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The Battle of the Scarpe. 30th August 1918
10th Battalion with NZ Division, IV Corps (OH)
10th Battalion had 4 tanks in action on August 30th 1918.
J7, 9334, Lt Collins J
J41, 9265, 2Lt Allen T
J8, 9253, 2Lt Oddy GC
J29, 9417, Lt Frere FB
Notes
Serial numbers of J8 and J41 from earlier BHS, may be other tanks on this date.
Orders
Two tanks (J7 and J41) to operate against the village of Fremicourt and two (J8 and J29) against Bancourt, thence, if necessary, to assist infantry exploitation towards Haplincourt.
J41 and J7 to start form Sugar Factory H28d.7.6 and then (J7) to go to sunken road running from I25a.5.0 to I31 central
Zero 5am,
Lying upoint H20d.10.80
Start point Bapaume - Cambrai Road.
Tactics – tanks to follow infantry and assist in mopping up and dealing with strongpoint’s.
9265 and another tank were photographed twice moving up near Bapaume:
Great Battles of World War 1 (1989 ) Anthony Livesey. p.186.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nlscotland/4700643024/
Account of operations
J7 and J41 overtook the infantry and fired ion suspected enemy positions before crossing the Bapaume - Cambrai Road at H30a. then thay went south of the road and toured around the hutted camp in I19, fired on enemy In the distance. Both tanks then assisted in the capture of Fremicourt, taking 150 prisoners in and around the village. J7 then reached objective and stayed there until 10am before a lack of petrol forced the tank to retire and rally. J41 passed the knocked out J8
J8 and J29 found Bancourt strongly held and proceeded to mop it up before advancing on Haplincourt with J7 and J41.
J8 fired 70 rounds 6 pdr and 500 rounds SAA but was hit twice in the left track and right side of the hull and burnt out at I31 central whilst returning from to Haplincourt, [ Company commanders report states hit whilst heading towards the village, BHS says whilst retiring) one crewman was killed, the OIC and a second crewman were wounded.
J29 fired 100 rounds 6pdr and 1500 rounds SAA. outstripped infantry and reached edges of Haplincourt.
as the infantry were not following the tanks rallied back at H20d.10.80.
150 prisoners and 2 guns taken, severe casualties inflicted.
Summary
Total Tanks: 4
Failed to Start: 0
Engaged enemy: 4
Ditched / Broke Down: 0
Hit and Knocked out: 1
Rallied: 3
Note:
Engaged enemy includes J22 and the unidentified tank
Rallied does not include the two tanks that failed to start.
Aftermath
9417 may have been handed to salvage.
9334 and 9265 both fought with the 301st Battalion’s C Company on 29th September
In total 10th Battalion had 13 tanks (and a Renault) on strength on 2nd September 1918 when 2 were handed to workshops, and the rest the 301st US Battalion (possibly including the Renault) (W10)
The following 8 tanks all fought with the 301st Battalion’s C Company on September 29th:
9334 - J7
9435 – J18
9376 – J19
9390 – J21
9396 – J22
9027 – J26
9265 – J41
9191 – J38
It is possible the other three former 10th Battalion tanks were
9043
9088
9279
Whose previous history is unknown but all three also fought with the 301st Battalion’s "C" Company
Sources
W10 - War Diary of the 10th Tank Battalion
OH - Official History 1918, Vol IV p363
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