13 November 1916 - Supporting 39th Division
The Tanks on the Somme. 13th November 1916.
A Company with 117th Brigade, 39th Division, II Corps, 4th Army
A Company intended to get 3 tanks into action on 13th November 1916
A company
3 section
A13, 544, “We’re all in it”, Lt Hitchcock HW
Lt Houghton
Lt Monro-Phillips
Notes:
Details from Trevor Pidgeon (S2.p103 and p112)
Trevor Pidgeon argues that the tank’s name may have been added later by the infantry, the basis of this argument is that the tanks name should begin with the letter “A”. (s2.p106) However the tanks at Arras did not have names beginning with the battalions’ letters, such standardisation beginning in June 1917; so the argument may by unfounded.
Orders
Three tanks were sent to assist 39 Div who were launching an attack from the northern edge of Schwaben Redoubt down into the Ancre valley and the defences lining the road that ran along it. The three tanks were to support the 16th Sherwood Foresters who were attacking from the lower portion of Mill road. The tanks were to destroy all enemy positions along the Ancre up to and including St Pierre Divion, then help seize Bridge Road. (S2.p103)
544 was to start from the assembly point at Paisley Dump Q30c.7.3, advance along Paisley Avenue on the south eastern side of Thiepval Wood and cross into the German front line; he was then to advance along the line, crushing wire, until he reached and destroyed the MG nest in Q24b.1.1 he was then to return Q24b.5.0. He was to turn North, and deal with the strongpoint in Q24b.5.4. Upon reaching St Pierre Divion he was to await further instructions. (S2.p103)
Account of operations
Two tanks started but didn’t get very far, one was lost in the mud, the second broke down.
544 reached the German front line about 7am, it went a short way along the Garman front line but got stuck at Q24d.6.8 . The OIC was wounded and ordered the tank abandoned, he and three of the crew de bussed and were shot down, one being dragged back into the tank wounded. Cpl Taffs took command of the tank and he and the driver managed to unditch it by driving backwards, they then advanced once more but crashed into a dugout in the German second line at q24B.8.1. The tank was listing heavily on its left side, thus was unable ti o use its guns, those on the left being buried in the earth, those on the right pointing upwards. At 8am Cpl Taffs sent a pigeon message indicating he was stuck and surrounded by hostile Germans, the infantry eventually reached the tank at 9am and established a line in front of it. (S2.p103)
Summary
Intended: 3
At start: 3
Failed to Start: 0
Engaged enemy: 1
Ditched / Broke Down: 3
Hit and Knocked out:
Rallied: 0
Penetrated by AP bullets: 0
Note
One of the ditched tanks may not have started.
Aftermath
544 was photographed ditched: X68a.p82, X42.p20
IWM Q 6415: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205238368
IWM Q 6429: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205238378
The tank that broke down soon after starting may have been the female photographed after it was recovered from Johnstons Post, Q32d.8.2 on or about 15th November 1916. (S85 Loc 3368 and 3414)
Sources
W4 - D Company’s War Diary. Transcript from Bovington Tank Museum.
S2 - Pidgeon, Trevor (2010) Tanks on the Somme
S12 - Chris McCarthy. (1998) The Somme. The Day by Day Account. Brockhampton Press.
S22 - Staedman, Michael (1995) Thiepval, Leo Cooper P. 86ff
S42 - Tanks and trenches (1994) David Fletcher
S68a - Smithers AJ (1986) A New Excalibur
S85 - The Somme 1916 and other experiences of the Salford Pals (2006) Michael Stedman