12 Battalion. 23 October 1918.
Beaurain 23rd October 1918
12th Battalion with 15th Brigade, 5th Division, IV Corp, 3rd Army (OH)
“B” company, 12th Battalion, had 2 tanks in action on 3rd September 1918
“B” company
L13, Lt Warburton
L23, Lt Hipwell
Orders
L13 and L23 were to support 15th, brigade (OH), 5th Divisions attack on Beaurain. (w12) the tanks were to clear each side of the road running from Marou to Beaurain then mop up Beaurain. (H12)
Zero was at 3:20am (H12)
Account of Operations
The tanks started ahead of the infantry (W12), passed through the enemy barrage at Marou and then followed the sunken road towards Beaurain (H12) clearing the enemy up to and including Beaurain (W12), encountering stiff opposition on Grand Champ ridge in front of the village. L13 broke down and was attacked at close quarters, the British infantry advanced and saved the tank which was eventually re-started after 45 minutes. Too late to assist the infantry who had captured Beaurain, the tank rallied (H12) L23 struggled to find enemy MGs in the mist on the ridge but ran over or silenced several; it too the returned and rallied suffering from mechanical trouble (H12) 5th Division captured the Green line. (W12)
Lt Hipwell and 2 other ranks wounded; Lt Warburton and whole crew gassed. (H12)
Summary
Total Tanks: 2
Failed to Start: 0
Engaged enemy: 2
Ditched / Broke Down: 0
Hit and Knocked out: 0
Rallied: 2
Aftermath
This was 12th Battalions, and the fighting MKIV’s, last action.
Sources
W12 - War Diary of 12th Tank Battalion, Transcript from Bovington tank Museum
H12 - War History of 12th Tank Battalion, Transcript from Bovington tank Museum
OH – Official History, 1918 Vol V. Pg.364f