10 Battalion A Company 8 August 1918
Amiens, 8th August 1918
A Company, 10th Battalion with 36th brigade, 18th Division, III Corps
A Company
“Capt Lambert’s” Section with 9th Royal Fusiliers, 12th Div, 36th Brig
J1, LCpl Collins. Crew 6
J2, 2Lt Champion J. Crew 7
J3, Cpl Wood T. Crew 8
J4, Capt Lambert TJ. Crew 9
3 Section. Capt Henderson J. with 7th Royal Sussex, 12th Div, 36th Brig
9262, Capt Henderson J. Crew 11
9100, Lt Sharpe Crew 12
J7, 9334, 2Lt Walker GL. Crew 13
9253, Lt McKinstey. Crew 14
“Capt Davy’s” section with 7th Royal Sussex, 12th Div, 36th Brig
J9, 9342, m, 2Lt Garrod GS. Crew 16
J11, 9254, 2Lt Sampson WJ. Crew 18
J12, 9266, c, Capt Davy WR. Crew 19
J14, 9264, 2Lt Tait W.
Notes
In addition to B Companies reserve section which was kept in 18th Division’s reserve a second section (4 tanks) was kept in reserve at Hielly, this section was composed of 2 tanks from “C” company, one from each of “A” and “B” companies.
Crew number of 9334, J7 from J11’s Battle History Sheet.
Orders
III Corp was to attack to support and cover the right of the main attack to the south. Three Divisions were to attack, 12th in the north (right) was to attack to the north of Morloncourt two hors after the main attack to take advantage of any confusion caused by the main attack. No tanks were assigned to this division and thus its actions need not concern us further.
18th Division was to attack in the Centre astride the Bray Corbie road, A and B companies were to assist in this attack, five sections (20 tanks) assisting in the capture of the first objective, the sixth section (4 tanks) would be kept in reserve to replace casualties for the assault on the second (and final) objective.
7th Queens of 55th Brigade was to attack on the left, secure the green line and then protect the northern flank. At least one section of tanks (probably the 8th) was allocated to this battalion; though 5 section may also have been assigned.
Meanwhile, south of the Bray - Corbie Road, 54th Brigade was to attack and capture the green line, then 53rd brigade was to pass through and capture Gressaire Wood and the second objective. 4 sections of tanks were apparently allocated to support this attack.
In the event 54th Brigade was badly mauled by a German counter attack that started on the 6th, 36th Brigade were thus rushed forward to replace them and attacked with two battalions, the 9th Royal Fusiliers and the 7th Royal Sussex; the Brigade’s third battalion, 5th Royal Berkshires, was attached to 53rd Brigade and kept in reserve. The tanks had had no time to liaise with 36th Division.
To the south 58th Division, supported by C Company, was to attack and secure Chipplily Spur. 174th Brigade was to secure the Mallard wood and thus the first objective, 173rd brigade would then pass through and secure Chipplily Spur itself. The village of Sailly Laurette was assigned to 2 / 10 London Battalion (attached to 174th brigade from 175th brigade) who would capture the village assisted by two tanks
Zero was 4.20am tanks.
A and B companies tanks were in five sections of 4 tanks each, 3 tanks per section in front of or alongside first infantry wave, one in reserve. Infantry were not to follow individual tanks as tanks were to follow a zig zag course to ensure the whole ground was covered.
After first objective is captured, the tanks were to reform immediately west of the Blue Line and then join the 53rd Brigade when they attacked at zero +130 mins
Account of operations
The Germans had attacked on the 7th and thus pushed the British back from the intended start line. The artillery plan was altered slightly and the attack started at Z –10 minutes to enable the attackers to reach the original start line on time.
Tanks started at z–24, z-28 or z-32 minutes to ensure they reached the barrage at the first lift, Z + 4 mins.
4 tanks failed to start: J14 Ditched; J3 and 9100 both broke down and presumably J1 also broke down, J1’s BHS contains no detail.
8 tanks attacked .
9253 and 9262 both ditched at in the British front line. At end of the action both tanks had rallied at at k26c.2.7.
J2 was in action for 6 ½ hours, fired 25 rounds 6Pdr and 20 belts SAA. J2 started on time and passed through the British infantry at Z +10, the tank reached the quarry at K6c.0.4 [??] and, with the assistance of the infantry, cleared it of the enemy. Then went to North of Malard Wood, and at infantries request, passed through the wood and cleared it of the enemy. Returned and rallied at the Quarry. At 6pm the OIC volunteered to help infantry capture high ground K28c.1.d. to k4a.9.6. Tank got into action but was knocked out by five direct hits at k26c.0.5 [k28c possibly meant?], the infantry retired. The OIC and crew were found dead alongside the machine when the ground was retaken on 9th August.
J4 started on time, couldn’t see in mist and thus, after going 1000 yds, ditched at k19b.8.3. By this point the crew had been affected by petrol fumes. The tank was eventually dug free and towed to Rally point, did not engage enemy.
J7 (9334) lost direction in the mist [and probably failed to reach first objective] fired 15 rounds 6 pdr and 180 rounds SAA helped unditch J11.
J9 was in action for 7 hours, fired 10 rounds 6pdr, 400 rounds SAA. The tank went due east in the mist, unditched another tank on left; proceeded onwards then, at infantry’s request, crossed Bray Corbie Road and helped clear trench at k14c.2.5 to i4c.9.4. [probably k14c9.4.] of enemy. Returned and rallied, towing back another tank en route.
J11 started on time but lost the section in the mist and proceeded due East on a Compass bearing. At 5am the tank was badly ditched at a trench junction at k19c.4.1, the tank was dug eventually out at 7.10am. J11 proceeded towards some firing and ditched a second time, this time for 15 minites before being pulled free by J7. Having restarted J11 now developed engine trouble – the rest of BHS is illegible on Authors photograph.
was in action for 4 hours and fired 250 rounds SAA, the tank broke down at k25a.2.2, the engine having been on fire three times
J12 became lost in the mist and lost contact with infantry who were following. The tank proceeded due east, crossed the British front line at 4.35am, then passed through retreating Germans and fired on them with case shot and MGs. J12 then broke down, was repaired and proceeded 1000yds towards the second objective when it came across one or more German batteries and dealt with these. The tank then patrolled towards the Bray Corbie Road and broke down, the engine caught fire but was extinguished. The infantry asked for assistance but J12 was unable to provide it so J21 went instead, when repaired J12 rallied.
Summary
Total Tanks: 12
Failed to Start: 4
Engaged enemy: 5
Ditched / Broke Down: 5
Hit and Knocked out: 1
Rallied: 2
Rallied doesn’t include 9253, 9262, J4, J11 and J12 which are all included in the ditched / broke down figures; all five tank eventually rallied.
Aftermath
J2 photographed knocked out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7700258@N05/936742899/in/set-72157601074581465/ : P00098.001: http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P00098.001
Sources
Battle History Sheets in PRO WO 95-103
Company Commanders account of operations in PRO WO 95-103
S45 – Amiens (2007) James Mc Willaims and R James Steel
S33 – Amiens 1918 (2008) Alistair McCluskey
S65 - The Day we Won the War (2008) Charles Messenger
OH - Official History, 1918, Volume IV Chapter V