6 Battalion 1 September 1918
The Battle of Bapaume. 1st September 1918
6 Battalion, with the 185th Brigade, 62nd Division, VI Corp, 3rd Army (OH)
6 Battalion had 2 tanks in action on 1st September 1918 (H6):
2Lt Mosley FF
2Lt Alvin HE
Orders
The VI ordered its front line Divisions to establish themselves on a good jumping off line for future operations (OH)
Lying up place B30c.5.3. (W6)
The 6th Tank battalion were to help the 62nd Division capture a strongpoint in front of Vaulx - Vraucourt (H6)
Account of Operations
The tanks went through the village and followed the barrage up the sunken road in G26b. The infantry were held up by MG fire coming from Vaulx trench in C21c. (W6) Both tanks were driven back by heavy MG fire, they advanced again and managed to establish the infantry on the objective. (H6) Lt Alvin silenced 2 MG emplacements, whilst attacking a third the OIC and driver were both wounded. The tank was withdrawn behind the ridge, the driver was wounded when the tank attempted to get into action once more. (W6) Lt Mosley’s tank was penetrated by AP bullets and then ditched whilst crushing an MG position. The crew were all wounded and evacuated the tank which caught fire 5 minutes after it was abandoned. (H6) (W6)
Summary
Total Tanks: 2
Failed to Start: 0
Engaged enemy: 2
Ditched / Broke Down: 0
Hit and Knocked out: 1
Rallied: 1
Notes
Aftermath
Sources
H6 – 6th Battalion War History, (1919) Naval and Military Press
W6 – 6th Battalion War Diary. Transcript from BovingtonTank Museum.
OH – Official History, 1918, Vol. 4, pg.380