10 Battalion 5 April 1918

The Tanks at Kaiserschlact. 5^th April 1918

10 Battalion with 63^rd Brigade, 37^th Division.

"A" and "B" Companies 10 Battalion had 11 tanks in action on 5^th April 1918

"A" Company

J4, "Jael"

J25, 2023, "Jellico"

J26, "Jutland"

J29, 8078, "Jade"

J32, 2854, "Jumping Jimmy"

J33, 2356, "Jock"

"B" Company

J8, 4685, "Jezabel"

J20, 2639

and three of the following four tanks:

J6, 2857, "Job"

J7, 2821, "Jehu"

J15

J18

Note

The Battalion had been sent 24 tanks on the 4th April ^(W10) , based on his reading of the War Diary the author does not believe any of these were used in this action.

On 29^th March "B" Company crews had taken over "A" Company tanks at Hannescamps. ^(W10)

On 30^th March "A" Company crews had taken over "C" Company tanks at Pigeon Wood. ^(W10)

J9, "Jonathon" was also at Hannescamps but was unfit on the 31st March and is not therefore included above ^(W10a)

J36, "Julia" was at Cauchie on 31^st March 1918 and therefore presumably remained with "C" Compnay ^(W10a)

Other notes: 10 Battalion OB. March 1918

2854 possibly named "Jumping Jennie" which was photographed in a trench near Gommecourt with New Zealand troops : 1/2-013484-G

https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/troops-and-tank-france-1918\\

5^th April 1918

Orders

“A” and “B” companies were to support the attack of 63^rd Brigade near Rossignol Wood, the intention being to advance the line of 63^rd and 4^th Australian Brigades to K11c.10.05 - K12c.90.48 - K12d.65.53 - L7a.45.00. The tanks were assist in the capture of the old front line system in K11c and K11d and Rossignol Wood ^(W10)

"A" Company on the right, "B" Company on the left, they were to attack either side of the sunken road running SE from K11c.1.6 [ K5c.1.6 ] through the crucifix at K11c.9.3 [ K11b.9.3 ] to K12d.2.8 thence South to K12d.35.25. Each company was to support a different infantry battalion ^(W10)

Account of operations

All eleven tanks started but 10 ditched almost immediately in the old trench system. The eleventh tank, OIC 2Lt. Champeney JP, got into action and inflicted 60 casualties on the enemy and caused 80 of them to surrender. ^(W10)

Summary

Intended: 11

Reserve: 0

At start: 11

Started: 11

Engaged enemy: 1

Ditched / Broke Down: 10

Hit and Knocked out: 0

Rallied: 1

Aftermath

Four of the ditched tanks were recovered, the other six being handed to Salvage on 13th April (W10) presumably the six listed below .

J8, 4685; J20, 2639; J25, 2023; J29, 8078; J32, 2854; J33, 2356

Also on 13th April J4 and J26 were sent to the newly established Driving Camp at Wanquetin (K26b.4.3) ^(W10)

2854 possibly still in situ on 10-Aug-18 as a tank named "Jumping Jennie" was Photographed in a trench near Gommecourt with New Zealand troops : 1/2-013484-G

https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/troops-and-tank-france-1918\\

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 5 April 1918 - Map

Kaiserschlacht