1 Battalion 8 October 1918

The Battle of the Selle. 8^th October 1918

1st Battalion, with 25^th and 66^th Divisions, XIII Corp, 3^rd Army ^(W1a)

Background

On 6^th October the battalion had 21 fit tanks, some of which were possibly the four MKV which had been received from 4^th Battalion on 25^th August ^{(W1) (W4a)}

1st Battalion had 21 tanks in action on 8^th October 1918 ^(w1)

B Company – Maj Miskin MJ MC ^(w1a)

13 tanks ^(w1a)

Lt Wilson

Lt Watson

C Company – Maj Boxer HC ^(w1a)

8 tanks ^(w1a)

Lt MacClean

Companies and commanders unknown

9296, f

9391, f

9076, m

9122, m,

Note

The four tanks whose WD numbers are known were transferred from 4^th to 1^st Battalion on the 25^th August ^(W4a), some or all may have been lost prior to the 8^th October.

Orders

B Company

One section with 25^th Division. Remainder of Company with South African Brigade, 66^th Division. ^(w1a)

C Company - Two sections with the 198^th brigade, 66^th Division. ^(w1a)

The tanks were to follow 1500 yds behind the infantry and only come into action if the infantry were held up. Once the task was completed the tanks were to rally at Rally point was b5 central. Tanks were only to operate beyond the first objective if the infantry were held up and asked for their assistance. Two “B” Company tanks were to advance beyond the first objective when the barrage lifted and assist in the capture of Les Folies ^(w1a)

Zero was 05:10 ^(w1a)

Account of Operations

Tanks left lying up place near Mushroom Quarry at Zero minus two hours and crossed infantry Jumping off point at Zero plus 45 mins.

The infantry reached their objectives by 7:30am after overcoming stubborn resistance,11 field guns were captured en route. Two tanks helped beat off several counter attacks from the north after 9:30am. ^(OH)

B Company

All 13 tanks reached the start point, nine reached their objectives, 3 having broken down and one ditched en route. Seven of the tanks that reached the objective had engaged enemy MGs and Field guns en route and thus enabled the infantries advance. Two Field guns (six guns in the War History) were silenced at Hamage Farm ^(w1a) by Lt Watson and Wilson of “B “Company ^(H1). 3 guns were also silenced at B24a.6.8. ^(w1a) “B” company also also did good work at Les folies Wood. ^(H1). One tank was knocked out by a direct hit at c2c.3.8. One broke down in Serain after being in action at Serain on the second objective. Another tank became ditched at T24d.9.4 but was dug out and rallied on the 9^th. One tank was hit on the side but was able to reach the objective and rally. Ten tanks rallied, including one which had failed to get into action as it had broken down due a fire destroying its petrol feed. The Company fired 397 6pdr and 9150 SAA rounds^{. (w1a)}

C Company

2 tanks broke down and failed to reach the start point. One tank was hit at B5 central but was able to rally. The remaining five tanks all reached the objective engaging enemy field guns and Mgs en-route and thus enabling the infantries advance. Lt MacCleans tank was hit by a shell and knocked out atT24a.4.1. the tank then successfully silenced an enemy field gun with a direct 6pd hit and was towed back to the rally point. The Company fired 70 6pdr and 3400 SAA rounds^{. (w1a)}

Summary

Total Tanks: 21

Failed to Start: 2

Engaged enemy: 12

Ditched / Broke Down: 2

Hit and Knocked out: 1

Rallied: 14

Rallied doesn’t include the two tanks that failed to start or the ditched tank which rallied on the 9^th

Rallied includes include the two damaged tanks.

Aftermath

12 tanks were fit for action on the 9^th. ^(w1a)

1^st Battalion next in action on 17^th October 1918 ^(w1)

Sources

W1– 1st Battalion’s War diary. Transcription from Bovington Tank Museum

W1a – Appendixes to 1^st Battalions War Diary.

Appendix A. Operational order No.1 dated 7^th October 1918. PRO WO 95 / 109

Appendix B. 4th Tank Brigade Report on Beurevoir Operations, October 8^th, 1918. PRO WO 95 / 109

W4a – Appendix to 4^th Battalions War Diary. Summary of tanks on Strength – August 1918. PRO WO 95 / 110

H1 – 1st Battalion’s War History. Transcription from Bovington Tank Museum

OH – Official History, 1918, Vol V, pg 193ff

Battles of the Hindenburg Line