5 Battalion 8 August 1918
The Battle of Amiens 8th August 1918
5th Battalion with 3rd Division, Canadian Corp, 4th Army (H5)
5th Battalion had 42 tanks in action on 8th August 1918 (H5)
Company commanders: Maj Coombe HOS, Maj Gatehouse, Maj Hooley BT (H5)
A Company (H5)
11 male
3 female
2 of which commanded by:
2Lt Birch R
2Lt Holland F
B Company (H5)
10 male
4 female
Three sections with tanks commanded by:
section
2Lt Albinson A
Section – with “A” company (H5)
3 tanks
Section – Capt Bion
4 tanks
C Company (H5)
10 male
4 female
2 of which commanded by:
2Lt Bayliss
2Lt Fossett
Possibly four of:
9096 (m)
9176 (m)
9147 (m)
9409 (f)
9034 (m)
Notes
46 tanks were de trained on the 6th August, presumably the 42 Mk V and 4 Mk IV baggage that were drawn at the start of June. (W5)
Tank sexes are those given for the tanks drawn on or about 13th June 1918, they may be different by August, though this is the battalion’s first action with MK V tanks. (W5)
At least 16 of the tanks drawn in early June had wide tracks. (W5)
5th Battalion had drawn 30 male and 12 female tanks. (W24)
The five tanks whose WD numbers are listed were all received by 4th Battalion on 25th August, four of these tanks were presumably those handed over by 5th battalion. (W4a)
Two of "B" companies tanks, E33, "Excellent" and E34, "Exultant" may have been photographed soon after they had been received:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7700258@N05/3039313738/in/set-72157601074581465/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7700258@N05/3025245587/in/set-72157601074581465/
Orders
Start time was z – 12mins (H5) at 4.08am (OH)
“A” and “B” Companies with 9th CIF Brigade and “C” Company with 8th CIF brigade (H5) To capture the green line (w42can)
“A” company was to cross the Luce and the swamp in the valley, this necessitated the company being in single file for 500yds along the main
Amiens Roye road (H5) At zero the company’s lead tank was to be just before the bridge at Domart. (OH) The lead section was to support the infantry by attacking a designated strongpoint. (H5)
“B” Company were to cross the River Luce at Thennes Bridge then swing left at Thennes Church to their start point (H5) along the Thannes – Horges Road, midway between the two villages (OH) They were to detach two sections, one to assist the lead “A” company section with the strongpoint; the other to assist the 46th French Division’s attack on Village of Villers au Etables. (H5) The remaining section was presumably to initially assist the 43rd CIF (Cameroon Highlanders of Canada) who were to take Dodo Wood and other objectives. (S45.p110)
2CMR to north of the Luce
58th CIF just south of the Luce, to be accompanied by 4 tanks which were to advance in front of the infantry and pay especial attention to the crossroads in C5 central and the village of Demuin (W58can)
116th CIF south of the 58th CIF
Once the Green line had been secured the 7th CIF Brigade, with 6 tanks attached, was to collect any other surviving tanks and pass through the 9th CIF Brigade on the first objective and capture the second objective (OH) Red line. 49th CIF on the left, 42nd CIF in the centre and Royal Canadian Regt on the right. And the PPCLI in reserve (w42can)
“C” Company were to deploy along a line running north to south from the road just north of Leopard Wood to the Domart – Hangard Road. (H5) Then 8 tanks were to lead the infantry and capture villages of Hangard then Demuin and the bridge over the Luce therein. To ensure the river could be crossed even if the bridge was blown 2Lt Fossetts and Bayliss tank were fitted with cribs, these two tanks were to proceeded directly to Demuin, only engaging the enemy as necessary; a sapper was carried in one of the tanks to defuse the charges believed to be on the bridge if it were captured intact. The remaining 6 tanks were to follow 500yds behind the others and wait in Cemetery copse until the Luce was passable, then to cross it and join the other tanks in an advance on the green line. If the Luce could not be crossed at Demuin the tanks were to cross at Domart and attempt to catch the infantry on the Green Line and lead them to the red line. (H5)
Account of Operations
Advance to the first Objective – Green Line
The mist was so thick the tanks couldn’t see each other or any targets, except for gun flashes. (OH)
“A” company started on time, the last tank crossed the Luce at z-3 minutes and was150yds over the Luce when the enemy barrage came down and 2 shells struck the tank and knocked it out. (H5) The enemy barrage only consisted of three shells according to Canadian Eyewitness, the second shell almost turned he last tank over and killed the entire crew (S45.p109) The company immediately deployed off the road to prevent it being blocked if any more tanks were hit, 3 tanks ditched in the swamp. The lead section successfully helped the infantry clear the designated strongpoint. Whilst near Demuin 2Lt Birch fired on a hostile battery and silenced one gun but was hit twice and knocked out, 5 crew were wounded. The tanks advanced on Hamon wood, 6 were hit and knocked out; including 2Lt Holland’s tank which was hit and had a 6pdr and Hotchkiss disabled, the tank continued to fight until it a second hit knocked it out; the company captured a field gun and a number of MGs in the vicinity of Dodo Wood and Hamon Wood. 4 tanks reached the Green line (H5) (6 according to the Official history) having provided little more than moral support to the infantry. (OH) and one the Red line. (H5) One tank was apparently knocked out by a 5.9 firing at point blank range, the resulting explosion destroyed the tank and the gun (S45.p109)
The 58th CIF battalion overcame resistance on the Rifle Wood - Hangard Wood Road by 5:20am and then, with tank support, captured a well defended Demuin by 6:30am; Courcelles was also captured by 7:05am. (OH) No field guns were encountered by this battalion who stated the tank support was excellent (W58can)
The 116th CIF battalion captured Hamon wood by 7:30am by assaulting it from the North and South. (OH)
“B” company, one tank broke down and failed to start, the other 13 all advanced on time. (H5)
The section that were to assist “A” company failed, 2 tanks ditched in the swamp and the third was knocked out by a gas shell (h5) or the crew was overcome by fumes. None of these tanks reached the front line (OH).
Another tank ditched before reaching the front line. Five tanks thus helped clear the villages and made the first objective. (OH) one of these tanks had accidentally fired on the 43rd CIF on the way forward; in only stopped at the request of a Canadian Officer who banged on the tank. (S45.p110)
2Lt Albinson silenced MGs in Jean Wood, Valley Wood and White house by directing his tank’s fire from outside the tank; the infantry operating with him only suffered 6 casualties. Another tank was hit several times and knocked out, one gunner, Cpl Hill continued to fire his gun until forced to evacuated he then helped his crewmates to safety. The company helped capture Dodo Wood (H5) which was entered at 5:30 (OH) the 43rd CIF paused just inside the western edge and the tanks entered the wood from the north and proceeded through it to the south and cleared it by 7:00 am (w43can) or 7:30 (OH) . Holland Wood on the Green Line was also reached and cleared by the 43rd CIF by 7:10 (OH) (w43can) Vignette Wood contained a battery of enemy guns which knocked out four tanks at point blank range. It was captured by the 43rd CIF by 8:10am (w43can)
Also cleared were Wreen barrow, Bartin Wood, Valley Wood and Jean Wood. 3 tanks reached the final objective. (H5)
The 43rd CIF Narrative of operations gives a slightly different picture to that given in the war diary entry:
8 tanks were to assist the 43rd CIF to the right of the Roye road, only 2 came into action at Dodo wood. 4 tanks operated to the right of Roye road, these started on Roye road behind the River Luce. The tanks were unable to enter Dodo Wood and were of little help until the top of the hill was reached and the mist cleared he they provided valuable assistance, attacking enemy strongpoints head on whilst the infantry worked around the flanks. South of Vignette Wood was a battery of three 77mm guns, directly in fort of it was an second battery of four 5.9 guns, these two batteries accounted for 3 of the supporting tanks when they reached the top of the hill.
One source claims the tanks only caught the 43rd CIF up in time to assist in mopping up. (S45.p110) as indicated above this is not borne out by the43rd CIF war diary.
2Lt Bion’s section had a tank hit and knocked out almost immediately after starting; two other tanks were misdirected so only one joined the French as planned. It helped them clear the village (H5) of Villers Aux Erables (OH) driving the tank through several houses to do so as MG fire had no effect on the defenders [presumably this was a female tank] he also helped capture a 5.9 battery. The tank was badly damaged but managed to rally. (H5)
“C” company started on time and met the infantry, Hangard and Demuin were both captured, 5 tanks had been lost, 2 ditched in the swampy ground. The bridge in Demuin was blown but 2Lt Bayliss used his crib and all 9 surviving tanks were able to cross the Luce without difficulty; the crib later served as the foundations for a bridge constructed by the royal engineers. 9 tanks helped capture Courcelles, 8 tanks reached the Green Line and 4 tanks the red line. The company captured numerous MGs, 5 field guns and 2 howitzers. (H5) One tank rammed the Gateway into the Graveyard by Cemetery copse thus demolishing it and the MG nest atop it. (S45.p139)
Due to the mist the leading 8 tanks only caught up with the infantry when they were already in Hangard, they helped the infantry capture the village. The tanks then pressed on and helped capture Demuin. By now one tanks crew had been gassed by fumes, another tank had been hit and burnt out, two others had ditched and one had broken down. Another tank was lost between Demuin and the first objective, 8 therefore reached the first objective. (OH)
Advance to the 2nd ??? objective
The 7 CIF Brigade,42nd Royal Highlanders of Canada and 49th Battalion leading, passed through the first objective on time with 19 tanks(OH), the 42nd CIF started from Hamon Wood on time at 8:20am (S45.p146) Wheelbarrow and Jean Wood were cleared with the tank’s help. Mezieres was also taken. A German howitzer battery was firing point blank from 1000yds east of Hamon Wood a tank of “A” company captured the battery by coming at it from the flank after skirting to the north of the wood which it was unable to enter. The gun’s crews were kept prisoner under the tank’s guns until the Highlanders arrived to capture them. The 49th CIF Battalion also advanced to its objective, overcoming heavy MG fire from Cerfs Wood. Only 8 tanks were still functioning on the objective . (OH)
The 42nd CIF outflanked and captured a battery of 4.1s in the valley at D7d with the assistance of a tank operating on the extreme left. Later a battery of three 8” Howitzers and an AT gun was rushed and captured in L13d. The Battalion reached the Red Line at 10.20am and then with the assistance of 3 tanks captured Claude Wood,2 Mgs and a high velocity 4.5cm gun. The battalion spent the night in Claude Wood where a supply tank twice came forward with water and MG ammo. The tanks were very successful, continuously patrolling in front of the infantry and immediately coming the assist the infantry when opposition was encountered. The supply tank also proved very useful (W42can)
A gunner form the 6th battery, 58th German Artillery regiment claims that the two of his batteries guns which survived the preliminary bombardment knocked out 7 tanks before they were put out of action: one light tank, two “large” tanks and a male tank all being listed. (S45.p146)
The 49th CIF advanced to their objective only encountering more than slight opposition in front of Cerfs wood. The four tans that operated with the 42nd and 49th battalion’s proved very useful and helped keep infantry casualties to a minimum. (W49can)
The 31st CIF battalion only had one tank left in support when it advanced past Bayonvillers. 3 Mk V having been knocked out by a battery of 4.2s positioned at the entrance to the village. This battery was then outflanked, engaged form the rear and silenced by “Musical box”. (S45.p147f)
The 30th CIF was supported by 5 tanks and successfully captured the Red line by 10.40am. (S45.p148)
Summary
Total Tanks: 42
Failed to Start: 1
Engaged enemy:
Ditched / Broke Down:
Hit and Knocked out:
Rallied:
Aftermath
3 of the tanks that failed to cross the Luce rallied.
“B” company’s gassed tank rallied
Sources
H5 - 5th Battalion War History - transcript from Bovington tank museum.
W5 - 5th Battalion War Diary - transcript from Bovington tank museum.
W4a – 4th Tank Battalion - Summery of Tanks on Strength – August 1918. - PRO WO 95-110
OH – Official History. 1918. Volume IV. p43 to p47
S45 - Amiens 1918 (2001) James Mc Williams and R. James Steel
W42can – War Diary of the 42nd Canadian infantry battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada). Available online:
W43can – War Diary of the 43rd Canadian infantry battalion (Cameroon Highlanders of Canada). Available online:
Narrative of operations of the 43rd Canadian Battalion in the attack of 8th August 1918. Available online:
W49can – War Diary of the 49th Canadian infantry battalion. Available online:
W58can – War Diary of the 58th Canadian infantry battalion. Available online:
http://www.canadiangreatwarproject.com/warDiaryLac/wdLacP08.asp
Note
The war diaries of the 116th CIF Battalion and the CMR battalions are not currently available online.