98 Years Ago Today

[Stephen White]

At dawn on 20th November, 98 years ago today, over 300 tanks crewed by men of the Tank Corps overran the Hindenburg Line near Cambrai and caused church bells to be rung in England to mark an initiative which ended the bloody stalemate of trench warfare in the Great War.



The Tank Corps order of battle for Cambrai included:

378 Fighting Tanks in 9 battalions of 42 tanks.
54 Supply Tanks and Gun Carriers
32 Wire Pulling Tanks
2 Bridging Tanks
9 Wireless Tanks
1 Transport Tank

Total: 476



Capt RWL Wain was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions commanding A2 at Viellard Wood, Marcoing, on the 20th, one of four VCs won by the Tank Corps in the First World War (The Tank Corps was awarded the title Royal in recognition of its pioneering achievements and, as today's Royal Tank Regiment was awarded two more VCs in World War 2, a unique record of gallantry).





On the 20th, the Tank Corps suffered 159 tank casualties, although a number of ditched and disabled tanks were recovered. Personnel casualties were significant but by the standards of the day, relatively light.



Today, the Royal Tank Regiment, the world's oldest armoured regiment, celebrates Cambrai as its regimental day. Good enough reason to raise a glass to armour and armoured soldiers worldwide.

Cambrai greetings to Gill and Mark and all the Armortek community.

Fear Naught.

S

[Steve Stuart]

Glass Raised.
Steve

[Ray Brown]

20-Nov-17 - A battalion, 1 Coy, 1 sec, A2 Lt Duncan CW - A2 was hit and stopped by five trench mortar hits beyond the Hindenburg Line, the OIC and Driver were KIA and the rest of the crew were wounded by the fifth hit. The crew dismounted and Capt Wain silenced 3 MG guns with a Lewis gun before he was shot from behind by a sniper and killed. Captain Wain was awarded a posthumous VC W1a

My MkIV is A2.

[Chris Hall]

Stephen -

Thanks for recognising this important date to all with an interest in the development of the Tank and Armoured Warfare. And, specific to Cambrai, what are the chances of involving our growing number of 1/6th scale Cambrai veterans in the 2017 centenary ? One can but dream ......

Although the Battle of Cambrai started on 20 November, it ran on until at least 30 November. Arguably, it would have been more successful if it had stuck to the initial concept of a raid, and not developed into a full-blown attempt to (in the words of Blackadder) "be in Berlin for tea-time". But all Nations learnt massively from it, and it had a direct effect on the use of tanks in WW2.

That takes nothing away, though, from the men of the Tank Corps - the Best of the Best. As well as the four WW1 VC's, the 'Tank Corps Book of Honour' lists the following awards (amongst others):

73 Distinguished Service Orders (plus 9 Bars)
447 Military Crosses (plus 42 Bars)
144 Distinguished Conduct Medals (plus 1 Bar)
604 Military Medals (plus 23 Bars)

The accounts of individual acts of bravery are truly humbling.

The last words should belong to Brigadier General Hugh Elles, in Special Order No. V issued to the Tank Corps on 19 November 1917:

"Tomorrow the Tank Corps will have the chance for which it has been waiting for many months, to operate on good going in the van of the battle.

"All that hard work and ingenuity can achieve has been done in the way of preparation.

"It remains for unit commanders and for tank crews to complete the work by judgement and pluck in the battle itself.

"In the light of past experience I leave the good name of the Corps with great confidence in their hands.

"I propose leading the attack of the centre division."

All the best,

Chris