1 Battalion 10 August 1918

The Tanks at Amiens. 10^th August 1918

1st Battalion, with 4^th Canadian Div, Canadian Corp, 3^rd Army

1st Battalion had 10 Mk V* tanks in action on 10^th August 1918 ^(H1)

Company - Major Hampson ^(w1a)

10 tanks

Orders

To attack from Warvillers Wood p56a and c [photograph of original document unclear] at 10:10am on the 10^th in support of the 10^th Canadian Infantry Brigade the objectives were the railway line between Hallu and Hatte Court ^{(w1a) (H1)}. 3 tanks of 14^th Battalion also supported the10^th Canadian brigades attack ^(OH)

Account of Operations

The 10^th Brigade attacked late at 11:0am, the tanks ahead of the infantry. They advanced 1000 yds before meeting any opposition, then they entered the old British support trenches and wire. The rolling barrage and the tanks helped overcome the enemy and the 46^th Canadian Battalion reached its objective a hundred yards east of the Fouquescourt - Maucourt raod at 1:25 pm, the 44^th Canadian Battalion reached the western edge of Fouquescourt at 2.00 pm

The four tanks in the north reached objectives and established the infantry, 1 tank was burnt out by MG fire. The three centre tanks all reached the objective and rallied. All three tanks on the right suffered direct hits, two were burnt out the third rallied. ^{(w1a) (H1)}

Captain Riley is the only 1^st tank battalion Officer who is recorded as having died on this date in the CWG.

Summary

Total Tanks: 10

Failed to Start:

Engaged enemy:

Ditched / Broke Down:

Hit and Knocked out: 3

Rallied: 7

Note: Rallied includes the tank that was hit and damaged.

Aftermath

1^st Battalion withdrew to Camp on the 11^th August and had 12 tanks ready for action on the 14^th August 1918 out of the 13 tanks on strength ^(H1)

Sources

W1– 1st Battalion’s War diary. Transcription from Bovington Tank Museum

W1a – HQ 4^th Tank brigade. Report on operations on 8^th, 9^th and 10^th August 1918 in PRO WO 95 / 109

W24 – 4^th Tank Brigade War Diary. Appendix 14. 4^th tank brigade report on operations August 8^th to 11^th 1918. PRO WO 95 / 108

H1 – 1st Battalion’s War History. Transcription from Bovington Tank Museum

OH – Official History 1918 Vol IV Chap VII, pg 125ff

Amiens