4 Battalion B Company 8 August 1918
Amiens, 8th August 1918
4th Battalion, B Company with 1st and 3rd Brigades, 1st Canadian Division
The Author will add more information to this page when he has more time to peruse the IWM Henshhall papers.
B Company - Major H Stanley Montague Baird
5 section – Capt Telfer FPG
9176, m, Sgt Barrett
9440, f, 2Ly A Gammie
9184, m, J Swales
8164, Cpl Couch - supply
6 section – Lt Bernstain AE
9338, f, 2Lt Cartmell
9104, m, 2Lt Cronin
9144, m, 2Lt Hourie W
7 Section – Capt Benn WH
9378, m, Sgt Taylor
9155, m, 2Lt Steane JL
9118, "Dumbarton", m, 2Lt Struthers
9174., m, 2Lt Hoyliger
8 section – Capr Sartin EL
9111, m, 2Lt Heath BG
9179, m, 2Lt Andrews EW
9109, m, 2Lt Eastwood EG
9428, f, 2Lt Mathews HG.
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 tank named "Dominion" (W21can)
OIC's names correct for 30th July, may be different on 8th August.
Company OIC name and tank 9118 name from http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?/topic/247034-tank-dumbarton/#comment-2488529
Note
4. The battalion also had 4 supply (Baggage) tanks: 6099, 6111, 8164, 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
“B” and “C” companies to assist 3rd Canadian Brigade in the capture of the first objective (Green Line). “B” Company to the north, “C” Company to the south; each company to deploy 11 tanks in 3 sections.
7 and 8 sections with 14th Canadian infantry battalion in northern sector.
6 and 9 sections with 13th Canadian battalion in the centre.
11 and 12 sections with 16th Canadian infantry battalion in the Southern sector.
Once the Green Line was captured the surviving tanks would be reinforced by the fourth section from their respective companies and all would then assist the 1stCanadian Brigade in the capture of the Second objective (Red Line).
5 section with the 3rd Canadian battalion on the left flank.
10 section with the 2nd Canadian battalion on the right flank.
Account of operations
5 section were kept in reserve and did not see action. (WMH)
All 42 tanks attacked crossing the British front line at Zero (4.20am), one started late due to becoming ditched in an old trench system, but it soon caught up the infantry. The tanks advanced in front of the infantry in thick fog, the bad visibility caused 2 “B” Company tanks to loose direction and thus fail to come into action; in addition several tanks become ditched in small trenches, they were not unditched in time to take further part in the action. (W4)
"B" Company assisted in the capture of Hangard and Horgemont Woods and the Spur where Croatse trench was situated, silencing MGs in the standing crops. (W4)
6 section - 9338 broke down but rallied; 9104 ditched in the centre of Hangard wood and was then hit and Knocked out at Croate Trench. (WMH) 9144 no information
7 section - 9378 – ditched in German first line; 9155 – Got lost attacked Hangard Village; 9118 – Hit an KO Hangard Wood; 9174 – Ditched in Croates Trench. (WMH)
8 section - 9111 – Hit and KO near Hangard Wood; 9179 – Hit and exploded; 9109 – Broke down; 9428 – attacked, broke down (WMH)
The second phase commenced at 8.20am
11 tanks reached the Red line in close support of the infantry (3 “A”, 1 “B”, 7 “C”), only isolated resistance was encountered. (W4)
A tank named "Dominion", company unknown, apparently crossed the start line with a piper playing on its roof. (W21can)
Summary
Total Tanks: 11
Failed to Start: 0
Engaged enemy:
Ditched / Broke Down: 4
Hit and Knocked out: 4
Rallied: 3
Note:
Summary totals does not include 5 section which was held in reserve.
Rallied includes 9144 on which the author has no information.
Aftermath
“A” and “C” Companies were in action again on the 9th August.
Sources
W4 - 4th Tank Battlion War Diary and Appendixes - PRO WO 95-110
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