5 Battalion 9 August 1918
The Battle of Amiens 9th August 1918
5th Battalion with 8th CIF Brigade 3rd Division, Canadian Corp, 4th Army (OH)
5th Battalion had 7 tanks in action on 9th 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 number of tanks in action is unclear. The 5th Tank Battalion war history says 12 tanks were allocated, the Official history says 7 tanks were but only mentions 5 in the narrative of the action.
The five tanks whose WD numbers are listed were all received by 4th Battalion on 25th August, 4 of these tanks were presumably those handed over by 5th battalion. (W4a)
Orders
To support 8th CIF brigades attack on Folie and Bouchier villages and the strongpoint in the beetroot factory. (h5) 7 tanks were to support the 4th and 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles (fighting as infantry).
Account of Operations
Heavy opposition was encountered especially to the south of Quesnoy and around the factory. (H5) Two tanks helped the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles clear the copse on the east side of La Quesnnol Wood and the railway to the north of it. By 4:20pm the Canadian mounted Rifles had taken the Beetroot factory. The 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles started a little earlier than the 5th and, supported by 3 tanks, met stiff resistance and lost 2 tanks. Both the 4th and 5th CMR entered Folies at the same time (OH) Heavy casualties were inflicted and the infantry secured all their objectives with little loss. (H5)
The French failed to clear the village of Arvillers thus exposing the Canadian’s right flank. Capt Dawson’s section of 4 tanks attacked the village with the Canadians, took it then handed it to the French. (H5)
Summary
Total Tanks: 7
Failed to Start: 2
Engaged enemy: 5
Ditched / Broke Down:
Hit and Knocked out: 2
Rallied: 3
Notes
The number of tanks in action is unclear. The 5th tank battalion war history says 12 tanks were allocated, the Official history says 7 tanks were but only mentions 5 in the narrative of the action.
The author has assumed 7 tanks were allocated of which two failed to start.
Rallied is the number of tanks that fought and weren’t knocked out.
Aftermath
Sources
W4a – 4th tank battalion - Summery of Tanks on Strength – August 1918. - PRO WO 95-110
H5 - 5th Battalion War History - transcript from Bovington tank museum.
OH – Official History. 1918. Volume IV. p97
Note
The war diaries of the CMR battalions are not currently available online.