11 Battalion. 20 October 1918

Battle of the Selle. 20^th October 1918

11^th Tank Battalion, with 38^th and 17^th Divisions, V Corp, 3^rd Army ^(OH)

11^th tanks Battalion was with 3^rd Tank Brigade ^(H11)

11^th Battalion had 4 fighting tanks in action on 20^th October 1918 ^(H11)

Composite Company – Maj. Wilson

4 tanks

Notes

The battalion had Mark V* tanks ^(H11)

Orders

To support the infantry in crossing the Selle river and securing the high ground east thereof ^(H11)

The tanks were to cross the river on a bridge cleverly suspended 12 inches below the water, the British Royal engineers held a small bridgehead 50 yards across the river. Zero was 02:00 hours. Tanks were to follow the infantry until daylight, then attack with the leading infantry. ^(H11)

Two tanks were support the 38th Division, one with each attacking brigade, the 114^th and 115^th. ^(OH)

Two tanks were to support the 51^st Brigade of 17^th Division when it passed though the 50^th Brigade at 3:56am to commence the second phase of the attack to capture the 3^rd objective. ^(OH)

Account of Operations

The 2 tanks with the 17^th Division crossed the river and attacked on time, both assisted in the capture of the capture of the 3^rd and final objective. One tank then broke down and the other was hit on the track and immobilised. ^{(H11) (OH)}

The 2 tanks with the 38^th Division also crossed the river and were then engaged soon after Zero hour ^(H11); the tank with 115^th brigade ^(OH) helped capture 90 Germans ^(H11) who were staunchly defending near the railway, ^(OH) the tanks supporting 114^th brigade ditched before it could get into action ^(OH) at 9:30am ^(H11) 114^th Brigade’s tank went to the assistance its consort then it too became ditched. ^(H11) the infantry were able to continue the advance and successfully captured the third and final objective ^(OH) 2 other ranks were wounded during the attack. ^(H11)

Summary

Total Tanks:

Failed to Start:

Engaged enemy:

Ditched / Broke Down: 3

Hit and Knocked out: 1

Rallied: 0

Note

Aftermath

The composite Company was next in action on 23^rd October.

Sources

H11 – 11^th Tank Battalion’s War History, PRO WO 95 / 100.

OH – Official History. 1918. Volume V. Pg.336f

Selle - 17 to 25 October 1918