4company22august1917

4 Company 22 August 1917

The Tanks at 3^rd Ypres. 22^nd August 1917

4 Company, B Battalion, with 6^th S.L.I, 14^th Division, II Corps, 5^th Army

4 Company had 4 fighting tanks in action on 22^nd August 1917 ^(W22):

2 Section ^(W22)

B11, 2771, “Bison”, Lt Dalby A.A.

B12, 2555, “Boadicea”, 2Lt Dickens D.T.J.

B13, 2567, “Bear”, 2Lt Simpson A.G.

B14, 2041, “Belladonna”, 2Lt Bentafield H.W.

Notes:

Crew Commanders names from list in B Battalion War diary, may not be correct for 22^nd August ^(W2)_.

B14 is given the WD number 2014 in the Battle report, but is listed as 2041 in both 7^th June (Messines) and 31^st July Battle graphs in 2^nd Brigade War Diary ^(W22).

All other information from Battle reports for 22^nd August in 2^nd Brigade War Diary ^(W22).

Orders

The 43^rd Brigade, 14^th Division was to capture Inverness Copse and the open plateau to the north of it including Fitz Clarence Farm. The 6 / Somerset LI on the right were to adavnce through the Copse and the 6 / Cornwall LI on the left to adavance across the plateau (OH)

J13 central was to be the position of readiness ^(158/839). Tanks were to start from Clapham Junction and subdue L. Shaped Farm and Fitzclarence Farm under cover of a smoke barrage; infantry to rush forward and occupy the positions once they had been subdued. One pair of tanks to each objective: one pair to go the J14b.25.30 then turn South and go return via the north east of Inverness copse dealing with Fitzclarence farm if necessary; the other pair to go to Fitzclarence farm then turn North to J14b.25.30 before returning. Bothy pairs to pay especial attention to the north end of Jap Trench. ^(w1a)

Zero: 4:30am. ^(W1a)

Account of Operations

2 Section.

B14 Ditched prior to the Start ^(W22) when it side slipped into a crater full of water whilst moving up from Leinster Farm to J13 central ^(158/839)

B11 Attacked with 14th Div. Cleared about 200 yds of trench at J.14.c.7.8. Thence attacked and cleared JAP trench. Covered consolidation, ditched

B12 and B13 both proceeded down the Menin Road ^(OH) and supported the 6 / Somerset LI ^(OH), 14th Div ^(w22) B12 proceeded to J14d.32.10, passing he corner of Inverness copse at 7:25am. Upon reaching J14d.32.10 no troops of either side were visible so the tank commander turned back to try and locate friendly infantry. B13 was found ditched to the south of the road; B12 provided covering fire until 1pm whilst attempts were made to unditch B13. The infantry then requested the tank remain on station and provided some crew to make B13 into a strong point, B12 thus remained in action by the Crater in J.14.c.4.7 until all its ammunition was exhausted at 3pm when it returned and rallied. 1 NCO was wounded. It helped the infantry . ^(W1a)

B13 went along the Menin Road ^(OH) to J14c.3.6. then turned left and went along the north edge of Inverness copse, firing on some enemy in Inverness Copse, Jap Avenue and Jap Trench. At J14d.2.6 the tank turned south and the OIC was wounded by debris caused by an AP bullet. The tank went south of the Menin road but ditched at J14d.18.20.

The Somerset's were able to secure their objective and, with the help of B12 and B13, defeated three counter attacks in the afternoon. the cornwalls were stopped by fire from Fitzeclarence and L Shaped Farms. ^(OH)

4 Company 22 August 1917 map

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