Hi everyone,
I visited the Cambrai area a few weeks ago and Would like to share the remarkable small museum build around the dug up Britsh Mark IV tank, called the " D51 Deborah", was the only tank that broke the Siegfriedline at that point. Nine others were destroyed even before reaching the village named Flesquieres. Alone the tank drove along the main road until it ended up on the other side of the village. To get the exact position of the new target, the German supportline, the commander 2th Lt. Frank Heap and another crewmember of the "Deborah" stepped out of the the tank to get a good compass reading. At that moment the "Deborah" was hit by a German 77 mm fieldgun (Now to be seen in the tank museum in Bovington). Both Heap and the other crew member survived and were able to get back to their own lines under fire. Heap was awarded the Military Medal for his escape. The crew inside died in the attack. Heap tried to get his crew out but as he recalls was sickened when he open the hatch and that no one could have survived.
The "Deborah" was when it was left in the street hit by Britsh artillery, which damaged the front. Later it was towed by the Germans into a hole that was dug to make a German bunker and used as a makeshift sniper post or bunker at the other side of the village.
Now the "Deborah"can be seen in a impressive display made for this extraordinary episode of military history, namely the first full out attack by tanks.
Cheers Paul
The D51 "Deborah"after she was hit in 1917:
In the present day:
Damage from artillery fire:
Attachment 1597747
Hook attached to the tanks to tow away the barbed wire defenses:
Uniform of one of the veterans of the battle. Donated by his family:
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