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The Battle of Albert. 21st August 1918
15th Battalion, “C” Company with Guards Division, VI Corp, 3rd Army
15th Battalion, “C” Company had 8 tanks in action on 21st August 1918
C Company – Captain Smith GA
? Section. Section Commander Captain Lewis Howse
O51, 9841, "Otazel", 2Lt Ellis SA,
O54, 9834, "Orient", 2Lt Ayres H,
O55, “Out to Kill”, 2Lt Bell
O43, 9833, "Ournan", 2Lt Houlden,
6 Section. Section Commander Captain McKersie
O41, 9544, "Orrong", 2Lt Marsom
O46, 9550, "Oppossum", Lt Uzielli CF,
O47, 9551, "Oroola", 2Lt Inglis HCP,
O49, 9860, "Old It", 2Lt Ferguson TJ,
Wireless tank Captain Mackie
O42, 9831, "Omar", 2Lt Rorke D
Notes
All serial numbers from 8 Aug 1918 records.
According to the Battle History Sheet (reproduced in the narrative) O41’s serial number was 9825.
9825 is the serial number of O16, “Optimist” on 8 Aug 1918.
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
“C” company were to the left of “A” 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.
O47 broke down and failed to start. The other seven tanks crossed the start line, the German front line and reached the first objective. .
? section
O43 was hit just after the first objective but turned back and rallied. The other three tanks all reached the second objective but were all hit. O55 broke down before re-crossing the first objective whilst returning. O51 and O54 both rallied. Lts Ellis, Houlden and Bell were all wounded.
6 section on the left of the company. The three remaining tanks all successfully attacked and rallied.
O41 silenced an enemy MG with 6pdr fire just before it reached Courcelles; then silenced two more Mgs just before reaching the railway embankment; the tank sprayed the embankment with cash shot, he and Mg fire. 2Lt Marsom was wounded and the tank was hereafter commanded by Sgt Gibson. Two more Mgs surrendered to the tank whilst it covered the infantry’s consolidation, firing upon enemy machine gunners who were retiring over the embankment. The crew were now almost all overcome by fumes and gas, the tank turned towards the rallying point and accepted the surrender of another enemy Mg crew (the fifth to surrender to the tank on this day). The tank was attacked by enemy aircraft and shelled on its way back but rallied.
O46 turned back just before reaching the second objective.
O41 and O49 both reached the second objective and rallied.
O42 turned back just after crossing the first objective,
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: 8
Failed to Start: 1
Engaged enemy: 7
Ditched / Broke Down: 2
Hit and Knocked out: 4
Rallied: 3
The hit and knocked out total includes three tanks which rallied damaged and O55 which broke down whilst returning after being hit.
The author has assumed all the tanks that started engaged the enemy.
Aftermath
9831, "Omar" was photographed at some point, though on which date is not known.:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7700258@N05/936764345/in/set-72157601074583035/
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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