I
“Some greater issue was at stake, some mightier cause, than ever before the sword had pleaded or the trumpet had proclaimed.”
De Quincey.
On November 4, the 1st, 3rd and 4th Armies were to deliver an attack on a combined front of about thirty miles, from the Sambre to the north of Oisy and Valenciennes. The country across which our advance was to be made was exceedingly difficult: in the south, the river Sambre had to be crossed almost at the outset. In the centre the great Forest of Mormal, though here and there thinned by German foresters, still presented a formidable obstacle. In the north lay the strongly fortified town of Le Quesnoy, which was defended naturally by several streams which ran parallel to the line of our advance, offering the enemy repeated opportunities for a successful defence.
On November 2, we fought a small action west of Landrecies. We were anxious to improve our position near Happegarbes before the big attack on the 4th.
Only three Tanks of the 10th Battalion took part.
Unfortunately, although we took all our objectives, the Germans suddenly plucked up heart, launched a surprise attack, and we lost them again before nightfall.
The Battle of Mormal Forest was the last set Tank attack of the War, and for it we could only scrape together just thirty-seven machines.
Tank units were bled almost white. Sections took the place of companies, companies of battalions, and Tanks were parcelled out in such a way that the very most might be made of their scanty numbers.
At dawn, after an intense bombardment, Tanks and infantry moved forward to the assault under a heavy barrage, and it was not long before they had penetrated the enemy’s positions on the whole battle front.
On the right of the attack, zero was at 5.45. The 9th Corps, which, it will be remembered, was supported by four sections of the 10th Tank Battalion, pushed forward and captured Catillon, where the Tanks fought a particularly good action. The infantry were able to cross the Sambre at this place, capturing a lock some two miles to the south of it. By two hours after zero two battalions of infantry were east of the river.
The Tanks with the 13th Corps were also extremely successful, especially in the neighbourhood of Hecq, Preux and the north-western edge of the Forest of Mormal.
An account of the fighting on this central part of the line is given in the Tank Corps Intelligence Summary.
“The early morning was fine and clear, but a dense mist came up with the dawn and persisted until about 8.30. In addition, the country S.W. of Mormal Forest is peculiarly enclosed with thick orchards, quick-set fences and hedgerow trees, confining visibility to no more than fifty yards or so, under the best conditions. The infantry largely depended on the Tanks to give them their direction, and many of the latter had to steer exclusively by compass. By this means they were able to keep approximately to their allotted routes, and were of considerable help to the infantry in breaking through the dense hedges (some wired) and in dealing with machine-guns. In places the enemy barrage came down heavily with a high proportion of gas, whilst elsewhere it was inconsiderable. Resistance also was unusually ‘patchy,’ some few M.G. posts holding out well, whilst many others, though well sited and camouflaged, were found not to have fired a round. A show of resistance was put up at Landrecies bridge by some 300 German infantry and machine-gunners, but they gave in when outflanked by the crossing of the canal on rafts further to the south. The enemy had lined some of the hedges with deep and very well camouflaged rifle-pits, which here and there were held in strength. The main body of the enemy, however, appears to have been withdrawn a kilometre or so in rear of his forward positions just prior to our attack. French inhabitants of the most forward villages state that he started withdrawing at five o’clock this morning. In a number of instances the enemy was found hiding, unarmed, awaiting an opportunity to surrender. In one village over fifty Germans emerged from the house cellars where they had been hiding together with the inhabitants. Other Germans attempted to hide themselves in trees and were dealt with with case shot. A number of anti-Tank rifles were found in rifle-pits, etc., but appear to have been made little or no use of. There were instances of detached field guns being sited to enfilade hedges and cover crests, but so far no reports have come in as to their effect—if any. One Brigade operating with Tanks is reported to have had over 350 prisoners through its cage before 11 a.m., including a Regimental Commander and part of his Staff, whilst one Division reported over 1000 prisoners by 12.30. A German pigeon loft (complete with birds) was captured in Landrecies. Air visibility was nil until after 9 a.m., and communication therefore difficult.
“Later.—Prisoners now reported 10,000 with 200 guns.”
It was at Landrecies that three supply Tanks managed, despite their almost complete lack of arms or armour, to take a most gallant and effective part in the battle.
These three Tanks were working for the 25th Division, and were carrying up material to rebuild one of the numerous bridges that the Germans had destroyed; as they drew near their rendezvous they found that the enemy was still holding the place in some strength, and had succeeded in stopping the advance of our infantry. As the Tanks approached they began to draw fire and their situation became precarious. With great pluck and resource the Tanks decided to go on, and rely on their appearance (which was similar to that of the fighting Tanks) to drive the enemy from his position. One Tank became a casualty, but the other two went straight for the enemy. Even when the Tanks got close up, the Germans were still under the impression that they were being faced by fighters, and part of the garrison put up their hands, whilst the remainder fled.
With the 5th Corps, the 1st Company of the 9th Battalion encountered stiff resistance, but nevertheless they pushed forward far into the Forest of Mormal.
The Tanks were particularly active in the attack on Jolimetz, just south of Le Quesnoy, when they and the 37th Division took upwards of 1000 prisoners, and later in the afternoon and evening pushed on into the heart of the Forest. North of them the New Zealanders had surrounded Le Quesnoy by 8 a.m. Here also Tanks were operating.
By the end of the day we had made a five-mile advance, reaching the general line Fesny-Landrecies—centre of Mormal Forest—and five miles beyond Valenciennes.
[104]“In these operations and their developments twenty British Divisions utterly defeated thirty-two German Divisions, and captured 19,000 prisoners and more than 450 guns. On our right the French 1st Army, which had continued the line of attack southwards to the neighbourhood of Guise, kept pace with our advance, taking 5000 prisoners and a number of guns.
“By this great victory the enemy’s resistance was definitely broken. On the night of November 4–5 his troops began to fall back on practically the whole battle front.”