1st battalion 24th march 1918

24th March –

At 1am the Battalion was ordered to withdraw to a line East of Maricourt, a considerable number of tanks broke down and were destroyed en route (H1)

“C” Company’s 8045 2Lt Baker AG failed to start and so remained as a strong-point until the enemy attacked the next morning some casualties were inflicted on the enemy then the tank was destroyed and abandoned (W1n) 

Note: 2025 is listed in the narrative, this is probably a typo for 8045 which is listed in the summery of BHS. 2045 was lying derelict near Ypres 95-93.

AT 7am the move to Maricourt was complete, 18 fighting tanks and 8 tenders arrived. 8 fighting tanks were fit for action, the others were worked on (W1n) .

At 9am the Brigade commander arranged for Lewis gun teams from 1st and 4th battalions to fight a rearguard action with 21st Div (H24).

At 2pm two sections were sent forward: one under captain Dorman, in a SE direction towards Ham; the other under Captain Frasher in a NW direction towards Muiripas. Both sections were in action in the afternoon and evening and the survivors withdrew back to Maricourt (H1)

Lt Curlu held out alone for 24 hours (H1)

OR

Four tanks to B21 central and B28 central under Capt Ingham and four tanks towards Maurepas under Cat Hunnikin FS. The later four tanks actually operated between Hardecourt and Maurepas as the enemy had broken through in the direction of Hardecourt. They successfully caused the enemy to retire some distance and re established the line.

2565 Drove 18 miles, Broke down. Not destroyed. Fired on Aircraft near Plateau Wood. 95-93

2865 Drove 16 miles, Broke down and burnt out West of Hem 95-93

4693 Being withdrawn, Drove 25 miles then broke down, destroyed and captured. 95-93

2503, 2Lt Bell, A Coy. In action four hours, Drove twelve and a half miles, fired 900 rounds SAA. In action near Maurepas. Caught fire. 95-93,

4607 In action 2 1/2  hour near Maurepas, fought rearguard action along Maurepas valley. Drove six miles, fired 2000 SAA, broke down and burnt out. 95-93

4691 In action 2 hours, covered infantries retirement near Maricourt Ridge. Drove 25 miles, fired 200 SAA, broke down and burnt out. 95-93

Two tanks under Capt Ingham proceeded through the valley towards the Bois de Hem but failed to reach the enemy’s line, one fell on it as side and the other became badly ditched and was destroyed (W1n)

Two tanks under 2Lt Matthews G advanced to the ridge North of the Bois de Hem. One, commanded by 2Lt Bradney W was knocked out by a trench mortar, the crew joined the infantry but then went missing (W1n) ; 2Lt Bradney was killed (CWG) . The second tank commanded by 2Lt Bennet CH got into contact with the enemy, then broke down, the crew fired all the tanks ammunition then destroyed the tank and withdrew (W1n)

At 1.30pm two more tanks were ready, they were sent to A23c.5.2 to assist the infantry between the Peronne Road and the Somme.

4027, commanded by 2Lt Houlton S. became badly ditched (W1n) and was burnt out (95-93)

2580, commanded by Lt Oldham AE penetrated about a mile into the enemy's lines whereupon it broke down. It engaged the enemy until repaired during the night apparently delaying their advance by 24 hours. Once repaired the tank withdrew as far as the British front line where it broke down and was abandoned  (W1n) The summary states it was in action for four hours, Drove 25 miles [presumably since the 21st], and fired 1700 MG rounds (95-93)

At 4pm four more tanks were ready and were sent into action under Captain Frasher AJ against an enemy breakthrough to the north (W1n).

4698 (Lt Carroll) and 2656 (Lt Dingle) were ordered to attack Hardecourt Village and then join the other two tanks and engage the enemy on the Spur SE of Maurepas. The enemy retreated before the tanks were able to engage them properly and thus the line was re-established in this area. (W1n). 4698 was in action for two hours, with small parties of enemy near Maricourt. Drove 18 miles [presumably since the 21st], fired 500 SAA, ditched and burnt out. 2656 Drove 24 miles [presumably since the 21st], Broke down and burnt out. (95-93)

The battalion pulled back to Maricourt and was then withdrawn to Bray.

2781 Drove 25 miles, Broke down and destroyed near Bray. Fired 1000 MG rounds at Aircraft. 95-93

Primary Sources:

H24 - War History of 4th Tank Brigade in PRO WO 95/108 (H24)

95-93 - Summary of battle History Sheets in PRO WO 95-93

W1n - Narrative of Operations 21st – 31st March 1918 PRO WO 95-109

W1 - 1st Battalion War Diary Transcript from Bovington Tank Museum

W1a - 1st Battalion War Diary PRO 95-109

H1 – History of 1st Tank Battalion, Transcript from Bovington Tank Museum

1st Battalion 21st - 30th march 1918