Comp. Coy. B Battalion 30 November 1917

The Tanks at Cambrai. 30^th November 1917

Comp Company, B Battalion, with Guards Division, IV Corps

B battalion had 22 tanks in action on 30^th November 1917 ^{(H2) (W2a) (BHS)}

5 Company

B26, 4671, "Bison II", Lt Gordon Blake NJ

B27, 2077, "Bloodstone II", Hoyland then Lt Dingley

B29, 6017, "Bijou", 2lt Lynch Staunton

B31, 2619, "Bohemian II", 2Lt Peel Gf

B32, 6013, "Baron II", 2Lt Allison JA

B35, 4589, "Bogey II", 2Lt Doyle JE

6 Company

6 tanks ^(W2a)

^{B42, 2871}

B51, 2034

Note

The War Diary only states 6 Company had 6 tanks in action ^(W2). The BHS ^(WMH) indicate 5 company had 6 tanks in action. It seems likely that both companies committed 6 tanks.

The War History states 6 tanks went forward initially under the command of Maj. Laskey, the others following when they were ready; in total 22 tanks went forward. ^(H2)

Background

When the Germans counter attacked on the 30th November the three tank brigades were in the process of being withdrawn ^(OH.p170). At 10am the II tank brigade was ordered to send one battalion to attack Gouzeacourt directly and another to attack the village for the direction of Hendicourt, the tanks were made ready as quickly as possible. At 12.40pm 22 tanks of "B" battalion moved towards Gouzeacourt, followed by 14 "A" Battalion tanks which made for Revelon Ridge. I tank brigade, in Havrincourt Wood also sent 10 tanks from "E" Battalion and 17 from "D" Battalion, but these did not get into action. ^(OH.p189)

Orders

To help recapture Gouzeaucourt and cover consolidation of same.

2077 was to go to R31b and R31d ^(WMH)

Zero hour 3pm.

Account of operations

Six tanks went forward initially under the command of Maj. Laskey FS, the other sixteen following when they were ready.^(H2) At 3.30 pm eleven tanks arrived from the guards right rear with orders to take Gouzeaucourt ^(W1Gdb). On approaching the village the tanks came under heavy fire ^(H2) , four were hit and knocked out ^(W1Gdb) presumably including 2034 which was abandoned and destroyed ^(W2) .The crews of the KO tanks also bailed out with their Lewis guns and joined with the 2^nd Coldstream guards in readiness to repel counter attacks. ^(W1Gdb)

In addition 2871 was hit on the front by an AP [round] ^(W2s) and 2077 was damaged by shell hits ^(WMH); both tanks rallied. ^{(W2) (WMH)}

The tanks entered the village and found it was already held by the British Guards Division so they formed a defensive screen then withdrew at nightfall. ^{(W2) (WMH)}

The 2^nd Tank Brigade's account of operations says the brigade sent 36 tanks into action, 22 from "B" and 14 from "A" Battalion. 5 tanks were knocked out ^(W22) The BHS indicate "A" Battalion sent 20 tanks forward.

Summary

Intended: 22

Reserve:

At Start: 22

Engaged enemy: 0

Ditched / Broke Down: 0

Hit and Knocked out: 1

Rallied: 11

Rallied includes the two damaged tanks.

Aftermath

Seven tanks from the battalion were in action on the 1^st December.

B51, 2034 was handed to salvage at point Q32.d.3.3 [ possibly Q30] with Diff. extension shafts ^(W2s) presumably destroyed thereafter.

B42, 2871 was returned to Fins Tankodrome ^(W2s)

Sources

W2a – Battalion War Diary PRO WO 95/109: Orders, Account of operations Nov 20^th – 23^rd,

W2s - Battalion War Diary PRO WO 95/109: Tanks Handed to Salvage during November 1917

W2 – Battalion War Diary transcript from Bovington Tank Museum

W22 - 2^nd Brigade Tank Corps. Report on Operations. November 20^th to December 1^st 1917.

W1Gdb - 1st Guards Brigade War Diary.

Narrative of Operations carried out by the 1^st Guards Brigade. November 30^th and December 1^st 1917.

BHS - Battle History Sheets, 30th Nov. 1917 for 5 company tanks listed above.

30 November 1917 - Map

Cambrai Narratives