10 Battalion 27 March 1918

The Tanks at Kaiserschlact. 27^h March 1918

"C" Company, 10 Battalion with 186^th Brigade, 25^th Division.

"C" Company, 10 Battalion had 6 tanks in action on 27^th 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 186^th 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 28^th 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 25^th and 28^th 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 5^th April.

28^th March to 3^rd April 1918 ^(W10)

21 tanks on charge, 15 having been lost since 21^st March.

No change in disposition during this period.

28^th March - Pigeon Wood shelled one OR KIA and one wounded.

Sources

H1 - Transcript of "A" Battalion’s War History from Bovington.

H10 - Transcript of 10^th Battalion’s War History from Bovington.

W10 - Transcript of 10^th Battalion’s War Diary from Bovington.

BHS - 10^th Battalion's 1918 Battle History Sheets Transcript from Bovington.

BHSa - 10^th Battalion's June 1918 Battle History Sheets in PRO 95 / 103

95/93 - Summary of 10^th Battalion's March 1918 Battle History Sheets in PRO 95 / 93

10 Battalion 27 March 1918 - Map

Kaiserschlacht