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15 Company 20 November 1917
The Tanks at Cambrai 20th November 1917
15 Company, E Battalion with 152nd Brigade, 51st Div, III Corp, 3rd Army
This was 15 company’s second action.
15 Company had 12 tanks in action on 20th November 1917. (W1tbo)
15 Company. Major Montgomerie (W5a) aboard Energetic (W152b)
11 Section - Capt Needle
E10, f, “Endurance”, 2Lt Barringer R,
E11, m “Egypt II”, m, 2Lt Testi G, (X44.p103) possibly with crew E51
E12, f, “Eager II”, 2Lt Bruce RM, possibly with crew E53
9 Section - Capt Gregory
E13, m, "Essex II”, 2Lt Gower FH,
E14, f, “Energetic”, Lt Battersby LH,
E15, m, 2345, “Elles II", 2Lt Dawson F, possibly with crew E45
12 Section - Capt Spreat
E16, f, “Empress II”, 2Lt Howells JE,
E17, m, “Edinburgh II”, 2Lt Atkinson L (IWM Q 56824))
E18, m, “Emperor II”, 2Lt Whyte HW, possibly with crew E60
Wire Crushers
WC, 2595, “Exquisite”, 2Lt Wilson TR, - Right of line
WC, “Euryalus”, 2Lt Sutherland or 2Lt Bratt GN, (X44.p101) -Left of line
Haulage, (supply) tank, 2Lt Austin - Centre of line
Notes
Tank rear numbers, names, sexes and OIC names listed in 152b. The section numbers are not given.
The Cambrai Battle graphs give the tank’s names, commanders and sections. The battle graph lists the section numbers with the tanks as indicated above.
The battlegraph indicates Exquisite and Euryalus are Wire Crushers but omits the supply tank.
Both sources the give postnominal II to Egypt, and Elles
The Infantry Brigade list also gives Essex a II.
The Battle graph also give II to Eager, Edinburgh, Empress and Emperor
Each of 13 and 15 Company's eighteen fighting tanks carried the numbers E1 to E18 (right tank to left tank) the wire crushers were marked WC on their rear between the horns.
The tanks were numbered from right to left to aid the infantry who were ordered to follow them. (W51Div)
Photographs of E Battalion tanks after battle indicate they has their names written on their hulls just in front of the sponsons, they do not appear to have displayed their crew numbers. (see aftermath section below for Photograph references).
The “Haulage” (Supply) tank may be 4507 which was unnamed and in action with the battalion on the 23rd November.
E18 Emperor II's sex confirmed from photograph showing a tank with E18 on its rear
E15 Elles II serial number from S37, the author has been unable to find a primary source which confirms this.
S37 gives “Emperor II”, “Empress II” and “Eager II” serial numbers 2347, 2590 and 2846 these were in fact the numbers of Emperor, Empress and Eager, all of which became ditched on 20th September. “Emperor” was abandoned, “Eager" was recovered by the crew on the 24th September, nothing more is heard of “Empress”.
Possible tank crew numbers based on crew number of original tank (i.e.”Elles” was with crew E45 on 20th September so presumably “Elles II” is still with the same crew in November).
The rear numbers of E10 Endurance, E18 Emperor II and E17 Edinburgh II are also given in 6th Seaforth's War Diary (W6SFH). The war diary further implies Exquisite and Euryalus were marked WC.
2595, Exquisite had been ditched and abandoned at 3rd Ypres, it may have been recovered though there is no record of this.
Orders (W5a) (W1tb)
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). 15 Company were to lead 1/8th Argylls and 13 Company the 1/5th Seaforths (W5o)
The tanks were to start from a pre-taped start line, roughly 1000 yards from the German front line (W1tbr)
Euryalus, Exquisite and the Haulage (supply) tank were designated as wire crushing tanks (W152b); they were to start five minutes prior to Zero, move 150 yds ahead of the first tank wave, 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 first wave passed the tank ? ] it was to turn back to Havrincourt Wood and collect its sledges. The other two wire crushers were to advance with the rest of the company (W5r) OR they were to rally at K30C98, in the Grand Ravine with the wire crushers from D Battalion and form a reserve (W1tb)
If a fighting tanks failed to cross the start line it was to be replaced by a wire crusher (W152b)
Note: The Tank Brigade orders indicate the WC were to rally at K30C98, in the Grand Ravine with the wire crushers from D Battalion and form a reserve (W1tb). This was presumably superseded as the WC with E Battalion did join the fighting tanks of the first wave and advanced with the second wave tanks.
The nine tanks in the first wave were to be 100 yds ahead of the first infantry wave which was to consist of three platoons of infantry (W1.5 Sea) advancing in two lines about 10 to 15yds apart. (W1tbo). The four sections in each platoon were thus not allocated to a tank each
The second wave of infantry was to advance 150 - 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 (W1tb)
The fighting tanks were to advance in line abreast roughly 45 yards apart, each three-tank section was to cover an infantry platoon front, roughly 135 yards. The centre tank in each section was to fly a blue and white flag. (W51Div)
The flank tanks in each section were to use their fascines to cross the first enemy trench if it was too wide to cross without them. The centre tank of each was to reserve its fascine for the second trench in the enemy system, crossing the front trench at either of the two crossing places created by the flank tanks. Wherever this tank crossed he first trench it would then proceed directly ahead and cross the second trench, using its fascine if necessary. (W51Div)
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 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 (W1tb). The other sources which state that each infantry company was supported by 12 tanks (3 wire crushers and 9 fighting tanks) (W5a) 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 (W5a) (OH) (W51Div). The tanks were to advance 100 yds in front of the infantry (OH) The tanks in the second wave were to be employed on the same principle as the fighting tanks of the first wave but covering a wider front. (W51Div)
Note: It does not appear that any tanks were ordered to act as wire crushers before the Hindenburg Support line. This is a little surprising as the wire before this line was very deep. Though there must have been gaps in this wire to allow the Germans to move between the front and support system.
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)
Zero was 6:20am (W1tb)
Account of Operations
On the night of 19/20th November the tanks left their lying up positions in Havrincourt wood and drove up to the pre-taped start line, roughly 1000 yards from the German front line (W1tbr)
First Phase
WC Exquisite, WC Euryalus and the supply tank 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 (W1tb).
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 13 Company.
One of these tanks broke down in the wood with its big end gone (W5r), this was presumably 2Lt Austin's tank (15 Coy) as the battlegraph indicates 2Lt Clifford's (13 Coy) tank made it to the blue line then returned to the RP. (W21bg)
The nine 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. (W2) 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)
E13 Essex II ditched in the German front line (W21bg) the other ten tanks successfully crossed it and also crossed the Grand Ravine which was secured by 9am.
The Battalion halted here whilst the second wave came up and 62nd and 6th Divisions started clearing Havrincourt and Ribecourt on the left and right flanks respectively.
Second phase
The tanks were 100 yds ahead of the infantry when they advanced to the Second Objective (Brown Line) (W1tb)
The attack recommenced at 9.30am’ the second wave crossing the railway line about 9:30am and advancing up slope towards Flesquieres ridge (OH).
The nine remaining tanks from the company, [presumably with six tanks from 14 Company] joined the second wave of infantry, crossed the railway line and advanced up slope towards Flesquieres ridge (OH).
Seven tanks E18 Emperor II, E17 Edinburgh II, WC Euryalus, E11 Egypt II, E10 Endurance, WC Exquisite accompanied by E30 Eileen II of 14 Company led the Seaforth's A Company (W6Sea). Gibot and Gorczynski give much the same list but omit E30 Eileen II and E10 Endurance but add Eager II, they incorrectly assign the number E17 to E11 Egypt II. They further state the tanks proceeded up the sunken road leading to the edge of Flesquieres wood (S37.p70)
The tanks advanced at the right and centre of the infantry battalion, sat astride the trench [presumably Hindenburg Support] and the infantry were able to enter and capture it. The Seaforths’ C Company on the right advanced though gaps in the wire but they took heavy casualties fighting their way into the Hindenburg Support line and from fire from Flesquieres trench and wood. Company attempted to advance down the Hindenburg support line to link up with 6th Gordons but were stopped due to heavy fire from Flesquieres trench. (W6Sea)
The tanks now advanced on Flesquieres trench (W6sea), as they crossed the skyline they were knocked out by direct fire from field guns that had survived the artillery bombardment (OH) all six of 15 Company's tanks were knocked out and set afire (W1tb)
2Lts Testi (E11 Egypt II) and Atkinson (E17 Edinburgh II) were both killed (CWG). E30 Eileen II somehow escaped the disaster and (according to the battlegraph) advanced to the 4th objective.
The position of the wrecks of E18 Emperor II, E17 Edinburgh II, WC Euryalus are confirmed in various photographs (see aftermath section below). E17 Edinburgh II is facing roughly northeast, WC Euryalus is facing east, E17 Edinburgh II is just north of the Hindenburg Support line, its bow on the edge of Ravine Alley, the communication trench that runs back to the Flesquieres trench, WC Euryalus lies just to the south of the Hindenburg Support Line. This suggests the tanks had advanced along the edge of the parapet and parados as per the tactics in the orders. E18 Emperor II was knocked out just to the rear of E17 on the track that used to run from the SE corner of Flesquieres wood to the belt of rough ground running east from the NE edge of Flesquieres wood into the field.
Two derelicts are visible in front of E17, one facing north just beyond the far edge of the rough ground a third derelict tank may be visible on the aerial photographs, closer to Flesquieres trench. These are presumably E11 Egypt II, E10 Endurance and WC Exquisite.
WC Exquisite may be the tank closest to Flesquieres trench as, after their tank was KO by a direct hit from a field gun, the crew de-bused and attempted to take the gun, 2Lt Wilson was killed and the surviving crew members captured in the attempt (H5)
The other 4 tanks, E12 Eager II, E14 Energetic, E15 Elles II and E16 Empress II came up, all bar E12 Eager II were also knocked out on the 3rd Objective (Flesquieres Trench) (W21bg), these presumably came up in support of C company on the right.
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. To the east 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. (W6Sea)
E12 Eager II was the only 15 company tank that rallied. (W21bg)
Gibot and Gorczynski give a narrative account of 15 Companies attack on the Flesquieres ridge which includes more detail than that given above (S37.p72).
Horsfall and Cave give a more holistic account of the attack as they include the infantry battalion accounts (S44 p95ff), they quote the 1/6 Seaforth’s narratives verbatim (S44p97f)
Summary
Intended: 11
Reserve: 0
At Start: 11
Started: 11
Engaged enemy: 11
Ditched / Broke Down: 1
Hit and Knocked out: 9
Rallied: 1
Aftermath
E12 Eager II and E13 Essex were in action on the 23rd November.
E18 Emperor II, E17 Edinburgh II and WC Euryalus were all photographed together several times:
Note Gibot and Gorczynski misidentify Edinburgh II as Egypt II probably because their account of the battle (S37.p72) states Egypt II was next to Euryalus when both were hist on the edge of Ravine Alley.
E17 Emperor II identity can be determined by the 18 visible between its rear horns in photo X37.p70
E17 Edinburgh II name is visible in photo IWM Q 56824: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205092644
E17 Edinburgh II has the number is 17 painted between its rear horns in photo: X42,p88, The Battle of Cambrai: Flesquières Ridge - The Tank Museum
WC Euryalus" name is visible in photo X44.p101
E17 Edinburgh II on 23 Nov 1917: IWM Q 7851: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205213183
E18 Emperor II and E17 Edinburgh II on 23 Nov 1917: IWM Q 6414: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205215578
E18 Emperor II and E17 Edinburgh II with "Euryalus" tail just visible on the left of photo on 23 Nov 1917: IWM Q 6352: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205238315
E18 Emperor II, E17 Edinburgh II and "Euryalus" photographed derelict from the rear presumably also on 23 November 1917: X37.p70.
and the same three tanks from the front possibly on the same date: IWM Q 56825: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205091068
E18 Emperor II and E17 Edinburgh II in February 1918: IWM Q 56824: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205092644
E17 Edinburgh II and WC Euryalus were also photographed from the rear, two other tanks are visible in front of E17 Edinburgh II : X42.p88, The Battle of Cambrai: Flesquières Ridge - The Tank Museum (Note that the right hand unditching rail on the tank marked WC is displaced to the same location as that on "Euryalus" in X44.p101)
E17 Edinburgh II and "Euryalus" probably in early 1918: in front of Ravine Valley trench: X44.p101, X37.p71 , The Battle of Cambrai: Flesquières Ridge - The Tank Museum
(Note the damage to the right hand tank which matches that on E17 Edinburgh II in IWM Q 56824, this tank is therefore not "Egypt II" as indicated in S37 and at The Battle of Cambrai: Flesquières Ridge - The Tank Museum )
Note that Edinburgh II has taken a shell hit to its front sometime after 23rd November 1917.
The derelict tanks may be visible on aerial photographs taken on 19-12-17 (British) (X42.p84) and 4-1-18 (German) (X37.p68)
WC Egypt II photographed after the war prior to burial in the Blue Line: X37.p70
Note it is relatively undamaged and therefore cannot be the derelict next to WC Euryalus
Sources
W1tbo - 1st Brigade Tank Corps. Order No. 21 dated 15 Nov 1917 Download from PRO: WO-95-98-6 p8ff
W1tbr - 1st Brigade Tank Corps Summary of Operations 20th to 23rd November in the 1st Tank Brigade War Diary. (Signed 9 December 1917). Download from PRO: WO-95-98-7 p64ff
W1tbg - "E" Battalion Battle-graphs for 20 November: Download from PRO: WO-95-98-6 p62ff
W5o - "E" Battalion Tank Corps Operational Order No.7. Download from PRO: WO-95-111-1 73ff
W5r - "E" Battalion Tank Corps. Report on Operations 20th November 1917 (dated 26/11/1917). Download from PRO: WO-95-111-1 p66ff
W5a - E Battalion Tank Corps. Report on Operations September 20th 1917 (signed 26/09/1917). Download from PRO: WO-95-111-2 p97ff
W5s - E Battalion Tank Corps. Report on Salvage Operations period 21/9/17 to 21/10/17. Download from PRO: WO-95-111-2 p9ff
H5 – History of the 5th Tank battalion. Transcript from Bovington Tank Museum.
also available as Download from PRO: WO-95-111-2 p16ff (poor copy)
W51Div - 51 Division War Diary, S.G. 729/7 Instructions No:1. Download from PRO: WO 95-2846-3_2 Pg 4.
W152b - 152 Infantry Brigades War Diary. Download from PRO: WO-95-2863-2_1 p60ff
W6Sea - 6 Seaforth Highlanders War Diary. Download from PRO: WO-95-2867-2_1 p131f and WO-95-2867-2_2 p6
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
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
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