the tanks in ww1

TaeHoon.kim

It was not until 1916 that tanks were first introduced into battle.

The first British tanks were used in the battle of the Somme on September 15, 1916.

Lots of testing -to make sure it would work. -the fact that attack at the Somme was

losing the power to keep going. -to raid the German trenches.

D1 - The first attack - An enemy trench gained. - was hit by a shell, and was disabled. Of the main attack, three of the six tanks

got bogged, one broke down, and the other two continued towards the enemy line slowly, supporting the infantry, although the infantry did move ahead, away from the protection of the tanks.

Successful in the regard that they had scared the Germans.

Disappointments - concerns raised included the view slits. - the exhaust. - amount of mud that got into the treads

and blocked them up.

The first French use of tanks was on April 16, 1917.

DISCOVERED PROBLEMS 1.The temperature - way too hot for any human

to operate safely. 2.The vibrations - guns came out of their

holdings. 3.The French tanks didn’t have the ability to cross trenches as the British one could. 4.The discovery that the armour piercing bullet could go through the walls of tanks.

IMPROVEMENTS -The modification of the tracks so as to not

pick up as much mud. -The addition of an 'unditching beam', which was a piece of would, that would run along with the tracks when necessary to give it an extra bit of grip.

The biggest use of tanks within the war was the battle of Cambrai, in November 1917.

British infantry and 400 tanks crashed through the Hindenburg line with great success.

The 400 tanks Penetrated German lines near Cambrai, capturing 8000 of the enemy and 100 guns.

Caught the Germans by surprise in the early morning, and first bombarded the line with shrapnel, gas, etc.

Move forward, crashing through the wire, and leading the infantry and cavalry through.

Used fascines to fill the trenches, and the men behind used these to cross.

All was going well until the attack met the German Fortified position of Flesquieres.

In the war, the British ended up using 2350 tanks of 13 types, the French 4000 small vehicles, and the Germans only 20 tanks in total.

Success, but still experimental stage, and improved greatly later on.

The German High Command appointed a committee composed of experts from leading engineering companies. Josef Vollmer was eventually chosen to design the German tank that became known as the Schwerer Kampfwagen A7V. Powered by two Daimler engines, the tank was first demonstrated in the Spring Offensive of 1917.

http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Bunker/3017/tanks.html

http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-armour/allied/ww1.htm

http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/ww1/WW1.html

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/tanks_and_world_war_one.htm