Page 296 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

294 TANKS AND ARMORED VEHICLES

1914–1945 With the deadly combination of artillery, machine-guns, and barbed ▶ ROLLS-ROYCE The Rolls-Royce armored

wire dominating the battlefield, the “poor bloody infantry” could not function
car, built using the chassis
ARMORED CAR
effectively without some form of adequate protection in attack. The support
of the “Silver Ghost” touring
Date 1915 Origin UK
car, first saw service with
in maneuvering under all but ideal conditions. This led to the development
ARS offered by motor vehicles was limited due to their unreliability and difficulty Weight 3.9 tons (3.56 tonnes) the British armed forces in
Length 16ft (4.93m)
Belgium in December 1914.
of a form of armored tractor that could run on continuous tracks rather than
The design was later modified
Top speed 45mph (72kph)
for use in the desert.
wheels, and had sufficient armor to be impervious to bullets and shrapnel.
Engine 80hp (59.7kW)
“Tanks,” as they came to be called, were first deployed during the Battle
ORLD W of the Somme, in 1916, but it was not until the following year, at Cambrai, Stowage space
that they were first used with any real degree of success.
THE W ◀ TANK CREW HELMET
Date 1916
Origin UK
Material Steel, leather
Bullets striking the tank
caused metal splinters to fly.
British tankers were thus issued
with these leather-covered
steel helmets.
Goggles

▼ “LITTLE WILLIE” “Little Willie” was a
Date 1915 Origin UK prototype armored fighting
vehicle that was built to prove
Weight 20.2 tons (18.3 tonnes)
the viability of the concept
1
Length 21 ⁄2ft (6.53m) to British military chiefs.
Top speed 2mph (3kph)
Mail face mask Engine 105hp (78.3kW) Twin rear
wheels

Hotchkiss
machine-gun
6mm mild
steel bodywork

Track tensioner

Continuous “caterpillar” track
6-pounder gun
Command driven from the front
cupola

◀ MARK IV TANK The improved Mark IV tank
Date 1917 Origin UK was built in large numbers.
Crew safety was ensured
Weight 31.4 tons (28.4 tonnes) by moving the gasoline tank
Length 26 ⁄4ft (8.02m) to the outside of the vehicle,
1
Top speed 4mph (6kph) a measure that also improved
ventilation and comfort.
Engine 105hp (78.3kW)