8 Battalion 23 August 1918
The Battle of Albert. 23rd August 1918
8 Battalion, with 97th Brigade, 32nd Division, Australian Corp, 4th Army (W8) (W25)
8 Battalion had 12 fighting tanks in action on 23rd August 1918 (W8) (W25):
A Company
3 tanks
Probably 3 of the following:
H7, 9015, 2Lt Atherton F
H8, 9324, Sgt Wynni AD
H10, 9439, 2Lt Gibson JW
H11, 9054, 2Lt Vickers WA
H12, 9393, 2Lt Eastwood H
B Company
5 tanks
2Lt Few
H29, 9308, Lt Whitehead HM (W25) – Company unrecorded
C Company
9385, 2Lt Dunlop
9306, 2Lt de Courcy
9199, 2Lt Wilkinson
9128, 2Lt Goodge
Supply tanks
3 supply tanks from “C” section, 4 Tank Supply Company were allocated to 32nd Division. (W25)
6096, 2Lt Shirras JE
6087, 2Lt Baker HH
6070, 2Lt Rankin J
Notes
Crew number H10 an educated guess, other crew numbers correct for 4th July 1918.
Orders
To support 97th Brigade’s attack on high ground east of Herleville and a line north from there to M18b.0.0 thence north West of Cavignolles back to the original left flank on the Somme. (W8)
Once Herleville had been captured four tanks were to remain therein to help infantry consolidate. Remaining tanks were to turn north and help 2nd Australian Brigade capture high ground East of St Martin Wood. (W25)
“C” Company with 2nd Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders. (W8)
Account of Operations
“A” company one Other Rank wounded, all 3 tanks rallied (W8)
“B” company one tank Knocked out, 2Lt Few and 8 other ranks wounded other 4 tanks rallied (W8)
“C” company - no casualties - All tanks rallied (W8)
All 12 tanks attacked, 10 reached the final objective, one broke down and one was knocked out. Numerous MG guns dealt with, apart from isolated MG gunners the enemy did not put up much of a fight near Herleville. Near the old Hospital on the main road a large number of armed enemy were killed carrying red cross flags. (W25)
9308 – Started at Zero -9 minutes, met infantry and led them towards Herleville subduing several MG positions en route. MGs also subdued in Herleville itself, infantry made it to the Green line. The going was good but observation was difficult in the smoke. 9308 had wandered to the right it joined the 2nd Australian Brigade and at their request dealt with opposition in Plateau Wood and hospital. A steep valley was encountered here, nearby woods etc were dealt with. The tank returned and moped up St Denis Wood which had not been properly cleared. (W25)
Supply tanks successfully reached their objective and delivered their loads, whilst returning 6070 stopped to mop up an enemy MG but broke down before it could do so. Al three tanks rallied. (W25)
Summary
Total Tanks: 12
Failed to Start:
Engaged enemy:
Ditched / Broke Down: 1
Hit and Knocked out: 1
Rallied: 5
Aftermath
“A” Company had three tanks and one salvaged tank left, they moved to Bayonvillers on the evening of the 9th (W8).
“B” Company moved 6 tanks to Bayonvillers (W8).
“C” Company moved 5 tanks to Bayonvillers (W8).
Sources
W8 – 8th Tank Battalion’s War Diary, Transcript form Bovington tank Museum.
W25 – 5th Tank brigade War Diary in PRO WO 95 - 112
W12bAus – 12th Australian Brigades War Diary. Downloaded from AWM.
W45aus – 45th Australian Battalions War Diary. Downloaded from AWM.
W46aus – 46th Australian Battalions War Diary. Downloaded from AWM.
S61 – Rolling into action 1936 DE Hickey