10 Battalion 25 March 1918
The Tanks at Kaiserschlact. 25th March 1918
10 Battalion with 25th Division.
"A" and "B" Companies 10 Battalion had 15 tanks in action on 25th March 1918
"A" Company
1 Section
J5, 8082, "Joshua"
J7, 2821, "Jehu"
J8, 4685, "Jezebel"
2 section
J6, 2857, "Job"
J9, "Jonathan"
3 Section
J2, "Jacob" (W10)
J10, "Judith" (95-103)
"B" Company
J1
J14, "Judge Jefferies"
J15
J16
J19
J20
J22
J23
Notes
See link: 10 Battalion OB. March 1918
Background
21st March 1918
The whole Battalion was in reserve in Haplincourt Wood. The Camp was heavily shelled, about 7am the mess hut was hit and entirely gutted; this wounded the Battalion’s OIC, Lt. Col. J. Micklem, D.S.O. M.C., 2IC, Major G.J.G.G. Cumine, D.S.O., Reconnaissance Officer Captain T.N. Micklem, and Acting Adjutant, 2/Lt. S.H. Newton. Major Cummie remained on duty the others were evacuated.
22nd March 1918
Shelling continued. At 9.30pm the battalion was ordered to Sapignies the Tanks left at midnight. One supply tank, JS5, broke down and was handed to 8th Battalion who later destroyed it.
23rd March 1918
30 fighting and 5 supply tanks set off for Sapignes, 3 broke down en route near Bapaume (W10) and were abandoned: J12, “Jericho” of “A” Company; and tanks J21 and JS3 of “B” Company. [Note: this total gives 2 more supply tanks and 2 fewer fighting tanks than given on 5th March]
J21, "Jingle", 2830 was later photographed after capture by the Germans: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7700258@N05/3006883274/in/set-72157601074582281/ the second digit of the Crew number is barely visible but is confirmed by another photograph which the author cannot reference
J12 "Jericho" also photographed, presumably after capture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7700258@N05/7986041845/in/set-72157601074582281/
and from the other (port) side next to a railway line in a photograph with German writing indicating the tank was at Favreuil.(E bay item)
Battalion placed under orders of 41st Division, tanks placed to screen north of Division in case of enemy attack from direction of Mory and Ervillers.
Note: The three tanks listed above are not included in the BHS Summary.
24th March 1918
“A” and “B” Companies withdrawn west of Achiet Le Grand to G3 and G5 and placed under orders of 25th Division.
“C” Company remained with 122nd Brigade and sent 9 and 10 sections South East of Sapignes to cover their retreat.
25th March 1918
Orders
"A" Company at G2b.6.7 in Logeast Wood (W10)
"B" Company at road and railway crossing in G15d (W10)
"C" Company also at Logeast Wood.
Three tanks were lost in Logeast Wood: J11 “Jesse” was hit and set afire whilst towing J3 “Jemima” which had a broken differential; J3 was abandoned and set afire later. Later J27 of "C" Company tanks was also hit and KO (see below)
According to the Summary J10 had broken down due to water accidentally being poured into the petrol tank.
Account of operations
At midday "A" and "B" companies were ordered to counter attack North and South of Achiet le Grand
1 Section: to advance south of Achiet – le – Grand towards Biefvilliers.
2 and 3 Sections: to advance north of Achiet – le – Grand towards Sapignies and Bihucourt Road.
"B” Company went into action on ridge in G15, near Achiet – le – Grand; the tanks were to support the infantry. (W10)
"A" Company
1 Section
J5, “Joshua” Operated South of Achiet Le Grand Knocked out MGs and forced an enemy battery to retire. Enabled an isolated party of British infantry to retire. Suffered a Direct Hit which wounded one crewman, it was then abandoned and set afire.
J8 and J7 Patrolled between Bihucourt and Achiet Le Grand, but didn't engage the enemy. Both tanks had one crewman wounded but rallied at Logeast Wood .
Note: Details from the BHS Summary, 95-103 swaps tanks J7 and J5.
2 section: J6 and J9 and 3 Section: J2 (W10) and J10 (95-103) (War Diary says J11, this is presumably a mistake as J11 destroyed earlier in the day)
These four tanks went into action at 1.40pm and remained in action for several hours delaying the enemy advance guard near Bihucourt and covering the infantries consolidation, .
J2, “Jacob” and J10, “Judith” were both knocked out.
J6 and J9 rallied at Logeast Wood.
"B" Company
“B” Coy went into action on ridge near Achiet – le – Grand; the tanks covered the infantry who rallied and consolidated new defensive positions.
J1, J14, J16, J20, J22, J23 listed as in action near to Achiet le Grand in Summary, therefore presumably all with "B" Company.
J15 listed as being in action South of Bihucourt in Summary, therefore it may have been with "A" company (though its not listed with "A" Company elsewhere.
J19 broke down and failed to attack (presumably with B Company)
Two tanks received direct hits and were immobilised: J14 “Judge Jefferies” and J16 in G22 (sheet 57c) (W10) (95-103) [On 28th in 95-103]
The tanks inflicted numerous casualties on the enemy who were collecting in the South end of Bihucourt and also caused two field batteries to retire (W10) the enemy were driven out of Achiet La Grand.
Once the infantry were established the tanks withdrew behind Achiet – le – Petit and then, at dusk, to Bucquoy.
C Company
"C" Company did not go into action (W10). The company withdrew to Achiet le Petit at 3am and camouflaged itself in Logeast Wood. The wood was shelled from 2pm onwards, J27 "Jewel" suffered a direct hit in the wood and was abandoned and burned when the company withdrew (W10a) J36 was also hit, Lt Dick JA was hit, one crewman was killed, the OIC and and 3 crewmen were wounded (W10) . Also wounded were: Captain R.F. Humphries, M.C., Captain J.W. White, Lieut. H. Perkins. to Bucquoy ( L9a.5.9 ) at 8.30pm. (W10)
Summary
Intended: 15
Reserve: 0
At start: 12
Started: 14
Engaged enemy: 12
Ditched / Broke Down: 0
Hit and Knocked out: 5
Rallied: 9
Aftermath
J2, "Jacob", J10, "Judith", J16 - No further record
J5, 8082, "Joshua, "J14, "Judge Jefferies" - Photographed by Germans after capture:
J6, 2857, "Job"; J7, 2821, "Jehu"; J8, 4685, "Jezebel"; J15 - possibly in action on 5th April
J9, "Jonathan" - still with the battalion on the 31st March, unfit at Hannescamps (W10a)
J1
J19
J20
J22
J23
Sources
H1 - Transcript of "A" Battalion’s War History from Bovington.
H10 - Transcript of 10th Battalion’s War History from Bovington.
W10 - Transcript of 10th Battalion’s War Diary from Bovington.
BHS - 10th Battalion's 1918 Battle History Sheets Transcript from Bovington.
BHSa - 10th Battalion's June 1918 Battle History Sheets in PRO 95 / 103
95/93 - Summary of 10th Battalion's March 1918 Battle History Sheets in PRO 95 / 93