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14 Company 20 November 1917
The Tanks at Cambrai 20th November 1917
14 Company, E Battalion with 152nd Brigade, 51st Div, IV Corps, 3rd Army
This was 14 company’s second action
14 Company had 12 fighting tanks in action on 20th November 1917 (W21)):
14 Company. Major Bargate
5 Section. Capt Robinson
E19, 2354, m, “Ernest”, 2Lt Webster, possibly crew E24 - centre tank
E20, f, “Effie”, Lt E.C.G Hawser -left tank
E21, m, “Eliminator”, 2Lt MC Godfrey - right tank
6 Section. Capt Horrison
E22, f, “Ella”, 2Lt W.S. Haining, possibly crew E27 (W44.p90) - centre tank
E23, m, “Egbert II”, 2Lt E.S. Blackwell, possibly crew E26 -left tank
E24, f, “Esme”, 2Lt L.M. Johnson - right tank
7 Section. Capt Bagshaw
E25, m, “Ewen”, 2Lt S.H Cohen - centre tank
E26, f, “Ethel II”, 2Lt Quainton, possibly crew E32 -left tank
E27, f, “Elsie”, 2Lt S.H Bishop- right tank
8 Section. Capt Hornfray
E28, m, “Edward II”, 2Lt W.R. Bion possibly crew E40 - centre tank
E29, 2767, f, “Eve”, 2Lt C.F. Fairbank, possibly crew E36 - left tank
E30, f, “Eileen II” 2Lt B.S. Carter possibly crew E38 - right tank
Notes
Tank rear numbers, names, sexes and OIC names listed in 152b. The section numbers are not given.
The Cambrai Battle graphs give the tanks names, commanders and sections. The battle graph lists the section numbers with the tanks as indicated above but has Hornfray and Bagshaw in charge of 7 and 8 sections respectively.
Both sources the give postnominal II to Egbert, Ethal and Edward the Battle graph also gives a II to Eileen.
The rear E numbers given above (i.e. E19 to E30) are as listed in the Infantry Brigades war Diary (152b), note that the numbers would not have run from right to left as they did in 13 and 15 companies.
Tank serial numbers from 26th September.
Tank crew numbers from 26th September when serial number given or based on crew number of original tank (i.e. “Edward” was with crew E40 on 26th September so presumably “Edward II” is still with the same crew in November), "Ella" E27 crew number from S44.p90, otherwise crew numbers a guess.
Orders (W1tb)
14 Company was to accompany the second Wave of Infantry and secure the Brown Line (Second Objective, Flesquieres Ridge).
14 Company would be reinforced by surviving tanks from 13 and 15 companies which had supported the first wave.
Once this had been secured the Company was to exploit to the Third and Fourth objectives
Finally, the Company was to Rally at the Battalion's R.P: K24d2.4.
5 and 6 sections were presumably supporting 1/6 Gordons whose objectives were (W1.6Gord):
D Company (right): 2 platoons, Hindenburg support line from L19b.5.0 to L19b.0.2
2 platoons, Flesquieres trench from L19b.9.4 to L19b.2.5
B Company (left): 2 platoons, Hindenburg support line from L19b.0.2 to L19a.4.3
2 platoons, Flesquieres trench from L19b.2.5 to L19a.7.6
7 and 8 sections would therefore have been supporting the 1/6 Seaforth’s who used the same attack formation as the 1/6 Gordons. A company of the left, C Company on the right. (W1.6sea p131)
The left boundary runs from 24c.5.3 to 18d.7.0. the right boundary from 25a.1.4 to 19b8.3 (W152 WO-95-2863-2_1 p28.) Thus the left boundary encompasses most of the Chateau gardens and the left boundary runs to the east of Station Alley. This is contrary to how the boundaries are shown in S37 p66. The diagram also indicates the leftmost 14 Company tank (i.e. E21 Eliminator) was to advance to the east of Station Avenue.
The attack was to pause at Mole trench for an hour to allow 71st Brigade to clear Ribecourt on the right [and presumably allow 62nd Division to clear Havrincourt on the left]. Strongpoints and MGs on British side of the Grand Ravine were to be cleared. (W1.5Sea)
The Second phase to start at Zero +120 [8.20] regardless of situation at Ribecourt or Havrincourt. (W1.5Sea)
The barrage was to lift from the railway embankment to the Hindenburg Support line at 8:35. At the same time the artillery would stop firing the smoke screen just to the south of The Hindenburg support line. The barrage would jump from the Hindenburg support line to Flesquieres trench at 9:15 and the, ten minutes later move to a line just beyond the brown line where it would remain until 9:50. (W51Div p45) (W18b p13) Thje infatrey were to be on the railway ewhe the barfrges lifted (at 8:35) (W1.5Sea)
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 (W5r) to the Third and Fourth objectives (W5r)
Finally the Company was to Rally at the Battalions R.P: K24d2.4 (W5r)
Account of Operations (w1tbo)
The tanks set off on time, E22 Ella received a direct hit at the British front line and was knocked out (OIC and first driver both KIA).
The remaining eleven tanks all proceeded. Two tanks were lost in the German front line: E19 Ernest developed Radiator trouble and turned back; E21 Eliminator was knocked out by two direct hits. Edward II silenced a Machine Gun in the Hindenburg front line (S110 p46)
The remaining nine tanks all successfully reached the blue line and stopped there in anticipation of leading the second phase of the attack.
The Official History states the advance resumed behind 26 tanks. (OH p56).
The tanks presumably advanced on time, E28 Edward II was over the Hindenburg support line by 9:10 (S110 p48) and thus would have advanced into the British barrage before it moved to Flesquieres trench at 09:15. (W51Div p45)
The Infantry may have been delayed as the Official History states they didn’t cross the railway line until about 9:30am (OH), this is almost an hour after they should have reached it at 08:35 when the barrage lifted (W1.5Sea).
Wilfred Bion indicates the tanks advanced in two waves, 14 company leading (S110 p 46).
On the right the 1/6 Gordons War Diary states they advanced behind the expected 6 tanks (W1.6Gord). Three of these must have been from 13 Company as only E24 Esme, E23 Egbert and E20 Effie had reached the blue line. 13 Company still had seven tanks in operation: WC Eyewitness, E9 Exclusive II, E7 Empire, E5 Exterminator, E3 Explorer, E2 Earwig, E1 Eclipse II.
The tanks were 100 yds ahead of the infantry when they advanced to the Second Objective (Brown Line) (W1tb)
The 6 Gordon's war Diary indicates they were 200 yards behind the tanks when the tanks crossed the ridgeline. (W1.6 Gord)
As the tanks crossed the skyline, they were knocked out by direct fire from field guns that had survived the artillery bombardment. (OH p58).
See separate page for presumed location of German batteries at Cambrai.
5 Section
5 Section must have been reinforced by two tanks from 13 company. The right-hand tank should have advanced on the east side of Station Alley (W152b). The three tanks would have reached the wire as they crested the ridge and become visible to the German batteries Northwest of Flesquieres E20 Effie was hit three times and burnt out. (W1tbg)
6 Section
6 Section was presumably reinforced by a 13Company tank. The three tanks would have reached the wire as they crested the ridge and become visible to the German batteries northwest of Flesquieres. E23 Egbert II apparently made it to within thirty yards of the German battery when he was hit six times and burnt out (S40.p306). E24 Esme survived. (W1tbg)
7 Section
If 7 Section advanced as ordered, they would have advanced to pass to the right of the Chateau Garden wall. They would have crushed paths through the wire, then crossed the sunken Flesquieres – Ribecourt road and reached the Hindenburg support line. As this point they would have become visible to the German batteries Northwest of Flesquieres, E25 Ewen was Hit five times and KO E27 Elsie was also hit and KO. E26 Ethal somehow survived the assault, (W1tbg) as she was closest to the chateau garden she may have stopped to fire upon it, as 8 Section did, and thus may not have driven far enough up the ridge to come into line of sight of the German Batteries.
8 Section
8 Section appears to have advanced as ordered, E29 Eve on the left, E28 Edward in the centre and E30 Eileen II on the right. The route would have taken them directly towards the high wall surrounding the chateau garden. This is as illustrated on a plan attached to the orders in the Infantry Brigade’s war diary (the tanks are not identified), the right-hand tank of the three is shown on the Chemin des Vaches. Note the high wall south of the Chateau Garden is not shown on the British trench maps and the tanks may not have been aware of its existence (W152 p28)
The three tanks probably supressed the Germans in the Chateau Garden, Flesquieres Trench and Flesquieres Wood and thus enabled the advance of 6th Seaforths A Company who were able to capture the Hindenburg support line in this area. E28 Edward II was hit and knocked out (probably by the communication trench at K24b.6.3. as indicated on the second sketch plan in Bion’s War memoires (S110 p47)) E29 Eve and E30 Eileen II both survived (W1tbg) presumably both withdrew to replenish fuel or ammunition (W6Gord).
After his tank was KO Bion took command of the infantry whose officer was killed whilst liaising with Bion. He also directed tanks to advance via the right-hand corner of the Chateau gardens, probably the six 15 company tanks the 6th Seaforths War Diary states they were following. (S108.p161ff, S110 p44ff, BOH p102f, W6Sea).
E30 Eileen II is mentioned in the 6 Seaforth's War Diary as advancing in advance of their A company along with six tanks from 15 company (W6Sea).
The Infantry
On the right the Gordons’ War Diary states the tanks were stopped before they entered the wire and thus the wire was not sufficiently crushed to allow the infantries advance (W1.6 Gord). Some of the tanks may have moved through the wire as E23 Egbert II was close to the battery.
The Gordons withdrew into Station Alley and the Sunken Ribecourt to Flesquieres road. They then advanced up Station Alley; found it did not connect to the Hindenburg support line but managed to get one platoon across the open and secured part of the Hindenburg support line. They were unable to advance further as the line was not dug throughout its length, and they were being fired on from Flesquieres trench and wood. They were able silence the battery in L14c and L13d with LG and rifle fire. The Gordons captured two abandoned guns from this battery when they advanced on the 21st. (W1.6 Gord).
On the left the Seaforths were able to capture the SE corner of Flesquieres wood, including an artillery observation bunker and, by advancing up a communications trench, were able to secure three hundred yards of Flesquieres trench, the right resting on the Flesquieres – Ribecourt road. They were only able to proceed about 50 yard east down the Hindenburg support line before fire from Flesquieres trench and the village forced them to abandon the attempt and install a trench block. (W1.6Sea)
Horsfall and Cave (S44. P98) quote the Seaforths War Diary entry but replace the words “the communication trench on the east side of Flesquieres Wood” with the words “Ravine Alley”. They also indicate (S44. P104) that Ravine Alley is the communication trench running to the centre of Flesquieres village. Peter Chassaurd’s reference (S111 p p654) indicates Ravine Alley is the Communication trench running alongside the Chemin des Vaches and thence to the est of the Chateau Gardens.
Afternoon
The war history says seven tanks were ordered to advance into Flesquieres in the late afternoon (H5). This number is presumably derived from the battlegraph which indicates seven tanks made the fourth objective before rallying: E30 Eileen II, E29 Eve, E26 Ethel and E24 Esme II from 14 Company and E1 Eclipse, E3 Explorer and E5 Exterminator from 13 Company. (W1tbg) E3 Explorer was probably with 29 Division at this time and thus it seems likely only six tanks advanced.
Horsfall and Cave indicate E28 Edward II was one of the seven tanks that advanced into Flesquieres in the afternoon (S44. P98), this is contradicted by Bion’s account of his action (S110 p 44ff) and his medal citation (BOH p 102)
The six tanks all withdrew due to the fading light and shortages of ammunition and petrol (S44.p98f).
The 6 Seaforths War Diary states tanks came up on their left and then fired on the village and wood with 6 pounder and LG fire, the Seaforths used the covering fire of the tanks and captured part of Flesquieres trench from the Ribecourt / Flesquieres road on the right to the SE corner of the village 300 yards to the left. (W1.6Sea) These may have been D battalion tanks as the left of the Seaforths was in 153rd brigade and D battalion’s sector.
The four surviving 14 company tanks, E30 Eileen II, E29 Eve, E26 Ethel and E24 Esme II eventually rallied at K30c.9.8. The original rallying point was not used partially because the new British front line was still at Flesquieres; and partially because K30c.9.8 was the farthest the remaining haulage (supply) tank could proceed.
Summary
Intended: 12
Reserve: 0
At Start: 12
Started: 12
Engaged enemy: 9
Ditched / Broke Down: 1
Hit and Knocked out: 7
Rallied: 4
The author has assumed all nine tanks that advanced from the Blue Line engaged the enemy at some point, though some may not have fired before being knocked out.
Aftermath
Eileen II, Esme and Eve were all in action again on the 23rd November.
Effie was left in situ and destroyed by 248th field Company Royal Engineers on 25th February 1918. 'Tank Cemetery' - The Western Front - The Great War (1914-1918) Forum
Ernest was with 12th Battalion in August 1918 when it was called “Leuwa” (W12)
Gibot and Gorczynski print a picture of a tank named Edward which they claim is Edward II at Cambrai. (X37 p71)
The IWM caption indicates the photograph was taken in February 1918 and is of the original Edward abandoned at 3rd Ypres. IWM (Q 10499)
Sources
W1tb – 1st Brigade Tank Corps Summary of Operations 20th to 23rd November in the 1st Tank Brigade War Diary download from PRO Kew: WO-95-98-7 pg68ff
W1tbg - Battle-graphs attached to above Brigade report of Operations Download from PRO: WO-95-98-6 pg62ff
W5a - E Battalion Tank Corps. Report on Operations September 20th 1917 (signed 26/09/1917). Download from PRO: WO-95-111-1 p66ff
W5r - "E" Battalion Tank Corps. Report on Operations 20th November 1917 (dated 26/11/1917). Download from PRO: WO-95-111-1 p66ff
H5 – History of the 5th Tank battalion. Transcript from Bovington Tank Museum and
also available as Download from PRO: WO-95-111-2 p16ff (poor copy)
W51Div - 51 Division War Diary,
51 (Highland) Division. Instructions No: 1. Training note:. Tank and Infantry operations, without Methodical Artillery Preparations - download from PRO: WO 95-2846-3_2 Pg 3ff
Div barrage map with Zero etc times - download from PRO: WO-95-2846-3_2 p45
W152b - 152 Infantry Brigade War Diary,
[E Tank Battalion] Order of Battle - download from PRO: WO-95-2863-2_1 p60ff
W18b - 18 Infantry Brigade War Diary 62, 51 and 6 Div - Barrage, Blue and brown line –
download from PRO: WO-95-1615-2_2 p13
W1.6Gord - 1/6 Gordon Highlanders War Diary download from PRO: WO-95-2868-1_2 p86
W1.5Sea - 1/5 Seaforth Highlanders War Diary download from PRO: WO-95-2866-2_1 p59
W1.6Sea - 1/6 Seaforth Highlanders War Diary download from PRO: WO-95-2867-2_2 p7
GWF - Great War forum - 'Tank Cemetery' - The Western Front - The Great War (1914-1918) Forum
OH – Official History, 1917, Vol 3, Pg.187, pg.56f.
BOH – Tank Corps Book of Honour
S4 - Campbell, Christy (2007). Band of Brigands
S37 - Following the Tanks, Cambrai. (1999) Jean-Luc Gibot and Phillippe Gorczynski
S42 - Tanks and Trenches (1994) D Fletcher
S44 - Flesquieres, Cambrai (2003) Jack Horsfall and Nigel Cave
S64 - The German Army at Cambrai (2009) Jack Sheldon
S108 - The Long Week-End (1982) Wilfred Bion
S110 – War Memoirs (1997) Wilfred R. Bion
S111 - Rats Alley (2024) Peter Chasseaud
Cambrai Start Positions. E Battalion
1st Brigade 20 November 1917 Map
E / 5th Battalion List of narratives
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