7 June 1917 - 3 Company
The Tanks at Messines. 7th June 1917.
3 Company. A Battalion with 41st and 47th Divisions, X Corps, 2nd Army (OH)
3 Company intended to get 12 tanks into action on 7th June 1917 (W21)
10 section - Capt Wall, FC
A46, 2031, Lt Lee Jones JL
A47, 2688, 2Lt Hemphill RD
A48, 2032, 2Lt Campbell CR
A50, 2033, 2Lt Bradney W
11 section - Capt Raikes DT
A51, 2010, 2Lt Cottle Sidney, Joseph
A52, 2670, , 2Lt Peel WE
A54, 2003, "Iron Rations", 2Lt Young SF
A55, 2666, "Revenge", 2Lt Loveridge JL
12 section – Lt Cottle, JL
A56, 2692, 2Lt Robertson, Clement
A58, 2028, 2Lt Foxwell, Victor HY. Glandfield
A59, 2024, 2Lt Ducket, Harold Edgar
A60, 2680, 2Lt Rich, Cecil Olvar
9 Section - Supply Lt
A44, 2Lt Paxton
A45, 2Lt Mathews
Note
Crews A44 and A45 may have been with tanks 703 and 717 which were 3 Company’s Supply tanks later in 1917.
Cpl Lee states his tank "Revenge" and its partner "Iron Rations" operated beyond the Green line (S76.p54). Later Lee states "Revenge" survived the 31st July attack (S76.p70); "Revenge" must therefore be 2666 as this tank best fits the descriptions of both actions. "Iron Rations" identity is less certain, on the 7th June 2003 is the most likely candidate; both tanks were officially renamed by the 31st July.
Orders
Zero: 3:10am
10 Section – with 41st Division, 124 Brigade (WO 95-101-2, p63)
2031 and 2688 – Objectives: Martens Farm - Nuytten Farm and the Obstacle Switch.
2032 and 2033 – Objectives: Estaminet – Junction of Obstacle Avenue / Obstacle Support / Obstacle switch. (W1)
2688 and 2033 were to go forward via a crossing over a marsh near Shelly Farm. It was felt the crossing would only cope with two tanks so 2031 and 2032 were to follow 11 section to Eikhof Farm. (W1)
2031 was to follow the first tank of 11 section to Eikhof Farm and from there branch to the south West making for the Dammestrasse then move along the same until abreast of Damm Wood then wait until Zero +3 hrs 40 mins. Then support the 124th Brigade’s attack on the Black Line specially Martens Farm - Nuytten Farm and the Obstacle Switch. (W1)
2032 was to assist in the capture of the Black Line, especially Obstacle Switch, Obscure Support, Estaminet, Bauwen Farm, Martens Farm, Nuytten Farm and Bondulle Farm. (W1)
2688 was to cross the front line just east of Shelly Farm then cross the German Front line just West of Oasis Street and then follow its line to the Dammstrasse and support the infantry at Pheasant and Damm Woods especially attacking the eastern side of Estaminet Junction and Obstacle Switch. (W1)
11 Section – with 41st Division, 122 Brigade (WO 95-101-2, p63)
The section was to cross the Dammstrasse and move to Oboe Trench, Obscure Trench and Obscure support. (W1)
2010 to start from I32d.0.8, 2670 to start from I32d.9.5, 2003 to start from G33d.0.5 and 2666 to start from I32d.0.5. All four tanks to assemble at Eikhof Farm, O3d.6.4 and then go to the Blue Line at O9b.9.9. (2010 and 2670) and o9b.5.1 (2003 and 2666); at Zero + 3hours 40 minutes to support the infantries attack on the black Line. (W1)
At the Black Line 2010 and 2670 were to Reach Oboe trench at O10a.1.7 then turn south down Oboe trench and Obscure Alley to Englebreims farm. Then cross the Denys Wood, turn NW up the edge of Denys Wood to Obscure Trench and go to the rallying point behind Ravine Wood at O10a.1.4 and await instructions for the attack on the Green Line. (W1)
2003 and 2666 were to go along obscure trench in a south westerly direction, then down obstacle avenue to the corner of Denis Wood at O9.d.0.0 then return and rally at the RP, O10a.1.4 and await orders for the attack on the Green Line. (W1)
At 2:45pm 2003 and 2666 were ordered to attack the Green Line at 3:10pm and clear up the Ravine in O10c then proceed to Rose Wood and back to Verhaest Farm and then return to original RP, Q10a.0.6. (W1)
12 section - Supporting 47th Division 140 Brigade (WO 95-101-2, p63)
2028 and 2024 were to time their advance to be in the vicinity of White Chateau Stables at Zero +3 hrs 45 mins. Then to support the attack on the stables. (W1)
2692 and 2680 were to reach White Chateau Stables at Zero plus four and a half hours and then support the attack on Opal Trench and Opal Support. (W1)
The section was then to support the attack on Opal Reserve. (W1)
Account of Operations
10 section
2032 ditched at O9c.3.9 having started at Zero and gone forward via the British Front line at O3b.6.3, Eikhof Farm and DammeStrasse. The enemy were not engaged at any time. (W1)
2031 ditched close to 2032 (W1) just before the Black Line (W22); having gone forward in very poor visibility via Eikhof Farm and the Dammestrasse. (W1)
2688 reached the Damm and Pheasant woods on time and accompanied the infantry when the advance resumed at Zero + 3 hrs 40 mins, the tank went between the two woods, along the south end of Damm Wood to Estaminet, the tank then moved to support the infantry who appeared to be held up at In Jen Dager cabaret but found no enemy. The tank went with the infantry to the Black Line via Lesign Farm, Nuytten Farm, Gondezeune Farm to the Black Line but met no opposition. The tank rallied at the rally point and eventually ditched and was then damaged by a shell at O9a.3.7 whilst returning to Elton’s Point. (W1)
2033 started on time and crossed the British front line just to the left of Shelly farm at Zero + 1 hour 30 mins. Then ditched briefly just beyond the German front line. The tank reached Dammstrasse at Zero + 2 hours 50 mins and took cover in a shell hole until the advance resumed at Zero + 3 hours 40 mins. Upon resuming the advance the tank was hit in the radiator after going 200 yards; the shell also slightly wounded the driver. The OIC stopped the tank before the engine seized and then left the tank under guard. (W1)
11 section
2010 and 2670 worked together, both started on time, reached Eikhof Farm at Zero +1 hour 35 mins and Zero + 1 hour 55 mins respectively. They then went to the Dammstrasse which was reached at Zero + 3 hours but were unable to cross the Blue Line at O9b.9.7 as the British barrage was still falling there. The tanks sought shelter in the Dammstrasse; after 5 minutes 2670 suffered a direct hit on the right sponson which killed one gunner and wounded the other, 2670 thus retuned and rallied. 2010 remained in the Damestarsse for a quarter of an hour then advanced with the infantry to the Black Line, crossing this at O9b.0.8 and going round Englebruen Farm and the north end of Denys Wood; there were no tanks supporting the infantry by Obstacle support and Obstacle Avenue so 2010 moved around them as well; it broke down at O9d.2.5 on the edge of Denys Wood, just after turning to return to the rally point. The tank was abandoned, the OIC and one other rank wounded. The abandoned tank was hit by at least two shells on the side door and the nose. (W1) Neither 2010 nor 2670 engaged the enemy (W22bg).
2003 and 2666 both started at Zero and reached Eikhof Farm at Zero plus 1 hour 35 mins. Both tanks moved off after half an hour, both tanks crossed the Dammestrasse at O9b.5.7, 2003 then ditched briefly at O9b.1.5. Both tanks caught up with the barrage and joined the infantry as they advanced on the Black line, 2003 fired both 6pdrs at Germans at the corner of Ravine Wood and the junction of the trench at O10c.08.92. Both tanks crossed the Black Line at O9d.9.9 then turned right and proceeded along the edge of Denis Wood to the corner before turning down Obstacle Avenue, some targets were sighted. Both tanks stopped for half an hour to cover the infantry’s consolidation then rallied at O10.a.0.6. (W1)
At 3:05pm 2003 and 2666 started again to support the attack on the Green Line, both tanks went down Obscure Alley, 2003 ditched after crossing Obscure trench and was pulled clear by 2666, then 2666 ditched and was pulled clear by 2003. The tanks went to the bottom corner of rose Wood and crossed the Roozebeck at O16a.75.45 then turned left and crossed the already captured Odyssey Trench at O16c.8.9. They then went towards Green Wood and engaged the enemy therein. 2003 used 6pdr and LGs to clear enemy MGs and infantry from the Farm at O16d.75.45 and then silenced an enemy MG emplacement at O17a.2.2; 2666 fired LGs at enemy infantry in and round the Wood and the track running North and south through the wood at O17a.2.4. 2666 them turned North to avoid the marshy ground around Green Wood, it followed the ravine up to Verhaest Farm and along the northern Edge of Rose Wood to Obscure Alley then rallied at O10a.9.6. Meanwhile 2003 had patrolled for half an hour, firing on several parties of the enemy. It then returned, crossed Odyssey trench at O16c.55.70 and rallied at O10a.0.6. 2003’s OIC and two other ranks were wounded by splinters that penetrated via a joint in the side door and the prisms in front. (W1)
12 section
2028 and 2024 both started at Zero. 2024’s OIC was wounded by shellfire whilst outside the tank just after the tank crossed the third German line. Sergeant Poole from 2028 took charge of 2024 which then went to the wood just left of the White House where the infantry were held up. The tank fired its right 6pdr into Battle Wood where the infantry were also held up. Both tanks were now within 100 yards of the White Chateau, both were ditched, 2028 10 yards behind 2024; both were unable to elevate their guns sufficiently to support the infantry attacks on the Chateau. 2028 was unditched and turned to rally but became twice more and was eventually left in the field. 2024 was unditched after an hour and went to the White House to find the infantry had secured it ten minutes before. The tank ditched again, twice. Sgt Poole and Pvt. Spreadbourgh were both killed and Gnr. Bellemy was wounded by shellfire so the rest of the crew abandoned the tank. (W1)
2692 and 2680 both started at Zero + 1 hour heading for the North side of triangular wood, passed point O3b.5.6.and crossed the German front line at Zero + 2 hrs 20 minutes. 2680 was hit by a small calibre shell on the left sponson at Zero plus 2 hrs 30 min’s at point O3d.75.80. Two crew men were wounded. Both tanks waited on the German front line until Zero + 2 hrs 50 minutes when they resumed their advance. 2692 was hit by a 5.9” shell almost immediately after re starting. The blast killed the crew Sergeant , wounded two other crewmen and blew one of the sponson doors off and damaged the plate under the sponson. 2692 thus retuned and rallied. 2680 went to O4c.45.48, then to White Chateau Stables, Oblong Trench and Oblong Reserve, all of which were in British hands. The tank then turning NE towards Opal Reserve (W1) and fired on the enemy (W22bg) but was forced to turn back due to a broken radiator. The tank was ditched and abandoned 40 yards from O4d.2.4, the stables. (W1)
Supply tanks
A45, Ditched in blue Line (W22bg)
A44, Broke down and failed to reach the start point. (W22bg)
Summary
Intended: 12
At start: 12
Failed to start: 0
Engaged enemy: 4
Ditched / Broke Down: 6
Hit and Knocked out: 2
Rallied: 4
Aftermath
“A” Battalion adopted official names sometime between the Messines battle and the start of 3rd Ypres on 31st July; these names all began with the battalion’s letter (i.e. “A”). The following names were given to the following tanks: 2031, “Auld Gasper”; 2688, “Aphrodite”; 2033, “Archie”; 2670, “Artful Alice”; 2003, “Adsum”
2028 and 2688 were recovered on the 9th.
2032 was recovered on the 10th.
2003, 2028, 2031, 2032, 2033, 2666, 2670, 2688 were in action with "A" Battalion on the 31st July 1917.
2010 was next in action with "F" Battalion on 20th November 1917 at Cambrai
2692 was issued to 4th Battalion from Central Workshops in February 1918 and was the in action with 4th Battalion in March 1918.
2680 was in action with 5th Battalion on 22nd March 1918.
2024 had it's gearbox renewed by workshops on the 11th June but is otherwise not recorded again.
703 and 717 both appear on the battalion list written in June or July 1917, they probably remained with the battalion until October 1917 when they were replaced with MK IV top tower supply tanks and sent to Central Workshops.
Sources
W1 - War Diary 1st / "A" Tank Battalion - Transcript from Bovington Tank Museum.
W22 - Messines Ridge Battlegraphs in PRO WO 95 / 101
H1 – 1st Battalion’s War History. Transcription from Bovington Tank Museum
S76 - The Third Battle of Ypres (1997) Martin Marix Evans
OH - Official History. 1917. Vol 2. Pg.60