10 Battalion 27 March 1918
The Tanks at Kaiserschlact. 27h March 1918
"C" Company, 10 Battalion with 186th Brigade, 25th Division.
"C" Company, 10 Battalion had 6 tanks in action on 27th March 1918
J4, "Jael"
J25, 2023, "Jellico"
J26, "Jutland"
J29, 8078 , "Jade"
J31, "Juggler"
J32, 2854, "Jumping Jimmy"
J33, 2356, "Jock"
J36, "Julia", Lt Dick JA
Notes
The above eight tanks are listed with the company in the War Diary Appendixes (W10a)
Only J31 and J32 are spcifically mentioned as being in action on this date.
The War diary indicates "C" company had six tanks available on this date, it therefore seems likely that two of the tank listed above (other than J31 and J32) did not participate in the action.
For more notes see link: 10 Battalion OB. March 1918
Background
Battalion disposition (W10)
BHQ. La Cauchie;
“A” Coy. - 5 Tanks – Hannescamp;
“B” Coy. – 8 tanks La Cauchie;
“C” Coy. – 6 Tanks, Pigeon Wood.
Orders
At 7pm “C” company were ordered to assist 186th Brigade in the recapture of Rossignol Wood. (W10)
Account of operations
That night 9 section and a composite section were committed under the command of 2Lt Garnham and Lt Mckleod JF. The tanks attacked from the north, 9 section attacked the West Side of the Wood and the composite section on the East. South of the Wood the enemy stoutly held the original line but were engaged with great success by the tanks, especially 2Lt Oddie’s (W10).
J32 is the only tank listed as definitely being in action on the 28th in the summary (95-93) .
The attack was successful; J31 “Juggler” was knocked out at about K12d.5.8 (W10).
J33 was also in action and rallied at some point between 25th and 28th March. But no details are given. (95-93)
Summary
Intended: 6
Reserve: 0
At start: 6
Started: 6
Engaged enemy: 6
Ditched / Broke Down: 0
Hit and Knocked out: 1
Rallied: 5
Note
Eight tanks may have gone into action, but six seems more likely.
the numbers given above are mostly educated guesses
Aftermath
J4, J25, J29, J32, J33, J36 - Possibly in Action on 5th April.
28th March to 3rd April 1918 (W10)
21 tanks on charge, 15 having been lost since 21st March.
No change in disposition during this period.
28th March - Pigeon Wood shelled one OR KIA and one wounded.
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