5 Battalion 10 August 1918

The Battle of Amiens. 10^th August 1918

5^th Battalion with 9^th CIF brigade 3^rd Division, and 96^th Brigade, 32^nd Division Canadian Corp, 4^rh Army ^(OH)

5^th Battalion had 12 tanks in action on 10^th August 1918

Composite Company - Maj Gatehouse MC

12 tanks

Section - Capt Dawson

4 tanks

Possibly four of:

9096 (m)

9176 (m)

9147 (m)

9409 (f)

9034 (m)

Notes

The five tanks whose serial numbers are listed were all received by 4^th Battalion on 25^th August, four of these tanks were presumably those handed over by 5^th battalion. ^(W4a)

Orders

At 4:20am eight tanks to support 2 Canadian mounted Rifles, 8^th CIF brigade’s attack on Le Quesnoy. Four tanks were to follow the infantry behind each flank. ^(OH)

When the main attack started at 8am twenty tanks from 4^th and 5^th battalions were to support the attack of 32^nd Division. Four tanks were to form a reserve and eight were to support each of the attacking brigades. ^(OH) 5^th Battalions tanks were presumably allocated to 96^th brigade. 4^th battalions tanks were presumably to support 97^th Brigade and form the reserve

The War diary states the battalion were to support the 8th CIF Brigade, the Official history states this brigade did not attack on the 10th.

Account of Operations

The 4:20am attack went well and La Quesnoy was captured, 4 of the eight tanks were knocked out.

32^nd Division were late getting to the start line so the attack started at 10:30am. The 4 surviving tanks from the 4:20am action attacked again, presumably joining 4 fresh tanks. The advance went well until the old trench system was reached ^(OH) then heavy opposition was encountered, severe casualties were inflicted and the infantry secured all their objectives with little loss. The most severe opposition was encountered from 99 and 101 woods, both of which were cleared by tanks. ^(H5) 101 wood and the two Mgs therein was taken by 9:30am. 96^th brigade continued a slow advance against stiff opposition, three or four tanks, operating ahead of the infantry, were all knocked out by AT fire. ^(OH) Two tanks were also sent to support the French who were held up by fire from a copse south of the main road. In total five tanks were knocked out. ^(H5)

2Lt Asser died on this date ^(CWG)

Note

The Official history states that about 2pm four more tanks came forward, all these were knocked out within 10 minutes of crossing the old German front line ^(OH) This appears to be the action referred to in 5^th Battalion’s War Diary as occurring on the 11^th August.

Summary

Total Tanks: 12

Failed to Start:

Engaged enemy:

Ditched / Broke Down:

Hit and Knocked out: 9 or 11

Rallied:

Note

Totals include both actions, note that the 4 survivors from the 4:20am action also fought in the 10am action; they are only counted once.

Aftermath

Sources

W4a – 4^th Tank Battalion - Summery of Tanks on Strength – August 1918. - PRO WO 95-110

H5 - 5^th Tank Battalion War History - transcript from Bovington tank museum.

OH – Official History. 1918. Volume IV. P122

Amiens