5 Battalion 11 August 1918
The Battle of Amiens 11th August 1918
5th Battalion with 32nd Division, Canadian Corp, 4th Army
5th Battalion had 8 tanks in action on 11th August 1918
Composite Company - Maj Gatehouse MC
8 tanks
2Lt Budge HP
Orders
8 tanks of 4th battalion and 8 tanks of 5th battalion to support 32nd Division’s attack on Parvillers and Damery respectively. First objective was the line Damery Wood, Damery, Parvillers, La Chavette. Damery and Parvillers were to be encircled and then attacked from flank and rear at Zero +62 mins when the barrage lifted. (OH)
zero hour was 9:30am (OH)
Account of Operations
The French attack on Z wood at 4:30am failed, 32nd Division’s right flank was thus enfiladed when they attacked. The barrage came down 500 yds rather than 300yds in front of the British lines and thus missed many enemy MGs and Trench mortars. All eight 5th battalion tanks started on time and advanced on Damery (OH). Heavy opposition was encountered (H5), 6 tanks were knocked out (OH) including 2Lt Budge’s which was hit 12 times in front of Damery. 2Lt Budge ensured the tank was evacuated then rescued his badly wounded section commander who was lying in the open. (H5). The other two tanks both entered and cleared Damery twice cleared but the infantry were unable to advance further. (OH)
Summary
Total Tanks: 8
Failed to Start:
Engaged enemy: 2+
Ditched / Broke Down:
Hit and Knocked out: 6
Rallied:
Note
The fate of the other two tanks is not recorded.
Aftermath
Sources
H5 - 5th Battalion War History - transcript from Bovington tank museum.
OH – Official History. 1918. Volume IV. P144f