The very first tank to be used in battle was the Mark I tank back in World War I. The idea behind the tank was a way to get around the stalemates of trench warfare. The original models had some design flaws such as mobility and safety. They had a difficult time on rough terrain and going uphill. For safety if the outer shell was somehow penetrated the gasoline inside the tank was very likely to explode and the whole tank would catch fire, burning everyone inside. The tanks didn't complete the job that they were created for. But the possibility for future tank use was seen by most European nations.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The first tank
The very first tank to be used in battle was the Mark I tank back in World War I. The idea behind the tank was a way to get around the stalemates of trench warfare. The original models had some design flaws such as mobility and safety. They had a difficult time on rough terrain and going uphill. For safety if the outer shell was somehow penetrated the gasoline inside the tank was very likely to explode and the whole tank would catch fire, burning everyone inside. The tanks didn't complete the job that they were created for. But the possibility for future tank use was seen by most European nations.
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The first tanks may have had their flaws, but they also had plenty of advantages as well. For one, tanks were pretty much impervious to machine gun fire. Machine guns were responsible for an incredible amount of deaths on both sides on World War I, so a machine that was invincible to the machine gun was an incredible asset for the Allies. In addition, the first tanks carried with them an incredible fear factor. The Germans watched in horror as these mechanical "beasts" crossed no man's land towards their lines and would claim that land in the name of the Allies. Those first British tanks may not have been too impressive by today's standards, but back in the day they were as scary a weapon as there was.
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