15 Company
20 November 1917
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. (W21)
15 Company. Major Montgomerie (W5o)
11 Section
2345, “Elles II", 2Lt Dawson F, possibly with crew E45
“Energetic”, Lt Battersby LH,
“Essex”, 2Lt Gower FH,
12 Section
“Egypt II”, m, 2Lt Testi G, (X44.p103) possibly with crew E51
“Eager II”, 2Lt Bruce RM, possibly with crew E53
E10, “Endurance”, 2Lt Barringer R,
9 Section
E17, M, “Edinburgh II”, 2Lt Atkinson L (IWM Q 56824)
E16 (?), “Empress II”, 2Lt Howells JE,
E18, m, “Emperor II”, 2Lt Whyte HW, possibly with crew E60
Wire Crushers
“Euryalus”, 2Lt Bratt GN, Wire crusher. (X44.p101)
“Exquisite”, 2Lt Wilson TR, Wire crusher.
plus a Supply tank
Note:
Only the tank names are given in the Cambrai Battlegraphs.
The battlegraph shows eleven tanks, but the report on operations states the company had twelve. The twelfth tank was presumably the “Haulage” (Supply) tank that also acted as a wire crusher, this may be 4507 which was unnamed and in action with the battalion on the 23rd November.
"Emperor II's sex from photograph showing a tank with E18 on its rear
“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).
Each of "E" Battalion's eighteen fighting tanks carried the numbers E1 to E18 (right tank to left tank) (WO 95-2846-3_2 p4), hence the numbers assigned to "Emperor II" and "Edinburgh II". Thus 15 Company's tanks probably did not carry crew numbers at Cambrai, the wire crushers were marked WC (WO 95-2846-3_2 p4) 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.
The "crew numbers" of "Endurance", "Emperor II" and "Edinburgh II" are from 6th Seaforth's war diary. The war diary further implies "Exquisite" and "Eurylaus" were marked WC. The numbering thus also indicates 9 section were on the left, 11 section in the centre and 12 section on the right. Thus "Eygpt II" and "Eager II" would have been numbered E9 and E10, though which tank was which cannot be determined. Likewise 11 sections tanks would be numbered E13, E14 and E15 though we cannot say which tank carried which number
Orders (W5a) (W21)
13 Company attacked on the left (right (W5o)) of the battalion leading 1/8th Argylls to the first objective (Blue Line) (W5o)
15 Company attacked on the right (left (W5o)) of the Battalion leading 1/5th Seaforths to the first objective (Blue Line) (W5o)
Half of 14 Company and the surviving 15 Company tanks would lead the second wave (W5o): 1/6 Seaforths on the left and 1/6th Gordons on the right to the second objective, (brown line) (W5o)
Two fighting tanks (Euryalus and Exquisite (BG)) and a haulage (supply) tank [ probably missing from the Battlegraph ] were designated as wire crushing tanks; 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 fist 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 (W5o) OR they were to rally at K30C98, in the Grand Ravine with the wire crushers from D Battalion and form a reserve (W21)
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 (5 Seaforth war diary) 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 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 (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.
Account of Operations
Exquisite, 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 (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 13 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 nine tanks in the first wave all advanced at Zero and encountered very little resistance up to the first objective, though they fire upon parties of Germans retreating in the open and along trenches. (W21)
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 cleared Havrincourt and Ribecourt on the left and right flanks respectively.
The attack recommenced at 9.30am, one tank attacked a machine gun nest on the right in Ribecourt (S44.p90) (possibly Eager II, which missed the impending disaster that engulfed 15 Company). The ten tanks of the company presumably with six tanks from 14 company now proceeded to advance up to the crest of Flesquires ridge. The tanks crossed the ridge crest in line abreast, one by one they were picked off by the surviving field guns of at least two German batteries that had survived the attentions of the artillery (Egypt II, Endurance, Edinburgh II, Emperor II, Exquisite and Euryalus accompanied by Eileen II of 14 Company were on the left leading the 1/6th Seaforths (6th Seafoths war diary) , all six of 15 Company's tanks were knocked out and set afire (W21bg). 2Lt Testi and Atkinson both killed (CWG). Eileen II somehow escaped the disaster and (according to the battlegraph) advanced to the 4th objective.
After their tank was KO by a direct hit from a field gun, Exquisite's crew de-bused and attempted to take the gun, the 2Lt Wilson was killed and the surviving crew members captured in the attampt (H5)
The other 4 tanks, Eager II, Energetic, Elles II and Empress II were presumably leading the 1/6th Gordons on the right; all bar Eager were also knocked out on the 3rd Objective (Flesquieres Trench) (W21bg). Eager may have been the tank that had earlier assisted in attacking Ribecourt and thus may have been on the far right of the battalions front and thus escaped the attentions of the field batteries, alternatively it may simply reached the crest line later than the other tanks when the German batteries were running short of ammunition. Eager was the only 15 company tank that rallied.(W21bg)
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
Eager II and Essex were in action on the 23rd November.
"Emperor II", "Edinburgh II" and "Euryalus" were all photographed together several times:
"Emperor II" identity can be determined by the 18 visible between its rear horns in photo X37.p70
"Edinburgh II" name is visible in photo IWM Q 56824: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205092644
"Euryalus" name is visible in photo X44.p101
"Edinburgh II" on 23 Nov 1917: IWM Q 7851: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205213183
"Emperor II" and "Edinburgh II" on 23 Nov 1917: IWM Q 6414: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205215578
"Emperor II" and "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
"Emperor II", "Edinburgh II" and "Euryalus" photographed derelict from the rear presumably also on 23 November 1917: X37.p70.
and the same three tanks form the front possibly on the same date: IWM Q 56825: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205091068
"Emperor II" and "Edinburgh II" in February 1918: IWM Q 56824: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205092644
"Edinburgh II" and "Euryalus" were also photographed from the rear, two other tanks are visible in front of "Edinburgh II": X42.p88 (Note that the right hand unditching rail on the tank marked WC is is displaced to the same location as that on "Euryalus" in X44.p101)
"Edinburgh II" and "Euryalus" probably in early 1918: in front of Ravine Valley trench: X44.p101, X37.p71
(Note the damage to the right hand tank which matches that on "Edinburgh II" in IWM Q 56824, this tank is therefore not "Eygpt II" as indicated in S37) )
"Egypt II" photographed after the war prior to burial in the Blue Line: X37.p70
Sources
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
W5o - "E" Battalion Tank Corps Operational Order No.7 in PRO 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 September 20th 1917 (signed 26/09/1917). PRO WO 95/111
H5 – History of the 5th Tank battalion. Transcript from Bovington Tank Museum.
W51b - 51st Division's War Diary, pdf download form PRO Kew, WO 95-2846-3_2
p5 S.G. 729/7 Instructions No:1 - Pdf Download from PRO Kew.
S37 - Following the Tanks, Cambrai. (1999) Jean-Luc Gibot and Phillippe Gorczynski
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