6 Battalion 1 September 1918 - first action of the day
The Battle of Bapaume. 1st September 1918
6 Battalion, with the VI Corp, 3rd Army (H6)
6 Battalion had 5 tanks in action on 31st August 1918 (H6):
Section - Capt Oke JM (W6) (H6)
Lt Edwards EN
Lt Underhill
Lt Sanders
Lt Macpherson
Notes
Orders
The infantry had failed to advance on the 31st so the tanks were sent forward with the same objectives as the day before. To help the infantry establish themselves in Noreuil switch and Longatte Trench. (H6) The lying up place was Mory Copse. (W6)
Account of Operations
4 whippets advanced at 5:45am, four tanks going forward in echelon formation no enemy were seen and Noreuil village appeared deserted. (H6) The tanks did attract a certain amount of shell fire but withdrew safely. (W6)
Summary
Total Tanks: 5
Failed to Start: 0
Engaged enemy: 0
Ditched / Broke Down: 0
Hit and Knocked out: 0
Rallied: 5
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