6 Battalion 2 September 1918
The Battle of Drocourt-Queant. 2nd September 1918
6 Battalion, with the 8th Brigade, 3rd Division, VI Corp, 3rd Army (OH)
6 Battalion had 2 tanks in action on 2nd September 1918 (H6):
Section - Capt. Oke
Sgt. Squires
Cpl. Cossum
Notes
Orders
9 Whippets had originally gone forward to support the infantry; all broke down and failed to make the start. (H6)
5 whippets were to follow the MkVs at zero as far as Dunhelm Avenue at C22b.6.7. they were to cross the trench, proceed west of Lagnicourt and then hold the ground east of the village until the village was consolidated by the infantry. (W6)
Later two whippets were repaired and were ordered to assist the 8th Infantry Brigade by clearing enemy MGs from the Trench North of the Bois de Vaulx and enable the Suffolks to consolidate on the ridge over which the Norieul – Lagnicourt Road ran. (H6)
Account of Operations
Tanks had started at 5:30am, two “C” company tanks broke down. (H6) The initial advance went well, the MKVs suffered heavy casualties. Presumably the whippets were not involved (OH) Later in the day two (sic) whippets were committed and supported an attack which established the infantry in more defensible trenches (OH). Three tanks all crossed the trench (presumably Dunhelm Avenue) and engaged the enemy inflicting heavy casualties. (W6) After half an hour the tanks and infantry had achieved all their objectives; 50 to 60 prisoners were taken. Lt Col West, the Battalion OIC, was killed whilst rallying the infantry. Both tanks rallied. (H6)
Summary
Total Tanks: 2
Failed to Start: 0
Engaged enemy: 2
Ditched / Broke Down: 0
Hit and Knocked out: 0
Rallied: 2
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.408