7 Battalion 25 August 1918
The Battle of Albert. 25th August 1918
7th Battalion with 37th and New Zealand Divisions, IV Corp, 3rd Army (H7) (OH)
7th Battalion had 12 MKIV tanks in action on 25th August 1918 (H7)
A Company – Capt McChlery
4 Tanks
C Company
8 tanks
Notes:
Orders
“A” company to support 37th Division in capturing Sapignies (H7)
“C” company were ordered to assist the New Zealand Division in capturing the road leading to Bapaume. (H7)
“C” company were presumably with the 2nd New Zealand Brigade as the 1st New Zealand Brigade was supported by 10th Tank Battalion (OH)
2nd New Zealand Brigade were to advance to a line east of Avesnes and along the Bapaume – Sapignes road as far as the Monument a mile north of Bapaume. (OH)
The 37th Division were to cover the left flank of the New Zealanders and capture a line running half a mile west of Favreuil to half a mile west of Sapignies. (OH)
Account of Operations
The tanks attacked at 5:10am in heavy mist. Artillery fire was heavy throughout the advance. By 8:30am the line had been advanced across the road and the high ground to the east of it was captured. One tank from “A” company and 3 from “C” company were hit and knocked out. (H7) The New Zealanders’ advance was completely successful. The37th Division was held up at first but pushed on when the mist cleared and captured their objectives by 7am. 7th Battalions tanks are not mentioned in the Official history (OH)
Summary
Total Tanks: 12
Failed to Start: 3
Engaged enemy:
Ditched / Broke Down:
Hit and Knocked out: 4
Rallied:
Note:
7th Battalion was next in action on the 30th August 1918
Sources
H7 – 7th Battalion’s War History. Transcription from Bovington Tank Museum
OH – Official History 1918 Vol IV, p.272f
7th Battalions’ War Diary – transcript form Bovington Tank museum does not contain an account of this action.