18 Company. 27 November 1917.

The Tanks at Cambrai. 27^th November 1917 - Bourlon

18 Company, with Guards Division, III Corps

18 Company had 9 tanks in action on 27^th 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 27^th November

F52 and F58 sexes from War History account of action on the 27^th November.

F41, F45 and F54 sexes from War History account of action on the 27^th 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,