1st Battalion 26th March 1918

25^th March

AM – 1^st Battalion rallies five tanks near Bray ^(H24) all tanks at Bois de Tailles ^(H1)

Four fighting tanks and one tender were taken over from 13^th Battalion ^(W1n)

One tank (8118) was taken over from 4^th Battalion ^(W4) This happened on the 30^th according to 1^st Battalion's War Diary ^(W1). It's possible the tank was handed over by the 4^th on this date but it wasn't fit until the 30^th.

Fit tanks: three male, five female, six Tenders ^(W1n).

Unfit tanks: one male, three female, one Tender ^(W1n).

At 9pm nine tanks went forward under Captain Keogh to engage the enemy at Meulte (H1)

26^th March -

the enemy breakthrough near Maricourt and Bray and are stopped for four hours by Lewis gun teams from 1^st Battalion who were in action behind the Bois de Tailles. Supply tanks withdrew to Hielly and crossed the Ancre there ^(H1).

Nine tanks under Captain Keogh FB were in position at F1b.2.5. by 8am. After contact with 105^th Brigade indicated their North flank was in the air the tanks were moved northwards. They went into action North of the Bray – Albert Road at about 10.30am successfully covering the withdrawal of the infantry. The tanks withdrew at 3.45pm, four breaking down and a fifth (a ninth battalion tank commanded by Lt Clegg) went missing, the remaining four tanks withdrew to Bonnay.

2057 In action five and a half hours on Albert - Bray road, dispersed large bodies of enemy advancing in close formation. Drove 8 miles, fired 60 rounds 6pdr, 1350 SAA, broke down near "present" [sic] British front line, not destroyed. and burnt out ^95-93

2573 In action three and a half hours, supporting 105 brigade, engaged enemy at Bray Meaulte Road. Drove 20 miles, fired 400 SAA. Broke down and burnt out ^95-93

4667 In action seven hours, supporting 105 brigade, engaged enemy at abot 1000 yds near Bray. Drove 8 miles, fired 1500 SAA. Broke down and burnt out ^95-93

4069 In action six hours, Drove 32 miles, fired 25 rounds 6pdr, 250 SAA, retired from Buire wodd, in action near Bray, killed a number of enemy who were searching tented camps at Bray. Dispersed small parties of advancing enemy. Covered infantries retirement to Bois de Tailles. Rallied at Franvillers. ^95-93

8054 Taken over from 12th Bttn. In action near Albert - Bray Road. In action five hours, Drove 8 miles, fired 60 rounds 6 pdr, 2500 SAA, Rallied. ^95-93

A7 date a guess. In action 4 hours, supporting 105^th brigade, rendered assistance to infantry on foot after tank had been destroyed. Drove 8 miles. Broke down and burnt out ^95-93

28^th March –

“C” Company took over all fighting tanks in the battalion ^(W1)

Battalion at Franvillers with 36 LG teams 2 male, and 1 female tank and a tender which was being converted to a female tank ( 6067^(W1) ).

These 4 tanks ordered to take up a position behind the left of the Mericourt Sailly line ^(H24) (Lt Munro in charge of 4 fighting tanks 2057, 4069, 4694, 6029 in valley behind Mericourt ^(W1))

One “C” Company tank sent to Bonney to help the Australians ^(H1).

30^th March - 1^st Battalion with five fit fighting tanks, six tenders, and six tanks of 2^nd Battalion ^(H24).

Primary Sources:

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

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

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

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

W1a - 1^st Battalion War Diary PRO 95-109

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

1st Battalion 21st - 30th march 1918