It was thus in a very singular world that the 301th American Tank Battalion was destined to make its debut.
[96]“The 301st’s reconnaissance before the battle was very efficiently carried out in spite of many disadvantages. The taping especially was a classic example of pluck and efficiency. It must be borne in mind that this was no quiet front, and that the attempts to take his outpost line had made the Boche exceedingly nervous and alert. In consequence, the nights preceding the battle were some of the dirtiest I’ve experienced. The Battalion R.O. (I’ve forgotten his name), one Company R.O. (Lieutenant T. C. Naedale) and a sergeant were knocked out whilst supervising the taping. Lieutenant Naedale got his wounds dressed and continued his work up till zero hour. It is worthy of mention, in connection with this incident, that each American Tank had its own tape laid out over our front line towards the Boche by the Company R.O.’s. Tank Commanders told me afterwards that they had to start fighting before the end of their tape was reached.”
II
When the dawn broke the usual mist lay thick and added its quota of confusion to the uncertainties of the morning.
All along the line, the battle swayed confusedly, developing into what was perhaps the most complete “mix-up” of any battle of the War.
To the north, the fighting was extremely heavy.
Owing to the employment of an effective barrage having been impossible, the American 27th Division suffered severely from the fire of massed hostile machine-guns from the moment the attack began.
Just as the Tanks of the 301st were moving up in support, ready to deal with the machine-guns which were, as an eye-witness describes it, by now “mowing down the other Americans in swathes,” no less than ten machines struck upon the forgotten minefield.
The American Tanks experienced the bitterest of war’s accidents, useless destruction at the hands of their own colleagues.
The explosions were terrific, the whole bottom of many machines being torn out and a large proportion of the crews being killed.