Just wondering if anyone has heard of a tank called “The Fighting Fifth,” commanded by Lieutenant Walton Maughan, in action at Romilly during the Cambrai offensive.

He was Holmfirth Council’s former surveyor who was reported as saying that the war: “Ought to see the last of that prejudice against the motor which has so very nearly been our undoing as a nation.”

Thanks,

Tony.

Probably in F Battalion - I'll check the references

I found Lt W Maughan mentioned in two books associated with the action at Cambrai.

"Following the Tanks" states that he commanded F55 "Fly by night" - this was a spare tank for the main action on 20th November but it was deployed durinng the action at Rumilly en Cambrensis on 21st Nov. It records that, at about 1130 am, six tanks from F Bn (including F55) and 4 from A Bn set off to take a double set of trenches and establish outposts in Rumilly. The tanks and infantry were subject to heavy machine gun fire, using armour piercing rounds, from the flanks; many tanks were hit and dozens of crew injured. On reaching the location, the tanks patrolled the ground to put MG out of action then all bar one returned to the rally point safely - FW1 being put out of action.

The F Bn history (published as the History of the 6th Tank Bn) confirms this involvement; it states that F55 proceded past the (artillery?) ammo pits towards Romilly in the company of 3 other tanks. Owing to the infantry proceding in front of the tanks, their fire was masked. Many targets were obatined amongst the retiring enemy including at least 2 machine guns. Enemy field guns in the houses opened fire, which was returned. The north west of the village was occupied by the infantry; the tanks then crossed the Canmbrai road and FW1 (the section leader) was hit. Shortly after F55 received a direct hit. shaking the officer and driver very severely. The tank returned to British lines, pursued by enemy field gun fire. Mechaical problems caused some delay but the rally point was reached. Later it records that Lt Maughan of 18th Coy was wounded in this action

Hope this helps

Stephen

That is brilliant, plenty of information there. And I had not seen any mention of him being wounded before.

Thanks,

Tony.

Glad to help

Stephen