15 Battalion C Group 9 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 Best FM

Section Commander Captain Mackie

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

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

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

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

Notes

Tank Names and Crew numbers from Battalion War Diary.

Other information from Battlegraph in Battalions War Diary

Orders

A hastily planned operation, plan was decided at 11am, tanks moved forward at 1pm.

Objective Vauxvillers

Start time was 4.15pm

Account of Operations

All four tanks started. 9544 broke down before reaching the objective. The other three tanks all engaged the enemy, enabling the infantry’s advance and covering their consolidation in Vauxvillers. 2Lt gummers tank exploited beyond the objective and disappeared, later being found Knocked out; 2Lt Gummer died on this day ^(CWG). 9834 was hit in the petrol tank as it turned to rally; the engine was hand fed with petrol back to the rally point. 2Lt Hardy in charge of the fourth tank (9811), was awarded the MM for his actions, no details are given in the Battalion War diary Appendixes.

Summary

Total Tanks: 4

Failed to Start:

Engaged enemy: 3

Ditched / Broke Down: 1

Hit and Knocked out: 1

Rallied: 2

Note: One of the rallied tanks had received a direct hit.

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