10 Battalion
2 November 1918
Battle of the Sambre, 2nd November 1918
Composite Company, 10th Battalion with 96th Brigade, 32nd 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
10th Battalion was in action again on the 4th November 1918.
Sources
W10t - War Diary of the 10th 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 96th Infantry Brigade, pdf download from PRO Kew, WO-95-103-1, pg16
W15LF - War Diary of the 15th Lancashire Fusiliers, pdf download from PRO Kew, WO-95-2397-3, pg138
Note
H10t - War History of the 10th 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