On July 19, composite units were formed and 105 machines took part in this day’s fighting, which consisted in divisional attacks on limited objectives launched at various hours during the day. By now the enemy’s resistance had increased so much that several of the tank battalions suffered heavily. The 3rd Heavy Battalion had, by the end of the day, lost all its remaining tanks save two, but in sustaining these casualties it had pushed the line forward to the Chaussée Brunehaut. In the 12th Heavy Battalion only one machine reached its final objective. In spite of this severe resistance the attack was a great success. Of the 105 tanks operating fifty were hit by shell fire, and casualties amongst crews totalled up to 22 per cent. of the personnel engaged.
On the following day only small local counter-attacks were carried out; in these thirty-two tanks took part, of which seventeen were hit and no less than 52 per cent. of their crews became casualties.
On July 21 the XXth Corps carried out a prepared attack, the first objective being the line Buzancy—eastern edge of Concrois wood—Hartennes wood, and the second the line of Chacrise. The attack was launched without artillery preparation and the villages of Tigny and Villemontoire were captured, but later on retaken by the enemy. During this day’s fighting 100 tanks were engaged, of which thirty-six were hit; losses in personnel amounted to 27 per cent. of effectives.
On the evening of the 21st it was decided to withdraw all tanks into Army reserve so that they might refit for a projected attack on the 23rd. This attack was launched at 5 a.m., the XXth and XXXth Corps taking part. The chief characteristic of this day’s fighting was that the attack was made against an enemy occupying a defensive position supported by a very strong force of artillery. The result of this was that no fewer than forty-eight tanks out of eighty-two were hit. It, however, must be remembered that during the six succeeding days of battle the tank units, attached to the Tenth French Army, had exhausted themselves, having practically fought to the last machine and last man. On the evening of the 23rd they were withdrawn in Army reserve, and three days later were placed in G.H.Q., reserve.
Meanwhile the Sixth French Army had conformed to the requirements of the main attack. The tank units of this Army were, on the evening of July 14, placed under the orders of Commandant Michel; they comprised the following battalions:
503rd Renault Regiment: 7th, 8th, and 9th Battalions.
13th St. Chamond Battalion.
On July 15, company commanders reconnoitred the front of attack, the tanks meanwhile being got ready for entrainment. On July 18 all units were in position with the infantry units to which they had been allotted, as follows:
| 7th Light Battalion. | 2 Companies to the 2nd Division. |
| 8th „ „ | 3 „ „ 47th „ |
| 9th „ „ | 1 „ „ 164th „ |
| 2 „ „ 63rd „ | |
| 13th Heavy Battalion | 1 „ „ 47th „ |
| 2 Companies in Army reserve. |
The 2nd and 47th Divisions were in the IInd Corps, whilst the 63rd and 164th Divisions were in the VIIth Corps.