9 Battalion 23 July 1918
St Ribert. 23 July 1918
9 Battalion, with 3rd French Division, IX French Corp, French 1st Army
9 Battalion had 36 tanks in action on 23rd July 1918 (W9):
A Company Supporting 51 and 272 regiments (W9)
9076
9039, m
Supporting 51 Regiment
9318, f
9018, m
9040, m
Plus 7 other tanks from those listed below
B Company (less one section) Supporting 51 regiment (W9)
9406, m
9282, f
9349, f
Plus 6 other tanks from those listed below
B Company detached section supporting 87 regiment W9)
9387, f
9025, m
One other tank from those listed below
Other tanks of A and B Companies
Supporting 51 Regiment (95/94)
9370, f
9064, m
9065, m
9341, f
9344, f
9391, f
9049, m
Supporting 87 regt (95/94)
No serial number, m
9347, f
9340, f
9307, f
No serial number, m
9057, m
9321, f, No notes. Suffered a direct hit, expended all ammo and assisted infantry. 4 crewmen wounded, one crewman missing.
C Company Supporting 272 Regiment (W9)
9394, f
9048, m
9330, f
9073, m
9283, f
9021, m
9434, f
9085, m
9337, f
9032, m
9339, f
9408, m
Spare Tanks (W9)
The battalion had 6 spare tanks, 3 of which broke down en-route to the start point.
Supply Tanks (W9)
6 Mk IV supply tanks were also allocated from 2 Gun carrying Company.
2 of these broke down (8165 and 8166 (W2GC)) and thus failed to entrain.
6113 broke down on the ramp whilst entraining following the action on the 26th (W2GC)
6119 was with the section on the 28th (W2GC)
6071 was also with the section on the 28th (W2GC)
Notes: Sexes are based on ammunition expenditure, those tanks which fired 6pdr ammo are considered male, those that didn't fire 6pdr ammo are considered female. This corresponds with the serial numbers, 9001 to 9200 should be male, 9251 to 9450 female.
Orders
The Battalion was temporarily attached to the 5th Tank Brigade for this operation (it was usually with the 3rd Tank Brigade).
A company started from the Bois de Fay, B and C companies from the Bois de Hure.
An hour long barrage was to precede the 5:30am zero hour.
The tanks were to attack in sections of 3, two tanks forward and one behind in immediate support.
A Company (12 tanks) was to support 2 battalions from each of the 51st and 87th regiments in an attack on the red line, this included the Bois des Arrachis, Sauvillers-Mongival Village, Adelpare Farm and Ouvrage des Trois Bouqueteaux.
At 7:30am three sections of B Company (9 tanks) were to attack in the centre of the second wave with the reserve Battalion of the 51st Regiment. Their objective being to clear the Plateau to the north of the Bois de Sauvillers and in the capture of the South West corner of the Bois de Harpon.
The remaining section of B Company (3 tanks) was to support the reserve battalion of the 87th regiment in the capture of Bois 1987 and Bois 2493 on the right of Sauvillers Wood.
C Company (12 tanks) was to support two battalions of the 272nd Regiment in their assault on Sauvillers Wood. The tanks were to move along the outside of the wood and enter the wood if possible.
The survivors of A company were to assist the reserve battalion of the 272nd Regiment as it moved in support of the other two battalions of the regiment.
Once the Green line had been secured the tanks were to cover the infantries consolidation then withdraw. Meanwhile the infantry were to send 8 patrols forward to start securing the blue Line.
The Battalion Rallying Point was at the North West corner of the Bois des Arrachis to where the four supply tanks were to proceed.
Account of Operations
One A company tank broke down just after leaving the start point. The reserve tanks were with B and C companies, thus A company attacked with 11 tanks. A Company crossed the French front line a few minutes before zero (5:30am) and proceeded onwards followed by the infantry. One tank was knocked out by the enemy’s counter barrage.
One section now helped clear Arrachis Wood, destroying a number of MGs at the eastern end; this section then attacked Sauvillers Village from the south and occupied the village. The infantry came into the village about 15 minutes later and eventually secured it at about 8:30am.
The other three sections helped clear Sauvillers Village, Adelpare Farm and Les Trois Bouqueteaux, they encountered little resistance and quickly dealt with the few MGs encountered.
At some point a second A company tank was also knocked out.
B and C Company's tanks crossed the Red line at 7:30am.
Two C company sections went either side of Sauvillers Wood and engaged the enemy therein. Some survived however and were dealt with by a reserve C Company tank which entered the Wood.
C company reached the green line at 8:45am, unbeknown to the tank commanders heavy fighting was still going on in the Bois de Sauvillers. The Company thus proceeded towards the Bois de St Ribert but then turned back to cover the infantries consolidation, at 9:30am six tanks were knocked out in quick succession apparently from a battery to the south of St Ribert.
A company's tanks supported either side of C company and all their tanks rallied.
The Plateau to the north of the Bois d Sauvillers was cleared by three sections of B company. The fourth section lost two tanks to direct hits whilst attacking the Bois 1987 and Bois 2493, the third tank assisted the infantry in capturing the Bois de St Ribert, Bois de Harpon and the North side of Sauvillers Wood.
The other three sections of B Company crossed the Green line at 8:15am and moving towards Harpon Wood. One section went too far left and ended up assisting the advance of the 15th Colonial Division.
At 9:15am the infantry were established on the Green Line; a Battalion commander of the battalion of the 51st Regiment requested the tanks help to attack the Bois de Harpon. 7 tanks were available and these split into two sections to attack either side of Harpon Wood. The infantry managed to occupy the whole wood, three tanks were hit and knocked out, one (OIC Capt Dalton (S13.p188)) to the North of the Wood as it attempted to tow away an enemy gun. These tanks were subsequently captured by the Germans as the French evacuated the wood the night after the attack.
Three tanks from C section 2GCC followed 9th Battalion into action and proceeded as far as the Bois de Arrachis (W2GC) (Four tanks according to 9th Battalions War Diary)
21 tanks rallied, this included one which had been knocked out but repaired.
Officer casualties (W9):
Killed: Capt. TG Trafford. Capt. M Rutherford. 2Lt JMA Hannan
Wounded: Lt HL Roney, Capt JT Dalton, 2Lt M Malloy, Capt DL Robinson, Capt F Underhill, 2Lt JT Munday, Lt WS Cross; Capt JM Johnson, Capt VL Mabb, 2Lt HP Bryson
2Lt Macredy was in action in a tank that was knocked out according to Clough Williams Ellis (S13.p189)
A Company Supporting 51 and 272 regiments (W9)
9076, No formation given. Broke down 100yds from start point. (possibly with A company)
9039, m, Reached objective. Killed a large number of the enemy and ran over some MGs
Supporting 51 Regiment
9318, f, Reached objective. Cleared enemy MG nests at Adelpare farm. Hit once but rallied.
9018, m, Reached objective. Little opposition met, put an MG out of action Adelpare Farm. Fit.
9040, m, Reached objective. Several MGs put out of action Adelpare Farm and trench Adele. Fit.
Plus 7 other tanks from those listed below
B Company (less one section) Supporting 51 regiment (W9)
9406, m, Reached objective. Enemy MGs silenced in Bois de Harpon. Fit. 1 Crewman killed.
9282, f, Reached objective. Little opposition met, except MG nests at Bois de Harpon which were cleared up. Fit.
9349, f, Reached objective. Cleared enemy MG nests N of Sauvillers. Fit.
Plus 6 other tanks from those listed below
B Company detached section supporting 87 regt(W9)
9387, f, Reached objective. Many MGs silenced in woods Nos 1987 and 2493. rallied OIC and 3 Crewmen wounded.
9025, m, Did not reach objective. Silenced several enemy MGs in Wood no 1987. Suffered a Direct hit and set afire. 1 OR wounded. 2 OR missing.
One other tank from those listed below
Other tanks of A and B Companies
Supporting 51 Regiment (95/94)
9064, m, Reached objective. Suffered 3 direct hits whilst withdrawing after infantry had consolidated. 2 crewmen killed, OIC wounded. 3 crewmen missing
9370, f, Reached objective. Little opposition met, assisted Inf. When asked. Fit.
9065, m, Reached objective. Many MGs silenced including 4 pointed out by a French officer. Fit. 1 Crewmen wounded.
9341, f, Reached objective. A large number of MGs silenced. Fit.
9344, f, Reached objective. Little opposition met, one or two enemy MG put out of action. Fit.1 Crewmen wounded.
9391, f, Reached objective. Little opposition met, Fired on by enemy artillery whilst patrolling in front of final objective covering infantry’s consolidation. Fit.
9049, m, Did not reach objective. Little opposition met, case shot fired and proved useful causing a large number of enemy to surrender. Suffered a Direct hit. 1 Crewman killed. OIC and 3 Crewmen wounded.
Supporting 87 regt (95/94)
9340, f, Broke down just after leaving start point .
No WD number, m,. Reached objective. Cleared up enemy MG nest in Bois De Arraches and Sauvillers. Fit after action.
9347, f, Hit and KO whilst proceeding to section start point. 1 crewman killed, one crewman missing.
9307, f, Reached objective. Heavy MG fire concentrated on tank.
No WD number, m, Reached objective. Several enemy MG nests silenced. Suffered from mechanical trouble.
9057, m, Direct hit whilst patrolling in front of consolidating infantry. 4 Crewmen wounded.
9321, f, No notes. Suffered a direct hit, expended all ammo and assisted infantry. 4 crewmen wounded, one crewman missing.
C Company Supporting 272 Regiment (W9)
9394, f, Ditched a few minutes after leaving starting point. Hit twice and set afire. 2 Crewman killed. OIC and 2 Crewmen wounded.
9048, m,. Reached objective and accounted for many enemy MG. Rallied
9330, f, objective killed large number of enemy. Rallied
9073, m, Cleared MG nests in Wood NE of village of Sauviller. Wrecked. 1 Crewman killed. OIC and 4 Crewmen wounded.
9283, f, Reached objective cleared up MG nests in Bois de Sauvillers. Rallied (gear trouble)
9021, m, Put out of action: a battery at SW corner of St Ribert Wood.2 Crewman killed. 4 Crewmen wounded.
9434, f, Reached objective cleared up MG nests. KO whilst patrolling in front of fianl objective covering infantry's consolidation. OIC and 1 Crewman killed. 1 Crewmen wounded. 1 Crewman Missing
9085, m, Reached objective cleared up MG nests. Hit once but rallied
9337, f, Reached objective materially assisted infantry. Whilst covering consolidation fired indirectly at Bois de St Ribert. Hit twice and set afire. 1 Crewman killed. 2 OIC and 1 Crewmen wounded.
9032, m, Reached objective destroyed MG nests in Bois de Sauvillers. Broke down and blown up. OIC gassed
9339, f, Reached objective. Hit twice and KO whilst patrolling in front of fianl objective covering infantry's consolidation. OIC and 1 Crewman killed. 2 Crewmen wounded.
9408, f, Reached objective. Cleared enemy MG posts north of Sauvillers Mongival. Hit twice and set afire. 4 Crewman killed. OIC and 2 Crewmen wounded.
Summary
Total Tanks: 36
Failed to Start: 1
Engaged enemy: 35
Ditched / Broke Down:
Hit and Knocked out: 15
Rallied: 20
Note: One of the knocked out tanks was repaired and rallied
Aftermath
Tank I6 was recovered by 1 field Salvage Compony on 23rd July 1918, hit on R/H spo0nson. WO 95-96-4 p43
9391 was recovered by 1 field Salvage Compony on 25th July 1918. WO 95-96-4 p43
9 Battalion were in reserve during the Battle of Amiens.
Sources
W9 – 9 Battalion’s War diary. Transcription from Bovington Tank Museum (W9)
S13 – The Tank Corps (1919) Maj Clough Williams Ellis, MC
S42 – Tanks and Trenches (1994) David Fletcher
95/94 – PRO WO 95 / 94, Summary made from Battle History Sheets.
Note: Brief Narrative accounts of this action are available in S42.p133ff and S13.p185ff