11 Battalion. 26 August 1918
Battle of the Scarpe. 26th August 1918
11th Tank Battalion, with 3rd Division, Canadian Corp, 1st Army (OH)
11th Battalion had 9 fighting tanks in action on 26th August 1918 (OH) (W9a)
Composite Company - Capt Burke ML
Notes
The battalion had drawn Mark V* tanks on the 8th to 11th August 1918. (H11)
Orders
18 tanks from 3rd tank brigade were to support the attack by 2nd and 3rd Canadian Divisions, 9 tanks with each Division (OH). As 9th battalion sent 9 tanks to 2nd CIF Division (W9a) 11th battalion must have sent 9 tanks to 3rd CIF Division.
The tanks would not be able to make the 3am Zero hour; they would only arrive at 5:30am. (OH) 9th Battalions tanks were ordered to follow the infantry in the opening phase, only passing though to lead the infantry once the first objectives had been taken (W9a) In the second phase of the attack 4 tanks (at least) were to support the 7th CIF Brigade after they passed though the 8th CIF Brigade at 11am (OH)
Zero hour was 11:00 hrs. (H11)
Account of Operations
The first phase of the attack went well; the 8th Canadian Brigade pushed forward over Orange Hill and captured the ruins of Monchy le Preaux. (OH) The tanks may have assisted in the later stages of this attack. (H11) At 11am the 7th CIF Brigade passed through the 8th and continued the advance, the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) and Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) leading, accompanied by 4 tanks. (OH) They advanced about 1000 yds but were then stopped (OH) on the eastern slope of the hill down from Monchy (H11) by heavy fire from the front and both flanks (OH) Both the tanks allocated to the PPCLI were sent for when, about midday, the Canadians were held up at Faction trench, both tanks were hit and knocked out before they could render assistance; the crews joined the infantry and continued the fight, though no further progress was made (wPPCL can). The other two tanks with 7th CIF brigade were also knocked out. (OH) A fifth tank was also knocked out here according to the battalion war history. (H11)
Casualties were 1 other rank killed, 1 officer and 2 other ranks wounded, 1 other rank gassed, 2 other ranks missing. (H11)
Summary
Total Tanks: 9
Failed to Start:
Engaged enemy:
Ditched / Broke Down:
Hit and Knocked out: 5
Rallied:
Note
Aftermath
One Mk V* photographed probably abandoned near Monchy-le-Preux - X101p217
Sources
H11 – 11th Tank Battalion’s War History, PRO WO 95 / 100.
OH – Official History. 1918. Volume IV.
wPPCL can – War Diary Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry – available online: http://www.canadiangreatwarproject.com/warDiaryLac/wdLacP08.asp
The War diary of the Royal Canadian Regiment makes no mention of tanks during the action.