The Tank that had fallen into the canal had been let down quite gradually into the water as the bridge slowly subsided.
There was but one loss. The wig of one of the crew got knocked off as his head emerged from the manhole, and it floated away down the canal and was never seen again. Lost to view, its memory was kept green for many months by its injured owner’s claims for compensation.
The dilemma which most cruelly racked the official mind was the question whether a wig came under the heading of “Field Equipment,” “Loss of a Limb,” “Medical Comfort,” “Clothing,” “Personal Effects,” or “Special Tank Stores.” Finally, however, its owner did receive monetary compensation for his loss.
But the genius of Comedy had not done with the Tanks.
[45]“The town had been evacuated so suddenly by the enemy that some civilian population still remained.
“Two cows belonging to the German Town Major were solemnly presented by their French civilian keeper to Major Hammond as a token of the joy that the inhabitants felt at their liberation.”
These absurd camp followers remained for long the most cherished possessions of the Battalion, and accompanied them wherever they went.
PREPARING FOR THE CAMBRAL. A TRAIN OF TANKS WITH FASCINES IN POSITION
