15 Battalion C Company 27 September 1918

The Battle of the Canal du Nord. 27^th September 1918

15^th Battalion, “C” Company with 3^rd and Guards Divisions, VI Corp, 3^rd Army

15^th Battalion, “C” Company had 7 tanks in action on 27^th September 1918

C Company – Maj Skeggs RC

Right Section. Section Commander Captain McKersie

O44, “Old nick”, Sgt Richardson

O47, “Orissa”, Cpl England

O54, 9834, "Orient", 2Lt Tolmie

Left Section. Section Commander Captain Mansfield MJ

O56, “Orestes”, 2Lt Riddell

O57, “Orchid”, 2Lt McDougall

O58, “Oribi”, Sgt Whatley

O59, “Othello”, Cpl Shambrook

Notes

Serial numbers from 8 Aug 1918 Battlegraph in Brigade War Diary

All other information from Battalion War Diary.

Orders

“A” company to start form Havrincourt village. “A” and “C” companies, less one section of “C” company, were to support the 8^th and 76^th brigades attack on the Hindenburg Support line and Flesquires. The detached section of “C” Company were to assist the 2^nd Guards Brigade taking the red and then the brown line, 2 tanks were to be retained by the Guards to deal with the northern part of Flesquires. Once these objectives were secured “C” Company (including the detached section) were to support the 1^st Grenadier Guards attack Premy Chapel.

Start time was 4.55am

Account of Operations

Right Section.

O44 ditched prior to crossing the German front line. It was unditched and rallied. O47 was hit and then developed mechanical trouble just after crossing the first objective (only mechanical trouble on the battlegraph). It also rallied. O54 reached the Brown line with the 1^st Gordons having silenced numerous MGs en route, several by running over and crushing them. The tank was hit and burnt out at this point. 2Lt Tolmie, the OIC was awarded the MC.

Left Section

The Section commander (2Lt Mansfield) ^(CWG)) was killed before he could liaise with the Infantry’s OIC. The Section proceeded to Northern Flesquires and assisted the 1^st Gordons, 1^st Division, in capturing it. The 1^st Grenadier Guards arrived and the tanks moved to the North of the village in order to support their attack towards Premy chapel. The tanks now crossed the open ground with the infantry and greatly assisted them; engaging MGs and field Guns in Orival Wood and firing on the enemy in Silver Street and Beet Root Factory. O56, O57 and O59 were all knocked out by direct fire from the battery in Orival Wood. O58 rallied.

Summary

Total Tanks: 7

Failed to Start:

Engaged enemy: 5

Ditched / Broke Down: 2

Hit and Knocked out: 4

Rallied: 1

Rallied doesn’t include O44 and O47

Aftermath

This was 15^th battalions last action.

Sources

Tank Names and Crew numbers from Battalion War Diary.

Other information from Battlegraph in Brigade War Diary

W15a - 15th Battalion War Diary Appendices, relevant reports and battlegraphs – PRO WO 95-103

Canal Du Nord - 27 September to 1 October 1918