Landships II

A report to the Reserve Army HQ dated 27/9/16 summarizes the disposition of the 8tanks which attacked on that army's front on Sept. 25. "No. 1 broke down 200 yards from camp with a broken track. Nos. 2 and 3 broke down in THIEPVAL, after doing a certain amount of work, from "bellying" in shell holes. They are both under direct observation from the enemy, and are subjected to a certain amount of shelling. With the help of digging parties these tanks could probably be removed at night, as, as far as is known up to the present, the engines are not damaged. No. 4 is in the valley to the East of THIEPVAL, just over the German second line. It is not under observation form the enemy, but is badly "ditched" and suffers from engine trouble. This tank would need expert examination, but could probably be got back under its own power with the help of digging parties to get it started. Nos. 5 and 6 are both near MOUQUET FARM. These tanks are both badly stuck in shell holes and need working parties. One is suffering from engine trouble. Neither is under direct observation. No. 7 received a direct hit on the way to COURCELLETTE and is burnt out. No. 8 got to the valley East of THIEPVAL where it got stuck, but the crew by working all night were able to bring it back this morning. This tank still needs considerable overhauling as of the the tracks is very loose and the tank only reached the Tankdrome with difficulty... Casualties - 6 men wounded." 

C5 "Creme de Menthe" was either No.2 or 3 - it was photographed near the ruins of Thiepval Chateau after the battle. It was not recovered, and served as a signal station for some time after the battle. C6, a survivor of the attack on Courcellette Sugar Factory on 15/9/16 was likely one of the eight tanks. No. 7 was probably D22
The famous photo of C15, usually captioned as being taken on its approach to Thiepval, was probably actually taken near Morval on the 4th Army front.

Four tanks were assigned to assist the 18th Div. attack on Thiepval on 26/9/16 (two others were assigned to the 11th Div. at Mouquet Farm, and two to the 2nd Cdn. Div. at Courcelette). Two of the four tanks supported the attack of the 54th Bde. on the western side of Thiepval. These tanks (one broke down prior to the action) made a coverging attack eastward from Caterpillar Copse at the southern tip of Thiepval Wood while the infantry attacked northwards from trenches south of the Chateau. The route of C5 can be seen in the attached photo, from its start point in the small copse on the right of the photo, up the hill to a position about 250 m. to the left of the Memorial on the crest. The infantry attacked from right to left along the ridge line. The final position of C5 is shown on the map. (Map and photo courtesy of Michael Steadman's "Thiepval"). 

Thiepval had been subjected to steady bombardment from Sept. 23 onwards, and an intense barrage preceded the attack, which lifted from the German front line as the British infantry left their trenches.

May be of interest?

From my Great Uncle (HJ Cartwright's war diary, now published in "The Shiny 7th", the account of the 7th Beds in WW1:

All that day we waited expectantly, knowing that if the attack did not succeed we should be called up, and I am not above admitting that I prayed that success might be obtained without our aid. It was not to be though. About midnight the order came for us to move up to the Chateau. We had no guides, and the country was foreign to us. What a journey it was! The left half Company lost the right half, and every moment we expected to walk into the arms of the Bosche. However, as so often happens in these cases, we did at length hit upon the Chateau, and we soon knew it, for the Hun shelled it to blazes. Capt. Mulligan met us there, and we learnt that 'C' and 'D' Coys had been detailed to attack at 5.00a.m., (it was then 4.30 a.m.) on the sound of a whistle. There would be no Artillery support, and we were to creep over and endeavour to capture the remainder of the village by surprise. We were extended in shell holes and our direction pointed out, and then began an interminable wait. Gradually dawn broke, and still no whistle blew. A tank embedded in a shell hole attempted to move, and we thought now is the time, but it stuck fast, and after many attempts to move at last gave up the attempt. It drew light, and I went along the line and had a chat with Potts and Major Merrick. It was then the whistle blew, and I hurried back to my Platoon.