9 Company. 20 November 1917
The Tanks at Cambrai. 20th November 1917
9 Company, C Battalion, with 37th Brigade,12th Division, III Corps
9 Company had 12 tanks in action on 20th November 1917 (W3):
9 Section. Capt A Henderson
C46, 2049, m, Challenger, 2/Lt. C.G. Walker
C53, 2607, f, Coquette II, 2/Lt. S.H. Dean
C58, 2596, m, Chili II , 2/Lt. A. Elsbury
10 Section. Capt SL Keppel Palmer MC
C47, 4651, f, Conqueror II , 2/Lt. W. Moore
C48, 2048, m, Caesar, 2/Lt. M.T. Archibald
C49, 2503, f, Cleopatra, 2/Lt. C. de B. Murray
11 Section Capt CF Webber MC
C51, 2732, f, Chaperon , 2/Lt. S.F. Annett
C52, 8039, m, Consort II , 2/Lt. S.O. Norman
C54, 2052, m, Chanticleer , 2/Lt. D.?. Laing
12 Section Capt EL Purdy MC
C56, 2604, f, Crusader II , Lt. E.J. Ball
C57, 2055, m, Cayenne , 2/Lt. F.D. Hinds
C59, 2584, f, Comet II , 2/Lt. P.D.T. Powell
Reserve Tanks (with 9 Section)
C41,2395, m, Cherubim, 2/Lt. C.H. Sewell
C42, 8077, , Conviviality II , 2/Lt. H.G. Hickson
Supply Tank (with 9 Section)
CS2,6004, Sp, Carnation, 2Lt G L Prophet
Note
Sexes from the Battlegraph in the Brigade War Diary (W23).
Orders(W3a)
9 Company were to attack in the second wave with 37th Brigade. This wave was to start at the Blue Line and assault the Brown line. 10 Section was on the right, then 11, 9 and lastly 12 on the left. 9, 10 and 12 sections were to Rally at the Battalion Rallying Point, R17a, at the end of the Day. 11 Section was to form a flank guard on the eastern portion of Bonavis Spur, they were to stay out all night to help repel any counter attacks and then rally at R22d.95.55.
These tanks were to have 12th Division’s Divisional symbol (a Large Black playing card Spade) painted in two places on their rear so they could be easily distinguished from the first wave tanks.
One C Battalion tank was assigned a radio, its identity is unknown. It was possibly intended to stop the tank at R17a.2.9. (PRO WO 95/104)
Account of Operations (W3a)
CS2 successfully deposited 3 sleighloads of supplies at Pam Pam Farm but broke down at Villers Guislain when it returned there for more supplies.
Company mopped up on blue Line then advanced ahead of infantry, heavy fire from the right, slight fire from ahead until Le Pave was reached, there C46, C51, C52, C53, C54 and C58 helped the infantry take the position. C56 (C55 in War History) was retained by the Suffolk’s to deal with enemy MGs to the right of Bleak House.
Five tanks of 10 and 12 sections, presumably C47, C48, C49, C57 and C59, reached Pam Pam Farm and helped subdue it in company with 5 other tanks (7 other tanks are listed as engaging Pam Pam Farm C11, C12, C13, C17, C19, C37 and C38); the farm was set afire and occupied by Royal West Kents and Suffolks.
C51, C52 and C54 now headed for Bonavis.
C46, C47, C48, C49, C53 and C58 reached Lateau Wood and patrolled in front of it.
C57 and C59 took La Quennet without opposition and proceeded onwards (alternatively Alexander Turner says 6 C Battalion tanks attacked La Quennet and that three were knocked out S31.p43). They then ran into an enemy battery and C59 was hit and set afire (the battlegraph says C57).
C51, C52 and C54 formed a screen on the spur to cover the infantry’s consolidation at their request, taking possession of five German 5.9 guns in the process. All surviving tanks now rallied.
C51 is not listed on the Battlegraphs in either War Diary, C41 is listed in both. The narrative only refers to sections, not crew numbers. It is possible C51 and C41 have been confused on the battlegraph.
C51 was photographed several times (IWM Q45410) after capture by the Germans, presumably it was this tank which was hit and burnt out on the Blue Line, not C41 as indicated on the battlegraphs. According to Richard Pullen (S60.p67) C41 lost a track whilst crossing the Hindenburg Line near Banteux.
C42 presumably did not go into action it is not listed on the battlegraph nor mentioned in the Narrative.
In the “Boiler Plate War” (p158ff) Alfred Simpson is quoted. He states that his section (of four tanks) was fired on from Bleak House and one tank was destroyed there (possibly C51). Alfred’s tank was knocked out close to Lateau Wood, thus was presumably C59.
Summary
Intended: 12
Reserve: 2
At Start: 12
Started: 12
Engaged enemy: 12
Ditched / Broke Down: 0
Hit and Knocked out: 2
Rallied: 10
The reserve tanks are not included in the other totals above as neither saw action.
Aftermath
C46, C47, C48, C49, C56 and C57 were all in action on 23rd November.
C41 was presumably left in the field until the end of the month when the Germans captured it, left it in place and used as protection for a field gun (X60.p67).
Photographed in German hands: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7700258@N05/8416271665/in/set-72157601074582281/
in February 1918:
IWM Q 45408: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205215589
C51 also presumably left in the field until the end of the month when the Germans captured it:
IWM Q 45410: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205215591
Sources
W3 – C Battalion War Diary, Battlegraph and Narrative of Operations PRO WO 95/106
W23 – War Diary of 3rd Tank Brigade , relevant battle graph and narrative PRO WO95/104
H3 - C Battalion War History PRO WO 95/104
S31 -
Photos of C51:
IWM Q45410 - on IWM website and:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7700258@N05/3950882631/in/set-72157601074582281/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7700258@N05/3950886933/in/set-72157601074582281/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7700258@N05/3142741780/