The Cambrai Campaign 1917 by Andrew Rawson

Author:Andrew Rawson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: HISTORY / Military / World War I
ISBN: 9781526714398
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2017-10-29T16:00:00+00:00

Twelve B Battalion tanks and three C Battalion tanks led the 1/6th Gordons under crossfire from Fontaine and La Folie Wood and Lieutenant Colonel Fraser’s men had to fall back. Three tanks from C headed for La Folie Wood but the male tank was knocked out early on and the two females could not silence the machine-gun fire. Another was set on fire and the crew climbed into the other and fought on, but the Gordons could still not get forward. It was the same for the 1/8th Argylls as they tried to form a defensive flank back towards Cantaing.

The attack on Fontaine had been a disaster for the tanks. Thirty-five had gone into action but sixteen had been knocked out, most of them in Fontaine; another three had ditched. Brigadier General Burn wanted to try again but counter-attacks against 40th Division in Bourlon Wood forced the 1/6th Seaforths to retire as 152 Brigade prepared to advance. Twelve of I Battalion’s tanks drove forward around 2.30 pm but several were knocked out by heavy artillery fire while the 1/5th Seaforths were pinned down.

The fighting around Fontaine would prove that men from ten German battalions were holding the line opposite 51st Division. Meanwhile, 152 Brigade had only attacked with two battalions and while forty-eight tanks had been deployed, the Germans were learning how to deal with them. A mixture of barricades and tank traps had forced them in front of anti-tank guns. Brigadier General Burn still had battalions in reserve but the safest option was to establish a line facing Fontaine. Major General Harper’s Scots were withdrawn later that night, having been in action for three days. His division had suffered nearly 4,300 casualties but it had taken nearly 3,500 prisoners. The Scots were sure there were many more and thought the wounded prisoners were being credited to the Royal Army Medical Corps’ tally.

Summary of 23 November

Third Army’s staff knew little about the progress of the battle around Bourlon. As often happened, early reports to the headquarters in Albert were optimistic and misleading but they were all Byng had to go on. He called Woollcombe at 2 pm to tell him he was being given the 1st Cavalry Division to advance through Bourlon village but he also suggested the troopers could be used in a dismounted role, if necessary. Woollcombe was still confident and stated that aerial observers had seen British infantry and tanks in Bourlon village and along the north edge of the wood.

Byng then rang Kavanagh and told him to put the Cavalry Corps on alert and move the 2nd Cavalry Division forward to join 1st Cavalry Division near Havrincourt. He had to arrange with Woollcombe how the cavalry could move through 40th Division, once Bourlon was clear. Byng had also placed the Guards Division under IV Corps to support the cavalry breakthrough.

But Woollcombe’s optimism waned when he learnt 36th Division had made no progress and 40th Division was in the middle of a tough fight for Bourlon Ridge.

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