12 Battalion. 23 October 1918.

Beaurain 23^rd October 1918

12^th Battalion with 15^th Brigade, 5^th Division, IV Corp, 3^rd Army ^(OH)

“B” company, 12^th Battalion, had 2 tanks in action on 3^rd September 1918

“B” company

L13, Lt Warburton

L23, Lt Hipwell

Orders

L13 and L23 were to support 15^th, brigade ^(OH), 5^th 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) 5^th 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 12^th Battalions, and the fighting MKIV’s, last action.

Sources

W12 - War Diary of 12^th Tank Battalion, Transcript from Bovington tank Museum

H12 - War History of 12^th Tank Battalion, Transcript from Bovington tank Museum

OH – Official History, 1918 Vol V. Pg.364f

Selle - 17 to 25 October 1918