15 Battalion A1 Group 8 August 1918
The Tanks at Amiens 8th August 1918
15th Battalion Group A1 with 8th Australian Brigade. 4th and 5th Australian Division, Aus Corp, 3rd 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
15th 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 8th (4 guns) and 14th (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) 8th 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 9th: 17
Aftermath
4 tanks were in action on the 9th 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 – 15th Tank Battalion War Diary in Pro WO 95 -
W25bg – 5th Tank Brigade War Diary Relevant Battlegraph
W15a - 15th Battalion War Diary Appendices, relevant reports and battlegraphs – PRO WO 95-103
W8b Aus - 8th Australian Brigades War Diary
W31Aus – 31st Australian Battalions War Diary