3rd Battalion. 25 April 1918
The Tanks at Villers Bretonneux. 25th April 1918
3rd Battalion, with 58th Division, III Corp, 4th Army (OH)
X Company, 3rd Battalion had 3 Whippet tanks in action on 25th April 1918 (w1a)
233, "Crossmichael", 2Lt Elsbury
277, "Centaur III", Sgt Parrott
286, "Crustacean III", Lt Hore
Note:
OIC’s names correct for 24th April (W3a).
Sgt Parrott was in action on the 25th, as was one of the drivers (BOH) implying the crews were the same or similar on both days.
Sgt parrot
Orders
To find and report situation in map square u10b and u10c and report back (95-93).
Account of Operations
The three tanks found the enemy in force in U10b and U10c and engaged them, inflicting casualties and destroying at least one MG. All three tanks rallied and reported (95-93).
233 fired 200 MG rounds; 277 fired 100 Mg rounds; and 286 fired 50 Mg rounds, 286 also had two crewmen wounded (95-93).
Summary
Total Tanks: 3
Failed to Start: 0
Engaged enemy: 4
Ditched / Broke Down: 0
Hit and Knocked out: 0
Rallied: 3
Aftermath
All three tanks were in action on 8th August
Sources
W3 – 3rd Battalion’s War diary. Transcription from Bovington Tank Museum
W3a –3rd Light Tank Battalion. Operations of “X” Company near Cauchy on 14th and 15th April 1918 in PRO WO 95 / 106
95-93 – Summary of Battle History Sheets of No. 3 Battalion Tank Corps in PRO WO 95 / 93