3 Company 21 November 1917
Cambrai. 21st November 1917
3 Company, A Battalion, with 29th Division, III Corps
3 Company had 7 tanks in action on 21st November 1917 (W3):
9 Section. Capt Ingham G, 86th brigade (W1a )
A41, f, 8028, “Autogophasta”, 2lt Jones JE
A42, f, 2858 , “Atlantic”, 2Lt Urquhart
A44, m, “Ahmed II“, Lt Paxton Hall, AE
A45, m, 8082, “Astica”, 2Lt Mathews G
11 Section Capt Raikes DT. 87th brigade (W1a )
A52, m, 8091, “Artful Alice II”, 2Lt Charles
A53, m, 8087, “Angelina II”, 2Lt Wright
A54, f, 8079 “Adsum II”, 2Lt Johnson
Orders (W1a )
A41 and A42 were to support the attack West of Rummilly.
A44 was to support the SWB attack by silencing MG in N. end of Rumilly
A45 was to attack NE of Masnieres
11 Section to attack trenches between Flot Farm and Rumilly.
Account of Operations (W1a)
A41 and A42 were to start from Marcoing Station and support the attack West.of Rumilly,. Numerous MG were silenced, A41 was penetrated by AP ammo, 5 OR wounded, and engine damaged, rallied at Railway Station. A42 was also pierced by AP ammo and had 5 LG put out of use, silenced enemy MG, 3OR wnd. Rallied 3:15pm.
A44 silenced three MG silenced with 6pdr fire and crushed another. It crossed the enemies enemy second line than ran out of ammo and rallied at Marcoing. 5 crew were wounded by AP ammo.
A45 Started at 11.15am leading infantry, crossed British Front line and silenced MG in Masnieres. Tank penetrated by AP ammo and caught fire, 5 OR wounded. Fire extinguisehd Tank stopped for an hour engaging enemy. Enemy aircraft dropped smoke on tank so it moved 200yds then caught fire again, fire extinguished and tank returned to British front lines, stopping there from 3pm to dark as a strongpoint despite being out of ammo.
A52, A53 and A54, all Attacked trenches between Flot farm and Rumilly and found there were too many MG to silence them all. A52 and A53 were penetrated by splinters through their 6pdr loopholes which wounded 2 crew in A52 and the OIC and 4 crew in A53. A52 also ditched whilst returning to rally but unditched and both tanks rallied. A54 was penetrated by AP ammo which wounded the OIC and 6 crew. She too rallied.
Summary
Intended: 7
reserve: 0
At Start: 7
Started: 7
Engaged enemy: 7
Ditched / Broke Down: 0
Hit and Knocked out: 0
Rallied: 7
Aftermath
A44, A45, A52 and A53 all in action on the 30th.
Sources
W1a – A Battalion War Diary Appendixes. PRO WO 95/109
NOTE
A Battalion’s War diary. Transcription form Bovington Tank Museum. (W1) does not contain the reports pertinent to this action.
3rd Brigades War Diary does not contain a battlegraph for 3 Company.