gbattalioncompositecompany19august1917

G battalion Composite Company 19 August 1917

The Tanks at 3^rd Ypres. 19^th August 1917

Composite Company, G Battalion, with 11^th and 48^th Divisions, XVIII Corps, 5^th Army

G Battalion had 11 fighting tanks in action on 19^th August 1917^(W21):

Composite Company Commanding Officer: Major R.H.Broome MC

G4, 2323, m, “Gloucester”, Lt Willard JD

G43, 2536, f, “Gordon”, 2Lt Coutts HG

G29, ???? , m, “Gorgonzola”, 2Lt Baker AG

G32, ????, f, “Gargoyle”, Lt Morgan ET

G31, ????, f, “Galetea”, 2Lt Kane CRH

G28, ???? , f, “Geisha”, 2Lt Close AV

G52, 2756, f, “Guisley”, 2Lt Claughton HM

G47, 2525, f, “Gitana”, 2Lt Browne DG

G44, 2757, f, “Glangarry”, 2Lt Chaddock EHJ

G53, 2778, , “Gracchus”, 2Lt Bubb JS

G10, 2565, , “Gravedigger”, 2Lt Jukes AE

Note:

G4, G10, G43, G44, G47, G52, G53 serial numbers and names from 31^st July Battlegraph in the 1^st Brigade War Diary ^(W21).

G28 and G31 names from Map in 7th Battalion's War diary ^(W7a).

Orders^(W21):

A Tank attack. The tanks were to cross the Steenbeke at St. Julian and, due to the boggy and crumped nature of the ground, proceed in single file along the Poelcapelle Road, crossing the original front lines and then proceeding across the front of the 48^th Division from right to left and consecutively engaging the rear of strongpoint’s at: Gun Pit, Hillock Farm, The Triangle, Mon Du Hibou and Cockcroft. Upon reaching the far end of the Triangle junction they were to turn left towards Langemarck, cross the original front of the 11^th Division, engage Cockcroft and re-enter the original British Front Line.

One or two tanks were allocated to each objective with those with the most distant objectives at the front., thus the order of march was: G4 and G43 leading the way, followed by G29 and G32, then G31 and G28, next G51 and lastly G47 and G44 bringing up the rear.

As each strongpoint was subdued the infantry were to advance and occupy the position.

The whole attack was covered by a Smoke Barrage on the neighbourhood of Rose House, Von Tirpitz Farm and Hill 35 (South of Gallipoli) which would screen the tanks from view ^(W158).

Objectives:

Cockcroft: G4 and G43

Mon Du Hibou: G29 and G32

The Triangle: G31 and G28

Hillock Farm: G52 and G1

Gun Pit at C.12.a.9.3 and mopper up: G47 and G44

Bttn Reserve at O22.2.d.75.90. California Trench: G53 and G10

Account of Operations

The Smoke Barrage came down at 4.45 am and was apparently very effective, successfully screened the tanks from the enemy’s view ^(W158).

G1 broke down on the 17^th whilst moving to the staging point at Bellevue Farm ^(W7).

G53 and G10 stayed in reserve at O22.2.d.75.90, California Trench and did not see action.

G31 ditched West of the Steenbeke at St. Julian and thus did not see action ^(W21).

The remaining eight tanks proceeded along the Poelcapple road ^(W21).

G4’s crew were overcome with fumes at C6a.7.1 after engaging Hillock Farm and ^(W21) the gun pit at C12c.9.3 ^(W158) [probably C12d.9.3 meant]. The driver enlisted the help of a man from 1/8 Worcester’s and with his assistance returned the tank to St Julien Farm where it ditched ^(W21).

G44, G47 and G52 all engaged Hillock Farm (which may have been already abandoned) and the Gun Pits alongside the Poelcapple Road ^(W21), the infantry occupied the empty Hillock Farm at 6 am ^(W158); the tanks [then presumably covered the infantry consolidation] returned to St Julian ^(W21).

G28 also engaged the Gun Pit ^(W158), then the driver was wounded and the tank became ditched and was eventually abandoned, the clutch being destroyed by 2Lt Close, at Z +16 hours ^(W21).

[The remaining three tanks (G29, G32 and G43) proceeded towards the Triangle]:

All three tanks probably reached Triangle Farm at 6.20 am. The garrison here put up a fight and the whole garrison was killed by the infantry, mostly with the bayonet.

About 6.35 the tanks reached the Crossroads at C6c.8.5 and point C6c.5.8 and found both unoccupied, British infantry took possession of both locations ^(W158).