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Post Info TOPIC: Cambrai Nov 1917 tank battalions


Lieutenant-Colonel

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Cambrai Nov 1917 tank battalions
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There were 8 British tank Battalions at the Battle of Cambrai Nov 1917. They were given letters of the alphabet. A Battalion, B Battalion etc..

Was there a standard number of tanks issued to each battalion or did it vary? Obviously the amount of tanks that were combat ready differed because of losses and mechanical breakdowns. 

What was a battalion structure? What were groups of tanks in battalions called, company, squadron, troop, patrol? How many tanks were in each group?



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Craig Moore


Tank Hunter. Looking for the survivors.

www.tanks-encyclopedia.com

www.tank-hunter.com



Brigadier

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Craig, have you looked here:
sites.google.com/site/landships/home

Here is some info, maybe it helps:

sites.google.com/site/landships/home/generaltankinformation/brigade-and-battalion-organisation

Outline
1916
6 x 25 tank companies. 25 crews
-           4 x 6 tank sections and 1 spare tank 
 
1917 and Early 1918
3 Tank brigades
- 2 or 3 Tank battalions, 60 crews each
            -  3 companies of 12 fighting tanks and 2 supply tanks.
                        - 3 x 4 fighting tank sections, 1 x 2 supply tank section. 
                        OR at Cambrai and mostly thereafter
                        - 4 x 3 fighting tank sections, 1 x 2 supply tank section. 
 
1918 - August to October
5 (later 6) Tank brigades, 3rd Brigade is light
            Heavy Brigades
- 3 x 36 Tank battalions, 60 crews each
            -  3 companies of 12 fighting tanks and usually 2 spare tanks
                        - 4 x 3 fighting tank sections.
-1 x supply company – 24 supply tanks
                        - 4 x 6 supply tank sections.
 
            3rd Light Brigade (only 3rd and 6th Battalions light, 9th battalion still heavy)
- 2 x 48 Light Tank battalions, 1 x 36 Heavy tank battalion, 60 crews each
            -  Light tank battalions
- 3 companies of 16 fighting tanks.
- 4 x 4 fighting tank sections
-1 x supply company – 24 supply tanks
                        - 4 x 6 supply tank sections
Willem

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Lieutenant-Colonel

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Thanks for that information. So at Cambrai Nov 1917

The smallest tank fighting unit was called a 'Section' and it comprised of 3 gun tanks.

4 Sections made a 'Company' (12 gun tanks)

3 Companies made a Battalion (36 gun tanks)

A Tank Brigade was formed of 2 or 3 Tank Battalions (72 or 108 gun tanks) 

 

Is it known what tank Battalions (A to I) were assigned to which Tank Brigades? 



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Craig Moore


Tank Hunter. Looking for the survivors.

www.tanks-encyclopedia.com

www.tank-hunter.com



Lieutenant-Colonel

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Just found it

1st Brigade
D Battalion

E Battalion

G Battalion

 

2nd Brigade

A Battalion

B Battalion

H Battalion

 

3rd Brigade

C Battalion

F Battalion

I Battalion



__________________

Craig Moore


Tank Hunter. Looking for the survivors.

www.tanks-encyclopedia.com

www.tank-hunter.com

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