6 Battalion 17 October 1918
The Battle of the Selle. 17th October 1918
6 Battalion with 2 KRRC, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, IX Corp, 4th Army (OH)
Part of 4th Tank Brigade (H6)
6 Battalion, B and C Companies had 4 tanks in action on 17th October 1918 (H6):
B Company
A321
A347
A377
A379
Notes
A Composite Company was also formed consisting of two “A” company tanks, 2 “B” company tanks, 8 “C” company tanks including
A244, A321, A328, A333, A335, A339, A350, A358, A361, A376 this company carried out various manoeuvres but did not see action. (W6) (H6)
Orders
Lying up point in La Sabiliere Bois just off the Bohain-Busigny Road (H6) D3b.5.46 (W6)
At 10am “B” company sent four tanks, under 2Lt Smith GF forward to support (H6) the 2 KRRC (OH) who were held up by MGs and unsupported on their flanks. (H6)
Account of Operations
B Company
Shortly after 11am A377, A379, A321 and A347 reached the infantry and were ordered to support them (H6) in the capture of the red line (W6) as follows: A321 was to mop up MGs in the copses North of La Valle Mulatre. A379, A377 and A347 were to work around Demilieu from the north, south and south east respectively.
A321 patrolled the designated ground and silenced several MGs, the infantry were unable to advance. The other three tanks were all hit and knocked out by a field gun situated in Demilieu or Bellevue as they approached Demilieu The heavy MG fire forced the infantry to follow the tanks, when they were knocked out the infantry withdrew 200yds. A321 returned to the RP in the Quarry (H6) W23b.1.5.75 (W6) at 1:20pm, at 4pm the OIC 4KRRC said the tank could be of no further use so it withdrew. (H6)
Note
The Official History incorrectly states all 4 Whippets were Knocked out. (OH)
Summary
Total Tanks: 4
Failed to Start:
Engaged enemy: 1
Ditched / Broke Down:
Hit and Knocked out: 3
Rallied: 1
Aftermath
A228, A347, A377 and A379 were handed to salvage on the 20th October. (W6)
A331, A350, A339, A358, A349, A368, A328 were handed to salvage on the 21st October. (W6)
Sources
H6 – 6th Battalion War History, (1919) Naval and Military Press
W6 – 6th Battalion War Diary. Transcript from BovingtonTank Museum.
OH – Official History, 1918, Vol. 5, pg.305