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The Tanks at Kaiserschlact. 23rd June1918
10 Battalion with 5th KOYLI, 187th Brigade, 62nd Division.
"C"" Company 10 Battalion had 5 female tanks in action on 23rd June 1918
11 Section. Capt Ponsford NS (W10)
J7, 2821, f, "Jehu", 2Lt Harwood WCJ (BHS)
J11, 2597, f, 2Lt Harper T (BHS)
J12, 4560, f, 2Lt Cronshaw LH (BHS)
J13, 2545, f, 2Lt Oddy OG (BHS)
J17, 4656, f, 2Lt Webb G (BHS)
Note
J7 name speculative as this the name carried by tank J7 in march, this may be a different tank.
Orders
To support a night raid at Bucquoy by 5th KOYLI, (W10) 187th Brigade, 62nd Division. Z hour = 11:25pm (BHS)
4560 to attack with infantry to L4a.3.2 and then to remain there to cover the right of the attack until Z + 90 mins. (BHS)
2597 to attack with infantry along Logeast Wood Road and then stop about L4b.3.6 where the road crossed the German support line and prevent Germans attacking down Logeast Wood road until Z+80mins. (BHS)
2821 to attack without infantry along the light railway from F28a.5.0. to the railway’s junction with the German support line. once there to protect the left flank and cover the return route of the infantry and tanks. (BHS)
4656 and 2545 were to accompany infantry to German front line and then mop up thereon. (BHS)
Account of operations
4560 fired 500 rounds SAA, in action 2 ½ hours. Went along pre arranged route, first came under fire at Dolls house, fired on by Trench Mortar and then mobbed by infantry at crossroads in L3b.95.50. infantry fought off with revolvers. Tank reached and patrolled final objective, then, at the appointed time, returned and rallied, breaking down, being bombed and attacked by a trench mortar en route. (BHS)
2597 fired 1000 rounds SAA, in action 1hr 50 mins. Tank came under heavy Trench Mortar and MG fire near the Dolls House. At the bank near the crossroads, L3b.35.50 a party of enemy bombers were fired on with revolvers. Six dug outs were fired into along the South side of the Cemetery, and the cemetery was fired into. The tank went along the south of Logeast Wood [ road ?] and fired on enemy who were retiring towards the support line. The tank reached its objective and fired along Logeast Wood road and on the enemy support line. At the appointed time the tank withdrew, firing its rear guns as it went. (BHS)
2821 fired 6000 rounds SAA, in action 1hr 25 mins. Started at Z + 10 mins, fired on by MGs and fired into old camp and was fired on by a trench mortar located in approximately F26d.5.7 [ probably F28d.5.7 ]. Fired on enemy retiring to the support line. Reached objective and patrolled North and South of it; returned and rallied. (BHS)
4656 fired 1000 rounds SAA, in action 1hr 35 mins. Tank fired on by trench mortars and Mgs at Dolls House. At the cemetery the tank fired on enemy in trench to the East of the road, into dug outs along the road and on the South side of the road. The tank then proceeded along the West Aide of the enemy posts firing continuously on them. The tank then returned and rallied. (BHS)
2545 fired 1200 rounds SAA, in action 1hr 35 mins. Actions much as for 4656 except this tank went east of the enemy posts. (BHS)
The attack was successful 2Lt Harwood WCJ and 3 other ranks were wounded. (W10)
Summary
Intended: 5
Reserve: 0
At start: 5
Started: 5
Engaged enemy: 5
Ditched / Broke Down: 10
Hit and Knocked out: 0
Rallied: 5
Aftermath
10 Tank Battalion moved out of the line and handed all its remaining MK IV tanks to Central Workshops by June 30th. (W10)
Sources
H10 - Transcript of 10th Battalion’s War History from Bovington.
W10 - Transcript of 10th Battalion’s War Diary from Bovington.
BHS - 10th Battalion's June 1918 Battle History Sheets in PRO WO 95 / 103
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