5thbattalion-ccompanyandreservecompany(b

4th Battalion - C Company and Reserve

Company (B & C) March 1918

C company 9 and 10 Sections

OIC Major H. Hannay (C Company)

9 Section

Section Commander A.J. Enoch

8049, Lt H.G.H Yates

2393, 2Lt G.R Court

2807, 2Lt A Mason

10 Section

Section Commander H.G. Head MC

4022, 2Lt G.W. Hurrell

4052, 2Lt G.C. Kelley

4690, 2Lt J.C. MacIntosh

The six tanks left Buire Wood at 1am on 22nd March and reached Spur Quarry, E.29.d.23 at about 6.30am. the intention was to support a counter attack by the Royal Sussex but this was abandoned when the enemy broke through on the right.

10 Section

attacked out of Spur Quarry at 7.45am. Unsupported by infantry the tanks drove into the enemy inflicting severe casualties.

4022 and 4690 both drove along the enemies front line inflicting severe casualties but both were hit and knocked out

4022 was 600 yds East of Spur Quarry, the OIC and 4 crewmen were wounded;

4690 was disabled by a bullet which severed the fuel connection 700yds NE of Spur Quarry; The OIC and 5 crewmen were wounded.

4052 was unable to drive up a rise to the front of the quarry and was abandoned there, subsequently being hit and destroyed.

9 section

Proceeded to E.23.a.54 to support 116th brigade, reaching there at about 8.30am.

Tank 2393 ditched shortly after being detached to a point in front of St Emile to support the 13th Royal Sussex.

2807 and 8049 went to the railway cutting at E.18.d.89 to Support the Hertfordshire Regt but weren't needed so returned to the rallying point at E.23.a.54 where they were joined by the now unditched 2393.

The section was ordered to retire to the green line behind Tincourt Wood at J.12.a.89,

2393 broke down en route but successfully held the enemy back near Grange Camp before being destroyed by its crew.

8049 and 2807 reached the wood at 4.30pm and stayed there overnight.

On the 23^rd Major Hanney ordered a further withdrawal to J.27.a. central to cover 46^th Brigades withdrawal.

2807 broke down and was destroyed by its crew en-route.

8049 reached J.27.a. central and thence proceeded to Doingt. Here the tank joined the other surviving 5 Battalion tanks and proceeded to head to Clery-Sur-Somme via Mt St Martin. 8049 broke down and was set afire by its crew at C.26.central near Clery

The summary states 2807 fired 2500 MG rounds and 8049 expended 30 rounds 6 Pdr and 3000 MG rounds so they presumably engaged the enemy at some point, though where and when is not clear.

Reserve Tanks

Major Bird. Supporting 16^th division.

B Company

Section Commander W.H. Benn

2662, 2Lt G.V. Butler

4689, Lt J.H.C Devey (4698 in Summary)

2328, 2Lt H. Shaw

2379, Lt T.P Cronin

C Company

Section Commander J.T Clark

4688, Lt. Parsons

2557, 2Lt J McNiven

2552, Lt C Dudley

4684, Lt R.G. Grant

R.G. Grant, brought back 4684 to Buire Wood from Heudicourt overnight on 22nd / 23rd March (see Outlying Tanks narrative link below for 4684's previous days actions). This meant 8 tanks were in reserve at Buire Wood.

On 22^nd March 1918 the 8 tanks were split into two groups of 4 tanks each. One group moved to Palfesse copse, J.18.c.69 to support the Green line, the other group stayed in reserve at Buire Wood.

At 5.45am on the 23^rd, not having been fired upon all the tanks joined a general withdrawal to the line Doignt-Bois de Flaques, passing through Courcelles Wood and Carnival Copse.

2552 and 2328 broke down and were destroyed on the way back.

The tanks were then ordered to Moislains, but were redirected towards Clery. On the way to Clery the tanks were subjected to heavy shell fire. 2557, 2379, 4684 all broke down and were abandoned and destroyed by their crews; 2557 did manage to expend 1500 MG rounds.

4688, 2662, 4689 all took up position on the ridge to the north of Clery with 1st tank Battalions tanks. The three tanks withdrew overnight,

2662 broke down near Fricourt and was destroyed by its crew.

4688 broke down and ditched near Curlu, B25.d, 4689 tried to rescue 4688 but failed, 4688 was thus abandoned and destroyed.

4689 broke down and was destroyed at Bray.

Summary

Allocated: 14

Reserve: 0

At start: 6

Started: 6

Engaged Enemy: 4

Ditched / Broke down: 4

Knocked out: 2