Battle of the Sambre, 2nd November 1918

Composite Company, 10^th Battalion with 96^th Brigade, 32^nd Division, IX Corps

10 Battalion had 3 tanks in action on 2nd November 1918 (W10t)

Section

Captain Lambert LF (initials unclear)

Lt Walker L

Orders

To co-operate with 15 Lancashire Fusiliers, 96th brigade and secure high ground in and around Happergarbes Spur (OH) (W15LF) to protect the left flank of the main attack on the 4th (W32Div p12)

In the area of G20, G26 and G27, objective line: Railway line G26c.6.8 to level crossing G21d.0.0 then NW following contour to G21c.3.5 thence north to road at G21a.6.9. (W96b)

Zero hour: 6am (OH)

Account of operations

The attack was successful, only one tank reached the objective (W15LF) (OH)

A counter attack was repulsed at 9am but another at 2pm drove the infantry back (W15LF) to their start point (OH) (W10t). (10.00 and 04.00 according to the 96 Brigade War Diary (W96b) the later time is probably a mistake)

Lt Walker L was wounded (W10t)

One tank remained ditched (OH) just in front of the British Line (W10t)

Summary

Total Tanks: 3

Failed to Start: 0

Engaged enemy: 3

Ditched / Broke Down: 1

Hit and Knocked out: 0

Rallied: 2

Aftermath

10^th Battalion was in action again on the 4^th November 1918.

Sources

W10t - War Diary of the 10^th Tank Battalion, pdf download from PRO Kew, WO-95-103-1, pg59

OH - Official History 1918, Vol V p465, the Official history incorrectly gives the date of the attack at 1st November.

W32Div - War Diary of the 32nd Division, pdf download from PRO Kew, WO-95-2372-5, pg12.

W96b - War Diary of the 96^th Infantry Brigade, pdf download from PRO Kew, WO-95-103-1, pg16

W15LF - War Diary of the 15^th Lancashire Fusiliers, pdf download from PRO Kew, WO-95-2397-3, pg138

Note

H10t - War History of the 10^th Tank Battalion, pdf download from PRO Kew, WO-95-2396-5-2_1, pg22 . The War History does not mention this action.

Map - 10 Battalion, 2 November 1918

Sambre - 4 to 11 November (4th Army)

10th Battalion