4 Battalion 10 August 1918

Amiens, 10^th August 1918

4^th Battalion with 96^th and 97^th Brigades, 32^nd Division

B Company, 4^th Battalion had 8 tanks in action on 10^th August.

B Company -

5 sect – Ly Devey

9162, 2Lt Leach

9440, 2Lt A Gammie

9184, 2Lt Swales J

9176, Sgt Barrett

7 sect - Capt Berm sect

9155, 2Lt Steane

9174, 2Lt Hayliger

9338, 2Lt Cartmell

9378, Sgt Taylor.

Note

1. 9162 and OIC attached from “A” Company.

2. Other than 9162 tank WD numbers not given, tanks with above OICs on 8^th August.

3. A reserve section of four tanks was also available, it did not see action on the 10^th but went into action on the 11^th.

Orders

On 9^th August a composite Company was formed from all 12 fit tanks in the battalion. At 8.30am on the 10^th this company was allotted to the 32^nd Division. ^(W4a)

The 32^nd Division was to take over the advance from the 1^st Canadian Division with the aim of advancing the line from East of Rouvroy and West of Parvillers to the Railway between Hatencourt and Fresnoy.^(W4a)

Two sections were to attack; One section (4 tanks) being allotted to each of the 96^th and 97^th brigades. The remaining section (4 tanks) was to remain in reserve. ^(W4a)

5 section with the 96^th infantry brigade ^(WMH)

7 section with the 97^th infantry brigade ^(WMH)

On front of Parvillers - Damery 6 tanks were hit and KO^(WMH),

Account of operations

The infantry attacked at 10am ^(W4a) the advance going well at first until the infantry reached the old front line trenches where they were held up by heavy fire ^(OH), the tanks passed through the infantry, and led them, some getting well ahead; but they struggled to cross the old overgrown 1916 trenches. Whilst attempting to silence enemy MG fire coming from Parvillers and Demery but they achieved little before^(W4a) six ^(WMH) tanks were knocked out by direct fire from AT guns ^(W4a) 9174, 9176, 9184, 9378 were all disabled ^(W2a);in addition 9162 was hit and KO near Parvillers, only one crewman survived, 2Lt Leach was killed ^(CWG) and 9338 with its crew disappeared. The tanks were not followed by the infantry ^(WMH)who werethus unable to advance. The eighth tank rallied and the reserve section was not committed. ^(W4a)

The infantry did advance slowly and captured Wood 101 south and advanced to the crossroads on the Roye highway to Andechey and Damery and the old German front line. After the tanks had been knocked out the infantry also managed to capture and hold a corner of Square Wood. ^(OH)

The 4^th Tank Battalion War Diary indicates seven tanks were hit and Knocked out, this is presumably a mistake as as both 9440 and 9155 survived ^(W2a) and the Henshall papers indicate only six tanks were lost.

2Lt Cartmell is not recorded as having died on this date (or on any other in 1918) in the CWG and thus he was presumably captured.

Summary

Total Tanks: 8

Failed to Start:

Engaged enemy:

Ditched / Broke Down:

Hit and Knocked out: 6

Rallied: 2

Aftermath

9162, 9174, 9176, 9184, 9378 and 9338 were hall handed to salvage on the 14^th August. ^(W4a)

9162 possibly photographed knocked out^.http://www.flickr.com/photos/drakegoodman/8383342352/in/set-72157625639179301/

9155 stayed with 4^th battalion until at least the 6^th September and was presumably in action with the battalion on the 29^th September ^(W4a)

9440 stayed with 4^th battalion until at least the 6^th September ^(W4a), it fought with 10^th Battalion on 23^rd October.

Sources

W4a - 4^th Tank Battalion. Report on operations with 32^nd Division. Parvillers and Damery. August 10^th 1918 - PRO WO 95-110

Summary of Tanks on Strength – August 1918. - PRO WO 95-110

WMH – Henshall Papers, IWM 73/126/1

OH - Official History, 1918, Vol 4. Pg.123

Amiens