4 Battalion. 22 August 1918

The Battle of Albert, 22^ndAugust 1918

4^th Battalion with 12^thand 18^th Divisions, III Corps

4^th Battalion had 14 tanks in action on 11^th August.

A Company

9399, f, 2Lt Heath JE

9122, m, Lt Aashea

9190, m, Cpl Webb JP

9116, m, 2Lt Boulter S

9123, m, Cpl Davies WJ

9182, m, Lt Lardwen (name unclear)

9130, m, 2Lt Pogue RT

9448, f, 2Lt Harrowing

9374, f, 2Lt Gill GA

9185, m, Lt Karstell CA

Wireless tank

6099, 2Lt Heap

B Company

9196, m, 2Lt Richards

9440, f, Mather HJ

9164, m, Lt Masters

9109, m, 2Lt Eastwood RG

Notes

1. Battalion drew four tanks from Contay on 17^th August, (9085, 9296, 9076, 9391) bringing strength up to a total of 20 fighting, one wireless and two MKIV baggage tanks.

2. The following tanks were also with the battalion on this date, one presumably replaced 9185 when it broke down:

A Company: 9107, m; B Company: 9155, m; 9029, m; 9085, m; C Company: 9145, m; Company allocation unknown: 9296, f; 9076, m; 9391, f

3. 6099 was used as a wireless tank in September, it may not have been the wireless tank in August; 6099 may not have been used on this date.

Orders

Zero hour was 4.45am. ^(W4a)

3 sections (10 tanks) of “A” company to start at Z -15mins and advance with 12^th Division, two sections with 36^th Brigade and one section with 35^th Brigade. Tanks to attack in and to the south of Meaulte. ^(W4a)

One section (4 tanks) “B” Company to start at Z + 30mins and advance with 54^th brigade, 15^th Division, to attack to the North of Meaulte. ^(W4a)

“A” Company.

9399: with 18^th Div, 54^th Bge, Northamptons. Leave SP, E21d.7.4 at Z-10 minutes, to advance with infantry along route marked on map, keeping as close to barrage as poss. Once both objectives captured the tanks were to retire behind the infantry dump stores etc. and await infantry’s consolidation then rally at RP K2a ^(BHS)

With 12^th Division, 36^th Brigade. ^(BHS)

9185: to lead inf to obj. Then rally ^(BHS)

9448: 5^th Royal Berks. To leave SP at Zero, skirt SE side of Meaulte. Reach Brown Line at 6:45. Co-operate with tank 9185 on right and follow barrage. Reach Carcaillot Farm and remain there until consolidation complete. ^(BHS)

9122: To proceed down main road though Meaulte, behind barrage and in front of infantry, to dump SAA, picks and shovels at second objective. Rally once infantry consolidated. ^(BHS)

With 12^th Division, 35^th Brigade. ^(BHS)

9130: To proceed with 9^th Royal Fusiliers to first objective then with Essex, at Z+236 [?] to final objective. ^(BHS)

9374, 9182: to lead infantry to objective then rally ^(BHS)

9116, 9123, 9190: To accompany infantry to Brown then Green lines, leave SAA with infantry there and then rally. ^(BHS)

“B” Company with 18^th Division, 54^th Brigade. ^(BHS)

With 11^th Royal Fusiliers. ^(BHS)

9196: Start at 4;50am from Jumping Off Point E21d.5.3 then along road to Meaulte and thence to Albert. After joining E11R.75 to move to move on at Z+68mins to final obj (About E6a cent) near Bellevue Farm. In accordance with barrage table. ^(BHS)

9440: Start at 4:50am from Jumping Off Point E21d.5.3 then along road to Meaulte and thence to embankment E16b.4.0 searching for enemy posts. Then jump Royal Fusiliers on Albert road and lead infantry along defined route to final objective. ^(BHS)

With 6^th Northamptons ^(BHS)

9164: to lead inf. to obj. Then rally ^(BHS)

9109: To lead two comps of north. Along a route N of bank in E17d and e11d to investigate shelters about E11b.6.2 thence to go in same direction to final obj. and patrol behind this until inf. have consolidated. ^(BHS)

Account of operations

Overview

On the approach march three tanks broke down, they were replaced with spares. ^(W4a)

9185 broke down on approach march at K1a.7.5, re started and made it to E26d.3.6 where it was declared unfit for action. ^(BHS)

There was a very heavy ground mist. ^(W4a)

One section attacked Muealte, they proceeded ahead of the infantry and went through the village. They silenced many enemy MGs and also managed to silence two enemy batteries by engaging them at close range with 6pdr and MG fire respectively after coming up on the batteries whilst hidden in the mist. ^(W4a)

The second section operated with 36^th Brigade south of Meaulte, It started late but assisted in mopping up. ^(W4a)

The third section operating on the right flank of 12^th Division with 35^th Brigade; one tank (9123) was knocked out by a direct hit very early on, the other two tanks accompanied the infantry to the final objective. ^(W4a)

The last section, from “B” Company, operating with 54^th Brigade, 12^th Division; all the tanks accompanied the infantry to the final objective. ^(W4a)

The Wireless tank proved to be very useful, especially in communicating with the 5^th Squadron RAF which was allotted to the tanks for contact work. ^(W4a)

The 14 tanks expended a total of 900 6pdr rounds and 8000 rounds SAA. ^(W4a)

Casualties amounted to two other ranks slightly wounded. ^(W4a)

Detailed account of tank actions from BHS

“A” Company

9399 passed through gas for two hours, crew somewhat affected by this and heat in tank. Started on time Z+10 mins, reached E16d.5.5 where infantry asked tank to silence enemy MG fire coming from the left. The tank went along the road running through E16d to Nivelle mill and E10c central; right gunner fired on suspected MG at E16b.3.1, MG fire stopped. With infantry the tank went up the path leading east at E10d.0.2, the infantry went along a path running E10d.5.1. At e11c.3.1 tank sighted German field battery fifty yards just in front of tank on the west side of the sunken road running through E11c. The battery was fired on by tank’s HG, 4four of thr German gunners on one gun killed, the other two gunners and the rest of the battery ran down the sunken road. Tank towed one of guns whilst patrolling around huts, then met a “B” coy tank, British infantry and some German prisoners. Then went to final objective, E11d.8.5 and reached there at 7:25am. The infantry consolidated one hundred yards to front, tank covered consolidation for thirty minutes then rallied. Whilst rallying tank broke down, towed gun was backed over and destroyed whilst repairs were being made to tank. In action for three hours, drove ten thoiusand yards fired seven hundred SAA. ^(BHS)

9448 was supposed to act in concert with 9185 but covered both tanks’ routes for the first twenty minutes when 9185 failed to start. The tank was unable to get in touch with the infantry. Outside of village apparently clear so tank went onto village and silenced some light MGs that had survived the barrage. Went to second objective without further opposition, reached same at 6:40am; the 5^th Royal Berkshires arrived about 7:10am. The tank handed over tools and ammo, covered consolidation and then turned back and rallied at 7:50am. In action for two hours drove five or six miles, fired two hundred rounds SAA. After action at Carcaillot Farm immediately east of Bray Albert Road. ^(BHS)

9122 followed orders, started at 4:30am and crossed forward position at 4:45am, Zero, as barrage started. Mist lifted briefly and tank was engaged by a light field gun from the right of the road, other three guns in battery apparently not in action. Right 6pdr gunner reported direct hit on gun just before mist descended again. Went through Meaulte behind barrage and reached objective at 6:49am. The infantry reached the objective at 7:15am. Deposited five boxes of SAA, picks and spades then hid in Meaulte to avoid observation on the Albert Bray Road. Once infantry had consolidated the tank rallied at RP K2a. In action for three and a half hours, drove 4 miles, fired five 6pdr rounds, no SAA rounds. ^(BHS)

9185 broke down and was replaced with an unidentified spare tank to which Lt Karstell and 9185’s crew presumably cross-decked. The reserve tank arrived at K2a.5.4 at 4:50am and went into action at 4:55am catching up with leading infantry wave at E23a.4.7. The OIC talked to the infantry and reached the Brown Line at 6:45am. The enemy were in full retreat and were engaged by tanks 6pdr. The tank advanced to the Green Line, leading the Essex and Royal Berkshires. The tank reached the final objective, covered consolidation, and then rallied at RP K2a.5.4. In action for two and a half hours, drove eight thousand yards, fired two hundred and ten 6pdr and one hundred and fifty rounds SAA. ^(BHS)

9130 went forward with infantry at Zero in thick mist, silenced several MG that were holding them up in E23e & E23d and E19a. Reached first objective about E24a.6.2 at 6:40am. Whilst crossing sunken road at first objective got bellied on a tree stump hidden in the earth; eventually pulled free by 9116 an hour later. As infantry had already consolidated tank dropped off SAA, shovels etc with Cambridgeshires and rallied at RP K2a central; tank brought back severely wounded Infantry and was shelled whilst returning. In action for six and a half hours, drove eight miles, fired seventy five rounds 6pdr and two hundred rounds SAA. ^(BHS)

9374 started on time, went forward in thick mist in gas masks as enemy using lots of gas. Enemy MG encountered in E23d, dealt with by 6pdr fire from male tank on right. Got lost in mist and went too far to right, thus failed to reach first objective before being told to rally by section commander. In action for three and a half hours, drove seven miles, fired three hundred rounds SAA. ^(BHS)

9182 was delayed by the mist, thus followed infantry to final objective not meeting any opposition, deposited SAA and rallied. In action for four hours, drove three and a half miles. Didn’t fire, after action at Maret Wood. ^(BHS)

9190 crossed the front line and went towards Brown Line, no opposition (other than heavy gas barrage) until E24a.8.4 reached where enemy Mgs were very active until silenced by tank. Tank reached Brown Line, E24 central at 7:05am and then waited for barrage to lift. Once the barrage lifted the tank advanced with infantry towards Green Line; silencing an enemy MG at Sand Pit E18c.5.3 which had been holding up the infantry on the left; and dealing with rifle fire from a point to the right of the Sand Pit. The tank reached the Green Line at 8:10am. At F13b.5.8 (or F13c.5.8 original unclear) an enemy MG was silenced as it was troubling the consolidating infantry. Once the infantry had consolidated the tank rallied at K2a.8.8 by 11:45am. In action for six hours, drove nine miles, fired ninety rounds 6pdr and two hundred rounds SAA. ^(BHS)

9116 started but broke down (magneto), it was repaired and caught the infantry at road running through E30a and c. Joined 9130 and led infantry; silenced an enemy MG in sunken road E24cent; then went to right, Pear Tree. Barrage had moved on, tank moved towards and silenced MG on half right which was firing on infantry. Tank went to Green Line, zig zagging Left and right in order to engage enemy MGs, infantry followed 200 – 250 yards behind. Reached Green Line at Z + 3hrs 25 mins; stayed until infantry had consolidated at H + 3 hrs 40 minutes. Dropped SAA ammo, then returned and rallied at RP K2a.8.8. Whilst returning was subjected to long range shell fire and towed out 9130 which had ditched in a sunken road. In action for six hours, drove nine miles, fired two hundred rounds 6pdr and two thousand rounds SAA. ^(BHS)

9123 started at Zero – 15 minutes. Crossed start line at Zero, got lost in mist and went too far left. Joined infantry, cleared one enemy Strongpoint, enemy offered no resistance. Hit by shell beneath right sponson after travelling for thirty minutes; right track broken and two rollers damaged. Tank abandoned, E22d.9.2; HG and wedges from 6pdr removed and crew rallied at RP. In action for one hour forty five minutes drove three thousand yards didn’t fire its 6pdr, fired forty two rounds SAA. ^(BHS)

“B” Company

9196 started from SP at 4:50am, led a party of Northamptonshires to Meaulte where the infantry left the tank. Met no opposition and finally joined up with the 11^th Royal Fusiliers on the road about E10b.0.7 at 5:43am. At 5:53am went towards Bellevue Farm, zigzagging several times to silence enemy MGs, the crews hurriedly fleeing as the tank approached. In the very thick mist the tank mistakenly went to the south side of Bellevue Farm, not the north side, reaching there at 5:30am. (sic) Tank delayed for five minutes with oil trouble, proceeded to final objective, meeting no opposition; reached final objective at 7:35am. Found enemy holding a line of disconnected trenches and mounds about 300 to 400 yards beyond the objective, 9196 and other tanks attacked these several times, the enemy retiring into their bunkers when the tanks approached and then returned to their positions when the tanks withdrew. Tank returned to final objective, saw infantry had consolidated so rallied, being shelled whilst heading back. In action for three and a half hours drove eight thousand yards, fired one hundred and fifty rounds 6pdr, four hundred and fifty rounds SAA. After action at Marret Wood. ^(BHS)

9440 started at 4:50am, at fork roads, E16d.5.4 was struck on side by another tank which stove in the right forward HG and shield. Tank went to Chalk Bank, E16b.4.0 and fired on three or four enemy with effect; then reached Albert Bray road where infantry were forming up. Headed towards Bellevue Farm occasionally being fired on for behind embankments, these were searched with fire; also fired on small groups of retreating enemy. Reached Bellevue farm and found no opposition, group of enemy surrendered to tank and taken over by infantry. Advanced from first objective firing on likely enemy hiding places, several times previously unnoticed enemy fled from these and were dealt with by HG fire. Had got too far ahead of infantry so, at E11b.8.8, turned north and advanced three hundred yards along a trench; came across a line of British infantry and a line of German infantry about twenty yards apart firing on one another. Went to the right of the British infantry and engaged flank of German infantry advancing at full speed with all guns blazing, several enemy fell, the rest broke and fled into the mist. The tank went towards the final objective, reached and silenced a strong point at E6d.8.4 in company with two male tanks. Covered infantry consolidation then rallied at E11d.8.8. In action for three and a half hours drove eight thousand yards, one thousand five hundred rounds SAA. After action at Marret wood, big end gone, right sponson knocked in. ^(BHS)

9164 started from E21d.6.4 at 5:20am and reached the level crossing in E16d.2.8 at 5:45am. Infantry that were to follow tank had run into the enemy before zero so only one officer and ten men were left. Tank went North East along the bank in E16b; an enemy MG crew at E16b.9.5 surrendered to the infantry as the tank approached, as did infantry in a trench at E17a.1.9. The Green Line (first objective) was reached at 6:20am. Whilst waiting for the barrage to lift tank and infantry cleared up dugouts in E11c; meanwhile thirty men from the Royal Fusilier joined the tank and infantry. Once the barrage lifted the tank went along the trench running through E11c and b, Infantry and two MGs therein surrendered after little resistance, the infantry didn’t fire at all and the MGs only for a short time until silenced by the tank. The tank reached the point where the trench crossed the road in E11 central and swung east to the track leading to the crossroads at E6d.2.1 with the infantry close behind. The infantry lined the Albert – Becordel road; the tank’s OIC talked to infantry then went with 9109 behind barrage to the final objective. Tanks 9440 and 9196 were visible to the north mopping up on the final objective. 9109 and 9164 proceeded to mop up discontinuous trenches and MG positions 200yds in front of the final objective. Infantry retreated to dugouts when tanks approached, regaining their positions as tanks moved away. Tank was engaged by enemy gun in E12b (12 shells) one shell blew off unditching beam and exhaust and set tank afire, fire was put out with pyrene Fire Extinguishers. As infantry had consolidated the tank withdrew to RP. In action for three hours drove eight thousand yards, fired 74 6pdr rounds, one thousand five hundred rounds SAA. ^(BHS)

9109 started at 5:20am, met infantry on Meulte – Albert Road, E16d.3.8 at 5:45am. Led two companies of Northhamptons, along a route north of the bank in I17d (sic) and e11d.

Met no opposition and reached first objective at 6:20am.Some prisoners taken in sunken road here. Then led infantry towards the final objective, following the barrage closely, no opposition met, prisoners taken from dugouts on Albert Bray Road and hollows either side of it. Reached final objective and advanced with the rest of the xection to clear enemy posts 200ydsbeond it, se narratives above. Rallied at Forward RP (E11d.9.9) then returned to Marret Wood. In action for three hours drove three miles, fired one hundred 6pdr rounds, four hundred rounds SAA. ^(BHS)

Summary

Total Tanks: 14

Failed to Start:

Engaged enemy:

Ditched / Broke Down:

Hit and Knocked out: 1

Rallied: 13

Note: The Knocked out tank was hit by the hostile barrage and not by direct fire.

Aftermath

9123 handed to salvage on the 23^rd August.

9296, 9076, 9391, 9122 all handed to 1^st Battalion on 25^th August.

9185 transferred to no. 1 advanced workshops on 20^th September 1918

9116, 9190, 9374, 9448, 9399, 9182, 9130, 9109, 6099 all in action with “A” Company, 4^th Battalion on 27^th September

9164, 9440, 9196 all in action with “B” or “C” companies, 4^th Battalion on 29^th September

Sources

W4a - Summary of Tanks on Strength – August 1918 - PRO WO 95-110

4^th Tank Battalion. Operations order No 22 - PRO WO 95-110

4^th Tank Battalion. Report on operations with 12^th and 18^th Divisions. N & S of Meaulte. August 22^nd 1918 - PRO WO 95-110

WMH - Henshell Papers, IWM 73 / 126 / 1

BHS – Relevant Tank Battle History sheets held in Henshall Papers IWM 73 / 126 / 1

H4 – History of the 4^th Tank Battalion, transcript from Bovington Tank Museum

Albert - 21 to 29 August 1918