13 Battalion 23 August 1918
The Battle of Albert. 23rd August 1918
13 Battalion, with 1st Brigade, 1st Australian Division, Australian Corp, 4th Army (H13a) (OH)
13 Battalion had 12 tanks in action on 23rd August 1918 (H13a):
Composite Company – Maj Pape (H13a)
Section - Captain Bairstow (H13a)
Section - Captain Fletcher (H13a)
Section - Captain Black (H13a)
Section – Lt Houston (H13a)
9081, 2Lt Maitland VK,
2Lt Frankenstein
2Lt Pilgrim SAF
9388, 2Lt Ribchester (BHS)
Plus one reserve tank (not included in total)
9 Supply tanks form 4th Tank Supply Company were also in action supplying the attacking infantry. (W25)
Note:
Tanks identities from August 8th Battlegraph, OICs may be in different tanks on this date.
Orders
4:45am start time 100yds East of the Proyart La Plaque crossroads . 1st Australian Division’s 1st Brigade on the left, supported by a company from 2nd Tank Battalion; 1st Australian Division’s 1st Brigade in the centre, supported by 13th tank battalion’s Composite company; and , 32nd Division’s 97th Brigade on the right supported by a company from 8th Tank Battalion. To attack on a front of 6500yds and penetrate to a depth of 2000 Yds to a point just north of Chuignes to the south east of Herleville Village. 13th Battalion’s sector included woods which were expected to be heavily defended, thus 8th Battalion’s tanks were to move left after having completed their tasks and rallied. (H13a) Once the 1st Brigade was on their objectives the 13th Tank Battalion was to turn north and help the 2nd Tank Battalion exploit to the North of Chignolles and seize the high ground North of Chuignes near Garene Wood. (W25)
9388 with 5th Australian Battalion
Account of Operations
The tanks set off 15 minutes before zero at 4:30am, the enemy were shelling the area and a shell splinter entered 2Lt Frankenstein’s tank, killed him and destroyed the compass this tank thus failed to make the start line on time. The remaining tanks all started on time and encountered heavy resistance from numerous MG gun nests in shell holes and also in emplacements in St Martins Wood and Herieville Wood (H13a). 9388 overcame 20 MGs which had formed a formidable nest over a frontage of 100yds in front of St Martins Wood, the tank also dealt with a further 10 Mgs and ran over an AT gun (BHS), other tanks claimed almost as many MG. The MGs fired AP ammo at the tanks instead of firing on the infantry who had taken all the objectives by 6:30 am. The day became very hot and many of the tank crews were overcome by heat and fumes. (H13a) 2 tanks supported the 4th infantry battalions capture of Arcy Wood no.2 (OH). When the covering artillery barrage ceased at 7am the tanks were no longer screened by smoke and thus several were hit. (OH) Seven tanks reached the final objective, 5 were hit and knocked out by enemy field guns, the crews bailing out and continuing to attack with their Hotchkiss guns. 9081 silenced many enemy MGs and 3 AT guns but was then hit twice and knocked out, the OIC continued to attack. 2Lt Pilgrim’s tank was hit and set afire, one crewman severely wounded whilst evacuating. 9 tanks eventually rallied at company HQ, (H13a) 9388 towed out three other tanks and briefly broke down. The crew sustained 2 casualties (BHS). 2Lt Frankenstein and Captain Black were both killed, the later whilst returning on foot to report that his section had started on time; two other ranks were also killed, (H13a) 2Lts Innes, King, Challis and 11 other ranks were wounded, 2Lts Ribchester and Whyte and 5 other ranks were also wounded but remained on duty 5 other ranks were missing (W13a)
Summary
Total Tanks: 12
Failed to Start: 0
Engaged enemy:
Ditched / Broke Down: 1
Hit and Knocked out: 5
Rallied: 7
Notes:
A reserve tank was also present this is not included in the totals
Only two tanks were fit for further action, including the reserve tank.
Aftermath
13th battalion was next in action in September
9388 survived.
9023, 9131, 9135, 9097, 9165, 9051, 9124, 9033, 9079, 9386, 9346, 9014, 9188, 9055 all possibly still operative.
Sources
W25 - 5th Tank brigade War Diary. Report of Operations in PRO WO 95/112
W13a – War Diary of the 13th Tank Battalion in PRO WO 95/115
H13a – History of the 13th Tank Battalion in PRO WO 95/115
OH – Official History, 1918, Vol. IV, pg.215-217
BHS – Battle History Sheet of 9388 – transcript from Bovington Tank Museum.