Comp Coy B Battalion 21 November 1917
The Tanks at Cambrai. 21st November 1917
Composite Company, 4 and 6 Companies, B Battalion, with 154th Brigade, 51st Division,IV Corps (OH)
B Battalion had 13 tanks in action on 21st November 1917 (W2a):
Company Commander Major
B3, 4661,
B10, 2860
Plus eleven others
Male tank B20 spotted afire in sunken road at B20d.8.1 according to after action report of Havoc (H27) (S61.p280). B20 is not listed in the salvage report thus is probably misidentified, perhaps B10 is meant? Note that this location is to the South West of Fontaine and therefore not in Cantaing where B10 was burnt out (W2s)
Notes
Serial numbers of B10, B3, B42 from report on “Tanks Handed to Salvage during November 1917”
Orders (W2a)
A company of "B" battalion and a Company of "H" battalion were ordered to proceed to a point near Premy Chapel and then assist the 154th infantry brigade (W2a) in there attack on Cantaing. Zero hour was 10am. (OH)
Account of Operations
The orders didn't arrive at "B" Battalion in the Grand Ravine until 9am so the tanks set off late (OH). A composite Company of 12 tanks and a spare, proceeded alone intending to await the "H" battalion tanks at Premy Chapel. (W2a) The infantry had waited until 10:30 then attacked, only to be pinned down in front of Cantaing by heavy fire. The 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queens Bays) had managed to advance to Nine Wood from where they sent fighting patrols towards Cantaing; a battery of RHA also deployed. The advance only resumed at midday when the 13 tanks of "B" battalion finally crested the Premy Chapel ridge and advanced on Cantaing form the South East, the cavalry forming up on the tanks left flank and three companies of the 14 Durham Light Infantry following the tanks. (OH) (at 11am according to the War Diary). The tanks were not fired on until they started to climb the slope into the village, whereupon they were met by intense MG and rifle fire. The tanks entered the village and engaged the enemy, some going along the main street, others along the north and south of the village (W2a). The tanks 6pdrs proved very effective in the village, one tank dealing with a stubborn group of Germans in the north of the village (OH). Some Gordon Highlanders followed the tanks into the village, but these were not seen by the tank's Company Commander who thus asked the DLI to help and they sent some infantry from Premy Chapel to assist the tanks. Meanwhile assistance was also sought from the cavalry; a troop of the Bays galloped to the top of the village. (W2a) The village was secured by 1:30pm (OH) The tanks then left the village, 10 rallied, 3 had been hit: presumably (from salvage report) ,B10 which was burnt out, B3 and another unidentified tank.
The Company from "H" battalion did not assist in the attack on Cantaing, it later attacked Fontaine (OH).
Summary
Intended: 12
Reserve: 1
At start: 13
Started: 13
Engaged enemy: 13
Ditched / Broke Down: 0
Hit and Knocked out: 3
Rallied: 10
Aftermath
B3 and B42 were recovered by the 27th November (W2s).
Sources
W2a – Battalion War Diary PRO WO 95 / 113; Orders, Account of operations Nov 20th – 23rd,
W2s – Battalion War Diary PRO WO 95 / 113; Tanks Handed to Salvage during November 1917”
S44 -
OH - Official History 1917. Vol 3. Pg.109f
Note: The cavalry and infantry and war diaries do not add anything to the account contained in the Official history.