1 battalion 23 August 1918
Battle of Albert. 23rd August 1918
1st Battalion, with 18th and 38th Divisions, V Corps, 3rd Army (OH)
Background
On 18th August 1st Battalion had received 2 MkV tanks, one from 9th Battalion and one from salvage; bringing the total up to 15 tanks and 3 spare crews (W1). These were formed into a composite company under the command of Major Lister. (H1)
1st Battalion had 6 tanks in action on 23rd August 1918 (H1)
Composite Company – Maj Lister (H1)
Section - Captain Fraser (H1)
3 tanks (H1)
Section - Capt Mann
3 tanks (H1)
Unknown section and commander possibly with 1st battalion
9086, "Ajax" a MkV* Composite or female tank.
A MK V
A Mk V* serial number ??23
Note: Two Mk V* and a Mk V were photographed in Meaulte, these are usually said to be of 4th Battalion but the rearmost Mk V* is named Ajax (Mechanised Warfare (2005) Simon Dunstan Pg.12 and X27.p213) which suggests this is one of the above sections.
The same three tanks were also filmed. http://www3.nfb.ca/ww1/wartime-film.php?id=531528 7:22. The tank whose D number appears to end in "23" seems to have two words written on the front glacis: "Happy" and something else, possibly "Happy Valley"?
Orders
To start from Meaulte and assist in the capture of Unra and Tara Hills in front of Albert (H1)
Four tanks to assist 18th Division’s, 53rd Brigade in attacking on the left of the Division. Start time 4:45am. (OH)
Two tanks to assist 38th (Welsh) Division’s, 113th Brigade in attacking Usna Hill. (OH)
Overall objective to secure a line over Tara and Usna hills along Rubber Trench and down to the marches of the Ancre South East of Aveluy. (OH)
Account of Operations
All six tanks attacked, successfully accomplished their objectives and rallied. Some or all were then recommitted and mopped up some isolated MG nests which were holding up the infantry (H1)
18th Division. Resistance at first strong but overcome, by 6 am all objectives secured. (OH)
38th Division, successfully captured Usna Hill and thus outflanked the enemy position, 194 Germans surrendered. (OH)
Summary
Total Tanks: 6
Failed to Start:
Engaged enemy: 6
Ditched / Broke Down:
Hit and Knocked out: 0
Rallied: 6
Aftermath
1st Battalion was in action again on the 24th August 1918 (H1)
Sources
W1– 1st Battalion’s War diary. Transcription from Bovington Tank Museum
H1 – 1st Battalion’s War History. Transcription from Bovington Tank Museum
OH – Official History 1918 Vol IV Chap XII, pg 233