10 Battalion 10 August 1918
Amiens, 10th August 1918
10th Battalion with 4th Aus and 12th Divisions, III and Aus Corps (w10)
10th battalion had 8 tanks in action on August 10th 1918.
Composite Company Captain Murphy
Section Commander Commander Garnham
J13, 2Lt Evans A, Crew 1.
J20, 9137, 2Lt Frere F
J29, 2Lt Duffy T
J35, Lt Garnham G, Composite Crew
The Official History incorrectly states this section had 6 tanks. (OH18.IV.p130)
Composite Company
J19, 9376, 2Lt Price GA,
And three other unidentified tanks
Orders
Lt Garnham’s section
To attack with 12 div at 6pm. (w10) (W10a) to support 37th Brigades 6pm attack across the flat top of the main ridge and capture Hill 105. (OH18.IV.p130)
J20 start at 6pm. With 9th Essex. To attack enemy strong points: Railway cutting in k5b, Trenches in k5c, the ??? in E28d and e29d (w10bhs)
J13 Start at 6pm. Right hand tank. To proceed with infantry to a line running fromk4b8.5 to k5d.0.6 and then patrol high ground in front of this line. (w10bhs)
Tanks with 3rd and 4th Australian Division
The 3rd and 4th Australian Divisions were to attack North and South of the Somme, capture Bray and Proyart then turn inwards and encircle the Entinehem Spur.
Four tanks from 8th Battalion were to support the Southern attack.
Four tanks from 10th Battalion were to support the Northern attack.
The 49th battalion, 13th brigade, 4th Australian Division’s was to attack at 9:30pm, the tanks were to advance along the Bray-Corbie road to Bray, firing to their front and left to clear the way for the infantry (W10r) then establish posts at Crucifix Corner West of Bray. (w10)
The Official History gives a different version of the tactics to be employed stating that the tanks were to support the attack by following the infantry and disconcerting the enemy with their presence, moving along the Bray-Corbie Road making as much noise as possible. (OH18.IV.p131).
J19 was to start at 6pm with 9th Bttn Essex regt. Start at 9.45pm attached to Australians. To proceed from crossroads L13 central along Bray Corby Road to crucifix L15.2.7J35. (w10bhs)
Account of Action
Lt Garnham’s section
The tanks attacked on time (6pm) and 37th Brigade captured all their objectives, the Trench across the top of the Knoll being cleared by the tanks but the 6th Buffs were unable to retain it. (OH18.IV.p131)
J13 fired 20 rounds 6 pdr, 1000 SAA. J24b.5.5. Went along Morlancourt – Meaulte Road to aeroplane sheds at k10a.9.6 and then swung towards the objective, infantry already advanced from sunken road running South from Morlancourt. Tanks crossed the railway line then patrolled trenched and ground to right from which MG fire was directed at tank. Moved to left to replace knocked out tank [presumably J35], then went forward and checked ground was clear thus enabling 6th Buffs [unclear] advance. Tank returned and rallied.
J20 fired 65 rounds 6pdr, 700 SAA. Started at Zero proceeded both infantry to railway cutting, held up by own barrage, when it lifted the tank and infantry proceeded to their objectives and cleared them tank rallied once infantry had consolidate. Writing on BHS unclear.
J35 Moved forward 1000yds hit and Knocked out at k4a central; shell damaged right sponson and killed 3 crew, wounded one. 2 others were shocked. 1 man missing.
J29’s Battle History sheet is missing but it attacked and rallied according to the Narrative.
Tanks with 4th Australian Division (9:30pm)
To the North of the River (s13.p210) The 13th Australian Brigade did better capturing the Entinehem Spur. (OH18.IV.p132)
The only tank whose Battle history sheet survives in PRO 95/103 is J19 which started on time and proceeded along Bray Corbie road with infantry sweeping road with MG fire and firing at enemy gun flashes on left. Enemy offered little resistance; tank remained with infantry as they consolidated, retiring at 12pm.
No details survive concerning the other three tanks but one was lost and the other two rallied.
Two of the tanks which attacked on the 10th were destroyed or put out of action soon after zero (s13.p210) 8 tanks were deployed, 2 failed to rally. (w10r)
Summary
Total Tanks: 8
Failed to Start: 0
Engaged enemy: 6
Ditched / Broke Down: 0
Hit and Knocked out: 3
Rallied: 6
Engaged enemy includes the three unidentified tanks which attacked with J19.
The actual fate of the two tanks lost with the Australians is not recorded, they may have ditched or broke down.
Aftermath
10th Battalion was next in action on August 21st.
Sources
W10 – 10th Battalion’s War Diary transcript from Bovington Tank Museum
H10 - 10th Battalion’s War History transcript from Bovington Tank Museum
W10b - Battle History Sheets in PRO WO 95-103
W10r – Battalion “Report of Operations 8th, 9th and 10th August” in PRO WO 95-103
W10c - Company Commanders’ accounts of operations in PRO WO 95-103
S13 – The Tank Corps (1919) Maj. Clough Williams-Ellis
OH – Official History. 1918. Volume IV