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The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line. 3rd October 1918
"A" Company, 3rd Battalion, with 5th Brigade, 2nd Australian Divisions, Australian Corp, 4th Army (OH)
A Company, 3rd Battalion had 8 tanks in action on 3rd October 1918 (w3)
A Company
Section - Capt O’Dowd PR
A263, Cyprus III
A325, Crieff
Section - Capt Keppel-Palmer MC
A223, Comme-Ci
A237, Ceylon II
A247, Comme-Ca, 2Lt Finsburg GMM
A225, Cirencester
A231, Carnaby (W3) or Carnary (H3)
A388, Casa
Also 2Lt Arundel FH
Notes
“Crieff” is given the census number A326 on 29th September.
“Comme-Ci” is incorrectly given the census number 233 in the narrative.
A231, is called Carnary in the War History (H3)
Orders
To support the 5th Australian Brigade’s attack on the Beaurevoir line and village. (W3) 17th and 20th AIF Battalions (OH)
The tanks were to pass through the infantry when the Beaurevoir line was then and then proceed ahead of the 17th and 20th Australian battalions and secure the high ground to the North and North West of Beaurevoir village until the infantry had consolidated. (W3)
Lying up point: G17b.2.6.
Account of Operations
The Company left the lying up point between 7:25 and 7:40am after being informed that the Beaurevoir line had been breached. The tnask went along the North side of the main Estrees-LeCateau Road, then around the north of Estrees to crossings made over the Masnieres - Beaurevoir trench system by heavy tanks and pioneers. (W3)
Four tanks failed to make it over the Masnieres - Beaurevoir trench system:
A263 ditched in a trench at B25d.8.1. Capt Dowd crossdecked to A325.. (W3)
A237 broke down. (W3)
A388 was penetrated by an AT bullet which wounded all three crew, two crew were left at the dressing station and the wounded driver rallied the tank.
A231 broke down at the cross roads H2a9.5 (or H2d.9.?
The remaining four tanks all crossed the Masnieres - Beaurevoir trench system in B27 central and almost immediately came under heavy Mg and shell fire.
The infantry asked the tanks to deal with a strongpoint in B.27.c.7.8. which was holding up the advance.
A325 and A223 were both set afire by heavy small arms fire and bombs whilst close to the strongpoint at B27.c.7.7, all the crewmen were wounded.
A225 was hit and then capsized into a German dug out at b27c central.
A247 was hit and knocked out at B27c central, the crew were all wounded, Capt Keppel-Palmer was later killed by a bomb, the driver and gunner were captured.
Summary
Total Tanks: 8
Failed to Start:
Engaged enemy:
Ditched / Broke Down: 3
Hit and Knocked out: 5
Rallied: 0
Notes
Hit and knocked out includes A388.
Three tanks reached the rally point.
Aftermath
In the Report on operations the Battalion commander states that the Whippets were misused by being tasked to deal with the strongpoint, a task better suited to heavy tanks. recommended that the aeroplane markings on the front should be dispensed with as being too obvious and aiming point, that all whippets be armed with a light gun and that all whippets should be commanded by an officer when going into action.
The surviving tanks of “A” company were in action again on 8th October.
Sources
W3 – 3rd Battalion War Diary - transcript from Bovington tank museum.
H3 – 3rd Battalion War History. PRO WO 95-104
OH – Official History, 1918, Vol 5 pg164f
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