Orders received.—To advance from starting-point on British front line at T.4.b.4.5 to Hindenburg Line at point T.6.a.0.5, from which point infantry were to bomb along Hindenburg Line (front and support) to river Sensée at U.7.a.4.4. Tank to assist infantry and after objective at river taken to proceed to Croisilles.
Report of action.—I started from starting-point at T.4.b.4.5 at zero, and made for Hindenburg wire at T.6.a.0.5, crossing same and getting into touch with our infantry, from whom I received report that they were held up by machine-guns along the trench. I proceeded to this point and cleared the obstacle. I then travelled parallel to the trench, knocking out machine-gun emplacements and snipers’ posts all the way down to point U.1.c.5.0. The infantry kept in touch all the way down, moving slightly in rear of tank, and after emplacements were knocked out they took the occupants prisoners. In two cases white flags were hoisted as soon as the emplacement was hit. The shooting was very good. Up to point U.1.c.5.0 the shelling had been casual, but when we reached the N. bank of the sunken road at this point and were firing into emplacements towards the river we were in full observation from the village and the artillery fire became very heavy. The supply of 6-pounder ammunition now became exhausted, and the ground on the S. side of sunken road being very bad, I decided to move back along the trench and then crossed the wire, and crossing sunken road at about T.12.b.5.3, made for rallying-point at Factory at Croisilles, where I arrived at 12 noon. I was shelled heavily all the way back to the rallying-point, but no damage was done. I was of opinion that the Hindenburg front line was too bad (wide) to cross, and so could not deal with support line and was unable to observe this line from front line. I sent two pigeon messages at 9.30 a.m. and 12 noon. I had only one message clip, so had to fasten second message with cotton.
(Signed) G——, 2nd Lieut.,
O.C. Tank D. 10.
Battle History of Crew No. 9. Tank No. 716. Date 23/4/17.
Commanded by 2nd Lieutenant H——
| Unit to which attached | 51st Division. |
| Hour the tank started for action | 5.12 a.m. |
| Hour of zero | 4.15 a.m. |
| Extent and nature of hostile shell fire | Severe. |
| Ammunition expended | About 220 6-pounder; 14 drums L.G. |
| Casualties | Four. |
| Position of tank after action | H.24.b.3.9. (Sheet 51B). |
| Condition of tank after action | Bellied, right track very slack. |
Orders received.—To clear Mount Pleasant wood, Rœux, and northern edge of village.
Report of action.—Time allowed for tanks from deployment point to starting-point proved to be insufficient, which delayed my start some twenty minutes. Having learnt that the other car which was operating with me was “out of action,” I made my way alone to the railway arch, where I was held up some few minutes owing to a number of stretcher cases which had to be removed, and a sand-bag barricade which I could not push down.
I soon caught up the infantry, who were held up by machine-gun fire in Mount Pleasant wood. At their request I altered my course and made for the northern side of the wood running parallel with the trench which we held at the south of the wood, and which the enemy held at the north. I was told that a bombing party would follow me up the trench.
Having cleared this wood, I pushed on towards the village of Rœux, where I again met the infantry who had come round the other side of Mount Pleasant wood, where they were again held up by machine-gun fire which came from the buildings.