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Battle of the Selle, 23rd October 1918
C Company, 10th Battalion with 7th and 74th Brigades, 25th Division, XIII Corps
C Company, 10th battalion had 8 tanks in action on 23rd October 1918.
C Company
9 section, Captain Shott
9056, 2Lt Middleton
9154, Lt Douglas
9666, 2Lt Keightley
Section. Capt. Snowing RC
9124, m, Lt Bowen EC
9348, f, Sgt Wright PC
9433, f, L Cpl Redmill EMM
9066, Lt Levy
Plus another tank with Captain Shott's section, possibly
9555 or 9183 which were supposed to be in action on the 24th.
Wireless tank
From 301st Tank Battalion
Notes
Section commanders names from tank orders (W10t p52)
Orders
To support the 25th Division’s attack on the red dotted line then the Brown Line (final objective)
7th Brigade was to lead the Divisions' attack and capture the first objective (W7b, p101): 6th Division on right flank, L33d.3.1 to foresters house L27d.2.9 to N.E. edge of Pommereuil to extreme west corner of wood L26d.4.5 to 18th Division on left flank (W7b p104)
7th Brigade was to form up with three battalion's alongside each other, 20th Manchester, 9th Devon and 21st Manchester. The 1/8 Warwicks (W7b p107) were to form up as close as possible behind the 9th Devons (W7b p116)
MGs were to fire a noise barrage to cover the approach of the tanks between 22:30 and 23:00 hours on the 22nd. (W7b p117) (W74b p62)
Tanks 9124, 9433, 9348 and 9066 were to support 7th Brigade, on extreme right flank. To operate on a brigade front Basuel to Pommereuil and assist infantry advance. (W10t)
One section of tanks under Capt. Snowing RC were to cross the railway in R2d, advance East of Bazuel at Zero ands help 7th Brigade capture the first objective. Mopping up the cemetery in L33a.2.0, the western edge of the Bois L'Eveque and the village of Pommereuil (W10t p52) (W7b p105). Two tanks ere to move directly to the cemetery and operating towards the centre of Pommereuil and thence towards foresters House and thence through 26b and 20d (W7b p105). The remaining two tanks operating through the enclosures in 38b [8 unclear] thence along the road in L26d to Pommereuil Church. (W7b p106)
Two tansk were then to assist 75th brigade (see below)
The other two tanks were to wait in the neighbourhood of Pommereuil under cover and act as the situation dictated.(W10t p52)
All fighting tanks were to carry forward 5000 rounds SAA as a reserve for the infantry and MGs, this was to be carried on a carrier on the back of the tank. (W7b p113)
Infantry to tank signal: Helmet waved on rifle - tank wanted, rifle pointed in direction of obstruction.
Tank to infantry signal: Red and yellow flag - tank broken down, don't wait
Green and white flag - Alls well, come on
Tricolour flag - British tank coming back to rally (W7b p117) (W74b p62) (W10t p53)
75th Infantry Brigade was to capture the third objective, the Green line (W74b, p9),
The 8 Warwickshire's had advanced in support of 7th infantry Brigade, their objective was to form a piquet line on the western edge of the wood to safeguard the flank of the division on the left. (W75b)
The 8 Worcesters were to advance with the 53rd Brigade and protect their flank by establishing posts to guard the exits from (W8Worc p36) the NW edge of the the Bois L'Evequ (W10t p52) at: Bulge in edge of wood L20b.7.0; Copse L21a, Spur L15c.7.3; Tilleul farm; spur at L16b.7.7; (W8Worc p36) to be supported by a section of four tanks (two tanks according to the tank orders (W10t p52)) which were to assist in establishing posts and in taking the farm Lestilleuls (W8Worc p35)
74th Infantry Brigade was to capture the fifth and final objective, the Brown line (W74b, p9), 9th Yorkshire on the right, 13 DLI in the centre and 11 Sherwood Foresters on the right. Four tanks would support this advance. (W74b p43)
the tanks were to approach through L20, L15 and L10. Two tanks were to mop up the Rue du Pont and proceed via G7 and G2c to the final objective, mopping up the valley in G7 and G8.
Capt Shott's four tanks were to support 74th Brigades attack on the final objective ( W10t p53, they were to rendezvous at Zero + 410 minutes and would move forward with the infantry at Zero + 440 minutes (W74b p40) or Zero + 612 minutes according to the tank's orders (W10t p52)
Two tanks (9154 and 9056 W10t BHS) were to rendezvous in the vicinity of road junction L16b at Zero plus 7 Hours 30 minutes and will move forward at Zero plus 8 hours with the infantry moving up the valley in L11 and L12 as far as the intermediate Objective (Green dotted line) then along the Bouisies to Llandrecies road, one in NW direction and one in SE direction. When the infantry have crossed this road they will work forward up valley in A1d to A2c and A8b. these tanks to operate with 11 SF and 13 DLI (W74b p55) (W10t p53) Note: The times given in the tank orders are different: to start forward at 1:20 following the attacking waves then at 08:40 to rendezvous in the vicinity of the Road junction in L16b and pass through the first waves of infantry. (W10t BHS)
Two tanks (presumably 9555 and 9666) were to rendezvous in the vicinity of road junction L24a at Zero plus 7 Hours 30 minutes and will move forward at Zero plus 8 hours with the infantry and search the valley in L18c and L13d and then to Bouisies to Llandrecies road at road junction L8d and support the infantry. These tanks to operate with the 9th Yorkshires. (W74b p55). Tank orders state two tanks were to proceed to L24 and mop up the valley from there to L18, including Faux Farm and then move on to the final objective. (W10t p53) A Lewis Gun section from 9 Yorkshires was to meet them in L24a2.2 [unclear] and act as escorts for the tanks (W9GH p11)
Tanks were to carry SAA as with 7th brigade above, the signals were also the same except the wireless tank was to carry a Blue and white signal flag (W74b p62) (W10t p53)
Note: 25th Division initially had three objectives, two intermediary objectives were then added and eventually all five lines were re numbered as objectives 1 to 5. This can be a little confusing when trying to make sense of the orders and narratives.
Zero hour 01:20 (W7b p115)
C Company's Rally Point was L14 central (W10t p53)
A wireless tank from 301st US tank battalion was attached to the 18th Division.
It was to proceed to L19central as soon as possible after Zero. (W10t p
Supply tanks would support 74th and 75th Brigades (W74b p40)
8 and 73 Squadrons RAF were to co operate with 10th Tank battalion. They were to drop messages and offer protection, using the usual signals to indicate the direction of anti tank guns. Each tank company was to be issued with 12 red ground flares and one dropping strip. Tank company commanders were to arrange dripping stations at their battle HQ, white arrows being used to indicate the dropping station has moved forward. A man in each dropping station was to be permanently detailed to look out for messages. Mobile stations with the battalion dropping sign may be put out at any temporary rallying point in use between objectives. The battalion sign for dropping station was a squashed X shape. (W10t p )
Account of operations
The approach march was carried out on clear nights and thus went without mishap.
At the SP the tanks were subjected to gas shelling on Y/Z night which inflicted some casualties.
The tanks started on time in bright moonlight.
C Company
One unidentified tank broke down on the approach march. (possibly 9555)
9154 and 9666 both Broke Down before operations started and failed to get into action (BHS)
The other five tanks all attacked, three were ditched at R2a.05.20. due to the enclosed nature of the ground and the mist and darkness (W10t p59)
9124 was in action for2 hours, drove 2000 yards, fired 26 rounds 6 pdr and 500 SAA. Ditched R2a.1.2. Started from lying up point at Baseul, this male tank was found to be too wide to pass through the railway bridge at R2d.6.2. so the tank went back a bit and crossed the railway embankment to the west. Reached R2a.1.5 and came under enemy MG fire. The tank turned towards the fire but became ditched, as least partially due to the thick Fog. (BHS)
9066 was in action for 2 hours, drove 200 yards, fired 10 rounds 6 pdr and 400 SAA. Headed for the railway Bridge at R2d.6.2. passed a tank from the same section returning [presumably 9124], but the barrage was too heavy for the two OIC to talk to one another. Turned down a side road to the right and crossed over Railway embankment, coming under MG fire at this point, 01:40am. Enemy MGs were silenced by fire from the left 6pdr and forward Hotckiss but the tank lost direction, some infantry were met who asked the tanks to clear up some MG nests, which it did.
The second tank in the sub section [9433] was spotted waiting in an orchard, having also lost direction. Both tanks now proceeded and reached a road about R2a.2.0, proceeding to the right the tanks were fired on by enemy MGs which fled as the tanks approached. In the mist and darkness the tank ditched in marsh at R2a.1.2 at 3:30am, the OIC evacuated the tank and attempted to warn the other tanks who were following but was too late.
Infantry at the Mill R2a declined the offer of assistance from the dismounted crew. (BHS)
9433 was n action for two hours, drove 2000 yards, fired 1000 SAA. Followed subsection commanders tank down road through Baseaul, until he reversed direction and turned right. The two tanks crossed the railway embankment and 9433 came under MG fire, the Mgs were scattered by the tanks forward MGs and contact was lost with the other (male) tank. The tank then suffered a direct hit which blew in the rear left gun turret. In the mist and darkness the tank and infantry nearby were unable to locate the enemy gun so the tank commander thought it best to await the dawn. Some time later the section commander's tank [9066] reappeared and ordered 9433 to follow him. The two tanks proceeded to deal with some enemy MGs. The tank went left through a hedge then ditched in swampy ground. At about the same time a shell burst overhead and smashed the signalling apparatus, a bevil [unclear] gear box and an unditching rail. The tank was abandoned at R2a.1.2. (BHS)
The other two tanks attacked without ditching.
9348 was in action for 4 hours, drove 6000 yards, fired 1500 SAA. This tank advanced with 9124, was delayed by the mist and darkness but when dawn broke was able to find and get under the railway bridge at R2d.8.3. The tank overtook the infantry who were held up by enemy MGs about 300 yards to the north of the bridge on the left of the road to Pommereuil. (BHS) One tank helped the 21st Manchesters capture a line 200 to 300 yds short of their objective at 05:20 (they thought they were on their objective). (W21Manc p42). The enemy retired when engaged and the tank proceeded to the crossroads at R3a3.15 where it lost touch with the Manchester’s. Continued down road , deviating off it several hundred yards to either side to fire on enemy gun flashes and any possible infantry cover. Met the Devons at the cemetery L33a.1.1. and proceeded on right of Pommerieul Road still firing at enemy gun flashes. Reached lane on right of village at L27c.4.1. then turned left and reached the main road in the village where the tank broke down. A female tank from another C Company section passed by [ presumably 9056, a male from the same section], some enemy patrols and snipers were engaged with the MGs, some surrendered to the tank. The British infantry came up. The tank was partially repaired and returned to the RP. (BHS)
9056 Was in action for 3 hours, drove 6 miles, fired 30 rounds 6 pdr and 1500 SAA. One man was sniped and wounded whilst the tank was waiting to go into action. Capt. Shott was aboard this tank throughout the action. On the way forward the tank found Pommereuil full of enemy infantry and spent two and half hours clearing the village, capturing 3 officers 50 other ranks and a Horse ambulance. A platoon of allied infantry then entered the village and the tank pushed on to the L16b rendezvous reaching it on time at 08:10. The infantry were no where to be seen, the tank pushed on ahead about 500 to 600 yds but failed to find them It returned to L15d central and eventually at 11:00 a platoon of 9th Yorks came up and started to dig in, concluding that the attack on the final objective had been postponed the tank returned to the rally point. (BHS) (W10t p59).
The infantry account states there were British infantry in the village when the tank arrived:
2Lt Cox with two platoons of No 2 Company, 9 Devons and 15 men of the 21 Manchesters had entered Pommereuil when a tank arrived and possibly mistook them for the enemy in the dark (W9d p11). This suggests the tank may have fired on the British troops
The village was then mopped up and 70 prisoners taken. A platoon of No 1 Company 9 Devons OIC 2Lt Griffen followed the tank into the village and then consolidated alongside Lt Cox's troops on the first objective. (W9d p11)
About 11:30 9056 helped break up a local counter attack to the south of Bousies then helped the infantry reach the final objective. 2 MG nests were engaged but the tank was Knocked Out by a field gun at L5c.8.8. (W10t P59). This is not mentioned on the BHS which was written by Capt Shott on the 26th.
Note that Capt Shott states the majority of the case shot fired by 9056 were duds (BHS)
7th Infantry Brigade's attack became confused in the darkness and enclosed ground, the 71st Brigade's commander rode into Pommereuil at 06:35 and saw a tank there. (W7b p38) presumably 9056
The 9 Devons captured a large number of MGs, many trench mortars, a 77mm gun and several anti-tank guns. (W9d p12)
A Tank assisted the advance of the 8 Worcesters through Pommereuil (W75b) at about 0700 (W8Worc p38)
Summary
Total Tanks: 8
Failed to Start: 3
Engaged enemy: 5
Ditched / Broke Down: 3
Hit and Knocked out: 1
Rallied: 1
Rallied doesn’t include the tanks that failed to start.
Aftermath
9666 was ordered to Battalion rally point at 20:00 on 23rd October. But it Burnt out at Q6b.3.3
Sources
W10 t - 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 p23ff - BHS for tank 9124
p98ff - BHS for tank 9555 (24th Oct)
p101ff - BHS for tank 9056
p104ff - BHS for tank 9154
p107ff - BHS for tank 9066
p110ff - BHS for tank 9183 (24th Oct)
p111ff - BHS for tank 9348
p113ff - BHS for tank 9433
W7b - 7th Infantry Brigade War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew, PRO-WO-95-2242-5_2
p35ff - Diary entry including description of operations
p101ff - 71st Infantry Brigade Instructions No 1 - Series "C"
p104ff - 71st Infantry Brigade Instructions No 2 - Series "C"
p107ff - 71st Infantry Brigade Instructions No 3 - Series "C"
p111ff - 71st Infantry Brigade Instructions No 6 - Series "C"
p116ff - Addenda to 71st Infantry Brigade Instructions Series "C"
W9Dev - 9 Battalion Devon Regiment War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew, PRO-WO-95-2244-3
p11f - Account of Operations 10th / 30th Oct 1918.
W20Manc - 20 Battalion Manchester Regiment War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew, PRO-WO-95-2244-4
p26f - Narrative of Operations from 18th to 30th October 1918 - No mention of tanks
W21Manc - 21 Battalion Manchester Regiment War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew, PRO-WO-95-2244-5
p42f - Narrative of Operations from 19th to 24th October 1918
W75b - 75th Infantry Brigade War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew, PRO-WO-95-2249-6
p29f - Diary entry with narrative,
W8War - 8 Battalion Warwickshire Regiment War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew, PRO-WO-95-2251-4
p10 - Diary entry with brief description of operations, No mention of tanks
W8Worc - 8 Battalion Worcestershire Regiment War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew, PRO-WO-95-2251-2
p35 - Addendum to 00. 99 at 22 10 18.
p36 - Operational order no 99
p37ff - Narrative of operations October 23rd
W5Glos - 5 Battalion Gloustershire Regiment War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew, PRO-WO-95-2251-1
p21 and p23 - Diary entry with description of operations, no mention of tanks
W74b - 74th Infantry Brigade War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew, PRO-WO-95-2242-4
p42f - Narrative of Operations of 74th Infantry Brigade from October 23rd to November 7th 1918
p20 and P45 - MAP
p40 - Addendum "A" to 74th Infantry Brigade preliminary Instructions No 3
p42ff - 4th infantry Brigade Preliminary Instructions No 2
p62 - 4th infantry Brigade Preliminary Instructions No 2
W9GH - 9 Battalion Yorkshire Regiment War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew, PRO-WO-95-2247-3-
p11 - operational Orders No 1
W13DLI - 13 Battalion Durham Light Infantry War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew, PRO-WO-95-2247-4
p14 - Diary entry, very brief description of operations, no mention of tanks.
W11SF - 11 Battalion Notts and Derby Regiment, Sherwood Foresters, War Diary, pdf download from PRO Kew,
PRO-WO-95-2247-5
p34 - Diary entry, description of operations, no mention of tanks
S13 - The Tank Corp (1919) Major Clough Williams Ellis
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