12 Battalion. 3 September 1918
The battle of Drocourt Queant. 3rd September 1918
12th Battalion with 2nd Division, VI Corp, 3rd Army (OH)
“A” company, 12th Battalion, had 3 tanks in action on 3rd September 1918
“A” company - Capt Inglis HT DSO
3 tanks
Note
The following tanks were probably still with "A" company on this date:
L1, 4554, "Ladybird"; L11, 8021, "Liaison"; L7, 8034, "Looter"; L12, 8103, "Lochiel"; L18, 2713, "Lioness"; L2, 2802, "Leader"; L6, 4510, "Lily"; L13, 4565, "Love"; L14, 2621, "Lassie".
Orders
3 tanks of “A” company were to support 2nd Divisions attack on Morchies and Maricourt. A fourth tank remained in reserve. (H12)
Zero was at 5:20am (H12)
The tanks were driven most of the way forward by spare crews the fighting crews only driving the last 2000 yds. (W12a)
Account of Operations
Three tanks attacked with the 6th and 99th brigades at zero; only scattered MG fire and little opposition was encountered the enemy having withdrawn to the Canal Du Nord; some small groups remained behind in dugouts and surrendered. The tanks patrolled around Maricourt Wood and Morchies for some time, the Whippets then went through in pursuit and the heavies rallied. One man was wounded during the approach march as the enemy guns fired a last few salvos before withdrawing. (H12)
Summary
Total Tanks: 3
Failed to Start: 0
Engaged enemy:
Ditched / Broke Down: 0
Hit and Knocked out: 0
Rallied: 3
Aftermath
L6, L7, L11 and L12 were all in action on 8th October 1918
Sources
W12 - War Diary of 12th Tank Battalion, Transcript from Bovington tank Museum
H12 - War History of 12th Tank Battalion, Transcript from Bovington tank Museum
OH – Official History, 1918 Vol IV. Pg.419