10 Battalion. 25 August 1918
The Battle of Albert, 25th August 1918
10th Battalion with 2nd Brigade, NZ Division, IV Corps (OH)
10th Battalion had 8 tanks in action on August 25th 1918.
A Company [Composite Company] OIC Captain Palmer C
J7, 9334, Lt Winchcombe-Taylor J
J8, 9253, 2Lt Hart ALB,
J21, 9390, Lt Quire JA
J22, 9396, 2Lt Bushy WH,
J17, 9020, 2Lt Burns ACM,
J29, 9417, Sgt Reeves W
J39, 9191, Capt Harrap SJ,
And one other unidentified tank.
Note:
Serial numbers of J21, J22 and J29 and OIC of J22 from BHS on other days, may not be accurate for 25th August.
Orders
2nd New Zealand brigade, on the left of the Division, to advance to a line east of Avesnes and along the Bapaume – Sapignes Road as far as “The Monument”. (OH)
To assemble g50b.50.50 at 4am.
One section (J39 and presumably J29, J17 and an unidentified tank) jumping off line H19a.20.35 to H25b.90.[80] [last digits unclear] with the objective of the Arras – Bapaume road and exploitation any success eastwards.
J39 – to follow infantry from behind Bufvillers to H15a.3.6.
The other section (J7, J8, J21, J22) was to attack Avesnes-Les-Bapaume.
J21 – to move to SP under direction of ROT’s point at RR crossing near Avesnes-les-Bapaume.
Account of operations
J17 was knocked out by a gas shell at H19c7.4 whilst heading to the start point.
J29 broke down and failed to start.
The other six tanks attacked [the company commanders report says seven but this must be an error]. Five engaged the enemy, five reached their objectives and five rallied at G23d.9.8. One tank had received a direct hit about H19d, one ditched and one broke its rear sprockets at H19c.7.4. (possibly J17)
J7 – fired 20 rounds 6 pdr and 500 rounds SAA. Heavy mist until 7pm, clear thereafter. With other tanks in section stsrted form G30.b.30.60 and went down sunken road into village. Entered village and split off with another tank and went down a small road which crossed the railway at H26d.3.8. Engaged enemy in village, rallied. Met no enemy so turned back and advanced with infantry along the Bapaume Road. Turned back and rallied, breaking down for or a time en route.
J8 started at 4.30 and went up Grevillers – Avesnes Road crossed the railway at H27a.7.? and then went to the village in thick mist, was impeded at the far end of the village by clouds of gas. Tank met with allocated company of New Zealanders and went through Avesnes. Fired on Mgs that were firing form H27a. Tank then went up Bapaume Road to H26b.35.25 then turned left and dealt with hostile Mgs. Then met an advanced platoon of New Zealanders in the village before the tank silenced Mgs firing form H20 and H21. Tank patrolled around the village and reached H27a.10.00. Infantry were by now holding Avesnes. So the tank returned and rallied.
J21 – fired 10 rounds 6 pdr and 100 rounds SAA. Started at 2 am. Zero hour 5 am. Followed J22 into village along main road and railroad, fired at all likely targets then returned and infantry signalled all clear. Proceeded along the roads through villages of Avesness-es.Bapaume. Reached objective at 6 am and stayed there for ¾ hour.
J39 – fired 85 rounds 6 pdr (80 shell, 5 case) and 120 rounds SAA. Started at 4.35 am. Zero hour 5 am. Started on time and met infantry, proceeded ahead and met a tank of 7th battalion. Went forward firing 6 pdrs hign in the direction of the enemy. Reached Bapaume road via the railway then turned north but became lost in the mist (thick enough so the horns of the tank weren’t visible) so stopped and asked position of an infantry officer. Went to Biefvillers. Engaged enemy Mgs with Case shot then retired and rallied as tracks were damaged.
J22 – no BHS, mentioned on J21s BHS.
Either the unidentified tank or J22 were presumably the tank that was knocked out.
Summary
Total Tanks: 8
Failed to Start: 2
Engaged enemy: 5
Ditched / Broke Down: 1
Hit and Knocked out: 1
Rallied: 4
Note:
Engaged enemy includes J22 and the unidentified tank
Rallied doesn’t include the two tanks that failed to start.
Aftermath
J7, J8, J29 all in action on the 30th August..
J21, 9390, and J22, 9396 fought with 301st USA Battalion on 29th September.
Sources
W10 - War Diary of the 10th Tank Battalion
OH – Official History,1918, Volume IV, Pg 272