7 Battalion 30 September 1918

The Battle of the Canal Du Nord. 30^th September 1918

7^th Battalion with 3^rd and 4^th Canadian Divisions, Canadian Corp, 1^st Army ^{(H7) (OH)}

7^th Battalion had 6 MKIV tanks in action on 30^th September 1918 ^(H7)

A Company –

6039

2893

One other tank, Sgt Durridge H

C Company – Lt Wadeson R

2785

8101

2757

Notes:

Orders

To support the 7^th Canadian Brigade’s attack starting from the Cambrai Douai Road. “A” company on the left to capture Sancourt and Becourt. “C” Company on the right to capture Tilloy and the Chapel and Mill 1,500 yds to the north thereof. ^(H7) Zero hour was 6am ^(W7)

7th CIF brigade to capture the high ground less than a mile west of Ramilles, then wheel right and capture the canal crossing at Pont d’Aire and Ramilles. 4^th CIF Brigade was to capture the high ground south of Blecourt Cuvillers and the canal crossing at Eswars. ^(OH)

A Company with 11^th Brigade (^W75a) , 4th Canadian Division, C Company with 7^th Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division. ^{(W7) (OH)}

49^th CIF in reserve, PPCLI to capture Tilloy and high ground in s2 central ,RCR to capture remainder of spur NE to S17c, and move to Ramilles and secure a bridgehead there, 42^nd CIF to advance in support of RCR at zero + 90 mins. No mention of tanks is made in the brigade orders. (WPPCLI)

9^th CIF brigade to assault and capture enemy position south of Belcourt, Sancourt and Batigny, then to swing right and capture bridge at Eswars.: 75^th CIF to lead attack, 54^th CIF in support, 87^th then 102^nd following. ^(W75can)

Note: The Official history incorrectly states 4^th CIF Brigade were involved in this attack, the CIF War Diaries confirm it was the 11^th CIF Brigade.

Infantry Brigade composition:

7^th CIF Brigade: Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR); Princess Patricia’s Canadian light infantry (PPCLI); 42^nd Royal Highlanders (Montreal), the Black Watch; 49^th (Edmonton). ^{(s15.p27) (S33.p24)}

11^th CIF Brigade: 54^th (Central Ontario, Kootenays); 75^th (Mississauga, The Jolly 75); 87^th (Canadian Grenadier Guards, Montreal); 1102^nd (Central Ontario, Northern British Columbia, the Pea soupers). ^{(s15.p27) (S33.p24)}

Account of Operations

All “A” company’s tanks went into action at 7:30am. ^(W7)

6039 went from X25a to Sancourt, crossed the Cambrai Douai road at X18a.9.0 and then the railway at halt s14a.3.9. Heavy enemy Mg fire was met from trenches in front of Blecourt, the tank entered the ruins of the village and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. 6 crew were wounded. The tank returned and rallied at X17c.1.0 ^(W7)

2893 crossed the Cambrai Douai road and the railway near Sancourt then encountered opposition about 750yds South of Blecourt. The tank silenced numerous MGs then went through Blecourt village silencing heavy fire from MG nests on the north edge of the village. The tank suffered mechanical trouble and turned to rally but broke down at s8 central. 8 crew were wounded. ^(W7)

The third tank crossed the Cambrai Douai road south of Sancourt and the railway at halt. The tank met heavy MG fire and ditched at s8c.7.3. Sgt Durridge went to get help, Lt Wadeson sent another tank forward but it was too late to render assistance. Meanwhile Sagt Durridge, Lt Wadson and a runner, Pt Hilton went forward and found the tank abandoned. Sgt Durridge and Pte Hilton were both killed whilst returning. ^(W7)

The infantry advanced past the railway but were forced to retire back to the railway due to heavy enemy fire from the front and Blecourt. ^(OH)

The 75^th made it to its objective despite heavy enemy fire from front and flanks. As they were exposed they retired and joined the 54^th CIF in the railway cutting in S14c.2.8 from where they later repelled an enemy counter attack. ^(w75can) no mention of tanks is made in the 75th and 54th CIF Battalions’ war diaries

All “C” companies tanks started at Zero. ^(W7)

2785 cruised along the railway silenced many MGs ^(H7) then threw a track on the railway embankment at s20b.0.5. ^(W7) whilst making for Tilloy. ^(H7)

8101 led the infantry, silenced several MGs and was then hit and knocked out at S14d central ^(W7) after crossing the Cambrai – Douai railway. ^(H7)

2757 encountered heavy fire ^(W7), dealt with the Chapel and mill and then went into Tilloy.^(H7)silencing many Mgs and reaching its objective at s27b.9.2 and then rallied at x25a.2.4. ^(W7)

The infantry captured Tilloy but could not hold Bancourt; at the days end the line ran from Bancourt to Sancourt along the road between the two villages. ^(OH)

The RCR tried to advance three times but were checked by MG fire form Blecout and Tilloy Wood, no mention is made of tanks in the narrative of operations. ^(WRCR)

The PPCLI suffered casualties form MGs firing from the left but eventually captured most of Tilloy, the infantry account states tanks were of little use as they were knocked out early in the attack ^(WPPCLI)

The 42^nd CIF advanced in support of the RCR, no mention is made of tanks in the narrative of operations. ^(W42can)

Casualties: 3 other ranks killed; 20 other ranks wounded, 7 other ranks missing. ^(H7)

Total casualties in the nine actions in August and September: 4 officers and 13 other ranks killed. 19 Officers and 114 other ranks wounded, ten men were missing. ^(H7)

Summary

Total Tanks: 6

Failed to Start:

Engaged enemy:

Ditched / Broke Down: 1

Hit and Knocked out: 2

Rallied: 3

Note:

Hit and knocked out includes the captured tank.

The summary in the Report of Action indicates 4 tanks were casualties: 1 female tank was burnt out, 1tank was hit and immobile, 1 was ditched and 1 had a broken track. This is different from the prose account given in the same narrative.

Aftermath

This was 7^th Battalion’s last action.

Sources

H7 – 7^th Battalion’s War History. Transcription from Bovington Tank Museum

W7– 7^th Battalion’s War Diary – Report of Action of A and C Coys. 30^th September 1918. Transcription from Bovington Tank Museum

OH – Official History 1918 Vol V, pg 150

WRCR – War Diary of the Royal Canadian Regiment – available online: http://www.canadiangreatwarproject.com/warDiaryLac/wdLacP08.asp

WPCLI – War Diary of Princess Patricia’s Canadian light infantry Battalion – available online: http://www.canadiangreatwarproject.com/warDiaryLac/wdLacP08.asp

W42can – War Diary of the 42^nd Canadian Battalion– available online: http://www.canadiangreatwarproject.com/warDiaryLac/wdLacP08.asp

W75can – War Diary of the 75^th Canadian Battalion– available online: http://www.canadiangreatwarproject.com/warDiaryLac/wdLacP08.asp

W54can – War Diary of the 54^th Canadian Battalion– available online: http://www.canadiangreatwarproject.com/warDiaryLac/wdLacP08.asp

Canal Du Nord - 27 September to 1 October 1918