18 Company. 27 November 1917.
The Tanks at Cambrai. 27th November 1917 - Bourlon
18 Company, with Guards Division, III Corps
18 Company had 9 tanks in action on 27th November 1917 (H6):
F41,8019, m, “Fray Bentos II”, 2Lt CH Hodge
F42, 2721, f, “Faun” 2lt JL Lees
F45, 2366, m, “Fiducia II”, “LT HN Morton
F48, 2736, f, “Fiara”, 2Lt EN Edwards
F50, 2704, f, “Fay”, 2Lt WA Duke
F51, 2547, f, “Fortuna”, 2Lt NL Hanford
F54, 2396, m, “Festina Lente”, 2Lt C Handford
F56, 2341, m “Fan Tan”, 2Lt HA Aldridge
F57, 2346, m “Flanders Fly”, 2Lt JR Gray
Notes:
F42 serial number from 22 Aug records, the tank was handed back to the crew by the salvage company.
F48 name from War History account of action on the 27th November
F52 and F58 sexes from War History account of action on the 27th November.
F41, F45 and F54 sexes from War History account of action on the 27th November.
F56, 2341 details from WO 95-95-6 Pg 33
F56 had been named "Fly paper" but was renamed prior to Cambrai, WO 95-95-6 Pg 33
F56 sported a famous Eye:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7700258@N05/936753031/in/set-72157601074582281/
All serial numbers (except F42 and F56) all other tank sexes and all section and tank commanders names from OB taken from Jean-Luc Gibot and Phillippe Gorczynski (1999) Following the Tanks, Cambrai (S37); The Author has been unable to locate an original source for this information.
Orders (H6)
To lead infantry in attack on Fontaine Notre Dame.
Account of Operations (H6)
Tanks started at 6am. Some ahead and some behind the infantry. The attackers were subjected to heavy MG AP fire on approaching the village, at least 2 field guns in the village were acting as AT guns.
F48 Broke down at start point, did not attack.
F45 picked up infantry 30 yds West of village, they followed 50 yds behind tank. Engaged enemy in village as it was entered. Reached first objective at 7.40am and patrolled along it. Reached second objective at 8.20am. Heavy MG Ap fire, some silenced by 6pdr until ammunition ran out. Continued with Lewis guns. Tank turned back 400yds to collect some infantry and a tank of I battalion; advanced again but I battalion tank turned back, as did some infantry. Returned to consolidated first objective thence to RP.
F41 followed F45, used 6pdr to silence enemy Mgs in garden wall at entrance to village. Drove up main street engaging all the houses. Just beyond first crossroads was hit on right sponson by enemy field gun, 3 OR killed and two wounded. OIC engaged field gun crew with pistol, silencing gun and enabling infantry advance. Crew evacuated to other tanks I the section, tank stripped and abandoned.
F42 followed F41, then passed it and proceeded with a few infantry to second objective. Could not hold objective due to insufficiency of infantry. Tank developed engine trouble so returned to first objective and repaired then rallied.
F57 entered village with infantry and engaged enemy. Proceeded along left hand side of village. Reached first objective at 7.40am, then to station, reached at 8.15am. Dismissed by infantry at 10.15am and rallied.
F50 followed F51, both tanks moved along the right of the Cambrai Road to right of the village. Encountered Heavy MG AP fire which wounded 3 OR. Entered village to find infantry consolidating, tanks not needed so withdrew carrying wounded [infantrymen] Rallied
F56 Went to right of village, infantry following. Fired on targets in village with 6pdr and Lewis guns. Failed, 3 times, to enter east of village due to heavy enemy fire. Eventually entered village and helped clear enemy snipers. Tank now developed mechanical trouble and was withdrawn, with difficulty, to RP. (H6) used 6 pdr on Mgs infesting upper stories of buildings All the crew were wounded. WO 95-95-6 Pg 33
F54 Led infantry into village, clearing a trench of enemy en route. Once in village fired at enemy in houses and cleared snipers. Covered infantry’s consolidation on the first objective by engaging enemy Mgs, silencing at least two. Some AP ammo splinters caused a small fire in tank which was extinguished, tank rallied.
Summary
Intended: 9
Reserve: 0
At Start: 8
Started: 8
Engaged enemy: 8
Ditched / Broke Down: 1
Hit and Knocked out: 1
Rallied: 7
Rallied doesn’t include F48 which didn’t start.
Aftermath
F41 was captured by the Germans,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7700258@N05/2975994571/in/set-72157601074582281/
repaired and sent back to Berlin where it was paraded in front of the Kaiser
IWM Q 23922: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205213190, X60.p65 bottom photo.
IWM Q 52829: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205286402
X60.p65 top photo.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7700258@N05/936757171/in/set-72157601074582281/
F Battalion had 8 fit tanks ready for action on the 30th November, they did not see action.
The battalion was withdrawn to Bray by the 5th December, only 18 tanks were with the battalion when it paraded on the 13th (H6).
F50 was captured by the Germans in March 1918: X74.p39 ,and then entrained Bild_183-P1013-313
The tank had presumable been at Bray when the base there was overrun.
F56 remained with the battalion in until June 1918 WO 95-95-6 Pg 33
Sources
H6 – 6th (F) Tank Battalion War History PRO 95/107
W23 – War Diary of 3rd Tank Brigade, relevant battle graph and narrative PRO WO95/104
S37 - Jean-Luc Gibot and Phillippe Gorczynski (1999) Following the Tanks, Cambrai
WO 95-95-6 Pg 33 - Tank Corps No. G.27/14 - History of tank 2341, 23 Dec 1918