Might be old news, but I find this a puzzle. Is it a Cambrai casualty? And what nationality are the officers? German? I can't make sense of the tunics.
"Sometimes things that are not true are included in Wikipedia. While at first glance that may appear like a very great problem for Wikipedia, in reality is it not. In fact, it's a good thing." - Wikipedia.
I'm in the midst of a debate about this photo. Although we have the serial - 2622 - it's a bit of a puzzle. Briefly (as I have little time tonight), the problem is that the tank is in the markings of I/9th Battalion. 2622 was handed over to 8th Battalion on 16 February 1918 when 9th Battalion converted to the Medium A. It was destroyed by direct hit(s) in March 1918 and all the crew killed.
We don't know for sure that 2622 was at Cambrai, but I31 was (though that might have been a different I31). However, I31 seems to have broken down on the German front line though it rallied later.
This tank shows no obvious sign of being hit by artillery and it appears to me to have been abandoned, as the Lewis guns have been removed. However, it is true that we can only see one side.
The two scenarios seem to be: 1. The photo was taken at Cambrai and the tank was only temporarily in German hands before being recaptured, repaired and returned to I Battalion.
2. The photo was taken during the German offensive of March 1918 after it was destroyed. It is still in 9th Battalion markings because it wasn't repainted by 8th Battalion.
I favour the first scenario, my correspondent favours the second.
Opinions welcome.
Gwyn
-- Edited by Gwyn Evans on Tuesday 25th of March 2014 09:29:43 PM
Ta, Gwyn. I was just about to post the info about it being handed over in 1918.
And ta, Ivor. The gent on the left also has an Iron Cross, below his left breast pocket. On that subject, though, why so many pockets? Are they Württembergers or alpine troops or something? And the caps don't look right - too much stuff on the front, almost like WWII style, unless that's an optical. And still wearing full boots. Is this a long distance behind the Front? All quite odd.
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"Sometimes things that are not true are included in Wikipedia. While at first glance that may appear like a very great problem for Wikipedia, in reality is it not. In fact, it's a good thing." - Wikipedia.
Captured in March 1918 near Bus (today: Bus, Pas-de-Calais).
 Blimey, MZ. That's very precise. How do you know?
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"Sometimes things that are not true are included in Wikipedia. While at first glance that may appear like a very great problem for Wikipedia, in reality is it not. In fact, it's a good thing." - Wikipedia.
This postcard was traded on Ebay in 2008. The little chapel (still there today) at right carries the inscription 'BUS' (undoubtedly painted by the British). As this hardly did mean 'bus stop' in 1917/18 and the location lies exactly in the path of VIII. Bn's movements 21st-25th March 1918 it's kind of natural to assume that I.31 2622 was abandoened by its crew in the vicinity. It is, however, possible that the vehicle has already been dragged to this place close to the road by the Germans; the picture with the two Bavarian officers suggests a rougher ground.
The tank was hit and burnt out on the 24th March 1918. All the crew were killed, the OIC, 2Lt Galloway is recorded in the CWG site as deceased on the 24th March 1918. Interestingly the tank still carries it's "I" battalion crew number, and possibly it's name. This was also the case with I46 (2831) which also fought with 8th battalion in March 1918 and survived the March retreat.
Grateful for the additional information and in particular the photo and location supplied by MZ. I'm happy now that this is a photo from March 1918 and not November 1917. I don't mind being wrong (occasionally), especially if I learn something and here I have, being that 8th Battalion didn't repaint the tanks they took over from other Battalions in January 1918. There's always something new to learn.
), especially if I learn something and here I have, being that 8th Battalion didn't repaint the tanks they took over from other Battalions in January 1918. There's always something new to learn.
