st Tank Brigade War Diary. (Signed 9 December 1917). PRO WO 95 / 98
W21bg - Battle-graphs attached to above Brigade report of Operations PRO WO 95 / 98
H5 – History of the 5th Tank battalion. Transcript from Bovington Tank Museum.
OH – Official History, 1917, Vol 3, Pg.187, pg.56f.
S4 - Campbell, Christy (2007). Band of Brigands
S92 - VCs of the first world War, Cambrai 1917 (2004) Gerald Gliddon)
NOTE
E Battalion’s War Diary. Transcription from Bovington Tank Museum (W5) does not contain the reports pertinent to this action.
Cambrai Start Positions. E Battalion
1st Brigade 20 November 1917 Map
E / 5th Battalion List of narratives