10 Battalion 26 march 1918
The Tanks at Kaiserschlact. 26th March 1918
10 Battalion with 25th Division.
"C" Company, 10 Battalion had 9 tanks in action on 26th March 1918
J4, "Jael"
J25, 2023, "Jellico"
J26, "Jutland"
J29, 8078 , "Jade"
J31, "Juggler"
J32, 2854, "Jumping Jimmy"
J33, 2356, "Jock"
J35, "Jester"
J36, "Julia", Lt Dick JA
Notes
"C" company's tanks are those that started with the company on 21st March and had not been lost prior to the 26th, some or all of these tanks may not have been in action on this date.
For other notes see link: 10 Battalion OB. March 1918
Background
26th March 1918
Part of 10 Battalion was formed into a Lewis gun company.
"A" company (4 tanks) were in Fork Wood (L.8.d). (W10)
"C" Company were at Bucquoy (W10)
Orders
At 8.30am the enemy attacked south of Bucquoy near Fork Wood, “A” and “C” Company’s commanders decided to assist the infantry and took up position on the reverse slope behind the ridge running from L8 central to L7d.20 (W10) west of Fork Wood with 2nd/4th West Riding Regiment (H10); “A” company on the left, ”C” on the right (W10).
“A” company withdrew to Hannescamp at 6pm as the crews were exhausted and the tanks short of petrol. "C" company remained with the infantry. (W10)
Account of operations
"C" company helped repel an enemy attack launched at 8.30pm (W10)
J25 Broke down and thus failed to get into action near Rossignal Wood. Rallied. One crewman Killed and one wounded.
J4 helped check enemy advance from Poiseaux when infantry had been driven back. Rallied.
J26 and J32 were both in action in darkness against enemy in Fork Wood. Both tanks rallied, though J26 only did so after breaking down.
Lt Ellice-Clark ST, 2Lt Foster WL and 5 Other Ranks were wounded.
During the day JS1 (95-103) of “A” Company was set afire and burnt out when an ammunition dump in Fork Wood exploded. [War Diary mistakenly lists this tank as being JS2, 6032 destroyed which is also said to be destroyed on 13th April]. This tank contained Lewis Guns salvaged from J2, J10 and J12.(W10)
“B” Company tanks withdrew to La Gauchie (H10), J35 “Jester” broke down, was abandoned and set afire (95-103).
Summary
Intended: 9
Reserve: 0
At start: 9
Started: 8
Engaged enemy: 8
Ditched / Broke Down: 0
Hit and Knocked out: 0
Rallied: 8
Note
Summary numbers are mostly educated guesswork.
Aftermath
The tanks rallied and withdrew to Pidgeon Wood (E30.a.2.5) (W10) J35 broke down in Buquoy, was abandoned and destroyed (W10a)
J4, J25, J29, J31, J32, J33, J36 - Possibly in Action on 27th.
Sources
H10 - Transcript of 10th Battalion’s War History from Bovington.
W10 - Transcript of 10th Battalion’s War Diary from Bovington.
95/93 - Summary of 10th Battalion's March 1918 Battle History Sheets in PRO 95 / 93