11 Battalion. 27 September 1918
Battle of Canal Du Nord. 27th September 1918
11th Tank Battalion, with 5th and 42nd Divisions, IV Corp, 3rd Army (OH)
11th Tank Battalion was transferred from 1st to 3rd Tank brigade in mid September 1918 (H11)
11th Battalion had 14 fighting tanks in action on 27th September 1918 (H11)
A Company
6 tanks
C Company
2Lt Douglas
2Lt Wilson
Plus 6 more tanks
Notes
The battalion was equipped with Mark V* tanks (H11)
Orders
IV corps front was in advance of VI to their north, the 5th Division and the right wing of 42nd Division would attack at 07:52 to secure the high ground to the left and centre, then the left wing of 42nd Division would advance at Zero +3 hours, 8:20am when the rest of 3rd armies three Corps should have secured their first objectives. One company of tanks was to support each division; (OH) the tanks thus had to approach in daylight 2 ½ hours after the attack further north had started. (H11)
“C” company presumably with 42nd Division
“A” Company presumably with the 5th Division
Account of Operations
5th Division led with 15th brigade which attacked at 7;52 am and immediately had five tanks knocked out. The last tank greatly assisted the infantry in capturing the village of Beaucamp before it too was knocked out. (OH) The War history states “A” company had four tanks hit and Knocked out on Beauchamp Ridge and 2 ditched. (H11)
42nd Division led with 127th Brigade which attacked at 8:20am, (OH) 2 “C” company tanks broke down and failed to reach the starting point. The others all attacked on time. (H11) 4 tanks were quickly knocked out. 2Lt Douglas and Wilson were recommended for gallantry by the infantry. Despite severe losses the infantry captured the second objective and advanced further to the Villers Plouch – Ribecourt road (OH) The remaining two “C” company tanks both rallied (H11)
The enemy fought fiercely, even attempting to pull the 6pdr and Hotchkiss guns out of the tanks. Ten tanks inflicted many casualties both by firing 6Pdr and MG and by running over and crushing MGs. All the tanks used smoke bombs but these proved ineffective. The survivors rallied at Havrincourt wood . (H11)
Casualties: 1 officer (2Lt Gallsworthy E (CWG)) and 2 other ranks killed, 5 officers and 26 other ranks wouded, 2 officers wounded but remained on duty, 7 other ranks missing. (H11)
Summary
Total Tanks: 14
Failed to Start: 2
Engaged enemy: 12
Ditched / Broke Down: 2
Hit and Knocked out: 8
Rallied: 2
Note
Rallied does not include the ditched tanks or the two that failed to start.
Aftermath
Sources
H11 – 11th Tank Battalion’s War History, PRO WO 95 / 100.
OH – Official History. 1918. Volume V. Pg.43 to 45