The Tanks at Amiens. 8^th August 1918

13 Battalion, B Company with 3^rd Australian Division, Aus Corp, 4^th Army

13 Battalion, B Company had 12 tanks in action on 8^th August 1918 ^(W21):

B Company – Maj Griffin FD ^(H13a)

5 Section

9062, 2Lt Fraser AR

9087, m, 2Lt Rawlinson J

9441, 2Lt Edward GA

6Section

9084, m, 2Lt Smith AC

9081, m, 2Lt Maitland VK

9124, m, 2Lt Pain A

7 Section

9033, “Mudslosher”, 2Lt Hall RH

9051, 2Lt Anderson R

9346, 2Lt Copland H

8 Section

9079, 2Lt Bale TW

9165, 2Lt Mayo HH

9386, f, 2Lt Yeo PD

Captains Baker and Hill both in charge of sections of this company

Supply tank (for 9^th Brigade)

GC 119 “Jura “

Details of stores carried can be found in the GC lists or in 9^th Australian Brigade’s war diary. ^(w9baus)

Note

Section allocations based on Hamel BHS. Some educated guesswork involved. See Hamel narrative for discussion.

9033 name form 9^th August AIF records (see narrative for details)

Orders

“B” and “C” companies to operate in Northern sector of Australian front with 3^rd and 4^th Australian Divisions. The 3^rd Division was to capture the first objective, the 4^th to pass through and advance on the second.

“B” company with the 9^th Australian Brigade, on the right with two sections either side of Vaire wood.

Account of Operations

Green line. First Objective. “B” and “C” Companies.

All 12 tanks advanced on time in the thick mist. Some lost direction, others ditched in the poor visibility. ^(H13a)

“B” company’s 9165, 9051, 9124, 9033, 9079, 9386, 9346, 9062 all ditched before reaching the Green Line, [possibly in Accroche Wood which covered the brigades entire front]. 9062 was eventually unditched and continued. The other seven tanks all went straight to the rally point after unditching. 9084 ran over a land mine and was disabled near Accroche Wood. ^(W25bg) The 9^th Brigade’s 33^rd and 35^th Battalions captured their objectives by 7:15am, against minimal opposition ^(OH) The tanks were of little use in the first part of the attack, as they followed the infantry in the dense mist; when the mist cleared they proved very useful. ^(W9bAus)

The first objective (Green Line) was taken and the tanks rallied in the Cerisy Valley ^(H13a).The Official history incorrectly states 18 of the 24 tanks reached the first objective. ^(OH)

Red Line

The 4^th Division now passed though the 3^{rd (OH)}.

As arranged “B” company followed 8^th Tank Battalion who passed through on the Green Line: The 4 survivors of “B” company followed to the 2nd objective, Red Line, old Amiens outer defence line with the intention of exploiting to the Blue Line if possible. ^(H13a)

The tanks supported the infantry who would stop before a crest line, the tanks then advanced into the valley below and cleared it of MGs then stop on the next crest. The infantry would then advance. “B” Company wound up leading the attack and led their infantry onto the final objective north of the main road. 9081 turned back and rallied halfway between the Green and Red Lines, 2Lt Maitland was wounded but remained on duty; 9441 and 9087 were both knocked out just before the red line ^(W25bg) 2Llts Rawlinson and Edwards were both wounded, the later remained on duty ^(W13a); 9062 reached the Red line and rallied. ^(W25bg)

Capt. Bromley, 2Lt Copland, and 29 Other Ranks were all wounded. and Maitland and 4 other ranks were also wounded but remained on duty. 5 other ranks were missing. ^(W13a)

Summary

Total Tanks: 12

Failed to Start: 0

Engaged enemy:

Ditched / Broke Down: 7

Hit and Knocked out: 3

Rallied: 2

Notes:

Rallied doesn’t include the 7 ditched tanks, all of which rallied.

From Brigade report of operations

In action: 36

Reached objective: 26

Received Direct hits: 12

KO by Land mines: 0

Mechanical trouble: 8

Rallied: 24

Fit for action on 9^th: 9

From Battalion War Diary

In action: 36

Received Direct hits: 18

Broke down: 8

Ditched: 2

Fit for action on night of 8^th: 8

Note;

10 of the Knocked out and both ditched tanks remained in the field.

4 of the broken down tanks were repaired in time for action on the 9^th.

Aftermath

13^th Battalion sent 12 tanks into action on the 10^th.

Probably including 9062, 9091, 9055 and nine of the following:

9023, 9091, 9081, 9062, 9131, 9135, 9097 = rallied = 7

9165, 9051, 9124, 9033, 9079, 9386, 9346, 9014, 9388, 9188, 9055 = ditched or broke down and rallied = 11

9382 must have been repaired as it was handed to 2^nd Battalion and fought with them on the 21^st August ^(W2)

Sources

W2 – 2^nd Battalion War Diary. Transcription from Bovington Tank museum.

W25bg – 5^th Tank brigade War Diary – Relevant Battlegraph

W25 - 5^th Tank brigade War Diary. Report of Operations.

W13a – War Diary of the 13^th Tank Battalion in PRO WO 95/115

H13a – History of the 13^th Tank Battalion in PRO WO 95/115

OH – Official History, 1918, Vol IV, pg.63ff

W8bAus – War Diary 8^th Australian Brigade. Downloaded from AWM.

W9bAus – War Diary 9^th Australian Brigade. Downloaded from AWM.

W11bAus – War Diary 11^th Australian Brigade. Downloaded from AWM.

W30Aus – War Diary 30^th Australian Battalion. Downloaded from AWM.

W31Aus – War Diary 31^st Australian Battalion. Downloaded from AWM.

War diaries of Australian 33^rd, 35^th, 42^nd and 44^th battalions also consulted. Downloaded from AWM.

13 Battalion 8 August 1918