7 Battalion 25 August 1918

The Battle of Albert. 25^th August 1918

7^th Battalion with 37^th and New Zealand Divisions, IV Corp, 3^rd Army ^{(H7) (OH)}

7^th Battalion had 12 MKIV tanks in action on 25^th August 1918 ^(H7)

A Company – Capt McChlery

4 Tanks

C Company

8 tanks

Notes:

Orders

“A” company to support 37^th 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 2^nd New Zealand Brigade as the 1^st New Zealand Brigade was supported by 10^th Tank Battalion ^(OH)

2^nd 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 37^th 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:

7^th Battalion was next in action on the 30^th August 1918

Sources

H7 – 7^th Battalion’s War History. Transcription from Bovington Tank Museum

OH – Official History 1918 Vol IV, p.272f

7^th Battalions’ War Diary – transcript form Bovington Tank museum does not contain an account of this action.

Albert - 21 to 29 August 1918