2 Company 20 November 1917

The Tanks at Cambrai. 20^th November 1917

2 Company, A Battalion, with 60^th Brigade, 20^th Division, III Corps

2 Company had 12 tanks in action on 20^th November 1917 ^(W3):

5 Section.

A23, f, 2678, “Aviatik”, 2Lt Bradbeer

A24, m, ????, “Aristotle II”, Lt Rodgers JR – Section commander

A25, m, 2025, “Arethusa”, 2Lt DeFaye EF

6 Section.

A26, m, “Apollyn II”, Lt Wooton

A28, f, 2857, “Adventuress II”, 2Lt Shaw T

A30, m, 2051, “Argyle”, 2Lt P Hardy

7 Section. Capt FY Fitzmaurice

A31, m, 2023, “Ariadne”, 2Lt Riley AS - Section Commanders tank.

A32, f, 2850, “Anne II”, Sgt Lose – third or right tank

A34, m, 2084,”Albion II”, 2Lt Dingle – second or left tank

8 Section - Spare Tank(s)

A22, f, 2843, “Auldreekie II”, Lt Flanagen LC – Presumably 5 section spare tank

A27, f, 2854, “Aberdonia II”, Capt Thompson – 6 section reserve tank

A33, m, 8073, “Ace II”, 2Lt MacFayden JDG – Presumably 7 section spare tank

Spare Tank

A34, 2002, “Albatross” – see note below

Wire Pulling tanks Maj D Bingham

A36, 2575, Lt Burns WP

A37, 2826, 2Lt Dudley GH

A38

A39, 2610, 2Lt Pettigrew GR

Note:

A22 was photographed entraining ( IWM Q46931), http://www.flickr.com/photos/7700258@N05/2239311940/in/set-72157601074582281/

A24 sex form photograph ^(X11.p111)

The above organisation is based on the battlegraph in PRO 95/104. It is confirmed by the reports of Section 6 and 7 commanders which state there were three tanks in 7 section and that, whilst 6 section had four tanks, A27 was detached as a reserve to start at Zero +1. The Company commander’s report states that 8 section was to start an hour behind the others and was composed of spare tanks. In “Following the tanks” the company’s fighting tanks are split into three four tank sections. 8 section being composed of four wire pulling tanks.

Crew A34 may have switched tanks. The name “Albion II” is used in the section commanders report and on the Battle History Sheet. On the battle history sheet it has been crossed out and the name “Albatross” pencilled in, twice. It is possible that “Albion II” broke down and was replaced by “Albatross” which was possibly the Company’s (as opposed to the section’s) spare tank. “Albatross” serial number (2002) is that given to A37 on 31^st July 1917 (when the tank ditched in the German front line). The same serial and crew numbers are given to the tank “Albatross” in the undated list contained in the Transcript of "A" battalion's War Diary from Bovington Tank Museum. This list details to the company's composition probably on the 31^stJuly .

A38 is listed in “Following the Tanks”, the author has found no evidence for a fourth wire pulling tank. It is possible that “A” battalion only employed three Wire pulling tanks.

In the battle history sheets both A24 and A25 are given the serial number 2025. The list for 31st July in the War Diary indicates 2025 was "Arethusa".

"Anne II" is given crew number A34 on the front of the battle history sheet and A32 on the rear. A32 is also the number given to “Anne II” in the section commanders report.

A28’s (2857) Nov 20^th battle history sheet states it fired 17 boxes of SAA on the 20^th and did not fire any 6pdr shells. The narrative always mentions when “Apollyn II” fired its 6pdr. Bearing in mind this, and the serial number, it seems reasonable to assume “Adventuress II” was a female tank.

On 30^th Nov A28’s battle history sheet states the tank fired 6pdr shells, no serial number is given on this sheet so it seems reasonable to assume that Crew A28 were with a different tank on the 30^th.

A26’s Commanders name is from “Cambrai 1917” (S40. p115ff), this source gives the crew number as A29.

Orders ^{(W1a )}

Wire pulling tanks were not to be used as fighting tanks

Tanks had section signs painted on rear, on the photograph of A24 the crew number is contained in a circle so the section symbol may have been a different shape for each section.

5, 6 and 7 sections to attack in first wave on the right of the Brigade; to lead infantry by 75yds. 7 section on the left, then 5 section, lastly 6 section on the right; 5 and 7 to cross Farm Trench.

6 section to assault Corner work, R15a.9.5 and ensure 3^rd Company of accompanying infantry battalion consolidate there before rejoining the other two sections and advancing on first objective.

7 section to proceed to R9.b.4.1and deal with Hindenburg Line in R9b in proscribed manner. Then to L28b.4.1 to await further orders (from A34’s Battle History Sheet).

Once first wave tanks secure first objective they are to proceed to the second objective.

8 section to attack with the second wave, to follow behind the first and proceed directly to the second objective. Once the second objective has been secured 6 tanks from each company are to proceed to Marcoing and secure the Canal crossings between the Railway Bridge at Marcoing and West of Masnieres (exclusive). The Hedge and Light Railway running North form the East edge of Marcoing Copse will be the dividing line between the companies, 1 company going right, 2 left.

Rallying points:

Tanks which do not proceed beyond the Brown line to rally there. Tanks that proceed to Marcoing to rally behind SW corner of Marcoing Copse. All tanks then to proceed to L26 central, 2^nd Tank Brigades Rallying Area.

Account of Operations ^(W23)

5 Section

A23, A24 and A25 led the Bucks LI and crossed the Hindenburg line without incident, turned right and silenced at last 3 enemy MGs. Turned left again along Hindenburg Line toward objective at R9b.7.3. A23 silenced three MGs about F9b.3.7. (probably R9b) in the Hindenburg support line then headed towards Marcoing with other two tanks in section, A24 was hit and burnt out well within the German lines at L34d.20.75. All crew wounded, OIC killed whilst outside tank. A23 developed engine trouble at L34c central whilst under direct fire from a field battery; it sought cover but was hit twice and damaged. A25 used its Fascine to cross a wide trench, after going another 400 yds it received a direct hit which tore a large hole in the left hand side of the tank exposing the brakesman and driver (on the Blue line on the battlegraph). A23 met A25 at R10a.0.5, both stood by for some time then were ordered to withdraw to Villers Plouich on the 21^st

6 Section

A30 ditched 250yd after leaving start point and had to remove the Fascine to get clear; it caught up with A26 and A28 as they were mopping up Corner Work. A26 and A28 proceeded towards Hindenburg Front Line at R9a.4.7. (presumably R15a.4.7) silenced 4 Mgs and then crushed the Wire and crossed the Trench. A28 then broke down for ten minutes with Autovac trouble, A26 remained with her, they both resumed advancing together, bearing right and crossing through the wire of a support trench; Visibility was now poor due to smoke and mist. The tanks silenced more enemy MGs and cleared some enemy dug outs in an embankment. Tanks continued to engage the enemy as they advanced to the Hindenburg Support line. They then reached the Hindenburg 2^nd Line at R10a.3.5. A28 then silenced an enemy MG in the sunken road at R4c.3.5. Tanks now moved rapidly north dealing with more MGs. A28 stopped again with Autovac trouble, all her Lewis Guns were by now out of action. The tanks reached R4a.7.7 and were fired on by two field batteries in L34a.8.7 and L34c.9.7, A26 was hit and knocked out, many crew wounded. A28 spotted the enemy battery 200yds away and fired on them with Lewis guns, the tank received three hits at L34c.8.9 but was able to limp back to rally at R3d.9.1 on the 21^st , ditching its Fascine en route.

A30 stopped at R9d.86 and dealt with 2 MGs 200yds half left, that were holding up a Company of Shropshire LI. At this point the tank broke down, when repaired it limped back to Villers Plouich on the evening of the 22^nd

An account by A26’s commander is quoted in “Cambrai 1917”, S40. P115 – 117, p130, p148 -151.

7 Section

A31, A32 and A34 all crossed British support and front lines just Right of Argylle Lane then crossed the Hindenburg line at R15a.7.8 . Tanks followed Communication trench though R15a and R9d, infantry following. At R9d.2.4 All three tanks turned right to deal with heavy MG fire, MGs were knocked out at R15d.9.6. and North of La Vaquerie. A31 and A34 now swung left and headed up the left side of the road to the Hindenburg line. A32 continued straight on. A31 broke down at R10c.5.93, A34 proceeded along left of the sunken road to sunken road junction at R10d.2.7. at 9.45am A31 ditched in the Hindenburg Support line at R10c.9.9 but was pulled clear by I29 (or A37). A31 then went to R4 central and joined A25 (probably A23) and A28, returning to the Hindenburg support line with them and then staying with them for the remainder of the Day. None of the tanks in this section were penetrated by AP ammo.

A32 ditched for about ten minutes in German front line at R15a.8.7, when freed went along left of a communication trench to Hindenburg Line. Moved up and down same firing on enemy and silencing 4 MGs. Reached Brown line at 10.30am, L34d.1.5. Here A32 suffered 2 direct hits, One of which killed the first Driver and wounded four of the crew. The tank was abandoned and then received several more hits. The battlegraph states this tank broke down on the Blue line ^(W23)

8 Section

A33 failed to start due to a large amount of water in the petrol tank, the tank was drained and the tank eventually made it to Marcoing Copse where it rallied at 2pm. It did not engage the enemy.

Infantry account states the tank was KO with a direct hit. WO 2119-2_2 pg6

A22 crossed the Hindenburg line and engaged the enemy, the OIC was killed by a bullet through a loophole at this point. The tank continued and proceeded along the sunken road towards Marcoing; it engaged the enemy battery that had previously knocked out 3 tanks of 3 company (presumably A26, A27 and A28). A22 was itself hit four times and disabled. The tank was abandoned on the 21^st.

A27 attacked with Shropshire Light infantry, starting at Zero +60, passed through the first wave on the Blue Line, engaged enemy at R4a and then en route to the Brown Line, Knocked out 2MGs. Reached L34c and engaged an enemy field gun battery which had just damaged A28, A27 was itself hit, OIC wounded and driver blinded. Despite being damaged the tank made it back to Villers Ploich

The Wire Pullers cleared 50 – 100yd path all the way to Marcoing, using fascines to cross enemy trenches when necessary. A39 suffered from repeated Auto Vac trouble and finally lost a track before reaching RP at L26 central, it was handed over to central Workshops.

Summary

Intended: 12

Reserve: 1

At Start: 12

Started:11

Engaged enemy: 11

Ditched / Broke Down: 2

Hit and Knocked out: 8

Rallied: 1

Note

Wire pulling tanks are not included in the Total.

All but 4 of the ditched and KO tanks rallied damaged on the 21^st and 22^nd