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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Tank Cribs


Gareth Davies

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Did the Tank Corps have cribs at Amiens?  

 

The Tank Corps ordered 300 'crib type Trench Fillers' on 7 Mar 18, to be available by 15 Apr.  Some demonstrations were given in June 18 but most Bns didn't fit theirs until 21/22 Sep 18.  So most photos of tanks carrying cribs will be from late September onwards (and the Germans wearing greatcoats in the well known photo supports that).  But there were 2 tanks at Amiens on 8 Aug 18 that had cribs.

 

Two tanks from C Coy 5th Bn were fitted with cribs for 8 Aug 18. Commanded by Lts Bayliss & Fossett & with handpicked crews, they advanced in support of the 3rd Canadian Division about 5km south of VB. In Demuin they found the bridge blown. One crib-carrying tank (Bayliss) dropped its crib in the gap and this enabled the rest of C Coy's tanks to cross. Later the crib was used by the Sappers as a foundation for a bridge for artillery and transport. The 3rd Canadian Div CRE said it enabled him to construct his bridge in just 1/2 the normal time.

 

Photo from IWM.

Screen Shot 2018-08-07 at 09.10.53.png

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