19company31july1917

19 Company 31 July 1917

3^rd Ypres. 31^st July 1917

19 Company, G Battalion, with 39^th Division, XVIII Corps, 5^th Army ^(W7)

19 Company had 12 fighting tanks in action on 31^st July 1917 ^(W21)

19 Company,

1 Section. Captain Syme

G1, 2312, Glasgow, 2^nd Lt McCherly

G5, 2553, f, Glenlivet, 2^nd Lt Rider

G6, 2545, m, Grantham, 2^nd Lt Cross

G7, 2562, Giggle, 2^nd Lt Lovell

3 Section. Captain Powell

G3, 2302, Gladiator, 2^nd Lt Popplewell

G8, 2589, Gossip, 2^nd Lt McKenzie

G9, 2564, Gondolier, 2^nd Lt Maelorjones

G10, 2565, Gravedigger, 2^nd Lt Jordon

4 Section. Captain Chadwick

G2, 2308, Grouse, Lt Mawer

G4, 2323, m, Gloucester, Lt Gardner

G11, f, 2768, Glamorgan, 2^nd Lt Lynch

G53, 2778, Gracchus, 2^nd Lt Jukes

Cable Layer

G25, ????, 2ND Lt G.C. Killey - Cable Layer. Note: G26 in Battalion War Diary ^(W7)

Supply Tank

GS2, 536, Lt Willard –

Notes

GS2 serial number from workshops report.

Tank sexes from Battalion War Diary , all other information from Brigade War Diary.

G53 was presumably one of the three spare tanks received by the Battalion on 21^st July, it was probably the tank originally ordered to serve as a cable tank with 21 Company and was transferred to 19 Company as a fighting tank when 2/Lt McElroy’s damaged tank was made 21 Company’s new cable tank. ^(W7) There is no indication as to why 19 Company were short a Fighting tank

G25 was a 20 Company tank that had been substituted for 2Lt McElroy’s tank that had been damaged after colliding with an engine. ^(W7)

(McElroy may possibly be misreading of Killey. Or Killey may be a 20 Company Officer who came with the new tank.)

Orders

Start Point: C21b.2.3 changed on 25^th July from C27a.2.8 ^(W7)

^{Deployment point: C26c.4.5 (W7)}

First Echelon: 1 Section with 10 Section, 21 Company): To Mop Up on the Black line, then cross the Steenbeek and assist the infantry at the Green Dotted Line and then advance with them to the Green Line and cover the consolidation. ^(W7)

3 and 4 Sections: To cross the Steenbeek and advance against allotted objectives on the Green Line and Beyond, Cover Consolidation of the Green Line. (Second Echelon). ^(W7)

The cable tank was to lay cable for the 39^th Division ^(W7)

Supply tanks to go to C17c.0.8 ^(W7)

Rendezvous [Rally] points: 3 and 10 (5 in source, presumably a mistake) sections: C11d.3.9; 1 and 4 sections: C17b.3.8; thence all tanks to C17c.0.8 ^(W7)

Account of Operations

1 Section

G1 started six minutes after zero hour at 3.56 am from Bilge Trench, following the infantry. It ditched almost up to the 6pdr in mud at C16c.15.20 from 4.50 am to 6.50 am. After unditching and proceeding it broke down with a choked Carburettor just NE of Oblong Farm at 8 am for twenty minutes under heavy shellfire. The engine was fixed and the tank proceeded onwards, reaching point C12c.20.30 near St Julien at 10.10am, the OIC decided to Rally as St Juilien was in infantry’s hands and the engine was still given trouble. The tank eventually reached C16d.10.85 where it was hidden behind a line of pollards near Kultur Farm. The tank was left here, in company with G10, until 1 August . ^(W7)

G5 worked in pairs with G6. Set off at Zero plus ten (4am), ditched at G16?.1.3 in second trench of German front line system for an hour from Z +49. Broke down several times (including at C11d.2.2 and C11d.17.38) but eventually reached the Alberta – St Julien Tram line and followed it, crossing the Steenbeek at C12c.10.45, at Z +6.15. Met G2 and G3 and agreed to patrol with G2 up and down the Steenbeek and around St Julein as far as the Hanebeek; thus covering the infantry who were consolidating a line from C12a central to the St Julien - Poelcapple Road. The tank was fired upon by guns apparently in the vicinity of Springfield, which knocked out two tanks to G5's rear. G5 attempted to outflank these guns by driving behind a hedge running along the Hannebeek but became hopelessly ditched at C18a.82.92 near Border House and was abandoned; 4 crewmen being sent with the LG to assist the infantry. At Z+11:39 the infantry withdrew to a new line behind Border House and the tank; the Germans later engaged the dismounted crew of G7 from near the derelict G2 off to their right ^(W7). The 2^nd Tank Brigade War Diary ^(W21) states the tank engaged the enemy but this is not mentioned in the more detailed account given in the Battalion War Diary ^(W7)

G6 ditched at C22b.3.2 for 45 minutes, proceeded but became permanently ditched at Mousetrap Farm, C22b.8.2. at Z + 3:10. ^(W7)

G7 started at Zero, 3:50 am, ditched at C16c.35.40 for 10 minutes. Stopped at C16d.7.9 for about half an hour to help unditch G3. Ditched under heavy artillery and MG fire for half an hour at c18a.10.35. Unditched and crossed the Steenbeek, stopped for 20 minutes to assist G3 again as it was ditched in the Steenbeek. Proceeded under rapid and direct artillery fire to c10a5.8 near Border House where G7 became irretrievably ditched at Zero +7:20. The crew dismounted and helped the infantry hold a line of shell-holes, the OIC being wounded whilst doing so ^(W7)

3 Section.

The tanks started at Zero and crossed the German wire in the order G10, G3, G8 and G9. G10 then lost direction and ditched near Hampshire Farm for ten minutes. The other three tanks proceeded to the right of Oblong and Juliet Farms to C6b.6.3 (or G16d.00.75) where G3 ditched. After 25 minutes G7 unditched G3 which then, at infantry's request, advanced on a redoubt at C17a.05.30 where 60 men with 2MG surrendered on tank’s approach.

G10 meanwhile passed to the left of Oblong Farm and caught up with the other tanks. All three waited at Juliet Farm for the barrage to lift. G9 and G10 then advanced North East, leaving Alberta to the left, they passed through Infantry (Hampshires) who were retiring and reached an intact breastwork. G9 cleared the enemy from the breastwork and silenced an MG thus allowing the Hampshires to advance and take the position. G10 meanwhile went south of the breastwork, crossed Canopus Trench and then the Steenbeek at Z+4.30. G10 then waited on Green dotted line whilst infantry consolidated, then advanced in front of them and broke up an enemy counter attack ^(W21). Proceeded to Springfield, then retired and Rallied at the refuelling point ^(W7) at Kultur Farm. ^(W21)

G9 got onto trench tramway at C11d.6.4, followed this to Steenbeek, but felt bridge was incapable of taking tank. Cruised along stream but was unable to cross. Engine started to give trouble so turned back to Hurst Park C10c central where the tank broke down . ^(W7)

G3 Crossed Canopus trench at C17b.40.55 and assisted infantry by attacking Juliet Farm. Ditched in Steenbeek for 45 minutes at C18a.30.75. Was pulled out by G7 then engaged enemy with infantry and helped capture 170 prisoners. Reached Green line at 11am, proceeded left to engage some MGs, saw G11 and G2 blown up, the latter 5 minutes after the former. G3 ditched near St Julien at C11d 90.50 and was hit by shellfire and abandoned. ^(W7)

G8 Followed column to Blue Line, was keen to get on so refused to assist a ditched G6. Engaged enemy near Canopus Trench on the Black Line, then ditched and abandoned ^(W7) with big end Trouble ^(W21) at C17a.7.6. ^(W7) N.E. corner of Kitcheners Wood ^(W21)

4 Section.

Only three tanks in this section according to the section commanders report; G2, G4 and G11. All three started at Zero and followed 1 and 10 sections across no mans land, G11 stopping to unsuccessfully help another tank en route. The section crossed the road at C17c.05.90; the enemy then fired upon the tanks with artillery and MG fire. At Zero +2:10 the three tanks had caught up with the lead infantry near Juliet Farm; the infantry were pinned down by fire from Kithcheners Wood, Canopus trench and the trees NE of Juliet Farm. G11 was sent to deal with the trees NE of Juliet Farm, G2 and G4 were to attack Canopus and the trenches in front. ^(W7)

G11 supported the infantry's advance on the Steenbeek. Between 8.45 and 9.15 engaged enemy whilst patrolling along Green dotted line. Stopped from 9.15 to 9.30 near G10. Advanced on Springfield, was hit by a shell and destroyed; OIC and all crew killed ^(W7)

G2 ditched at Juliet Farm between Z+2.10 and Z+3.40. It was undicthed and crossed the Steebeek using a plank bridge to the south of St Julien. A number of enemy troops surrendered. Tank ditched under heavy shell fire ^(W7) at about C12c55.15^(W21) , was hit, abandoned ^(W7) and burnt out ^(W21). OIC and 5 Ors wounded whilst sheltering in a shellhole after evacuating the tank. ^(W7)

G4 ditched for ten minutes just after leaving Juliet Fram. It then attacked enemy troops and MGs in Canopus Trench, some of whom surrendered. Infantry were then able to advance. More enemy surrendered between Canopus and Canteen. Stopped at Corner Cot until barrage lifted off Black dotted line. Supported Infantry attack on St.Julien, about 100 enemy surrendered. Ditched for third time at C12c.27.00 for 20 minutes; whilst unditching fired Lewis Gun on Winnipeg. Crossed Steenbeek at C12c.30.05, used 6pdr to silence batteries either side of Winnipeg, then waited for half an hour to the south of the St Julien Winnipeg road for the barrage to lift. Proceeded towards Winnipeg, ditched behind a pillbox (which provided them with cover) for two and a half hours at C12d.7.5. Whilst ditched fired indirectly upon Winnipeg. Infantry retired past tank so tank withdrew along its old tracks and rallied at Hill Top. Whilst retiring the tank was attacked by a low flying enemy aeroplane which wounded Lt Gardner who was directing the tank ^(W7)

G53, Broke down. Non Starter. ^(W21) Note: W21 gives tank crew number as G55, probably in error

Cable Layer

G25, Dumped half of cable at Calf Junction, other half at 17 central. Ditched for one hour whilst returning. Unditched G48. ^(W7)

Supply Tank

GS2, 536, Crossed original German front line, reached the refiling point and ditched near Kultur Farm whilst returning. ^(W7)

Summary of fighting tanks

Intended: 12

Reserve: 0

At Start: 12

Failed to start: 1

Engaged enemy: 10

Ditched / Broke Down: 5

Hit and Knocked out: 4

Rallied: 2

Note:

Rallied does not include the non starter, nor G1 which is included in the broken down total. .

Aftermath

G2, 2308; G3, 2302; G5, 2553; G11, 2768: Not recorded again.

Part of G5, 2553's track and rear may have been found in 2012: http://www.depondfarm.be/nl/tanks

G53, 2778, 1 Aug - In the care of workshops

GS2, 536, Aug 1 – Supply dump formed near tank. Repaired and Recovered at some later date ^(W7) .

G8, 2569, Crew attempted and failed to recover tank on the 1^st and 2^nd August ^(W7). Next recorded as a supply tank with 3 Tank Carrier Coy at Amiens, Aug 7 / 8^th 1918.

G6, 2545, This tank was eventually recovered by a Salvage team on 6^th August and handed back to Crew G6 ^(W32). Tank "Grantham" was in action with Crew G6 at Cambrai on 20^th November, this may be 2545.

G10, 2565, In Battalion reserve on 19^th August 1917.

G4, 2323, Attacked in Cockcroft action on 19^th August 1917

G1, 2312, Brought back to Frascati farm on the 1^st August. Tank G1 failed to Start at Cambrai on 20^th November, this may be 2312.

G7, 2562, Tank G7 Giggle was in action at Cambrai on 20^th November, this may be 2562

G9, 2564, Tank G9 Gondolier was in action at Cambrai on 20^th November, this may be 2564

G25, ????,

Sources

W32 = War Diary of 2 Tank Field Salvage Coy

W7 = G Battalion War Diary, transcription from Bovington Tank Museum

W21 = 1^st Tank Brigade War Diary

W73 = Preliminary report on tank operations on 31 July 1917 in PRO WO 95 / 104

OH = Official History, 1917, Vol 2, Pg.159

Note: G / 7^th Battalion War Diary, transcription from Bovington Tank Museum ^(W3), contains a detailed tank by tank account of this action.

G Battalion 31 July - Map

3rd Ypres Narratives - By date

3rd Ypres narratives - By Unit