9 Battalion C Company 29 September 1918
Canal St Quentin. 29th September 1918
C Company, 9 Battalion, with 139th Brigade, 46th Division, IX Corp, 4th Army (W23)
C Company, 9th Battalion had 8 fighting tanks in action on 29th September 1918 (W23)
C Company – Maj Padfield L, 2IC Capt Mabb VL (W23)
section Capt Rae SC
I41, Cpl Hulme F
I52, 2Lt Harrison, D
I54, 2Lt Norwood
section Capt. Malleson BK MC
I47, 2Lt Titchener AW
I45, Lt Bond GL
section – Lt Steeple J MC
I42, 2Lt Utteridge J
I43, 2Lt Parker AE
I56, 2Lt Thomas HJS
Notes
WD numbers listed below.
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)
“C” Company tanks moved 1000yds out of Bois D’Hervillly on the night of the 28th and started forward at 6:15. (W23)
Account of Operations
The company reached G15d.3.1.and halted in thick mist, some MG fire was coming form the direction of Riqueval. The tanks started forwards again early at 7:55 going slowly. They soon discovered the American infantry were held up by MG fire from Riqueval. The tanks joined the Americans and Australians then attacked and cleared Riqueval and crossed over the tunnel. I43 became ditched in Riqueval, it was unditched too late to take any further part in the action. I42 went to G43b to clear the canal bank. After crossing the canal the other six tanks turned south to meet the 139th Brigade. Lt Steeple was sent to the rallying point as he was unwell, the MO had advised hi to report to the hospital two days previously (W23)
Captains Rae’s section I41, I52, I54 and Capt Malleson’s section I45 and I47 with I56 attached, caught up with the infantry on the yellow line. After helping the infantry capture the Green line I45, I47 and I56 on the right flank, near Lehaucourt, were not protected by a smoke screen and thus were knocked out by artillery fire. (W23) from a battery to the south of the river in 1st Divisions sector, these guns were dealt with by a party of Sherwood Foresters who re-crossed the canal and Bayoneted the gunners. (OH)
I54 was hit and knocked out in front of Lehaucourt, 2Lt Norwood was killed. (H9)(CWG)
The attack was successful the first objective being reached by 3:30pm by both 138th and 139th Brigades; Lehaucourt was secured half an hour later. (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)
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: 0
Engaged enemy: 8
Ditched / Broke Down: 1
Hit and Knocked out: 4
Rallied: 4
Note
The ditched tank is I43 which is not included in the rallied total though it did rally.
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.