3 Company 30 November 1917
The Tanks at Cambrai. 30th November 1917
3 Company, A Battalion, with Brigade, Guards Division, Corps
3 Company had 7 tanks in action on 30th November 1917 (W3):
Company Commander Maj Lakin
9 Section. Capt Ingham G,
A44, m, 8038 , “Ahmed II”, 2Lt Jones JE
A45, m, 8082, “Astica”, 2Lt Mathews G
11 Section. 2Lt Loveridge JL (in A53)
A52, m, 8091, “Artful Alice II”, Sgt Gardner JE
A53, m, 8087, “Angelina II”, Sgt Pearson D
12 Section. Capt Shillaker ECH
A56, 2885, “Amazon II”, 2Lt Grove A
A59, 4586, “Ambrosia II”, 2Lt Ehrhardt JA
A60, 8056, “Atlanta II”, 2Lt Hunnikin FS
Note. 1 Company commander’s report states each company deployed 6 tanks. This presumably only refers to 1 and 2 companies.
Background
When the Germans counter attacked on the 30th November the three tank brigades were in the process of being withdrawn (OH.p170). At 10am the II tank brigade was ordered to send one battalion to attack Gouzeacourt directly and another to attack the village for the direction of Hendicourt, the tanks were made ready as quickly as possible. At 12.40pm 22 tanks of "B" battalion moved towards Gouzeacourt, followed by 14 "A" Battalion tanks which made for Revelon Ridge. I tank brigade, in Havrincourt Wood also sent 10 tanks from "E" Battalion and 17 from "D" Battalion, but these did not get into action. (OH.p189)
Orders (W1a )
The Battalion was ordered to proceed to Revlon Ridge where 3 Company deployed at 2pm. At 3.15pm the Battalion, less four tanks detached to attack via Chapel Cross, was ordered to attack Gouzeaucourt from the east; 3 Company on the left, 2 on the right.
Account of Operations (W1a)
The company fired on some enemies on the Ridge then entered the village to find it in British hands (Guards), they patrolled the valley on the far side, north of the village.
A44 and A45 attacked together; both tanks engaged enemy MGs which were firing on them from the ridge to the right of Gouzeaucourt. Both tanks rallied, but A45 had problems with its petrol system whilst retiring to the rally point and thus returned to fins on the 1st.
A52 followed A53 then proceeded to the right of A52 and was hit on the left side and set afire at B25c.6.5. [proabaly R25] A53 turned left at R31c.3.9 and entered Gouzeaucourt where it contacted some Irish Guards who didn't require assistance; the tank parked at Q35d.10.3. until the 1st December when it moved to Q28d.3.3. and took up a defensive position. The crew was relieved at 10pm on the 1st by Sgt Fallen.
A56 fired on the enemy and ditched for some time 100yds from the village, it lost its right unditching rail but eventually unditched and rallied at the north end of the village at 4.50pm. A59 attacked and entered Gouzeaucourt but did not fire its weapons; the tank stood to at the SE corner of the village until the crew were relieved at noon on the 1st December. A60 was hit at the N end of Gouzeaucourt but managed to limp back to Rally Point.
The 2nd Tank Brigade's account of operations says the brigade sent 36 tanks into action, 22 from "B" and 14 from "A" Battalion. 5 tanks were knocked out (W22) The BHS indicate "A" Battalion sent 20 tanks forward (W1a).
Summary
Intended: 7
Reserve: 0
At Start: 7
Started: 7
Engaged enemy: 5
Ditched / Broke Down:
Hit and Knocked out: 1
Rallied: 6
Note: 3 of the rallied tanks were unfit for further action: A45, A56, and A60.
Aftermath
The Company rallied at Q35d central at 6.30am. The three tanks that were unfit for further action; A45, A56, and A60, were ordered to try and return to Fins. The other three tanks; A44, A53, and A59, moved to Queens Gate cross Q28d.2.1. at midnight on the 1st.
Sources
W1a – A Battalion War Diary Appendixes, Sections commanders and tank’s OIC’s reports. PRO WO 95/109
W22 - 2nd Brigade Tank Corps. Report on Operations. November 20th to December 1st 1917. PRO WO 95 / 101
NOTE
A Battalion’s War diary. Transcription from Bovington Tank Museum. (W1) does not contain the reports pertinent to this action.