12 Battalion, B Company. 8 October 1918.

2^nd Cambrai (Niergnies). 8^th October 1918

“B” Company, 12^th Battalion with 37^th and New Zealand Divisions, IV Corp, 3^rd Army ^{(H12) (OH)}

12^th Battalion, “B” company had 7 tanks in action on 8^th October 1918 ^(W12)

“B” company – Maj Inglis HJ DSO MC

7 tanks

Orders

3rd army to capture a line running from Niergnies to Esmes. XVII Corps, 63^rd and 57^th divisions on the left to capture Niergnies; VI Corp, 2^nd and 3^rd Divisions in the centre to capture Seranvillers and the large farms thereabouts ^(H12); IV Corps 37^th and New Zealand Division on the right to advance to the first objective: the Beaurevoir Line and the village of Lesdain in the valley of the Torrent s’Esnes valley ^(OH). Then the second objective a line running from Torrent d’Esnes at Le Grand Pont, past the west end of Briseux wood to Hurtabise farm. ^(H12) The New Zealanders were also to advance and capture Esnes if possible ^(OH)

“B” Company was to support 37^th and New Zealand Divisions. Specifically to cross the front line at Zero + 30mins and mop up any MGs missed by the 2^nd and 3^rd New Zealand or the 111^th and 112^th brigades in the dark; then, if needed, help establish the infantry on the final objective across the Cambrai – Esnes Road. One section, 4 tanks, on the left with the New Zealanders; a second section, 3 tanks, on the right with the 37^th Division. ^(H12)

In 37^th Division, 11^th brigade to lead the attack, 10 Royal Fusiliers with the 13 KRRC in support on the right flank. The attackers were to move east and capture a salient then swing right and move athwart the Beaurevoir line. ^(OH)

Zero was at 4:30am ^(W12)

Account of Operations

The left section with the New Zealanders had little to do as the infantry mopped up thoroughly and captured the final objective without assistance. While the infantry consolidated three tanks cruised around Lesdain and one went towards Esnes, they met no opposition and were recalled to rally once the infantry were established. ^(H12) The New Zealanders were on their second objective by 8am; they paused and restarted the attack at 9:30am capturing Esnes shortly thereafter. Later Esnes was attacked from the north east by infantry supported by 2 tanks, this attack was repulsed with the help of 2 “C” company tanks ^(OH). See “C” company narrative for details.

On the right one tank was hit and knocked out soon after zero, four crew were killed ^(H12). The other two tanks helped the 111^th brigade overcome the two thick belts of insufficiently cut wire in front of the Beaurevoir line and also assisted in clearing up the concrete MG emplacements therein ^(OH) and in clearing Bel Aise Farm. The tanks then separated and supported the 112^th brigade when it passed through the 111^{th (OH)}; one tank went to assist in Pelu Wood, south east of Lesdain, when it arrived it found the wood already securely in British hands, being short of petrol the tank rallied. The remaining tank silenced an MG in Hurtebise Farm (or in a strongpoint to the north of the farm ^(OH)) and was then forced to rally as it was overheating. ^(H12) By 10.20am the 37th Division had captured all of its 2^nd Objective ^(OH)

“B” companies casualties: 1 office fatally wounded, also 4 other crew killed and 9 wounded

Summary

Total Tanks: 7

Failed to Start: 0

Engaged enemy: 2

Ditched / Broke Down:

Hit and Knocked out: 1

Rallied: 6

Aftermath

2 tanks from B Coy were next in action on 23^rd October, the battalion’s and the MkIV’s last action.

Sources

W12 - War Diary of 12^th Tank Battalion, Transcript from Bovington tank Museum

H12 - War History of 12^th Tank Battalion PRO WO 95/

OH – Official History, 1918 Vol V. Pg.203f

2nd Cambrai - 8 to 9 October 1918