1st Tank Brigade Tank allocation at Cambrai

1^st Tank Brigade’s Tank allocation at Cambrai

The exact number of tanks allocated to 1^st Tank Brigade is a little unclear.

Fighting tanks

The Summary of Operations, 20 November to 23 November 1917, 1^st Brigade Tank Corps, P8. (PRO WO 95/98) states D and E Battalions sent 35 tanks each into action and G Battalion sent 62, these numbers are probably based on the Battlegraphs which are attached to the report as an appendix (unfortunately some of G Battalions Battlegraphs appear to be missing) ^(W21) . In addition each battalion should have detached 4 Supply tanks to act as Wire Pullers in the Brigades 12 tank strong Wire pulling Company. This gives a total of 144 tanks.

The Battlegraphs in the Brigade War Diary ^(W21), indicate E and D Battalions both deployed 35 tanks and G at least 48. Some of G battalions Battlegraphs are almost certainly missing (20 Company’s) but G Battalion’s War History ^(H7) indicates they deployed 60 tanks. 2 of E Battalion's 35 tanks were supply tanks, this was also probably the case with D Battalion (see supply tanks below)

The Battlegraphs also indicate E battalion lent at least 7 tanks to G Battalion, D Battalion lent at least 6, 13 in total ^(W21).

G Battalion's War History ^(H7) indicates D and E Battalions lent 16 tanks, this corresponds to the numbering on the battlegraphs which has eight numbers in the 60 something range and eight in the 70 something range, all the known E Battalion Tanks are numbered “G sixty” something and all the D Battalion “G seventy” something.

It seems likely that both D and E battalions lent all 6 of their spare tanks and 3 of their fighting tanks. - 18 in total

This would give G Battalion 42 Fighting tanks (60 minus 18), E and D Battalions 42 each (33 + 9).

Supply tanks

According to the train timetable filed in 3^rd Brigades War Diary ^(W23) all three Battalions were allocated 2 supply tanks, this is confirmed in the orders (appendix 1, supply arrangements ^(W21)).

The Supply Tanks were apparently all female fighting tanks that were allocated Sledges to pull. They were probably all fitted with special towing gear.

E Battalion's orders state both supply tanks we're to be used as wire crushers before returning to collect supply sledges. It is possible that D and G battalions also used their supply tanks as Wire Crushers in the initial stages of the attack; this probably explains the 2 tank discrepancy between G battalions’ War History and The Summary of Operations.

Spare tanks

According to G Battalion's War Diary; 21 Company had 12 tanks on 3^rd November ^(W7).

Companies usually deployed 12 fighting tanks, 36 per battalion.

G Battalion drew 6 spare tanks in early November ^(W7). It is likely that D and E Battalions also had 6 spare tanks each.

Total Fighting tanks

Assuming that all three battalions started with the usual 36 Fighting tanks.

G Battalion also deployed 6 spare tanks and 2 Supply tanks: 44 tanks.

E and D Battalions each had 36 fighting tanks, (both lent 3 to G battalion), probably 6 spare tanks (all lent to G Battalion) and 2 supply tanks used as Wire Crushers.

Wire Pulling tanks

According to the train timetable G and E battalions had 4 wire pullers ^{(W25e), D Battalion probably also deployed 4 Wire pullers.} .

The Wire pullers were apparently ordinary female tanks which had been fitted with special towing gear, including grapnels.

A page of orders relating to the Wire pulling tanks in PRO WO 95/98 (Instructions To Officer I/C Wire Pulling Companies) indicates D Battalion also had wire pulling tanks. It seems reasonable to assume that all three Battalions deployed 4 Wire pulling tanks (12 in total).

The “Instructions” indicate that the Wire pullers were detached to form the Brigade Wire Pulling company and were to form up in the rear of the other fighting tanks

On 21^st November the Wire Pullers were to join their respective battalions and act as supply tanks.

Total Brigade allocation (possible)

42 (G) + 42 (D) + 42 (E) + 12 (WP) + 6 (sup) = 144 tanks

Sources

W7 - G / 7 Tank Battalion War Diary, transcript from Bovington tank Museum.

H7 - G / 7 Tank Battalion War History, transcript from Bovington tank Museum.

W5 – E Battalion Tank Corps Report on Operations, 20^th November 1917 PRO WO 95/111

W21 – 1st Tank Brigade War Diary – Relevant Battlegraph, report, orders and instructions in PRO WO 95/98.

W23e – Train timetable prior to Cambrai PRO WO 95/104

1st Tank Brigade. Tank allocation at Cambrai

2nd Tank Brigade. Tank allocation at Cambrai

3rd Tank Brigade. Tank allocation at Cambrai

Cambrai Narratives