1st Battalion. 28 April 1918

The Tanks at Villers Bretonneux. 28^th April 1918

1st Battalion, with Moroccan Div ^(H1)

1st Battalion had 4 MK IV tanks in action on 28^th April 1918 ^(w1a)

C Company ^{(s42. P103)} – Major Lakin M DSO ^(w1a)

Section – Captain Loveridge ^(w1a)

2Lt Jones ^(H1)

Note;

“C” Company’s crews had taken over “A” Company’s tanks on the 26^{th (W1)}

The following tanks were salved by No 2 field Salvage Company in May and June 1918 from the Villers Brettenoux (mostly Querrie Wood) area and were therefore presumably with 1^st battalion:

2037, 2315, 2320, 2606, 2627, 2682, 2732, 2738, 2831, 2867, 4086, 4611, 4612, 6009

In addition 6039 was probably with 1st Battalion as on 15th to 17th May 1918 (OIC Lt Ashworth) when it and 2738 helped the French recover a German A7V (A7V, 542, Elfriede ^(S6.p14) ) from near Villers Bretonneux ^95-109

Orders ^(W1a)

The tanks were to assist the Moroccan Division in the capture of Hangard Wood U16a.

Zero was 5am. Two tanks were to approach the Wood at U16c.7.6.; the other two at U16c.8.6. and destroy the MG nests on the edge of the wood and clear the rides [originally document says tides]. The infantry would then move forward and occupy the position. ^(W1a)

Account of Operations

The tanks lost direction as the French had cut down two trees that were to serve as a landmark and the tanks headed towards two similar trees further north. This apparently alerted the enemy who brought down a barrage which broke up the Moroccans attack. The smoke screen was laid behind the German front line . the tanks attacked and apparently did good work silencing a number of MGs and inflicting heavy casualties but retired at 8am when it became apparent that the infantry were not advancing. The tanks returned to T4a. ^(W1a)

2Lt Jones left his tank and got in touch with some Moroccans who directed him to his objectives in the Wood, this tank only withdrew after all its ammunition was expended, every crew member was wounded, 2Lt Jones was evacuated to England and was awarded the MC. ^(H1)

Summary

Total Tanks: 4

Failed to Start: 0

Engaged enemy: 0

Ditched / Broke Down: 0

Hit and Knocked out: 0

Rallied: 4

Note:

Aftermath

1^st Battalion sent 4 tanks into action on the 28^th April.

The following tanks were salved by No 2 field Salvage Company in May and June 1918 from the Villers Brettenoux (mostly Querrie Wood) area and were therefore presumably with 1^st battalion:

2037, 2315, 2320, 2606, 2627, 2682, 2732, 2738, 2831, 2867, 4086, 4611, 4612, 6009

Sources

W1– 1st Battalion’s War diary. Transcription from Bovington Tank Museum

W1a – Report on operations south of the Somme today [28^th April 1918] in PRO WO 95 / 109

H1 – 1st Battalion’s War History. Transcription from Bovington Tank Museum

S42 – Tanks and Trenches (1994) David Fletcher

S43 - Tank Warfare (1933, 1987 edition), Frank Mitchell MC

The Author can find no reference to this action in the Official history:

OH – Official History 1918 Vol II

1st Battalion. April 1918