I battalion. 24 November 1917

The Tanks at Cambrai. 24^th November 1917

I Battalion, Brigade, Division, III Corps

I Battalion had 12 tanks in action on 24^th November 1917 ^(W9):

Major Vandervell

? Section. Lt H Shackleton

I26, 4556, "Impregnable", 2Lt J Tattersall

I10, 2Lt BM Woolf

I28, 4555, f, 2Lt G Parsons

? Section. Capt. HRB Watkins

I59, 2Lt FFA Higgit

I46, 2831, f, "Inviolate", Lt HW Salt

I36, 2Lt M Rutherford

? Section. Capt JM Johnson

I51, 2Lt BW Wild

I53, 2Lt SC Rae

I54, "Intimidate", 2Lt P Lazarus Barlow

? Section. Capt TLW Strother

I56, 2363, 2Lt J Steeple

I58, 2Lt SH Slade

I31, 2622, 2Lt SW Cochram

Notes:

Lt Higgit was in command of I59 on Nov 20^th. I59 is included in the narrative, I29 is therefore probably written in the original version of this list in error.

I26 serial number and sex from photo (see below)

I56 serial number from photo (see below) , first two digits are unclear.

I28 serial number from "Following the Tanks" and photograph courtesy of Gwyn Evans. ^(s37)

I31 serial number from a photograph of the tank in German hands, courtesy of Gwyn Evans.

I46 serial number from 8^th Tank Battalions March 1918 Battle History Sheets. PRO WO 95 / 114

I46 name from film made in April 1918 when the tank was with 8^th Battalion. : IWM 184: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060022684

I54 name from video clip: http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675027524_British-officers_tractors-in-field_soldiers-on-tractors_soldiers-near-a-tank. Discovered by Gwyn Evans.

Orders ^(W9)

To assist 121 Brigade's attack on Bourlon Wood.

Account of Operations ^(W9)

The tanks started late (after 2pm).

I51 and I54 both broke down and failed to start

I26 and I10 went to E12a.5.2. but found to be too dark to do efficient work . I26 Broke a track at E12c.7.4 whilst returning to rally.

I28 went alone road West of Bourlon, was ditched and abandoned at E12c.8.1, guns were handed to another tank.

I59 went along Western side of Bourlon Wood to village then entered village engaging enemy MGs until it got dark. Tank returned to RP towing I58 until Hawser broke.

I46 had engine trouble whilst proceeding up slope by Western side of Bourlon Wood towards the village, tank rallied.

I36’s engine seized at E12c.8.0, it struggled to E30b.7.9 and was abandoned.

I53 went up Western side of Bourlon Wood and entered village after infantry had already advanced therein. Followed infantry advance, without firing upon main street. Met tank I56 and at request of infantry went to left of village and silenced an enemy MG at E12c.1.1, as it was now dark the tank returned and rallied at Annex Chapel at 5.30pm

I56 went up Western side of Bourlon Wood and fought on left of village. Silenced enemy MG at E11d.95.25 then, at infantry’s request silenced enemy Mgs in large Chateuax at Western edge of village. Petrol tank pierced at F12c.2.3 (probably E12c), tank evacuated.

I58 went up Western side of Bourlon Wood to E12?.8.0 via western side of sunken road, infantry followed. Reached church then turned back, infantry having disappeared. Carburettor caught fire and tank burnt out at E30b.9.9.

I31 went to NW corner of Bourlon Wood thence along sunken road to E12c.9.1 and along outskirts of village. Infantry not following so tank rallied.

Summary

Intended: 12

Reserve: 0

At Start: 12

Started: 10

Engaged enemy: 10

Ditched / Broke Down: 3

Hit and Knocked out: 3

Rallied: 4

Engaged enemy number assumes all ten tanks that started fired on the enemy

Rallied does not include I51 and I54

Aftermath ^(W23)