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Battle of Albert. 24th August 1918
11th Tank Battalion, with 167th Brigade, 56th Division, VI Corp, 3rd Army (OH)
11th Battalion had 10 fighting tanks in action on 24th August 1918 (H11)
B Company
9 tanks
Lt Walsh RS MM
5 Section
9569, Lt Burton FA
Notes
The battalion had drawn Mark V* tanks on the 8th to 11th August 1918. (H11)
9569 was Hit and KO on the 23rd according to the account held in Bovington but "B" company were not in action on the 23rd. (W11Bv)
Orders
To support 56th Division (H11) which was to advance on Croiselles and take the defences of Henin Hill from the South (OH)
Start time was 7am, 12 tanks were to support 167th Brigade’s attack on the first objective, Summit Trench a northern extension of St Leger Reserve, 2500 yds away. The 1 / 1st London, 1/8th and 1 / 7th Middlesex were all to attack in line. The second objective was the old 1916 trench systems north and south of Coiselles, the intention being to envelope the village which was believed to be strongly held. (OH)
9569 was the right hand tank in its section. The tanks were to cross through the British front line on the crest of a hill 1000yds ahead, pass through the infantry attack the German front line and then patrol until the infantry had consolidated. The first driver and gunner came up by lorry and thus were fresh for the attack. (W11Bv)
Account of Operations
Only 10 tanks arrived, they led the infantry to the first objective which was captured by 10am. A good barrage subdued the opposition which was mostly MG posts. The attack then stalled as an advance towards Croiselles had to made over a low ridge, the crossing of which provoked intense fire from the enemy. (OH) 3 tanks were hit and knocked out (H11) , presumably including 9569 which was hit through the front by AT ammo which killed the first driver and gunner and set the tank afire. There were only four survivors, the OIC and three crewmen. (W11Bv) 7 rallied. (H11)
An Airman later reported seeing a tank in Crioselles a so a renewed attack was ordered. (The “tank “ was actually a broken down lorry) . So a second attack started forward at 07:30pm, this time without he heavy artillery support and with only two tanks. (OH) One tank had its roof blown in by a trench mortar, the other, commanded by Lt Walsh encountered strong opposition which was preventing the advance of the infantry, the tank then became ditched for some time. After unditching the tank made to rally but was rendered uninhabitable by phosphorous bombs that the enemy threw on the tanks roof. The crew de bussed and took cover in shell holes, the OIC and driver managed to get the tank moving towards British lines in low gear and walked alongside it until the phosphorous had gone out and the crew were able to re board the vehicle. Both tanks rallied. 1 Officer and 5 other ranks were wounded. (H11) The second attack having failed the infantry consolidated summit trench (OH) 11th battalions war History states this attack was a a reconnaissance in force, the outcome was the sa me. (H11)
Summary
Total Tanks: 10
Failed to Start: 0
Engaged enemy:
Ditched / Broke Down:
Hit and Knocked out: 3
Rallied: 7
Note
The evening action in not included above: 2 tanks in action, both rallied.
Aftermath
The four “A” company tanks disabled on the final objective were recovered.
Sources
W11Bv - 11 Tank Battalion Box, Bovington Tank Museum, personal account of Lt FA Burton, E2007.1113
H11 – 11th Tank Battalion’s War History, PRO WO 95 / 100.
OH – Official History. 1918. Volume IV. Pg.254, pg.256 and pg.257.
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