_Report of action._--Advanced with infantry, but owing to heavy mist had great difficulty in following exact route. Reached first objective at 5.20 a.m., having approached it from the river side. Successfully dealt with several of the enemy on left bank of river, causing them to retire. Cruised about until joined by tank No. 522, D. 3. Then proceeded towards second objective. On the way I saw our infantry retiring, went ahead to stop enemy advance. Whilst going forward I saw Lieutenant F----’s tank, which was then off its route. Lieutenant F---- came out of his tank and informed me that he had lost his way. I redirected him, and he then rejoined his tank. Almost immediately after this (approx. 6.30 a.m.) both tanks came under direct anti-tank gun and machine-gun fire. The latter was silenced by my left 6-pounder gun. I manœuvred to present as small a target as possible to the former. The tank, however, received about six direct hits, which damaged both tracks, set alight the spare petrol carried in box in rear of tank, and possibly caused other serious damage. The whole crew succeeded in escaping from the tank unhurt. Position of tank as stated.
I then returned to Coy. H.Q. and reported.
BATTLE HISTORY OF CREW NO. D.10. TANK NO. 784. DATE 23/4/17.
Unit to which attached 98th Infantry Brigade.
Hour the tank started for action 4.45 a.m.
Extent and nature of hostile First three hours artillery fire shell fire not very heavy, but from then very heavy fire until rallying-point was reached. No direct fire by anti-tank guns.
Ammunition expended 290 rounds 6-pounder, remainder on tank could not be used owing to the shells sticking in shell casings on tank. Eight pans for Lewis-gun ammunition.
Position of tank after action Factory Croisilles, 12 noon.
Condition of tank after action Good--only required refilling and greasing.
_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.