Tanks in the Great War, 1914-1918

by J. F. C. Fuller

This system of record, initiated at the battle of Arras, was maintained in the Tank Corps up to the conclusion of the war, many hundreds of these brief histories being written. The following are taken, almost at random, from those made out during the above-mentioned battle, and are fair examples of early tank fighting.

Battle History of Crew No. D.6. Tank No. 505. Date 9/4/17.
Commanded by Lieutenant A——

Unit to which attached	14th Division.
Hour the tank started for action	6.20 a.m., April 9, 1917.
Hour of zero	5.30 a.m. (14th Division attacking at 7.30 a.m.).
Extent and nature of hostile	Increasing as tank worked along Hindenburg Line.
Ammunition expended	3,500 rounds S.A.A.
Casualties	Nil.
Position of tank after action	Caught in large tank trap and struck by shell fire.
Condition of tank after action	Damaged by shell fire.

Orders received.—To attack Telegraph hill with infantry of 14th Division at 7.30 a.m. on April 9, 1917, then proceed along Hindenburg Line to Neuville Vitasse. To wait at rallying-point N.E. of Neuville Vitasse until infantry advanced again towards Wancourt. To proceed with infantry to Wancourt and assist them wherever necessary.

Report of action.—Tank left starting-point at Beaurains at 6.30 a.m., on April 9, 1917, crossed our front line at 7.27 a.m., attacking Telegraph hill with the infantry at 7.30 a.m.; then worked towards Neuville Vitasse along the Hindenburg Line. At a point about 1,000 yards N.E. of Neuville Vitasse, the tank was caught in a trap consisting of a large gun-pit carefully covered with turf. I and Sergeant B—— immediately got out and went to guide other tanks clear of the trap in spite of M.G. and shell fire.

(Signed) A——, Lieut.,
O.C. Tank D.6.

Battle History Of Crew No. D.9. Tank No. 770. Date 9/4/17.
Commanded by 2nd Lieutenant C——

Unit to which attached	30th Division.
Hour the tank started for action	4.45 a.m.
Hour of zero	5.30 a.m.
Extent and nature of hostile shell fire	Very severe from the moment of entry into enemy lines.
Ammunition expended	Unknown.
Casualties	Corporal wounded, since sent to hospital.
Position of tank after action	Ditched in C.T. near Neuville Vitasse trench.
Condition of tank after action	Ditched but sound.

Orders received.—To proceed from Mercatel to the Zoo trench system through the Cojeul switch to Nepal trench, from thence with the infantry to Wancourt.

Report of action.—Owing to mechanical trouble tank was delayed in coming into action. Having rectified this, I proceeded to join D.10—D.11 as ordered.