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Canal St Quentin. 29th September 1918
B Company, 9 Battalion, with 138th Brigade, 46th Division, IX Corp, 4th Army (W23)
B Company, 9th Battalion had 8 fighting tanks in action on 29th September 1918 (W23)
B Company – Maj Herbert GA MC, 2IC Capt Mcreedy E MC
5 section Capt Moran (Capt Glover attached)
I22, 2Lt Farrage
I21, Sgt Ratclyffe W
I34, 2Lt Boult P
8 section Capt. Baxter
I38, Capt Pessel WB
I33, Lt Ward
I39, L2t Clegg
7 section – Capt Higgitt FFA
I29, 2Lt James G
I35, Sgt Grayson, F
Notes
Orders
As the St Quentin Canal formed an impassable obstacle in front of the Corps the infantry (American II corps) were to advance and capture the brown line without tank support; meanwhile the tanks were to head north and cross over the canal tunnel at a point just south of Bellicourt then press southwards. “B” and “C” companies would join the 46th Divisions 138th and 139th brigades respectively and support their attack on the Green Line. ”A” company were to join the 32nd Division on the Green Line and move off to attack the red Line when the barrage lifted. (W23) (H9)
“B” Company to leave lying up place at bois D’Hervilly at Zero plus 30mins to cross canal at about G16a.9.9 at 08:30 then to join the infantry on the brown line. (W23)
Account of Operations
On reaching G15b.6.5. in thick mist American infantry were met lying down either side of the road, their advance having been stopped by Mg fire form the canal. The Australians now also came forward, their officers gathering Americans to them.
A tank from Capt Morans section was sent ahead with a group of American infantry, led by an Australian officer to deal with the MG fire.
“C” Company the attacked towards Riqueval. 3 “B” Company tanks led by Major Padfield in Capt. Higgit’s tank went right of the road towards the Canal bank, the rest of the company following.
Many MGs and prisoners were taken and the infantry were able to capture the Tunnel between Bellicourt and Riqueval. (W23)
The Company rallied about G16a.9.9 and turned south across the canal to g29b.3.8. here the tanks swung east and caught up with the infantry of 138th brigade on the Yellow Line, the attack on the Green Line commenced, 5 section on the left, 8 on the right and 7 section in support.
The tanks silenced MG fire on the Green line and the infantry advanced, took the line and consolidated whilst the tanks provided cover. Both I21 and I35 were hit and knocked out, the other six tanks all rallied. (W23)
The attack was successful the first objective being reached by 3:30pm by both 138th and 139th Brigades. (OH)
The following tanks were hit: (W23)
9307, female, H31c.4.2.
9349, female, H31c.7.3.
9276, composite, H31b.3.3
9079, male, H31d.1.8.
9028, male, H31b
9283, female, N1a.5.6.
9131, male, N1a.5.5
9350, composite, N1a.5.3.
9313, female, N1a.5.1
9153, male, G36b.7.5.
9447, female, G30a.5.3 (rallied)
9343 ran over a covered tree stump and broke a plate prior to starting. (W23)
3 Mk V KO while waiting to advance for the Green line (W23)
24 Mk V started, 21 reached objective, 10 rallied (W23)
“B” Company’s 2Lts Farrge and Jones were gassed (H9)
Battalion casualties: 1 officer and 7 other ranks KIA, 2 other ranks missing, 5 officers and 27 other ranks wounded. (W23)
Summary
Total Tanks: 8
Failed to Start:
Engaged enemy: 8
Ditched / Broke Down:
Hit and Knocked out: 2
Rallied: 6
Note
Total tanks does not include the two tanks which failed to reach the lying up place.
Aftermath
Sources
W23 – 3rd Tank Brigade War Diary – Report on operations with IX corps on 29th September 1918 in PRO WO 95-95
H9 – 9th Tank Battalion’s War History, Transcript from Bovington tank Museum.
OH – Official History. 1918. Volume V. Pg.104f.
S99- Stephen Pope (2016). The First Tank Crews
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