15 Battalion A1 Group 8 August 1918

The Tanks at Amiens 8^th August 1918

15^th Battalion Group A1 with 8^th Australian Brigade. 4^th and 5^th Australian Division, Aus Corp, 3^rd Army

Section Commander Captain Jack

9837, O6, "Omniscient", 2Lt Luck CW,

9509, O10, "Onward", 2Lt Walton JW,

9839, O7, "Odysseus", 2Lt Eccles WJ,

Section Commander Captain Sandelele (name unclear)

9540, O11, "Onslaught", 2Lt Payton S,

9530, O13, "Orrono", 2Lt Kerry J,

9843, O8, "Orby", 2Lt Brown JH,

Section Commander Captain Hanford

9836, O55, "Opamonda", 2Lt Bell AM,.

9860, O49, "Old It", 2Lt Ferguson TJ,

9831, O42, "Omar", 2Lt Highfield,

Notes

Battalion was divided into four groups.

Tank Names and Crew numbers from Battalion War Diary.

Other information from Battlegraph in Brigade War Diary

Orders

15^th Battalions tanks were to pass through the leading waves on the red line and then deposit the 15 infantry Machine Gunners they were carrying on the blue Line.

A1 group as to carry forward Vickers MGs and crews from 8^th (4 guns) and 14^th (8 guns) Australian MG Companies,

5 tanks with 10 Vickers guns, 1 Officer, 10 MG crew (including 5 NCOs) and 4 escorts per tank ^(W8bAus)

4 tanks with 16 Lewis guns, 1 officer. 8 crew (including 2 NCOs) in each tank ^(W8bAus)

Tansk were fitted with bells at the rear to allow the infantry to attract their attention ^(W35aus)

Start time was 4.20am

Account of Operations

9843 broke down prior to the start and again prior to reaching the first objective; the tank then proceeded to the rally point ^(W25bg). The remaining eight tanks and proceeded to the blue Line ^(W25bg). Practically no shell fire was encountered ^(W15a) 8^th Brigades section of the blue line had already been mostly captured by the infantry ^(W8bAus). The tanks unloaded their MG crews ^(W14MGaus) and then engaged some enemies in the blue line ^(W15a) one tank fired on a train in Vauxvillers, 9837 was sent towards Franerville and Vauxvillers to assist the cavalry who were held up there, ^(W15a) the tanks then turned back, 9836 ditched just after turning back, the other tanks all rallied ^(W25bg).

Summary

Total Tanks: 9

Failed to Start:

Engaged enemy: 8

Ditched / Broke Down: 1

Hit and Knocked out:

Rallied: 8

The author has assumed all eight tanks that reached the Blue line engaged the enemy at some point.

Battalion totals from Brigade report of operations

In action: 36

Reached objective: 28

Received Direct hits: 4

KO by Land mines: 0

Mechanical trouble: 3

Rallied: 28

Fit for action on 9^th: 17

Aftermath

4 tanks were in action on the 9^th August:

9837, "Omniscient"

9839, "Odysseus",

9860, "Old It",

9831, "Omar",

9831, "Omar" was photographed at some point, though on which date is not known.:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7700258@N05/936764345/in/set-72157601074583035/

Sources

W1a – 15^th Tank Battalion War Diary in Pro WO 95 -

W25bg – 5^th Tank Brigade War Diary Relevant Battlegraph

W15a - 15th Battalion War Diary Appendices, relevant reports and battlegraphs – PRO WO 95-103

W8b Aus - 8^th Australian Brigades War Diary

W31Aus – 31^st Australian Battalions War Diary

Amiens