G-57469 PTE A.J.NASH MIDD'X R
Arthur J. Nash
Born 1899
Served in France with 2nd Middlesex Regiment, part of 8th Division
On 24/4/18 German tanks & infantry captured Villers-Bretonneux & engaged British Tanks in the first recorded tank versus tank battle in history
Taken POW 24/4/18 by the Germans in this action
Note: At 6.00am on 24/4/18 the Germans advanced single-file through the gas & fog to disguise their strength. When they reached British lines they fanned out & overran the defenders, while artillery pounded the 8th Division's rear echelons, plunging the HQ into disarray. Captain M.S.Esler, the 2nd Middlesex Regt Medical Officer, recalled:"I have never known such a barrage of shell fire it was like walking through Dantes Inferno"
The tip of the German's advance hit the 2nd Middlesex & the 2nd West Yorkshires just south of Villers-Bretonneux. There, for the first time, the Germans used 13 of their own intimidating but inefficient A7V tanks in strength. For the fresh British troops, not armed with anti-tank weapons, the sight of these ironclad dreadnoughts was too much... the line crumpled, men surrendered or fled & the enemy peeled off into the town, their tanks raking the British trenches with their guns. 3 German A7V tanks engaged 3 British Mark IV tanks in this classic 'Tank on Tank' action; 2 British tanks were damaged & 1 German A7V was disabled whilst the other 2 German tanks withdrew.
Interned at Saaralben POW Camp
Following the Armistice he was repatriated & arrived at Dover 30/11/18
With copy of his Medal Index Card & POW details
Condition: GVF
