9 Battalion 1 October 1918

Battle of the St Quentin Canal. 1^st October 1918

9 Tank Battalion, with 96^th Brigade, 32^nd Division, IX Corp, 4^th Army ^(OH)

Composite Company, 9^th Tank Battalion had 9 fighting tanks in action on 1^st October 1918 ^(W9a)

Composite Company – Major Padfield ^(H9)

Leading section

I1, m

I2, 9075, m, Lt Mattewson A ^(W9bhs)

I12

I20

Support section

I29, Lt Clegg

I33

I34, f, 2Lt Boult P

I38,

I43

Notes

I2’s serial number from 29^th September BHS.

Orders

To support the 2 / Manchester ^(OH)

To capture the Beaurevoir – Fonsomme line, east of Joncourt by piercing the line from H17b to h10c and then winging eastwards to increase the size of the penetration. . ^(W9a)

The lead section was to penetrate the line by frontal attack, the second to follow and then turn north and south to assist in the capture of the trench lines either side of the breach.

Zero hour 16:00

Start point; lead section: H19c.6.8

Account of Operations

I38 broke a track at the start and did not see action. ^(W9a)

The lead section started on time, caught infantry at zero and then led them into the attack. ^(W9a)

I2 went along the Springbok valley and met the infantry at H15a.2.4 ^(W9bhs) I1 and I2 encountered heavy MG fire when approaching the Beaurevoir – Fonsomme line ^(W9a). I2 was penetrated by about 12 AP bullets and suffered two casualties as a result I2 flattened the wire over a fairly wide area in front of the Front line and support trenches thus enabling the infantries advance into each. ^(w9bhs) I2 then silenced 8 MGs in the enemy’s front and support lines, 3 with 30 rounds from the left 6pdr and 5 by 38 rounds from the right 6pdr. The retreating enemy were fired on with the hotchiss guns, three boxes of SAA being fired. I2 then patrolled to the left and right, using smoke bombs to hinder enemy fire, whilst the infantry occupied the trenches. I1 operated to I2’s left, when the second wave tanks passed through both tanks rallied. ^(W9a) I2 used a dozen smoke grenades to cover its withdrawal. ^(W9bhs)

I20 led the 20th Manchesters, went through the wire in front of the Beaurevoir – Fonsomme line and encountered heavy MG fire. 2 Mgs were crushed in the open, 2 others in the enemies front line were silenced by 6pdr fire. Te tank then cleared enemy form their support line and fired SAA and case shot at the retreating enemy. I20 then went along the trench system towards Swiss cottage. Observing that I12 had been hit I20 decide to carry out I12’s allotted task and did so successfully. The second wave tanks arrived so I20 rallied, whilst rallying it was heavily shelled but was protected by smoke grenades and was not hit. ^(W9a)

I12 led “D” company 20^th (sic) Manchesters, flattening a path through the wire at H15b.9.6 and then advanced to the enemy's support line where heavy MG fire was silenced by case shot. Retreating enemy were also effectively engaged with case shot. The tank then moved towards Swiss cottage flattening the wire en route. The tank was then hit on the track and on top, one man was killed and the tank abandoned. It was then heavily shelled and the ammunition exploded. ^(W9a)

The second wave tanks left the tankodrome at 15:00 ^(W9a)

I29 went to Chataignies Wood, avoiding an AT gun after an NCO from I12 successfully warned them of the guns precience, it having knocked out I12 [report says I2]. North of Chataignies Wood an AT gun was encountered but rendered ineffective by smoke grenades, the tank thus supported the infantry who captured the Wood but later lost it again. The tank went back into action to clear the wood but was now without smoke grenades, it was rapidly hit twice and knocked out. Tank fired 70 rounds 6pdr and 300 rounds SAA ^(W9a) (BOH.p214)

I33 led the infantry to Swiss cottage and then helped the infantry overcome the heavy opposition there and capture and consolidate Swiss cottage. The tank then returned and rallied. ^(W9a)

I34 met the advancing infantry between Jancourt and Chataignies Wood. As enemy MG fire was severe from the wood then tank skirted it north to south several times engaging enemy MGs. Smoke grenades proved useful here. Just south of the wood a shell burst wounded the driver, he was evacuated and 2Lt Boult drove the tank which was then set afire by burning phosphorus which dropped into the tank from a smoke grenade which had landed on the roof. The crew were ordered to abandon the tank the OIC stayed and extinguished the fire but could not now locate the crew. He drove on alone until joined by an officer and 2 other ranks from the 2^nd (sic) Manchesters. With this improvised crew I34 proceeded into action to the north of the wood, destroying an MG at H17c.5.3. before collecting the crew of I29, dropping the infantry crew in cover and returning to rally at 23:45. ^{(W9a) (W9bhs)} (BOH.p214)

I43 was hit and burnt out at H15b.8.1 ^(W9a)

Casualties: 3 officers and 1 other rank killed , 10 other ranks wounded ^(W9a)

Officers KIA : Lt Wild BW, 2Lt Rodden R, 2Lt Stainsbury TC ^(W9a)

The attack was a success as the tanks were able to squash the wire and thus the infantry were able to advance and capture about 14400yds of the Beaurevoir line south of Swiss Cottage. ^(OH)

Summary

Total Tanks: 9

Failed to Start: 1

Engaged enemy: 8

Ditched / Broke Down:

Hit and Knocked out: 3

Rallied: 5

Note

The War History indicates only 8 tanks attacked of which 4 were hit, 1 ditched and 4 (presumably including the ditched tank) rallied. ^(H9) the Official History states 9 tanks attacked, 8 reached the final objective and 3 were hit ^(OH)

Aftermath

Maj Padfield received the MC for his leadership during this action (BOH.p214)

2Lt Boult and Clegg were both awarded the MC (BOH.p214)

The Battalions remaining four tanks were handed to 5^th Battalion on the night of the 2^{nd (H9)}

9^th Battalion were next in action on 4^th November 1918

Sources

W9a – 9^th Tank Battalion War Diary Appendix – Report on Operations 1^st Oct. 1918 in PRO WO 95-107

W9bhs – 9^th Tank Battalion Battle history sheets 29^th September and 1^st October 1918 Transcript from Bovington tank Museum

H9 – 9^th Tank Battalion’s War History, Transcript from Bovington tank Museum.

OH – Official History. 1918. Volume V. Pg.139.

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