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The Battle of Albert. 21st August 1918
15th Battalion, “B” Company with 9th Brigade. 3rd Division, VI Corp, 3rd Army
15th Battalion, “B” Company had 12 tanks in action on 21st August 1918
B Company – Captain Matheson MA.
5 Section. Section Commander Captain Forster BP
O24, 2Lt Gibson
O8, 9843, "Orby", Lt Chapell
O21, “Otter”, 2Lt Gadsby
O23, “O’Grady”, “Lt Brandle
6 Section. Section Commander Captain Hutton AW
O32, 9832, "Oban", Lt Slade,
O29, “Obadiah”, 2Lt Roberts
O28, “Orpheus II”, 2Lt Burn
O30, 9837, "Omniscient", Lt Lloyd
8 Section. Section Commander Captain Willis ASW
O36, 9814, "O'Dawina", Lt Culbertson RB,
O39, 9828, "Orion", 2Lt Thorogood WJ,
O44, “Old nick”, 2Lt Duncan
O40, 9817, "Ot Stuff", 2Lt Wadeson RA,
Notes
O24 is not named
All serial numbers (except 9832) from 8 Aug 1918 records.
Orders
Brigade Orders (W22)
2nd Tank Brigade was to support VI Corps attack.
The 12th Tank Battalion was to support the Guards and 2nd Division's attack on the Blue Line, then rally as the second wave passed through. The Blue line was to be reached by Zero + 55 mins.
The 15th Tank Battalion was to support the Guards and 3rd Division's attack on the Red line (Arras - Albert Railway). Leapfrogging through the first wave at the Blue Line at Zero + 90 minutes. The 15th Tank Battalion was also to cross the railway and operate as far as the red dotted line to cover the infantries consolidation.
6th Tank Battalion was to exploit beyond the final objective, red line, once it ha been secured by the infantry.
6th Tank Battalion was to cross the railway line as soon as crossings were secure; it was then to exploit towards Ervillers, Behagnies and Sapignies.
There was no preliminary bombardment, the supporting barrage coming down at Zero: 4:55am
8 Squadron RAF was to work with the tanks (W12b)
Battalion orders
“A” company were to the left of “B” company.
Account of Operations
The attack commenced in a slight mist which developed into thick fog which caused difficulty in maintaining direction and contact with the infantry.
All twelve tanks crossed the start line, the German front line and reached the first objective. .
5 section on the left of the Company.
O23 was led to the Railway by Lt Brandle, the tank crossed the railway and greatly assisted the infantry then rallied.
O24, O8 and O21 all turned back and rallied just before reaching the Railway. At the infantry’s request O24 then went back to the railway and assisted them greatly.
6 section in the centre of the company. The tanks of this section also lost one another in the fog but were rallied by Captain Hutton who then led them (presumably on foot) to the railway. Captain Hutton often led the tanks right up to MG nests. Captain Hutton then joined the crew of O28 and worked a gun to good effect. O28 stayed at the railway for 90 minutes, firing all its ammo. It was hit and Knocked out just as it turned to rally.
O32 assisted the infantry enormously at the Railway. When all its crew members were wounded the OIC retired, collected some replacement gunners (presumably from the infantry) and went back into action, silencing more MGs before it was hit and Knocked out; the OIC was killed. (CWG)
O29 developed mechanical trouble between the first and second objectives. O30 reached the 1st objective then rallied.
8 section on the right of the company. Early in the action the tanks all lost one another in the fog.
O40 reached the railway on time and secured the embankment NE of Logeast Wood. The embankment having been occupied by the infantry the tank patrolled on the far side silencing MGs and snipers. The tank rallied. 2Lt Wadeson was awarded the MC.
O39 suffered form repeated mechanical trouble and broke down after crossing the first objective. The tank was eventually repaired and rallied on the 22nd.
O44s crew were gassed between the first and second objectives.
O36s OIC, Lt Culbertson was gassed early in the action and Capt Willis took command. Capt Willis led the tank to the railway on foot and once there the tank silenced a number of Mgs, secured the crossing and then patrolled on the far side. Capt Willis was awarded a bar to his MC. The tank rallied.
Outcome
Overall both sides correctly claimed a victory in their accounts of this action. The British had reached their main objective, the Arras-Albert railway; and the Germans had successfully withdrawn from their forward zone to their main line of resistance, the Arras-Albert railway (OH). From the tanks perspective the advance had gone well in the mist, though the infantry apparently led the tanks in most places. When the mist lifted the tanks were subjected to direct fie form the German guns on the far side of the railway, this was particularly effective near to Achiet le Petit where the Whippets of 3 battalion's C Company were severely mauled, suffering seven JO tanks out of nine.Whilst some tanks exploited onto the far side of the railway most did not.
Summary
Total Tanks: 12
Failed to Start:
Engaged enemy: 12
Ditched / Broke Down: 2
Hit and Knocked out: 3
Rallied: 7
The hit and knocked out total includes O44 who’s crew were gassed and O13.
Rallied does not include O39 which rallied on the 22nd.
The author has assumed all the tanks engaged the enemy.
Aftermath
Sources
Tank Names and Crew numbers from Battalion War Diary.
Other information from Battlegraph in Brigade War Diary
W15a - 15th Battalion War Diary Appendices, relevant reports and battlegraphs – PRO WO 95-103
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