On the 22nd May, Brigade HQ and the remains of the two Battalions returned to the Vimy area. German air attacks were

very heavy and the move was not complete until the evening. Considerable casualties had been during the action at Arras, 4RTR losing 176 officers and men killed, wounded or missing with 7RTR reporting 50 in all. Tank state was:

4RTR – four Light Tanks with one unfit, 12 Mk.I of which four were unfit.7RTR – 13 Mk.I and six Mk.II.

During the night of the 22nd/23rd, 4RTR were concealed in trees on Givenchy Ridge west of the Vimy-Arras road to counter any German attack from Arras, with 7RTR protecting the right flank on high ground east of Souchez. One more Mk.II had rejoined. Around 50 French Somua and Hotchkiss tanks were also arranged for defence.

1ATB in France 1939-40

The photos accompanying this article are published courtesy of Bob Gregory. They were all taken by German soldiers during or more likely after the French Campaign. Caption details come from Bob, Nick Watts and the author using what information is on the back of the prints with locations which can be made out.

Peter Brown continues to relate the structure, equipment, colours and markings of the tanks of British 1st Army Tank Brigade. (Part 2 continued from MM Vol.44 No.4)

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7RTR’s account for the 23rd says that by 09.30 hrs they had advanced to cover the Noulette Cemetery Ridge west of Souchez when orders were received to move to meet an enemy attack in the Carincy-Albain St Nazaire area. A and B

Companies moved to counter this with D Company in reserve. Several enemy tanks - described as “the same size as a Mk.II” so probably Panzer III or IV - were knocked out by 2pdr fire and the Germans withdrew. The two Companies rallied near Souchez about 14.00 hrs and were joined by D Company, together they moved to the Noulette Ridge. A

German motorised column was observed which moved towards Souchez. The available tanks, about 14 or 15, were split into five Sections. Two were left to hold the Noulette Ridge, two to form blocks on the outskirts of Souchez

with the French while one advanced through Souchez towards Carinel to meet the advance. They encountered some anti-tank guns and infantry in Carinel which were engaged by machine gun fire. With the enemy strength found to be small, all tanks apart from one section blocking Souchez withdrew to the Noulette Ridge. Some probing

1ATB in France 1939-40

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LEFT: Two tanks with no identifying markings on a train photographed at an unknown location would at first sight appear to be of limited value. However, as neither has the trench-crossing ‘box’ at the rear of the tank or even the white recognition square seen on all known photos of tanks with 7RTR in France, it is likely that they were from Base Ordnance Depot stocks. It is also possible that they were among the tanks used by the Beauman Tank Company and they may be the two which were loaded at Caen Station.

BELOW: Although no markings are visible from this angle, other photos of this scene of a Matilda on a German tank transporter trailer show the serial number which allows us to identify the tank as one of those seen on the train. At the time the series was taken it appears undamaged, while another photo offered on Ebay shows it with several marks from shell hits so it probably ended its days on a firing range. Photos of Matildas are popular which translates as expensive which makes me very grateful to Bob Gregory for allowing the many images which accompany my text to be published.

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moves by German infantry were engaged with limited results.

As dusk fell a withdrawal to the Givency Ridge had begun when the Germans attacked with tanks and infantry towards the ridge. One Mk.II forward of the ridge and another on a flank below it engaged them and fired off all their ammunition, claiming four or five tanks knocked out. Both Mk.II were abandoned as they had gearbox and clutch trouble. The remaining tanks moved to Carnin.

Late on the 23rd orders were issued to an area northwest of Carnin, this was accomplished with no interference from the Germans who as usual did not operate at night. The Brigade was able to rest on the 24th, on the 25th a composite 4/7 Battalion was formed. AFV strength was four Light Tanks from each Battalion, the 4th provided 12 Mk.I and the 7th six Mk.I and two Mk.II, one of them described as mechanically doubtful, and six “Spare Crew Carriers”. It was organised as:

‘I’ Tank Company – one Mk.II for the Company Commander, a Light Tank for the Recce Officer and five Sections each of three Mk.I. One Mk.II and three Mk.I were held in reserve.

Recce Group – one Light Tank for the Section Commander, two Sub-Sections each with three Light Tanks.Transport vehicles came from both Battalions.

The combined Battalion was sent towards Orchies to support an attack by III Corps and the French. The remainder of the Brigade, now with little more than their revolvers, were to move to the west of Lille. On arrival the following day they were ordered to Dunkirk to embark for the UK. All vehicles were left behind, most were damaged before being abandoned but were not allowed to be burned.

4/7 Battalion arrived in the assembly area in the Bois de Flines 4-miles southwest of Orchies on the 26th but were unable to contact the units they

were to work with. The planned attack had been cancelled without the Battalion being informed. New orders arrived to move to Seclin, which they did under heavy bombing. The commander arrived in the town but was unable to find the III Corps HQ. A group of five Light Tanks, some Carriers and lorries arrived but the ‘I’ Tanks had become separated. This group was sent on to Dunkirk. Contact was finally made with III Corps but only two or three ‘I’ Tanks could be found which were also ordered to Dunkirk.

Some more tanks then came in along with orders to move to support 2nd Division. On the move from Bois de Flines one Mk.I ‘I’ Tank had been overturned by near misses from bombs, a Light Tank was destroyed and another Mk.I abandoned with a defective gearbox. Others had become separated leaving 13 Mk.I and an LAD detachment which moved to Fournes which was reached about 01.00 hrs on the 27th, avoiding Seclin where there were many fires and diverted as the bridge at Wavrin was mined.

Petrol was low but supplies were arranged. The Battalion was ask to support 25th Infantry Brigade but was too far away to reach them in time to attack. Then the French commander at Fournes requested help against a German advance, but new orders to work with 25th Infantry Brigade meant they moved towards Pont du Hem with one tank left behind with gearbox trouble. The Infantry Brigade HQ ordered them to Neuve Chappelle to support the Queen’s Regiment. On the way two tanks broke their tracks, the remainder were ready to support the Queen’s when their orders were changed, instead they were to help extricate the Camerons at La Bassée. This they did, moving down the road in line ahead. Several tanks were lost to shelling and fire from German tanks in hull-down positions.

Only two tanks, one with damage to the reduction gear casing, rallied after the attack and these with the LAD party were ordered back before

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Several British tanks were recovered by the Germans and tested, this is Grays originally T6910 PMV266 now with a German number WH-0170638. (Tank Museum photo)

‘‘”Then the French commander at

Fournes requested help against a

German advance...

the last bridges were blown. The CO lost touch with them and they made their way to Dunkirk. Another crew missing at Neuve Chappelle also reached Dunkirk on the 29th. Together with those dismounted crews who reached the town they were evacuated.

It was later learned that three Mk.I and the two remaining Mk.II ‘I’ Tanks which had become separated were directed to 5th Division and operated with them until all broke down. Crews were ordered to Dunkirk.

No.1 Army Tank Brigade Workshop Royal Army Ordnance CorpsBrigade Workshops travelled to France on the HMS Shepperton Ferry on 5th May after being delayed first by mist and then German minelaying. Moving to Brevel, by the 8th they had established their workshop and started work repairing two of their own lorries. On the 9th they were working on two Mk.I tanks from 4RTR and the following day recovered and repaired a Light Tank which had

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Greenock is another tank which was popular with amateur and official photographers, one view was used as a postcard sold after the campaign was over and the author has two cropped views bought on Ebay. They show how photos can distort the truth... While several shots were taken at La Panne, another shows it in a wooded area described as Lens so it was probably taken to the beach by the Germans for propaganda purposes. Some marks on the print of the rear three-quarter view should not be taken as markings but that photo does show the striped tactical sign.

damaged a bogie wheel in a collision with a wall. May 12th saw them moving to Breteuil. One Mk.I was repaired by a rearguard party and later returned to 4RTR but the other was handed over to the RAC Base Depot. By the 14th they were just north of Saintes in Belgium, although they had a workshop in operation in a barn they were unable to recover a 7RTR casualty as they were not given its location. On the 16th they moved again to Marcq despite coming under air attack, claiming four aircraft shot down by rifle and Lewis gunfire though only one was seen to crash. Another workshop was prepared and one Mk.I and one Mk.II were brought in. These had to be abandoned when they moved again to Tressin, although no orders were received to destroy the tanks their engine sumps were shot with pistols, gun breeches were removed and the power traverse on the Mk.II smashed.

Movement was hampered by refugees, an attempt to recover more tanks failed due to a blown bridge. On the 18th they were at a chateau at Ascq where they began work on one Mk.I and one Mk.II which had broken down. These were still being repaired when orders came in the afternoon on the 20th to move to Vermelles, again movement was difficult due to troops and refugees on the roads. However, a Mk.I was recovered from Petit Vimy and returned to its owners.

They assembled in a tree-lined avenue near Mazingarbe before taking over some farm buildings. Work on the two tanks brought with them continued while more Mk.I and Mk.II were

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recovered. On the 22nd the Mk.I had had its engine changed but still needed a new gear selector lever. As an attack was expected, a defence was organised using two Mk.II tanks which was still being repaired with a running Mk.I in support. A column of armoured and other vehicles was seen nearby early on the 23rd, they were thought to be Germans but moved off without approaching any closer. Then orders were received to move to Bauvin, the running Mk.I towing another Mk.I until it broke down. Two more Mk.I and a Light Tank were collected on the way, bringing the number on hand to one Light Mk.VIB, three Mk.I and two Mk.II Infantry Tanks. Attempts to recover two more Mk.I and a Mk.II at Mazingarbe were abandoned when the party sent out was turned back by a British officer as the road they were travelling on was thought to be highly unsafe.

With more enemy attacks expected and bridges being blown which would restrict movements, the unit moved to Kemmel and continued work on the tanks leaving a detachment at Ploegsteert working on a Mk.II. Two men were wounded in a bombing raid. Work continued while attempts were made to contact 1st Army Tank Brigade. Orders to move the tanks towards Bergues were received late on the morning of the 26th, two Scammells set off towing a Mk.I tank each with

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a Light Tank on a trailer towed by a machinery lorry. With these at Bergues the Scammell returned and by the early hours of the 27th three more tanks had been brought from Kemmel. Even after all the various moves the unit was intact apart from two casualties and two other men left behind in hospital before the move to Belgium. This was thought to be because of the care taken to disperse and camouflage vehicles, so an order to move to Dunkirk and locate in an open field was not welcomed.

The CO travelled to Dunkirk and after being detained while his identity was checked, he returned planning to bring his unit in and hand over any tanks which could be operated to defend the town. One was handed over, vehicles were brought in and abandoned. Those fit men who reached Dunkirk were evacuated although several were killed on the crossing home.

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The subject of Peter Heath’s Matilda Mk.II model (see MM Vol.44 No.4 Military Vehicle Special, Ed.) was another tank photographed from several angles. The image in the built-up area shows the serial and full name Greynam while the others in the middle of a field only show part of it which could easily be misinterpreted. Close-up view shows damage which is proof of how well protected the Matilda was. Note the breech mechanism of the 4” bomb thrower with the wooden parts missing.

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During the week before they evacuated, they had recovered and repaired one Mk.I and returned it to its owners as well as recovering another six Mk.I, four Mk.II and one Light Tank and some transport vehicles. Of these, the Light Tank, three Mk.I and two Mk.II were still with the Workshops when they reached Dunkirk. Their War Diary stated that if they had not had to continually move and had had more vehicles to carry equipment allowing their few recovery trailers to be used for tanks and not carrying stores, they might have achieved more.

Beauman Tank CompanyOne other unit using Matildas was the Divisional Tank Company of the Beauman Division. This Division was an improvised force formed from troops south of the Somme during the Battle of France, it was named after its commander Brigadier-General A. B. Beauman. Most of its units had been serving on Lines of Communication duties. It held a 55-mile stretch between Pont St Pierre near the junction of the rivers Andelle and Seine and the coast at Dieppe, with the survivors of 1st Armoured Division and 51st Highland Division.

On 27th May four junior officers and 19 other tanks arrived at the HQ of Northern District Lines of Communication at Rouen to form the nucleus of this unit. They collected five Mk.II ‘I’ Tanks from Rive Gauche Station. These were probably from the six reported sent to Cherbourg in error in the War Diary of 1 Base Ordnance Depot and ordered to be sent forward to No.1 Reserve Section, Armoured Corps Ordnance Field Park. All five tanks needed work, engine clutches on all of them were out of adjustment, two had flat batteries and one had water in its fuel tank. Four tanks were driven to camp with another on tow. More troops arrived as did five Mk.I ‘I’ tanks and spares, on 3rd June it was recorded “All 10 Tanks in running order” and “1 Mk.II ‘I’ Tank arrives as C.H.Q. Tank, apparently in good order”.

Late on the 5th they moved to Rouvray Aerodrome as a parachute landing was expected. During the move one Mk.II caught fire while trying to tow another which had gearbox damage, the

local fire brigade had to be called to put out the fire. These two Mk.II together with another Mk.II with burned-out clutches were moved to Sotteville Station, two were loaded onto a train but a third was left behind after its guns had been made useless. A Mk.I which had also broken down was abandoned. As the landing did not materialise, on the evening of the 7th the Company were ordered to move to a wood north of Gratainville which was reached at 02.00 hrs on the 8th with four Mk.I and three Mk.II ‘I’ Tanks. Two small detachments, each of one Mk.I and one Mk.II, were sent to assist in the defence of the river at Vascoeuil while the remainder had been joined by a Cruiser tank and a Scout Car. Their next move was to cover a withdrawal to Fluery, crossing the River Seine at Les Andelys. This was not possible as the bridge was closed, so they travelled via Courcelles-Sur-Seine despite being slowed down by refugees. On arriving at Gaillon on the 9th, contact was made with 1st Armoured Division who promised to send fuel oil and petrol. Moving to high ground west of Gaillon to meet the resupply, a Mk.I which had developed gearbox trouble was abandoned after its engine had been wrecked. Some fuel oil but no petrol was received.

The unit reported to the French General Maillard who ordered them to investigate reports of German tanks. Moving to Fontaine la Verte, one tank developed steering trouble. Although tanks were heard across the Seine, none were seen and they withdrew early on the 10th. Petrol was supplied by the French enabling them to carry out a short reconnaissance. New orders from Beauman Division came to withdraw to Sees but these were ignored as they were needed by General Maillard. They moved back to Venables, nearing there around 13.00 hrs a column consisting of a Mk.II and two Mk.I came under anti-tank and machine gun fire. One Mk.I was hit in the track and abandoned before being destroyed by 2pdr fire from the Mk.II before it and the remaining Mk.I withdrew, still under fire. Another Mk.I was abandoned with its engine seized.

Now a general withdrawal was ordered. A Mk.II was abandoned with a broken track, it was

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‘‘”

During the move one Mk.II caught fire while trying to tow another which had

gearbox damage, the local fire brigade had

to be called to put out the fire.

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destroyed by 2pdr fire. Reaching Irreville they refuelled, however a Mk.I was lost when it burst into flames after its steering clutch had collapsed. Around 22.00 hrs a Mk.II broke a track and was harboured in a wood east of St Martin. Attempts were made to get hold of spare track pins, by 23.00 hrs on the 11th only one Mk.II was still running. When the main detachment reached La Chappelle Gauthier, its track was broken and pins sent to the disabled Mk.II which rejoined despite problems with its radiator. At attempt to find tanks left behind by 1st Armoured Division located an A13 tank at Rouge Perriers which was reported to be repairable if spares could be found. However, despite some work it could not be made mobile.

Meanwhile the Company was now back under command Beauman Division. On the 14th they were reduced to two working tanks, two armoured cars were improvised with a staff car and a 15cwt truck were ‘armoured’ using fuel cans packed with earth with spare Vickers and Lewis guns as armament. Early on the 15th a Mk.II was sent to cover the bridgehead at Lisieux with orders to return track pins to enable the other tank to move. While waiting for this the remainder of the unit moved back, a despatch rider was sent to find out what was happened and returned to report that its engine had been on fire. It was later seen returning amid clouds of steam. With help from a large lorry and the other tank, during the following day it made its way to Caen Station. By 04.00 hrs on the 17th the two tanks had been loaded onto a train. The armoured cars were used to provide protection for the Division’s HQ as it moved to Cherbourg. Here the personnel embarked to return to Southampton. From there they moved to Farnborough where they were disbanded on 2nd July.

OrganisationThere were two War Establishments for ‘An Army Tank Battalion’ for the early-war period which differed slightly.III/1931/33A/2 notified in ACI’s on 13th April 1938 specified:

Battalion Headquarters – 2 ‘I’ tanks for command and 4 light tanks for liaison plus a ‘pool’ of 4 Carriers, Tracked, Personnel Carrying for carrying relief personnel.Three Companies, each:Company Headquarters – 1 ‘I’ tank for command, 1 light tank for liaison.Five Sections each of 3 ‘I’ tanks.Total AFV strength was seven Light Tanks and 50 ‘I’ Tanks, with in addition 21 motorcycles, seven various cars, four 15cwt trucks with specialist bodies, seven 30cwt and 11 3-ton lorries.

III/1931/33A/3 notified on 27th March 1940 specified the same number of tanks, though ‘I’ tank crews were now given as four men to allow for the change from Mk.I to Mk.II tanks. There were to be two tracked carriers in Headquarters plus two each in each Company giving an overall total of eight. Supporting vehicles also changed, at full strength a unit would have 30 solo motorcycles and three combinations, four cars, five 8cwt, 11 15cwt and nine 30cwt trucks plus 14 four-wheel and four six-wheel 3-ton lorries.

4RTR had four Carriers when they unloaded in September 1939 which agrees with the April 1938 Establishment, while the Movement Orders for both Battalions into Belgium show eight Carriers which suggests they were using the newer organisation.

LossesThe total number of tanks reported as lost in France included 126 Infantry Tanks given as 97 Mk.I and 29 Mk.II. Of these, 77 Mk.I and 23 Mk.II would have been on the strengths of 4RTR and 7RTR with five Mk.I and six Mk.II with the Beauman unit. The remaining vehicles were replacement tanks in depots. A total of 345 Light Tank Mk VIB were also lost, the majority with the Divisional Cavalry Regiments formerly with the Infantry Divisions but later formed into Reconnaissance Brigades with others serving with 1st Armoured Division.

To be continued.

Translating the text on the distant photo of Gypsy gives us “Light French and heavy British tank. In the grave 3 Panzerjäger.” The smaller tank is an A11 but it interesting to learn is that the graves are those of anti-tank gun crews. They probably manned a 3.7cm PaK 35/36 on the outskirts of Achicourt before falling victim to one of the tanks in the photo. Whoever buried them marked the place with a cross and a helmet and also laid a belt of ammunition around the boundary. The identity of the A12 can just be made out by the serial number, cross-referencing it with the rear view’s registration and name confirms these are two views of the same tank.

‘‘”

...two armoured cars were improvised

with a staff car and a 15cwt truck were ‘armoured’ using fuel cans packed

with earth with spare Vickers and Lewis guns as armament.