11 Battalion 23 August 1918
Battle of Albert. 23rd August 1918
11th Tank Battalion, with 168th Brigade, 56th Division, VI Corp, 3rd Army (OH)
11th Battalion had 18 fighting tanks in action on 23rd August 1918 (H11)
A Company
9 tanks
C Company
9 tanks
Notes
The following tanks were handed to 14th Battalion on the 25th September, 2 of these came from “A” company:
9572,
9584,
9863,
9559,
9561.
The following tanks were with the battalion throughout the 100 days: (H11)
K4, 9870
K7, 9565
K11, 9812
K12, 9862
K20, 9585
K21, 9859
K25, 9863
K28, 9566
K34, 9568
K42, 9858
The battalion had drawn Mark V* tanks on the 8th to 11th August 1918. (H11)
B Company were held in reserve (H11)
Orders
To support 56th Division’s attack on Boyelles. (H11)
“A” company of the left,, “C” company on the right. (H11)
Zero hour 05:00 hrs (H11)
Account of Operations
The infantry had a very long approach march and were subjected to heavy gas shelling on the bight of the 22nd / 23rd (OH)
All 18 tanks started. 4 of “A” companies tanks reached the final objective, they were all then put out of action, either hit or broke down. “C” company had five tanks hit and burnt out and a sixth knocked out. The attack was successful, all objectives were taken including the village of Boyelles; (H11) which was taken by the 1 / 4th London assisted by 3 tanks; the London Scottish took the village of Boiry Becquerelle and the 1 / 13th London (Kensingtons) took their objective south of Boyelles by 6 am. (OH) The line was advanced about 4000 yds. Whilst rallying one tank was blown up and set afire by a mine, this may be one of “A” companies tanks mentioned above. (H11)
Casualties; 1 officer (2Lt Davenport (CWG) (W11)) and 10 other ranks killed, 1 officer mortally wounded (2Lt Kingwell (CWG) (W11)) , 3 officers and 26 other ranks kwounded, 1 officer and 11 other ranks gassed, 5 other ranks missing. (H11)
Summary
Total Tanks: 18
Failed to Start: 0
Engaged enemy:
Ditched / Broke Down: unknown
Hit and Knocked out: 10+
Rallied: unknown
Note
Aftermath
The four “A” company tanks disabled on the final objective were recovered later. This may have included the mined tank which was also recovered
Sources
H11 – 11th Tank Battalion’s War History, PRO WO 95 / 100.
OH – Official History. 1918. Volume IV. Pg.222 and pg.224.