4 Battalion. "A" Company. 29 September 1918

4 Battalion. "A" Company. 29 September 1918

St Quentin, 29^th September 1918

A Company, 4^th Battalion with 27^th US Division, III Corps

A Company had 6 tanks in action on 29^th September 1918.

9109, m, 2Lt Baigent HC

9448, f, Lt Briscoe WG

9066, m, 2Lt McNab, George

9326, 2Lt Gill, GA

9116, m, 2Lt Boulton S, Crew 4

9190, m, 2Lt Steane

Note

1. Both “A” and “B” Companies had Wireless tanks attached on 29^th September. One may be the same vehicle that was with the battalion on 8^th August.

2. “A” Company was also allocated a baggage tank, 6099, but this is not mentioned in the reports for 29^th September.

3. 9182 and 9096 were also with the company according to the Summary of Tanks on Strength.

4. Crew of 9116 from BHS.

Orders

Whilst the 27^th US Division had reached all its objectives on the 27^th September it had failed to mop up properly and significant numbers of Germans were still holed up in pockets behind the new front line. The Attack on the 29^th thus had to begin 1000yds back from the start line in this sector; as the presence of allied troops made it impossible to safely use artillery to help the infantry subdue these pockets it was decided to use tanks. “A” company, 4^th Battalion (6 tanks) was thus allocated, it was not to proceed past the line of the final objective of the 27^th attack; care was also to be taken not to accidentally engage the American troops, including the tanks of the 301^st Battalion, who would be moving forward for the main attack. The tanks were split into 3 pairs, each pair to roam across the area covered by a four tank section on the 27^th. ^(W4a)

9109 and 9448 to follow behind infantry and tank to Guillimont Farm and clear any remaining enemy from on the way to and therein ^(BHS)

9326 and 9066 with Corps Reserve. To follow behind infantry and tanks to Knoll and clear any remaining enemy from therein. Rallying point f22 ^(BHS)

9190 and 9116 to follow behind infantry and tanks to Quennimont Farm and clear any remaining enemy from therein ^(BHS)

Zero 5:50, start 5:35 ^(BHS)

Account of operations

Overview

All six tanks started ten minutes before zero (5.20am) but one (9448 ^(BHS)) was knocked out when it ran into the British minefield soon after starting. No enemy were encountered at Quennemont Farm or the Knoll; there was some opposition at Gillemont Farm where 9109 silenced 2 MGs. 9326 suffered a direct hit on the Sponson door. Whilst returning 3 more tanks struck mines and were knocked out, 9109, 9116 and, probably 9190. Three officers and fifteen other ranks were wounded and two other ranks were killed. ^(W4a) WD numbers from BHS

Detailed accounts from BHS

9109 followed orders, patrolled around Guillimont Farm, fired on by enemy MGs, two of which were silenced by tank. On returning blown up by mine at F17d.55.60; one track broken, large hole in bottom plate of tank. In action two hours, drove two and a half miles fired forty rounds SAA. One man killed, two wounded, three concussed, all bruised. ^(BHS)

9448 followed orders, ran over mine at F17d.5.6. Sgt Dean T killed, Pvt Jackson F and Wilson F wounded. In action forty five minutes, drove one mile, did not fire. ^(BHS)

9326 followed attack to Knoll, no enemy encountered, did not fire. Right Sponson door smashed by shell whilst returning to RP. Tank rallied. ^(BHS)

9066 carried out orders, driver injured by shell splinters from shell which exploded between horns. Tank rallied at F22d. In action one and a half hours, travelled three and a half miles. ^(BHS)

9190 started towards front line but ran into enemy fire directed at an 18Pdr battery which was hidden in the mist. Tank KO F23c.7.9 on the wire near Bellicourt road, all crew burnt or wounded, tank burnt out, both tracks broken, big holes in floor on both sides. Narrative written by 2Lt Boulten ^(BHS) As indicated in the Report on Action, and suggested by the damage the tank took, this tank probably ran over a mine and was destroyed.

9116 Initially had to turn twice to avoid 18Pdr batteries and the barrage being fired on them (see 9190 above) the it followed orders, crossed the front line at Benjamin Post. KO by mine whilst returning, crossing wire at F23c.7.9. Right track broken, large hole in bottom of tank behind drivers seat. One man seriously wounded, four slightly wounded, all bruised. In action, two hours drove three and a half miles, didn’t fire. ^(BHS)

Summary

Total Tanks: 6

Failed to Start: 0

Engaged enemy: 5

Ditched / Broke Down:

Hit and Knocked out: 4

Rallied: 2

Note: One of the rallied tanks, 9326 had been hit on the sponson door.

Aftermath

9066 and 9326 in action with 4^th Battalion on 5^th October.

9109, 9190 and 9448 handed to salvage on 30^th September.

9116 handed to salvage on 29^th September, in Latvia in 1919.

Sources

W4a - Summary of Tanks on Strength – September 1918 - PRO WO 95-110

4^th Tank Battalion. Operations order No 25. - PRO WO 95-110

4^th Tank Battalion. Report upon action of 6 tanks of “A” Company with 27^th American Division. September 27^th 1918 - PRO WO 95-110

WMH - Henshell Papers, IWM 73 / 126 / 1

BHS – Relevant Tank Battle History sheets held in Henshall Papers IWM 73 / 126 / 1

H4 – History of the 4^th Tank Battalion, transcript from Bovington Tank Museum

St Quentin Canal - 29 September to 2 October 1918