16 Battalion 5 October 1918

Battle of the Beaurevoir Line. 5^th October 1918

16^th Battalion, with 6^th Australian Division, 2^nd Australian Division, Australian Corps, 4^th Army ^(OH)

Composite Company of 16^th Battalion had 13 tanks in action on 3^rd October 1918 ^(H16)

Composite Company – Maj Clough J MC

“A” Company - Capt Bryce H

Lt Cobban HLN

2Lt Herbert EJ

2LT Tiller SA

Sgt Gardner EA

“B” Company - Lt Wadham VS

Lt Rae W

2Lt Andrews RS

2Lt Faulkner ND

2Lt Dickason HMR

“C” Company – Capt Rhodes AV

Lt Beardall TG

Lt Hall AM

Lt Jerram RM

2Lt Enright Gl

Sgt Parker HG

Notes:

Tanks 9002, 9150, 9017, 9327, 9172 and 9599 were all handed over to 2^nd Brigade on 31^st December ^(W16) , they may have fought in the above action.

Orders

To support 6^th Australian brigades attack on Montbrehan^{. (H16a)} 4 tanks were to support each of the three attacking battalions (21^st, 24^th, 2nd Pioneers) ^(OH)

start point SE of Ranicourt, Deployment point h11d.9.0. Tanks to lye up 1000yds back form this point and start slowly forward at 4:45am, Zero – 1 hour. ^(H16a) The Official history states Zero was at 6.5am ^(OH)

Account of Operations

Only four tanks, reached the start point SE of Ranicourt by 11pm. The others all having ditched or broken down on the way forward. ^(H16a)

All four tanks started on time and reached their objectives, silencing numerous MGs and assisting the infantry en-route. One tank became badly bellied in Montbrehain Village and a second broke a track at Joncourt whilst returning to rally. 2 tanks rallied at RP g10c.8.4

Maj Clough, Lt Beardwell and one other rank were all slightly wounded, ^(H16a)

Note: The war Diary states 12 tanks, reached the start point, 8 rallied.

The official history states 11 tanks reached the start point, though somewhat late. They helped clear Montbrehain. One tank suffered a direct hit, one struck a tree stump, 3 lost their tracks and 8 rallied. ^(OH)

Wounded: 7 Other ranks, Maj Clough J, Lt Cobban HLN, Lt Beardall TG ^(H16a)

Summary

Total Tanks: 13

Failed to Start: 2

Engaged enemy:

Ditched / Broke Down: 4

Hit and Knocked out: 1

Rallied: 8

Note:

Official History totals used.

Aftermath

16^th Battalion was next in action on the 17^th October 1918

Sources

W16a – 16st Battalion’s War diary in PRO WO 95- 115

H16a – 16st Battalion’s War History in PRO WO 95- 115

OH – Official History, 1918, Vol V, pg 174f

Beaurevoir Line - 3 to 5 October 1918