6 Company 20 November 1917

The Tanks at Cambrai. 20^th November 1917

6 Company, B Battalion, with 16^th Brigade, 6^th Division, IV Corps

6 Company had 12 tanks in action on 20^th November 1917 ^(W2a):

6 Company - Company Commander Major ??

9 Section – Capt Harcourt

“Bulawayo II”, 2Lt Evans MC – Advanced tank

“Birkenhead”, 2Lt Smallwood – Left tank

“Ben-my-Chree”, 2Lt Tuite – right tank

10 Section – Capt Scrutton

“Battering Ram”, Lt Woodcock – Advanced tank

“Bellicose”, Lt Black – Left tank

“Berserk”, 2Lt Dancy – right tank

11 Section – Capt Parr

“Baksheesh”, Lt Marchant – Advanced tank

“Beersheba”, 2Lt Palmer – left tank

“Bacchus”, 2Lt White – right tank

12 Section – Capt Palmer MC

“Brain Boru II”, Lt Hamlet – Advanced tank

“Blackthorn”, Lt Clarke – Left tank

B57, 2873, f, "Blarney Castle, 2 Lt Henderson – right tank

Spare Tanks (?)

B49, 2868, f, "Blunderbuss II"

B54, 4516, f, "Behemoth II"

Nine of the eleven tanks that have no crew or serial numbers are presumably the following:

B42, 2871

B44, 2637

B48, 2095

B51, 2034

B53, 4576

B56, 2866

2661

4672

8024

Notes:

See link to OB page below

Orders

First phase

6 Company was to support the first wave: 9, 11 and 12 sections leading the infantry to the first objective, Hindenburg front line system; 10 section was to follow the first wave of infantry and support the attack on the blue line. ^{(W2a) (WMH) (S78.p100)}

6 company were to attack on the left of the first wave assisting the 8^th Bedfords in the capture of the Hindenburg line.

9, 11 and 12 sections were to lead the 8 Bedfordshire to capture the Hindenburg front line between infantry battalion's eastern boundary and the infantry brigade's western boundary. ^(WMH). 9 Section was to proceed along left flank in column alongside the Viilers Plouich to Ribecourt road. 11 section in the centrer and 12 section on the right were to attack in wedge. ^{(W2a)(S78.p100)}. 9 section was to advance along the Brigade's left hand boundary in front of a platoon of infantry their task was to keep touch with the unit in the left flank (W6d)

9,11 and 12 sections were then to assist to assist 1/KSLI in securing the Blue Line ^(WMH).

10 section were to support one company of 1 KSLI in securing the Blue Line; en route to the Hindenburg front line the section was to to assist the 8 Bedfords as required ^{(WMH) (W2a).}

Second phase ^(w2a)

5 and 6 companies were to rally at about L32d.30.50 whilst 4 Company assaulted the Hindenburg Support line.

After rallying 6 Company were to allocate tanks to 5 Company to ensure they had a total of 12 tanks for the third phase.

Third Phase ^(W2a)

At Zero + 2 hr 40 mins 5 Company were to attack in the third phase towards Marcoing followed by a company of the 9^th Suffolks, the objective being to seize the bridges across the Canal de St Quentin. The tanks were issued detailed orders on how to position themselves to subdue the town and then, once the town had been subdues, where to position themselves on the eastern Bank to secure the Bridgeheads.

Fourth Phase^(W2a)

Following Capture of Hindenburg support line 4 and 6 Companies to rally in the Grand Ravine and then form a composite company of 3 sections of four tanks each to assist the cavalry in attacking Noyelles, Fontaine, Cantaing and the high ground to the north of Fontaine.

Account of Operations

5 and 6 Companies successfully crossed Hindenburg front system; two of 5 company's tanks were missing so two of 6 company's tanks were detailed to assist with the third phase capture of Marcoing ^(W2a)

4 company [ passed through and ] attacked the Hindenburg Support line (2^nd phase objective), losing two tanks, one ditched and one set afire by a direct hit; 5 and 6 companies followed 4 company's advance ^(W2a).

The two missing tanks from 5 company now caught up thus fourteen tanks attacked Marcoing, reaching it about 11.30pm. The Company met pockets of resistance in Marcoing, Capt Crouches’ section dealing with enemy MGs along the top road. Lt. Dalby’s tank prevented the enemy form connecting wires to one of the bridges. The tanks remained, unsupported in the village for an hour before a party of Royal Engineers arrived to assist them ^(W2a). A male tank climbed the railway embankment and from there used its 6 Pdrs to silence much of the sniping fire coming for the houses ^(OH).

Meanwhile 4 company and the remainder of 6 company rallied in the Grand Ravine, where another tank was hit and set afire (possibly B53 which was burnt out in L27a ^(W2s). The tanks moved forward slightly to avoid the shellfire and a composite company of 3 sections, each of four tanks was formed at 11.30 am ^(W2a)

At 1.30 pm the three supply and four spare tanks arrived. The gun carrying tank arrived late. Another tank suffered a direct hit which wounded one crewman but did little damage to the tank. The tanks waited for the cavalry until dark at 6pm ^(W2a)

Note: Ian Verrinder's book (S78) contains much more detail than given above.

Summary

Intended: 12

Reserve: 2

At start: 12

started: 12

Engaged enemy: 12

Ditched / Broke Down: 0

Hit and Knocked out: 1

Rallied: 11

Notes

Total does not include spare, wire pulling and supply tanks.