15 Battalion C Group 8 August 1918

The Tanks at Amiens 8^th August 1918

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

Group C – Major Nest FM

Section Commander Captain Mackie

9544, O41, "Orrong", 2Lt Rorke D,

9833, O43, "Ournan", 2Lt Harlden P,

9811, O44, "Old Nick", 2Lt Hardy HD,

Section Commander Captain McKersie

9550, O46, "Oppossum", Lt Uzielli CF,

9551, O47, "Oroola", 2Lt Inglis HCP,

????, O48, "Oppressor", 2Lt Gummer,

Section Commander Captain Lewis-House

9841, O51, "Otazel", Lt Clayton SA,

9791, O52, "Odiam", Lt Brooks AH,

9834, O54, "Orient", 2Lt Ayres H,

Notes

“Oppressor” is not included in the Battlegraph in the Brigade War Diary but is included on the Groups Battlegraph in the Battalions War Diary.

Battalion was divided into four groups.

Tank Names and Crew numbers from Battalion War Diary.

Other information from Battlegraph in Battalions War Diary

Orders

15^th Battalions tanks were to pass through the leading waves on the red line ^{( )} at Zero + 6 hours. Go either side of Harbonierrs and then deposit MG crews on Blue Line. ^(W15bAus)

Zero hour was 4.20am

Account of Operations

All nine tanks successfully attacked on time. 9833 broke down just before reaching the first objective and again just after crossing the final objective. 9841 and 9791 both broke down after reaching the final objective.(w25bg) The infantry had pressed on and partially captured the blue Line before the tanks arrived. ^(W15bAus) The 57^th Battalion captured all of their portion of the blue line by 10:30am without the MkV* tanks. ^(W57aus) Practically no shell fire was encountered; 9551 was hit just before the first objective but was able to continue. Only MG fire was encountered between the red and blue line, this was dealt with by sevral tanks ^(W59aus) , including 9551 who silenced several MGs with 6pdr fire ^(W25bg) ^. The tanks successfully deposited their passengers on the Final objective ^(w25bg) Whilst returning one tank was asked to deal with MG fire from the station which it did, this allowed the infantry (59^th AIF Battalion) to advance and occupy the objective ^(W59aus). All tanks rallied though one had to be towed back. ^(W25bg)

“If we had enough tanks we could get to Berlin” Lt Dunkley R, “A” Company, 59^th AIF Battalion. ^(W59aus).

Supply tanks

These provided ammunition to the troops on the blue line. ^(W59aus)

Summary

Total Tanks: 9

Failed to Start:

Engaged enemy: 9

Ditched / Broke Down: 1

Hit and Knocked out:

Rallied: 8

Ditched / Broke Down is the tank which had to be towed back.

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

Sources

Tank Names and Crew numbers from Battalion War Diary.

Other information from Battlegraph in Brigade War Diary

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

amiens