10 Company 11 April 1917
The Tanks at Arras. 11th April 1917
10 Company. D Battalion with 167th Brigade, 56th Division VII Corps, 3rd Army (OH)
10 Company intended to get 4 tanks into action on 11th April 1917 (W21):
10 Company – Maj. Haskett Smith (S62.p75)
No 2 Section
D1, 554
D2, 789
D3, 522
D4, 783, “Diana” (s18.p.118), 2Lt Nelson LA
Note:
783's OIC from information received from 2Lt Nelson's granddaughter via Stephan Pope.
Orders
To clear the Hindenburg Line from N.27.b ?? to the Cojeul River.
Account of operations
554 attacked late then joined two other tanks (proably 783 and 789) as they patrolled the German trenches as far as Heninel from 6:30am to noon. 554 and another tank (presumably 783) then returned to Neuville Vitasse. 789 was destroyed (see note below). The fourth tank (presumably 522) received its orders late but still reached the German front at 6:30am, it patrolled for an hour before returning and then being sent forward by the section commander to gain a situation report from the other tanks. All the Tank commanders reported seeing no sign of supporting friendly infantry during this engagement; all four tanks engaged the enemy (W21)
783 advanced unsupported to the final objective and remained in action there for four hours, clearing trenches and strongpoints, the OIC was wounded and the tank rallied (W99.p86)
The Official History states four tanks from “D” battalion helped 7 / Middlesex (167th brigade) and 1 / 9th London (attached from 169th Brigade). The 7 / Middlesex forced a way into the Wancourt – Feuchy line where it crossed the Hindenburg line, the 1 / 9th London bombed down the Hindenburg line to the Cojeul. Meanwhile bombers had cleared the Wancourt – Feuchy line to the cross roads west of Wancourt. (OH)
Note:
According to the Narrative and 11th April Battlegraph, 783 became ditched in the German front line and was subsequently destroyed during this action; however the 23rd April Battlegraph also shows 783 as being in action and destroyed, 789 being missing on this date. In addition the medal citation for 2Lt Nelson states his tank rallied on the 11th April. It seems likely that 783 and 789 have been mixed up
Summary
intended: 4
At start: 4
Failed to start: 0
Engaged enemy: 4
Ditched / Broke Down: 0
Hit and Knocked out: 1
Rallied: 3
Aftermath
12th April
Presumably supporting VII Corps. (OH)
Only tank 554 went into action on this day. Her task was to clear snipers posts from German Font line at N.35.c to T.5.a. Unfortunately she became ditched in the German front line. The tank must have been recovered later as she is recorded as being in action on the 23rd April (W21). VII Corps was able to advance as the Germans had abandoned their front lines (OH)
13th April
1 tank supporting 21st Divisions attack along the Hindenburg line to Fontaine-Les-Criosselles.
The only tank to operate on this day was Tank 522. She was to assist the infantry in advancing down the Hindenburg line from T.5.a to Fontaine-Les-Criosselles. The tank patrolled the system as ordered but was unable to locate its allocated infantry; it did fire on the enemy. The OIC offered the tanks help to another bombing party from the 6th Leicester’s, but it was declined; the tank did cut two passages through the wire for them however, enabling them to cross. The tank then returned and reported to the section commander (W21). The official history states both the two (sic) tanks allocated to support this attack broke down and thus did not support the infantry (OH)
522, 544 and 783 were all in action on 23rd April, 783 with a different OIC.
Sources
W21 – Reports on proceedings of “D” Battalion H.B.M.G.C. during operations of period 9th to 13th April 1917. and relevant Battle graph. PRO WO 95 - 97
W99 - the Tank Corps Book of Honour, Naval and Military Press facsimile edition.
HQbg - Battlegraphs in Tank Corps HQ War Diary appendixes. PRO WO 95 - 91
HQto – Tank operatipons April 9th to 13th in Tank Corps HQ War Diary appendixes. PRO WO 95 - 91
OH – Official History, 1917, Vol 1, Pg.260 – 11th April
Pg. 281 – 12th April - no mention of tanks.
Pg.285 – 13th April
S18 - Nicholls Jonathon (2005) Cheerful Sacrifice. The Battle of Arras 1917, Pen and Sword
S62 - Maj Watson WHL (???) A Company of Tanks
Note: The transcription of C Battalion’s War Diary available from The Tank Museum, Bovington doesn’t start until after Arras.