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The Tanks at Amiens 8th August 1918
14th Battalion with 2nd Canadian Division, Canadian Corp, 3rd Army
14th Battalion had 27 fighting tanks in action on 8th August 1917.
A Company
N1, 9187, “Newcastle”, Lt Cowan GM,
N2, 9429, “Newmarket”, Lt Lockwood,
N3, 9156, “Nottingham”, 2Lt Skippon,
N5, 9056, “Nelson”, Lt Cohen SH,
N6, 9412, “Napier”, 2Lt Van Milligen,
N7, 9108, “Nicholson”, Lt Hughes,
N8, 9352, “Neptune”, Cpl Duffin,
N9, 9133, “North Britain”, 2Lt Dickson,
N10, 9121, “Nova Scotia”, 2Lt Garner,
N11, 9397, “Natal”, 2Lt Pritchard,
N12, 9157, “New Zealand”, Cpl Smith,
B Company
9103, “No Surrender”, Lt Tanner,
9105, “North Berwick”, Lt Murphy,
9113, “Nettoyeur”, Lt Street,
9119, “Non Pareil”, 2Lt Riddoch,
9148, “Newton Grange”, 2Lt Dewar,
9150, “Newton Moor”, Lt Weeks,
9159, “Nulli Secunous”, Lt Lomas,
9160, “No Prisoners”, 2LT Ginger EJB,
9168, “Nut Cracker”, 2Lt O'Shea,
9360, “Ne Oblivis Caris”, Lt Robinson,
9365, “No Backchat”, 2Lt Ginger HS,
9367, “Neck or Nothing”, 2Lt Pavey,
9373, “No Quarter”, Sgt Flynn,
9424, “Ne Plus Ultra”, 2Lt Smart,
9437, “Niveleur”, 2Lt Mould,
9450, “Nibbler”, Sgt Meek,
Wireless tank
Notes
"B" Company includes one section of "A" Company (H14).
The wireless tank was probably a MkIV (H4)
On 1st July each company had eight male and four hermaphrodite MkV tanks (W14)
“A” and “B” companies also had a Mk IV baggage tank and “C” Company had two Mk IV baggage tanks (W14).
9424 was photographed in distress at some unknown date, it sports a MkIV male sponson. http://www.flickr.com/photos/7700258@N05/8465952237/in/set-72157601074581465/
Orders
C Company in Reserve.
Account of Operations
Tanks had a long approach march. Some difficultly was experienced catching up with infantry. The attack was stalled before Marceleve as the tanks waited for the HE artillery barrage to lift. In the Australian sector to the north of the railway and the battalion) the barrage was of shrapnel and the tanks were able to advance, this led to a dislocation in the front.
A Company
9156 broke down on the British front line then rallied.
9187 did not see action as the crew were gassed by tank fumes between the British front line and first objective
9429 broke down between the British front line and the first objective
9133 and 9397 were both Hit between the British front line and the first objective
9157 reached the first objective and rallied
9108 ditched between the first and second Objectives, was unditched and Rallied.
9352 broke down (connecting Rod) between the first and second Objectives. Rallied.
9056 was Hit and burnt out just before reaching second Objective
9412 and 9121both reached the second Objective and Rallied
B Company
9159 broke down before reaching the first objective.
9373 was Hit and Knocked out just before first Objective
9367 was hit between first and second Objective, the tank returned and rallied
9103 and 9105, 9150, 9360, 9365, 9424 all almost reached the second Objective before turning back and Rallying
9113, 9119, 9148, 9160, 9168, 9437, 9450, all reached the second Objective and Rallied
The Wireless tank was of no use (H14)
Summary
Total Tanks: 27
Failed to Start: 1
Engaged enemy: 26
Ditched / Broke Down: 3
Hit and Knocked out: 4
Rallied: 31
Notes
All tanks except 9187 are assumed to have engaged the enemy.
Ditched broke Down includes 9187
Rallied includes 9367
Aftermath
The following tanks were in action on 9th August
A Company
N6, 9412, “Napier”, 2Lt Van Milligen
N10, 9121, “Nova Scotia”, 2Lt Garner
B Company
9105, “North Berwick”, Lt Murphy
9113, “Nettoyeur”, Lt Street
9148, “Newton Grange”, 2Lt Dewar
9380, “Ne Oblivis Caris”, Lt Robinson
9365, “No Backchat”, 2Lt Ginger HS
9367, “Neck or Nothing”, 2Lt Pavey
9424, “Ne Plus Ultra”, 2Lt Smart
9437, “Niveleur”, 2Lt Mould
9450, “Nibbler”, Sgt Meek
9056 in action with 10th battalion on 23rd October 1918
9352, 9397 and 9429 all in action with 301st US Battalion on 27th September 1918.
Sources
Primary Source
Relevant Battlegraph in PRO WO 95-103
Other sources
H14 – 14th battalion War History in PRO WO 95-103
W14 – 14th Battalion War Diary in PRO WO 95-103
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