Battle of the Sambre, 4^th November 1918

Composite Company, 10^th Battalion with 1st and 32^nd Divisions, IX Corps

10 Battalion had five tanks in action on November 4^th 1918

Composite Company - Major Robinson FA, MC, then Major Drader HCF

Section

presumably three tanks

Section

presumably two tanks (the third having been lost on the 2nd November)

Section - Reserve

presumably three tanks

Supply, wireless and signal tanks

See 2 Tank Supply Company narrative for details.

Orders

One section was kept in IX Corps reserve. ^(H10)

One section of three tanks was to support 96^th Infantry Brigade 32^nd Division (OH), (W96b.pg25) [probably two tanks as the third had been lost on the 2nd November]. This brigade had all three infantry battalions in the line, in the north the 15 Lancashire Fusiliers (LF), reinforced with two companies of the 2 KOYLI were to finally capture the Happenberg Spur (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 p16 and P17). Meanwhile the 16 LF in the centre and the 2 Manchester's to their south were to cross the canal using bridges which would be erected by Royal engineers. (W96b p18)

The 32nd Divisions orders dated 2nd November state the tanks were to be held in reserve and not used in the initial advance. They were only to be used if the situation demanded and the tank bridge at Ors was completed, in which case they were to deal with points of resistance west of the Red Line. (W32Div p32)

One section of three tanks was to support 1 Glosters and 1 SWB, 3^rd infantry brigade, 1^st Division in capturing Catillon (H10)(OH) (W3b) in particular the broken bridge at M19b.6.6 and the road junction on the far side of the river at M20a7.7. (W1Glos)

the attack was to be made from the south behind a creeping enfilade barrage, infantry start line ran from road junction R30a.3.0 eastwards to the canal. Zero was 05:45 (W1Glos)

The tanks were to use the La Louviere Farm - Catillon Road as a guide and arrive at the cross tracks R30c.2.9 at Zero when:

one tank was to co-operate with two platoons on the SWB in clearing the Orchards lying in R23d, R24c, R29b and R30a.

The other two tanks were to assist the Glosters in clearing the Eastern half of Catallion. One tank to direct itself on the road running north and south through the church, the other on the road running north and south through M19b and M19d. Once this operation is complete the tanks were to assist the crossing of the canal by sweeping the road running east fo0rm the broken bridge (M19b.6.6) and the eastern bank fo teh canal in that vicinity.

After the crossing had been effected the tanks were to assist in mopping up the western half do the village , then they would rally. (W3b)

Signals between infantry and tanks:

From infantry to tank:

Helmet waved on rifle, tanks needed here.

NB: Rifle pointed in direction of obstruction.

From tank to infantry:

Red and yellow flag - Tank broken down don't wait.

Green and white flag - All's well come on.

Tricolour flag - British tank coming back to rally. (W3b p45)

Supply, wireless and signal tanks

See 2 Tank Supply Company narrative for details.

Account of operations

In 96th brigades sector only the two companies of the 2 KOYLI managed to gain a lasting hold on the southern bank of the canal, all three of 96th Brigades battalions were repulsed (W96b p17). Meanwhile in 14th Brigades the 1st Dorsets had managed to cross the Ors via a pontoon bridge constructed from kerosene cans. The successful bridging of the canal was partially because of the thick mist which lasted until 9.30am and hid the Royal Engineers bridge building efforts from enemy view. (W14b). Later in the day the 2 Manchester's were withdrawn, moved westwards and crossed the river at the Ors bridge. (W96b p17) Overall the attack was successful, though very costly for 96th Brigade.

Note that there is no mention of tanks in any of the 4th November narratives contained in the War Diaries of 32nd Divisions units. The tanks presumably remained in reserve, and did not cross the canal as they had no way to cross it. Hence the Official histories assertion that two tanks attached to 32^nd Division cleared up Happegarbes on 25^th Division's right flank appears to be incorrect (OH.p472)

The three tanks with the 1st Division started, reached their objectives and assisted in forcing crossings over the Sambre – Oise Canal at Ors (H10t) Note: Catallion almost certainly meant.

The crew of one of the tanks supporting the Glosters was overcome by petrol fumes (OH,p468) this isn't mentioned in the Glosters account (W1Glos) perhaps the missing tank is that allocated to the SWB as their War Diary makes no mention of a tank.

The other two tanks with the Glosters helped secure Catillon (OH.p468) and the crossing over the Sambre at this point (H10t).

D company, 1 Glosters on the left dealt with three Mgs in the orchard and then made straight for the church when they were overtaken by a tank. The tank and infantry turned right at the church and worked around the southern and eastern outskirts of the town, capturing the crews of several MGs. C Company, 1 Glosters on the right advanced using the road running 100 yards west of the canal, they captured nine or ten Mgs and their crews. On reaching the town they pressed on to the bridge which they found to be covered by a Heavy MG, the tank with the company was informed and dealt with the MG. The infantry now skirted around the British barrage which was falling on the canal and thus were able to capture the Germans in the eastern part of the village as they emerged from the cellars as the barrage lifted (W1Glos)

All five tanks rallied. ^{(H10) (OH)}

Major Robinson was killed whilst returning to the rally point. ^{(W10) (CWG).}

Three other ranks were wounded. ^(W10)

Supply, wireless and signal tanks

See 2 Tank Supply Company narrative for details.

Summary

Allocated: 3

At Start: 2

Failed to Start: 0

Engaged enemy: 2

Ditched / Broke Down: 0

Hit and Knocked out: 0

Rallied: 2

Note: The author has only included the tanks allocated to 1st Division on the summary.

Aftermath

Two of the tanks that had crossed the canal on the 4th were sent to reconnoitre towards Catlillon on the 5^th November 1918 [ presumably incorrect as Catallion had been liberated on the 4th] , they did not see action, thus the above action was 10^th Battalions last action of the Great War.

Sources

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

H10t - War History of the 10^th Tank Battalion, pdf download from PRO Kew, WO-95-2396-5-2_1, pg22

W3b - War Diary of the 3rd Infantry Brigade, pdf download from PRO Kew, PRO-WO-95-1277-4_2 p33, p45

W1SWB - War Diary of the 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers, pdf download from PRO Kew, WO-95-1280-3_4, pg99, this does not mention any tanks.

W1Glos - War Diary of the 1st Gloucester, pdf download from PRO Kew, WO-95-1278-5, pg73ff

W14b - War Diary of the 14^th Infantry Brigade, pdf download from PRO Kew, WO-95-2391-4, pg51 and p57f, this does not mention any tanks being in action.

W1Dors - War Diary of the 1st Dorsets, pdf download from PRO Kew, WO-95-2392-1, pg101ff, this does not mention any tanks.

W32Div - War Diary of the 32nd Division, pdf download from PRO Kew, WO-95-2372-5, pg32

W96b - War Diary of the 96^th Infantry Brigade, pdf download from PRO Kew, WO-95-2396-5, p18ff, p25, tanks are not mentioned in the narrative of the action MAP P.35

W15LF - War Diary of the 15 Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, pdf download from PRO Kew, WO-95-2397-3, pg139, no mention of tanks in the 4th November narrative.

W16LF - War Diary of the 16 Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, pdf download from PRO Kew, WO-95-2397-4, pg138f, no mention of tanks in the 4th November narrative.

W2KOYLI - War Diary of the 2nd Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire light Infantry, pdf download from PRO Kew, WO-95-2402-1_3, pg83ff, no mention of tanks in the 4th November narrative.

OH - Official History 1918, Vol V p467f, p472

S98 - War Stories of the tankers (2008) Michael Green (kindle edition)

Map - 10 Battalion, 4 November 1918

Sambre - 4 to 11 November (4th Army)

10th Battalion