6 Battalion 2 September 1918

The Battle of Drocourt-Queant. 2^nd September 1918

6 Battalion, with the 8^th Brigade, 3^rd Division, VI Corp, 3rd Army ^(OH)

6 Battalion had 2 tanks in action on 2^nd 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 8^th 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 – 6^th Battalion War History, (1919) Naval and Military Press

W6 – 6^th Battalion War Diary. Transcript from BovingtonTank Museum.

OH – Official History, 1918, Vol. 4, pg.408

Drocourt / Queant - 2 to 3 September (1st Army)

F / 6th Battalion