5 Battalion 9 August 1918

The Battle of Amiens 9^th August 1918

5^th Battalion with 8^th CIF Brigade 3^rd Division, Canadian Corp, 4^th Army ^(OH)

5^th Battalion had 7 tanks in action on 9^th August 1918

Composite Company - Maj Gatehouse MC

12 tanks

Section - Capt Dawson

4 tanks

Possibly four of:

9096 (m)

9176 (m)

9147 (m)

9409 (f)

9034 (m)

Notes

The number of tanks in action is unclear. The 5^th Tank Battalion war history says 12 tanks were allocated, the Official history says 7 tanks were but only mentions 5 in the narrative of the action.

The five tanks whose WD numbers are listed were all received by 4^th Battalion on 25^th August, 4 of these tanks were presumably those handed over by 5^th battalion. ^(W4a)

Orders

To support 8^th CIF brigades attack on Folie and Bouchier villages and the strongpoint in the beetroot factory. ^(h5) 7 tanks were to support the 4^th and 5^th Canadian Mounted Rifles (fighting as infantry).

Account of Operations

Heavy opposition was encountered especially to the south of Quesnoy and around the factory. ^(H5) Two tanks helped the 5^th Canadian Mounted Rifles clear the copse on the east side of La Quesnnol Wood and the railway to the north of it. By 4:20pm the Canadian mounted Rifles had taken the Beetroot factory. The 4^th Canadian Mounted Rifles started a little earlier than the 5^th and, supported by 3 tanks, met stiff resistance and lost 2 tanks. Both the 4^th and 5^th CMR entered Folies at the same time ^(OH) Heavy casualties were inflicted and the infantry secured all their objectives with little loss. ^(H5)

The French failed to clear the village of Arvillers thus exposing the Canadian’s right flank. Capt Dawson’s section of 4 tanks attacked the village with the Canadians, took it then handed it to the French. ^(H5)

Summary

Total Tanks: 7

Failed to Start: 2

Engaged enemy: 5

Ditched / Broke Down:

Hit and Knocked out: 2

Rallied: 3

Notes

The number of tanks in action is unclear. The 5^th tank battalion war history says 12 tanks were allocated, the Official history says 7 tanks were but only mentions 5 in the narrative of the action.

The author has assumed 7 tanks were allocated of which two failed to start.

Rallied is the number of tanks that fought and weren’t knocked out.

Aftermath

Sources

W4a – 4^th tank battalion - Summery of Tanks on Strength – August 1918. - PRO WO 95-110

H5 - 5^th Battalion War History - transcript from Bovington tank museum.

OH – Official History. 1918. Volume IV. p97

Note

The war diaries of the CMR battalions are not currently available online.

Amiens