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The Tanks at Cambrai. 21st November 1917
23 Company, H Battalion, with 154th Brigade, 51st Division, IV Corps
23 Company had 9 tanks in action on 21st November 1917 (W21):
Company Commander Maj Pearson (s61.p110)
5 Section. Capt Grounds GL in H25 (S61.p110)
H21, f, Harlech, 2Lt Jones EHH,
H23, 2612, Hong-Kong, 2Lt Viviash WH,.
H25, m, Harlequin, 2Lt Glanville LCH.
7 Section. Capt Hickey DE (in H28)
H27, f, Hermosa, Lt Keay SG,
H28, 8027, m, Hadrian, 2Lt Hardy GD,
H29, m, Havoc II, 2Lt Hughes KE,
8 Section. –
H30, , Hydra, 2Lt Buckbarrow N,
H31, , Hannibal II, 2Lt Caffery JNS,
H49, f, High Flyer,
Notes
According to Hickey 8 section only deployed one tank, the preliminary report indicates that H49 arrived late and places a question mark next to it and H31’s name.
H21 sex from report of operation on 1st December.
H23 serial number from March 1918.
H28 serial number form January War Diary when 8027 transferred to 4th battalion.
H25 sex from orders for 24th October 1917.
H31’s OIC is given as 2Lt McAllister JL in S37
H27, H28, H29, H30, H49 sexes from “Rolling into action” (S61.p92)
According to the battle history sheet in S61.p278 Havoc was crewed by crew H27.
Orders
Account of Operations (W21) (S61.p110ff)
The attack started at half past one, the seven tanks in line abreast at 200yd intervals. They passed through the 4th Seaforths and 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders who were pinned down by enemy fire from Cantaing Mill and the trenches either side of it. The tanks commenced a short bombardment which silenced the enemy fire sufficiently for the infantry to advance into Cantaing. The tanks worked around the southern edge of the village and helped suppress the enemy fire. Having been delayed for half an hour the tanks now turned towards Fontaine, spotting male tank B20 afire in sunken road at B20d.8.1 (S61.p280). The tanks opened fire on Fontaine from which the British infantry were retiring. At 4pm the tanks crossed the ridge South of Fontaine and were fired on by three enemy batteries H25 and H30 were knocked out by guns firing from Cantaing Mill which were then overrun by the infantry. H27 escaped this bombardment and entered the village about 4pm and. H23, H28 and H29 all successfully crossed the ridge and made it down the far slope by zig zagging furiously to avoid the concentrated fire of the enemy guns; H29 silenced the batteries located at F21d.8.2 (by church) [ H15d.8.2 ] and L21d.2.4 [ H15d.2.4 ] (S61.p280). The three tanks then entered the village, all four vehicles patrolled the village and cleared it of the remaining enemy, the (sadly depleted) infantry coming up to occupy the village. All four tanks started back at 5.15am (H27 separately from the other three tanks) returning via Cantaing and reaching Orival Wood by 10pm.
H21 is not mentioned by Hickey, according to the Preliminary report it reached the Western edge of Cantaing.
Summary
Intended: 7
Reserve: 0
At Start: 7
started: 7
Engaged enemy: 7
Ditched / Broke Down: 1
Hit and Knocked out: 2
Rallied: 4
Total tanks does not include H31 or H49. Ditched is H21 which is not recorded as rallying.
Aftermath
Sources
W8a – War Diary of 8th Tank Battalion PRO
Tank Corps order No. 1
Appendix B to Order No. 1 showing tank scheme of attack.
Appendix G to order No. 1. Communications, Supplies. HQ positions
Preliminary report on Assembly and Movement Forward and Actions of 20th, 21st and 23rd November 1917.
S61 – Rolling into Action (1936) Capt DE Hickey
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