8 Battalion 29 September 1918

Canal St Quentin. 29^th September 1918

8 Battalion, with 97^th Brigade, 5^th Division, Aus Corp, 4^th Army ^(W8)

8 Battalion had 24 fighting tanks in action on 29^th September 1918 ^(W8):

Composite Company – Major Grounds GA

A Company - 8 tanks – Capt Moll HT, M.C ^(H8)

H1, 9534

H2, 9433

9139

9418

Plus possibly: taken on strength 26^th Sept.

9077

Capt ROG Jeffries

2Lt Walker J

2Lt Willis VV

B Company - 8 tanks – Maj. Reilley JE ^(H8)

9319

H29, 9308, Lt Whitehead

9372

9292

9419

9332

9030

9034, Sgt Vicary

C Company - 8 tanks - Maj Bennewith ^(H8)

Section Captain Hindhaugh ^(W58Aus)

9199, Lt Arding ^(S69.p167)

9385, 2Lt Dunlop ^(S69.p168)

B53, Lt Jefford ^(S69.p168)

Plus 5 of:

9353

9306

9128

9038

9044

9586

9881

9787

Notes

“B” Company's 9046, 2Lt Hutchinson broke down on the 29^th, it had been taken over from the 2^nd Battalion on the 23^rd September.

9433 and 9534 crew numbers from photograph: X27.p218.

9308 details correct for 4^th July (crew number) and 23^rd August (OIC); may be incorrect on this date.

The liaison man from 58^th AIF battalion was ordered to report to Capt Hindhaugh, this indicates Captain Hindhaugh was possibly still a section commander on this date; he had commanded 11 Section on 8^th August.

Tanks photographed going forward:

9128: IWM Q 9364: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205087470

H2: IWM Q 9365: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205216625

IWM Q 9366: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205245123

IWM Q 9367: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205245124

IWM Q 9368: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205245125

H7: IWM Q 9369: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205245126

IWM Q 9370: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205194726

IWM Q 9371: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205245127

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nlscotland/2958701750/

IWM Q 9372: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205245128

Orders

Note: The various sources contradict one another on the number of tanks employed with each battalion. “A” Company were in reserve, with 6 or 8 tanks.

5^th Australian division on right to pass through 30^th USA Div on Green line and assault the Red line. 15^th AIF Brigade to pass through 119^th USA Regt on left sector of divisional front and 29^th AIF Bttn on the right. ^(w15bAus)

To attack Hindenburg Line in Nauroy, Gouy sector and after establish the infantry on the Green line running from eastern outskirts of Gouy to eastern outskirts of Nauroy. Then push on to red Line running just east of Waincourt and West of Remicourt ^(W8)

"A" Company to support 14^th AIF Brigade to stay in reserve in the area Nauroy – Estrees. ^{(H8) (W8)}

"B" Company to support 8^th AIF Brigade and capture the Joncourt Ridge and exploit to Joncourt Hill and Lehaucourt Ridge. ^(H8) 4 tanks allocated to 29^th on the left and 4 tanks to 32^nd AIF battalions on the right. Once in position on the green Line at 11am the tanks were to wave a green and white flag to indicate they are commencing the attack, infantry to follow 80 yds behind. Each tank was to acrry one liason man form their respective infantry battalions ^(W8bAus)

“C" Company to support 15^th AIF Brigade and capture the high ground between Swiss Cottage and Waincourt. ^(H8)

1 Mk V tank each with 59^th (left) and 57^th (right) AIF Battalions; 6 tanks with 58^th AIF Battalion in support. 57^th Battalion to turn south at green line and attack Estrees. The battalion to push onto red line and consolidate, especially mopping up Waincourt and the Beaurevoir line 59^th battalion to push on to red line and clear Torrens canal and Beaurevoir Line. 58^th battalion to move forward to fill gap caused by 58^th battalion moving south, mop up Estrees then move to Beaurevoir Line and Waincourt ^(w15bAus)

Two Mk V and 2 whippets with 57^th AIF Battalion, infantry to follow Mark V tanks. In stage 3 of the attack “A” Company 57^th AIF on the right were to follow a tank towards Swiss cottage. In stage 4, the attack on the red line, one tank was to work around to the north of Swiss Cottage and the other to the south of Waincourt. ^(W57aus)

Two Mk V and 2 whippets with 59^th AIF ^(W59AIF)

3 tanks under Capt WCD Miles in Battalion reserve ^(W8) [these are presumably the spare tanks].

“B” and “C” companies to meet infantry and cross Green Line at 11am. ^(H8)

Zero hour was fixed for 5.50 a.m. September 29th. ^(H8)

Account of Operations

“A” and “B” Companies left L1c.7.4 at 6:15am, one “B” Company tank 9319, broke down after 88 yds the rest picked up infantry on Green Line. ^(W8)

“A” company - 2 of the 6 [sic] tanks in reserve at G9a.2 were knocked out. Capt ROG Jeffries was killed, 2Lt Walker J and 2Lt Willis VV were both wounded. ^(W8) Two tanks broke down. ^(H8) The remaining 4 tanks all rallied at 4am at L5D.6.4. ^(W8)

9433, 9534 and two unidentifiable Mk V tanks were photographed with American soldiers and relaxed German prisoners: X27.p218.

“B” company on the right flank ^(H8) picked up the infantry at G.8.2. ^(H8) at 10.15 am ^(w29aus) and proceeded along Black Road, MG fire was encountered at Bellicourt, ^(W8) which should have already been cleared; two tanks entered the village and mopped up. The company then advanced into the Riquvil Valley where two tanks were knocked out and one broke down ^(H8). 32^nd AIF battalion advanced to the tunnel in G15a G15b, G9c and G9d, they borrowed seven tanks from 1^st battalion to deal with heavy opposition here ^(w32aus).The mist then cleared ^(H8) whilst tanks were waiting for infantry, Heavy MG and shell fire was brought to bear, one “B Company tank was knocked out ^(W8) and another broke down and was then knocked out ^(H8) some crews wounded. ^(W8) Three of the 4 tanks supporting the 29th AIF were knocked out at this time (prior to 1.15am) by AT guns firing from Nauroy Wood, G12a. Three 77mm guns were captured by the 29^th AIF in the wood in the afternoon ^(W29aus) The remaining tanks (3 according to the war diary, 4 according to the war history the fifth had broken down and been hit) attacked towards the ridge in G18c ^(W8) via G17, G11 and G5 ^(W8bAus) and captured many MG guns. Nauroy was then attacked by the surviving “B” company tanks ^(W8) posibly only the four tanks supporting 32^nd AIF Battalion, two of which were knocked out prior to reaching the village and the other two near Watling Street to the south of the village after doing good work ^(W32aus) the village was captured by 1:45pm. All “B” company tanks bar 9034 were knocked out. ^(W8) The 8th Australian Brigade’s narrative states all bar two of “B” Company’s tanks were knocked out by an AT gun firing from Nauroy which accounted for nine tanks in total^{. (W8bAus)}

9372 advanced from Bellicourt on Nauroy, it was unable to go through Nauroy; destroyed two anti tank guns and six machine guns but was then hit twice and knocked out ^(S69.p168)

9332 advanced at 5:30am, was fired on by enemy artillery at 9:30am after an enemy aircraft dropped flares on its position; when the mist cleared at 10:30am an enemy field gun hit the tanks three times and knocked it out. ^(S69.p168)

9034 advanced at 5:30am and co operated well with its attached infantry, silencing MGs then waiting whilst they dealt with an AT gun. Later the tank broke down and the crew had to rest due to petrol fumes. ^(S69.p168)

”C” Company, left assembly point at 6:15am, progress was slow due to heavy enemy shelling and dense mist. 2 “C” company tanks were knocked out after passing through Hargicourt; ^(W8) three tanks broke down and two ditched, the later were replaced with spare tanks ^(H8) [probably from “A” Company hence the fact that “A” company only had six tanks] the Infantry were met at Bellicourt, the tanks and infantry then advanced to the canal under heavy fire from Bellicourt which hadn’t been cleared. ^(W8) only 4 tanks were still in action by time the 58^th reached the Canal Tunnel bank at 11am, these tanks sheltered behind the bank. ^(w15bAus) in A28c opposite Caberet Wood farm. 4 tanks were out of action ^(W58aus)

Later, at 3pm, the 58^th AIF battalion ^(w15bAus), 15th AIF Brigade ^(W8) attacked without artillery support, all 4 “C” company tanks and six whippets were knocked out ^(w15bAus) by a 77mm AT gun firing from the Catelet / Nauray Line inA28d.9.9 ^(W58aus) within 15 minutes of starting ^(OH)

9199 attacked with the 15^th AIF brigade at 3pm. The tank silenced 3 MG nests with 6pdr fir, turned back to find the infantry then advanced on Caberet Wood farm and fired on an enemy field gun thereabouts. It was then hit twice and knocked out. ^(S69.p167)

9385 also attacked at 3pm and went around the bank to the left of Caberet Wood Farm, the enemy left their trenches and retreated being pursued by fire from the tank. The tank was fired on by field guns in the farm and on the tanks left. The tank crossed the trench [unidentified] and then realised the infantry were not following. The tank turned back to get the infantry but was hit on the right track and knocked out when close to the allied front line. ^(S69.p167)

Lt Jefford’s male tank, B53 (sic), advanced at 6:30am from the west of Bellicourt towards Caberet Wood Farm, it engaged numerous enemy MGs with both its 6pdrs and was fird on by field guns in the farm and the trenches in front of it ^(S69.p168) it was hit in the right sponson and then in the petrol tank and burnt out whilst attacking enemy in trenches near Cabaret Wood Farm. All the crew except the OIC and one man were missing. Mr Dunlop’s tank was believed hit and both tracks off, both MK V* in action ^(W58aus)

57th AIF battalion reached the Hindenburg line in G3D. They attacked again at 3pm towards G4d.9.9.led by 2 Mk V and 4 whippets, both Mk V were knocked out within 10 minutes due to heavy and direct fire from enemy 77s, 4.2s and 5.9s Note: The company narratives state 2 MK V were in action and knocked out, the battalion narrative states 4 were ^(W57aus)

2 officers (2Lt Dawes ^(CWG) and Capt ROG Jeffries) and 5 Other Ranks Killed, 9 Officers and 21 other ranks wounded, 3 officers and 16 other ranks wounded on duty, 7 ORs missing ^(W8)

59th AIF battalion had crossed the Brown line and proceeded 100yds when it was stopped by MG fire from Malakof farm on the battalion’s left flank. The Battalion’s CO went 800yds to the rear and found a tank, he entered this vehicle and directed it to the offending MG nest which was silenced. Later, at 3:30pm, a field gun was firing on the battalion’s tanks from A29a.5.7. ^(W59aus)

Summary

Total Tanks: 24

Failed to Start:

Engaged enemy:

Ditched / Broke Down:

Hit and Knocked out: 8

Rallied:

Total tanks includes the reserve tanks.

Knocked out includes 2 “A” company tanks.

Aftermath

13 tanks on Battalion strength, 6 fit. ^(W8)

Sources

W8 – 8^th Tank Battalion’s War Diary, Transcript from Bovington tank Museum.

H8 – 8^th Tank Battalion’s War History, Transcript from Bovington tank Museum.

W25 – 5^th Tank Brigade War Diary – Relevant Battlegraph

OH – Official History. 1918. Volume VI. Pg.109.

W8bAus – 8^th Australian Brigades War Diary. Downloaded from AWM.

W15bAus – 15^th Australian Brigades War Diary. Downloaded from AWM.

W29aus – 29^th Australian Battalions War Diary. Downloaded from AWM.

W32aus – 32^nd Australian Battalions War Diary. Downloaded from AWM.

W57aus – 57^th Australian Battalions War Diary. Downloaded from AWM. (Extensive messages with this diary, these not yet used)

W58aus – 58^th Australian Battalions War Diary. Downloaded from AWM. Narrative included in October 1918 diary.

W59aus – 59^th Australian Battalions War Diary. Downloaded from AWM.

S69 – How the War was Won (2005) Tim Travers – Quotes 8^th Battalion’s Battle History sheets which are held at Bovington.

St Quentin Canal - 29 September to 2 October (4th Army)