Somme 2023 - Pozières Tank Memorial

 A memorial to the Tank Corps is situated north of the village of Pozières. The location was selected as it was near that point that first ever tanks went into action during the Battle of Flers-Courcellette on 15th September 1916. 

Pozières Tank Memorial IJ

It was unveiled by Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas L. N. Morland in July 1922.

Pozières Tank Memorial Unveiling 1922

The memorial features an obelisk with the models of four different tanks mounted on plinths.

Pozières Tank Memorial

Pozières Tank Memorial Mark IV Tank

Pozières Tank Memorial Mark IV Tank

Pozières Tank Memorial Gun Carrier Mark I

Pozières Tank Memorial Whippet Tank

A plaque commemorates the first use of tanks in war  and remembers the men form the Tank Corps who lost thier lives during the Great War. 

Pozières Tank Memorial Commemoration Plaque

NEAR THIS SPOT THE FIRST TANKS USED IN WAR WENT INTO ACTION ON 15TH SEPTEMBER 1915.

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THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF OFFICERS, WARRANT OFFICERS, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS & MEN OF THE TANK CORPS WHO FELL IN ACTION IN THE YEARS 1916-1917-1918 DURING THE GREAT WAR

Three plaques record the battles and actions in which the Tanks were engaged;

1916 —1st SOMME—ANCRE

1917 —1st ARRAS—MESSINES—3rd YPRES—1st CAMBRAI

1918 —2nd SOMME — RIVER LYS — HAMEL — MARNE — MOREUIL — AMIENS —       BAPAUME—ARRAS— EPEHY— CAMBRAI — ST. QUENTIN — SELLE — MORMAL FOREST

First Tanks in Action

First tank Battle of Flers-Courcelette 15 September 1916

On the evening of the 14th July 36 tanks moved to thier allotted starting points prior to the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. 

Tank preparing to advance at Flers-Courcelette 15-09-1916
Source: IWM Q5574

The first tank into action was D16, which moved off just after 08:20. The Official History of the Great War recording;

The scene in Flers was without precedent in war as tank D16 went forward into Flers village just before 8.20am. Firing as it went, the tank lurched up the main street followed by parties of cheering infantry. Three other tanks (D6, D9 and D17) had begun to move along the eastern edge of the village, smashing into strongpoints and houses which contained machine guns, and spreading panic among the defenders who survived. Most of the Bavarians, however, had fled towards Gueudecourt, and although a few parties of desperate men held out for a time, all resistance was at an end by 10am.

Troops with tank Flers-Courcelette 1916
Source:  IWM Q5578