4 Battalion A Company 8 August 1918
Amiens, 8th August 1918
4th Battalion, A Company, with 2nd Brigade, 1st Canadian Division
A Company
1 section – Capt. Martin JM MC
9134, m, 2Lt Wallace WG
9116, m, 2Lt Boulton S
9190, m, Capt Welt JP
2 section – Capt. Nicholas CP
9130, m, Lt Bowen, E
9132, m, 2Lt Ball J [or 9132]
9182, m, 2Lt Pouge RT
9374, f, 2Lt Brazier, RG
3 section – Capt. Steeksma E
9185, m, Lt Karstel, CA -
9122, m, 2Lt Adshead, CJ
9448, f, 2Lt Harrowing J
9399, m, 2Lt Heath JE
4 section – Capt. Duggon EO
9120, m, Lt Gill, GD
9162, m, 2Lt Leach, S
9060, m, 2Lt MacNab G
Notes
Most details from Henshall papers WMH
Tank sexes confirmed on "Summary of Tanks on Strength – August 1918".
9428 and 9378 were with the battalion as instructional tanks on 30th July (WMH) they were taken on the battalion strength on .. August (W4)
One 4th Battalion tank was named "Dominion" (W21can)
Two of the tanks may have previously been used as instructional tanks (source: 95-110).
Note
4. The battalion also had 4 supply (Baggage) tanks: 6099, 6111, 8123 presumably the attached “D” section, 2nd Tank Supply Company (source: preliminary instructions). But only one supply tank was working on the 8th (possibly 6111 which was disabled on this date).
5. The Battalion also had a Wireless tank attached under the command of 2Lt Heap FG (source: preliminary instructions).
Orders
“A” Company (3 sections, 10 tanks) was to join the 2nd Canadian brigade 2500 yds before the Red Line and then accompany this brigade as it passed through the 1st Brigade on the Red Line and exploited towards the old Amiens Defense line (Blue Dotted Line). “A” Company’s other Section (presumably 3 section) was to be held in reserve just behind the red line.
3 Section was to carry 8 trench motors and 200 bombs forwards for the infantry.
Account of operations
A company's tanks moved up behind the first wave, 13 were thus still in close support when Croates trench was reached. Their assistance was not needed so they rallied on the green line ready for the second phase. (W4)
Whilst moving to the second phase starting point beyond the red Line a section of “A” company assisted the infantry by engaging the enemy in the vicinity of Lemaire Wood, two tanks were knocked out by a field gun. (W4) This must have been 4 section as 9060 was hit and Knocked out at W19d.5.0; 9120 was hit and damaged at the Red line but rallied; 9162 crossed the Red Line and presumably joined 1 and 2 sections. (WMH)
The second phase commenced at 8.20am (W4)
11 tanks reached the Red line in close support of the infantry (3 “A”, 1 “B”, 7 “C”), only isolated resistance was encountered. (W4)
Third Phase – advance to Blue dotted line.
9190 and 9132 had both broken down, presumably before the red Line was reached. 9132's OIC had been killed prior to the tank breaking down (WMH)
The other six tanks from 1,2 and 4 sections: 9134, 9116 , 9130, 9182, 9374 and 9162, all advanced from the Red Line to the Blue dotted Line, 9130, 9182 and 9374 led the infantry so presumably the other three tanks also did so. (WMH) All six tanks reached the Blue dotted line with the infantry. These tanks operated well in advance of the whippet tanks; virtually no opposition was encountered during this phase and all six tanks rallied. (W4)
3 section was the reserve section it did not engage the enemy but did useful work as carried forward the 8 trench motors and 200 bombs for the infantry. 9122 broke down and ditched in marshy ground near Cayeux. (WMH) (W4)
A tank named "Dominion" apparently crossed the start line with a piper playing on its roof, its company is unknown. (W21can)
Summary
Total Tanks: 10
Failed to Start: 0
Engaged enemy: 8
Ditched / Broke Down: 2
Hit and Knocked out: 1
Rallied: 7
Note:
Summary totals do not include 3 section which were in reserve.
Engaged enemy total assumes all the tanks that didn't break down fired on the enemy.
Rallied includes 9120 which was damaged.
Aftermath
9130, 9116, 9448, 9182 and 9399 were all in action again on the 9th August.
9130, 9134, 9155, 9162, 9182, 9399 in action on the 10th August.
9134, 9182, 9185 in action on the 11th August.
9060, 9120, 9134, 9162 were handed to salvage on the 12th or 13th August.
9122 was unditched on the 13th August.
9374 was probably in action on 27 September 1918.
Sources
W4 - 4th Tank Battalion War Diary and Appendixes - PRO WO 95-110
Battalion Summary of Tanks on Strength – August 1918.
Report on operations with 1st Canadian Division. Luce valley. August 8th 1918
Preliminary instructions. Dated: 04/08/1918
Operational order no 20.
W21can – War Diary 21st Canadian Battalion – available online: http://www.canadiangreatwarproject.com/warDiaryLac/wdLacP08.asp
WMH - Henshall papers, IWM 73/126/1