3rd Battalion. 25 April 1918

The Tanks at Villers Bretonneux. 25^th April 1918

3^rd Battalion, with 58^th Division, III Corp, 4^th Army ^(OH)

X Company, 3^rd Battalion had 3 Whippet tanks in action on 25^th April 1918 ^(w1a)

233, "Crossmichael", 2Lt Elsbury

277, "Centaur III", Sgt Parrott

286, "Crustacean III", Lt Hore

Note:

OIC’s names correct for 24^th 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 8^th August

Sources

W3 – 3^rd Battalion’s War diary. Transcription from Bovington Tank Museum

W3a –3^rd Light Tank Battalion. Operations of “X” Company near Cauchy on 14^th and 15^th 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

3rd Battalion. April 1918