The Tank Corps in 1916

The Battle of The Somme
*The Battle of Flers-Corcelette*
(15^th and 16^th September 1916)

Number of Tanks		48 Mk I
Units Allocated		C Company
		D Company

Order of Battle (15^th September 1916)

4^th Army
	XIV Corps
			56^th Division	4 Tanks	C Company
			6^th Division	3 Tanks	C Company
			Guards Division	10 Tanks	C Company

	XV Corps
			14^th Division	4 Tanks	D Company
			41^st Division	10 Tanks	D Company
			New Zealand Division	3 Tanks	D Company

	III Corps		15^th Division	3 Tanks	D Company
			50^th Division	2 Tanks	D Company
			47^th Division	2 Tanks	D Company
Reserve Army
	Canadian Corps
			2^nd Canadian Division	6 Tanks	Company

The first tank units of any country in the World were formed on the 16th February 1916 and were named the Tank Detachment. For reasons of security, they were renamed the Armoured Car Section, Motor Machine Gun Service. This unit was again renamed in May 1916 becoming the Heavy Section, Machine Gun Corps.

Haig had pressed Swinton as early as April 1916 for tanks and crews to assist the infantry in the up and coming Somme Offensive. Swinton resisted Haig's proposal, on the grounds that trained crew and Tanks would be available until mid August. The reality was that recruiting had only started in February and would not be completed until June. Hence, Swinton saw no value in promising equipment and men before that date. As it was, crew training had to be condensed because the Tanks did not arrive in any significant numbers until July.

When Swinton had been given the task of forming the Tank detachment, he had hoped to form 3 battalions, but those above him instructed him that only company strength units of 25 tanks were required. Hence, he formed six companies A to F. Of which A, C and D were available to be sent to France to take part in Haig's September 15th Offensive. Only C and D Companies arrived in France in time to take part, with some 49 tanks. Of those 49 Tanks only 36 were serviceable once they had reached the start line.

The Tanks were allocated in small numbers to the various Infantry Divisions that were taking part in the offensive. Many of the 36 Tanks who made it to the start line did not reach the German Lines. Numerous becoming ditched shortly after leaving the start line. The Tanks supporting the flanks of the offence faired poorly. Only the centre showed any positive signs of success achieving some of their objectives.

The first day of action by the tanks of the Heavy Section, Machine Gun Corps did not produce the break through that was hoped for. In addition, the tanks proved unreliable. The new weapon was not disgraced. In localised actions, individual tanks had produced results that were undreamed of since the stalemate. The actions of that day had given the tank Crew invaluable combat experience and allowed Swinton to refine crew training. Haig also looked beyond the weapons short comings and ordered 1000 tanks which would lead to a further expansion of the Heavy Section beyond the original 6 companies.

A firm order, for 1000 additional Tanks was placed on the 19th of September, and as an interim measure, an additional order was placed for 100 training tanks. As these tanks were only intended for training, they were to be unarmoured.

A, C and D companies continued fighting in France, 40 taking part in an Operation in Beaumont-Hamel in November. This was the final serious action by the new Arm in 1916 as winter closed in.