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Battle of the Selle, 24th October 1918
Composite Company, 10th Battalion with 18th and 25th Divisions, XIII Corps
A Company
9004, 2Lt Thompson LA,
9102, Cpl Mcinnes L,
And two more unidentified tanks.
B Company
Section. Captain Bailey
9331, f, 2Lt Powell ,
9326, 2Lt Pulley,
C Company
9185, Lt Kneafley,
9555
Orders
As all the objectives had not been captured on the 23rd eight tanks were allocated to support a renewed attack on the 24th.
Four A Company tanks with the 55th Brigade, 18th Division; 2 tanks with the 74th Brigade and 2 with the 7th brigade.
9102 was ordered to clear the MGS from Robersart and the Orchard
Account of operations
A Company – All four tanks advanced with infantry, 9004 broke down several times and failed to help infantry reach the first objectives. 9004 went back into action at 16:50 and stayed in action until 22:00 blowing up an ammunition dump and helping the infantry advance to F29b. central, Renault farm and the road to F25b.2.7. The tank was unable to rally as it had exhausted all its supplies, it eventually rallied on the 25th.
The other three tanks helped the infantry gain the objectives. They stayed to mop up behind the lines. All rallied towards evening.
9102 fired 10 rounds 6pde and 400 SAA. Broke Left hand sponson door on way to deploying point. Left deployment point, L10d.5.5. at 4am, met Queens Regt in L11a central and passed through them. Received some MG fire at L5d.4.5. to L11a. Central, continued onwards to village at F30.c.9.7 and lost touch with infantry. [last lines of BHS illegible].
B Company
Two tanks [9326 and 9331 ?]under Captain Bailey operated with the 74th brigade. On reached the enemies front line and broke down, but was able to engage the enemy and enabled the infantries advance. The second tank had gear trouble so started late but caught the infantry up and accompanied them to the final objective whilst under heavy shell fire. The tank broke down and was hit whilst returning to rally.
C company
The two broken down tanks at Q.22.central could not be repaired so 7th Brigade operated without tanks.
9555 broke down and was burnt out at Q6b.3.3 whilst en-route to L12b central [unclear]
9185 was held up behind the broken down 9555.
The 11 Sherwood Foresters War Diary states the tank that was supposed to support them didn't arrive (W11SF).
Summary
Total Tanks: 8
Failed to Start: 2
Engaged enemy:
Ditched / Broke Down: 1
Hit and Knocked out: 1
Rallied: 4
Failed to start includes 9555 which was burnt out.
Hit an knocked out includes the tank that was hit after breaking down, in the Preliminary report this tank is listed as broken down.
Aftermath
Sources
W10t - 10th Battalion Battle History Sheets PRO WO 95 / 103
W11SF - 11 Battalion Notts and Derby Regiment, Sherwood Foresters, War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew,
PRO-WO-95-2247-5, p36 - Diary entry
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