Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Switch Line. 2^nd September 1918

C Company, 9 Battalion, with 12^th Brigade, 4^th Division, Canadian Corp, 1^st Army ^(OH)

C Company, 9^th Battalion had 8 fighting tanks in action on 2^nd September 1918 ^(W9a)

B Company ^(W9a)

9 section – Lt Wright

3 tanks

10 section – Lt Wilkins

3 tanks

11 section – Lt Durrans

2 tanks

Notes

Orders

Army objective was to break through the Drocourt-Queant Line astride the Arras-Cambrai road, and then swing outward rolling up the line to the north and south. 3^rd Tank Brigade was to support the attack, 11^th Tank Battalion with 4^th Division on the left, 9^th Tank Battalion with the 4^th CIF Division in the centre and 14^th Tank Battalion with the 1^st CIF Division on the right. ^(H9)

The first objective, (Red Line), was the village of Cagnicourt, Mont Dury, Dury and the high ground south of Etaing. ^(H9). The tanks were to lead the infantry to crush the wire and enable the infantry’s advance to the Drocourt Queant Switch line, capture Drury, then cover the consolidation. Finally they were to swing outwards to protect the flanks of the attack. ^(W9a)

Three further objective lines were also indentified but the tanks were not supposed to advance this far. ^(H9)

.C Company with 85^th CIF Battalion in the centre, 500 yds frontage. ^(W9a)

10 section on the left, 9 section on the left, 11 section with brigade on the left ^(W9a)

At zero – 30 tanks to sectors, then to creep forwards to deployment point by zero 1-10 then pass through the infantry at zero – 2. ^(W9a)

Zero hour was 5am ^(H9)

Account of Operations

The tanks set off at Zero -30mins and led the infantry over the British front line as the barrage opened at zero. ^(H9)

One tank broke down on the enemy front line. The other 7 tanks all reached the final objective then swung North and attacked Dury from the South and east; several MGs were silenced, most surrendered when the tanks approached. 2 tanks were hit and knocked out. The infantry having advanced towards the Green line the remaining tanks rallied. ^(W9a)

Smoke grenades proved very useful in covering the tanks ^(H9)

The official history states the Canadians claimed the tanks arrived late, whereas the 9^th Tank Battalion claim they started ahead of the infantry. The version in the official history says the infantry, attempted to advance without the tanks but were held up until the tanks arrived and helped the infantry to take the first and support lines, by 8am, three tanks being knocked. The Official history also states Dury was taken without assistance from the tanks though this is contrary to the account given of “C” Company’s actions. The second phase of the attack then commenced but without artillery or tank support the Canadians were unable to advance much further. ^(OH)

The 85^th CIF War Diary states the tanks only arrived when the battalion reached the sunken road in F25a, then the tanks swung in for the right and covered the battalions frontage for the remainder of the action. ^(W85can)

One of the Battalion’s tanks, commanded by Sgt March did excellent work and stopped to assist a ditched tank whilst returning. ^(H9)

Casualties: 2 other ranks killed, 3 officers and 3 other ranks wounded ^(W9a)

Summary

Total Tanks: 7

Failed to Start:

Engaged enemy: 7

Ditched / Broke Down: 1

Hit and Knocked out: 2

Rallied: 5

Note

Aftermath

9^th Tank Battalion was next in action on 29^th September 1918.

Sources

W9a – 9^th Tank Battalion War Diary Appendix – Report on operations of 9^th tank battalion on 4/9/18 in PRO WO 95-107

H9 – 9^th Tank Battalion’s War History, Transcript from Bovington tank Museum.

OH – Official History. 1918. Volume IV. Pg. 401

W85 – War Diary 85^th Canadian Battalion – available online: http://www.canadiangreatwarproject.com/warDiaryLac/wdLacP08.asp

Drocourt / Queant - 2 to 3 September (1st Army)