11 Battalion. 27 September 1918

Battle of Canal Du Nord. 27^th September 1918

11^th Tank Battalion, with 5^th and 42^nd Divisions, IV Corp, 3^rd Army ^(OH)

11^th Tank Battalion was transferred from 1^st to 3^rd Tank brigade in mid September 1918 ^(H11)

11^th Battalion had 14 fighting tanks in action on 27^th 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 5^th Division and the right wing of 42^nd Division would attack at 07:52 to secure the high ground to the left and centre, then the left wing of 42^nd Division would advance at Zero +3 hours, 8:20am when the rest of 3^rd 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 42^nd Division

“A” Company presumably with the 5^th Division

Account of Operations

5^th Division led with 15^th 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)

42^nd Division led with 127^th 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 – 11^th Tank Battalion’s War History, PRO WO 95 / 100.

OH – Official History. 1918. Volume V. Pg.43 to 45

Canal Du Nord - 27 September to 1 October 1918