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Battle of the Selle, 23rd October 1918
B Company, 10th Battalion with 18th Division, XIII Corps
B Company, 10th Battalion had 8 tanks in action on 23rd October 1918.
B Company
2 sections 4 tanks each, split into 4 x 2 tank sub sections.
Section. Captain Bailey
1st and 2nd objectives:
9331, f, 2Lt Powell ,
9326, 2Lt Pulley,
3rd, 4th and 5th objectives.
9185, Cpl Ward,
9058, Capt Searle
Section. Captain Harrison.
1st and 2nd objectives:
9072, 2Lt Sames,
9554, Sgt Bailey,
3rd, 4th and 5th objectives.
9848, Sgt Wilson DCM
9120, 2Lt Paul,
Orders
B Company to assist in the capture of the Red and Red Dotted lines. i.e. from La Cateau up to Bousies. (W10t p41)
Start time 01:20. (W10t p41), this was 40 minutes before 33rd Division on the left as the 33rd was 1000 yards further forward (W54b p76)
18th Division were to reach their objectives as follows: (W10t p53)
Reach 1st objective: Zero plus 100
Leave 1st Objective: Zero plus 140
Reach 2nd objective: Zero plus 200
Leave 2nd Objective: Zero plus 320
Reach Final objective: Zero plus 700
54th Infantry Brigade on the left, 53rd Infantry Brigade on the right as far as 2nd objective, then 55th Brigade to pass through. The attack was timed so 55th brigade would pass through into the close country around Bouises about dawn. The distance to the first and second objectives was 3000 yards and 3500 yards respectively. There was to be a pause of 40 minutes on the first objective to allow the battalions to pass through (W54b p76)
54th Brigade's attack was to be carried out by the 2nd Bedfords to the first objective and the 11th Royal Fusiliers (London) to the second. 6th Northants were in divisional reserve and under the command of 55th Brigade. 54th brigades front was 700 yards wide with the left 400 yards from the Montay-Bavai road throughout. (W54b p76)
The tanks with 11RF were to advance as follows: one along the left boundary as far as the Orchard in L2c and then through L'Epinette orchards with D Company. The other tank was to proceed to the orchard SE of the forest with "B" Company. (w11Lon p108)
53rd Brigade's attack front was 1600 yards, the final objective was 5000 yards deep. 7 RWK on the right and 10th Essex on the left were to advance to the 1st objective, the red line. the 8th berks were then to leapfrog through top the 2nd objective, red dotted line. (W53b p40)
One tank was to accompany the 10th Essex following behind the battalion and dealing with any point where the company was held up. (W10Esx p108)
Barrage was to advance at 100 yards every 4 minutes. (W10t p53)
B Company will rally atK18d.2.3. (W10t p53)
RAF Co operation, Communication between tanks and infantry and tank supplies
See C Company narrative for details
Capt. Bailey’s section
With the 54th Brigade
Cross the River Selle at K22c central on XY night and lie up in the neighbourhood on K22b.8.2
Two of these tanks were to co-operate in the attack on the first objective. The remaining two tanks co-operated in the attack upon the second objective. (W10t p51) The tanks were advance with, but not in advance of, the infantry. The infantry were directed to deal with AT guns, trench mortars and [AT] rifles. On the 1st objective the tanks were to directed to White Church and practice trenches about L13 central and then the fences along SE edge of Forest and orchards about L7 central. On the 2nd objective tanks were to deal with Epinette farm and West side of the orchards to the south of it and then the fences along SE edge of Forest. (W54b p72)
One half section to assist in capturing the first objective.
9848 and 9120 to proceed in front of the infantry and clear MG nests and bank of Richemenont River. Cross river and deal with Evillers North Farm and Cordian then proceed to the fourth and fifth objectives.
The other half section to attack the second objective.
A supply tank with ammunition, water and rations was to move to L2d.0.0 (W54 p72)
Captain Harrison’s section.
To operate with the 53rd Brigade. Start point Q6a.2.5.
These tanks were to leave their lying up point is such time to allow them to reach their start point in the neighbourhood of K35 and k36 one hour before Zero. Two of these tanks will co operate on the first objective one hour before Zero, passing on the river Richemont in the neighbourhood of Evillers wood farm. The remaining two tanks will co-operate in the attack on the second objective, crossing the River Richemont near its sources in L31 and proceeding northwards through L25 and L19. (W10t p51)
The GOC 18th Division was strongly in favour of this section forming up in the neighbourhood of K35.1.3 and all four tanks proceeding to the attack between the pints Garde Mill and K30a,.5.9 It was pointed out theta the only position suitable for lying up was on the enemy barrage line and would probably be subject to gas shelling.. Moreover the River Ricehemont between these points was an unknown obstacle and the chances of it being successfully crossed in the dark were extremely improbable, and that they could not be relied upon for the attack on the 1st and 2nd objective. Eventually two tanks were ordered to lie up in K35d.1.5., assist the infantry in clearing a copse at k30a and then cross the River Richemont near Evillers Wood farm and support the attack on the first objective. (W10t p57)
One half section to assist in capturing the first objective.
9331 – to await 2nd Bedfords on top of ravine North of Richmont Mill and to help infantry along North edge of Nashie (very unclear) especially White Spring and Practice Trenches in L13 central. To help infantry onto objective and then support attack on 2nd objective if able. (BHS)
9326 – to await 11th Royal Fusiliers at about 23b.2.6. then go forward with them to the 1st objective. Once this was taken, to pass through the 11th RF and assist the capture of the 2nd objective, paying especial attention to Epinat Farm and orchards north of it. Then rally at White Spring Farm.
These two tank's orders changes a several times. Eventually these two tanks were apparently ordered to lie up in K35d.1.5., assist the infantry in clearing a copse at k30a and then cross the River Richemont near Evillers Wood farm and support the attack on the first objective. (BHS)
The other half section, 9072 and 9554 ,was to attack the second objective proceeding towards Jacques Mill and cross the river at its source, then follow the river, go to L20 and join in attack on second objective. (W10t p57)(BHS)
Account of operations
The tanks with 54th Brigade were handled boldly and were of invaluable assistance (W54b p77)
The section of B Company (3 tanks [sic]) which had lain up NE of Montay during "Y" day, started to time. One tank was knocked out by fire from a trench mortar when in K17: one tank reached the first objective and then proceeded to the vicinity of the village of Forest; the third tank was in action W of Forest and Croix, operating with the buffs. (W10t p42)
The second section started from SE of Le Cateau and information is not yet available as to its movements. one tank however is know to have ditched in the Riechmont river in K30 afterwards succeeding in unditching itself. (W10t p42)
Capt Bailey’s section
9058 was knocked out just after leaving the starting point. (W10 p58) (BHS)
9185 broke down and failed to start possibly due to a broken track at k22a.1.2., thus never reached the starting point. (w10t p58)
9331 with 2nd Bedfords, in action for 3 hours, Fired 1000 SAA. BHS completed by section commander Captain Bailey. The tank's actions are unclear as the OIC does not seem to know where the tank was during the action, due to inaccurate maps and aerial photographs of the wrong area. Some moral assistance was apparently rendered to the infantry and several MG posts were cleared (BHS) the tank was probably the one that helped a platoon of the 2nd Bedfords reach their final objective about L7b.5.2 (W2Bed p17)
The 2nd Bedfords captured 100 prisoners, three guns, three trench mortars, two AT rifles and upwards of 60 MGs (W2Bed p17)
9326 went into action before the first objective and proceeded with the 3rd wave of infantry (Buffs). The tank passed though the 11th RF and silenced enemy MGs and helped take the 2nd objective being especially effective after dawn broke about 05:45 (BHS).
9326 must be the tank that met the 11th RF at K23a.6.5. this tank did fine work, moving forward with B Company RF through the first objective despite the fact it was fired on at close range by two field guns and had to deal with several MGs that should have been dealt with by the first wave infantry and tanks. 9326 then accompanied the infantry to within 200 yards of its final objective, turning back due to lack of petrol. 2Lt Pulley showed great determination and rendered the greatest assistance throughout the attack, even through the tank was pierced in several places by Armour Piercing bullets. D Company 11RF were held up near the cemetery by enemy field guns firing at point blank range but were able to advance when the tank came up with B Company. B Company 11RF captured five field guns in the orchards in L2central (W11Lon p104)
The tanks did excellent work, frequently appearing on the scene just when they were wanted and assisted the advance of the infantry and they also displayed a fine spirit in returning to the fight despite having the majority of their crew wounded by Armour piercing bullets. (W2Bed p18)
Captain Harrison’s section.
One section with 53rd Brigade
All four tanks were incapacitated and thus unable to assist the Infantry (W53B p43)
9120 broke down and failed to start. 9120’s crew were also gassed, 2 badly. (BHS)
9554 Failed to start due to a broken track.
9072 OIC and 4 men wounded. Fired 53 rounds 6 Pdr, 275 SAA. Tank left SP at 01:30 and proceeded along laid down route. On reaching the sunken road in k36d.9.2 the driver was wounded and the engine stopped. The enemy threw two bunches of bombs at the stationary tank, the tank was restarted but one track as found to be broken. The tank was abandoned at k36d.9.2.; the OIC and 4 crew were wounded whilst evacuating. (BHS)
9848 Left SP at 01:15 and proceeded along route laid down. At K36b. [unclear] the tank fired on a number of MG posts, it was then received a direct hit on the top, the crew evacuated and were reported missing. (BHS)
8 Berkshires were held up on the red line until the 54th Brigade and their supporting tank advanced into the enemy's right rear, at which point the 8th Berkshires renewed their attack and were able to capture their final objectives, although somewhat late at 8.30. (W53b p42) C Company 10th Essex captured an AT gun, five MG and twenty prisoners in the orchards in K30a and K30c, their supporting tank did not arrive (W10Esx p109)
The signal tank with 53rd Brigade was of great value, the line arriving at the first objective before the troops had reached the final objective (W53b p43)(W8Brk p7)
Summary
Total Tanks: 8
Failed to Start: 4
Engaged enemy: 4
Ditched / Broke Down:
Hit and Knocked out: 2
Rallied: 2
Rallied doesn’t include the tanks that failed to start.
Total and failed to start include the unidentified tank.
Aftermath
9326 and 9331 both in action on the 24th
9185 attempted to get into action on the 24th.
2Lt Sames died on the 24th October (CWG)
Sources
W10t - 10th Tank Battalion War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew,
PRO-WO-95-103-1, p57 - Diary entry, no detail.
PRO-WO-95-103-3_2
p41ff - Preliminary Report on Operations of 10th Tank Battalion
& 301st American Tank Battalion with
the XIII and IX Corps 23rd October 1918
p51ff - 10th Tank Battalion Order No 33
p56ff - 10th Tank Battalion Report on Operations. 23rd and 24th October 1918
BHS p89- BHS for tank 9848
p90 - BHS for tank 9072
p91ff - BHS for tank 9331
p94 - BHS for tank 9185
p95- BHS for tank 9326
p96 - BHS for tank 9058
p97 - BHS for tank 9120
W18d - 18th Infantry Division War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew, PRO-WO-95-2017-3_3
p18ff - Diary entry including very brief description of operations, No Appendixes.
W53b - 53rd Infantry Brigade's War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew, PRO-WO-95-2036-4
p40f - Operations of 53rd Infantry Brigade E. of Le Cateau on 23rd October 1918
W7RWK - 7th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew, PRO-WO-95-2040-2 - Diary entry p111, Narrative p 113, no mention of tanks
W10Esx - 7th Battalion Essex Regiment War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew, PRO-WO-95-2038-5 - Diary entry p103, Narrative p 108f, no mention of tanks
W8Brk - 8th Battalion Berkshire Regiment War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew, PRO-WO-95-2037-2_4 - Diary entry p5f, Narrative p, no
W54b - 54th Infantry Brigade War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew, PRO-WO-95-2042-1_5
p72ff - Appendix "A". 54th Infantry Brigade Order No 194.
p76ff - 54th Brigade. Narrative of Operations. October 23rd to 30th 1918
W2Beds - 2 Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew, PRO-WO-95-2042-2_2
p16 - Narrative of Operations - 23/24th October
p26 - Map
W11Lon - 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (London) Regiment War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew, PRO-WO-95-2045-1_3
p104ff - Report on Operations carried out by 11th Bn. The Royal Fusiliers - From Oct 23rd to Nov 4th 1918
p108 - 11 Bn. The Royal Fusiliers. order No. 19
S13 - The Tank Corp (1919) Major Clough Williams Ellis
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