MK IV Tank markings and identities

[IAN HINKS]

I have copied this over from the topic on the first tank v tank action for comments and input rather than dilute that particular post.
Now might be a time to raise a subject I have been meaning to post for some time. We know that each tank has a unique serial number 2025 for example. We have seen that some tanks have Battalion, company and section identities A25 and sometimes names, ARATHUSA. The Battle history sheets show in this case the A25 ident as a "crew number". There were more crews than tanks in a Battalion. So when a tank is listed as A25 for example, it might not have that ident on the side, and can be listed against multiple tanks. Different Officers would command crews as well due to casualties and postings, so several names can have the same crew ident. Here are some examples of what I mean.
2025 A25 ARETHUSA 2/Lt. E.F. DE FAYE A Btn. 2? Coy. 20/11/17 MALE
2025 A9 ARETHUSA 2/Lt. E.A. OLDHAM A Btn. 2 Sect. 7/6/17 MALE
2030 A25 2/Lt. C.N. DUNMAN A Btn. 2 Coy. 31/07/17
2058 A25 2/Lt. E.F. DE FAYE k.i.a. A Btn. 01/12/17 MALE
Getting complicated isn't it?
Not all tanks had the section ident painted on the side, sometimes for lack of time, but I saw one reference in the 4th tank Brigade War diary WO95/108
Appendix 9 para three. “Battalion no’s. will not be used at present. (This might refer to to not using ident letters and numbers for a period).
Sorry to muddy things up, but sorting these things out can be good fun, or damned frustrating.
Gunner.

[Chris Hall]

Ian -

I feel your pain .........

I've just put up another post ("Are your louvres on the right way round ?") which alludes to the same problem. Army records were very bad at the time, especially at chaotic periods like 3rd Ypres, Cambrai and the Michael offensive. I think the main problem, though, is that tanks were regularly returned to Central Tank Workshops like Erin, and then drawn by Battalions as required. So there was no guarantee that Battalions would get their own tanks back ........

To illustrate this, I found some tantalising quotes in the 5th Battalion War Diary:

"Orders were received on the 20th [February] for the Battalion to move to the Forward Area. The first three days of March were occupied in this move, 14 and 15 Companies each drew 12 tanks and the Battalion Tankodrome was formed at BUIRE WOOD [?]. Most of these tanks were salvaged and considerable difficulty was experienced in moving them owing to mechanical troubles."

"Thus the Battalion lost all its tanks [on 23rd March]. The situation was becoming most critical and all available troops were required to assist in holding up the enemy advance. All responsibility was thrown on to Battalion H.Q. and individual commanders and the call was nobly responded to."

"As the various crew fell back they were immediately organised as Lewis Gun crews and sent to any part of the line where their assistance was needed."

"Their chief duty consisted in covering the retreat of the infantry by forming rear-guards. This in itself was a great strain on all ranks for they had had no training in this branch of warfare. Added to this they were frequently in great difficulties owing to shortage of food and ammunition."

One can only be in awe of what the early Tank crews achieved. It's good that people like we Armortek builders are keen to keep their memories alive.

All the best,

Chris

[IAN HINKS]

Doh, just lost the post I was writing, so here goes a quick reprise. I liked both of your posts Chris, you are so right regarding Battalions drawing tanks from depot before operations and in normal usage. This is what happened to 1st Battalion just before operation Michael so I don't know the ident of my number one choice so have 2025 as a back up as it was commanded at one time by the same CO as my first choice. No doubt the right document will turn up for choice number 1 just after the model is painted. Not that that is going to be for some time as I still haven't unpacked kit 22 yet.
I got loads of information regarding tanks from 1st and 8th Battalions and have been going through it trying to collate it into table form using a Word document but time is so very short and I have not had chance for a while to do more work. If anyone has questions about certain tanks belonging to these battalions let me know and I will see if it in the records I have.
Gunner.

[Chris Hall]

Ian -

Thanks for the kind words, and the offer of information. I've sent you a Private Message regarding 4571, 5th Battalion.

All the best,

Chris