2 Battalion 21 September 1918
The Battle of Epheny. 21st September 1918
2 Battalion, with 53rd and 74th Divisions, III Corp, 4th Army (H2)
2 Battalion had 11 tanks in action on 21st September 1918 (H2)
“A” Company – Maj Symons HJ (H2)
B11, 9031, 2Lt Watson Kerr R
9509
9834, Lt McLean RC
and 4 more tanks
“B” Company – Maj. Harcourt SAC (H2)
4 tanks
Notes:
“A” Company took over 3 tanks from “B” Company just before the start.
The crews were a mixture from all three companies.
9509 is a Mk V* which was in action on the 18th September. This tank and 9834 are possibly the two tanks that had been taken over from Number 2 Advanced workshops on 27th August. The War diary does not mention the battalion taking on any other tanks (other than “Mable” from 13th battalion) (W2)
Orders
“A” Company with 53rd Brigade, 18th Division to support attack on the Knoll. Start Line 300yds East of Zebra and Yak posts.
2 tanks were MKV* (probably 9509 and 9834 (W2)), these were to carry Machine gunners forward to the objective, they were to follow with the infantry. (H2)
“B” Company with 24 Welsh and 25 Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 231st Brigade, 74th Division to support attack on Guillemont Farm from the South West. Start line just east of Ronnsoy Hargicourt Road. (H2) (WO-95-3154-1_2 p16)
Account of Operations
3 tanks failed to make their start line by zero, one of “A” Company and two of “B” Company.
Tanks led the infantry forward at Zero.
“A” Company: One tank was hit and burnt out shortly after starting. A second tank was hit but carried on briefly until it until it ran over a land mine and blew up. A third tank was hit and knocked out on the objective (H2). 9031 fired 150 rounds 6 pdr 9icluding 50 case shot) and 1000 rounds SAA. This tank left Yak post at 5:55am then went South East towards Sart farm. Enemy were fired on in the trenches to the north of Sart Farm. Many being hit whilst they attempted to evacuate dame. Doleful post and the trenches to the north of it were also cleared of the enemy, these positions and the trench running North to Egg post were occupied by the British infantry who were following the tank. The tank now advanced on the Knoll and encountered very heavy fire therefrom. The tank patrolled to the SE of the Knoll under heavy fire all the time; this fire prevented the infantry’s advance and killed the tanks driver, wounded the OIC and damaged the radiator. The tank turned to rally and broke down at F11c.0.3. (w2) Both MKV* (9834 and, probably 9509) made it to the Knoll which was still held by the enemy. The passengers did not wish to be dropped in the midst of the enemy, (H2) 9834 picked up 9301’s crew (W2) both tanks returned to bring the infantry forward but the attack was called off so they returned and rallied. (H2)
”B” Company, both tanks hit land mines and were knocked out half way to their objective. (W2)
Thus the infantry attacked without tank support (WO-95-3154-1_2 p16)
Then official history gets its objectives mixed up stating the MkV* made it to Guillimont Farm. (OH)
The final objectives were not taken and would be attacked again on the 27th September.
Summary
Total Tanks: 11
Failed to Start: 3
Engaged enemy:
Ditched / Broke Down:
Hit and Knocked out: 6
Rallied: 2
Note:
Only the two Mk V* are counted as rallied.
Aftermath
This was 2nd Battalion’s last action.
On 23rd September tanks were handed to 13th and 16th Battalions (W2)
B53 was in action with 8th Battalion on 29th September (s69.p168)
Sources
H2 – 2nd Battalion War History. Transcript from Bovington Tank Museum.
W2 – 2nd Battalion War Diary. Especially Battle History sheets therein. Transcript from BovingtonTank Museum.
OH – Official History, 1918, Vol. IV, pg.479ff
WO-95-3154-1_2 - 231 Infantry Brigade War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew.