I Battalion. 23 November 1917

The Tanks at Cambrai. 23^rd November 1917

I Battalion, with 61^st Brigade, 20^th Division, III Corps

Composite Company had 12 tanks in action on 23^rd November 1917 ^(W9):

OIC Major Penn-Gaskell

A Section. Capt DL Robinson (or Capt Curry ^(H9))

I13, 2803, 2Lt Baxter JTL

I27, 2Lt Hughes J

I52, 2Lt Stewart RE

B Section. Capt. HRB Watkins (or Capt Rigby ^(H9))

I17, 2Lt Pritchard TA

I18, f, 2Lt Sykes CH

I20, 2Lt Carmichael AD

C Section. Capt JM Johnson (or Capt Padfield ^(H9))

I38, Lt Bagshaw G

I32, 2Lt Russell AW

I24, 2Lt Mecredy EJ

D Section. Capt TLW Strother (or Capt Robinson ^(H9))

I41, f, 2Lt Williams GE

I42, 2Lt Cross WS

I43, 2Lt Mabb VL

Notes

I41 was photographed after the battle and is clearly a “Top puller” and thus one of the Battalions Supply / wire pulling tanks, the tanks sex is also derived from this photo.^{(X64.plate 30)..}

I13 serial number from Tank Corps Daily Tank Log sheet dated 10-2-18, presumably 2803 was also I13 at Cambrai WO 95-118-8-2 Pg 76

Orders ^(W9)

Tanks went from the tank park, Ribecourt L19d at 9.30am. Tanks arrived at La Justice at 2 o clock and left for objectives, Fontaine Notre Dame, at 2.35 pm. Tank I18 led, carrying Maj Penn-Gaskell and Lt Prescott as far as the quarry, F20a.3.7

Account of Operations ^(W9)

“A” section were diverted by Captain Hotblack to the road running through F21a and F21b at the south side of the Village to rally some infantry but were unable to locate them in the gathering dark. The three tanks then proceeded to the village, finding some infantry at F20b. The tanks patrolled in front of the village until it was quite dark and then rallied.

I17 crossed the Cambrai Road at F20b.1.8. and entered the NW corner of the village at 3.40pm, staying there until 5.20pm silencing at least one MG and fired on others.

I18 crossed the Cambrai Road at F20b.2.7. and entered the village at F15a.4.4 at 3.40pm, staying there until 5.30pm. The tank fired upon the enemy but couldn’t determine the effect due the darkness. The tank was penetrated by AP ammo and bombed. Four Lewis guns being put out of action.

I20 followed I18 was subjected to heavy rifle and MG fire and bombed after entering Village. Attempted to engage bombers but they were able to reach cover too quickly, Fired 6pdr into houses. Went to F15d.65.55 then rallied.

I38 knocked out two MGs in an isolated house at F15a.3.7, then went along the road into the village firing at all suspect houses until the Cambrai road was reached. The tank was here engaged by a Trench Mortor battery but was unable to locate it in the dark and so rallied.

I32 engaged Mgs at F15c.9.7 then went down the main street of the village under fire from MGs and Trench mortars, a trench mortor hit penetrated the radiator but tank kept moving along Station Road, turned right and went back through the village, breaking down and being abandoned at F21b.2.7. due to the radiator being pierced.

I24 went to F14d.9.9. and entered village at 4.30pm went though the village under heavy MG fire and developed mechanical trouble but managed to rally.

I41 entered village at F15a.65.15 ^(W9) and then suffered a direct hit which broke a Track, one OR Killed and all other crew members captured ^(H9).

I42 entered village at F15c.8.8 and went straight through to F16c.70.98. Tanks started to bog down in soft mud so returned to rally point in the Dark. One sponson smashed, under sporadic fire and fired back on occasion.

I43 went along North side of village then entered and proceeded to church at F15b.8.2, did not engage enemy so returned by same route and was bombed whilst exiting. Enemy attempted to hold onto guns but was shot whilst doing so.

Summary

Intended: 12

Reserve: 0

At Start: 12

Started: 12

Engaged enemy: 12

Ditched / Broke Down: 0

Hit and Knocked out: 1

Rallied: 11

Hit and knocked out is I41 which was missing.

Aftermath ^(W23)

^{I41 was photographed ditched in a pond and in German hands in the northern outskirts of Fontaine Notre Damne (X64.plate 30).} It was later dragged out of the pond by the Germans (Photos courtesy of Gwyn Evans) .

12 "I" battalion tanks made ready to attack on 29^th but were not required. Battalion withdrawn to Sorel on 30^th and entrained on 7^th December.

Sources

W9 – 9^th (I) Battalion’s War diary. Transcription from Bovington Tank Museum

H9 - 9^th (I) Battalion’s War History. Transcription from Bovington Tank Museum

S64 - The German Army at Cambrai (2009) Jack Sheldon

Fontaine 23 Nov 1917 - Map

Cambrai Narratives