11 Battalion. 26 August 1918

Battle of the Scarpe. 26^th August 1918

11^th Tank Battalion, with 3^rd Division, Canadian Corp, 1^st Army ^(OH)

11^th Battalion had 9 fighting tanks in action on 26^th August 1918 ^{(OH) (W9a)}

Composite Company - Capt Burke ML

Notes

The battalion had drawn Mark V* tanks on the 8^th to 11^th August 1918. ^(H11)

Orders

18 tanks from 3^rd tank brigade were to support the attack by 2^nd and 3^rd Canadian Divisions, 9 tanks with each Division ^(OH). As 9^th battalion sent 9 tanks to 2^nd CIF Division ^(W9a) 11^th battalion must have sent 9 tanks to 3^rd CIF Division.

The tanks would not be able to make the 3am Zero hour; they would only arrive at 5:30am. ^(OH) 9^th 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 7^th CIF Brigade after they passed though the 8^th CIF Brigade at 11am ^(OH)

Zero hour was 11:00 hrs. ^(H11)

Account of Operations

The first phase of the attack went well; the 8^th 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 7^th CIF Brigade passed through the 8^th 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 7^th 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 – 11^th 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.

The Scarpe (1918) - 26 to 30 August