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TANKS FIRST WORLD

INTRODUCTION

September 15, 1916 during a prolonged battle of the Somme river went into battle the
first 32 British tanks. For the first time declared itself a new combat vehicle, which was
destined, along with combat aircraft, with automatic weapons, motorized transport and
radio communications to fundamentally change the nature of warfare, weapons systems
and the organization of armies and, in fact, determine the shape of the twentieth century.

The book is offered to the readers, dedicated to the history and appearance of the first
combat use of tanks. Tank has become a completely new combat vehicle, is born and
immediately take the first steps in the course of the war. to new vehicles requirements,
design solutions, directions of perfection - all this determined "on the fly" and with a
fair share of improvisation. The more interesting the way that had to pass the tanks for
some two years - from the first almost absurd and unreliable cars to "Tank of Victory."
The main subject of will, of course, tanks, left on the battlefield. However, mention will
be made and prototypes, and, in part, those who have remained on paper. Without them,
the picture search for first tank builders will be incomplete. In addition, the brief will be
reviewed and special transport vehicles, self-propelled artillery, which were created on
the basis of tanks or a single chassis with them - to the extent that it is related to the
creation, development and combat use of the first tank.

Dawn tank building is interesting not only designs the machines themselves - both
embodied "in the metal" and remained only in drawings and sketches - but also the
circumstances that have caused and which accompanied the birth of the first tank, which
was first staged the production, supply, operation and maintenance of the new agents.
Finally, not devoid of interest in the organization and preparation of the first in the
history of armored units and, of course, they acquired combat experience. These issues
are also covered in this book, especially since they are directly connected with the
development of tank designs.

In the story-based - development history, construction and combat employment of the


British, French and German tanks. However, work on the all-terrain combat vehicles
were in 1914-1918. and Russia, the USA, Italy, although not led to the end of the war
practically valuable results. Nevertheless, they will also be considered.

To complete the picture provides information about gear tank, color options, and refer
to the tanks - in fact, these questions also had to be solved first.

Information about the combat use of the British and French tanks built during the First
World War, are not only at the this war, but also in the subsequent military conflicts -
including the Russian Civil War, the Spanish Civil War, the Second World War.

BACKGROUND OF TANK

Background of the tank - a large and complex topic. Immediately after the Battle of the
Somme war correspondent of "The Times" wrote in the article "Land Fleet": "It is
possible that before the war ended, we and the Germans, and our allies will build a new

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monster, huge and frightening these; it is possible that we will see the whole battle
fleets land dreadnoughts and monitors; but no doubt that in this case we are the first.
Now this diabolical machine belongs to us, and only us. " Very soon on "paternity" of
the tank began to claim more. In 1919, the question of priority involved specifically
approved by the King Commission of the British Parliament. It found that the creators
of the tank was still British, even though the German, American, and Soviet and
Russian authors to this day are in this respect his opinion.

You can go deep into history in search of distant predecessors and prototypes of the
tank. To better understand how it was conceived a new combat means and what its
creators have resorted to analogies and witnesses of his first steps, make a little
historical digression. Moreover, in the course of this tour we will see prototypes -
distant, though - not only military vehicles but also the organizational and tactical forms
of their application, as well as ways of dealing with them.

From ancient times to modern times

The history of military equipment antiquity and the Middle Ages is quite complex and
diverse, therefore restricted to specific examples.

Tanks were created for the assault and "hacking" is highly developed defensive lines. So
the search for prototypes rightly begin with assault vehicles used in the land war - the
siege towers, battering rams, and so forth..

Siege towers supplied to the walls of the city on rollers (wheels), using different people
at different times - for firing defensive dominant, go to the wall on the changeover
bridges, supply to ram the wall, cover soldiers marching to the assault. The
Carthaginians, for example, used six large siege towers at the siege of the Greek city of
Selinunte in Sicily in 409 BC. e.

Perhaps the most famous siege tower (geleopola) was built on the orders of the
Macedonian general Demetrius I of Macedon ( "besieging the city"), during the siege of
Rhodes in 305-304 years. BC. e. It was, according to Diodorus, nine-storey building
height of 44.5 meters and a width at the base of 22 m. The front and side walls of the
tower to protect it from fire-arrows were covered with iron sheets. On each floor there
were catapults, bottom - heavy kamnemety, top - light strelomety, with loopholes
supplied mechanically openable shutters made of animal skins with the wool layer, five
upper floors of the gallery had to enhance security. The tower moved on eight wheels,
wrought iron. More than 1,000 people were required for its movement. After the failure
of the siege and care besieging the tower remained in Rhodes, and from the sale of her
and other siege engines Rhodians allowed for the construction of one of the seven
wonders of the world - a 30-meter bronze statue of Helios ( "Colossus of Rhodes").

Siege towers usually just pushed people who were at the bottom of the inside and
outside. But the image of towers are preserved, is set in motion with the help of the set
at the bottom of a large gate, which passed the rotation wheels front and rear axles
mechanical transmission - cables. Towers are usually trimmed boards; for protection
against incendiary projectiles - the greatest danger to them - used the pelt, plaster of clay
to protect against percussion shells, except hides, could serve as mats, bags of vinegar

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moistened chaff, a network of raw moss or algae. Protection of iron sheets was rare -
iron in ancient times was expensive.

Siege (assault) towers, battering rams and other siege engines were quite cumbersome
structures and, of course, no different "cross", so they move constructed causeway,
decking. The army of Alexander the Great at the siege in 332 BC. e. the fortress of
Tyre, situated on an island, could even hold the towers and battering rams on a specially
built dike.

In the Assyrian reliefs Ashshurnasirpala II (IX c. BC. E.) You can see the ram mounted
in a secure carriage on six wheels, with the front of the wagon has a high tower with
loopholes for archers.

Image of Assyrian battering ram times Ashshurnasirpala II (IX c. BC. E.). Taran set to
assault the tower with a rifle platform.

The Greeks and Romans to supply rams and other devices to the walls of the fortress,
approach storming, backfilling trenches under fire from the walls of the fortress
constructed protected carts on wheels - "turtle" (not to be confused with the construction
of the "turtle" used Roman infantry), "vinei". During the Peloponnesian War (431-404
gg. BC. E.) During the siege of Samos, the Athenians used mobile protective roofs.
"Turtle" was difficult - their roof, side and front walls covered with boards, mats, skins,
sewn twice, between which paved the seaweed or chaff - such "armor" defending from
arrows, stones, and partly - by incendiary shells. Interesting design Collision "turtles"
were building engineers Diad and Hary, who served with the army of Alexander the
Great. One of these "turtle" a length of about 17.7, 13.3 in width and a height of 7.1 m
moved on six wooden wheels with iron tires, had a gable roof, the middle of which
stood four-tiered tower, on the top floor which were placed small strelometnye catapults
in the lower tanks are stocked with water in case of fire. Taran was suspended inside the
building, and the whole structure was covered with "armor" of raw hides and skins,
untreated. Thus, except for "Impact" and the construction has even protected and missile
weapons. "Tanks" Another prototype.

Vitruvius describes very formidable Tara "a turtle", built by the Byzantine Gegetorom
again during the siege of Rhodes - Construction length 18.6, width of 12.4 m and a
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height of 10.6 moves on eight wooden wheels with a diameter of 2 m and consisted of
iron rails from the bottom of and rises in the middle of the tower. At the bottom,
protected by front and rear walls made of boards and wet leather, and on top - a gable
roof made of planks placed people moving tortoise and acting with the help of the rope
length heavy battering ram. Ram himself on the ropes was suspended on blocks on the
tower above the lower compartment. At the top of the tower there were two sites - on
the lower propelling guns were placed on the top - and patrol soldiers.

Siege machines are usually used in combination with other agents. So, during the siege
by Julius Caesar in 52 BC. e. Gallic city Avakira the sloping embankment to the walls
of the city under the cover of fire catapults were summed up siege towers, which, in
turn, covered the construction of the cloisters of the portable shields and promotion
through the gallery to the walls of the fortress infantry. Remote prototype tactical
assault positions tanks and infantry in World War I under the cover of artillery fire - so
the reader will forgive such a bold analogy.

Among the more "mobile" tanks prototypes can be found close analogue to the ancient
chariots and even closer - in the fighting elephants.

In fact, war elephants combine "self-propelled", "all-terrain" (nature allows this giant
even walk through the swamp), security (thick skin, plus a partial "armor"), weapons
(arrows and spearmen in the "tower"), the striking force. By the way, in the past
elephants cited many inventors of the first all-terrain combat vehicles, tanks and even
the first termed "mechanical elephants." However, generally referred elephants of
Pyrrhus of Epirus king or Carthaginian commander Hannibal - probably because ancient
authors describe a stunning left the impression they made on the Romans during the
Pyrrhic respectively (280-275 BCE...) And second Punic (218-202 gg. BC. e.) wars.
However, war elephants are mentioned in the documents of the ancient states of India,
and later - Assyria. If at first used only the deterrent effect and impact strength of
running and roaring elephants, then over time they have turned into a really "war
machines" - on the elephant's back was attached a small tower on the three or four men
(archers and throwers of darts), in front of which on the neck of an elephant sitting
counselor , the elephant's body covered with armor. In addition to "regular crews," the
elephants have received and their organization - in units elephants even had their own
leaders.

The Carthaginians attacked the Romans at the Battle of Zammit (202 BC. E.). In this
battle, the Romans managed to draw the Carthaginian war elephants to flee.

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We know that war elephants highly valued rulers and generals - former associate of
Alexander the Great, king of Syria Seleucus Nicator on a peace treaty with the ruler of
India, Chandragupta Maurya received 500 elephants in exchange for the three provinces
(this, of course, not "my throne for a horse!" but too much). The impact of elephants on
the enemy was so great that the king of Macedonia, Perseus during the Third
Macedonian War with Rome (171-168 gg. BC. E.) Without elephants, not only formed
a special unit to deal with elephants, Enron Romans, but also ordered to build wooden
models of elephants, pushed inside people.

There were also battles with the massive collision elephants - so, in 217 BC. e. in the
battle of Gaza City Indian elephants Syrian army clashed in a fierce battle with the
Egyptian army of African elephants. Since the beginning of our era war elephants leave
the battlefield. The Persians, however, tried to use elephants in 359 AD. e. on a par with
the assault machines at the siege of Amida, the defending Romans. However, in general,
the military elephants remain for a long time - at the turn of the XIX and XX centuries,
they still carry heavy guns in the British army in India (see the connection between
weapons of war with tractors and special machines).

Chariots did not differ cross elephants could act only on a flat open terrain, but they
were more mobile and "managed." It is believed that the chariots appeared in Sumer in
the III millennium BC (Sumerian "The Standard of Ur XXVI in. BC. E. Shows the
carts in the battle), but perhaps the bulky four-wheeled carts in the army plays a big
transport role . It is believed that the freight wagon turned into a battle in the XXV-
XXIV centuries. BC. e. But chariots indeed become a dangerous weapon, since the
XVIII century. BC. e.

Chariots in the battle order of the Egyptian army.

The decisive step was the emergence of a type-setting wheel slip-hub axle, reducing
friction. Now it is possible to develop a two-wheeled cart loaded with "crew" and arms,
a high speed without fear that it just falls apart on the go.

Somewhere in the XIV century. BC. e. chariots have done in Egypt. The prototype
served as a two-axle chariots Hyksos - Asiatic community of nomadic tribes in the XVII
century. BC. e. seized power in Lower Egypt, and then subjugated part of Upper Egypt.
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In the struggle against the Hyksos the Egyptians took over the elements of their military
affairs, including the chariot, however much they have improved. Lightweight two-
wheeled chariots bezressornye Egyptians harnessed two horses and carrying "crew" of
two people - the driver and archer (bow inlaid played a significant role in the success of
chariots), the armor had only archer.

chariots tactics were varied - they could start a battle, to reinforce the initial impact of
light infantry to the front, to strike at the flank of the enemy, or be used in order to
complete his defeat and persecution. Interesting features such Egyptian chariots as
reinforced wheels of relatively large diameter, long axis, provides stability during sharp
turns (ie. E. Improved "tactical mobility"), collapsible design allows you to carry
chariots in parts over long distances ( "operational mobility") and the possibility of
replacing defective components (maintainability). There were entire "parks" chariots,
contained on a regular basis - but it cost dearly. What cost fodder for the horses, and the
cost of skilled craftsmen.

Opponents of the Hittites Egyptians were even lighter chariots, but this chariot carrying
three people - charioteer, archer and shield-bearer, to cover them both. Hittite chariots
began to attack the enemy breaking operation, conducted raids on his rear areas, to
strike at the enemy still on his approach to the battlefield.

The first "documented" battle with chariots on both sides was the Battle of Kadesh in
1312 or 1296 BC. e. between the Egyptian armies of Ramses II and Hittite Muvattala.

Bible and archaeological studies indicate battles in XIII-XII centuries. BC. e. ancient
Israelites with "iron chariots," the kingdom of Canaan (it is believed that the Egyptians
in the XVI century. BC. e. received from Syria Canaanite chariots).

In IX-VII centuries. BC. e. fold applications of chariots in Assyria. At the time of the
Assyrian army Tigratpalassara III (744-727 gg. BC. E.) Chariots were the most
preferred combat arm. Chariot 2-4 harnessed horses, carried the charioteer and an
archer, which protects the armor made of metal plates and helmets, sometimes they
gave the two shield-bearers.

Persian "serponosnye" chariot time of Artaxerxes II (IV in. BC. E., Reconstruction).
Pay attention to the protective armor of the charioteer and horses.

Assyrian chariots had a significant impact on the chariots of the ancient state of Urartu
(the territory of present-day Armenia) - at least in the IX-VIII centuries. BC. e. they

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participated in the campaigns of Urartu. And armor with bronze or iron plates can not
only protect soldiers on chariots, and chariot horses.

In ancient Greece, Homer, classical, Hellenistic eras chariots also finds application.

The great development of chariots got in Persia in the VI. BC. e. thanks largely to
reforms of Cyrus II. Persian chariot harnessed two horses, "crew" were the driver, two
kopemetalschika with shields, protection supplied and chariot horses. King Darius III at
the battle with the army of Alexander the Great at Gaugamela in 331 BC. e. He has 200
chariots with long knives or sickles (scythes) on the ends of the axis or below the axis.
By the way, "serponosnye" ancient chariot subsequently attracted the most attention of
those in the Renaissance and later proposed to revive the use of chariots.

In IV-III centuries. BC. e. dvuhkonnye chariots used in battle, the Celts. Julius Caesar
described the use of chariots Celts in Britain (I century BC...): "First they chase all
around in all directions and shoot ... Once you get into the gaps between the squads, the
British come off with chariots and fight on foot. Meanwhile, the driver gradually come
out of the line of battle and put the chariot so that the men ... could easily retreat to their
own. Thus ... cavalry mobility achieved in conjunction with the stability of the infantry.
" This is the prototype of a distant infantry fighting vehicles.

An interesting application of the tactics of war chariots, developed in ancient China.


Two-wheeled carts that appeared here in the first half of the second millennium BC. e.,
soon turned into a means of offensive combat. "One hundred chariots break ten
thousand people, - said one of the Chinese military treatises - one hundred riders to flee
a thousand men." Battle chariots were independent of the troops, with time they began
to attach special groups of infantry, and a means of support and supplies such
detachment was the heavy four-wheel cart. As a result, formed the tactical unit,
comprising: a war chariot with a quad harnessing and three soldiers (driver, archer and
spearman) armored infantry 72 (three groups, acting on the sides and rear of the
chariot), heavy transport wagon. Five such units were lower division chariots in the
Chinese army, VI-V centuries. BC. e. Division chariots and their "full-time" work
together to promote the infantry on the battlefield, to strike at the enemy infantry
covered the chariots, which broke through the enemy's battle formations, on the flanks
of the infantry of the enemy cover. The chariots were used for persecution, and
counterattacks.

It is believed that the appearance of the cavalry due to the chariots. Anyway, it is
considered that it is originated in the same X in Assyria. BC. e. Save Image horsemen
seated on horses together - one holding the reins, the other shoots from the bow - the
same tactics chariots, but without the carts. Then, the rider also became an archer, or
spearman warrior with a sword. In VI-V centuries. BC. e. Iranian people appeared
horses breed, capable of carrying warriors in heavy armor. Development of cavalry
made chariots simply unnecessary. However, in some places they were kept for a long
time in service. One evidence of this - the story ... chess. Indian wise prototype game
called chaturanga and formed somewhere in the end of VI. n. E., In fact, simulated
battle troops, composed of four kinds of weapons - Infantry (padati), cavalry (Ava),
chariots (ratha) and elephants (Hasty). However, in Arabic "descendant" chaturanga and
predecessor of chess - shatranj - chariots changed way mythical roc (in Russia the figure
called the "Castle"), but the war elephants "lived" in chess to the present day.

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Even in the late XIX century, inventors have tried to come back to "the Persian game"
chariots. In 1898 A. Johnson and E. Nelson in the United States patented the "weapon
of war" in the form of a cart, harnessed four horses, with a set of "bayonets" and
cutlasses, moving and swaying with the motion of the wagon.

Protective armor mounted warrior in combination with one of the early versions of
European handguns - petronel. Around 1460

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The painting depicts a scene of medieval European castle siege: using secure carts -
"cats" - the besiegers prepare to attack towers ( "belfrey") passage across the moat.
"Cats" and could be used to bring the shooters under the walls of the fortress.

Of course, talking about the history of tanks and mention clad in the armor of the
medieval European knights. At the same time keep in mind is usually the late Middle
Ages, when the steel plate armor harbored the knight and his horse. The revival of the
steel plate armor began in Europe somewhere in the XIII century. n. e. In XIV-XV
centuries. formed a "full" armor that covers the entire body.

It is not surprising appearance in the XX century. knightly armor image on posters


armored forces of various countries. Nothing can be done with the "Eurocentrism." But
the protection of the rider of bronze or iron flakes with a large hat and collar together
with the protection of the chest and the sides of the horse can be seen in the Persian
heavy cavalry in the IV. BC. e., the Parthians in I. BC. e. The idea of "reservation" war
horse along with a soldier that is said to have arrived in Europe from the East - from the
Mongols. Thus, plate armor for rider and horse can be seen in the Imperial Guard in the
Mongolian Khitan Liao Empire (X-XI centuries. BC. E.). Protective armor with metal
plates for the rider and horse were heavily armed and Mongolian soldiers in the XIII-
XIV centuries. In Europe, already in the XIII century. protect the knight horse blanket
and an iron chain mail utterly. At the same time in connection with the development of
cold-cut-and-stabbing and throwing weapons heavier knight protection. Armor
improved so much that he no longer needs a large shield, the helmet increases. In XV-
XVI centuries. the knight and his horse almost completely sheltered plate armor and the
knight has, in fact, sits inside the armor, driving its secure "transport" and a variety of
weapons. Interesting and technological manufacturing side of plate armor. Most of the
plates are fabricated by forging, but in XVI. rolling is already in use, different portions
produced by punching. In order to protect the most critical and dangerous areas using
thicker plates (differentiation "armor" thickness), resorted to a surface hardening, gave
details breastplates and helmets convex shape, reinforced ridges. In addition to the
armor protection was given, of course, and the order in which the knights into battle.
Important role in the development of armor played a need to protect not only from the
cold melee weapons (swords, spears, maces, flails), but also from the propellant
(crossbows with steel arrows, English longbows). Competition with such weapons
armor stood still.

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Initially armor tried to resist and still very imperfect in the XIV-XVI centuries. firearms.
Large plates of the German "Maximilian" armor of the first third of the XVI century.
We had the task of including resist bullets handguns. But already in the XVII century.
armor moves weight limit beyond which it is no longer meaningful. By the XVIII
century. firearms seemed to put an end to armor, saving perhaps that helmets - in heavy
cavalry - breastplates, and the protection against persistent cold steel. However,
attempts to develop "cuirasses, which could be protected from gun shots", and wearable
boards continued, but did not give positive results.

Another episode - the soldiers attacked the fortress wall on Assault bridging, assault
with a tower to throw under the guise of archers at the top of the tower.

The Middle Ages are interesting for our theme is not only the development of armor for
rider and horse. In the Middle Ages for the storming of the fortress were again used
siege machines. As for the siege towers, they are still used in the VI. n. e., but then a
good half a millennium is not mentioned. And only in the XI century., In the era of the
Crusades, when podotstal Europeans face of the Middle East technology and
fortification, fort once again take the stage and become popular in the XII century. So,
Richard the Lionheart for the siege of Acre, specially brought in 1191 a fort from Sicily
and Cyprus. In the Middle Ages a fort did not reach such proportions as those described
for the ancient times. Usually it would be 3-5-storey buildings, but with a lot of wheels.
The tower, built by the Vikings during the siege of Paris (885-886 gg.), Moved on 16
wheels. Medieval forts often bore ram and toggle (assault) bridge. Reference is made to
assault the tower and "turtle" in which the walls of the fortress summed siphons
methane "Greek fire" - a prototype of flamethrower tanks. During the siege of
Kenilworth Castle in central England in 1266 at a siege tower was located 200 archers
and catapults 11. Also interesting 'kamnemetnaya Tower "described in the Chinese
medieval treatise" I Ching tszunyao "- on four wheels housed the tallest building with
reinforced top large kamnemetom, with payment kamnemeta and shells placed on a
highly situated site, protected on all sides by shields, apparently , Heavy bovine leather.
The tension produced kamnemeta collar, put on the rear axle - can be seen here a
prototype self-propelled artillery assault.

We continue to use the mobile cover, which is now called as "rat", "Mouse", "weasel",
but the most famous name - "cat", and they were more likely to place shooters. Another
type of mobile siege engine was "sambuca" - "Turtle" with a lift sheltered gallery for
raising the height of the assault on the ramparts. Byzantines in the battle with the
Normans in Ioannina in 1084 applied the similarity schitonosnyh carts with spears.

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Firearms, which appeared already in the XIV century., Did not immediately lead to the
failure of both the armor and the old siege engines. He even made their affiliation. Here
you can see and fantasy, and the real machine. So, in his treatise "On the military
science" from 1555 depicts a fantastic assault tower in the shape of a dragon, and "fire-
breathing" - with a few guns. But the real 13-meter siege tower built clerk Ivan
Vyrodkovym for the troops of Ivan the Terrible, stormed Kazan in 1552, carrying a 10
caliber guns and 50 lighter gakovnits, moved on rollers. By the way, the movable forts
and received in Russian called "Turusov on wheels" ( "plant Turusov RV," "affliction
Turusov" - all from the Latin taurus, "Tower"). Probably was the siege of Malta by the
Turks last using assault towers in 1565

The project is a fantastic assault towers in the form of a dragon, armed with firearms,
from the treatise Valturio, 1472 The enemy intended to overcome not only the tools but
also "intimidating design."

XVI in the end. firearms already developed enough to radically change the face of land
warfare. Likewise, it has stopped the use of mobile and large billboards on wheels (
"mantlets" or "mantletov") - these panels also have a long history and were used in
ancient times (eg Roman "Pluto"). However, proposals for their revival is sometimes
made, and quite extravagant. So, in 1701 Russian peasant palace S. Chumich filed in
order to offer a large Transfiguration "movable parapet", behind which the enemy could
close fusiliers and artillery. In 1724 D. St. George, a Greek by birth, offered the Russian
army an easier option - "tour" (box filled with soft material or ground) on a rotating
wheel, pushed by a soldier in front of him in the manner of a wheelbarrow.

It is interesting to look at, and ways of dealing with these agents. To combat war
elephants Romans, for example, throwing them under the feet of burning twigs soaked
in resin, tossed in their path studded with nails boards. At a meeting with Macedonian
chariots or, say, the same Roman infantry parted and struck the horses and chariots from
the side and from behind, using bows, or slings. In the fight against siege engines in the
course of defense fortresses can distinguish passive and active means. Passive consisted
of immobilized vehicles - in particular, dig under the causeway and decks that can be
considered very remote prototype anti-tank mines (- "mine", "mine" because the word
"mine" itself produce from French mine). Rhodians defused said Demetrius tower, in
front of her pouring a lot of water, mud and excrement, as a result of the tower,
described by Vitruvius, stuck. And the ditches around the castle walls were designed to
not let the enemy take siege towers and battering rams. Active agents include attacks to
destroy the siege engines, breaking the siege towers, battering rams mounted on the wall
of the fortress, throwing them incendiary shells, stones, firing catapult. With the

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development of firearms such active agents and put an end to the use of siege engines.
Thus, during the mentioned siege of Malta in 1565 its one of the defenders of the
Turkish siege towers destroyed shot chain kernel, and the second captured during the
attacks and used against the besiegers. In the same in XVI. in a land war in Europe
besiegers used mobile "cat", armed with small guns (Kanonenwagen), of which it was
possible to shell deposited with a small range.

Chinese "kamnemetnaya Tower" in the image of a medieval Chinese treatise - ballista


mounted on a closed platform shields the top mobile towers, has a tension gate for
ballista.

Projects - precursors "tank"

Centennial experience of armored vehicles and tanks made the idea of a mobile,
protected and armed combat vehicle as it were "self-evident" - as they say, you can not
build such machines before? Innumerable fantasies on the theme - "how could look like
a tank", say, at the beginning of XVI, at the end of XVIII and in the middle of the XIX
century. (Available 3D-technology and fashion for "alternative history" increased the
number of visionaries.) But let us turn to the well-known projects and proposals.

In talking about the predecessors of tanks necessarily referred cherepahoobraznoy


"wagons armed with guns", described by Leonardo da Vinci in 1482 in a letter to the
governor of the Duke of Milan, Ludovic Sforza, among other military inventions (later
they, along with other projects da Vinci were included in the Codex Atlanticus -
codex Atlanticus "). "I have also closed ranks chariot completely invulnerable - wrote to
Leonardo Sforza. - When it will crash with his guns in the enemy's location depth,
whatever the strength of the enemy, the latter will have to retreat; infantry could follow
them without knowing any loss or other interference. " Leonardo offered to sheathe
round carriage resembling an inverted soup bowl, iron sheets.

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Drawings by Leonardo da Vinci - a variation on serponosnye chariots and the famous
"closed Chariot" with guns (the end of the XV century.).

At first he intended to put into a pair of horses, but then offered to replace them with
eight people who like to rotate the crankshaft, drive through the gear system of four-
wheel carts in rotation. Along the perimeter of the wagon to be staged gun embrasures,
and the top of the dome would be placed under the "commander". Curiously, when at
the end in the XX. enthusiasts have tried to build a real model of da Vinci's drawings, it
appears that with some alterations really get moving on a flat solid road carriage, even
when mounted on her iron plates. In fact, the "wagon" Leonardo was a development of
the same type of carts "Vinay" or "cats". But da Vinci's "supplied" wagon manual
transmission and offered to take her to the field battle, and use on the move and in close
cooperation with the infantry, which allows us to consider it as one of the closest
prototype "tank". However, the car remained not only sales, but also for a long time
unknown - Leonardo drawings been published only at the end of the XIX century.

Reconstruction of the "closed chariot" by Leonardo da Vinci.

In 1447, Auguste of Memmingema offer huge car, driven by the efforts of a few dozen
people, the rotation transmitted to all four wheels it - to realize this and no one tried.

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In 1382, in the battle between Bruges and Ghent Gentz forces repulsed the attack
surpassed guns fire small, set a few pieces on mobile carts, although it is likely, it was
simply an attempt to give greater mobility of multilateral instruments of the type
"ribodekenov". The book, published in Nuremberg in 1471, described a cart with a gun
and shield, which can be in front or behind it was to harness the horse. During the
Hussite wars 1419-1434 gg. Hussites used the wagon, which was set in firearms and of
which rapidly formed a "supply train (vozova hradba) - a shelter for the entire unit,
which provides a perimeter defense and successfully resisted the attacks of knightly
cavalry. But it was quickly constructed field fortifications rather than fighting vehicles.
The same applies to the "walking-city" - carried on wheels or runners finished wooden
shields, quickly connectable to the desired configuration, - is used in the XV-XVI
centuries in the army of the Moscow State and the Private carts -. "Gatehouse" Siberian
Cossacks XVII at. (Sort of "supply train"). Incidentally, the "supply train" themselves
had long predecessors - in particular, the semi-nomadic tribes of ancient China beat off
the attacks of enemies, hiding behind their carts. Similar projects have been quite a few,
and later - until the XX century. So, already in 1823, a mechanic from Vienna Schuster
presented the Chief of Russian General Staff, Adjutant General Volkonsky project
"rapid-machine" for firing at a rate "per minute to 120 gun shots in a parallel direction,"
with the shooter, "sitting on the machine itself "I had to rotate the handle, and the people
standing behind - moving cart. None of these inventions did not give practical results.

Also, attempts were made to replace "battle wagons" muscle power of humans and
animals.

As determined by the region of the mechanical devices of the time were mechanical
watches and mills, have been reported and the relevant proposals. So, in 1335 Guido de
Vidzhevanto treatise on military vehicles, which was written for the French King Philip
VI of, he proposed a cart driven by the similarity of the windmill. A similar protected
wagon with two impellers on the type of mill and mechanical transmission almost half a
century later, in 1472, depicted the contemporary da Vinci Italian Roberto Valturio
treatise "Re Re Militari ( On military matters").

Another Valturio Project (1472) - Combat carriage, driven by the wind.

Even a century later, in 1579, Simon Stevin sailing in Holland suggested "land cruiser"
with "crew" of 20 people, counting on its application in the army of Prince William I of

15
Orange. A friend Stevin Thomas Viluns developed a "wind walker", which also used a
wind vane, but introduced accumulating spring.

On military affairs such "land ships' certificates is left (the story of the rooks Oleg
allegedly approached the Constantinople under sail and RV, consider pure legend).

Floating battle wagon proposed Augustino Ramelli in 1588

The intended mode of use of floating carts Ramelli, 1588

In 1588, the Italian Ramelli Augustino showed interesting project closed carts, which
could cross the water-filled moats. On the roads it pulled the horse, and propulsion
afloat were two paddle wheels driven in rotation by sitting inside people. Inside the
carriage sat and arrows.

Combat and transport "carts", driven by the muscle power of people sitting in them with
the help sometimes witty actuators, offered for a long time, but without much success:
we can recall crews I. Haucha in 1649, Richard E. and J. Vaucanson , L.
Shamshurenkova in 1751, "samobegluyu carriage" IP Kulibina 1791 with a three-stage
gearbox and flywheel.

In 1634, David Ramsay in England took a patent for a self-propelled carriage, which
could be used in military affairs. In 1658, also in England, Gaspar Schott introduced the
wagon project that holds 100 people - to apply it against the Turks.

The same Leonardo da Vinci proposed to revive the chariots, making them the main
weapon rotating sickle or scythe - following the example of the Persian chariots.

16
Chariots in this period turned into a ceremonial carriage, which usually carried the
banner, but the XIV century. repeated attempts to implement their firearms. The Swiss
are in a battle with the army of the Habsburg chivalrous when Laupene in 1339 used the
wagon to break through the dense system of the enemy infantry. In 1335 chariots
offered Guido da Vigevano, in 1395 in Germany, Konrad Keyser suggested war chariot,
armed with pikes and guns. In 1420 Padua scientist Giovanni Fontana described the war
chariot in his treatise known as the "Book of military guns." In 1421 Archindzher
proposed war chariot, designed for 100 people. In the multi-volume "History of
England" shows the two acts of the Scottish Parliament. In the first, from 1456, (during
the reign of the Scottish King James II) says: "It is essential that the king demanded that
the military commanders of all levels of manufacturing chariots with the set in each of
these two guns and their gunner with the need for business tools and experienced person
to close them. " Another, from 1471, James III ordered the prelates and barons display
such chariot against the British. But pushing such "chariot" is only a short distance.

The medieval idea of the revival of chariots - gun, pushes the horse drawn back, and
covered with a sloping wooden shield.

At the beginning of the XVI century. Henry VIII in the army there are so-called "Tudor
carts", which can be considered the development of "Scottish". These were the "double-
decker" chariot - on horses, set by a special harness on high poles fastened platform for
shooters (the Musketeers), the whole carriage was protected boards, shots were fired
through the loopholes. It is understood that the fire could only be fixed with a cart, and
the cart itself - a kind of "tower assault" for the field of battle - is not sustainable.

It is interesting that in the XV century. there is an important novelty in the "transport


carts" - springs - Body carriages suspended from the curved ends of the frame on the
leather straps. Only at the end of the XVII century. belts will be replaced with steel
springs.

In Germany in 1558 Holtsshuer depicted fantastic "Walk-fortress" on four large wheels,


armed with guns and equipped with loopholes for sharpshooters. In the archives of
Lambeth Palace (London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury) found a note of
the Scottish mathematician John Napier of 1596 It Napier described his "secret
inventions, useful and necessary today to protect the islands and the fight against
foreigners, enemies of God's faith and religion." Among them was the "round mobile
chariot, impenetrable for shots from twin musket and driven by those inside it ... It can
be used either on the move - to break the enemy order of battle and do pass or stationary
in repelling attacks enemy. It allows you to destroy the enemy surrounded by the firing

17
of arquebuses through small holes. " As can be seen, Napier, in his "secret inventions"
went a little further da Vinci, but any attempt to implement them as far as we know, did
not take. Already in 1741 serponosnye chariots proposed to use in France. The idea was
inspired by Voltaire, who in 1768 in a letter to the Russian Empress Catherine II offered
"light wagon", which tests allegedly took place in France in 1756 on the orders of the
Minister of War d'Arzhansona. However, after a few low-key response Empress
Voltaire admitted that "the generals ceased to want to continue the Persian game".

The Four elements

In general terms, the "tank" as a machine, made up of four basic elements - universal
mechanical engine, all-terrain (preferably crawler) propulsion, armor and high-velocity
weapons. These elements can not come together in the same car earlier than the second
half of XIX century. To see this, look at the development and formation of these
elements. All the more so in the course of the development of technical solutions they
were born, which later will be used in tanks.

The period from the 60s of the XVIII century. 80-ies of XIX century. It considered the
era of the industrial revolution, committed in different countries and has affected almost
every sector of human activity. The basis of this revolution was the transition to the
machine mode of production, which is primarily required the development of heat
engines and metallurgy, the formation of machine tool. According to the extended now
"the concept of technological structures" in this period are stacked two "lifestyle":. In
the first, which lasted from the 1780s to the middle of the XIX century, there was
improvement of the methods of obtaining and processing of iron and iron-growing
demand for production machinery, has expanded the scope of the universal thermal
(steam) engine; for the second, who took virtually the entire second half of the XIX
century., characterized by the development of rail transport, metallurgy, machine tools,
production scale growth on the basis of mechanization. By the way, the predominance
of the most interesting for our topic of the third "way of life" begins with the 1890s and
is characterized by, among other things, the rapid development of heavy engineering,
production and distribution of steel, inorganic chemicals (including explosives
chemistry), specialization of heat engines, increasing heavy arms, further consolidation
of industrial concerns. The Industrial Revolution required the strengthening of links
between science and technology. During the XIX century. a number of scientists and
engineers have made a significant contribution to the formation of the foundations of
the theory of machines and mechanisms, and other branches of Engineering. Among
them: L. Poinsot, SD Poisson, M. Prony, Jean Poncelet, G. Monge, R. Willis, F.
Reuleaux, PL Chebyshev, IA Vyshnegradsky, LV Assur, NE Zhukovsky, NP Petrov, HI
Hochman et al. It is worth noting the enormous importance for the further development
of the rapid formation of the art from the middle of the XIX century. national
engineering schools. In the last third of the XIX century. in different countries there are
higher technical education, at the same time begin to form acting on a permanent basis
research institutions, design offices, more directly manifested the influence of research
results to production.

On the basis of metallurgical and machine-building enterprises to the beginning of XX


century. formed by large corporations producing weapons - enough to remember
"Armstrong" and "Vickers" in the UK, "Schneider-Le Creusot" in France, "Krupp" in
Germany. But the First World War made obvious to all that "an extra gun or

18
metallurgical plant has in terms of" national defense "more value for the country, than
the whole army corps."

At the same time, the military departments of the ministries have acted permanent
"technical", "ordnance", "artillery" committees or commissions. So, back to our "four
elements".

Motors, cars, trucks

Creating a heat engine took considerable time. You can start again from the ancient
inventions - semi-legendary "steam gun" Archimedes, Hero of Alexandria spinning ball
- go through the steam cylinder in the manuscripts of Leonardo da Vinci. But let us take
a more limited period. Steam water-lifting device Solomon De Co. (1615), gunpowder
engines Ottefelya Abbot (1678) and Christian Huygens (1680), steam-aspirated engine
Denis Papin (1690-1706 gg.) Amounted to a certain stage of studies heat opportunities
to perform mechanical work, but remained at the experimental level. Steam engines
Thomas Savery (. 1698 and 1715) and Thomas Newcomen (. 1711-1712 years) found a
practical use for pumping water, but - as mentioned experiments - have not yet been
continuous machines. While it attempts to improve the steam-atmospheric machine
Newcomen led to the emergence of universal steam engines. "Ognedeystvuyuschaya
machine" created in Russia II Polzunova in 1765 by combining two types of cylinders
nyukomenovskogo remained without development. Where had the great fortune of
James Watt, who took in 1769 in England a patent for a single cylinder "machine simple
steps" with a condenser, separated from the working cylinder, and in 1784 - in the
"double-action machine", which marked the beginning of a universal heat engines and
"steam era" in the industry and transport.

The main sectors of the introduction of the steam engine in the truck were water and
rail, but created and the "road" steam wagon.

Adaptation of heat engines to the "horseless carriage" had already begun when Watt
only worked on a universal steam engine. Also in 1769 the French military engineer
Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot built the first known "steam wagon", calling it "Farda", and
created it as an artillery tractor and built according to the order of Minister of War
Choiseul - was supposed to use it to transport heavy guns. However, after the "cart"
with a steam boiler and two cylinders, hanging right on the front swivel wheel, he drove
into the wall, the first military trials of self-propelled steam engine over.

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"Steam wagon" Cugnot, France, 1769

In 1784 a successful model steam carriage built Watt Officer William Murdoch. Then
came the steam carts transportation Englishman R. Trevithick (1801-1803 gg.),
Paromobili Czech J. Bozheka (1815-1817 gg.), British J. Gordon (1821) and William
James (1824 and 1832). G. Henry (1825), W. Hancock (1827-1838 gg.), Gyurneya
(1831), four-wheel drive "stagecoach" and J. T. Burstallya. Hill (1826), a three-wheeled
steam tractor for omnibus Burel (1871), paromobil A. Bole (1873). In Russia in 1830 K.
Yankevich proposed project trackless steam "bystrokata" to travel between cities. In
1837 VP Guriev has published its draft "land ships" for the "mechanical roads" made
flush with the existing dirt roads.

In 1806, the Swiss Major Francois Isaac de Rivaz designed a self-propelled vehicle with
an internal combustion engine explosive Hydrogen. The basis of lay scientific attraction
invented by Alessandro Volta, - a charge of detonating gas is ignited by a spark "voltaic
pile" (the prototype of the electric ignition mixture). De Rivaz offered his wagon like
Napoleon artillery tractor - similar carriages Cugnot - but to no avail.

All these carts - even those that have found commercial application - could not compete
with traditional horse-drawn transport, as when traveling long distances - with Expands
Rail. . In 1814, George Stephenson builds its first steam locomotive, with 1825 lines of
Stockton - Darlington begins regular work transport "Lokomoushn number 1", after
starting in 1830 the first regular rail line to Manchester - Liverpool (that worked on it
Stephenson locomotive "rocket") begins the real rush the construction of railways,
construction of improved transport steam engines.

20
The wagon and steam "road locomotive" with "endless rails" Boydell, UK, 1855

However, quite a strong position for a long time been able to take the wheel steam
tractors - as tractors and machines for special works. To improve their permeability
increases the diameter of the drive wheels (D. Gordon in 1822 suggested that the tractor
wheels with a diameter of 2.7 m, in real machines were smaller), the width of the rim,
placed lugs for increased traction properties. Even in the Crimean War of 1853-1855.
British steam used wheeled tractors for delivery of items of supply troops, besieged
Sevastopol. Steam tractors were made in England in the Prussian army during the
Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871., In the Russian army during the Russian-Turkish
war of 1877-1878. We worked 12 steam tractors with trailers (of which only two -
domestic production). The first tests of road wheeled steam tractors for military
purposes conducted in Russia in camps near the Red Selo and Ust-Izhora in 1875 began
the production of tractors in the Maltsev factories in Bryansk, the use of tractors on
detachment Russian-Turkish front to tow guns and transportation of goods ( in the
fortress of Bender, in Ruse) was, in fact, the military trials. However, it was recognized
that the type of wheeled steam tractor "was heavy and did not comply with the state of
roads, especially with the onset of the rainy season" - a characteristic and important
remark, which will have to remember.

In 1879 in France there was a steam artillery tractor triaxial A. Bolli driven on two axes,
which received differential as the rotation mechanism and the articulated frame. The era
of steam Tractor was long - the First World War, they are still used in heavy artillery
and logistical services.

Piston steam engine gave the industry the first universal engine, stimulating the rapid
development of general and special mechanical engineering. On the other hand, the
need to improve the steam engine, a gradual increase in pressure and loads require the
development of thermodynamics, in-depth study of energy conversion processes,
improving industry practices and accurate processing of metals, the transition from
wood as the primary construction material to metals. In the 1790s G. Models creates a
self-propelled machine with a slide, in 1817 there planer R. Roberts, in 1818 - milling
machine with a reusable E. Whitney mill, in 1835 - an automatic lathe cutting lathe
George. Whitworth, in 1839 -... boring machine I. Bordmera and steam hammer George
Nasmyth, etc. Since the 1880s used in the manufacture of hydraulic presses. In
mechanical engineering and entered the normal standards (same Whitney Whitworth
and did much to introduce normalization and interchangeability of parts in arms
production, the normalization thread), subject to the standard component parts. The
development of mechanical engineering has been fluctuating. By the beginning of XX
century. the largest part of the large machine-building enterprises were concentrated in
the UK, Germany, Belgium and the United States. At the same time there is the
emergence of Thermal Technology. In 1824, Sadi Carnot laid the foundations of the
theory of heat engines by developing a series of classic "ideal heat engine."

The steam engine, which requires the availability of the furnace and the boiler was too
cumbersome for Road Transport. The true revolution in the various branches of
engineering and technology began with the spread of internal combustion engines.

Already in 1801 F. Lebon patented the engine in which the steam is replaced open them
illuminating gas. Coal gas produced from coal or wood, were soon produced on an

21
industrial scale, and it is not surprising appearance of a series of gas engines. In 1806,
the first real working of the internal combustion engine build Zh.N. brothers and K.
Niepce. The working body in their "piroeoloflore" served as a coal dust (much later it
will experiment and Rudolf Diesel).

In 1823-1826 gg. two versions of the atmospheric gas engine patents S. Brown and W.
Wright in 1833 - the gas engine of double action (similar to a steam engine double
acting) with a water cooling jacket. In 1838, V. Barnett patented motor with pre-
compression of gas and air. In 1854 Barzanti and Mateuchchi patent gas "atmospheric"
engine with electrical ignition system (piston stroke up was carried out by the explosion
gazosvetilnoy mixture, the vacuum is created under it down - under the pressure of the
atmosphere). Add to this that in 1859 the French physicist RG Plante creates a lead
battery.

In 1860, a French waiter, Jean Joseph Etienne Lenoir built the internal combustion
engine that runs on illuminating gas, with an electric ignition system, cooling water
jacket of the working cylinder. Crank mechanism motion conversion, slide valve
mechanism with an eccentric on the motor shaft repeated scheme of the steam engine
double acting. Efficiency was still very low - 4%. Yet in 1862 Lenoir tried to put its gas
engine on a wheeled vehicle.

Gas combustion engine Lenoir built in 1864 with elektrovosplameneniem.

In 1862, the same in France, Alphonse Beau de Rochas received a patent for a four-
stroke cycle engine, but could not implement it. Essential in the project de Rocha was
the idea of pre-compression of gas-air mixture before ignition.

In 1866 in Germany, Nikolaus August Otto received a patent for an atmospheric four
vertical gas engine. At the Paris Exhibition of 1867 the company "Otto and K
presented the first working model of a single-cylinder internal combustion engine. In
1876 Otto engine builds on the blast furnace gas. In 1878, using the pre-compression
principle, Otto, together with Eugene Langen was able to create the engine, the
efficiency of which reached 15-16%, t. E. On par with steam engines, reached by that
time had sufficient degree of perfection. classic cycle of the four-stroke engine has been
implemented: the working process in the cylinder is made of four-stroke (stroke) -
intake, compression, ignition and extension (stroke) release. The first four-cylinder
engine is a simple action shown at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1878 turned out,

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however, that as early as 1872-1873. his version of the four-stroke gas engine
independently produced German watchmaker Christiaan Reitman, and, in contrast to
Otto, he used not slide, and more promising valve timing mechanism. But Reitman was
not able to promote its design to market.

In 1867, also in Germany, Ernst Werner von Siemens creates a DC generator with self-
excitation, which has found application in the ignition systems of internal combustion
engines and more known to motorists as a "dynamo".

Power gas internal combustion engines grew, but they were mostly low-speed stationary
industrial engines. The decisive step was switching to fuel oil.

Even in 1847 Drek in the United States received a patent on the engine that runs on
kerosene.

Finally in 1883, a former manager of a factory in Deutz Otto Julius engineer Gottlieb
Daimler together with Wilhelm Maybach builds high-speed four-stroke gasoline engine
with the ignition of the glow tube.

Karl Benz in 1878, has developed a lightweight two-stroke internal combustion engine.
In 1881, Scottish engineer D. Clerk patents its two-stroke engine (though standard two-
stroke engines with a purge began to build only in 1914).

In 1885, Daimler and Maybach patented a gasoline engine with a carburetor (evaporator
in a manner Englishman William Barnet) takes the Daimler patent also 4-wheeled
vehicle with a gasoline engine, which is based on the crew Karetnaya factory "Wilhelm
Wimpfen and the Son."

Pat G. Daimler in 1886 on an internal combustion engine that runs "on natural gas or
gasoline."

In 1886, a car with an engine capacity of 1.2 hp Kannshtadt tested in the village. In
January 1886 Benz patents and in that same year builds and tests in Mannheim three-
wheeled vehicle with a four-stroke petrol engine capacity of 0.75 hp In the same year
Benz produces automotive magnetos, on the basis of which Robert Bosch is developing
a system of spark ignition of the fuel mixture. However, prior to the beginning of XX
century. still used in many engines the ignition of the glow tube operated until more
23
reliable than electric - only with the creation in 1902 by Bosch and Honaldom spark
plugs with a high magneto electric ignition becomes the primary. Benz the first
commercial vehicle production begins.

Russian engineer BG Lutsk in 1885, is a four-stroke engine with a vertical cylinder and
a lower position of the crankshaft. In 1887, his engine elektrovosplameneniem working
mixture offers Russian Defense Ministry Yagodzinsky inventor, however - for aircraft.

The transition to multi-cylinder internal combustion engines, not only allowed to


increase their power, and the engine speed, ensuring at the same time, the uniformity of
its rotation.

In 1889, G. Daimler presents its new V-twin engine capacity of 1.5 hp, designed for
installation on commercial vehicles. Daimler bring engine speed to 450-900 rpm - 4-5
times more than the gas engine, compared with double the power increases on the last 1
L working volume of the cylinder. Accordingly, the motor becomes easier. The engine
gets closed crankcase (casing) filled with oil to lubricate the mechanisms and protects
moving parts from dust and dirt. Gradually formed the type of internal combustion
engine for automobiles and tractors.

In 1892, W. Maybach is developing a new inline 2-cylinder engine with parallel


cylinders. In 1893, Maybach in Germany B. and D. Banks and J. Csonka Hungary take
patents on the spray carburetor.

In 1890, a car with an engine built by Daimler patents, produced in France, the
company "Panhard-Levassor," and in 1892 put their cars on the market.

The widespread use of heat engines increased demand for oil and petroleum products. If
in 1880 in Russia, say, 31 million pounds of extracted oil, then in 1893 - already 325
million pounds. Industrial methods of distillation of oil began to be used in the US in
the 1850s. This distillation of the products due to the spread of the same 1850s kerosene
lighting, the most prized kerosene, gasoline was one of the least valued (which,
incidentally, contributed to the spread of the original gasoline engine) and fuel oil
generally considered a waste product. In 1888 VG in Russia Shukhov and SP Gavrilov
got the privilege of an apparatus for the continuous fractional distillation of crude oil,
and in 1891 - on the cracking process with a deep decomposition of oil. Already in 1913
in the United States W. Barton has developed an industrial plant for high-temperature
cracking process.

Accordingly, the search for internal combustion engines operating on various products
of oil refining. So, in 1888 the Englishman James Hargrevs built a prototype engine
running on heavy fuel oil to the nozzle, ignition and combustion chamber bowl, a water-
cooled. In 1889 he appeared Diederiks engine running on kerosene. At the same time
his version of "kerosene engine" built Lieutenant Navy EA in Russia Yakovlev - this
engine was demonstrated at the VIII Congress of doctors and scientists in St.
Petersburg. In the same year it reported INVENTION BC Sinitsyn stationary engine on
heavy fuel.

In 1890, the Englishman Herbert Ackroyd Stuart patents with special engine
combustion chamber in the cylinder head and ignition blowtorch, and in 1892 the

24
company "Gornsbi & Sons" has started the production of "kalorizatornyh" engines
Gornsbi-Ackroyd on heavy fuel.

In 1893, Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel in Germany has developed a model of the engine
that implements a new thermodynamic cycle, but only in 1896 built a workable Diesel
engine ignition of the fuel mixture by compression. Its motor efficiency exceeded 30%.

In 1894, the plant Bromley brothers in Russia built the engine oil with compression
ignition. In 1899, Nobel's factory in St. Petersburg Diesel license built stationary high
compression spontaneous ignition engine running on oil - this engine has been very
beneficial to the oil business in Russia Nobel. In 1900-1902 gg. the Putilov factory built
engine oil beskompressorny GV Trinklera with mixed-type cycle. In 1903, YV Mamin
received a patent for beskompressorny engine that runs on crude oil, with a compact
kerosene "igniter". But by this time the plant L. Nobel has produced a diesel engine. In
Germany itself the beginning of the XX century. Diesel engines produced 8 plants in the
UK - two. Then, serial diesel engines moved from kerosene to heavy fuel, so that the
equipment is required to spread Diesel engines of heavy fuel oil, which later came in
armored vehicles.

In 1911, the Swiss Alfred Buchi patents in the United States the principle of
turbocharging (increasing the power of the engine by forced air in the working cylinder
with a compressor, a turbine rotated by the engine exhaust gases).

The development of internal combustion engines require research papers. So, in 1906,
professor at the Moscow Higher Technical School of the Imperial VI Grinevetsky
developed a method for calculating heat engines, later an outstanding contribution to the
theory introduced by Professor NR Brilling and EK Masing.

By the time of "self-propelled crews" were already known and even practiced numerous
options powertrain (transmission), who found later use in automobiles, tractors, tanks.
For example, as early as 1545 J.. Cardano offered fully movable crosswise hinge, still
known as the "universal joint". Since ancient times was known chain, belt, gear
transmission. The industrial revolution of the XIX century. demanded new schemes and
elements of power transmission to drive the machines in the shops and a variety of
mechanisms. In 1834, an American engineer Roberts invented the differential, in 1843
the Englishman Hill created a manual gearbox. All this is yet to bring in the "self-
propelled carriages." The first cars used a powertrain borrowed from the factory
machines - with a system of pulleys and belts. So, the four-wheel vehicle Daimler
rotation transmission countershaft transmitted by means of pulleys and belts slung from
the shaft to the wheels - via the gear transmission. Three-wheeled Benz car had a belt
drive from the engine to the pulley transmission differential rotation mechanism and a
chain transmission to the drive wheels. But with increasing engine power belts are no
longer kept loads. In 1890 the French "Panhard-Levassor" applied to their cars conical
clutch transmission in a gear reducer and chain transmission of rotation of the wheels.
By 1894, "Panhard-Levassor" built, in fact, the first car of classical configuration (front-
engine, with the engine mounted clutch, gear transmission, differential, chain drive to
the rear drive wheels, the famous "Mercedes" will appear only in 1901 ).. In 1897, the
car "Panhard-Levassor" participated in the maneuvers of the French army, in connection
with what is considered the first "military" car, although in fairness it should be noted
that the first cars designed specifically for the requirements of the military

25
establishment, the firm began to produce "Reno "(about this we still have to remember,
etc.).

And in the same period in Europe and the United States there are companies on the
mass production of cars, which started the well-known companies - "Daimler" in 1890,
"Peugeot" in 1896, "Renault" in 1899, "Fiat" 1899 city and others. France, it should be
noted, one time ahead of other countries in terms of vehicle production, but by the
beginning of the First world war it ahead of the United States.

The first "war of engines" was the First World War, but the internal combustion engine
attracted the attention of the military long before the First World War - they were
planning to replace notation and artillery horses. Already in the 1890s the military begin
to formulate appropriate requirements for automobiles. In those same years, transport,
agriculture, road works start to use tractors with internal combustion engines.

Along with heat and electric motors develop, which we also have to touch on later. In
1834 in Russia, Professor BS Jacobi demonstrates prototype electric motor with a
rotating armature. Soon begin experiments using motor transport. And if various
"electric cars" are experienced, the railway transport electric traction finds wide
application. Already in 1838 R. Davidson feels an electric rail trolley on the road
Glasgow - Edinburgh. In 1879, his electric shows Werner von Siemens in 1883 -
American inventor Leo Daft. By 1900, electric locomotives and carriages with traction
motors work on the railways of several countries. In 1881 the first electric tram appears
in Germany. In many enterprises set machines with electric drive and own power plant
with a thermal motor driving the rotation of the generator. Accordingly, there are
options and the first electric powertrain for transport vehicles with thermal engines.
Thus, in the years 1908-1909. Ferdinand Porsche in Austria-Hungary develops the
design of active train with a gasoline powerplant - gasoline engine drives the rotation of
the generator, the voltage of which is applied to the motor wheels of the tractor and
trailer. Such trains ( "A-Zug" and "D-Zug"), the company "Austro-Daimler" has
supplied the Austro-Hungarian army.

Tracked Undercarriage

Track progress much "younger" than the wheel - if the wheel planted on the axis, is
found in the IV millennium BC. e., it is only in the XVIII century appears caterpillar
mover. ad. And then only in the form of a sketch.

In 1713 the French Academy of Sciences entered d'Ermana project, described as "Truck
of the new device with a device for reducing the friction." According to the project, it
was put on a truck chassis frame with a kind of a broad set of tracks in the form of
wooden rollers connected to the circuit and run-around frame with casters from the
bottom platform. This prototype Katkova track chain, which itself d'Erman called
"beads of rollers" You can see the development of an even more ancient than the wheel,
the way of moving goods with podkladyvaniem dragged them under the wooden rollers.
D'Ermana The idea was approved by the French scientists, but has not found practical
application.

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It was supposed to look Katkov mover ( "rosary of roller") d'Ermana project 1713

A number of projects tracked carts appears at the end of XVIII - early XIX century.
Tom "guilt" and the growing need for transport, and the development of steam railways.
The latter had its predecessors. In mining operations in Central Europe, for example, the
wooden rail (plank) path used in the XVI century. Around 1630 they began to provide
support cross members - sleepers. In the 30 years of the XVIII century. began to use the
iron rails, rails, wagons also got a cast iron wheels. In 1767, Richard Reynolds laid on
access roads to the mines Kolbrukdeyla rails trough-like profile. In 1776 the engineer
Benjamin Kerr, also in England, introduced the first angled rail, headed off popping
trolley wheels. In 1789, engineer William Jessop of mining in the mines in the county of
Leicester used the mushroom profile rail - the prototype of the modern - combined with
flanged roller on the edge. At the end of the XVIII century. iron is cheaper, and in 1803
an engineer Nixon enters the rails of wrought iron. Trolleys on such roads rolled by
hand or with the help of animals. The horse could carry cargo along the tracks about
four times more than on the ground. In Russia, the first metal in-plant rail road with
angled rail carried out in the 1760s mining engineer KD Frolov on Korablihe river. His
son, PK Frolov in the 1806-1809 biennium. He built a cast-iron way between the same
plant on Korablihe and Zmeinogorsk mine.

Wood, cast iron and then steel rail road had a clear impact on the inventors of caterpillar
tracks. It is no accident in the descriptions of their inventors tracked carts regularly
referred to "endless rails". A device Track chains and track rollers of the first series of
tracked vehicles reminiscent of rails and wheels.

In 1770 in England there is a project of the Irish landowner, politician and inventor
Richard Brought Edgeworth - a normal crew he proposed to supplement the wood
"stand" or "portable rails." "The device, - mentioned herein - consists of a rolling road
formed wooden dies carried by the carriage and regularly lined so that they always have
contact with the ground, sufficient to move the cart." The models made by the inventor
of caterpillar chain going from bonded with wooden beams and stretched between the
front and rear wheels of the wagon. Wood was still the main structural material,
although in his memoirs wrote Edgeworth, he intended to use "iron rails." The
appearance of the project Edgeworth is not accidental. Just how urgent the needs are
"ground" vehicle shows held in the end of the XVIII century. in England, the first
experiments on the effect of terrain on movement of wagons.

In 1801, Thomas Jerman proposed "tool to facilitate the movement, replacing the
endless chain or a series of rollers ordinary wheel." A similar invention is offered by
William Palmer in 1812

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In 1821, John Richard Bari patented circuit in England, which had to be put on two
wheels mounted at the rear of the wagon. And in 1825, English scientist and inventor
George Cayley suggested tracked link chain stretched between two wheels of a cart,
between which it is located has a small-diameter roller bearing. Finding no other way to
turn, Keighley supplied "boot" of each truck its chain roller for movement in the
transverse direction. I must say, the rotation mechanism device became a stumbling
block for many more pioneers the development of caterpillar tracks.

The first projects expected to facilitate the movement of wagons on soft ground, which
would still be pulling horses or people. But there are steam wagons, so that the
appearance of self-propelled tracked carts were prepared. But first, let us turn to the ...
river fleet.

American inventor Robert Fulton, having been engaged in the design of the vessel with
a steam engine, initially decided to set it in motion with the help of paddles, mounted on
the endless belt. However, the effectiveness of "rowing tracks" in the test vessel on the
Seine was not great, and Fulton returned to the already known by the time the paddle
wheel, which is used and on its first successfully tested the boat - in the United States.
Later, however, rowing track for ships offered repeatedly: we can recall the patent
George Hart on 1884 Christian Baker from 1885 Goldsbari Pontus from 1890 - in the
last two caterpillar composed of hollow "shoe", was still and ensure the buoyancy of the
vessel.

One of the long-lived ideas - caterpillar - navigable propulsion. X. Baker in 1885


received a US patent for rowing caterpillar, consisting of hollow cylinders - except the
movement she had yet to provide buoyancy vessel.

More than a hundred years after the first design Fulton to use the rotation tracks for
movement through the water back in the amphibious vehicles.

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Well, on land ripe two directions - wide roads and the creation of steam propelled
tracked vehicles. Scope last seen more narrow. In 1832, Englishman John Gitkot
decided to put the steam on portable engine monogusenitsu, hoping to use it "for drying
and development of wetlands, too viscous for cultivation with the help of horses and
cattle." Steam portable engine, built in 1837, was mounted on a frame with wheels of
large diameter, this structure is entirely covered with a closed linen tape pasted on her
transverse wooden slats (another old idea - the causeway of the mats). Thus, even in the
early days of tracked vehicles defined two types of "tracks" - track chain of separate
hinged units (trucks) and hingeless Track. The issue of rotation, probably just did not
stand. Machine Gitkota weighed about 30 tons, and worked in practice, as claimed by
one day ... until he got stuck in a swamp. It is often referred to as the first crawler
tractor, but rather it was just portable engine, t. E. Transportable motor.

In 1836 in France near Bordeaux tests caterpillar mover engaged Dominique Kabaryus -
on sandy areas he took a wheelbarrow with wooden 'rails. " Moreover, the inventor
recognized that "moving rails" do better "metal" - while at the same trolley could "carry
1200 pounds" instead of 800, as wooden. Crawler "crews" Kabaryus proposed to be
used for "desert research" expeditions in America and the conquest of "snow covering
the north of Europe." In the same 1830 his version of "endless rails" offered living in
France Polish mathematician, a former artilleryman Jozef Maria Hen-Vronsky.

Projects Tracked Undercarriage: at the top - George Cayley, 1825 (note the cross-
rollers to rotate). bottom - J. Welch, in 1857 (note the elastic suspension to the chassis
platform wagons)..

In the 60-80-ies of the XIX century. in Europe are beginning to use steam tractors to
work the land, in the same period, examine the resistance to movement of dirt roads and
pavements. This leads to the further work to increase the patency and traction "road
locomotive".

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In 1857, Englishman William Newton took out a patent on the "improved device for
movement of movable rails steam engines on ordinary roads and no roads at all." At the
same time, James Welch suggested "improved portable rail road" with chain tracks as
rails with massive support "shoes" and "shoe" was located in the chain joint. A
significant feature of the project: the appearance of a resilient suspension - crawler
attached to the body via semi springs. In 1858, Burton offered caterpillar mover. In the
same year Warren P. Miller introduced in California (US) layout crawler tractor with a
steam engine. Its caterpillar, thrown over the large wheels at the front and rear of the car
and the road wheels of small diameter, included some "boots", connected by
longitudinal links which were rails, caterpillar mesh - lantern. In 1859-m Miller
patented his "car-locomotive" as a possible tractor for agricultural implements (plows,
harrows, drills) or freight wagons, to the chassis of the chain excavator. However, the
real machine and not built.

Pat W. Miller 1859 (US) on a steam tractor with steel treads of the link.

It has long been known for the ability to increase the permeability of the wagons and the
effort to overcome obstacles increasing the wheel diameter (remember carts Central
Asia or the Caucasus). Attempts to use large-diameter wheels were made back in the
steam carriages beginning of XIX century. - Mentioned carriage Trevithick had driving
wheels with a diameter of 3 m, Gordon -. Leading-wheel drum diameter 2.7 m high
wheel Later decided to add reference "shoes" which reduce the specific pressure on the
ground carts. "Shoes" is pivotally suspended from the rim, there were, for example, to
the drive wheels of the locomotive-tractor "road train" brothers Dietz (1835). In fact, the
same "shoes", but only articulated with each other, was a link chain, worn on one wheel,
proposed in 1831 by Lewis Gompers. Dimensions caterpillar units - Shoe - calculated
so that on the ground under the wheel of a truck were always two. In 1846, the "wheel
with an infinite rail track 'patented Englishman James Boydell - on the rim of the wheel
is pivotally fastened long" shoes "(" skiing ") with the" rails ". Their attachment and
shape are calculated so that the bottom two "shoe" to form a wheel flat smooth path.
Boydell offered to put such "tracks" on the front and rear wheels of the steam tricycle
"road locomotive". But widespread simpler "engines" to conventional wheels.

But a simpler version of "walking wheel" with "shoes" has long been used, for example,
to artillery pieces - and it was called "artillery wheels". However, in the artillery "shoe
belt" wheels served not so much to increase the patency of how to reduce the recoil
when firing guns. During the First World "walking wheel" is widely used in heavy
artillery - note that the later it is here that will be used and tracked self-propelled
carriages.

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"Walking wheel" E. Dyunlopa project 1861

"Walking wheel" B. Diplock, a patent in 1900

The idea of "shoe" seemed to be fruitful and to transport the machine. In 1861, Andrew
Dyunlop developed "a walking wheel" - a large-diameter wheels were attached to the
rocker arm support rails with cross "shoes" -shpalami. In France, in 1871-1874 gg. It
issued 36 patents for the invention of "moving rails" and "walking" wheels. In 1887, a
patent for a "wheel with endless rails" relatively complex design was Argentinian
William Fender. In 1891, there was "a walking wheel" Clark - though it was more
plantigrade mover. In 1899, his version of "walking wheel" patented in the UK engineer
J. Brahm. Diplock. Actually there was no wheel - arm hinge system keeps the chain
hanging from her "shoes" so that when rotating "wheel" on the ground is always three
"shoe" relied. In 1904 built steam tractor experienced four such drive wheels. Diplock
founded the firm "Pedreyl Trensport Company" and used the same scheme is pivotally

31
suspended "shoes" is not only "walking wheels" (the design of which varied from patent
to patent), but in the caterpillar. Schemes "walking" wheels will be offered more than
once.

"The apparatus for machines for working the land," Mr. Grafton patented in 1860, - the
front and rear rollers each side are made to change the rotary direction. Curiously, the
inventor of the tracks offered to make "from the Indian rubber or of any other flexible
material."

Experiments with a crawler gear in the XIX century. remained relatively obscure, so
that the caterpillar "invent" more than once. Do not stay aside and Russian inventors.
Even in 1785, a book by Professor IM farming Komov "On agricultural tools," which
suggested the idea for the use of wagons nekolesnogo turn, boost throughput, but this
type of course the famous agronomist point, could not, of course. March 12 (old style)
1837 Captain Dmitry artillery Zagryazhsky filed in the Ministry of Finance of the
Russian Empire petition for issuance of his "privilege" (as named patent) for "crew with
moving the tracks." In normal carriage wheels were replaced passages consisting of
hexagonal rollers and guide wheels, which are worn track team leader, made of iron.
Step caterpillars match faces the steering wheel. Such a small "crawler" is also supplied
with a screw mechanism for adjusting the track tension. Zagryazhsky wrote that "chain
these replace to some extent the railway, representing the wheel is always smooth and
hard surface", while the thought that "the horse can take in such wagons double burden"
and that "they may be coined by a highway, so and on ordinary roads, primarily as
useful on sandy and muddy, where the chain surrounding the wheel, do not allow it cuts
right into the sand or dirt. " September 13 the same year, after the introduction of fees in
1200 rubles Zagryazhskaya granted the requested privilege to introduce his invention in
the Russian Empire. The privilege was granted "for six years, on 13th October 1843".
However, the invention has not been implemented, and already in 1839 the decision of
the Department of Manufactures and Internal Trade action franchise ceased. And hardly
a mover to justify itself - bearing surface area it was small and slight improvement
terrain would not offset the increase in the weight of the wagon and its resistance
movement. Not to mention the fact that when you turn on this wagon, "dirt road" began
to rake the soil and probably stuck.

In March 1839 Basil Tartar received the privilege of "portable mobile railway with
cargo projectile, rolling on movable plank road," also remains unfulfilled. At the
beginning of 1863 came from the peasants Maklakov collegiate assessor was able to get
a ten-year franchise to "ground round" Strong "with" the roller chain "", which was
supposed to run in foreign caterpillar. According to the description, chassis "shell" was
a system of "rollers, podvizhnosochlenennyh among themselves through leashes,
represents the endless chain" and "travel or outdoor tracks, which can be fixed, as the

32
railways, or mobile, skid, located on the machine. " Another mover to facilitate towing
loads, but it is too difficult to enjoy. The scheme, in which the road wheels caterpillar
mover themselves connected mobile chain, moving in a closed circuit, will not appear
again.

In 1876, Stefan Majewski - also the captain of the Russian artillery - proposed a project
"method of train movement by means of a locomotive on ordinary roads." The essence
of it was "in the movement of wagons on ordinary dirt roads through a special steam
engine moving with the train on a special device everlasting chains." That is, it was
already a self-propelled machine. Several hinged carts drew its rollers per caterpillar.
Railway track and in fact has been the development of a conventional ring chain - its
vertical links carried anchor "shoes" and served Truckee horizontal - treadmill Roller.
This arrangement would ensure caterpillar flexibility needed to turn - he produced
tracks bend in the horizontal plane by the rotation of the front roller. To keep everyone
on the caterpillar roller is provided with two flanges. On one of the trolleys raised steam
engine. The design included a drive wheel in the form of an octagonal shaft and gearbox
even with stepped switching on the device resembles the device changes the speed of
modern racing bicycle. There was and chain tension adjustment device. For stability
served side support wheels. In 1878 Majewski received a ten-year privilege, but the
construction of attempts the machine has not been done.

Drawings odnogusenichnoy machines with steel flexible chain and details of its device
privileges of S. Majewski from 1878 Russia.

In 1880 in the United States, George Edwards patented crawler in the form of two
adjacent drums on which stretched metal link chains, supporting wide "shoes" in the
form of wooden slats - was obtained undercarriage with a very short length of the
supporting surface and a large width of the tracks melkozvenchatye .

33
J. Pat. Edwards from 1880 to monogusenitsu wooden trucks, connected by steel endless
chains.

J. Pat. Edwards from 1890 to half-track steam tractor.

Ten years later, Edwards has slightly changed the design and received a patent for a
steam tractor odnogusenichnym swing. To turn served as a pair of rotary wheels -
project Edwards discernible outlines of half-track machines.

Inventors in the meantime more and more inclined to steel structures. March 15 1878
Merchant Kanunnikov entered the Department of Trade and Manufactures with a
request for the extradition of the peasant Fyodor Blinov decade privileges on his
invention. Note that the word "farmer" here defines a class accessory, rather than a kind
of inventor activity. Fyodor Blinov was self-taught technician, had experience as a
mechanic on the ship's boat, a mechanic at a cement plant in Volsk, manufactures fire
pumps, agricultural equipment with. After payment of the fee is 450 rubles 20
September 1879 Blinov privilege granted to "special unit train with infinitely rails for
the carriage of goods by road and back roads" for 10 years. Caterpillar components from
the interchangeable steel trucks, each allocated the track upper links - "rails" trough-like

34
profile and the bottom - "sleepers" or "shoes". This flat "shoes" were attached to hinges
track chain separately, so that the "sleepers" appeared separated from the "rails". In
addition to road wheels "car" has two guide wheels in the form of stars, engages the
caterpillar units for hinges. "Thus, - stated in the description - in front of the car will be
based on the desired direction constant, endless path." Presupposes the existence of the
rotator and the possibility of coupling several "cars" on the train (again with the idea of
turning a bend gusenits- "rails").

Highlighted in the design of leading and guiding the wheels, providing an elastic
suspension carriage, Blinov took the matter as a good designer - to start experienced
"car" in the horse-drawn. He drove through the streets Wolska similarity carts with two
krupnozvenchatymi tracks. January 8, 1881 the newspaper "Saratov leaf" reported from
Wolska: "... Mr. Blinov, the inventor of the endless rails, made the other day trial of its
platform. Self-propelled platform with rails, loaded with 550 poods (2000 bricks and
more than 30 adults) with a pair of ordinary horses, recently drove a few times along the
streets of our city, caused widespread surprise and approval. " Thereafter Blinov started
to develop a self-propelled version. And in 1888 in a small factory, he created in the
village of Balakovo, built a steam tractor krupnozvenchatoy caterpillar teeth
engagement, four pairs of drive rollers and the original power plant. Each track is driven
by a separate steam engine, but it was a single steam boiler. The fuel for the steam
engine served the oil, turn the motor to make changes running speed on one side by
adjusting the steam supply. Suspension of rollers to the machine frame - rigid. Driving
wheels - rear position, with cast-iron gears.

Drawings "wagon" and caterpillar train corresponding FA privileges Blinov from 1879
Russia.

In the same 1888 crawler tractor he offered F. batter in the US, and here also there were
two separate steam engines with a single steam boiler. However, the caterpillar drive
design was complex and included internal circuits, which were plain and flanged rollers,
and the broader outer tracks. Curiously, the lower branch of the caterpillars in the batter
was an arc of large radius. This is consistent with the notion of a caterpillar, as a sort of
"spread out in a chain" wheel of large diameter, which is immersed in the soft ground
and increases the contact area. Subsequently, this form of the lower branch of the
caterpillar-pass will receive the first British tanks. The rotation of the batter in the
project was transferred to the front drive wheels outer tracks. Leading and guiding the
wheels were in the form of polyhedra. The design included a tractor gearbox change for

35
each side, reducing airborne transmission, but the batter - apparently not trusting the
rotation due to the difference in track speeds - has added another car and two swivel
casters.

As for the FA Blinov, then in 1896 at the Nizhny Novgorod Industrial Exhibition, he
earned honorable mention "for a locomotive for the back roads with endless rails and
due diligence for its manufacture." Hardly fairly categorical statement that the track
"Locomotive" Blinov world's first crawler tractor, but merit Blinov this does not
diminish. He first built and tested a real machine of this type in Russia, regardless of the
foreign models.

In 1882 Guillaume Fandre from Buenos Aires proposed a "portable railroad tracks",
covering all wheels (rollers) self-propelled carts, with leading and steering wheel. But
the patent was John Newbern. In 1900, Frank Bramond offered for caterpillar carts with
rubber tires on the wheels.

In 1886, the US has developed a half-track Etlkart steam tractor, which was worn on the
caterpillar rear wheel steering and driving, with a smaller diameter drive wheel is raised
off the ground.

In total by the end of the XIX century. accumulated several dozen patents and privileges
to various embodiments of caterpillar tracks, or "endless rails". But it was limited at best
experimental machines or carts. Start of serial production tracked vehicles already put
the XX century. On the one hand, machine technology has been advanced enough to
build a reliable operating self-propelled tracked vehicles, on the other -.. Need to
intensify agricultural development areas with poor soils, etc. demanded from transport
vehicles and tractors, "all-terrain". During the first two decades of the XX century.
tracked undercarriage will be tested in different versions and not just acquire a number
of practical applications in production machines (agricultural and special tractors,
snowmobiles, combat vehicles, transporters, chassis, self-propelled guns), but also have
time to prove their powerful advantages.

Pat E. Lombard (USA) from 1907 to half-track steam skidder-sled with steel treads of
the link.

In 1901, Alvin O. Lombard in the US patented circuit half-track machine and in the
same year, "Waterville Iron Works" built a steam tractor, snowmobile. In the rear part
of the frame mounted crawler, which is located on the stoker, the front part was based
on the rotary ski, which is controlled by the conductor sitting in front of the boiler. As

36
batter, Lombard initially used the "internal" moving a roller chain, relies on external
wide caterpillar and drives the rotation of the drive wheel, and that the actual track
chain. Track chain - steel, krupnozvenchataya, lantern meshing with an open joint with
cleats. Later in 1907 Pat Lombard used road wheels, a rigidly suspended from the
frame. Although the internal circuit Katkova refused - it can be found, for example, in
his 1917 patent, the steam snowmobiles were quite severe, in soft snow failed, it needed
a few people to manage. However, they have been used in the logging industry, and
until 1917 Lombard built 83 tractor so that it can be considered a pioneer at least small-
scale production of tracked vehicles. Several "Lombard" tractors delivered to Russia.

Extant sample of semi-tracked snowmobile tractor "Lombard", the United States.

The use of traditional and well-established transport steam engines on slow-moving


tractors seemed justified, but created a lot of problems. Meanwhile, the beginning of the
XX century. the internal combustion engine has steadily been gaining ground transport.
This influenced the fate of the tracked vehicles.

In July 1904, David Roberts, the British firm "R. Chief Engineer Gornsbi & Sons Ltd.
"in Grantham, Lincolnshire, patented design" tractor chain "of the link with steel
crawler chains. In 1905, Richard Gornsbi adapted tracked chassis to the previously
constructed by a steam tractor.

The patent for the design of a caterpillar tractor, produced by British designers D.
Roberts and Charles James (firm "Gornsbi") in the United States in 1909

In 1907-1908 gg. British Defense Ministry tested crawler tractor "Gornsbi" with steam,
and then - with the oil and the internal combustion engine caterpillar Roberts' system as

37
an artillery tractor and transport. Caterpillar "Gornsbi" tractor from going hinged units -
alternately with the "shoe" and without a "shoe" - caught on the drive wheel for the
caterpillar of the hinge sleeve (type teeth engagement). Each link has been rallying and
form two high ridge, along which rolling wheels with flanged middle.

The shoe was also a rallying - removable wooden "cushion" is bolted to a metal cage.
The design of the chassis can be noted sloping front and rear branches caterpillars, but
here it did not increase significantly due to cross-body overhangs front and rear.
Rotation is due to the difference caterpillars speeds.

"Small caterpillar tractor" firm "Gernsbi" with a gasoline engine. Pay attention to the
unit chassis with solid track shoe and raised above the ground steering and driving
wheels.

Tractor convincingly demonstrated its superiority over the horse traction, flotation and
turning, but the Defense Ministry considered tractors "Gornsbi" too complex and "not
powerful enough." The military did not give up "mechanical" tractors, but is clearly
preferred wheel (now, however, the tractor "Gornsbi" on display at the Bovington
venerable predecessor military tracked vehicles). Engineer Roberts in 1909 with Charlie
James has received several patents for crawler chassis' for tractors and road locomotives
".

The engagement of the teeth of the drive wheel tracks in the new Patents provided for
recess on the inner surface of the truck. But by the time Gornsbi not finding sales - on it
"civil" market sold only one tractor, and in Canada - has lost interest in the tracked
vehicle. His patent acquired American Benjamin Holt, the share of which fell much
more success.

Initially, Holt, founder of the company, "Holt Menyufekchuring Company", failing to


steam wheel agricultural tractors with a broad rim, experimenting with light tracks with
the "shoes" of the Californian redwood, but later engaged in steel tracks. Holt has
acquired the right to manufacture tractor Lombard, during a trip to England, agreed to
acquire the patent Gornsbi.

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Drawing crawler tractor with a gasoline engine of the US patent B. Holt 1907 drive
driving wheels - via the gear final drives. Suspension - tough. Isolated screw mechanism
track chain tension adjustment.

In 1904-1906 gg. "Holt Menyufekchuring Company" experienced several steam track-


type tractors, however, they would be more correct to refer to the half-track, as Holt set
the front castors (or roller) and to distribute the load between the wheels and tracks.
This reduced the rocking movement of the machine when compared with tractors
"Gornsbi". In 1908 the company "Holt" launches a tractor with a petrol engine capacity
of 40 hp and the first is successful in this field. Consistently appearing tractors with
engines of 45, 60, 75 hp - And they were called "Holt Model 45", "Holt Model 60",
"Holt Model 75". This added brand "Caterpillar" (of Caterpillar, which translated means
"caterpillar"), officially registered in 1910, Holt

The chassis of the tractor, "Holt" going on a massive riveted frame. The undercarriage
had two tracks on each side had the toothed drive wheel, steering wheel with screw
adjustment mechanism track tension, track rollers of small diameter, semi-detached to
the cart, hanging from a body supporting rollers. Steel caterpillar consisted of
interconnected open-hinge large prefabricated trucks, each of which included a "shoe"
(pillow) and the guide combs ( "rails"). "Shoe" was attached to the crests of the bolts.
Prefabricated track turned out to be easy to operate farm tractors, as it allows easy
replacement of wearing parts, change the "shoe", depending on the soil. Hinge chain
bushing bore for a caterpillar which caught on and the drive wheel. Leading and guiding
wheels positioned low - it is possible to place the platform on caterpillar tractor
contours, increase the length of the supporting surface and was justified when driving
on a level field. The driver can change the speed of rotation of the tracks by means of
levers, but to facilitate the twists and turns of a larger radius used roller or a pair of
wheels. In 1914 he went into production Model 45 without a front roller and a resilient
suspension bogie wheels locked.

39
Chassis tractor "Holt" with a blocked suspension of rollers: 1 - drive wheel, 2 - steering
wheel, 3 - the caterpillar track 4 - track tension screw mechanism.

It was not the only offer then a series of tracked vehicles. At the same time the assembly
track (half-track), tractors begin another American company -. "Bullock Trektor
Company" in the same Illinois (in 1914-1915 its designer William O. Stark patented
design of tractors with steel krupnozvenchatoy caterpillar - semi-tracked with a rotary
roller and caterpillar friction rotation mechanism). Perennial competitor, "Holt" in the
production of caterpillar tractors and half-track was "C. L. Trektor Best Company ". The
company "Killen-Stright Menyufekchuring" offered trehgusenichny tractor scheme,
patented by William Straight in the US in 1914

We continue to engage in tracked vehicles, and on the other side of the Atlantic. British
Captain Robert F. Scott in 1911 took with him to the Antarctic expedition of three
specially designed track snowmobile company "Wolseley", but the experience was a
failure - snowmobile broke down shortly after the landing of the expedition ended in
tragedy on the icy continent. Only a few decades later tracked vehicles will be one of
the foundations of Antarctic expeditions. You can nonetheless see how growing up in
different countries of practical interest to the tracked vehicle at the beginning of the XX
century. And already hard enough trying to combine advantages of wheeled and
crawler. For example, in the same 1904, when England had its tractor Roberts,
Switzerland Eduard Ridlin patented method of transportation of goods using Katkovs
track circuits (an occasion to remember an old project d'Ermana). In France in 1910 the
engineer Edouard Edmond Frederic Lefebvre patented design of a two-axle truck with
lifting tracked progress in the middle of the chassis - a narrow track team leader with
high spikes would not so much reduced ground pressure, no matter how much improved
grip and increased traction on soft ground . Shortly before World War I - in June 1914 -
for the car application with lifting tracks different design filed in the Austro-Hungarian
inventor of the famous Archduke Karl Salvator of Habsburg-Lothringen, a patent he
received a year later. The idea of wheeled vehicle with a lifting course developers
tracked all-terrain chassis will still come back repeatedly.

Most famous tractors "Holt". The invention itself crawler steel is sometimes credited
Holt. As we have seen, "priority" in the firm Holt invention had tracked self-propelled
machines, nevertheless it was his production was destined to play an important role in
spreading the crawler in agriculture, transportation, and military affairs. British, French,
Russian, American heavy artillery chose "Holt" tractors with engines power 70 and 75
hp as a tractor, used "Holt" in Austria-Hungary. Tractor "Holt" was destined to play an
important role in the appearance of tanks.

Steel and armor

"The nineteenth century - iron" - wrote Alexander Blok. And in fact, steel and cast iron
turning into the main material in all fields of technology, the number of smelted iron
and steel began to determine the level of industrial and cultural development of the
state. High mechanical properties, especially toughness, a combination of strength and
ductility, the ability to be exposed to different types of treatment, a large number of a
long time of development of deposits of ore made steel and cast iron essential for the
new technology. Metallurgy Steel entered in the XIX century. with good asset - it has
been mastered iron smelting with coal, getting started puddling. But in the second half

40
of the century, the rapid development of machine building, increasing demands on
military technology, new industries required for quantitative and qualitative growth of
metallurgy.

In 1855, English inventor H. Bessemer converter patented method for producing steel,
which soon completely replaced the previous crucible method used since the end of the
XVIII century. It is essential that Bessemer steel industry engaged in the search for new
materials for artillery. In 1864, the French Etienne and Pierre Marty carried melted iron
in a reverberatory furnace with regenerative installation W. Siemens (formerly March
the French government supplied steel barrels for fittings). In 1878, there is a method of
producing cast steel Englishman Sidney J. Thomas -. Repartition of phosphorous grades
of cast iron. High-grade steel from laboratories goes into mass production. From 1865
to 1870 due to the introduction of the Bessemer and open-hearth method global steel
production increased by 70%, and from the 1870s until 1900 - almost 17 times.
Develops rolled steel appliances, including broneprokatnye mills. In 1854 at the Krupp
factory in Essen, established a rolling mill, in 1856-1857. - Rolling mill for the large
discs in the Saar.

The second half of the XIX century. - During the rise of various branches of science,
one way or another related to military equipment. In the field of metallurgy in the
middle of the XIX century. there has been a shift from a purely empirical finding the
best ways of thermal and mechanical processing to scientific research. In Russia, the
most successful way to factory production cast crucible steel engineer suggested PM
Obukhov. His steel, produced in 1851, had important qualities such as elasticity and
viscosity. In 1853, Obukhov managed to obtain a relatively thin steel plate that is not
punched rifle bullets, while manufactured in Zlatoust armored breastplates of their way
even with twice the thickness. In 1857, Butts gets the privilege of crucible steel
production in large castings. Interestingly, steel guns Obukhov got the gold medal in the
same London exhibition in 1862, which was represented by "Bessemer" steel. By this
time, there is complex alloyed steels Robert Myusheta - the best at that point tool steel,
without which it is difficult to machine production. Research on steels, alloyed by the
addition of various elements to obtain the desired structure and properties, provided
progress in many sectors.

In 1883 in the UK by Robert Abot Gatfild he received margantsevistuyu steel is


characterized by high wear resistance, which allowed her to make out the details, which
in operation are constantly exposed to extreme wear and usually are easily damaged due
to abrasion.

Combining science and production becomes a necessity. Even in 1835, the Russian
military engineer PP Anosov used a microscope to study the structure of steel, giving
rise to the modern metallography. Of key importance for the progress of metallurgy
were opening a Russian engineer DK Chernov critical points of the heat treatment of
steel and its phase transitions in the solid state (work published in 1868 and 1878
respectively), research Cheronova thermomechanical processing of steel, intensification
of metallurgy. The staging steel production on a scientific basis have great contribution
NV Kalakutsky, AS Lavrov. These achievements were immediately used in the
production of artillery, armor, railway wheels, tires and so on. D. It is characteristic that
in the course of the program industry, which since 1889 had read DK Chernov in the

41
Mikhailovsky Artillery Academy, included questions manufacture guns, ammunition
and armor plates.

The development of business in the armor of the XIX century. It was due primarily to
the needs of the fleet and - to a lesser extent - the long-term fortification. The Navy in
this period primarily embodies all the latest and advanced technical solutions, many of
which then somehow be used in land-based military vehicles. This also applies to
"armor race and the projectile." Therefore, a brief digression into the history of the ships
reservation is good for our theme.

Although ships reservations idea expressed long before the XIX century., But he was
able to bring it under the strong "technological" base. And indeed the need for armor
protection has become more than urgent, so the second half of XIX - early XX century.
It can be called the era of battleships. The use of artillery explosive projectiles (grenades
and bombs) in the 1840s gave rise to a series of experiments in the UK, France, the
Netherlands and Italy for the protection of ships iron sheets. The use of the steam
engine admit a corresponding increase in the weight of the ship. During the Crimean
War, in October 1855 the three French protected by iron sheets floating batteries -
"Love", "Tonatiuh" and "Devastison" - contributed to the capture of the Anglo-French
troops Kinburn fortress, firing at close range its battery without receiving a few hours
combat any holes from Russian nuclear weapons.

Racing armor and projectile - Russian 11-inch coastal cannon, its shells and punched
their naval armor. 1867

Heterogeneous structure, one-sided hardened steel armor plate.

42
France pioneered the systematic construction of armored fleet - in 1858 laid the first
three frigates with iron armor. In 1859 came "armored" ironclad "Gloire", converted
from a wooden steam battleship.

During smooth-guns, firing round nuclei and bombs with relatively small initial velocity
navies fully satisfy the usual "armor" made of iron sheets, screwed to the traditional
wood paneling hull, then - several layers of sheets of conventional "soft" steel, first
riveted or screwed (including the use of wooden shims), and later welded to each other.
Incidentally, the armor of several layers of "boiler plate" was later used for artisanal
booking cars and trains.

The British laid their first armored frigate "Warrior" in 1859, the same year - the same
type with it "Black Prince", with their all-metal build, taking advantage of its iron and
steel and shipbuilding industries.

In 1861, John Browne in Sheffield build a rolling mill for the production of ship armor
(five years earlier in Russia Pyatov BC built "listokatalnuyu machine" for rolling armor
of red-hot iron sheets). Although in those years still it used to be considered that the
rolled armor forged inferior in strength.

In the same 1861 in the UK starting to establish armadillo "Agincourt" with armor
across the board surface. The Navy begins and the development of armored towers.

The armored turret Gryuzona system for land fortresses: at the top - a tower on a roller
pursuit of large-caliber guns down - hiding the tower for small-caliber guns on the pin
setting.

In 1860, its tower design created a Swede and Englishman T. Timbo K. colza. In 1862,
the US launched the "Monitor" with armored gun turret system J. Eriskona the central
pin. And in March 1862 the "Monitor" showed his quality in the battle with the battery

43
battleship southerners "Virginia" on the roads of Hampton Roads - the first battle of the
armored ships (although formally ended the fight "draw").

In the same 1862 in the British armored battery "Royal Sovereign" used tower K. colza,
rotating on rollers on the chase - so there was the first British battleship turret. Soon
there were armadillos and nautical tower - "Monarch" and "Captain" (launched in
1869). After the US and the UK a number of maritime nations, including Russia, have
started to build ships with tower installations. However, the towers had to contend with
long Casemate installation tools - only the final rejection of the rigging of ships, the
development of high-velocity artillery and mechanical drives and dramatically
accelerated the development bronebashennyh ships, and, consequently, improving the
structures of towers.

As far as the race developed rapidly in the construction of armored fleet, according to
the following figures: in the first decade in France, built on 39 battleships of various
classes and the same - in the UK. Accordingly, the production evolved armor, artillery,
ships' engines.

1861 became a landmark for the Russian Navy. This year was launched on built on the
Baltic foundry gunboat "Experience" to secure iron armor (made in England) the bow
gun mount. In the same year in the UK ordered the first armored ship seaworthy
Russian fleet - floating battery "Firstborn" with armor of forged plates. In 1863 in
Russia was built armored battery "Do not touch me" using Brownian armor. Since 1866
reconstructed the Kama-Votkinsk and Izhora plants started to produce iron and armor of
appropriate quality. In 1867 it launched the corvette "Prince Pozharsky" booked plates
Izhora plant. In 1872 he launched the first brustverny tower battleship "Cruiser" ( "Peter
the Great").

In 1876 in France, the plant "Schneider-Le Creusot" manufactured armor of high-carbon


steel, characterized by high hardness - its resistance was 30% greater than that of "iron",
but the armor itself was fragile, she did not break when hit the projectile, but it cracked.
The fragility and high cost of long time prevented the spread of steel armor - the same
way as the steel hulls of artillery shells (preference was given to the shells of hardened
cast iron). As in the case of iron armor, simply increasing the thickness of the armor
plates to solve the problem it was not possible - the more so because the restrictions
imposed displacement of the ship and the power of its machines.

In the UK, since 1877 we used a two-layer armor "compound" type with a solid outer
layer of high-carbon steel (carbon content of 0.8%) and the inner cushion of the "soft"
steel (0.1% carbon). The fact that the "compound" stalezheleznaya armor type has been
proposed by the British firm "C. Kemmel and K back in 1867, and the first orders for
it did ten years later, shows how much time and effort required testing of its structure,
thermal and mechanical processing technology. Significant contribution to the
refinement of the process introduced A. Wilson. Soon, the right to such armor bought
the French company - the same "Saint-Chamond" plants Marrel brothers.
Stalezheleznaya better armor iron, cast iron shells kept, but with the advent of steel
shells was not strong enough.

Meanwhile, in 1878 the Frenchman J. Holzer introduced in the armor steel chrome,
increase its resistance to tearing. The same Holzer became made of chrome steel armor-

44
piercing projectiles, than almost nullified dignity stalezheleznoy armor and to speed up
work on new types of steel armor - is a good illustration of the dialectic of development
tools and remedies.

After quenching with water the outer armor layer acquired a high hardness and impact
caused the destruction of the projectile body, even from the best steel at the time,
sharply reducing its breakdown action. Harvey quickly realized the method in the
production of ship armor British company "Vickers". Racing armor and the projectile
was not interrupted. To combat hardened armor, for example, SO Makarov has
developed a soft tip that protects the head of the shell from destruction ( "Makarov tip").
Nickel and cemented armor better face the new steel projectiles. Sophisticated thermal
processing heterogeneous hardened armor made it quite expensive.

The armored shields L. Nobel thickness of 6.6 mm "for protection against rifle bullets",
how they move and carry, 1878

An important step was the emergence in the late XIX century. chrome-nickel steel.
Chrome, nickel and chrome-nickel steel began to produce not only the armor but also
parts that experience high loads. In particular, they have been used for the production of
bearings, without which it is impossible to introduce the technique of the XX century.
(In Germany, for example, plants for the production of rolling bearings have worked
with 1881). Chrome-nickel steel armor acquired new quality. It could also be subjected
to carburizing or made homogeneous. First introduced such armor firm "Krupp", and
when it is applied a precise determination of the cementation carburizing temperature by
electric thermometer. new armor production started in Russia - since 1893 Admiralty
Izhora factory manufactured the ship's armor by Harvey method in 1898-1899. at the
Izhora and Obukhov plant mastered the production of chromium-nickel hardened
(heterogeneous) armor on Krupp's method. On the state of affairs of the armor to the top
we are interested in the First World War can be seen in the report of Navy Lieutenant
AE Koltovskaya: "A method of making armor plates at the Admiralty Izhora factory set
Engineer Nazvanova ... Being based on the heat treatment method, Krupp, he was on his
methods somewhat different from a similar production at the plant in Essen ... is steel,
on average, for the manufacture of" Izhora "armor, the following composition: 0.3%
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carbon, 0.4% manganese, 3.7% nickel, 1.8% chromium, 0.04% silicon, phosphorus, not
more than 0.04% ... ".

Match naval armor and projectile caused a systematic, extensive and thorough
investigation of the processes of penetration of armor-piercing shell, the accumulation
of extensive empirical material and finding appropriate mathematical relationships. It
was during this period and that for ship armor was removed and the well-known
formula of Jacob de Marr (which determines the speed necessary projectile for breaking
through the armor of a thickness, apply later for calculating the protection of tanks and
anti-tank artillery parameters), and those of its varieties, as "Le Havre formula".

Returning "on land", we can recall that in 1866 in Prussia one of the enthusiasts'
bronebashennoy long fortification "M. Schumann set to Fort Bingen at Mainz the first
armored casemate. Schumann also proposed the construction of armor and towers with
iron armor (besides English), which in the 1870s were taken for use in the forts. In the
1880s, armored towers Schumann production company "Gryuzon-Werke" (formerly G.
Gryuzon coined the armor of chilled cast iron) and Tower Systems Mougins French
production "Saint-Chamond" aroused great interest in countries that have adopted their
land fortresses system "bronebashennoy fortification" (Russia, by the way, one of them
did not apply).

In addition to a large thickness of armor plating to board the ship, the ship and the
fortress was made bronebashen thinner armor for bronepalub serfs and shields. In
addition, advances staledelatelnoy industry in the second half of XIX century. and
revived interest in the light "bulletproof" armor and shields. However, those same
advances used in a firearm, is not allowed to create enough light bulletproof closures, so
that offered mainly for the replacement of the baskets of earth ( "Tour") in the inactive
land war. In Russia, for example, during the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878. were
tested panels L. Nobel "of gunfire", the best record against non-enveloped lead rifle
bullets showed the shields of "soft cast iron."

Increasing the density of rifle fire and shrapnel engendered widespread use in the late
XIX - early XX century large number of projects wheeled armored shields to protect the
whole units of soldiers. An example of this - patent E. Hitt (USA) from 1900 at the
shield with "horse-drawn traction."
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In 1886 it passed the test light steel panels Colonel Fischer and the Danish captain
Holstein. However, at the same time there is a smokeless powder, and the development
of protivosnaryadnym and bulletproof armor required new kinds of steel, processing
methods, constructive solutions.

In 1890-1900-ies mastered release of armor plates 5-10 mm thick cannon and machine-
gun shields - for the first fortresses, and then to field troops. With respect to gun shields
can recall field gun with a circular book, suggested by "Krupp" in 1880, but did not
arouse the interest of buyers. But after the Anglo-Boer and the Russian-Japanese war
armor, shields appear in almost all the field artillery and heavy machine guns - to
protect the calculation of the front, especially by shrapnel (was then considered the main
shell of field artillery), and only in part - from the "rifle" bullets. The spread gun shields
contributed to the introduction of "elastic" artillery gun carriage, not rolled back when
fired. Work on the shields and armor portable closures are activated. Not by chance
have the XX century in the early years. there is a number of proposals to the armor
piercing rifle ammunition - to deal with the objectives protected by thin armor-shields.
Prototypes of armor-piercing bullets were before - for example, in Russia in 1876 was
accepted single-shot 8-linear (20.4-mm) rifled gun serfdom A. Ghana, the characteristic
features of which was the cartridge with a conventional soft or with armor-piercing
bullet (iron core with a lead jacket) to combat the disguises used by the besiegers. But
the real impetus to the development of armor-piercing bullets will give the First World
War.

It is worth noting that the technology of that time allowed only cemented armor plates
of great thickness. A thin homogeneous armor performed. At the same time improving
the methods of surface hardening of steel parts.

Firearms

We can say that in the history of firearms was not a period of such rapid and radical
transformation, as the XIX century, instead of several major stages of its development.
Suffice it to recall that in the wars of the early twentieth century armies were armed
with smoothbore dulnozaryadnymi bronze and iron guns shoot round nuclei, bombs and
buckshot, dulnozaryadnymi flint muskets, and it served as the basis of black powder. By
the end of the same century the army were armed with rapid-steel rifled guns with
smokeless powder and elongated shells with powerful high explosives, shop rifles,
machine guns were developed first. The base of the revolutionary transformation of
firearms has been the rapid progress in the field of metallurgy, metal processing,
chemical industry. It was about a qualitative improvement in all characteristics. Increase
the range and accuracy of shooting helped primarily the transition to mass rifle and
elongated shells. Threaded artillery firing range had nearly three times greater than the
smooth-walled. Performance accuracy of shooting rifled guns at a distance of about 1
km was 5 times better.

In the first place there came the German, British and French artillery. The French in
1858 took at dulnozaryadnoe rifled cannon shell which was equipped with projections,
leading it to the rifling of the barrel. For the first time rifled artillery was used in 1859
during the Italian War, when French rifled artillery demonstrated clear advantages over
smooth-Austrian. Also in 1859 the Austrians have introduced similar rifled artillery and
Prussia took rifled guns and elongated shells with lead sheath to conduct a projectile by

47
rifling and obturation of powder gases. At the same time the British have introduced
Armstrong breech-loading guns. During the war, in 1866 the Prussian breech-loading
rifled guns surpassed Austrian dulnozaryadnye on rate of fire and long-range. Krupp
back in 1847, showed his first steel cannon made of crucible steel, but the transition to
mass production of cast steel shafts require the above-mentioned industrial methods of
producing steel. This steel has allowed to increase the range, increasing the pressure in
the barrel and the barrel length.

One attempt to combine the density of gunfire with the protection and mobility.
"Battery", the patented American George. Andrews at the beginning of the American
Civil War, in 1861, was supposed to carry a number of large-caliber rifles and a lot of
rush, armored cab for the arrow and push forward the horse.

In 1865, on the steel breech-loading guns Krupp appeared wedges. In France, T. de


Beaulieu suggested that the type of the rotary piston valve, first adopted for sea and then
for other types of guns (the fortress, the siege, the coastal, field). The widespread
introduction of steel rifled barrels, fast acting valves, elongated steel and cast iron shells
with copper leading belts, metal casings for the charges laid the foundations for the new
artillery - rapid-and long-range.

A significant influence on the development of artillery rendered the Franco-Prussian


War of 1870-1871., When the superiority shown Krupp breech-loading steel cannon.
The Russian engineer BC Baranowski laid down the principles of a new high-velocity
artillery developed in the 1872-1875 biennium. pieces combining steel barrel, a unitary
cartridge, the shutter mechanism with the hammer and "bouncy carriage" with recoil
device, absorbs some of the impact energy. Note and optical instruments sight. But only
in 1890, when the introduction of unitary cartridges with a metal sleeve and smokeless
powders to make a qualitative increase in the rate of urgent reality, designers are widely
applied to the principles of "elastic mast", dividing the carriage on the machine and
cradle connects the machine with the barrel through the recoil device ( recuperator and
recoil brake). Professor Mikhailovsky Artillery Academy AV Gadolin done a great job
of improving steel tools, developed the theory of the bonding of steel barrels.

In the 1860s, it began to spread in the armies and breech-loading firearms. The
emergence of unitary rifle cartridges with a metal sleeve and a strong steel shafts helped
his rapid progress. The first war in which the widely used breech-loading weapons
under a unitary cartridge became the American Civil War of 1861-1865. The desire to

48
increase the rate of fire, using only muscle power hand, gave rise not only to early-store
systems, and multi-barreled grip "kartechnitsy" or "mitrailleuse" caliber gun, first used
in the same Civil War in the United States. Kartechnitsy attracted wide attention after
the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871., Entered service in some countries, but have
had limited success and left arms "intermediate" between the store (received rapid
development in 1870-1890-ies) and automatic. This way to automate weapons was
found in use for recharging the energy of powder gases shots. The first patent for an
automatic weapon recoil took H. Bessemer in 1855, a number of inventors received
patents for an automatic weapon in 1860 - 1880 (Pylon in 1863, Curtis in 1866, Lyutse
in 1874 Bailey in 1876, Krnka in 1884 Mannlicher in 1885, Rudnicki in 1887, Claire
brothers in 1888, and others.), but failed to implement them. The first success achieved
significant American inventor and businessman Hiram Stevens Maxim, who introduced
in 1884 the first example of an automatic machine gun of his system, and in 1887 - a
new, improved design.

Machine-gun platoon of the Russian army with "driving" maxim gun, aimed in 1904 in
Manchuria.

The project of the Civil War in the United States - quick-moving "steam gun" with
armored shields, proposed the famous designer of steam engines R. WINNERS.

Meanwhile, thanks to the introduction of smokeless gunpowder new era began. The
emergence of smokeless powders, as well as new high explosives, as, incidentally, in
the hydrocarbon fuel research, the important role played by emerging organic
chemistry. The main hopes pinned on guncotton initially - "explosive cardboard" or

49
"gunshot paper" as it was called. In 1845 IF Sheynbeyn in Switzerland and AA Fadeev
in Russia began to study the opportunities of pyroxylin in military affairs. In 1868, his
version of pyroxylin powder made in Germany Schulze. Pyroxyle instability, its ability
to self-ignition are made of gunpowder too dangerous. Stable version of pyroxylin
powder created a French chemist Paul Marie Eugne Viel in 1884, synthesizing it from
gelatinized pyroxylin. In 1847, A. Sobrero in Italy to obtain liquid nitroglycerin in 1854
NN Zinin in Russia suggested the use of nitroglycerin in explosives. But only in 1889 in
England, Abel and Dewar first got nitroglycerin powder. In 1891, under the leadership
of D. Mendeleev in Russia have created the collodion gunpowder. Smokeless powder
allowed to dramatically increase the initial velocity of projectiles and bullets, firing
increased flatness, rate, review on the battlefield became clearer, fire resistant control.
With regard to field guns have the opportunity to obtain the necessary power and long
range, while limiting the size and weight.

Along with the new propellant one by one, new powerful blasting material (crushing) of
action - Melina Amatol, ammonal, xylyl, TNT and others, replacing the gunpowder in
artillery and engineer ammunition..

After the introduction of smokeless powders have multiplied the automatic weapons.
The machine gun was destined to radically change the face of war, and the tanks by
their appearance is largely due to widespread use of machine guns. "Maxim" has taken a
strong position, but was congeners - there are guns Mannlicher 1885 "Colt" in 1895,
"Hotchkiss" 1897 "Skoda" 1893 "Shvartsloze" in 1902 and 1905, a manual. "Madsen"
in 1900

Soon there is an idea to give new weapons "mobility" superior infantry. After
experienced cavalry and bicycle units were road - particularly in the United States in
1889, Colonel R. Davidson proposes to put a machine gun on the car. Since 1904, the
French "Panhard-Levassor" produces car "Panhard-Gentil" with the installation of a
machine gun, "Hotchkiss". The idea of war chariot to a new level.

Another attempt to put the weapon hand and the horse's armored shield - the inventor of
the project S. Apostolov (Berdichev) from 1905

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New projects

Projects of "self-propelled batteries' and 'armored' chariots are increasing. An example


of this - "mobile battery Smith in England with protection from artillery fire (obviously
- grapeshot). In 1856 in Russia a "titular counselor EE", apparently under the influence
of the events of the Crimean War and the use of the British steam tractors ( "road
locomotive"), filed a proposal "to start up in the ranks of the enemy's engines,
surrounded by a one-piece high and thick iron wall "on the wide wheels, and his"
weapon must shoot volleys through a special machine. " Most of these projects
remained without consequences. Some - like steam "field lokomobilnaya battery" James
Cowan (1885) - even built, but have not been tested and do not arouse the interest of
specialists in force not only his imperfections, but also the lack of a clear need for these
agents. "The Battery" Cowan was a shlemoobrazny body, hoisted on the steam wagon
with four driving wheels and a turning, and driving wheels were required to have
"boots" on the type of tractor Boydell. The embrasures housing fastened 8 small-caliber
guns, and the bottom body were 4 rotating sickle knife - sort of a combination of
sketches "chariots" by Leonardo da Vinci.

It might look like on the battlefield armored steam "field lokomobilnaya battery" John.
Cohen (1885).

Curiously, however, that the recommended Buyen trust control of his car "reliable
people with impeccable morals", referring to their loyalty to the state - and that half a
century before the ideas selected "small trade" mechanized armies Fuller, Charles de
Gaulle, sect.

Meanwhile, the army began motorization. Mechanical engine appeared in the army for a
long time, and the oldest to solve them in practice problem - supply. Steam tractors
were delivered loads more British troops during the Crimean War of 1855-1856 years.
(The British press reported that the steam locomotives were supplied with "rails,"
Boydell on the drive wheels). Even the first "armored car" - except, of course, armored
trains - has found a use in the army to solve transportation problems is.

51
British armored "road train" with a steam tractor, three cars and two 152-mm
howitzers on a trailer outside the village at the time of testing, 1900

We are talking about the "road trains" - each of the steam tractor wheel and 4 "cars", -
protected by bulletproof armor Colonel Temple EPA applied the suggestion and the
British Army in South Africa during the Boer War. It is interesting note about these
"trains" of the German Army Lieutenant Colonel O. Lairitsa immediately after the war:
"We can assume that the road armored train could be used as a movable forts, which
were directed to the important items - such as eg bridges, endangered attack the enemy
flying units without artillery. " Interesting article "scooters, engines, armored trains and
railway troops in the war", published in the journal "Railway business", - the author
pointed out, not only for the role of armored trains, but also the possibility of "quick
delivery of strong teams" cars to "break enemy line in a paragraph, or to bypass the
enemy in the flank. " However, on the armored cars started talking a bit later.

Since the beginning of the XX century. the army came to the car with a gasoline engine.
On the eve of the First World War in a number of armies were automotive division. It
was mainly about the motorization rears and staffs, although it was planned to use
vehicles propelled by a radio station and a searchlight, for the installation of
instruments, to evacuate the wounded.

Identified Boer (1899-1902 gg.), And even more Russian-Japanese (1904-1905 gg.)
Wars the role of the new rapid-fire weapons spawned Search remedies. On the one
hand, they were different versions of portable and wheeled armored shields field and
serfs, wearable "shells." On the other - attracted the attention of vehicles and the ability
to protect them. In 1902, the French firm "Charron, Girardot e Wua (CGV) unveiled at
the Paris Motor Show is partially armored vehicle with a machine gun, "Hotchkiss" aft,
and in the UK entrepreneur and a great enthusiast AvtoDela Frederick Simms shown at
the Crystal Palace in London " war machine (war saga).

52
Patent Frederick R. Simms at the armored "motor vehicle for use in military
operations," he had received in 1900. Armored Simms was built in a single copy.

It is normal for that time four-wheel automobile chassis with two-wheel drive Simms
supplied with steel wheels, an open top hulls in the shape of an inverted boat, lifting the
periscope, two machine guns Maxim established either shields or turrets (Simms also
suggested to put a machine gun Maxim on engine ATV with a shield and bronedrezinu).
Polubronirovanny car "Charron, Girardot e Voix" was a reflection of the experience of
the French colonial war in Morocco, car Simms - experience the Anglo-Boer War.

Pat J. H. Mann ( "Wagon Company Ltd.") from 1901, on a self-propelled field guns on
a steam tractor chassis with armored shields.

. In 1901 in the UK JH Mann, owner of "Menn's Patent Maps End Steam Wagon
Company" patented self-propelled field guns on a steam tractor with the widened wheel
equipped with a large armored shield, Edward Palisser in 1904 - a three-wheeled
armored vehicle with two large drive wheels.

In the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1904, all-wheel drive (4x4) armored vehicle with
the installation of a machine gun in a rotating turret Paul Daimler presented through the
firm "Esterrayhishe Daimler-Gesellschaft" ( "Austro-Daimler"). Despite the good
53
performance, the development of this "Pantservagen" not received, and the creation of
armored Austria-Hungary came back only in 1915. In 1905 in the United States, E.
Dayton offered a "fort on wheels." In Germany in 1906 shows Henry Erhard armored
cars and Opel (the latter under the name 18/32 PS was presented without arms as a
command), the same year in Russia experienced an armored car "Charron, Girardot e
Voix" with rotating machine gun turret. But the tangible consequences of these
demonstrations were not as Italians are not without success, used their armored vehicles
in Tripolitanian War 1911-1912 gg. (It is characteristic that in the same war, and the
first to use military aircraft).

Friedrich Krupp patent from 1911 for the installation of high-velocity gun with a
circular firing chassis partially armored truck - a prototype of "motor guns," which will
be widely used in the Reichswehr during the First World War.

In 1913, "Erhard" in Germany showed a new version of the WAC armored armored
turret with 50-mm "protivoaerostatnoy" gun S / 1908, "Armstrong-Whitworth" in the
UK - polubronirovanny biaxial vysokokolesny artillery tractor.

Not to say that military experts did not notice the attempts to create a self-propelled
armored vehicles. For example, in 1904 in France, the then Colonel F. Foch in the book
"On the conduct of the war," said about the use in a future war "balloon, telegraph,
railways, rapid-armored artillery large caliber", however, neither of the cross-country or
on "assault" nature of such machines was not mentioned.

54
The project is a three-wheeled armored vehicle to the drive wheels of large diameter -
E. Palliser from the British patent from 1904

Attempts to establish a weapons and armor crawler also made, and the inventors of both
military and civilian. In 1903 in France, the project offered another artilleryman -
Captain Le Vavasser. His "gun car" had to have the gasoline engine 80 hp and crawler
resembling a tractor, carrying 75-mm cannon, and the hull of a crew of 4 people. The
project for two years was considered the Artillery Technical Committee and was
transferred to the Ministry of War with an unfavorable opinion, and except for the
shortcomings of the project (in particular, was not designed steering gear) and indicated
no need for such a facility.

The "machines clashes" E. McSweeney (from the US patent 1911) with a total fantastic
carries some interesting features - curved shape and large angles of inclination armor
plates, guns in the side sponsons, protection wheels tires.

55
It is interesting that in the same year the magazine "Strand Magazine" published a story
by HG HG Wells described "land ironclads" (or "traveling fortresses".) - Huge armored
vehicles, traveling in "walking wheels", armed with a large number of guns, and even
provided with a kind of automated fire control system. However, back in the 1880s,
French artist and fiction writer Albert Robida on one of his cartoons depicted the ranks
of cyclists going on the attack, accompanied by armed guns shlemoobraznyh cars and
moving them formidable armored giant. In another of his caricature at the sight of all-
terrain armored vehicle in panic, running away from the trenches ... female regiment.
Mention may be made, and a caricature of the British artist Ralston "The war in the
future: the attached tractors infantry in combat." But these cartoons do not touch the
device the machines themselves, Wells is - contrary to his custom - described "Journey
castle" with many technical details.

Ineradicable craving inventors huge combat vehicles carrying at least a battery of guns
- "Military Vehicles" from the American patent DV Mehama from 1909

In 1911, Lieutenant Railway Regiment of the Austro-Hungarian Gunter Burshtyn


developed quite reasonable "Motorgeshyutts" project armored vehicle (Motorgeschutz).

The machine should move in the continuous Track rope system, have an individual
spring suspension bogie wheels, weigh about 5 tons, carry a crew of 3 people, 30-mm or
40-mm gun in a rotary turret armor thickness of 8-4 mm. Engine power 50-60 hp I was
supposed to provide the speed of 3 to 8 km / h (rather sober assessment), and the
original lever-roller arrangement - to overcome various obstacles. For road travel at
speeds up to 20-30 km / h Burshtyn supposed to provide the car with removable top and
steering wheels.

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Cut "Motorgeshyutts" and how you plan to overcome the barriers to them - from the
Austro-Hungarian patent issued by the chief lieutenant Burshtyn April 25, 1912 Pay
attention to the spring suspension and road wheels to original lever-roller tools to
overcome obstacles in the front and rear parts of the machine.

In October 1911 a project proposed by the Ministry of Defense of Austria-Hungary, and


later - in Germany. February 28, 1912 Burshtyn received his German patent, and on
April 25 - said his "ingenious invention", but the military authorities they did not
become interested in the Austro-Hungarian, "Militraishe Tsaytshrift" for 1912.
According to another version, however, the project could not be implemented because it
would violate existing patents for tracked agricultural tractors - well, quite a good
reason for official replies.

Also in 1911, a British officer, Captain T. Tulloch proposed to build crawler "Gornsbi"
armored transporter to deliver troops to the battlefield (where supposedly already
sounded the word "tank" - so named Tulloch body of the machine).

In 1912, the construction of an armored tracked vehicle offered to the British military
authorities Australian designer Lancelot E. de Mole. His invention he called
"tsepnorelsovoy machine capable of easily managed and carry heavy loads over rough
terrain and ditches." According to the project the machine was supposed to have an
elastic suspension with vertical coil springs, special pins to overcome obstacles, to turn
the track by bending in a horizontal plane - bound trucks in the crawler chain has been
designed accordingly. The advantages of the project de Mole true bypass track, elevated
above the supporting surface in the front and rear parts. Some drawings and
explanations War Department in 1913, returned de Pray refusal, stating that the
experiments with tracked vehicles already finished (recall test "Gornsbi" tractors), part
of the documents remained in the ministry.

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Tracked vehicle project LE de Mole, 1912 Pay attention to the contours of the crawler
tracks with ascending branches in the front and rear parts of caterpillar exit bypass
outside the housing, steering gear (bending tracks) control mechanism track chain
tension. "Construction" limited scale model cars.

At the same time, he gave the project inventor, fond manufacturer of toy cars and go
down in history as "the plumber from Nottingham" (it is also called "Nottingham fitter",
not a contradiction). But its design is also "dug" in the War Ministry archives after the
war, without comment, but with a brief resolution: "This man - crazy" (military
authorities have not yet presented, with some "crazy" projects they have to deal in the
search for a way out positional impasse world war II).

As for de Mole, he recalled his invention during the war - in 1916 and in 1917 was even
introduced in the Ministry of supply built with financial support from Boise propelled
1/8 scale model, but without result (in 1916, the project is not even forwarded to the
Committee on land ships).

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De Mol does not have any idea of all-terrain vehicles. The figure of the Canadian
patent in 1920 - offers them a diagram of multi-wheeled vehicles with the agreed
rotation of all wheels.

Only after the war commission, to understand the question of "authorship" of the tank, it
noted that of all the pre-war British projects - Australia is part of the British
Commonwealth - this was the most real and promising. Although de Mole neither the
engine, which is intended to be installed on your machine, any weapons that it can be
installed (assuming that this option will make the appropriate experts). De Pray even
discharged 965 pounds sterling in respect of costs. Model Machine de Mole kept at the
Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

German researchers found reports of B. Gabala, who in 1913 allegedly experienced in


Poznan armed with cannons all-terrain vehicles, and in 1914 even tried to show it in
Berlin. The "land cruiser" Gebel allegedly considered the military establishment and the
Commission has been recognized unrealizable.

CAUSES AND CONDITIONS OF THE APPEARANCE OF TANKS

Only a dead end position of the First World War forced to change the attitude to such
projects. All the parties have entered into the war sought to solve their problems the
rapid onset, but maneuverable during the war ended on the Western Front in its
December 1914

Last campaign during 1914 in this theater of operations was characterized by the so-
called "run to the sea." The German troops and allied troops tried to get ahead of each
other in the workaround and win the open northern flank. But none of the parties did not
have any superiority in maneuverability, ability to overcome any enemy fire or in the
transport of vehicles. New masses of troops were introduced into the same thing,

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"portions", consistently running over each other, quickly bled in hot, but short-term
battles, then forced to go on the defensive, which had consistently strengthen and cover
the fire and obstacles from sudden enemy attacks. the position of the front line stretched
all the north-west to the shores of the English Channel. By mid-November, active
operations were quiet, opponents dig into the ground, and all the way from the Swiss
border to the coast of Flanders established position front with solid lines permanent
trenches, covered with barbed wire and machine-gun fire, pluck any attacks.

Types of barriers, applied by German troops at the beginning of the First World War.

New items World War II - the widespread use of heavy artillery (her shells and
discharged British soldiers), chemical warfare agents (note the gas mask bag in the
chest), an unprecedented burden on the troop transport. While all this was only delayed
the army in a deadlock of trench warfare.

Breakthrough such a defense masses of infantry already in this period is greater losses.
Available engineering tools allow you to develop and improve the defense position, but
do not provide sufficient funds for its breakthrough. The juxtaposition of the trench,
barbed wire, machine guns and howitzers enemy artillery own weight (including heavy
guns high power) and long - up to several days or even weeks - shelling only
exacerbated the problem. Destroying fortifications, barricades, destroying manpower

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and firepower to the front of a particular area, such training is at an unprecedented flow
of ammunition to the enemy quite clearly disclose the upcoming plans, leaving time for
pulling up reserves and organize the defense again. Opponents develop positions in
depth, creating a network of trenches and communications courses, piling bunkers and
shelters, increase the number of rows of barbed wire, complementing its mines,
increasing the density of the machine guns in the trenches, carefully mask the firing
points. The infantry, even taking destroyed by artillery fire advanced trenches of the
enemy, is rapidly losing pace attack, with further attacks encounters stiff resistance on
these positions and are often forced to go back under the influence of return fire and
counterattacks.

Crawler Tractor "Holt" with engine capacity of 75 liters. from. It was very popular as a
prime mover.

Closed "katuchy broneschit" used by French infantry (the museum in Koblenz


exposure). The fighter in him moving around the battlefield on his knees, firing through
loopholes led a pistol or revolver.

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"Moving" for the infantry armored shields designed for the movement of crawling and
tested in Russian army - infantry shield "Turtle" and "Bronepulemet" project NG
Shuharda and FA Manulevicha-Meydan-Corner, 1915

Not solve the problem and the use of chemical warfare agents, which began in 1915 -
"munition" terrified, shaken but not the front. Cleared of the enemy advanced trench in
a particular area, they can neither move through them guns and machine guns coming,
nor increase the pace attack. The epitome of a positional impasse began two operations
in 1916, unprecedented in duration, resource costs, casualties, and scantiness of the
results - the German attack on Verdun and the British on the Somme. "Verdun meat
grinder", for example, lasted from 21 February to 21 December 1916 drew him to her
69 French and 50 German divisions, and cost more than 162,300 people killed with the
French, and more than 143,000 on the German side (not counting wounded and shell-
shocked). Allied offensive on the Somme began July 1, 1916, the artillery on the
breakthrough sector reached 3,500 barrels, aircraft - more than 300 aircraft. Already in
August, the operation involved 51 Allied divisions against 31 German divisions.
Infantry units saturated with new combat tools - machine guns, hand and rifle grenades
and small-caliber cannons, improved communication with artillery. Nevertheless, for
the first two months of fighting the British lost about 200 thousand, the French - more
than 80 thousand, Germans - more than 200 thousand people, and the promotion of the
allies in the depth of the enemy defense was 3-8 km. In total, during the operation of the
Somme British troops lost 500 000 people, French - 200 000 (including a few thousand
prisoners), German - 500,000 (including 75,000 prisoners) - losses exceeded even the
"Verdun meat grinder."

By that time it was a long time motorization armies of Western and Central Powers. The
French army at its disposal in 1914 of 6,000 cars, German - 4000 (they were mostly
trucks with carrying capacity of 3 to 7 m). The British Army by 1914 planned to have
about 900 machines, but actually has 80 trucks, 15 motorcycles. However, there was a
very solid base for the urgent mobilization of civil transport, and to produce it on
military orders. On January 1, 1914 the number of cars in different countries amounted
to (rounded): in the US - 300 000 in the UK - 245 000 in Germany - 57 000 in Canada -
13 000. The vast Russia for - 46 000 in Austria 10 000
, (
). In 1918 at the same British
army was 80,000 vehicles, the French - over 90 000 in Germany - 60,000.

In addition to cars and wheeled tractors in the armies there and tracked tractors - with
very little power reserve crawler tractors demonstrated inaccessible to wheeled vehicles
and horses flotation and traction properties. France by the end of 1914 was 8 heavy
'tractor' artillery battalions, in September 1915 - 19, the British artillery in 1916 has
transferred nearly all of the big guns on the tractor pull, increasingly focusing on
crawler tractors. American "Holt Menyufekchuring" during the years of the First World
War, sold to Europe and Russia more than 2,100 caterpillar tractors, in its license started
their production of other firms, including British - in the UK tracked tractors produced
under license under the name "Clayton" and "Ruston". Drags "Holt" and train wagons
of the standard: looking particularly entertaining tractors pulling a train of carts piled
high with fodder for the horses.

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British 18-pounder field gun firmly stuck in the mud. Episode "third battle at Ypres",
1917

Easy French armored vehicles "Peugeot" had "to work" at the beginning of the First
World War.

But, oddly enough, increasing the operational mobility of troops and rears, cars and
tractors only contributed to the trench warfare - to bring up the troops, ammunition and
materials moved up heavy artillery, engineering works were carried out to strengthen its
position and improve roads. Cars can quickly redeploy to the desired portion of the front
part of the infantry, in order to "plug the hole" and stop at the site of the enemy attack,
but did not help to go to the offensive, and to overcome the enemy's defenses. Even the
ability to increase the mobility of heavy artillery by mechanical traction and increase the
transportation of ammunition did not solve the problem of breaking the fortified front.
The well-known position, put forward at that time in the French army, "destroying
artillery, the infantry occupies" worked except for the capture of the first line of
trenches, and then revived unaffected enemy firing points, he pulled up reserves, opened
its own massive fire and restored the line of defense. It was necessary tools that can
improve strategic mobility on the battlefield, to ensure the surprise attack, to bring
protected by armor guns or light gun through sweep strip "no man's land" to the enemy
positions and move them for advanced trenches, paving the way to the fences, to cover
mobile fire attack infantry , unsuppressed destroy enemy firing points and advance to
the full depth of at least the first line of defense.

63
Portable and wheeled infantry shields, who used the warring armies were too
cumbersome and, at best, allowed to push forward observers or take sappers to barbed
wire. In the first months of the war in Belgium and France with some success used
armored cars, armed with machine guns and small-caliber guns - handy pre-war
experience. Belgians at the beginning of the war began to be used for patrol cars,
"Minerva", armed with machine guns, "Hotchkiss" and equipped with floodlights.

Belgian machine-gun armored cars "Minerva" / SAVA applied at the beginning of the
First World War, after the war remained in the army and served until the mid-1930s.
On the "Minerva" was used armored vehicles "spaced" book.

British armored car built on the chassis of a 5-ton truck, armed with 47-mm cannon,
"Hotchkiss" and 7.7-mm machine gun "Vickers" used "armored car division" Navy His
Majesty.

Soon to add a touch of arming bulletproof book. In early August 1914 the French
cavalry corps "Sorde" requisitioned in Sedan cars and trucks, armed them with machine
guns, "Saint-Etienne" and "Hotchkiss" and used for reconnaissance, communications
and convoy escorts. In early September, the body gave one armored ( "armored")
vehicle, and at the end of the same month - already a party and polubronirovannyh
armored vehicles armed with 37-mm cannon and machine guns. In the UK, already in
1914 we began to build a machine-gun armored cars on the chassis of "Rolls-Royce"
and "Delaunay-Belleville." But the position of the front setting their chances plummeted

64
- armored cars, which were built on a conventional automobile chassis, were tied to the
good roads in terms of solid positional front can not penetrate deep into the enemy lines,
the action is on the battlefield with "soft" soil, the more pitted with craters from shells,
for they have been unthinkable. As a result, armored cars were used on the Western
Front is limited. Belgian Armored Division, for example, in 1915, was transferred to
Russia. In France, in May 1915 armored vehicles moved into the artillery.

The first tank United Kingdom.Start work in the UK

Fighting cross-country machine now did not seem groundless fantasy. Already came the
army of the internal combustion engine had to withdraw on the battlefield, is connected
to cross-country mover. One of the first in the UK it has proved a military engineer,
member of the Committee of Imperial Defence, Lieutenant Colonel Ernest Dunlop
Swinton (Ernest Dunlop Swinton, 1868-1951), seconded in September 1914 to the
headquarters of the British Expeditionary Force in France as a war correspondent.
Swinton was known as a skilled military engineer, a member of the Anglo-Boer War,
and as a military writer (in 1909 he published a book of short stories about a future war
"Green Curve"), and as the composer of the official British version of the history of
Russian-Japanese War (in 1913 that his work was awarded the Gold medal of General
George Chesney).

Cross-country chassis test for the car, "crossed the trenches", designed by EB
Crompton.

Sketch combat vehicle project Crompton (July 1915), consisting of two sections
articulated tracked.

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Even collecting material about the Russian-Japanese war, Swinton assessed the
effectiveness of rapid-fire weapons and obstacles, and now had the opportunity to
replenish the material on this subject. Military surveillance, coupled with the experience
of the engineer drove him in October to propose to use in order to combat tracked
chassis "Holt" tractor, which he watched the test near Antwerp. "Since I was at the
front, - later wrote Swinton in his autobiography - all the information that I have
collected, - official reports, from hospitals and other sources - is constantly stressed the
fact that the main strength of the defensive positions of the enemy, not counting artillery
It lies in the skilful combination of machine guns and barbed wire. All this time I
puzzled over the search for an antidote. After two weeks, I have clearly crystallized the
idea of an armored car. It should be self-propelled, to have a bulletproof armor,
weapons that can suppress enemy machineguns. The car must cross the area, in spite of
the trenches, breach the fence and climb the escarpments.

But the difficulty was to find a vehicle that meets all these conditions, especially the last
three ...

The idea of lightning flashed in my head. American track-type tractor in Antwerp! I


remembered his vaunted characteristics. If the agricultural machine can really do
whatever it is credited, why not convert and adapt to our demands? The key to the
problem was tracked tractor! "

Perhaps, in fact, the idea was formed a little differently, but be that as it may, the "key
to the problem" has been defined. The famous British military historian and theorist B.
Liddell Hart ironically remarked later that the Americans Benjamin Holt tractor gave
the "antidote" against another American invention - a machine gun Hiram Maxim. It
may be added that the invention of barbed wire fences decided to attribute the
Americans - or rather, American farmers (although the multi-row barrage of smooth
wire used previously in European castles, regardless of the problems of the North
American cattle).

Swinton Supports made immediately. His proposal in the form of letters, he sent a
memorandum to the War Minister Field Marshal Lord Horatio Kitchener. He reacted to
the idea without enthusiasm and left the letter unanswered. But Swinton, in contrast to
"the plumber from Nottingham" had connections and was able to use them for the
benefit of the case. October 20, 1914, he met with his good friend, the Secretary of the
Committee of Imperial Defence Lt. Col. Sir Maurice Hankey, who presented the
proposal, and the transformation of a caterpillar tractor in all-terrain armored "guns
Fighter (armored machine gun destroyer). Hankey also presented these proposals to
Lord Kitchener, but again without success. In addition, Hankey mentioned proposal
Swinton among other means and ways to overcome of perceived stagnation of trench
warfare in the report mailed to the Prime Minister Asquith.

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Cut "Overland ship Pedreyl" according to the project B. and M. Suettera Diplock
(March 1915). Visible to attempt to use the two standard tractor chassis instead of
developing a new chassis. To turn the car her body "breaks the" middle.

"Walking" caterpillar B. Diplock - from the American patent of 1912

At the same time Colonel EB RukesCrompton, who dealt with the mechanical transport
in the XIX century. India, proposed a "car to cross the trenches" - a large tractor with an
armored body for transportation through the neutral zone and advanced enemy trenches
up to 50 infantrymen. The wagon Crompton relied on two broad tracks, consistently
established under her head, and had to overcome obstacles on the ends of the rollers.
Also rejected by the Ministry of War, he turned to the Admiralty. It is no coincidence.
Of all the influential members of the Imperial Defence Committee, such projects found
only in sympathy with the First Lord of the Admiralty (Navy Minister) Winston
Leonard Spencer Churchill. Perhaps, that impressed memorandum Swinton, mailed him
a Lieutenant Colonel Hankey, success armored RNAS and its own experience in the
operation of armored trains during the Anglo-Boer War, when he was Churchill's own
war correspondent (encouraging that correspondents military establishment proved so
observant and active people) . January 5, 1915 Churchill in a letter to Prime Minister
Asquith repeated the part of Lieutenant Colonel Hankey report and listed a number of
innovations, which is to do: steam tractors with "little armored room in which it would
be possible to put people and machine guns to protect them from the bullets"; mobile
billboards ( "portable, and available-for-putting, and for transportation on wheels") and
smokescreens. Asquith, Churchill urged to put pressure on the Ministry of War.

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Project off-road machines R. McFee, proposed in 1916, patented in 1919

Another project R. McFee from 1916 (British patent issued in 1919) - pay attention to
the separate caterpillar turning and supporting the caterpillar to overcome obstacles.

Then Swinton and Tulloch in his own report to the War Office offered to build two
types of all-terrain vehicles, dividing their tasks and taking advantage of the most
affordable, naval analogy - "land cruiser" and "light ground fighter." But for the War
Ministry, and the Prime Minister were much more authoritative opinion of the chief
Lord Kitchener or mechanical transport of the Office Kepel-Holden, do not take
seriously the idea of all-terrain combat vehicles.

January 13, 1915 in Aldershot began testing two caterpillar tractors "Holt" for their
ability to overcome ditches and other obstacles.

In February 1915, at the Horse Guards Parade in London showed Diplock tractor with a
shield. And on February 17 on the obstacle course on the artillery range in Shobarines
experienced tractor "Holt" with a trailer in the form of sledge-scraper with 2.3 tons of
cargo. It was believed that since simulate the full load of the tractor when booking and

68
arms. Soil limp from the rain, and to overcome the trenches tractor-trailer could not. As
he was unable to overcome a vertical wall. As a result of the War Ministry officials
acknowledged that the idea does not merit further consideration.

Churchill also allocated funds from the Admiralty 70,000 pounds per test and refine the
new machine (to be built for these funds 18 experimental machines).

Already February 20, 1915 at the Admiralty created Committee on land the ships, which
was headed by the Director of the Office of the offshore construction Eustace Henry
Tennison D'Enkur. The Committee includes Crompton Colonel, Lieutenant Albert J.
Sterni. (In civilian life - a banker in the City, he became the Secretary of the
Committee), RNAS officers. The term "land the ship (landship) did not become
official, but the definition of "fleet" English is used in relation to the fleet of armored
vehicles to this day. The Committee met for the first time on 22 February. Unity of
views on the future shape of the machine among its members was not, especially since
many had already their own projects.

The idea of an armored car as primarily "crackers have obstacles," was reflected in
many projects. Example - Project armored S. May, streamlined body which is hung with
mechanical saws for cutting wire (British patent from 1917).

69
Suetter attracted to the work of Lieutenant Robert Francis McFee. McFee, a longtime
colleague of Major Hetteringtona also the RNAS officer, was quite familiar with
caterpillar tractors, and in November 1914 presented the project use a train of six
tractors "Holt" (again, "Holt") for delivery to a position on the bad roads heavy 305 sea-
mm guns. Now McFee, who participated in the first meeting of the Committee of the
ships land, engaged in all-terrain vehicles to go through the enemy's trenches. Crawler
chassis designed McFee with Albert Nesfildom (London firm "Nesfild End
Mackenzie"), is not even brought up a working prototype. But the project appeared high
bypass track with raised above the ground and projecting beyond the housing front
guide wheels, which should ensure the overcoming vertical obstacles. McFee
subsequently presented several rather bizarre projects tracked combat vehicles left on
the paper.

In late April, Crompton, with the consent of Suettera, sent to the United States George.
Field selection for crawler chassis. The greatest attention is attracted trehgusenichny
tractor "Killen-Stright" Two track and "Bullock" similar to tractor "Holt" in principle.

Constructors hurried - tempered Committee ended funds. Continued administrative


difficulties. In August, the armored division was disbanded and prepared for shipment
to the front 20 Squadron RNAS. The Joint Committee would even ask for help to the
people of the Suffragettes (fortunately, these overly energetic ladies demanded "full
equalization" of women with men), but failed to convince the Admiralty leave 20
Squadron and to increase its staff from 50 to 600 people. Dobrovolitsy among
suffragists, however, useful to Smith Foster plant (so that the women came in tank, it
can be said from the outset). The works were in a situation strictly classified.
Employees of the company is not officially the number of "working on defense", but
could not leave the territory without authorization, under suspicion of "disloyalty"
dismissed.

From "number 1 Lincoln" to "Big Willie"

After the tests, passed September 10, 1915, Swinton, reported: "The sailors managed to
build the first instance of a tracked vehicle, moves through a ditch width of 4.4 ft and 4
ft in elevation 6 dm and revolving around its axis like a dog with a flea on the tail" . But
the chassis of the tractor was weak for such loads. In addition, when passing through the
lower branch of the trench and the caterpillar tracks sag subsided. Of the three possible
solutions - caterpillar rope reinforced tape surrogate rubber track team leader with a
stiffer suspension - Tritton and Wilson chose the latter.

Road wheels, driving and steering wheels with a caterpillar about 500 mm mounted in a
separate box-frame truck consisted of a support "shoe" and rails. September 28, 1915
ended a wooden mockup, and the end of November was prepared for testing a new
version of the machine. He became known by the nickname "Little Willy (Little
Willie) - company employees have seen in it a superficial resemblance to Wilson.
Carburetor engine "Daimler" 105 hp tractor and two-speed gearbox ensures the machine
speed is not more than 3.2 km / h forward travel and 1 km / h in reverse. In front of the
body on hard seats were placed two drivers: the right driver via the pedal controls the
operation of the engine, the lever - gearbox, winch - tail wheel, slow down your left
right or left caterpillar with hand brakes. Housing assembled from sheets of steel boiler,
strengthening them riveted to the frame of steel angles. In the frontal part of the

70
installation performed by 7.7-mm machine gun "Vickers" in the sides - hatches for
shooting from the sidearms. Hole tower drowned cap. "Little Willie" overcame wide
trench 1.52m ( "number 1 Lincoln" - 1.2 m), in which he was assisted tail wheel, partly
copied from the managed "wheeled trolley" tractors "Holt" and "Bullock" and includes
spitsovannyh two steel wheels with a diameter of 1.37 m.

"Little Willy" in the yard, in November 1915 draw attention to the chassis with a stiffer
suspension, wheel "tail" and the roof spanning the first hole provided at a rotating
turret.

On the issue of thin rolled steel bulletproof armor, can cite the data of one of the British
armor alloys used for the production of panels: carbon - 0.45% Ni - 1.3% Cr - 1.2%
vanadium - 0.12% manganese - 0.5%. In Russia at this time it was made bulletproof
rolled steel armor comprising (depending on grade): Carbon - 0.25-0.45%, nickel - 3.5-
4.5%, chromium - 0.5-1.6 % silicon - 0.2-0.8%, sulfur - 0,02-0,045% and as much
phosphorus. When heat treated thin steel armor calcined full thickness.

However, Swinton held that "Little Willie" still does not meet the mission. The
command of the British forces in France put forward reasonable demands on the actual
conditions of the car - to move on slopes up to 27 (45%), trench width of 2.44 m and a
wall height of 1.37 m.

January 30, 1916 the company Foster introduced a new machine to the test, as D'Enkur
notified Kitchener. By rail car delivered in Hetfild in the estate of the Marquis of
Salisbury, in the park is under the direction of Swinton and Hetteringtona built obstacle
course. Here, February 2 "Small" and "Big Willie" demonstrated Supply Minister D.
Lloyd George, the War Minister Kitchener, Foreign Minister Lord Balfour, Chief of
Staff of the British troops, General William Robertson, Lord of the Admiralty,
Lieutenant Colonel Ellis. "It was done all that is humanly possible to ensure that the
machine from damage - recalled Swinton. - It bothered me especially, since the rate was
too high. " Machinery overcame ditches, craters, scarp. "Big Willie" and made a greater
impression. Lloyd George later described his feelings: "A sense of wonder admiration
over me when I saw this ugly monster called" Centipede King ". It is easy to move
through the dense barrage, was climbing on the deep mud and through the trenches ...
reminds elephant monster breaks through the bushes, trampled the young trees in the
ground and leave behind a trail of destruction. " But Kitchener was of the same opinion:
"This is a pretty expensive mechanical toy will not help to win the war." Colonel
Crompton contemptuously dubbed the car "slug". However, the Haight, got acquainted

71
with the report of Robertson and Ellis on February 8 Please pass the first army of 40
pieces.

When the Committee of Imperial Defence Committee formed supply tanks chaired
Sterni lieutenant.The bureaucratic machine earned - soon appeared and the Department
in the Ministry of supply tanks Lloyd George's supply, which decided to subjugate the
Committee of supply tanks. Ministry of Supply, refused in December to approve the
construction of tanks, in February, a few days after joining the Committee in its
composition, has issued an order for 100 Mk I tank, although Suetter Swinton and
considered it necessary to plant 3000. As Foster was not under force, distributed order
so - 25 Foster 75 "Metropolitan Keriedzh, Wagon End FINANCE Company Ltd"
(Birmingham). Representative of the Committee in this company appointed Wilson
(later the car-building plants will not just become a tank).

Having tanks, ground troops moved to her and specialists - in March 1916 and Wilson
Sterni of naval lieutenants became army majors, were soon incorporated in the state of
"separation of heavy Machine Gun Corps" (as named first tank unit). In late August, the
Department of mechanical arms supplies. Its chairman, Major Sterni responsible for the
further development, manufacturing and supply tanks.

"Big Willie" ( "Mother") trench with gentle slopes.

Heavy tanks Series Mk I - Mk IV

The circuit layout Mk I tank was formed in the process of development, when the
"Little Willie" overgrown new chassis and sponsons. Tank Corps consisted of five main
parts - the actual building, two crawler frame and two sponsons. The body as a whole
repeated box-shaped "Little Willy" and inside was like the engine room of the warship -
even wooden flooring reminded deck. The height of the inner space of about 2 m
allowed to move on it without bending down, but otherwise it was very crowded. Most
part of it occupied by the engine and transmission. Before the engine was located
control room - the cabin with two seats. The crew were 8 people - commander, officer
(usually a lieutenant or second lieutenant) and 7 of the lower ranks. The driver was
placed in the control room on the right, the commander - to the left and slightly above.
Then name of the specialty "driver" is used repeatedly instead of the more usual for the
armor, "a driver". There are a foundation - a specialty "a driver" then just formed and
appeared later. Compared with the "Mother" in Mk I wheelhouse increased in order to
ensure that the driver and the commander of at least some visibility. In the gangways
and sponsons located gunner and loader (or machine gun), behind the boards - assistant
driver. Unlike the first copies of "Mother" and "Big Willie," gathered from mild steel (
"boiler plate") or non-armored rolled steel housing Mk I collected from sheets of rolled
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steel armor. Did the body so - mild steel sheets are cut, drilled into them rivet holes, and
then quenched with the help of bolts and rivets fastened corners and steel strips.

In April 1916 Swinton offered to perform half ordered tanks machine gun - is
responsive to the challenges and accelerate the production of tanks. So there was a
division of tanks on the "male (male, gun or cannon and machine-gun) and "females
(female, machinegun). The last task was the suppression of enemy infantry in the
trenches and cover "male" from possible infantry attack.

Pat A. T. and J. Dawson. T. Bakhema (issued in 1920) for the installation of a machine
gun "Vickers" in the sponson.

Driving rigid suspension of rollers with tareli: 1 - Tarel, 2 - spacing spring, 3 - support
roller without flange, 4 - board 5 - thrust ring, 7.8 - axis 9 - rail truck, 10 - the shoe
truck, 11 - finger, 12 - Area 13 - support roller with flanged, 14 - plate bending shoe 15
- mounting rail to the shoe.

Tank- "female" armed with 4 machine guns, "Vickers" caliber 7.7 mm (.303) and 1-2
machine guns, "Hotchkiss".

Each sponson carried two "Vickers" in the individual cylindrical units with armor
protection barrel jacket. The actual installation of machine guns in the sponson
developed staff concern "Vickers" Lieutenant AT Dawson and J.. T. Bakhem (in any
case, they later received a patent for such an installation). "Vickers" - the main gun of
the British Army - had the power of the tape cartridge, combat firing rate of 300 rds /
min, a water barrel cooling system and was quite cumbersome.. But, unlike the
"Hotchkiss", could develop an intense fire that meet the intended purpose machine gun
of the tank. Manhole with a hinged door in the back wall of the sponsons had a height of
30 cm and allowed to squeeze just crawling sideways, in case of fire was almost useless.

73
Loading of the first Mk I tank on railway platforms. Pay attention to the shot sponsons
(you can see the installation of the engine) and the inscription "CAUTION
PETROGRAA" designed to disguise the purpose of the product.

Poor was the observation and communication. The commander and driver enjoyed
viewing windows in the front sheet covering the outer broneschitkami. The roof of the
cabin installed the simple periscopes, but soon they were rejected - the commander and
the driver simply did not have time to use them. Peepholes in the sides did not provide a
good view, but fragments and lead spray of bullets, caught in the armor near them,
struck the face and tank eye (however, for "spray bullets" often took a small spalling
with internal armor hand when hit bullets close for inspection cracks and other
openings). Injuries to the face and eyes were up to 80% of injuries tank of the First
World War.

For long-distance communication in the tank near the driver's seat mate was fixed cage
with pigeons, which are released through the top hatch or loopholes. Pigeon-mail
received in the First World War a great development. By the end of the war, for
example, the British on the Western Front were to 6000 pigeons. But staying in the tank
pigeons kept up with the Joneses and often just dead. For short-range signals have used
flags or lamps. Used in combat and other means - sticking out from the manhole or hand
spade. They resort to the actions of "Do as I do", but the smoke and shaking through the
narrow slits are not always able to distinguish the command tank. Keep in touch
messengers on foot - a dangerous, but reliable way. There was no negotiation and
internal devices. In front of the front hull plates were mounted two headlights. The tank
is nominally carried a spare tank with engine oil tank with lubricant 2, 3 - with water
(about 90 liters), spare machine gun barrels, spare parts for the engine, a two-day supply
of food. Towing devices were two eye with the rod (finger). On the roof of the Mk I
gable mounted wooden frame with a wire network. She served for fixing the masking
material and protection against hand grenades. After the first Battle of the Somme from
this cumbersome grid refused.

The convenience of the work crew was not even mentioned.Tank tossed on the go, in
the words of one tanker of former sailors, "a torpedo boat during a storm." Everything is
not fixed inside the tank takes off, and it was not fixed almost all the baggage.
Particularly sensitive are the longitudinal and transverse vibrations to tankers in the
sponsons. In addition, tanks pretty noisy. It made a powerful moral effect on the enemy,
but prevented secretive concentration engineering and crews simply deafening. In close
sponson by firing the powder gases accumulate, directly behind the gunners and
machine-gunners was heated engine. On the move in the tank accumulated exhaust,
gasoline vapors. Within 10 minutes after the start of the engine temperature inside the
tank reaches 40 C, even in the cold northern European winter was rarely below 32 ,
and sometimes reached, according to some sources, 50 , on the other - even 70 C. In
the battle of poisoning by exhaust gases and gunpowder, thermal shocks were in crews
"diamond-shaped" tank commonplace. It started with headaches, nausea and delirium,
and ended up fainting. There have been deaths. Even in combat tankers sometimes
stopped the tank, jumped out and rest under the car.

Flotation tanks was low. On hard ground surface pressure reached 2 kg / cm 2 , in the
soft ground caterpillar sinking, increasing the bearing surface and reduce the specific
pressure of up to 0.5 kg / cm 2 , but at the same time greatly increased resistance to

74
movement. Caterpillars sank, and heavy machine sat on the ground, stumps and rocks.
J.. F.CH. Fuller wrote later that these tanks "made for smooth roads and dry weather."
Due to the large width it is difficult to pass on the gorge or cuttings. A low-rise and has
mechanical reliability and survivability of components, body rigidity.

Heavy Tank Mk I female" with a wire mesh ( "monkey cage") on the roof. One of the
first photos of British tanks, published in the open press.

Tank MK I female With a tank company in the Somme region, October 1916

Tank Mk II female F53 Room (Tank Battalion F) in the museum exposition. Good
visible installation "Vickers" machine gun from the housing booking.

75
It was often deflections of the bottom frame and chassis, disabling components and tank
units. of hardened steel armor Truckee were too fragile for the constant shock and heavy
wear, which were subjected to - tank driver tried to avoid the gravel or stones, crossing
railroad crossings.

Total 75 tanks Mk 1 "male" was released, and the same "female."

After the first tank battle of the Somme, General Haig September 29, 1916 he has
demanded to increase the order to 1000, then 1250 tanks, but to make improvements in
their design. The military council hastened in October to cancel this order, referring
precisely to the imperfection of the tanks. November 23, 1916 in London convened a
meeting on further work on the tanks. Sterni violating any subordination (the good
position of the financier and the "temporary" nature of his military service, let him not
be afraid of the consequences), addressed to Lloyd George, who, as prime minister,
allowed to increase the order for 1917 does not object, and Chief of the Imperial
General Staff, W. Robertson. Issued new orders for armor plates, arms, steel forgings. It
began expansion works. Continued participation in the program Foster, with time it
includes plants "Coventry Ordnance" in Glasgow and "Armstrong-Whitworth & K
Newcastle. Planned sequence release of three versions - 50 Mk II in January 1917 and
50 Mk III by February 7 as a transition, and then until 31 May to release a week for 20
Mk IV.

Part of the Mk II and Mk III remade into "radiotanki" - in one sponson placed the radio
with the battery, in the other place equipped with a radio operator. On the wheelhouse
was fixed mast, Hold the stretch, between it and the pin in the rear of the vehicle pulled
out of the antenna vertical wires. For the first time, "radiotanki" was used in the Battle
of Ypres. Work such station could only be parked, although experimented with work on
the move using the trailing wire antenna behind the tank. Such machines are known
under the designation Mk I Radio tank (Signal tank - radio belonged to the competence
of the Royal Engineers Signal Service, the Royal Engineering service users).

The order for the construction of tanks Mk IV issued in September 1916, to the
production was ready in February 1917, in March began to supply. We planned to issue
up to 1,200 tanks, all collected in 1015 - 420 of them are "male" and 595 "females"
(about three "female" two "male").The tanks were built not only in the metropolis
means. For example, one Mk IV gave the British government of the British colony of
Malaysia Government. This tank was even carried on the frontal image of the traditional
Southeast Asian dragon. Deliver Mk IV in France began in April 1917, in May, they
took the British tankers, combat debut Mk IV was held in June in Messina.

76
Heavy Tank Mk IV male. Visible installation machine guns and cannons.

The tank's unit made a number of improvements, mainly related to the book and
weapons.In connection with the German infantry, armor-piercing bullets type SmK
thickness of the frontal part of the armor brought to 16 mm, boards - up to 12, and the
roof - up to 8 mm. Booking finally protect the tank from small-arms fire on all ranges.
Sponsons longer mowed bottom, reducing their "burying". Bevels, of course, does not
reduce wobble, but the tanks are no longer stuck due to burrowing into the ground at the
bottom edge of the sponsons roll tank. In addition, the sponsons could now be pushed in
into the body by special sled for easy transport by rail - in Mk I, II and III of the
sponsons for the carriage had to be separated. Here we can recall an episode described
by Liddell Hart, when one of the generals of Staff Haig asked to deliver tanks to the
front on a particular rail line. The technician said that, if you choose another way, be
able to avoid the two tunnels through which the tanks are not held by its dimensions,
and received a sharp response: "Well, then expand the tunnels!" Tunnels, of course, did
not begin to expand and retractable sponsons It becomes an essential tool for the
carriage of tanks. But in the battle sometimes, when a large bank and shake, tore

77
sponsons clamps and suddenly sliding into the tank, the crew mutilated. Dimensions
doors sponsons increased from 600x400 to 900x500 mm. On the "female" sponsons
significantly reduced, so that the mass of the tank fell slightly. Under the machine-gun
sponsons completed rectangular hatches, manholes with covers bivalve, landing and -
most importantly - the landing eased. Furthermore, there were roof hatches.

the gun barrel shortened from 40 to 23 gauge (ie. e. from 2.28 to 1.31 m). Short barrel
facilitate vdvizhenie sponsons inside, not studded into the ground at the bank and did
not touch the trees or house walls. Reducing the weight and size of guns facilitated his
guidance in combat and dismantle for repair. At small distances firing a shortened barrel
and a decrease muzzle velocity to 441 m / s was justified. Effective range - shooting at a
place, of course - no more than 400 yards (about 365 meters). Angle pointing guns
horizontally was 100-110 . The ammunition shells were grapeshot shots, often helps to
"purify" the trenches fire short-circuited.

Patent YG T. and F. D'Enkura Skins on the ball and driveline armor weapons
installation in the tank (the application is filed at the end of 1916, a British patent was
issued in 1918, the US - in 1922).

78
US Patent Tritton of 1919 (application filed in 1916) on the removable "spurs" to
increase the patency and protect joints crawler on soft ground.

Placing the ammunition was still a source of high explosive. Machine guns "Lewis'
model 1914 with a rate of fire of 500-600 rds. / Min fastened in ball plants, to" female
"these units mounted in rotary cylindrical shields. 4 was "Lewis" On the "male",
including 2 replacement on "female" - 6, of which 1-2 spare. Machine gun "Lewis"
American design, mass produced during the war years in the UK, has a gas automation
engine, the original "siphon" air-cooled barrel scheme, food cartridges from mountable
top disk capacity of 47 cartridges or larger disk to 96 rounds of ammunition, combat
firing rate of up to 150 rds ./min. The power supply system afforded certain advantages
over a machine gun, "Hotchkiss" powered rigid cage ( "bands") on 14 rounds. For
installation in a tank used "aviation" modification of the machine gun with the
replacement of the stock handle under the left arm. Casing air cooling system provides
"Lewis" the possibility of intense shooting, demanded increase loopholes. Book these
loopholes was difficult, guidance corners were small, and work with machine guns
maloudobnoy. However, ball mount was better than the previous tsapfennaya, and was
used on the machines of the following brands have for guns "Hotchkiss" that a special
committee recommended in May 1917

Rear view of the sponson tank Mk IV male. The door is open sponsons. The tank is
equipped with guides and beam for self.

79
Heavy Tank Mk IV male", transformed into a version of "Tedpol". You can see how the
increased length of the bearing surface tracks.

Tank Mk IV male", renovated in Bovington, England.

Tank Mk IV female.

In the Museum of Army and Military History in Brussels, Mk IV (shown with beam
samovytaskivaniya) there are other interesting neighbors - for example, the French
"katuchy" shield.

80
Tank Mk IV female in an open exhibition at Aberdeen Proving Ground, USA.

The same tank Mk IV female, left view. Sponsons loopholes plugged.

"Hotchkiss" Mkl * with rigid clip ( "stripe") to 30 rounds or semi-rigid tape, adopted in
June as a tank, turned out to be perhaps the most successful modification of the machine
gun, "Hotchkiss" 1909

Upgraded engine. Aluminum pistons and dual carburetors allowed to increase power to
125 hp, while the specific power of 4-5 hp / ton was still not enough. We set the low
speed, the ejector exhaust system, muffler finally introduced, placing it on the roof. fuel
supply system - "Avtovak" ( "vacuum"). Tank system was fixed on the carburetor, the
vacuum pump was working on the engine. Gas is pumped out of the tanks in the tank by
the vacuum and fed into the carburetor by gravity. An important innovation was the
installation of fuel tanks outside the body at the stern, so that their projections covered
chassis. The capacity of the tanks was 272.5 (maximum 318) l. Tanks mounted above
the radiator. Fuel consumption has been great: The translation "miles / gallon" in more
familiar, we see that the fuel consumption was determined, according to some sources,
in the 0.21 km / l, on the other - 0.09 km / liter.

On the Mk IV tested tracked bypass significantly reduced in the rear, with an extended
support surface, called for the characteristic shape of "Tedpol (tadpole - tadpole").
The central workshops prepared the rear projections kits mass adaptations of tanks on a
"Tedpol" but alteration and not spent.In the experimental procedure between the rear
protrusions chassis platform fastened with mortar Stokes - perhaps the first version of
the self-propelled mortar. The idea of armament "mortars" was expressed as early as
November 1916 Martel, offers a "battle tanks" and "fighters guns" add "torpedo tanks"
(by analogy with sea tactics) to combat the enemy resistance nodes mounted firing
heavy shells.
81
As the supply of tanks following the model of the Mk V Mk IV altered in tanks similar
to the Mk I. However, it supplies Mk IV remained the most massive British tank in the
1916-1918 biennium.

Heavy tanks Series Mk V - Mk V **

supplies Department Chairman mechanical arms Sterni from the start of application of
tanks Mk I thought the main problem of their engine and transmission, and insisted on
the development units, specially designed for use in a tank. After visiting the tank units
at the front and get acquainted with the production Sterni Wilson and French tanks were
convinced of the need for radical modernization. Organization Mk IV modified release
Department gave some gain time to do much upgrading tank.

Mounted in the feed tank is divided into three sections - in the case of the holes in one
other fuel saved, and reduced fire hazard. Total fuel capacity - 422 liters. Increases
speed and power reserve. Exhaust system remained unsealed, and although somewhat
improved ventilation, still filled with exhaust gases internal volume of the tank. Starting
the engine is still required the efforts of four people, rotate the U-shaped crank. To start
in cold weather, the crew had to pre-fill the fuel all six cylinders of the engine and the
warm glow plugs.

"Daimler" in-line engine Ricardo (right) in comparison with a V-twin engine. Behind
the visible assembly of the hull.

82
Longitudinal sections (vertical and horizontal) heavy tank Mk V male.

Projections heavy tank Mk V female.

83
Patent G.P. Ricardo on the construction of "carburetor for an internal combustion
engine" of 1919 (application filed in July 1916).

84
Work on the planetary mechanisms W. Wilson began long before the war. In 1903, he
patented his own design of a planetary gearbox.

Planetary gear Wilson rotation: 1, 18 - the brake drum 2 - fingers, 3, 16 - carrier, 4, 6 -


teeth 5 - drive gear (in the cross-shaft), 7, 14, 15 - planetary gear (crown) 9, 13 -
satellites, 10 - axle, 11 - groove, 12, 20 - the sun gear, 17 - driving gear (chain rotates
Gall).

85
Sleeping caterpillar tank Mk V.

The rotation of the motor transmitted through the propeller shaft disc clutch 4-speed
planetary gearbox, and from there through a pair of bevel gears - transverse shafts. The
gear on the end of the cross shaft is engaged with the crown (planetary gear), a single-
stage planetary rotation mechanism (PMP) with internal gearing, or the "epicycle." The
carrier PMP was connected with a rack-wheel, leading through a chain Gall shaft final
drive. Satellites and the sun gear PMP rigidly connected to the brake drums - at a gear
belt brake Brake sun gear, the parking lot - has led to the satellites. Changed and
airborne transmission. Transmission speed provided: I - 1,37, II - 2,28, III - 3,96, IV -
7,0 km / h reverse - 1.37 km / h. Rotate the tank is now done with the help of two levers
mounted on the sides of the driver's seat. Controls also included the foot brake and
clutch, the gear lever, the reverse clutch. With the brake pedal the driver to slow down
when turning the caterpillar.

Bodies Mk V tank management: 1 - pedal, 2, 5 - turn the levers, 3 - plugs, 4 - short arm
of the pedal 6 - a plug, 7 - leash, 8, 11, 18, 38 - axis 9 - bracket, 10 - a lever 12, 13, 15,
17, 34, 37, 39, 40, 42, 43 - rod 14, 41 - crank levers 16, 19 - hub brake band 20 - drive
86
shaft 21 - drive gear, 22, 26 , 27
(), 28, 32 , 29 , 30, 33
, 31 , 35, 44 , 36
, 45 , 46 , 47
.

Even after the fight with the German Mk IV tanks at Villers-Bretonneux on 24 April
which revealed the helplessness of "female", one machine-gun sponson decided to
replace them cannon. Shuffling sponsons on already made tanks received Mk V
Composite" or "combined" with a 57-mm gun and five machine guns. In the army the
"lopsided" looking car, of course, called "hermaphrodite".

Mk V were in service, not only British, but also French, Canadian, US Army, and - as a
trophy - to the Red Army arsenal.

The broadening of the Germans in the trenches of the defensive line, Siegfried and the
desire to reduce the vibrations on the move led to the idea to extend the tank by about 2
m. In the central workshop Tank Corps in France hull tank Mk V cut in the transverse
plane behind the sponsons and inserted an additional section length of 1.83 m.
Accordingly, building up a caterpillar, put an elongate driveshaft. The sides of the
additional section was performed doors and ball setup, in which machine guns moved
from the sponsons. It facilitates the work of the gunners. weight of the tank has
increased to 4095 kg. Not to worsen the longitudinal stiffness, managed to increase the
width of the ditch overlapped to 3.96 m, to improve grip with the ground track,
however, the rate dropped to 4 km / h, due to the extension of the support surface at the
same track width reduced turning. In a modified aft cabin mounted ball unit.

Heavy tanks Mk VI - Mk VII

In developing the Mk VI tank tried to abandon the sponsons. In the frontal part of the
established one 57-mm gun (ammunition - 130 shots), so that the driver would have to
work together with the gunner - another example of the influence of French medium
tanks. For perimeter defense were 4 "Hotchkiss" machine gun ammunition with a total
10,000 rounds of ammunition. "Ricardo" engine shifted to the side, lifted the crew
compartment, placing the compact crew. The tank must have had a mass of 33 tonnes,
the crew of 8 people, length 8.11, width 3.2 and height of 2.75 m, the thickness of the
armor 14-6 mm, a maximum speed of 6.3 km / h and a cruising range of 80.5 km to
overcome the same obstacles as the Mk V. planned to broaden the caterpillars to 750
mm. Prepared by an order for 600 Mk VI tanks formed for US Tank Corps. But the
order canceled by Mk VIII. Mk VI did not go on the wooden mockup.

87
Longitudinal section of Mk VII heavy tank.

"International" Tank Mk VIII

The most powerful series of tanks developed at the end of the war, and the completion
of the evolution of "diamond-shaped" heavy tanks became the Anglo-American Mk
VIII.

Its development began shortly after the US entered the war. In June 1917, on the
proving ground of British mechanical arms supplies Department in Dollis Hill, the
British demonstrated their tanks delegation of the US Navy - the tanks proposed for the
Marine Corps. US military attach rightly judged that such a powerful weapon is more
in line army and offered to bring to the work of the British American technicians. On
July 19, the commander of the American Expeditionary Force, John J. Pershing ordered
the formation of a special commission to examine the application of tanks. September
23, 1917, Americans have decided on the formation of their own Tank Corps, arming it
with two types of tanks - based on light French "Renault FT-17 and heavy British Mk
V or Mk VI, although the latter only existed in the project. Heavy tanks supposed to
receive 600 pieces - 350 fighting, 20 "radiotankov", 40 vehicles for the delivery of fuel
and lubricants, 140 landing (lifting capacity of 25 fighters, or 5 tons of cargo), 50 field
guns conveyors.

The order for 600 Mk VI was soon canceled. The Americans decided to expand its
tankostroitelnuyu program to meet the needs of its own army and the Allied armies,
designed for ending the war in 1919. Requirements for the new Anglo-American tank
was Lieutenant H. Rackham. Plans developed with the usual American scale - 4400
"Reno" type tanks, 1500 sets of units and units for heavy Mk VIII Anglo-American
tanks and 1450 fully assembled Mk VIII, and besides - 15 015 light tanks "Ford".

Heavy Tank Mk VIII. Machine guns are not installed.

88
Demonstration Mk VIII heavy tank.

Given the experience Mk V abandoned distinction between "male" and "female". The
sponson on the column book-rests installation mounted 57-mm cannon, "Hotchkiss Mk
II with a field of fire of about 100 . sponsons design has been improved - it was
attached hinged and could simply be folded into the housing. Translation sponsons from
the transport position into the firing took a matter of minutes. Machine guns were
removed from the sponsons, giving more space for the gunner - there is clearly affected
experience Mk V *. Ammunition for guns placed in the combat pack in front of the
crew compartment on the sides and in the middle of the tank, cartridge boxes - at the
bottom of the sponsons. The on-board doors (more convenient than the Mk V *) behind
the sponsons fulfilled ball bearings with a spherical Reservations, fire sector of 90 , the
mechanical eye. Staffing guns are not installed, but can be taken from the "tower". The
"tower" had five globular units, together providing a circular firing - two in the frontal
cheekbones, one in-board and stern sheets. The angle of the horizontal fire of each
tower plants did not exceed 30 . Thus, not only increased the fire sector, but also
facilitated the work of the crew and fire management. American tanks were armed with
a 7.62 mm machine guns M1919 "Browning" air cooling with additional
bronekozhuhom and a bag for collecting used cartridges (in fact, this machine gun and
designed for installation in tanks at British Mk VIII put guns "Hotchkiss"). The "body"
machine gun fit in the cradle, in the apple fortified installation, in case of using a
machine gun outside the tank crew had to carry a tripod machine.

Demonstration ride quality Mk VIII tanks in the camp of the US Tank Corps.

89
Mk VIII tanks on maneuvers.

"Tank-crane" carried on the end of the chain hook. Earlier we tried to run the crane with
an electromagnet on the chassis Mk I, tank-shop" (remote prototype ARV) from the
crane boom on the basis of Mk IV.

Tanks were also built-tugs earthmoving machinery for field fortification works.
Awareness of the need for armored engineering vehicles, and the first experiments with
them - an important point of the initial stage of development of BTT.

Issue combat British tanks in the 1916-1918 biennium.

90
France

The emergence of "assault artillery"

To attribute the "paternity" of the tank and the more the creation of armored forces to
any one person would be, to put it mildly, incorrect. But the first French tanks and
armored forces really were born thanks to the energy and perseverance of one man -
Colonel, later General, Jean-Baptiste Etienne (Jean-Baptiste Estienne, 1860-1936). In
the fall of 1914, Etienne, who served as chief of staff of the 22nd Artillery Regiment,
began to study the idea of fighting machine, capable to move with the infantry on the
battlefield. By that time, it should be noted, Etienne, a great mathematician, was known
as one of the initiators of the application in the French army firing from concealed
positions, in connection with which it has developed a number of artillery units, the
works on the phone introduction, for fire control panels as a gunner he became one of
the organizers of the French aviation (used to adjust artillery fire). He also had a
reputation for very enthusiastic about the introduction of the motor into the army.

Among the inventions of Jean-Baptiste Etienne was a device for aimed fire from a gun
or rifle butt without a stop shoulder (patent Etienne from 1903).

Tests in the French army tractor "Holt" with an engine of 45 liters. from. the ability to
overcome the trenches 21 February 1916 (additional tractor is loaded).

91
Serial Medium Tank "Saint-Chamond" with a sloping roof, a rectangular deckhouse
(dome). Right side view. The tank mounted oscillating field of the 75-mm cannon M1E
1897 and 8-mm machine guns, "Hotchkiss" M1E 1914. Pay attention to the bottom front
of the chassis clips.

Tank "Saint-Chamond" modified hulls, one rectangular dome and 75-mm cannon M1E
1897, in camouflage painting in the Museum of armor exposure in Saumur.

Demonstration tank "Saint-Chamond" later series with a 75-mm cannon M1E 1897.
Interestingly the lack of viewing dome.

Division tanks "Saint-Chamond" the first series (with oval towers on the flat roof),
armed with 75-mm cannon TR

With the development of the gun installations were busy too - in a tank used not only
swinging part, but the upper and - in part - the lower machine mast field guns.
92
Dimensions of this gun installation and relatively long roll back the gun when firing
caused a greater length bow of the hull. vertical aiming angle - from -4 to +10 degrees,
aimed firing range - no more than 1,500 meters, although these figures proved
unattainable due to poor shooting conditions. Guidance on the horizon was limited to 8
degrees, so that the transfer of fire accompanied by a rotation of the entire tank. To
combat infantry were frontal, aft, and two on-board installation 8-mm machine guns,
"Hotchkiss" M1E 1914. They served four gunner, one of whom also served as a
mechanic. For landing, the landing were doors in the sides of the front of the tank.

And then in July in the hotel "Klarizh" Etienne held a meeting with the famous designer
and industrialist Louis or Louis Renault (Louis Renault). The company "Renault",
founded in 1898 under the name of "Brothers of Renault (Renault Freres), managed to
become one of the leading automobile and engine technology with branches abroad, and
the Louis Renault has established itself as a great designer. After a history of "Marne
taxis" on September 6-8, 1914, when 600 Parisian taxis "Reno" AG transferred in 1910
to the front line at p. Marne more than 5 thousand. Soldiers and one infantry brigade in
the opinion of the French, helped "save Paris" from the German offensive, Renault has
almost become a national hero and has collaborated with the military department is very
successful. All the more so hasty motorization French rears gave the company a lot of
work.

Light tank "Renault FT from the first production batch (chassis numbers "66 XXX) -
machine gun (Char Mitrailleuse 8 mm), with a molded conical tower and a cylindrical
cap. Left view.

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Cannon light tank "Renault FT trench. Clearly visible fixing the "tail" of the tank and
raised the roof of the engine compartment.

Germany Overcoming skepticism

Since the autumn of 1916 became tankoboyazn typical disease in the German trenches.
It is curious that, according to the prisoners, German soldiers "in particular fear that
they (the tanks) were not armed with flame-throwers." German command tried his best
to smooth the acuteness of the problem, emphasizing the real and perceived
shortcomings of the new weapons. "Tanks - is a ridiculous fantasy and quackery ...
Soon a healthy soul calms good German, and it is easy to fight with the stupid machine"
- one of the "encouragement" of phrases that time. But one thing - sent by the troops "to
raise the spirit of" orders and leaflets, and quite another - practical work.High Command
(OHL - Oberste Heeresleitung) initially not perceived as a serious risk of the tank. This
is due to the failure of single Mk I in the November battle. But with all skeptiztsizme
military leadership was obliged to take action, firstly, to protect the troops from the
newly appeared enemy combat means, and secondly, to create your own version of this
tool. And in October 1916 and the rate of the Ministry of War do "tank issue."

Draft project tracked vehicle for military use, presented in Berlin by "Atlas Metal
Industry Gesellschaft" in 1914

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Experimental chetyrehgusenichnoe chassis engineer X. G. Bremer ( "Bremer-Wagen"),
1916

There were Germans and accumulated significant experience in the construction of


armored vehicles. The experiments, of course, were staged. Lightly armored "Erhard"
WAC with 50-mm anti-aircraft ( "protivobalonnoy") gun became a sensation of the
Berlin salon of 1906, but turned out to be impractical. In the same year represented an
armored car company "Opel", but it was more of a staff, or, in modern language, the
VIP-car. The experience of the maneuvers of 1909 the German command had
concluded low value of armored vehicles. Nevertheless, in 1913, "Erhard" showed a
new version of the armored car with an armored installing 50-mm cannon WAC C /
1908 represented "broneavtobus Benz" in the same year. Just before the war in the
military maneuvers continued to experience armed vehicles - primarily it was the rapid-
cannon truck. Daimler, for example, was such cars in 1908, 1910 and 1911. The
experience was useful.

At the beginning - manoeuvrable - the period of World War II, the German
reconnaissance units have implemented the so-called "motor-tools" - a car with a
cannon armament and partially armored. They were mostly cars on the chassis of all-
wheel drive trucks, "Krupp-Daimler" and "Erhard" with 65, 75 and 77-mm guns in the
column book-rests installations. His values are not lost, and with the beginning of trench
warfare, becoming a kind of mobile artillery reserve. They are widely used in the
system of air - and later anti - defense.In October 1914 the Ministry of War issued an
order for a fully armored four-wheel drive wheeled vehicles, and in July 1915 the
company "Daimler", "Bssing" and "Erhard" presented their options. Heavy armored
vehicles "Bsingen" the ASP, "Daimler" M1915, "Erhard EV / 4 carried three 7.92-
mm machine gun in the turret and hull and the crew of 8-9 people, equipped with
additional rear control station. Although these machines fared well at the front - the
summer of 1915 a detachment of armored vehicles operated on the Russian front, and
"Bssing" A5R since 1916 he fought in Romania, - the number of them remained small.
The largest series of armored cars fired "Erhard" - 33 machines.

By the fall of 1916 he was still accumulated experience in the development of all-terrain
chassis. In the middle of 1915 the War Office issued a demand for the development of a
truck for off-road driving. In July 1915 an order for such a machine was HG Bremer,
and in October 1916 experienced chetyrehgusenichny sample was submitted. On the
device, he looked like a normal car with front engine and rear drive axle, but with the

95
replacement of all wheel caterpillar moves, and the drive was provided only the rear
pair of tracks. Order 50 of the chassis began to perform a factory in Marienfelde, on the
outskirts of Berlin, making the machine known as the "Bremer-Wagen" and
"Marienvagen I. Poor handling chassis made soon go to the half-track model
"Marienvagen II from the front steerable wheel pair. Somewhat earlier - in mid-1916 -
a self-propelled tracked chassis, designed by order of the War Ministry, presented the
company "DRKOPP". In the rear part of its "Drr-Wagen" placed two 80-horsepower
engine, in front of them - the driver's seat. Chassis is made by the type of American
"Holt", but with a number of differences - in particular, the guides and the drive wheels
raised off the ground.

Soon after the appearance on the battlefield first British tanks in October 1916 in the
War Ministry in Berlin held its first meeting on "Tank issue." Naturally, the meeting
was attended by designers, "Bremer-Wagen" and "Dur-Wagen". However, an attempt to
provide the chassis "Bremer-Wagen" box-shaped hulls of 9-mm steel plates failed, as all
experiments with chetyrehgusenichnymi machines Bremer.

Austrian inventor M. Hare in his project "armored vehicle" by 1918 "set" of four steel
gears body composed of sloping armor plates and provided zubchatki - again, for the
destruction of wire obstacles.

Demonstration of the Chief of General Staff, General von Hindenburg and the First
Quartermaster General, General Ludendorff chassis "Bremer-Wagen 'hulls with the
layout and weapons, held March 11, 1917 at a training field near Mainz, did not make a
favorable impression. Chassis "DRKOPP" was too weak to set the hulls, built two
copies of this machine is used as a conventional conveyor with towering wheelhouse
control and on-board cargo platform in the front and rear parts.

"Orion-Wagen" project light combat vehicle half-track scheme has also been developed
with a controlled rotary wheel and stocky streamlined body, partially covers the original
tracked chassis with caterpillar "orbital" scheme. The model was presented in April
1917

As for the half-track schemes, then they established in Germany of some interest as a
means of rapid increase in cross-trucks. In 1918, for example, the company "Benz" on
the basis of a two-axle truck tractor manufactured half-track "Benz-Breuer" - driving the
rear wheels maintained, but in front of and behind each rear wheel on a swinging

96
double-arm levers suspended two rollers of smaller diameter, stretched around the track
this design. But it was pure transport vehicle.

Suggested as a tribute to Germany and vysokokolesnym armored vehicles - they then


developed in different countries. Already 1 February 1917 the company "Hansa-Lloyd"
in Berlin, demonstrated a three-wheeled armored vehicle "Treffas-Wagen", which high
permeability provided two drive wheels with a diameter of 3 m wide steel rim provided
with a developed cleats.Between the wheels placed bronerubka and served to control
imposed on the box girder triplex rotary roller of small diameter. Like all attempts to
create a "vysokokolesnogo tank" (think "bats" built in Russia NN Lebedenco with 9-
foot wheels), this was unsuccessful. "Treffas-Wagen" tested until October of 1917, was
offered as a hard bronetyagacha, but even before the war, was dismantled for scrap.

The only sure way of creating cross-country armored combat vehicles was the use of
caterpillar tracks.

Heavy tank A7V

Head of the 7th (Transport) Branch Chief (or General) control the Ministry of War - For
organizations and associations work on the creation of the German tank November 13,
1916 Technical Committee under the leadership of General Friedrichs was created. This
office, formed in October 1915 and referred to in abbreviated A7V (or A.7.V -
Allgemeine Kriegsdepartement 7 Abteilung Verkehrswesen), acted as a customer of
combat vehicles. The commission also includes representatives of known firms: G.
William - from the "Opel", he Privy Councillor W. von Opel, K. Shippert - from the
"Daimler", Director of NAG / AEG Jung, owner of the company "Audi" and a member
of the supervisory boards of a number of other companies avtokonstruktor A. Horch,
CTO "Bssing" professor Hoffmann. Later, in his memoirs, A. Horch said: "We too
need these terrible tracked vehicles. But it turned out that our country has no experience
at all manufacture tracked vehicles. "

Test A7V chassis layout hulls January 16, 1917 Pay attention to the steel frame - the
"nose" for a breakthrough of barbed wire.

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Longitudinal section of an experienced tank chassis A7V (layout, built in January
1917): 1 - the "nose", 2 - steering wheel, 3 - track chain, 4 - driving wheel, 5 -
radiators, 6 - protected tank of fuel, 7 - exhaust pipe leading under the bottom of the
hull, 8 - the clutch pedal, 9 - the case, 10 - seat commander, 11 the steering wheel (
"shuttlecock"), 12 - the gear lever, 13 - brake lever, 14 - the driver's seat, 15 - reversing
lever, 16 - motor 17 - airborne transmission.

Head of design works on the decision of the commission, was appointed chief engineer
of the department of Experimental Inspection of motor forces Captain Joseph Vollmer
(Joseph Vollmer, 1871-1955).Engineer J. Vollmer, a citizen of the Grand Duchy of
Baden, was part of the German Empire, had great experience in the development of
various types of vehicles and automotive units, the Defense Ministry has established
itself works to improve cross-trucks. As a member of the Transport and Technical Test
Commission (VPK - Verkehrstechnische Priifungskommission) Ministry of War, he
made a considerable contribution to the development of standard requirements for the
vehicles and their components. In Volmer group included about 40 designers from
different companies.

Views of the War Ministry and the General Command of the appointment of the
developed machines diverge considerably.

Skepticism of command in respect of tanks and a reluctance to spend already scarce


resources "in vain" gave rise to the decision to develop a universal chassis. November
15 defines requirements for a self-propelled crawler chassis, which could be used for a
tank for tractor or all-terrain truck. Last purpose - "motor vehicles" - the military
leadership seemed much more important. The machine had to reach a speed of 12 km /
h, to overcome ditches 1.5 m wide and climbs steep 30 . Only at the end of the 1920s
finally became clear inability to create a full tank on the tractor chassis or the efficient
use of the tank as a tractor (forced to build in different countries and at different times
"bronetraktory" - is another topic). And until November 25, 1916 at Tempelhof airfield
near Berlin representatives of the Technical Commission and the military establishment
showed an agricultural crawler tractor, in order to assess the prospects of using crawler
chassis for combat and transport vehicles.

To participate in the development of the company "Daimler", "Bssing", the NAG,


"Benz" were involved, "Opel". By developing the chassis attracted foreign department
representative "Holt Caterpillar" (Budapest, Austria-Hungary) X. Steiner and the Berlin
company "Brass und Hershtett". Despite the skepticism of Bids, supporting the War
Ministry has provided funds for the work. Development of the project was carried out
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hastily and was completed by 22 December. The basis of the integration design of the
machine is put symmetry in the longitudinal and transverse planes. This symmetry is
affected then even in the arrangement of the door body.

Scheme of transmission A7V tank: 1 - end of the crankshaft, 2 - the main clutch, 3 -
sliding pinion drive shaft, 4 - gear transmission shaft, 5 - drive shaft, 6 - movable sleeve
bevel gear, 7 - bevel gear onboard shaft, 8 - final drive, 9 - brake, 10 - the driving
wheel.

Carts A7V chassis with spring suspension.

January 16, 1917 in Berlin-Marienfelde were demonstrated chassis layout and wooden
model hulls. January 20 Ministry of War in the face of VPK has prepared an order to
build 100 chassis. The number of booked chassis OHL initially limited to ten. The car
has received A7V designation - for its abbreviation engaged in the Ministry of War
division. Sometimes in the literature of the letter V in the acronym stands for A7V
mistake "Volmer design ( bauart Vollmer). Chassis receiving room 500, and further,
under which were listed and subsequently machine.

It is interesting that the information about these works soon became known to Russian
intelligence. In mid-February 1917 Russian command informed allies "disturbing
information" about the plans for the construction of tanks in Germany. On the other
hand, 16 April 1917, p.CN at Chemin des Dames first came to fight the French medium
tanks "Schneider" and "Saint-Chamond", and although their first combat experience was
unsuccessful, the German military leadership had to reckon with the fact that the new
combat vehicle emerged and the French. And accelerate the work on its own tank
design.

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The first prototype tank - working with the layout of the chassis hulls - was ready to
April 5, 1917, and April 30, shown in Berlin-Marienfelde. May 14, he was featured on
the go on the training ground north of Mainz management OHL - also with a wooden
mockup of the housing. At the same time the housing layout had only machine gun
embrasure and the "nose" of steel staples - to destroy the barbed wire.For greater
likelihood machine loaded 10 tons of ballast. Then, in May, it was decided to organize
two armored divisions and issued an order for a further book A7V chassis - as a backup
machine. First, the order for manufacturing of tanks was adjusted to 38, but was soon
reduced to 20 following the first 10 tanks tanks known as "second-order". That is, it
was, in fact, a military combat vehicle tests on the front. The question of reservations
100 chassis postponed pending clarification of the test results. Although so few expect
positive results, it was difficult - it was possible to compare the results of the first battle
of the British tanks on the Somme in September 1916 and a tank breakthrough in
Cambrai November 20, 1917, when the battle at the same time went to 377 tanks and on
the first day achieved impressive tactical successes.

Suspension Coil A7V.

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Draft project for the installation A7V chassis shortened body with "nose" for the
destruction of barriers and options for weapons installation in embrasures housing.

General von Marvits, commander of the 2nd German Army, on whose site and the
breakthrough came, said: "The enemy has won at Cambrai thanks to its numerous
tanks."Nevertheless, the German command by increasing attention antitank defense in
matters of attack still rely on the existing and well-spent tactics "trinity" - an
infantryman-Heavy artillery. Moreover, the industry is straining every effort for the
production of weapons and ammunition for this "trinity".

A7V prototype was tested in parallel with the half-track "Marien-Wagen II.General
Command of the results of tests chosen A7V. However, the chassis' Marien-Wagen II ,
too, did not remain idle - they were used as transportation machines, and manufactured
on their basis self-propelled anti-aircraft and anti-tank guns (!). In 1917 the serial
production of wheeled armored vehicles and four-wheel drive "Erhard EV / 4.

The first five finished A7V tank was expected to receive by 15 July 1917 following five
tanks and 40 non-armored chassis - 1 August, finally, the last 49 chassis - to the
September 1, 1917 By late summer, it was expected to receive a 50 chassis "Orion-
Wagen "but their throughput and ability to overcome obstacles wire doubt. This project
has not received further development.While the basic chassis 16 is still collected and
even developed a new version of the tracked chassis - without turning the wheel pair.
A7V was in the end the only basis for the construction of the tank.

Tests conducted in the spring and summer of 1917, identified a number of technical
flaws in the cooling system of engines and transmissions, in guiding crawler. Their

101
correction significantly prolong work - the result of the initial rush.In addition, he
disrupted the growing shortage of materials. Construction of the first production A7V
chassis number 501 was completed by the end of October 1917, t. E. A month before
the massive British tank attack at Cambrai. Even before the completion of construction,
19 June, the tank was demonstrated in the Berlin-Marienfelde Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Draft project for the installation of full-length chassis A7V hulls and weapons as part of
a 77-mm assault gun, two 20-mm automatic cannon Becker and four 7.92 mm machine
guns MG.08. Lateral projection.

Heavy tank A7V with "Krupp" housing in the initial version - with the reservation
chassis.

The General Staff did not wait for the results of revision and 1 December 1917 adopted
for its part, the order for the construction of the chassis 100. Order finally received the
urgency category 1A - tanks hastily prepared for the big spring offensive on the Western
Front.

Given the "universal" character was being developed chassis, the description of the car
will start with him.

Construction was going on a massive rectangular box frame.In the geometric center of
the machine was located the engine compartment (engine compartment), closed the
hood. Location of the power plant actually coincided with the center of gravity of the
tank A7V or tractor. Above the engine compartment was located playground with seats
the driver and the vehicle commander. Note that in the first embodiment, the chassis
had two driver's seat is installed rotated in opposite directions, for forward and reverse -
the same idea of "shuttle".To increase the useful volume of the caterpillar body placed
almost at the bottom. Thus, the machine layout was like a three-storey - chassis

102
platform with the power plant in the middle, and the control pad. After the test, the first
chassis number 501 in November - December 1917, strengthened chassis frame.

The requirements for speed at the planned mass of 25-30 tons and the expected
resistance movement assumed the engine installation of about 200 hp These engines
were in Germany, for example, for "Zeppelin", but to get them to land the machine, has
not given priority, it was difficult. The company "Daimler" could put the engines 100 hp
all built chassis. Therefore, it was decided to apply a twin-engine installation with the
operation of each motor on one side of the caterpillar. Engines - carburetor, four-stroke,
four-cylinder, in-line, liquid-cooled, with a working volume of 17 l, 165 mm cylinder
diameter and stroke of 200 mm piston. Consumption of gasoline engine with one on the
1 km of track was 4 liters on a good road, and up to 16 liters over rough terrain.The
engines are installed in parallel, socks crankshafts to the stern. Each motor is attached to
the frame separately. Pipelines are designed to carburetors and supply pipes are on the
outside and not heated by the neighboring engine. Exhaust pipes displayed on the inner
side and under the bottom of the housing is coming from the outside mufflers on both
sides of the machine. The silencer was mounted on a frame outside under the upper
branch of the caterpillars. engine power system is calculated in such a way that its
operation does not depend on the tilt of the machine. Two tank capacity of 250 L each
were placed in front of the housing under the bottom. For more fire safety, they are
covered with iron sheets and insulated from the crew compartment. fuel supply pressure
of the exhaust gas was carried out, with each tank could feed both engines. To start the
engine, and as a safety margin were two auxiliary tank near the driver's seat with
gasoline and better cleaning quality. Ignition of the mixture was carried out by Magneto
with starting magnet. Engine speed was controlled with a safety mechanism that limits
its maximum value, and a throttle valve with a special hand lever. Start the engines
could be made in several ways: electric starter, a U-shaped starter handle rotated three
crew members (similar to the British "diamond-shaped" heavy tanks), spray "Bosch",
inflating pump mix. Helm starter was located behind the commander's station in the
control room. To heat served as acetylene burner.

Draft project on the installation of full-length chassis A7V hulls. Pay attention to the
opposite seat installed in the oval cockpit.

103
Projections A7V tank with "Krupp" housing.

Running one of the engines and giving the car the original motion, it was possible to
start the second engine through the clutch. Each engine has a rev counter.

Carefully designed lubrication system. engine oil drains into the sump suction pump in
a separate tank, from where it is again another pump was supplied through the filters to
the friction places. This prevented the flooding and engine oil splashing spark plugs
even when the longitudinal inclination of the machine up to 45 . To cool the engines
along the front and rear walls of the hood vertically installed two tubular radiator. They
were attached by elastic straps and placed in special pockets on the felt lining, reduces
the effect of vibration. Radiators blown on four fans - each pair of fan drive shaft is
rotated by the motor belt drive (at the flywheel) with adjustable tension. Air is drawn
out from the cabinet and ejected outward through the lower grille engine.

The drive and control each side of the tracks were finished unit, both units are enclosed
in a single housing. The unit included a clutch three-speed gearbox, bevel gears forward
and reverse, single-row final drive. The clutch (main clutch) was placed on the end of
the elongated toe crankshaft of the engine was carried out under the scheme with a
"balanced plug", which allowed to control the clutch with a little effort. Gearbox -
Tractor type with leading and gear shaft and sliding gear. The velocities - 3, 6 and 12
km / h. Gear change lever produces a corresponding movement of the sliding gear on
the drive shaft, the inclusion of forward or reverse - moving the bevel gear hub, braking

104
tracks - block brake at the end of the transmission shaft. Lapping transmission
implemented firm "Adler".

Longitudinal sections (vertical and horizontal) heavy tank A7V. Tankers are shown in
overalls and protective helmets.

Turn the machine off and braking was performed one track. The turning radius was thus
2.2 m and was approximately equal to the width of the machine tracks. Enabling reverse
one of the tracks, you can turn the machine on the ground around the vertical axis.
When turning with a large radius of the driver turning left or right of the steering wheel
( "shuttle") changed the ratio of the number of engine revolutions.Thus, the driver drove
the car alone and could vary within wide limits the turning radius and speed. The
management bodies he served as the steering wheel (in front of his seat), two clutch
pedals, gear shift lever (to the right of the driver's seat), two brake lever (right side just
behind the seat), two levers forward and reverse (on the sides of the seat), the lever
pump. With appropriate mechanisms controls are connected via rods and flexible
cables.

Chassis with a blocked elastic suspension made by the tractor "Holt" type. As in
Germany, the production of crawler chassis was not, Horch and Dr. Vangemann
through the Ministry of War of the Austro-Hungarian agreement with the Hungarian
branch of "Holt Caterpillar" in Budapest on the supply of larvae and other units chassis.
"Daimler" company engineer Eugene Link together with Josef Volmer modified chassis
"Holt" in accordance with the task. "Undercarriage" suspended to the transverse box
beams, riveted the bottom of the chassis frame. On board had three carts. Each carriage
was suspended on vertical helical coil springs. Initially, each truck had two springs,
then, operating experience, the suspension medium trucks, the greatest perceived
burden, strengthened and brought the number up to four springs.One truck was carrying
five dual road wheels with the outer and central flanges. From the longitudinal
displacement and impacts on the truck frame longitudinal kept sloping screed. Moving

105
trucks were limited relative to the frame beams. The upper branch of the caterpillars
supports six single rolls - they were mounted in pairs on special bars, stacked on each
side of the frame to the tabs of the transverse beams, ie the axis of the supporting rollers
and the drive wheel are rigidly connected to the frame... The axis of the steering wheel
was equipped with a screw mechanism for adjusting the track tension.Trailing axles and
axles of trucks and rail drive wheels of both sides were connected by transverse rods.
Located behind the driving wheel had a ring gear engages a caterpillar chain of hinges
sleeve. Guiding and driving wheels were spitsovannymi later established and solid
driving wheels. Like "Holt" in A7V axis leading and guiding the wheels were low-
lying.

Truckee caterpillars - assembled.Each track consists of extruded shoe with low


transverse lugs and rails (with cut-outs to facilitate) is attached to the shoe on the
screws. Eyelets at the ends of the internal rail serves to connect the cylinder fingers shoe
wearing the sleeves. As a result, rail trucks form a hinge roller chain. Shoes for wide
edges were curved visors - visor of one shoe was laying next visor, thus hinge defended
from dirt and stones at a circuit bending. Shoe width was 500 mm. The rails were made
by punching a profiled steel angles, pins and bushings - steel "chronos", the shoe is
stamped from the Siemens-Martin steel.

Placed under the beams of the frame mounting the suspension and drivetrain
components from below remain open.

We now proceed to booking and armament A7V tank.Representatives of the High


Command demanded to provide machine protection from projectiles of field artillery,
but even preliminary calculations showed that it would deprive the machine of any
mobility. It was decided to restrict armor thickness 20-15 mm, only the frontal part to
bring it to 30 mm. As shown, although it provided a tank to good security, but - together
with the taken forward installation tools - peretyazhelilo front portion, further limiting
the permeability of the tank on the battlefield. The armored hull was mounted on the
chassis frame at the top and going on a steel frame, which is attached directly riveted
sheets of rolled armor steel. The final assembly of the tanks were in the factory of the
company "Steffen und Nolle", which had considerable experience in the manufacture
and assembly of bridge and mast structures, as well as equipment for cutting, drilling
and riveting parts made of hardened steel.

Layout A7V tank crew: A - driver B - commander in - Charge, T - gunner guns, R -


gunners, E - mechanics.

106
Sector firing weapons A7V tank.

The first order for 10 hulls was divided between two competitors - the company
"Krupp" and "Roechling" - industry leaders for a long time already supplies the Defense
Ministry and other ship's armor. Broneliste set "Roechling" fully comply with the
conditions of acceptance, but the "Krupp" turned out to be with marriage - have large
deviations from flatness. Therefore, at the plant "Steffen und Nolle" bronelisty had to
cut and bring the place. As a result, each side "Krupp" housing about five vertical
sheets, roof - four longitudinal and one transverse sheet. Such body got tanks with
chassis numbers 540, 541, 542, 543 and 544. Cases firm "Roechling" featured whole,
from a single sheet side. Their tanks had number 501, 502, 505, 506, 507. Subsequently,
the body made tanks for number 502 and number 544, transposed to the chassis,
respectively, with the numbers 503 and 504. The front and rear of the hull initially were
made in one piece, but due with changes in the choice of weapons had to "share" the
parts and assemble each of the three sheets.

Since the issuance of the second order is still supposed to receive and cannon and
machine-gun tanks, part of the hull of the second order had also to redo the installation
under the gun. An interesting mix of elements of buildings are two tanks orders number
529 and number 562: both the body of the second order was originally planned under
the machine-gun tank, and when the alteration in the gun used in the frontal parts of the
body "Roechling" of the first order.

The thickness and quality of the armor can withstand armor-piercing rifle bullets (like
the French ARCH) at distances of 5 m and more, as well as close breaks high-explosive
projectiles of light field artillery. body armor protection increased slightly "ship" shape
of the front and rear part. However, the vulnerabilities were bronelistov joints due to
poor fit at the corners. According to the allies, examine captured German tanks,
penetrated through the joints of the pieces of bullets and lead spray.

The bottom of the fuel tanks was covered by 10-mm bronelistami, another booking was
not the bottom. The roof of the body front and back puts more air vents, which served in
part to cover the fighting compartment of the tank. The calculation was made on the
natural air broach out of the bottom of the roof. In the first order tanks ventilation grille
on each side consisted of 45 small cracks, but the "second order" - has increased 18
slots, which should improve the ventilation. Top cutting was going to bolt out of the
five removable plates and evolved during transport and on the march. When folded the
upper wheelhouse tank can be transported on a standard platform on the German,
French and Belgian railways without interference from the railway facilities. The roof
of the cabin there was a hatch with a hinged lid lattice over the driver's seat (in the
second order this lattice also changed the tanks). Inspection hatches by cutting the

107
perimeter were covered by folding up covers allow you to adjust the height of the
opening of the "gap".

Plans to install a tank rotating turret, as well as plans to increase armor protection due to
a larger angle of inclination armor plates, remained on paper.

The original draft provided for a special "nose" in the form of two triangular frames of
the T-section beams.The frames were attached to the front and served to facilitate the
overcoming of obstacles and breaching fences to. "The Nose" was even made on a
wooden breadboard, but already in the first demonstration model was abandoned.

The total mass of hulls was about 8.5 tons, ie, not more than 30% by weight of the tank
(chassis itself weighed 16.5 tons, arms and ammunition -.. 3.5 m additional equipment -
just a little more than 1.5 tons ).

The second order for hulls, understandable given the company "Rhling". Cases of this
order were placed on the chassis number 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 560, 561, 562, 563
and 564.

The commander of the machine was placed at the top of the left, right and behind him
sat the driver. The upper platform is at the height of 1.6 m above the floor of the crew
compartment, on the ground were two internal staircases - front and back. Artillery and
machine gun placed in the fighting compartment on the perimeter of the body. Was a
member of the crew of two mechanics were placed on the seats in the front and rear of
the engine and had to keep track of their work. For the embarkation and disembarkation
of crew served folding hinged door in the starboard side - the front and the left - behind.
Under the door outside riveted two narrow stairs, could be used and retractable ladder.

Not once was chosen armament. The plan, for example, to arm the gun only every fifth
tank, and the rest - with machine guns and small-caliber automatic guns. Accordingly,
the first eight to ten tanks were to be machine gun, and two - cannon. For a machine-
gun of the tank was considered a variant of the truncated body with eight
loopholes.Depending on the situation in the embrasures could be set as required (for
shooting forward, backward and side boards), two 20-mm automatic cannon Becker
magazine-fed, and two 7.92-mm machine gun MG.08 or four machine guns and two
flamethrower, and the installation of automatic guns and machine guns were
interchangeable. For truncated (facilitated) Housing offered as option arms of two 13.3
mm machine guns MG.18 TuF (Tank und Flugzeug, anti-tank and anti-aircraft",
though this gun is still being developed) and two 7.92-mm MG.08 . At the same
housing on the sides had high brackets for deflection when driving on roads sagging or
dangling electrical wires (such devices supplied cars in frontal zone by that time).

Cannon tank with a "full-length" body intended to equip 77-mm field gun model 1896
(FK 96 n / A), but this setting is too heavy. More chances afforded short-77-mm
infantry assault gun Krupp model 1916 with a barrel length of 20 calibers,
supplemented by two 20-mm cannons and four machine guns Becker MG.08 on swivel
units. column book-rests unit for installation in the tank 77-mm assault gun was
designed. However, this has caused a number of problems - only rollback length 77 mm
gun was 750 mm.In addition, orders for the guns have been completely painted, getting
them was difficult. In another embodiment, intended to equip the tank with a "full-size"

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housing four 20-mm cannon and four 7.92 mm machine guns, while OHL insisted on
the "cannon" version - especially after the success of British tanks at Cambrai in
November 1917. In December 1917, . decided to limit, following the example of the
British, 57-mm gun. To do this, choose 57-mm rapid-kaponirnye gun "Maxim-
Nordenfeld" British manufacturing, captured in October 1914 in the fortress of Antwerp
(although the literature is mentioned that part of the guns was allegedly taken to an
unnamed "Russian fortress"). Installing the tools was redesigned accordingly. From
production in a series of machine-gun version of the tank - sometimes modeled on the
British call "female" or "female type" - refused.

57-mm gun was put in front of the case. The gun had a barrel length of 26 calibers, the
vertical wedges, roll back the length of only 150 mm. Two cylinder recoil devices
mounted above the barrel. Ammunition gun was placed in a metal box (behind the seats
the gunners) and included between 180 and 300 unitary shots (bullets). And except for
armor-piercing ammunition and shrapnel in the included shots and grapeshot - machines
for self-defense and defeat enemy personnel at short distances.90 shots in boeukladke
placed directly behind the calculation tools. When ammunition 180 rounds of 100 of
them were with high-explosive shells, 40 - from armor-piercing and 40 - grapeshot.
With an increase of ammunition and increased the proportion of case-shot. High-
explosive shells had a fuse with a moderator, and could be used against field
fortifications. The initial velocity armor-piercing projectile was 487 m / s, armor - 20
mm at a distance of 1000 m and 15 mm at 2000 m, the maximum firing range - 6400 m,
although actually rarely aimed fire was fought more than 200-300 m.

The tanks of the first order, except for buildings, and different type of installation tools.

Collected first tanks with chassis numbers 502, 505, 506, 507 and enclosures
"Roechling" in the bow carrying rack ( "goats"), on which are mounted swivel gun
mount system Artillery Testing Commission. Wide Mask (shield) guns swung in a
vertical plane, and a small inner flap - horizontal. Installation supplied with
counterweight and guidance mechanism with two handwheels.The sighting device was
limited to sight and front sight with a slot (they then used in conjunction with an optical
sight). Tanks 540-544 with housings "Krupp" column book-rests got installed.
Column book-rests installation was developed originally for A7VU tank (see. Below),
but was put on A7V.Angle pointing guns in a horizontal plane is 45 in both directions,
in the vertical - 20 . The gunner was located on the leather seat, fastened to a bracket
tables and rotates together with the gun (so that he served as a counterweight to the
gunner), for the convenience of landing in the same bracket is fixed stops for the knees
with leather cushions. The seat was based on the roller, rolling on the floor of the
housing. For aiming guns served telescopic sight.Incidentally, it is the delay in the
production of this sight by "Heinrich Hertz" (Berlin) was the reason for the delay in the
installation of weapons on tanks until March 1918 t. E. Almost to the time of their first
combat use. Mask column book-rests artillery installation consisted of two parts. Large
Shield semi-cylindrical shape was connected to a pedestal, and with it moved in a
horizontal plane on the left side, he had a vertical slit for aiming. In the vertical recess in
the middle of the shield plate was located, associated with the barrel and the gun moves
in a vertical plane. Thus, the gunner sat in the inside polubashni that rotates, resting his
feet on the floor. Charging to the right of him on a stationary seat. Narrow field of sight
and the location of the gun in front of the point led to the fact that the gunner is easy to
lose sight of the goal for any movement of the tank, and when you turn the gun in the

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left corner of the maximum body armor simply overlaps the field of sight.Therefore, on
both sides of the gun loopholes completed inspection hatches with covers bivalve.
About these hatches should mention.

Tank A7V number 503 during a demonstration in Saarburg 1 October 1918 Pay
attention to the unprotected bottom of the tank, open the inspection hatches gunners and
mechanics.

On tanks first order they appeared almost by accident - after the decision to abandon the
machine gun variant of the tank had to alter ready-frontal bronedetali, making guns for
neckline and closing unused machine gun embrasure armor covers. On the part of the
tank it was folding open the cover and the tank to the chassis number 502, for example,
received a left frontal sheet with a folding cover loopholes and right - continuous. On
the other hand, the tank number 540, was originally commissioned as a gun, did not
have hatches in the front plate. The front part of the housing of certain A7V had more
small differences, mainly related to the installation of tool installation.

Work gunner in the A7V was more comfortable than in the British heavy tanks. And
yet, to lead a more or less accurate fire tank could only place. Column book-rests
Installation 57-mm guns mounted on tanks and subsequently assembling the first
number 501, 502 (503), 505, 507. Tank number 506 to the beginning of this change has
been lost in the battle of Villers-Bretonneux.

The only "machine gun" tank number 501 was completely "symmetrical" - instead of
artillery installed in the front part, as well as in the rear, two machine guns were
installed. Thus, it provides a truly circular firing. Later the tank was rearmed number
501 57 mm gun on the column book-rests installation.

The standard 7.92-mm machine guns MG.08 (Maxim system) were attached to the
swivel units with masks and semi-cylindrical screw mechanism vertical guidance.
Speakers covers water-cooled machine guns on the tanks of the first order were
protected from destruction bronekozhuhami large and small front flaps - just as it did on
MG.08 in the infantry. Later, using less bulky cylindrical bronekozhuhi.After the Battle
of Villers-Bretonneux, when German tanks attracted the intense rifle and machine-gun

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fire of the English, the loopholes for guns on most tanks covered broneschitkom
additional protection against the penetration of lead spray through the joints and gaps.
The angle of the horizontal guidance gun is 45 . The calculation of each machine gun
- two people - an issue which, in the same year, barely escaped the French in the
development of "Reno" light tank, occurs, apparently, because of the desire to provide
the greatest military machine guns firing rate Quick change tapes. The machine-gunners
were placed on seats with a low back, fixed on the floor on the same rack as the
machine guns. A box with a ribbon on 250 cartridges mounted on a seat needle, spare
boxes fit under the seat. The tank could carry a 40-60 belts, t. E. 10-15 thousand rounds
of ammunition. A quarter of the ammunition cartridges were guns with armor-piercing
bullets. The sides of the body and the doors were hatches with bronezaslonkami to fire
the weapons crew. Arming the crew was to include machine gun MG.08 / 15, four
Kar.98 carbine, pistols, 20 hand grenades and even a flamethrower, and two signal
pistols and 300 cartridges for them.For laying rifles served as staples, attach to the
inside stairs. That is, the tank crew was gathering and was armed like the garrison of the
fort or the assault group. In practice, this was not observed (at least not seen
flamethrower tanks), and the crew had with a personal weapon and grenades.

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Options appearance A7V tank: tank number 501 shown in the first purely machine-gun
and the subsequent standard options; Tank number 507 had an installation 57-mm
cannon on the box, and the rest - setting column book-rests; Tank number 541 has a
body "Krupp".

Excessive armament and intent to entrust the tank also features infantry assault teams
determined to record the serial number of the tank crew. If the design of the tank in
1917, it was assumed that the crew did not exceed 13 people, with an order in January
1918 on a gun variant and the inclusion in the crew of driver assistants (engineers) their
number increased to 15 and then up to 18 people.

Front and rear fastened to the machine frame tow hooks on the part of the tank instead
of them were put thimbles. At minimum speed traction up to 15 ton.The experience of
testing the first prototype tank entered were fastened hinged triangular (in the first series
of tanks could have been rounded) cover to protect the body cuts under the hooks in a
combat situation. We carry spare parts placed in a box under the floor in front of the
body, ie. E. Before the fuel tanks. In the tank were busy two hand fire-extinguishers.
Ammunition entrenching tool was mounted on boards outside and included two shovels,
two Pickaxes, two scissors for cutting wire. On the roof of the car was transported
camouflage net, without which cover a large object in the parking lot it would have been
impossible even in the woods.

For the electrical supply (internal and external lighting) served as a generator driven by
the engine.From the internal means of communication should be mentioned pointer to
aim, introduced after the test the first five cars (with cases "Roechling") in the armed
forces. He was attached under the roof of the housing over the gun mount and turned a
tank commander with the help of a cable. Before calculating the gun over the right
inspection hatches located panel with white and red lights: white light - "attention", red
- "fire", both off - "cease fire". It turned out kind of fire control system with a space
vehicle commander. The rest of the crew, as in all the tanks at the time, the commander
had to give commands shouting over the noise of engines, transmissions and shooting,
although later signal lamps "fire control system" and held to the gunners places. external
communication means are not provided. The reliability of the available radio stations in
shaking the hull caused large and well-founded doubts, had no confidence in the
efficiency of light-signaling, although the tanks of the first order with cases "Roechling"
signal supplied floodlights produced by "Zeiss", but then they were rejected.
Semaphores would quickly stray bullets, shrapnel or blast. After testing the first
machine in the roof top harvesting completed hatch to signal flags or lantern, on the
right side of the cover flap cutting performed commander with a folding cover. In
addition, the roof of the cabin compass mounted at a slight hemispherical cap (formerly
British tankers have already fulfilled techniques adjustment compass inside the armored
vehicle). These structural changes introduced when retrofitting the next five tanks of the
first order (with cases "Krupp") and in the tanks of the second order. Of these the first
five tanks of all these changes was just a tank with chassis number 540, returned to the
factory in March 1916 Tank number 501 at the conversion into "gun" was described
"fire control" system, but did not alter the wheelhouse.

Overall A7V tank design embodied the idea of a "rolling fort", more adapted for
perimeter defense and fire support of infantry action, rather than to break through the
enemy's defenses and promote direct support of infantry. Despite the abundant arms,

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circular firing literally did not work: because of the limited two sectors guns pointing
angles in the front direction is a dead space.

British soldier posing in installation gun MG.08 captured A7V tank number 542
"Elfriede". Pay attention to the panels and the mechanism of vertical aiming machine
gun, display "fire control system" of the installation. Inscription Jung on the armor,
apparently, the name of the Heavy German tank crew.

The main producer A7V was a factory "Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (Daimler-


Motoren-Gesellschaft) in Berlin-Marienfelde. At the same plant, by the way, were
collected and machines "Marien-Wagen". Manual assembly and finishing at the place of
impact on the external tanks form.Cost of construction of the tank A7V in prices of
1917-1918 amounted to 250 000 German Reichsmark, of which 100,000 marks had
reservations. In the course of the year - from October 1917 to September 1918 - it had
been collected only 20 A7V. For comparison - about 40 tanks in France in 1917, in the
month was based on the average about 50 tanks in the UK.

Reservation chassis protruding under the frame of the machine and the final drive
housings at the bottom of the suspended front and rear lower bronelisty with a high
center of gravity of the machine decreased permeability (minimum total clearance
proved to 200 mm). The tank can confidently move on loose ground, but only on an
open flat area without mounds, deep potholes and craters hitting the funnel is no longer
able to get out, because a caterpillar, enclosed front and back, just lost traction, the tank
is easily tipped over for a side roll. When passing through the barbed wire barbed wire
just dragged to the tracks and tangled in them, sometimes leading to overload and
failure of the clutch. In addition, the wire can damage the passing under the bottom of
the open lines (in this A7V appeared like a dragon Fafnir in Scandinavian epos and
"Song of the Nibelungs" - terrible lizard crawling with strong armor on the sides and
back, but with a soft belly). To increase the patency and the ability to overcome
obstacles offered to suspend the bow of a tank on a long spring-loaded roller frame
(preserved assembly drawing of the device on the tank to the body of the "second
order"), but in practice, this proposal was not implemented.

Reservation chassis was used on its own experience of the German anti-tank defenses,
often "splits" open caterpillars British tanks. But German designers are, in fact,
reiterated the decision of the French designers of the company "Saint-Chamond" - those
in the spring of 1916 have provided a prototype of his "armored tractor" body, hanging

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down in front and behind the chassis, and the book, almost closes the truck running. The
first sample A7V book came to the axes of rollers.

The circuit layout "tank connection" (or "machine-switch) A7V.

The screens that covered the chassis, were on serial tanks, but crews filmed their
opening truck running - so the dirt from the upper branches of the caterpillars have not
scored in the chassis and does not take it down. Previous armor shields were cut and
used for additional protection of the upper cabin, proved to be very vulnerable to small-
arms fire. Armor plates, covering the rails and the drive wheels could be folded up on
its hinges when servicing the chassis. After removing the central broneekranov these
extreme sheets on a number of tanks were circumcised at free corners.To service the
chassis on each side there were also two small flap, the front cover had a cutout for the
output of the exhaust pipe (except tanks on the chassis number 501 and number 507,
where the hatches with cut performed later). Hatch also had lower leaf fodder.

Location of the commander and the driver in a raised wheelhouse provided them with a
good overview of the area, and this A7V favorably differed from, say, the British
"rhomboid" heavy tanks or French "Schneider". However, long tall cabinet is
particularly difficult to observe directly in front of the tank. The driver saw the
countryside in only 9 meters ahead of the car and on.Therefore, in the management of
the mechanics helped him, observing the terrain through the inspection holes in the
sides - under the deckhouse. Unlike the British heavy tanks (until the Mk V), all
physical work on a tank driver management acted alone, and it was easier than that of
British colleagues. The driver's seat, commander and gunner in the A7V were more
comfortable than the jobs of British tank crews.

It has been developed version of the "tank connection" (or "switch-car") equipped with
radio poruchnevoy antenna on the roof of the enclosure, armed only four machine guns,
with a crew of 11-13 people, including radio operators and observers.This machine is
intended to be used as a mobile point of contact for the management of combined arms
combat ( "Battle of the combined arms of the service", as they said), the radio station
had to work in the parking lot. But, although the installation of radio equipment, even
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under the allocated operating chassis, this project - unlike the British or French "radio-
tanks" - has remained on paper.

The large size and especially the height of the tank made it highly visible target for
artillery. For bulky hulking body and two smokestack exhausts A7V called in the
troops' heavy field kitchen ".Ventilation of the tank, as well as the early British and
French cars proved unsatisfactory, and when combined with the engine compartment
inside the enclosure inhabited quickly accumulate pair of gasoline and oil, and when
firing - powder gases. According to the story of the driver A7V, the temperature inside
the tank during the battle reached 86 C - perhaps a slight exaggeration. And on the
march or in anticipation of a fight - when the roof top ventilation grilles placed maskset
and tarpaulins - tank habitability was not the best, so that a large part of the crew on the
march preferred to be placed on the roof of the tank. Shaking and distress impede
movement inside the tank. Crews resorted to a makeshift adaptations to maintain the
balance - to the vents in the roof tied a rope with knots and loops such as loops in a
tram. However, the large size of the hull and a large armored door made getting in and
out of the crew A7V easier and faster than, for example, in the British tanks.

As the combat experience, plenty of weapons at numerous crew and lack of time for
training tank crews led to the fact that the artillery gunners prevented, and vice versa.

In general, the failure to comprehend the German tanks subsequently, should be


attributed not only to the account of the design flaws, but also on account of the small
number of machines and the degree of training of their crews - the Germans simply did
not have time and opportunity to carry out proper training of all crews. Even if they
achieved local success, it does not affect the course of operations.

Equally striking mismatch of goals and means disturb "public opinion". October 2, 1918
at a meeting of party leaders in the Reichstag representative of the High Command tried
to explain the "elected representatives" so striking mismatch of goals and means, "Hope
to overcome the enemy disappeared. The first factor that strongly influenced this
outcome are the tanks. The enemy used them in huge, we have not foreseen the masses.
We were not able to counter the enemy the same number of German tanks. Our industry
could not produce them in sufficient numbers without serious damage to other
important tasks: and so it was tense to the extreme. " MPs, as expected, sharply
criticized the Ministry of War and the General Command of neglecting the new combat
vehicle. October 23 issued a statement the Minister of War, General Sheikh: "We have
been actively engaged in the construction of weapons (which is recognized as
important). We will soon have an additional tool for the successful continuation of the
war, if we are forced to it. " Usefulness "of this weapon" is no longer in doubt neither
the Ministry of War, nor the command. But it was too late.

General H. von Kuhl spoke before the Reichstag Commission after the war: "There is
no doubt that German industry would have coped with the production of tanks, if we put
it in front of this problem in advance, definitely enough and persistently."

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View of the interior cabin A7V tank top. Visible seat of the driver and commander,
steering wheel, levers and valves to control tank. The position works as a mechanic
(right) shows a passage remains between the propulsion system with the control pad
and the edge of the hull.

Tank A7V number 542, captured by the British April 24, 1918 at Villers-Bretonneux
(see chap. "Combat the use of German tanks"), carrying the name of "Elfriede", because
of what in the literature for a long time A7V were called as "type tanks Elfriede" . The
tank has been scrutinized in the rear, was tested by the French and British crews.
According to the allies, "the Germans in his model was repeated a large number of
design errors and mechanical defects borrowed by them from the first English and
French tanks." More accurate to say that the Germans have taken into account many of
the shortcomings of the first Allied tanks, but did a lot of their own mistakes. British
experts pointed out the good book A7V front, rear and sides of the roof with weak
protection (weakened ventilation grilles).In addition, the "valve holes in the turret, the
gun shield, mask and machine-gun slits between the boards ... were very vulnerable to
shrapnel and rifle and machine-gun bullets." And, of course, there was a low cross-
machine - is indicative of this is that just captured a tank overturned, moving through
the funnel. Surpassing British "rhomboid" tanks on the travel speed, the German tanks
is clearly inferior to them in their ability to overcome ditches and trenches, which
confirmed the comparative test A7V captured and Mk IV, conducted 12-13 February
1918 This played a role in the decision not to order A7V tanks beyond those already
ordered twenty.

Special machines on the chassis A7V

Of the 100, only 22 A7V chassis used for the construction of series of tanks, the chassis
with two hulls and weapons were soon removed, the same chassis used in the
construction of an experienced A7VU.But the chassis is not used for the tanks have
been used at the front. These machines, conventionally called Uberlandwagen (can be
translated as "the car for longer trips", although also referred Gelandewagen designation
- "all terrain vehicle"), commonly referred to as "tractor", although more accurately be
attributed them to the category of crawler-transporter trucks. Carrying capacity was 8-
10 m, the force on the towbar - up to 15 ton. Most of the body of the machine occupied
a cargo platform, enclosed hinged wooden boards. The boards were built up, the car
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drove with a tarpaulin for shelter cargo.The front and rear edge of the platform were
given away for the bypass track, in the middle stood a covered cabin with the engine
compartment and the cab, and remained on the sides of the aisles of the cabin platform.
Deck had a rigid roof and double doors on the sides.

Lateral projection of the conveyor tractor A7V Uberlandwagen, equipped with brackets
to prevent the wires.

Tractor transporter A7V Uberlandwagen in Flanders, probably - April 1918

Order on-road machine is not interrupted telegraph and electric wires or crew are not hit
by a broken wire, along the sides of the arched brackets fastened - a common measure
of time for machines operating in the "combat zone". Could be installed floodlights.

Although Germany and podotstal by their opponents in the introduction of tracked


vehicles to the army, the German Uberlandwagen on A7V chassis nevertheless became
one of the first military tracked tractors transporter.

Tractor transporter had a crew of 3 people, weighed 18 tons, with a full load - 28 tonnes
for the terrain was almost identical to the tank A7V, power reserve of 48 km. The

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assembly of tractors, transporters producing factory "Daimler" in Marienfelde,
components supplied by the "Bssing" in Braunschweig.

Since the chassis has been standardized, and the only difference between the tank and
the tractor-transporter was to be mounted on the platform hull and equipment,
conversion of one to the other took one day of work in the workshops of the 20th
"Vehicle Park Bavarian army" (V.A.K. R. 20, Charleroi, Belgium), who served as a
base for tanks and transporters A7V.

The first eight cars A7V (Uberlandwagen) was sent to the 1111-th army convoy (on
tracks) - Armee Kraftwagen Kolonne (Raupe) 1111, or AKK (the R) 1111). Column
nominally included, besides the eight-transporters tractors, and even one car, two light
trucks and five three-ton truck - two for the delivery of fuel, spare parts for one, one for
tools and equipment and a tractor for field kitchen. The personnel of the column - 59-60
people, including two officers.The order of the formation of the column AKK (R)
appeared in 1111 September 18, 1917, but ready to be sent to the front it is only
recognized 7 December. 23 December - was sent to France. December 21, 1917 order
was given to the formation of the column AKK (R) 1112 and January 3, 1918 - column
A.K.K. (R) 1113. They are sent to the front, respectively, 21 January and 21 February
1918 Already March 9, 1918 ordered the formation of convoys AKK (R) 1114 and
AKK (R) 1115. Thus, about 40 A7V chassis used tractors under-transporters.

The design of the universal tracked chassis, patented "Deutsche Gesellschaft


Automobilen-constructional" in 1919 (after the fall of the empire, the patent application
was filed in 1918).

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Test A7V Uberlandwagen as a transporter. The canopy over the cockpit is not installed.

Convoy AKK (R) 1116, ordered the formation of which appeared April 23, 1918, was
equipped with caterpillar tractors "Orion" with carrying capacity up to 7 tons. Total
ordered 10 of these tractors, one of them as a backup for it. Tractors "Orion" and
ordered the column to AKK (R) in 1117, was formed by the order of July 20, 1917 are
also planned formation of columns AKK (R) 1118, 1119, 1121 and 1122, but they have
simply not been cars. It reported on the use of vehicles in columns and half-track
vehicles, "Marien-Wagen II.

Tracked tractors, conveyors for the transport of supplies referred to as Munition


Schlepper. Since June 1918, each transport vehicle was equipped with a machine gun to
defend against enemy aircraft. The number of good roads in the combat area was
extremely limited, and off-road vehicles could play an important role. However, the
practical use of the transporter tractors A7V chassis proved relatively small. The reason
for this can be called a high consumption of fuel - vehicle carrying 8-10 tons of cargo,
spent more than 10 liters per 1 km of track, while the three-ton truck - 0.84 liters per
kilometer. But tractors, transporters involved in anti-infantry exercises on defense.

The First World War demanded extensive engineering machinery, mechanization of


construction of field fortifications. And A7V chassis is also equipped with a bulldozer
and excavation equipment supplied by "Orrenshtayn und Koppel" (Berlin) and
"Vezerhyutte" (Bad Osenhauzen). According to Josef Volmer, such devices have been
equipped with 60 to 80 cars, but it seems, is an engineering machines based on different
chassis. However, it is known that chain trenchers to A7V chassis was equipped with
the 423rd Engineer Company, formed in the summer of 1918

At the end of October 1918 it was planned to equip tractors, conveyor equipment for
gas contamination of the terrain warfare agents, but these plans have not had time to
implement.

Experienced self-propelled artillery

Gunners refused to use unarmored A7V chassis as the prime mover - although
experiments of this application with heavy field guns were placed. However, it served
as the basis for an interesting experimental self-propelled.We have already mentioned
the widespread use of the German army to fight against air targets "motor guns
(Kraftwagenflak) on the chassis of all-wheel drive trucks, unarmored or partially
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armored. But their use is limited by the presence in the Battle of the road network area.
It would be strange not to be used for the same purpose again appeared crawler.

Test "self-propelled anti-aircraft battery" on A7V chassis with two 76-mm cannons
column book-rests on the plants. Pay attention to lean back side, fencing workers
settlement places, spotted camouflage painting installation.

Self-propelled anti-aircraft battery with two 76-mm guns on A7V chassis in the stowed
position.

On A7V Uberlandwagen two platform mounted anti-aircraft guns - front and rear
wheelhouse. There are photos of one such facility, is being tested in the courses "Motor
anti-aircraft guns" in 1918. Needless weapon was a trophy Russian 3-inch (76-mm)
field gun mod. 1902 used in the Reichswehr under the designation of 7.62 cm FK 02 L /
30 - its swivel part mounted on an open column book-rests installation (Sockelflak) firm
"Krupp". The unit provides a circular firing guns and elevation angles up to 70 , and
like the same "engine implements" could be fired, and at small angles - at ground
targets. Engine compartment light closed book - apparently to prevent liner departing
from the cannon breech. The sides of the body at the position recline, increasing the size
of areas for settlement, but remained along the sides of the fence. Ammunition - from
168 to 200 shots were guns fixing in its stowed position (trunks unfolded to the cabin).

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It is alleged that in the two-gun self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon remade three A7V
chassis, and put on two captured Russian 76mm cannon, and one - the German 77-mm
(photo of such a facility is also preserved - it is made at the Krupp factory in Essen).
Machines are known as "self-propelled battery." Two units, armed with 76-mm cannon,
were the basis for the "anti-aircraft batteries" K-Flak Battery 17 and 18, and the German
armed 77-mm guns - K-Flak Battery 16.

Experienced "self-propelled anti-aircraft battery" K-Flak Battery 16 with 77-mm anti-


aircraft guns at the "Krupp". Column book-rests installation provided a circular firing
guns and elevation angles up to 70 degrees.

Each "battery", in addition to two-gun installation would include a car or a lorry and a
motorcycle for communication. Up to combat use of these "batteries" is not reached.

On the other hand, the 57-mm gun "Maxim-Nordenfeld" column book-rests on the
installations created for A7V and A7VU, suitable for "motor guns" - 150 such units
mounted on a wheeled truck as a self-propelled guns antitank defense.

Experienced heavy tank A7VU

Already during the assembly of the first prototype A7V, in April 1917, held in
Germany, finally, the detailed tests of captured British "rhomboid Mk IV tanks. As a
result, OHL gave the job to an experienced tank design on the British model. The
project received the designation A7VU (or A.7.VU). The main objective was to achieve
a high cross, and above all an increase in the width of crossing the moat.

It was supposed to provide a machine with tracks covering the body, and the same
engine-transmission group that A7V. What is the basis of a decision taken layout used
in the UK "rhomboid" tanks, quite naturally - in any industry normally up the first
sample circuit, successfully proven in practice.

"British" scheme was, however, significantly modified. During the construction of the
prototype using components and chassis units A7V chassis number 524. remake was
planned to get the test to September 1, 1917

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Experienced heavy tank A7VU.

Engines and transmissions occupied the rear of the casing. Designated driver and
commander moved forward to the front hull. The middle part of the body has taken the
upper conning tower with units under the guns. On each side of the engine, ie. E. Closer
to the stern of the hull, arranged symmetrically sponsons. The fighting compartment, so
it was divided into three sections - two sponsons shifted back and conning tower. Upper
bronerubka allowed, in addition, to improve crew battlefield surveillance - like the
average cabin on the British Mk V. To observe the inspection covers have also been
used on the sides of the driver's compartment.

A7VU housing in longitudinal section has acquired a diamond shape, more angular than
that of the British prototype. Broneliste also fastened riveting on a steel frame. armor
thickness was limited to 20 mm.But despite this, and to reduce by more than half the
crew, the tank weight compared with A7V increased by 10 tons - 40 tons Immunity
front projection increased by tilting the upper front hull plates at an angle of 50 to the
vertical.. The roof and rear wall of the housing inclined performed ventilation grille
with louvers.

Each sponson installed 57-mm gun "Maxim-Nordenfeld" and 7.92-mm machine gun
MG.08 behind her. Gun setup was column book-rests, in fact, designed to A7VU, but is
guided in the horizontal plane angle, unlike A7V, reached 110 . Work gunner in A7VU
was more comfortable than the sponsons of the British tanks, but they themselves were
larger sponsons.Installations guns were similar A7V, angle horizontal fire - 45 in the
host unit and slightly less in the feed. Another one-two machine guns were mounted in
front of the pistol ports sponsons (for logging), six embrasures felling or in the frontal.
In addition, the crew could through the hatches to fire personal weapons. Each sponson
as in British prototypes had the rear wall door outer loops.

The power plant includes the same units as that of the A7V, as a whole were the same
and controls used by the driver - only changed their rods as the driver was sitting not on
top, and far ahead of the engine. Traction control, as well as fuel tanks, located between
the bottom of the housing and the floor management offices and combat. Exhaust pipes
with silencers displayed on the roof of the enclosure.

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Projections heavy tank A7VU. View Sectors firing 57 mm cannon mounted in the
sponson.

The preliminary draft of the tank A7VU-3 with a machine-gun and gun sponsons
installation in the bow of the hull.

Track the progress gathered around a large box-like structures on the sides. Suspension,
in contrast to the British prototypes, was supple and, in general, repeating the blocked
suspension A7V with undercarriage five double support rollers, each suspended from a
coil spring. But then added to the undercarriage group of rollers, fixed to the wall
crawler against the ascending and descending branches of the tracks to prevent their
collapse or decay - five rollers on the front inclined portion board boxes and two in the
rear. Driving wheels - rear location, solid. Significantly raised above the ground guide
wheels are equipped with screw regulation track tensioning mechanisms.

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Remake chassis with a new body experienced in the experimental field "Daimler"
plant.By June 1918 the tank is assembled in the factory "Steffen und Knoll" in Berlin-
Tempelhof. The first sea trials of the prototype took place on June 25th. Compared with
British heavy "Lozenge A7VU tanks has many advantages: better armor protection,
elastic suspension, a better overview and a more comfortable working space crew. But
his weight was too high, the resistance to movement by 40% higher than the A7V. The
large, low-set cross-sponsons are not contributing to - the tank turned out to be very
broad, with a slight roll of the sponson "cling" ground. "Looking at this bulky
construction of large-tonnage, - recalled the tank A. Horch - I bitterly regretted that all
the work on its creation were in such a hurry." September 12 Bet ordered to stop work
on the project, the only prototype was dismantled.

Save the drawing projects other options A7VU:

- A7VU-2 - modification A7VU additional machine gun in the hull aft and stern
sponsons doors;

- A7VU-3 - without cutting and serving with reduced sponsons, which only puts the
machine guns, cannon installation was located in the building, to the right of the driver's
seat;

- A7VU4-A7VU - with reduced sponsons cannon-bit and logging (in the wheelhouse
only had 4 loopholes for machine guns).

But the "iron" such tanks have not been built.

Experienced light tanks LK-I and LK-II

Shortly after A7V layout demonstration High Command has proposed to develop a
larger, more "powerful" tanks. The task for the development was granted shortly J.
Vollmer. However, Vollmer considered more appropriate to the creation of light
vehicles, which would be released faster and in larger quantities using the available
units. A prerequisite for the development and production of fast setting was the
presence of large stocks of automobile units. The fleets of the military department at
that time had accumulated more than 1000 vehicles found not fit for use in the army -
the so-called.. "Eaters of fuel and tires." The machines were heterogeneous, with motor
power from 40 to 60 hpHowever, their systematization could get a group of 50 and
more pieces, and on this basis to build a party of light combat vehicles with reserve
units and units for repair. It was supposed to use the chassis of the car "inside" crawler
chassis, installing the drive wheels caterpillar drive on their drive axle. German experts
almost the first to have understood the advantage of light tanks, as the possibility of
widespread use of automobile units.

The project was presented in September 1917 Head of the Inspectorate of automobile
troops approved it and 29 December 1917 decided that the construction of light
tanks.Already 17 January 1918 OHL rejected this decision, finding the alleged
reservation of such tanks is too weak. Soon, however, it became clear that the High
Command itself was negotiating with Krupp of light tank, to develop his firm - yet
another example of lack of coordination and the High Command of the Military
Ministry in matters of tank. Again interest in light tanks appeared at the end of April

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1918 - in direct connection with the emerging information about the availability of light
French "Renault" tanks.

Development began on a light tank company Krupp under the guidance of Professor
Rauzenbergera (lead designer of artillery company) in the spring of 1917, at the same
time Krupp suggested that the development of armored tracked artillery tractor. In the
end, it is the creation of a light tank was approved and passed to the jurisdiction of the
Ministry of War.

Longitudinal section and a front view of a light tank LK-II.

Swedish light tank Strv t / 21 - the development of the tank machine-gun version of LK-
II.

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Draft project of the armored artillery tractor-transporter chassis LK.

It was given permission to build two experimental machines LK-I (Leichte


Kampfwagen I - light combat vehicle of the first model").

Basic requirements for light tanks assumed:

- The crew - a driver (a driver) and one or two hand;

- Weapons - 57-mm cannon and two machine guns, the presence of hatches for the
firing of personal weapons;

- Protection against armor-piercing rifle bullets at short distances (thickness of armor -


not less than 14 mm);

- Suspension - elastic;

- Speed on flat terrain with a ground average hardness - 12-15 km / h, the ground
pressure - about 0.5 kg / cm 2 , the overlapped width of the moat - 2 m, turning on any
ground, the ability to take the steep climbs to 45 ;

- Weight - no more than 8 tons, possibility of transport in the form of undismantled on


standard railway platforms and ready to go immediately after unloading;

- A reliable and, if possible, low-noise motor;

- Small silhouette with possible large clearance;

- Duration without replenishment of fuel and ammunition reserves to 6 hours.

To increase the patency and opportunities prodelyvat passages in the barbed wire offers
not overlap caterpillar armor protection and increase the height of the toe lift crawler
bypass in the front. In addition, the perceived ability to tow light guns or mortars on a
wheeled carriage and at the same time the opportunity to tow the tractor tank itself or
another tank.

Embarkation and disembarkation of the crew had to be simple and fast, the volume is
sufficient for the crew compartment of combat operation. Attention was paid to fire
safety, the device inspection slits and hatches, protection of the crew from splinters and
lead spray, the possibility of sealing the tank in the event of enemy use of flame
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throwers (!). It is worth paying attention to the requirement of availability of
mechanisms for maintenance and repair and the possibility of rapid replacement of the
engine, the presence of caterpillars treatment system from dirt.

Longitudinal section of the tank LK-I.

Pilot light tank LK-I using the units "Daimler" truck with a rotating machine gun turret.
Opened the door cabin hatch tower hatches and the engine compartment.

Pilot light tank LK-I, a front view, side view. The machine gun in the turret is not
installed.

Crawler chassis LK tank development Volmer was going on a special frame. Chassis
each side was between the two longitudinal parallel walls connected by transverse webs.
Between them, the frame suspended on helical coil springs running trolley. On board

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there were five carriages with four road wheels each. Another truck is rigidly mounted
in front - it rolls were resistant to the caterpillar rising branches. It was rigidly fixed and
the rear drive wheel axle.The steering wheel is elevated above the supporting surface,
its axis is provided with a screw mechanism for adjusting the track tension.
Longitudinal profile of tracks is designed so that when driving on hard road length of
the supporting surface was 2.8 m, on soft ground increased somewhat, and when
passing through the trenches reached 5 m. Raised front part of the tracks appeared in
front of the body. Thus we supposed to combine turning on solid ground with high
traffic.Construction caterpillar repeated A7V, but on a smaller scale. Shoe width was
250 mm, the truck move - 140 mm. The number of trucks in the chain had grown to 74.
The resistance circuit breaking - 30 tons of material links and bolts -. The same as in the
A7V. From lateral offset lower branch of the caterpillars hold the center flange rollers
and sidewalls bogies, the top - frame walls.

Inside such ready crawler chassis fastened vehicle frame (eg, "Daimler" truck) to the
main aggregates, and - not hard, and keep the car on its springs. The rear axle, used to
drive the drive wheels are inserted into the holes of the side frames crawler.Thus, the
elastic suspension is provided as if the two-stage - coil springs bogies and semi-elliptic
springs of the inner frame. New items in the design of LK tanks were protected by a
number of special patents.

The engine and transmission of the base of the car as a whole preserved. The design as
it was an armored vehicle, "inserted" in the crawler. The result was quite durable
machine with an elastic suspension and a sufficient clearance.

Driving chassis unit LK tank: 1 - car frame with the engine and transmission, 2 and 3 -
wheel drive, 4 - caterpillar mover.

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Scheme of transmission LK tank.

Projections of experimental light tank LK-II in the version with a machine-gun turret.

The result was a tank with a front engine, rear - the transmission and the crew
compartment. At first sight striking resemblance to the British average Mk A
"Whippet", appeared on the battlefield only in April 1918, it is interesting and the fact
that LK-I had a rotating turret, as well as "light tank persecution" Tritton. Tritton tank
was officially tested in England in March 1917 Perhaps the German intelligence service
and had some information about these tests. However, similarities can be explained
layouts and choice as a base car circuit, the machine-gun turret on the armored vehicles
were worked out by all the warring parties. All the more so on the device LK
significantly different from the "Whippet" one engine management office is located
behind the engine, the driver's seat is located on the axis of the machine, is fighting
compartment behind him.

The armored body was going to frame out of direct riveting sheets of rolled armor. The
cylindrical tower had riveted recess for installation MG.08 gun, veiled by the sides two
outer flaps like the towers of a number of armored vehicles in those years. Machine gun
had a screw lifting mechanism. The roof of the tower was carried round hatch with a
hinged lid, at the rear - a small butterfly hatch.Embarkation and disembarkation of the

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crew carried out through two low doors on hinges made in the sides of the fighting
compartment in front of each other. driver's window was covered by a horizontal
double-leaf cover, the bottom of the leaf cut five viewing slots. For engine maintenance
hatches were provided with hinged covers in the sides and the roof of the engine
compartment. Ventilation grilles supplied with blinds.

After the start of the Allies Battle of Amiens on August 8 - "the black day of the
German Army" - Krupp given urgent order for 65 tanks, but was not yet ready no real
sample. After the test on October 2 Marienfelde chassis cars competing order firm
"Krupp" canceled. Choosing stopped at LK-II. It was planned to order 580 cars in
December 1918 to begin production of the first 10 LK-II, and from April 1919 to bring
their production to 200 cars a month. However, only one third of cars had to be
machine-gun (two 7.92-mm machine gun), and two-thirds - cannon (here it is already
possible to see the analogy with French "Renault FT-17).

This was preceded by test firing 57 mm cannon mounted in LK-II package. Tests last
another 29 August revealed the weakness of the gun and install the destructive action of
the impact on the body. And September 30, decided to bet that gun LK-II will be armed
with 37-mm cannon Krupp.

Contours of the hull have changed somewhat. There sloping cheekbones between the
straight sides and roof. Behind the rise of the engine compartment and bilge hull formed
cockpit driver with three viewing hatches. The front flap has two flaps, side - one. Fixed
conning tower had straight sides and a sloping rear wall. The conning tower placed
gunner (gunner) and his assistant, who worked standing. logging door positioned just
like LK-I, but has been increased. The roof of the cabin there was a hatch with a hinged
lid, which served to review and ventilation. The straight sides, the front page and on the
roof of the engine compartment carried out blinds on the upper inclined sheets - covers
with hinged lids for engine maintenance. Ventilation system according developers had
to provide the air temperature inside the tank slightly above the ambient atmosphere.

Exploration allies, based on defector information, it is assumed that in the summer of


1918 in Germany "has been in the construction of" 250 light tanks, but it is not true.
Orders for light tanks and have not begun, although the troops during 1918 there were
demands for a more mobile type of light tanks. First LK-II was built in the fall of 1918
and strongly was late. In October alone, Volmer was able to provide two light tanks.
Almost a mirror repeat the situation with the "light" and "large" tanks in France at the
end of 1916 - if the French still detained develop heavy tank in favor of light "Renault",
then everything happened the other way around in Germany.

Light tanks with extensive use of finished automobile units were much more promising
ideas "sverhtanka" if only because they were 10 times cheaper. LK-II-type tanks, the
use of mass, can achieve greater success than heavy, being more mobile, could provide
support for the "assault group" in the depths of the infantry of the enemy defense.
Relatively small, but well-trained and equipped with a melee weapon (automatic, cold,
grenades, flame-throwers), and the means of protection assault groups could seep into
the depth of the defense, interrupt the communication and supply routes, attacking
command posts. The first use of such special units during the battle of Verdun shown
their effectiveness, and soon their numbers in the German army began to grow,
culminating in their massive and successful application in the German "offensive for the

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sake of peace" in the spring of 1918 The key to their method of action was mobility, and
which could support and maintain light tanks. However, their construction was limited
to a few prototypes.

Together Volmer group of designers and Krupp to LK-II chassis was designed armored
artillery tractor-transporter. He had completely closed housing with doors in the sides
and rear. In the front hull machine gun was mounted so that the gunner was located just
behind the driver. In addition, there were loopholes for guns in the sides.The crew with
the expectation we carry guns was 6 people. This very promising development has been
approved, but not implemented in the metal. And at the same time, the British "armored
artillery transporters" have acted on the front.

After the war, in the early 1920s, in the project of Sweden J. Volmer at "Landsverk"
started to produce the first Swedish tank Strv M / 21. He was a direct development of
the machine-gun version LK II, differing rotating turret with a commander's cupola,
increased up to 4 people crew, improved protection frontal projection, further aft door.
In 1929, part of the upgraded tanks the installation of more powerful engines. So the
project LK-II is still brought to the series - maybe not during the war and not to the
German factory (incidentally, "Landsverk" under the control of the German concern
"Krupp").

Experienced super-heavy tank "K" ( "colossal")

In May 1918, the Italian officer George. Douai conceived to publish his views on the
latest methods of warfare in the form of a science fiction novel "Winged Victory". In
the book he "supplied" Germany two thousand "colossal tanks Krupp 4,000 tons in
weight, with 6 diesel 3000 hp (Including two spares), a speed of 4 km / h, the spray on
the area of a semicircle with a radius of 100 m pep liquid crew - only 2 persons. " These
colossi Douai needed only to set off the power to offer them, "Inter-Allied Air Force",
underwhelming in the novel German and Austrian army attacks on the rear
communications. It is worth noting that after the first shock in 1914 by the German
heavy artillery fire and gas attacks in 1915 the Allies seriously constantly expect from
Germany some "technical monsters."

Experienced super-heavy tank K-Wagen.

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Projections of super-heavy tank K-Wagen.

It is worth noting the fact that nearly eighteen years later, in 1936, the American
magazine "Science Mekeniks End" published a similar project of super-heavy
flamethrower tanks, however, smaller weight and with a crew of 3-4 person, but his
seven fire engines had to throw fire jet at a range of "up to 100 yards or even more."
author of the project turned out to Hugo Gernsback, the famous American science
fiction and futurist. The idea that a serious military theorist used as a literary device, a
professional writer suggested in all seriousness.

Of course, in reality these monsters in Germany is not going to build, but the idea of
"mobile fortress" still found its extreme expression in the form of a first embodied in
metal super-heavy tank.

At the end of March 1917 Command Headquarters issued a demand for "sverhtank"
called at first "modestly Gross Kampfwagen ( great fighting machine"), weighing up
to 150 tons. J. Vollmer received from the Inspectorate of motor forces corresponding to
the task of designing. Directly involved in the project engineer Mueller-Noygauz known
before the development of "street freight train" with active trailer and a gasoline-driven.
Mueller gave more than 20 employees. The commission on the development of "big
machine" is also included Horch, von Opel and Professor Hofmann. tank project has
been approved by the Ministry of War June 28, 1917 and became known under the
designation "K-Wagen (Kolossal-Wagen or just Kolossal - then fashionable word in
Germany).

It was assumed that the tank will have the armor thickness of 30 mm, two or four guns
caliber 50-77 mm, four machine guns, two flamethrower (flame throwers again), the

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crew of 18 people, two engines of 200-300 hp or four 100 hp, will be able to overcome
the trench width up to 4 m. The project's design and construction of the first tank was
allotted a year, but reduced the OHL for up to eight months. Pretentious 100 tanks
construction program (the first order for 10) were unlikely to be realized.Most units had
to develop anew. The estimated cost of one sverhtanka was not less than 500,000
Reichsmarks.

tank layout diagram K-Wagen.

The circuit layout "K-Wagen basically has been borrowed from the British: caterpillars
covered the body and arms are installed in a wide sponsons and pistol ports. However,
the relative position of branches was similar A7VU - was located in front of the control
room, in the middle part - martial in the rear - engine and transmission.At the same time
the crew compartment without sponsons and engine-transmission group took
approximately an equal volume of the body. The crew was again a record - from 22 to
27 people (the largest number of crew for ever built "iron" tanks).

In the department of administration placed two drivers. On the roof of the tank in front
of the cylinder mounted control cabin (turret) with observation slits around the
perimeter and a sunroof.Felling was intended for the tank commander and an artillery
officer. Behind it there were two round hatch.

Housing tank was going to the frame of the large sheets of steel armor Kata on rivets
and bolts. Removable sponsons were complicated in shape. The sloping front and back
walls of the sponsons performed broadened cannon loopholes. The embrasure installed
77-mm semi-automatic gun with kaponirnaya gate. These guns were taken from the fort
in Idshtaynere. Tilting of the gun was mounted on a rotating pedestal with a semi-
cylindrical shield and fencing breech. The gunner's seat was located on the left of the
fence, I enjoyed a telescopic sight and coaxial flywheels pickup, on the sides of the
installation placed assistant gunner and loader. In front of the wall at the corner
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sponsons positioned installation MG.08 gun, a machine gunner and served as his
assistant (t. E. In front of the sponsons housed up to 5 people). The same machine gun
were in the narrow back of the sponsons, in the sides and front of the compartment
control unit. In the engine compartment placed mechanics, the main duty of which was
to monitor the state of the engine and transmission. Installing the arms meet all the same
claim circular firing - in any direction "K-Wagen could concentrate approximately
equal to the density of the fire. Interestingly, the project provides guidance electric guns.
On the roof of the sponsons were carried out air vents.

Already the design mass of the tank made to look more powerful engines. For motor
group selected two engine "Daimler" 650 hp, mounted in parallel in an insulated engine
compartment. With gearbox motors connected with cardan shafts, derived through the
holes in the wall separating the engine compartment from the transmission.electric
remote control clutch has been developed ( "Vulcan" system). Exhaust pipes with
silencers and engine radiators displayed on the roof in the rear of the hull. The stock of
petrol was 3,000 liters.

Original - the so-called "orbit" - the design had undercarriage. Track chain composed of
alternating inner and outer shoe pivotally connected to each other. The outer track is an
assembly of the trolley with four rollers with flanged (according to the type of rail),
which is attached to the shoe, equipped with lugs. "Gauge" roller was 495 mm.Inner
tracks combined into a single external hinge chain. The body of each board was covered
by the guide rail, on which "run in" roller shoe tracks. This track was previously tested
on a tractor "Orion". Among its advantages include reducing the friction loss in the
joints and increase efficiency crawler, but an increase in the mass of caterpillars is
practically reduced to nothing these advantages. Truckee going on bolts and rivets. The
drive wheel - back arrangement. The case was suspended to the chassis on the helical
springs. The upper branch of the caterpillars with front and rear descending branches
were covered bronekryshey passing into curved broneekrany. Lower caterpillar branch
went through an arc of large radius - in accordance with the views of those years, it was
to provide a better turning and less resistance to movement on solid ground and an
increase in the soft terrain, due to immersion of larvae in the soil and increase the
contact area.

It was supposed to equip the communications tank - for a radio operator took place in
front of the engine compartment. For communication management department of the
mechanics in the engine compartment in the casing pipe were laid negotiation (so that
the engine compartment can be called a "machine", by analogy with the ships).

For transportation by rail K-Wagen could understand 4 large pieces. As conceived


combat use of such colossi, is quite difficult to understand. Obviously, the command
believed in the possibility of using mobile fortresses "to break in several places" Allied
Front - an idea that occurred in those years in all the belligerent countries. However,
October 18, 1917 Department of Experimental Inspection of motor forces
acknowledged that "K-Wagen is suitable only as a means of trench warfare. By arming
"K-Wagen" was an artillery mounted in a "rolling forte" and machine-gun battery. For
such a "rolling fort" (or "the position of the tank"), a large dead space in the field of
view from the cockpit was tolerable.

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Scheme communication management department and engine department K-Wagen.

The contract for the construction of five copies of the tank "K-Wagen" was issued by
ball bearing plant "Ribe" in Berlin-Weissensee, the other five - "Vagonfabrik Wegman"
in Kassel (and not "Krupp factory" for which the literature of the world used to write off
" militarism "of German industry). Construction of tanks began in April 1918, "K-
Wagen tank assembly technology has been developed with the use of the bridge crane
and special wagons. As a subsidiary designed to execute a self-propelled boom crane on
the chassis of the tractor-transporter A7V (obviously, with the expectation of its use for
the assembly and disassembly of a giant tank during carriage).

By the end of the war at the "Ribe" it was almost completed one tank, ready for the
second and hull of a set of basic units and units, except for engines. All of this went for
scrap after the defeat of Germany. Tests constructed tank and did not pass, although the
manufacturer allegedly requested permission to do so from the representatives of the
victorious Allies.

Generated by the First World War, the idea of "strong" and even "heavy duty" (which
means - and heavy) tanks with powerful weapons, breaking through any fortified and
resisting projectiles of any field or anti-tank gun, a long time will become a fixed idea,
and military, and developers, not to mention mention the various science fiction and
self-styled inventor.

Note that after a quarter century in Germany, two of the heavy tanks were built again -
180-ton "Mouse", also did not take part in any battle. In both world wars, when the
situation was not in favor of Germany, the German military leadership issued a job and
devote resources to "sverhtanki". Both times, the designers laid in their original ideas
and solutions, and both times turned out to be stillborn monsters.

German projects 1918

A7V design is clearly not satisfied with the German command. Battles have revealed
numerous shortcomings of these tanks.And the War Department was inclined to

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reconsider the requirements for tanks. This led to the emergence of over 1918 new and
new projects as "serious assault" and lighter military vehicles.

By June 1918 the chief of the Inspectorate of motor forces recognized the need for
"assault" tank, armed with light guns and machine guns, to develop a high speed, and is
suitable for mass production. And the firm "Krupp" in parallel with the development of
lung 8-ton tank unveiled July 23, 1918 the project "Small assault tank" - a few more
heavy machine with a 52-mm gun and a machine gun. The project was not accepted,
since it would have already conceded on cross-tested LK-I and develop LK-II.

The tank taken out on the edge of the funnel, and hung out (center of gravity at the
diamond-shaped tank is almost coincided with the center of the bearing surface). With
closed throttle going down, when you touch the steering wheel of soil needed to give
full throttle, otherwise the tank remained in the funnel. Gunner trained to aim at the
flash firing and quickly press the shutter when re-flash. Although trained in shooting on
the move, fighting practice forced to shoot with short stops. To determine soil
permeability have developed a simple method: if an officer's cane (stack) two hands
firmly entered into the soil no more than 30 cm, the tanks were easy (the ground to
withstand pressure up to 1.5 kg / cm 2 ), 30-45 cm - average throughput (about 1 kg / cm
2
), a fully - impassable ground (less than 0.5 kg / cm 2 ).

The instructions for training on December 1916 and drew attention to the training as
part of the requirements of parts:

"1.Close coordination with other arms. 2. The speed of movement in the area in battle
formation. 3. Selection of objectives in accordance with the combat mission. "

TANKS in fights 1916-1918 gg.

Combat employment of British tanks

Battle of the Somme

Attack of September 15, 1916 to the north of the district. Somme and south-west of
Bapaume was the last attempt of the British succeed in a major operation that was
started by July 1st. In one day, only the first occurrence of the British lost about 20 000
people were killed and 40,000 wounded. "1916 - B. Liddell Hart wrote, - is significant
as the year when the art of infantry attacks fell lowest. 1916 revived due to the
formalism and lack of any ability to maneuver the ranks, which were under Article
XVIII century. Battalions attacked four or eight waves, each at a distance of no more
than 100 meters from each other. People in each wave were shoulder to shoulder, in a
symmetrical and well seasoned Eyes ... No wonder, therefore, that the night July 1 many
battalions are not numbered and hundreds of fighters. " And the beginning of September
3rd and 4th, and the British 6th French army at the front, 70 km advanced by an average
of 2 km, the maximum - 3 to 8. On 7 September the British heavy losses at the expense
of progress on the front of 2 km depth 1.6 km. The offensive on the Somme almost run
out of steam. And the British command in France, despite the objections of the heavy
squad leaders, who considered it necessary to accumulate a large number of machines
and use them until the spring of 1917, has required the sending of the first 50 tanks

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(although against this object as War Minister Lloyd George). It was assumed that the
tanks will start the attack on the German positions as they become available, in order to
finally break through the German positions. August 13 because Tetforda sent 12 tank
company with crews and Service Centre, 22 August - 12 more tanks of the company,
and 25 and 30 August - tanks Company D.

British infantry and cavalry, not without surprise watching the movement of heavy tank
Mk I male" with the "monkey cage" on the roof and spotted camouflage coloring. Tank
number C19 and carried the name "Klen Leslie." The front of the Somme, September
1916

Crews sailed from Southampton to Le Havre, and the tanks themselves - from
Eyvonmuta, as Southampton were no cranes, able to load them on the trucks. By the
end of August in Ivransh near Abevilya accumulated 50 tanks, formed a likeness of the
field staff with Colonel Bradley headed. The tanks are distributed between the buildings
of the 4th and Reserve Army 16 tanks Company C - in the XIV Corps, 18 companies of
the D - in the XV Corps, 8 a company platoon the D - in the III Corps, 7 one platoon of
Company C - 5 th (Reserve ) army. It turned out that they are distributed at the front
about 15 km between Tiepvalem and Combloux. As recorded in those days in his diary
one of the corps commanders G. Rawlinson: "The <Haig> ventured to stake all the
power ... to break through the German lines and reach Bapaume." September 7-10, 49
tanks went to the front, the 13th arrived at the collection points near Bray. Moved by
night pitted terrain without route reconnaissance, and 17 tanks stuck on the march.

The aim of the attack of the 4th Army against the positions of the 1st German army at
the front of the ravine Combloux - Martinpyushi was the capture of villages Morval Le
Boeuf, Gvedekur and Fleur. To break through the first line of defense of the German
plan to send tanks to the most powerful groups in paragraphs 2-3: cannon - against the
enemy machine guns, machine guns - against manpower. Tanks should have gone on
the attack for 5 minutes before the infantry, infantry so do not come under fire, that the
enemy is sure to send in the tanks. For the passage of tanks created gaps in the band
barrage. By 5 o'clock in the morning on September 15 serviceable tanks entered the
position.

The attack was scheduled for 6.20 am, but the tanks are to be in time, have moved from
their original position before. British soldiers who were at this time in the Albert area -
Perron, had a chance to watch in amazement as to advanced positions slowly and with

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unusual rumbling move some unknown to them earlier machines. Total this morning
entered into battle 32 Mk I. First, decide to liquidate a small unit of German resistance
between Zhinshi Delvil and Wood, which went to 5.15 tank- male D1 Captain HW
Mortimer. This tank destroyed the gun, which prevented the promotion of units of the
6th Battalion of the Royal Yorkshire regiment of light infantry, but almost immediately
was incapacitated hit an artillery shell in the right sponson and further participation in
combat did not take - it was the first tank is lined on the battlefield enemy fire .

Distribution tanks for the 4th and 5th British armies on September 15, 1916

Tank Mk I C19 "Clan Leslie" in the museum of the Royal Tank Corps at Bovington.

Driving the first tank battle of the Somme 15 September 1916

Later, in place of the first tank battle we established a special memorial sign.

The remaining tanks went into action later. Total 8 tanks went ahead of the infantry, 9
operated separately, 9 stuck at 5 engines denied. In sections III and XIV corps and the

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Reserve Army tanks had no success. In the band XV Corps tanks acted "heap" of all,
and here 12 out of 17 tanks reached the German trenches, 11, overcame them, 9 the run
captured the village of Fleur, about two kilometers behind the advanced German
positions. First entered the village tank- "male" D17 "Dinnaken" Hasty Lieutenant (3rd
platoon of Company D). One tank, standing over the trench, cleared it with fire, and
then, according to F. Mitchell, "moved along the trench and took 300 prisoners" (or
rather, the prisoners took away the infantry, tank crews but not without reason,
considered it their merit). For tanks the infantry came in Gvedekur; entered the village
tank destroyed the 77-mm gun, but immediately was hit and caught fire, the crew of
only two survived. During the battle for various reasons, have failed 10 tanks, 7
received minor injuries.

"Technical surprise" brought success - five hours with small losses the British seized the
land 5-9 km wide and 2-5 km in depth, captured the prevailing terrain ridge and three
relatively fortified points that before unsuccessfully attacked 35 days. This was the great
success of one day fight for the entire period of the Battle of the Somme.

Heavy Tank Mk I with a number C19, and the name "Clan Leslie" (company C)
together with the infantry advances in the area of the fighting on the Somme.

Tanks there also were the subject of folklore. Without waiting for the open publication
of their appearance, caricaturist PT Reynolds comic depicted podcherpnut a few here

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and there from the press versions of how may actually look like "tanks". Tanks and in
fact will be even compare, and the tortoise and a crocodile and an elephant.

Tanks "rammed" the first line of trenches and diverted the fire of German machine
guns. "The tank moves along the main street of the village of Fleur, and British soldiers
go after him in a good mood" - a message sent by the British pilot of September 15,
1916, widely publicized press. Reaction units of the 1st German army tanks to meet the
first, it was just panic. "All were amazed, as though having lost the ability to move.
Huge monsters slowly approached us, rattling, limping and swaying, but always moving
forward. Nothing they do not linger. Someone in the front line trenches, said: "The devil
is coming." And the word spread through the trenches with great rapidity, "- conveyed
the feeling of soldiers German correspondent. "It moves and shoots, and is not afraid to
fire a gun! And it has no wheels! "- So described the new weapon of the enemy German
soldiers immediately after the battle. Recall listed at the beginning of the book the
words of the military correspondent of the British "Times": "Now the diabolical
machine belongs to us and only us." In common with the reaction in the German
trenches. Until came the first pictures, publications of all countries put the most
fantastic pictures "of the newest types of armored vehicles." B. Liddell Hart later wrote
about the attack September 15, 1916 more sublime syllable: "New weapons has changed
the face of war, replacing the powerful engine of human weak legs, reviving the use of
armor as a means of protection and replacing its human skin or burying it in the
ground." The statement that "the new combat vehicle prematurely disclosed to the
enemy," can be considered valid only in part - as subsequent events showed, the
German command has not been able to estimate the value of this tool.

Then the tanks came into the fight 25 and 26 September at the Le Gvedekura and Sarah
to fix out on the right flank of the attack carried out on 15 September. 5 tanks gave the
4th Army and 8 - Reserve. Of the 13 tanks 9 immediately stuck in the craters from
shells, the two helped the 110th Infantry Brigade master Tiepvalem and stuck there.
Successfully acted tank- "female" to the south-west of Gvedekura in cooperation with
the infantry-grenade throwers - an important step in the formation of tanks tactics. Tank
and infantry in less than an hour seized about 1,350 m fortified trenches, forced to
surrender to 370 people - settled "tankoboyazn" in the German army.

This was repeated on October 1 Fleur west, where the 141 Brigade was stuck in front of
the German trenches. Moving away from the infantry, two tanks came to the trenches,
firing of guns. Opponent groups began to surrender, and the 141 Brigade advanced to
Okur L'Abbay. November 13 at Ancrum instead of the planned twenty-attack allowed
only 5 tanks, but they are stuck in the mud, and crews suffered heavy losses from
enemy fire. The 14th, the last day of the operation, three tanks attacked the trenches at
Beaumont-Amel. One was immediately hit and caught fire, two are stuck, but the
German soldiers, frightened their view, were quick to surrender.

The first use of tanks, against all odds, found that in the framework of the role assigned
to them, they are quite effective. But the tanks took to the battlefield in a small amount,
on the ground, who are pretty dug shelling during the previous battles. The tactic of
using tanks meet the requirements, it worked out back in mid-1915, but since then the
enemy's defenses became deeper trenches are more developed. Not surprisingly, some
of the old officers who were brought up in the spirit of swift cavalry maneuvers, and
younger, is already used to the artillery "gnawing" the front, not seen in the clumsy,

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slow and not very reliable mechanical monsters means of overcoming the painful
stalemate position. On the other hand, without combat experience failed to reveal many
flaws and shortcomings design to production of large series. The effect is the
appearance of tanks in the army was mostly psychological. He soon began working
against the British. For some time, the front-line commanders decided that the tanks
must give success by their presence. This led to a chain of failures and disappointments.

Tank Mk II male" with the number and C24 is named "Charlie Chaplin". Pay attention
to shpory- "expanders" in the Truckee track chain, as well as stacks of officers.

Broken Tank Mk II female" photographed by the Germans in Byullekura.

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Apparently, the same tank, shot from a different angle.

Battle of Arras

March 12, 1917 the German army, in order to shorten the length of the front line,
suddenly began to withdraw to the position of Siegfried (the Allies called it the
Hindenburg line) for the Allies. Departing on the part of the front of Arras - Soissons,
the Germans carried out mass destruction of roads, settlements, local objects (for the
mass destruction of the operation was named "Alberich"), thus greatly slowed the
advancement of allies in the area is abandoned, and the accumulation of troops in it for
a further offensive. However, the Franco-British allies have not abandoned the attack,
scheduled earlier in the spring of 1917 and was of great importance to them. To increase
the rate of attack against this line in April (unsuccessful "operation Nivelle") command
require the participation of two tank battalions, which were to assist the infantry in
breakthrough products and to clear the way to the cavalry Cambrai. Arras offensive by
the British led the usual way to trench warfare - which began April 7 barrage lasted for
several days.

Only the April 9 attack began. The night before several tanks fell into the swamp
because of fragile causeway. The battle left 34 tanks Mk I and 26 Mk II and Mk III (for
the most part - repaired or training, a non-armored). 40 tanks have given the 3rd British
Army, advancing in the center along the river. Skarpy, of which 8 tanks operating in the
offensive zone XVII Army Corps, 20 - VII of housing and 12 - in the band of the VI
Corps. 1st Army, advancing on the left flank against the heavily fortified heights of
Vimy and Tieliu, gave 8 tanks. 5th Army, advancing on the right flank on Visan-Artois,
had 12 tanks, they operated in the band V Corps of the Army.

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This photo shows that the tank had to go in the first trench, before it was destroyed.

These trenches tanks could hardly overcome.

Tanks again "smeared" along the front of the tank density was 1.3 to 1 km of the front
(in the direction of the main attack - 6-8). The tanks are operated in groups of 2 to 8
cars, often stuck before reaching the starting position. 3rd Army took long resisted
Wimm-Ridge, but to develop the initial success could not. At the front of the 1st Army
tanks bogged down in 500 yards (about 455 meters) in front of the German trenches.
Those that were able to overcome the mud, carried out their task, but their local
breakthrough has not been developed. Tanks passed through the advanced trenches, but
the infantry did not use either their success or moved in the other direction. The failure
was natural - rain, storm, dirt, weak spring soil thawed, besides pitted shells are
extremely limited permeability, a two-day barrage stripped surprise attack. Besides
giving itself felt in parts carried out by the German measures on anti-defense. So, on
one tank had 10 German guns, tanks amazed armor-piercing bullets, fell into the trap
prepared in advance - "pitfalls" of which to "bait" is sometimes put guns. It is worth
noting the work of the British repairmen quickly evacuated and fix stuck tanks in such
difficult conditions.

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April 11 there were three groups of tanks - in Byullekura, Monschau, Neville-Vitas. At
the front of the 5th Army to attack from Byullekura sent 4th Australian Infantry
Division, supported by 11 of the 12 tanks attached to it, with it operated 62 Division. As
the artillery was located far behind, and there was no artillery support for the attack, the
tanks have worked not only as a mobile billboard, but also as an "assault artillery", was
replaced by a movable barrage and destroy the barbed wire. Slowly moving along the
snow-covered plain, clearly visible to the enemy tanks were shot easily artillery located
in the depth of the first line of defense, with a direct hit quickly caught fire. Nine out of
11 tanks, move forward, barely reaching the turn near the tasks were hit, but the other
two were able to delve into the tank for about a mile, we reached the village Rienkur
and cleared it, then went to the village of Australians. But it was not possible to achieve
success on the right flank of the attack, it gave the Germans an opportunity to
counterattack, which resulted were captured and broken through the British tanks, and
many Australians. In general, the 4th Australian Division suffered heavy casualties -
2,250 of 3000 only one team. 4 tanks moved along the German trenches, firing them,
and attacked Vinkur, but are not supported by infantry, returned to their original
positions. Three tanks without infantry entered the village of Monschau, which were
lined with fire as the British artillery - tank crews simply did not warn that the start of
the shelling and infantry attacks suffered by two hours. No-wrecked tanks in three days
of fighting had deteriorated.

By April 20 fixed 30 tanks, 11 of them used the 23rd at the front third of the British
army to attack Monschau, Gavrel and Fe, and five were seriously affected by armor-
piercing bullets. By April 28 the British in several places slightly penetrated the
Siegfried line, but somehow develop this small success could not. April 30 Haig said at
a meeting of the commanders of the army, it will continue to attack only "to
methodically move forward" by recognizing the onset of failure. Nevertheless, he said,
"an excellent job of tanks" who "saved many lives".

During the same "operation Nivelle" was first put to use their tanks, the French army,
but this will be discussed in another section.

Tank Mk II and Mk III female, which was destroyed near the German trenches.

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Tank Mk IV male" (serial number 2341), "presented" to the Government of Malaysia,
the UK authorities. Also note the installation bizarre symbolism "Lewis" guns with a
shortened barrel casing.

In Flanders

June 7, 1917, at 3.07 am, the 2nd British army launched an offensive in Flanders in
Messina and to the west of Courtrai and Roulet in order to "cut" the 15-km arc of the
German front. Since March, the heavy detachment officers were here reconnaissance. It
transferred 76 battalions of tanks Mk IV A and B and 14 Mk I. The supply tank
assembly points tanks camouflaged in the woods and under the eaves, harrows
destroyed traces of caterpillars. 12 tanks gave the X Corps (left, northern flank), 28 - IX
(in the center of attack), 32 - II Anzasskomu (right wing).

In the first tier 36 tanks were in front of the infantry, the average density was 6 tanks for
1 km. The tanks were attacking the last line of trenches, up to her under cover of
artillery. With a single tank with a course taken Vitshete, and destroyed a number of
machine-gun points. Fanny's Farm tried to take the infantry, but managed to do so only
after the arrival of the tanks. In the second phase of the attack was attended by 22
survivors of the tank, which is also reflected several counterattacks. Two tanks, bogged
down in a farm Joy, worked through the night as artillery forts. The ultimate goals of
the attacks have been achieved in approximately 13 hours of fighting. Success has been
achieved, but not so much due to the tanks as by artillery and an explosion before the
attack at the positions advanced by the German line of 19 powerful mine horns which
dug and prepared for a month at a cost to them about 600 tons of explosives. It was high
and the density of artillery and machine-gun attack - only at the site of occurrence of
one of the central body 3 km wide, the British concentrated 718 guns and howitzers,
192 mortars and 198 machine guns. The destruction of barbed wire were artillery and
sappers. During the attack of the artillery had time to push forward, to support its
second phase. Not by chance in attack Messin called "a masterpiece of siege warfare."
The role of the tank in the success of the attack was low.

The success of the 2nd Army did not use - 5 th British Army launched the main attack
only on 31 July. This was the "third battle of Ypres" (also known under the shorter

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moniker "Pashendeyl" the name of the village, which has stopped the offensive), which
was given too much importance. Again there was a long - 16 days - barrage.

At the disposal of command there were 216 heavy tanks of three teams: 1st - battalions
of the D and the G, 2nd - A and B, 3rd - F to C. distribute them as follows: 72 - II of
housings and XIX, 36 - XVIII and 36 in the army reserve, total - 15 tanks per 1
kilometer of the front (from 7 to 19 tanks per 1 kilometer in the first tier, and 2.5 to 1
km in the reserves corps).

Tank Mk IV female" left by British tank crews 22 August 1917 Spurs - "expanders"
shoe does not help to maintain patency of the tank in this area.

distribution tanks in the "third battle of Ypres"

Tanks are again distributed in groups of between 4 to 24 divisions. The terrain was
extremely rugged and uncomfortable - the dirt timber in the swamps, the movement in
some places is only possible via unmade road and gatyam. Even before the battle
headquarters of the Tank Corps, having collected the necessary information about the
area and waterworks, sent to the headquarters of the British command of the
memorandum, which states that in case of failure of the drainage system in the area of
Ypres area will turn into a quagmire. It happened - barrage destroyed the drainage
system and finally turned into a swamp the whole area. This greatly limited the
promotion of infantry and tanks, between the German defense is based on a system of
individual support points and small dugouts, echeloned in depth and covering the area
with machine gun fire.

The attack began on July 31 at 3.50 am, in the middle of the day stopped due to heavy
rain - the tanks were buried on the sponsons, beams samovytaskivaniya did not help.
Swim "land ships" still did not know how. Moving columns in a snail's pace, the tanks
suffered heavy losses from artillery fire. Although in several places they had infantry
support, the whole attack was unsuccessful - first got bogged down in the mud tanks,
and then the infantry.

Here, the tanks had to deal with a strong German VET system. Under Ypres used
concrete gun emplacements (blockhouses) and dig in VEHICLAR "fahrpanzer" (

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"pilyulnye box") with a 37-mm or 57-mm cannon in a rotary dome. Interestingly, and
this episode: G7 tank commander had to remove the "Lewis" and carry out his fire on
German planes, who tried to fire a tank with a small height.

G26 Tank Battalion played the same role of cable, helping to pave the signalers
telephone line. 19 August 11 tanks from the 48th Division under the XVIII Corps cover
of a smokescreen attacking position, veiled concrete blockhouse. 3 tanks bogged down,
but 8 successfully bypassed 4 blockhouse fired at point blank range and inputs. He said,
and fear garrisons in front of tanks - the Germans were afraid that tanks are
flamethrowers.

After the failure of the operation, most tanks were taken to the rear of repair. The
remaining Mk IV 1st Brigade participated in 11 battles from 20 August to 9 October,
mainly on the front XVIII Corps. August 22 in Gallipoli farm one emergency tank
battalion of the F, stuck in the no man's land, acted as a "fort", the crew 8:00 restrain the
enemy fire, and then another 60 hours spent in the tank and was able to move to their
positions, taking with him one dead member crew, only the night of August 25 - this is
probably the longest battle of the crew for all the actions of the British Tank corps in the
first world war. October 4 tanks of the 10th Company captain Marisa D battalion helped
infantry attack on Poelkappel, the commander of the XVIII Corps noted primarily for
their moral effect on the enemy. On the same day tanks A battalion participated in the
attack on Reytel. October 9th battalion of the D 4 tanks, advancing to attack Pashendeyl
stuck on the road, and were defeated by artillery fire, although the British still managed
a few advance its front forward. After 14 weeks of fighting an offensive stopped,
"snapped off" the strip marshy ground 6.5 km depth cost more than 400 000 dead and
wounded on both sides.

Tank Mk II female with wooden bars on the track fulfills caterpillars climbing ramps

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in preparation for the "quiet operation" (or not held).

Tank Mk II, almost drowned in the mud at Ypres.

Guilt tank for this failure was not. Moreover, because of these fights Panzer Corps was
"his first" Victoria Cross. The first tanker, which received the highest military award
United Kingdom, became the captain Clement Robertson of the tank battalion And
submitted for that: "From September 30 to October 4, the officer without a break
working under dense fire, preparing the routes for their tanks when the attack on Reytel
. He finished the night is October 3, 1917, and immediately took the tanks to the starting
line of attack. Marsh successfully concluded on October 4 at 3.00 and at 6.00 he led the
attack tanks. The area was very bad, pitted with craters, and the roadway was destroyed
for 500 yards. Captain Robertson, conscious of the risk of losing the way for the tanks,
they continued to walk. In addition to the strong artillery fire, it was sent to a tight
machine-gun and rifle fire. Captain Robertson knew that such action would cost him his
life, but he consciously continued to lead his tanks far in front of the infantry. He
carefully and patiently led them to the target. As they reached the road, Robertson was
killed by a bullet pierced his head. But his task was completed, and then the tanks
ensured the success of the attack. His exceptionally courageous behavior of Captain
Robertson has ensured the success of tanks, deliberately sacrificing life. " Before the
war, the Victoria Cross awarded to three tanker Tank Corps.

To work around the northern flank of the German planned landing operation near
Middelkerke with tanks. It was supposed to deliver tanks Mk IV at large (up to 200 m)
and ferries to land under cover of a smokescreen and artillery fire ships. To overcome
the concrete escarpment on the shores on the bow of each tank were planning to carry
gangway-ramp with wooden flooring, which the tank was reset before the obstacle, but
on every other track caterpillars attach wooden blocks wide to pass through the deck of
the ramp without sliding. Tanki- "female" had to carry the winch. Crews have been
trained in Merlimone, but "quiet operation" did not take place because of the general
failure of the "third battle at Ypres." This failure also added inspiration critics tanks,
succinctly expressed the position that one of the military leaders: "Firstly, the tanks are
unable to overcome the difficult terrain; secondly, the terrain on the battlefield is always
difficult; Thirdly, the tanks are not needed on the battlefield. "

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Loading the wounded (perhaps - tanker) in the ambulance. Close - Tank Mk IV
female. And by marching infantry.

Battle of Cambrai

The turning point in the use of tanks and the most obvious proof of their tactical
abilities was the battle near the town of Cambrai. In the fall of 1917 Panzer Corps got a
good reason to use a new tool to combat properly overcome the skepticism of the
command and the "classical" branches of service. A possible area of attack south of
Cambrai between the Canal du Nord and the Canal of San Quentin was indicated in the
report of the Chief of Staff, Colonel Fuller's body, drawn up more August 3, 1917
"From the point of view of the tank, - stated in the report - Third Iprskoe battle
godforsaken thing can be considered . Continue to apply in this situation the tanks - this
means not only a waste of a good car and the best crews, but also exciting because of
the constant defeats infantry tanks distrust and mistrust crews to the capabilities of
tanks, morally decaying and those and others. From the standpoint of Third Infantry
Iprskoe battle can be considered abnormal, sick, offensive. Continue it is possible only
at the cost of huge losses for the sake of not facing this success ... In order to restore the
prestige of the British ... are invited to immediately start preparations for the capture of
St. Quentin. " August 4 was prepared by the other project, which included tanks raided
the area south of Cambrai in order to "destroy the enemy manpower, demoralize and
disorganize it, but did not master the terrain", the raid "to be of short duration - 8-12
hours to opponent for the organization of counter-attacks could not concentrate large
forces and did not have time to do so. " The forces for the raid - three armored brigades
dvuhbatalonnogo composition and "one or better two infantry or cavalry divisions",
reinforced by artillery.

The area is outstanding in the front side of the Germans, have well-developed
communications, the ground was passable for tanks everywhere - hard ground, little
craters and ditches. A major obstacle has served only the channel of the Scheldt.
Nevertheless, command the 3rd British Army led by General Yu Bing expanded the
proposed plan - instead of the raid are now offered with front offensive breakthrough
and the capture of Cambrai. But it took a much more thorough preparation and where

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more resources. And since that time, most of the reserves attracted battles at Ypres, the
question of attack on Cambrai postponed.

Only 13 October 1917 Haight gave the command to advance planning operations,
enabling staff to plan their actions Ellis independently, but in accordance with the plans
of Staff of the 3rd Army. The idea was to surprise attack, a large number of tanks and
infantry of the 3rd Army with the strong support of artillery and aircraft to break
through on a narrow section of the front of the 2nd German Army General Marvitsa
between channels S. Quentin (p. Scheldt) and the North, and then cavalry and infantry
breakthrough to develop and acquire in-depth Cambrai, forest Burlon, crossings Sensi
channel. As Haight wrote in his report to the British government, the main purpose was
to advance the total elimination of pre-preparation of artillery and tanks on the shifting
operation to destroy the enemy's barbed wire. As soon as the advance of tanks and
infantry, acting in close cooperation with tanks, artillery barrage and protivobatareynoy
fire support attack.

Preparation Mk IV tanks for loading on railway platforms. In the pre-tanks and


reinforced beams samovytaskivaniya fascines. Arms lifted, sponsons retracted into the
housing.

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Battle tanks and the orders of the British plan of attack at Cambrai in November 1917

The attack was planned to take place in two stages: the first stage of the content - "the
first day to break through the enemy's position in all its depth", the second stage - the
success of the development. "The plan of attack at Cambrai - as briefly stated later
Guderian - was built on the principle of surprise mass use of tanks on the respective
properties of their combat areas." The final purpose of the operation - the raid on
Valenciennes and liquidation Keanskogo projection Siegfried Line - were most likely
illusory.

The defense of the Germans on the Siegfried Line was well prepared. It consisted of
three positions. Only one main position had a depth of 5-7 km, consisted of 2-3
continuous lines of trenches, covered with barbed wire in several rows up to 50 m deep,
with good resistance nests fire, dugouts. In the first line of trenches for the purpose of
anti-tank defense was broadened to 3.5 m. At a distance of 200-300 meters from the
first line is a second line of trenches, equipped in the same way as the first, strong
fortifications.

2 km from the main position is the second position, also consisting of two tranches of
the lines; in the second position was third. In front of the main position is the position of
care, covered with barbed wire solid network. Between this position and the principal
on the assumption, about 1,000 meters deep, it was located numerous nests of
resistance, entangled wire. Strongholds were dominant, village, forest areas. On the site
of the British offensive the Germans had two divisions - 54-th and 20-th (Landwehr).
To bring up Cambrai 107th Infantry Division.

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The British managed to secretly concentrate in the target area of a strong assault force:
eight infantry divisions, one cavalry corps, 1009 guns, 378 combat and 98 special tanks
(ie, the entire Panzer Corps..), 1,000 aircraft. At the break area (12 km on the front -
from La Vaquero to Garinkura) created a density of 85 guns and 32 tanks per 1
kilometer of the front. The British had more than double superiority in manpower, tanks
absolute, 4.5-fold in artillery (about 1000 guns). On the one weapon the German had to
2.1-2.5 British tank, one German infantry battalion - 12-25. Hoping for the effect of the
massive use of tanks, the British doubled front offensive infantry divisions, an average
of 2 km to 1 km of the Somme.

Construction of the British tanks and infantry to attack in a variety of combat


conditions. These tactical schemes drawn up later, so they are marked with a diamond
instead of tanks used in those years of a square.

To save a secret preparation for the offensive variety of measures have been taken. For
example, surveys carried out among the soldiers and officers to identify who know the
Italian language, creating the appearance of training transfer large forces to help Italy.
Tanks under the guise of "winter training course" focused in training camps where
training with infantry units. During the joint training tank crews - apparently for
"mutual habituation" - seated on the roof of the car to poluvzvod infantry, but in combat
landings on the armor was not used. Due to lack of materiel left the platoon three tanks -
cannon and two machine guns. Of the 98 special tanks were 9 radiotankov, 52 tank
supply carrying fuel and ammunition (they also hauled freight sledge-scraper), one -
telephone equipment (for laying telephone cable from the army headquarters), two -
bridge 32 equipped with crampons, anchors 4 -meter steel cables to clear the passages in
obstacles for the cavalry (with them acting special hiking team with scissors and gloves
for breaching artillery). Each team got 18 supply tanks and 3 radiotanka. Radiotanki, in
the words of V. Zeitlin, served as "postal telegraph office on the battlefield." They
moved with combat cover for military orders, worked only at the stops, taking reports
and transmitting orders through messengers.

For 2-5 days, before the start of the operation tank units were unloaded at railway

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stations, its own power shifted to a waiting position in the 4-8 km from the German
positions. Tanks are sheltered under trees, covered masksetyami, bunting, masked under
the stack. Between 19 and 23 hours on November 19 tanks secretly moved to their
initial positions in 800-1000 meters from the advanced German trenches. The noise of
the engines disguised indiscriminate artillery fire. In addition, artillery and smoke
produced chemical attack to the north and south of the site of the actual attack on a
broad front, in order to deceive the enemy regarding the scope and the front, and the
attack. Ways to advance the movement of tanks and explored until the German barbed
wire trace marked with colored cords (designation ways offensive colored cords or
ribbons already practiced earlier in the organization of infantry attacks nightly), tank
and infantry commanders specified interaction.

2nd and 3rd Panzer Brigade gave the III Corps (Pulteney), takes place on the front
Gonnele, Treskol'e, 1st armored brigade - IV Corps (Vulkomb, Treskol'e front, Forest
Avinkur, the western shore of the North Channel to the Storm), although the latter I had
a more profound problem and the most important objects of attack.

Tank Mk IV, the failed when passing the bridge over the canal Manera, November 20,
1917

Distribution British tanks on 20 November 1917

The tanks were distributed to divisions advancing in the first tier, as follows (starting
from the right):

- 3rd Tank Brigade: C and F battalions from the 12th Infantry Division advanced on
Banteay and Le Pave, the battalion I with the 61 th Brigade 20 th Infantry Division - at
La Wacker;

- 2nd Tank Brigade: A battalion (without the 1st Company) with the 60th Brigade of the
20th Infantry Division - to the north of La Vaquero, Battalion with the 16th Brigade of
the 6th Infantry Division - at Le Ryu- Werth, the battalion N 71 th brigade of the same
infantry division - on Ribekur;

- 1st Tank Brigade: a battalion of D with the 152 th Brigade and a battalion of E (no one

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company) from 153 th Brigade 51 th Infantry Division - to Flesker battalion G and the
company (14 tanks) Battalion, E to 62nd Infantry division - to Grenkur. 1st a company
(14 tanks) A battalion gave the 29th Infantry Division.

Affixed infantry divisions tanks were part of all the waves and trains infantry. The first
wave of tanks stood to suppress forward of the German guns. The main train tanks and
infantry took the first German position. The first echelon was appointed for a second
attack a fortified position, the second tier - the third position, while the third tier tanks -
for action with the cavalry. Tactical reserve tanks have left, but 36 cars allocated to the
technical reserve. tanks were set tasks simple and limited in accordance with their
capabilities. Commanders supplied with maps and aerial photographs indicating the
location of routes and challenges. The width of the front of the offensive tanks
depended on the location and quality of the objectives of the approaches to them, but on
average the tanks were advancing at intervals of not less than 91 m (100 yards). Tank
platoon is usually operated in the order of battle "wedge" - in the middle of moving
ahead with the task of tank gun weaken the enemy fire and to cover the tanks as they
pass along with the infantry through the barbed wire, in the 80-100 m ledge behind him
- machine-guns (infantry). Depending on the importance of the tasks of each tank gave a
different number of infantry. But every standard tank accompanying infantry platoon,
infantry task was to help in the destruction of enemy tanks and protect it from the fire of
enemy guns with small ranges. Affixed tanks infantry followed the tanks in flexible
combat formations - snake, which allowed the Marines to adapt better to the terrain, use
the protection of tanks and they have done the aisles, and then turn to the right in the
direction of the attack.

Tanks are not only captured trophies, but also brought them to their positions. Tank Mk
IV from the battalion pulls the rear German 15-cm gun seized from Ribekura.

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German economic circles Gig Tank Mk IV female" with the name "chaperonin II of"
battalion lined the road Cambrai - Peronne, south of the forest Lato. Tank bears "ace of
spades" - this sign has used the 12th Infantry Division, which acted together with tanks
Battalion S.

Tanks intended for the treatment of enemy trenches and shelters, accompanied by
grenade throwers with a stock of hand grenades. The rest of the infantry had to move
behind the line of tanks at a distance of 100 m. At the same time from the infantry
demanded not skuchivatsya around tanks, as they will be prime targets for enemy
artillery.

To overcome the wide trenches over the felling of each tank chains fastened fascine
large diameter 1.4-1.5 m and 3 m long, capable of supporting the full weight of the
battle tank. This fascine mass 1.5-2 tons consisted of 75 standard fascines, gathered
from the trunks of about 10 cm in diameter and small young trees (it is worth noting that
on the eve of "Desert Storm" in 1991, the British engineer units have prepared fascines
to overcome wide ditches already out of plastic pipes). "Chinese workers rota" in the
Central Workshop in the past month had prepared 400 tanks and 110 fascines scraper.
In addition, there is an accelerated pace repaired 127 tanks. Passage of the three lines of
trenches was planned as a platoon. The first tank, heading in the center of the group,
having a wire fence, turning left at the first trench and maintained fire right sponsons
promotion following. The left tank was like a trench, fascines dumped, passed through
it, reached up to the second line of trenches and also turned to the left, firing. Right tank
held on the same fascines, came up to the second line of trenches, dropping fascines,
crossed the trench, reached the third line, and turned to the left. The first tank was
turning, passing through two of the trench, with the help of their fascines overcame
third. Behind him were two machine-gun tanks and lined up behind the cannon. Reset
fascines crew produced by opening the attachment from the inside of the machine,
together with fascines dropped two flags - a yellow and red (or white and red), which

155
the infantry had to stick on both sides to indicate the passage of fascines. However, in
practice very often fascine dumped ahead of harvesting and overlaps the review; to
correct it, the crew had to leave the car under fire. Lift heavy fascines was very difficult
(later instead fascines machines Tank Corps began implementing lighter structures as
scaffolds in the form of hexagonal prisms).

Telephone staffs in the tank corps was supplemented pigeons, riding, motorcycle. The
company communication armored brigades entered three radiotanka. Although bring
into the tank of the station had planned originally, it took about a year before they
appeared in the Armored Corps. Radiotank carried out on the basis of Mk IV and
carried the rather cumbersome spark radio that works on CW. This reduces the
reliability and efficiency of the radio, and on the whole radiotanki under Cambrai not
justified (fortunately, that did not stop work on their further improvement). There were
other means of communication. Commander tanks equipped with semaphore lamp and
Addis. Already in the course of the offensive stretched telephone line to Markuena
using tanks, scraper tow cable and Driven on itself poles and equipment. However, the
main means of communication between the tank and leading companies of the battalion
headquarters had runners between advanced and basic battalion headquarters - runners
and cyclists.

Each tank stocked 318 liters of gasoline, motor oil 22 l, 182 l water, 68 l of a grease, the
lubricating oil 3 kg. Field Tank Corps warehouses were supplied with field railway.
Each tank company gave 2 supply tank.

Tank Mk IV female" Battalion F, left in the woods Burlon.

Order of the General Byng for the 3rd Army before the onset of November 20 read:

"3 Corps. 4 Corps. Cavalry corps. Panzer Corps. At the command post of the army.
Chief of Artillery. 3rd Brigade fleet.

The aim of the offensive - a surprise attack, supported by tanks, to break through the
enemy's defensive zone and throw in a cavalry breakthrough to further win the space.
After breaking the enemy's fortified strip is expected to move forward the cavalry corps

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to capture Cambrai, Burlon forest and crossing the river. Sansei.

1st Cavalry. division to send a detachment of Sailly and Tillua to cut Cambrai and
connect with the Cavalry Corps, coming from the area east of Cambrai. "

For the passage of the cavalry assigned roads for tanks could not move "under any
circumstances" before them will not pass the cavalry. As you can see, the idea of
maneuvering combat is still associated with the cavalry, and tanks were only a means to
break the infantry fortified defensive zone - "infantry battering ram." But is it any
wonder - as a cavalry corps existed for more than 2,5 thousand years, but the tanks did
not have two years.

In the order of the commander of the Tank Corps (3rd Tank Corps), General Ellis on 19
November 1917 but stated:

"1. Tomorrow Tank Corps will be the case, he was waiting for several months, to act
with the hope of success in the first line of battle formation.

2. In terms of the preparation done all that could have been achieved through hard work
and ingenuity.

3. Case commanders of tank units and tank crews to complete this work intelligent and
courageous actions during the battle itself.

4. How the past has shown, I can confidently expect that body to support its good name.

5. I intend to lead the advent of the center. "

Ellis really personally commanded the order of battle in the center of the tank, "Hilda"
(Mark Mk IV- female) Battalion H, which raised its flag - a tribute to the traditions of
the British Navy. Tank platoon commander does not mark their tanks icons that were
used previously - tanks designated only characters corresponding to the color of the
regiment.

Also of interest are the comments of the order issued on the eve of the onset of the
commander of the 26th Company of the battalion I Tank Corps:

"It should be borne in mind that the artillery fire adjustment does not lead, because the
barrage will not be as precise as usual. Without the permission of the commander of the
crew should not waste drinking water and food ... During the approach to the area of
action is necessary to pay special attention to the fact that all tanks are properly and
promptly took their starting positions. In the last 1,500 meters the way to the front of the
enemy tanks, in order to avoid noise must follow at idle. "

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British Mk IV female" with the name "Black Bess", captured by German troops - even
on board the inscription "Trophy II army" is made. The tank is put on the box for
inspection and - perhaps - repair.

Germans visiting the captured tank Mk IV male.

The advent of British troops began without artillery preparation - this method of sudden
tank attack was offered another 9 Byullekura of April, but was not then implemented.
Since the destruction of barbed wire and advanced enemy trenches taking on tanks,
artillery could concentrate on the defeat and suppression of artillery and dangerous
enemy firing points, setting barrage and a smokescreen.

At 6.20 am on November 20 - in about half an hour before sunrise - on German


positions hit barrage, which started under cover of an attack of tanks and infantry.
Barrage was conducted with the use of smoke shells and as we move forward with the
offensive was transferred to another one abroad (movable barrage). Artillery also put
smokescreens on the flanks offensive tanks neutralized the German battery shelling the

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headquarters location and areas of reserves. The tanks began to move for about 10
minutes before the infantry to take their seats in front of her. Tanks moved into the 200
m behind the rolling barrage, the infantry - the tanks in platoon columns on the work
done by caterpillars passages in the barbed wire. Their nomination closed fog and
smoke screen, so that the German artillery barrage give flights. Since the beginning of
the attack British aircraft bombed the control points, artillery positions and roads in the
tactical depth of enemy defenses.

In practice it was first used tanks ability to provide a surprise attack. And he managed to
surprise. By 8 o'clock the British captured the first German defense line. At that time,
the headquarters of the German divisions and groups began receiving sketchy reports:
"The battalion in Avinkure cut", "British tanks go far in the rear of the defense."
Commanders of German divisions could not figure out where to send the reserves, since
British tanks and infantry, seemed to have broken through to the location of the
regiments advanced on all fronts. In Avrinkura tanks surrounded and killed by machine-
gun fire several battalions. In the forest Lato, where fierce fighting the British 12th
Division, a tank battalion of the F, avoiding the corner of the building, came across a
German 150-mm field howitzer and received a direct hit its shell reversal sponson, but
retained the mobility, turned and caterpillars crushed an instrument together with the
expectation.

The 29th Infantry Division from the battalion with tanks A, is nominated at the
intersection of 20th and 6th divisions deployed in battle order all their infantry brigades:
88th Brigade went to Manera, 87th - on Markuen, 86th - Nave of the forest, and
Noyelles. A battalion of tanks scattered assault force 387 th Landwehr Regiment and
attacked the three batteries of the 108th Light Artillery Regiment south Markuena. The
battery has had time to open fire on the tanks, and then tap 12, the surviving tanks
bypassed the battery and broke into its position in the rear, destroying the battery.

6th Infantry Division battalions with tanks B and H, capturing most of the 387 th
German Landwehr Regiment, moved to Markuen. Around 0900 specially appointed 24
German tanks attacked the second position between Ribekurom and Markuenom. Then
came the tanks of the 1st wave. Of the 72 tanks, entered into battle in this area, 63 have
passed through the 2nd German position and to 11.00 2nd position was virtually cleared
of Germans.

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The success of the first day of the expensive cost Panzer Corps. Tank Mk IV female"
named "Blarney Castle", lost in Fontaine-Notre-Dame.

British tanks Layout, lined in Cambrai November 20, 1917 (painted cannon tanks,
machine-gun given circuit).

By 13.00 Britons everywhere reached the second line of defense, as part of the 3rd
Corps reached the river channel. Scheldt. Bridge over canal in Manera was damaged,
and was released on his command tank failed, but the crew survived. Another tank was
hit at Manera German "engine instrument" (77 mm gun on the car chassis). Bridge near
Markuana tanks captured intact by the fact that occupation of the 2nd German position
two tank companies and battalions in H received the task without waiting for the
infantry to advance to the bridge. On the outskirts of the village, covers the bridge, 6

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tanks in the battalion, without waiting for the approach of infantry, scattered battalions
of the 90th regiment of the German, crossed the trenches, captured Markuana fire and
dispersed the sappers who were preparing an explosion of the bridge. The absence or
extreme paucity of anti-tank weapons tanks are allowed to capture the town without
infantry, one tank passed through the village, the others acted on its outskirts. By 12.00
to a point south of the collection came Markuena supply tanks towed their sleds. Here,
battle tanks replenished gasoline and ammunition, tank crews even had time to have
lunch and then go into battle.

Tank "Hilda" fell into a trench near Ribekura when passing the first German line, and
commander of a tank shell Ellis was forced to leave.

Padded Tank Mk IV female battalion I.

In the offensive zone IV of the British housing essential stop attacks near the village of
Flesker. The commander of the 51th Infantry Division (Highlanders), Major General
GM Harper did not trust the tanks (like many of the old infantry officers, he regarded
them as "pirates", however, he and machine guns have not really trust), he demanded to
distribute tanks on the front line. Infantry deployed to line the mouth is about 100
meters behind the tanks directly behind the tanks no infantry units did not move.
Meanwhile, there was located a German stronghold, the area in front of it was shelled
by machine-gun fire from the village itself and of concrete fortifications, and the whole
system of German trenches were covered wide strip of barbed wire, which was under
fire forward of the German guns. Around 08.28 the tanks D battalion detached from
153rd Infantry Brigade, which was to attack Flesker. The result was unnecessarily
heavy losses of personnel assigned to divisions and tanks, all the more so here, with the
crest of the ridge, located five light German batteries, 1.5 Infantry and engineering
units. Crossing the ridge from Fleskera tanks came under direct fire of the German guns

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and suffered losses. The Germans were able to initially concentrate fire on the tanks
with favorable distances because there was no one to fight with the calculations. The
infantry, in turn, lost passages done in tanks, barbed wire, and was stopped by German
machine guns - were far from tanks and machine guns could not push. Subsequently,
when viewed from the battlefield specially appointed commission officers, they were
found only three small pile of spent cartridges - another indication of the fact that
without the interaction of infantry with tanks could be stopped by a small number of
machine guns. In Fleskera knocked out 16 battalions D tanks, and inevitably born on
legends war read as if they were all shot down one artillery officer, remaining in the
only surviving instruments, although actually on this site worked for at least three
batteries (traces of their stay in the area discovered the then British officers). When re-
attack at 10:00 tanks were still able to help the infantry to capture the advanced
trenches, but not well-established in advance plus the lack of interaction has surprise in
this sector again led to large losses. The German part of an organized away from
Fleskera. Infantry 51th Division strongly behind the tanks and in the battle for the
village of Fontaine-Notre-Dame, where the Germans, by the way, were able to knock
out a few tanks of 77-mm guns car.

Tanks Battalion G and E of the battalion of tanks from the 185th and 186th Infantry
Brigade of the 62nd Division continued to advance to the second German position.
Moves on the right side of 185 th Brigade stayed in Flesker. Tanks of the G battalion,
under the cover of fog and smoke screen, turned against the open left flank of the
German 384 th Landwehr Regiment and all of a sudden going to the enemy's flank and
rear, scattered the regiment. 186th Infantry Brigade, successfully passed the 2nd enemy
defense position, moved along with the tanks on Grenkur and Anne. Tanks, acting with
the 62nd Division, assisted in the promotion and the neighboring 36th Infantry Division.

The tanks stopped the action at 16.00. By this time British troops have advanced 10 km,
capturing 8 thousand. Man and seized 100 weapons, they themselves have lost about
one and a half thousand people. On the whole front of the fight stopped only at 18.00 at
nightfall. By 23.00 the remaining tanks gathered in the woods and Guzokur Avrinkur.
On the right flank 12, 20 and the 6th British Division quickly mastered the objectives
set by them, on the left 51 th and 62 th Division were held in the evening to Anna -
almost 3.5 km in Fleskerom. So in Fleskere resisted the Germans were covered on the
flanks. Thus, IV of the British Corps in its lane, except Fleskera, a no less successful
than III.

During the 10-12 hours of battle the British tanks and infantry broke through the
German defense all three positions on the front of 12-13 km, and advanced to a depth of
nearly 10 km. It seized about 8,000 prisoners and 100 guns. Moreover, part of the heavy
trophy guns dragged in the rear of the British tanks themselves. The success was
achieved not so much "weight tanks" as their rational application in close cooperation
with other arms. Tanks and infantry in one day broke through the three main bands of
enemy defenses, behind which there was only one unfinished building of the band and
then almost open country. But although rastaskivateli-tanks (they carried aft WC
plates - wire cutter) did a three-wide pass in the barbed wire, a late cavalry corps could
not quickly overcome pitted with craters and trenches field and build on this success,
losing much of the horse ended. Through the channel, along with the infantry crossed
only one Canadian squadron. The infantry, which operated with tanks, was too
exhausted to continue the offensive. And the tanks who have suffered loss, could not

162
cover the promotion of cavalry, as envisaged - moving ahead of the cavalry at small
intervals as a "shield."

Tank Mk IV of "female" with the number and name of the C47 "Conqueror tank II of"
from the battalion, and artillery lined the streets of the village Fontaine Notre Dame 23
November 1917

British Tank Mk IV female, lined the streets of the village.

Tanks were the only kind of forces that have fulfilled all their tasks. It was worth the
loss of 280 cars (60%), with only 50-60 tanks, ie 13-16%, lined with artillery fire, the
main part is out of order due to technical reasons (mostly -.. Burst tracks, broken gear-
board boxes Transmission). Nevertheless serviceable tanks had to pull to form a
consolidated company. Of the 4190 men of the Panzer Corps lost 20 November 74
killed, 457 wounded and 39 missing. However, the overall British losses were relatively
small - about 1,500 people. Nor did without prolonged artillery barrage. During the
three preceding years of trench warfare has never been given such a success is not such
a small price. Haight in his report he wrote: "The great value of the tanks in the attack is
completely proved." As acknowledged by General Ludendorff, Cambrai only after he

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"felt the inherent capacity of the tanks," and the commander of the 2nd German Army
General von Marvits said: "The enemy has won at Cambrai thanks to its numerous
tanks."

The British could repeat the success of the West Brusilov breakthrough on the Russian
front, and with far fewer losses and more far-reaching success, for the first time on the
Western Front the opportunity to complete breakthrough of the enemy front. But the
British command had prepared entry into the breach of the second echelon, feeding
offensive reserves, and the success of the development. Implement the provisions
contained Swinton another 8 months before going into battle the first tank, but do not
take into account the new recommendations of Staff Tank Corps, based on combat
experience, - the allocation of the reserve is not less than a quarter of all the tanks,
providing a flanking maneuver, etc. "Operations.. "or" tactical "reserve tank to the top
of the battle never left, all tank units were thrown into battle at once," technical reserves
"intended only for the replacement of defective tanks, and this was the main reason it is
impossible not only develop, but also to keep progress success.

Captured by German troops Tank Mk IV Falcon II from the battalion F.

On November 21, the battle could take part in all 75 tanks. Each tank brigade allocated
consolidated company. One company gave III and two IV chassis, distributing them as
follows: a company from the 3rd Brigade operated from the 6 th and 29 th Infantry
Division, from the 2nd Brigade - with the 154th Brigade 51 th Infantry Division, from
1st Brigade - with the 62 th Infantry division. The aim of the tanks was still a joint
attack with the infantry of the German position. Offensive received a form of individual
shocks. The attack began in the morning again, but the success was very low, especially
because this time it was not possible to ensure a timely approach to the top of tanks
attack. 9 I battalion of tanks, going on the railway dam broke at the Flo-farm and took to
the road to Cambrai, tanks of the 1st Brigade seized Anne entered the Burlonsky forest.
But exhausted infantry stopped before the tanks and those departed. 25 tanks were
damaged, 10 dropped out of order due to technical reasons.

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November 22 the Germans regained Fontaine-Notre-Dame. November 23 the British
tried to resume the offensive. But the effect of surprise was not massaging too. New
attack of the 51st Division with 24 tanks of the 2nd Brigade to Fontaine-Notre-Dame
was beaten, knocked out 18 tanks (11 of them - a direct hit). Did not help, and coming
up 23 tanks of the 3rd Panzer Brigade. German infantry first stop of the British tanks on
the outskirts of the village, throwing a caterpillar "concentrated charges" (five grenades
with one fuse packed in bags), then logged onto the streets tanks hit hard divisional
artillery, surviving tanks German infantrymen fired from rifles from the upper floors;
next attack foiled coming up rapid-fire "engine implements" (anti-aircraft guns on the
car chassis), opened fire on the tanks of about 100 m. Even then, it was concluded that
"the fight in populated areas least favorable to the tanks." The 40th Infantry Division,
supported by 29 tanks of the 1st Brigade, captured Burlonskim forest, but her village
Burlon attack was not successful. November 24 40th Division with 30 tanks of the 1st
Brigade once again failed to take Burlon. Fighting for Burlon and Fontaine-Notre-Dame
were fierce but inconclusive for the British. "Fresh" infantry did not know how to
interact with tanks, and their losses have been in vain.

November 27 the British made a last attempt, but the Germans have already prepared an
anti-defense, and only 13 of the 32 tanks returned.

The Germans immediately pulled to the site breakthrough reserves and stopped the
British, November 30 launched a counteroffensive. In this counter-offensive tactics
have appeared features that will bring the Germans tactical successes in 1918 .: seepage
infantry units in the immediate rear, well-trained sudden artillery attack using chemical
or smoke shells. Whacked Panzer Corps at that time withdrawn to the rear, but at 9.55
on November 30 2nd Tank Brigade, ready to be loaded, was ordered to be nominated
for a counterattack, and by 16 o'clock in the fighting zone came 73 tank. 22 tank
battalions, 14 A and 20 battalion battalion N helped keep Guzokur and German counter-
part with the 2nd Guards and the 2nd Cavalry Division. December 1st battalion of 20
tanks and 16 tanks H consolidated companies Battalions A, B and H participated in a
counterattack 2nd Cavalry Division, supported by tanks 9 5 th Cavalry Division. By 6
December the German part of the entire 30-km front operation drove the Britons to 2-4
km, and took many prisoners, but were unable to encircle the British part of the back
and the first two positions of the Siegfried Line.

The inscription WC at the stern of the Mk IV means wire cutter - this tank was
intended for stripping wire entanglements. However, after the damage to the right track

165
was used as an observation post.

Tank Mk IV female. Clearly visible installing machine guns "Lewis" - in the sponson
and frontal.

The number of members, the balance of power and density during the Battle of
Cambrai

Operation at Cambrai ended unsuccessfully for the Allies, but still made a lot of new
things in the art of war. The main result can be considered that this is where the tanks
have clearly proven themselves as a new branch of service. General Bing specifically
wrote a letter to Ellis, which said: "... I want you to recognize that a far-reaching success
was the result of close interaction of your body with the infantry and artillery.

You and your Staff gave me great support, great help and instilled confidence in the
success of the plan. No one else could do it. And no other army has not received such a
skillfully guided effective assistance, which had my army from the sides of your body.

You and your people are tirelessly responded to numerous calls, showing great zeal.
Your losses were heavy and huge work done. Your achievements, no one will be able to
challenge. "

Operation at Cambrai carried a lot of the rudiments of tactics of the future - the massive
use of armored forces led an infantry attack without artillery preparation, but with
intense artillery support, cover for mobile barrage, smoke, morning twilight or fog, use
of armored units of engineering means to overcome obstacles . Part of the infantry
accompanying tanks and fighting with the enemy antitank weapons, the greater part -
cleans and fixes the trenches captured positions, while moving with the infantry
machine gunners, supporting her intense fire. Actively used offensive air support.
Evaluation of experience operation at Cambrai in many ways marked the beginning of
the tactics of combined arms combat, based on the interaction of infantry, artillery,
tanks and aircraft.

But in the course of the German counter-offensive appeared features of the new tactics -
the use of flexible use of artillery and infantry assault (a few months before this tactic

166
worked out by them on the Russian front during the attack on Riga). On the other hand,
has developed considerably the German anti-tank defenses, which the British had to
then be taken into account.

The operation showed that the proper use of tanks quickly and with great economy of
effort to break through the fortified front, but a tactical breakthrough by itself does not
ensure success. Panzer Corps suffered heavy losses, but one only cost savings through
the use of shells of tanks consistent with the cost of nearly 4,000 tanks, not to mention
the value of saved lives of Marines. After Cambrai attack fortified positions is no longer
conceived without tanks. This accelerated approval of further development of the Tank
Corps of 9 battalions of the 13th.

A German Reichswehr as a result of the counter-offensive at Cambrai in addition to


tactical experience received as trophies of about 100 tanks Mk IV - basically faulty.

Some idea of the location of tanks in the armament system in the period under review
gives data on the average monthly production of arms, the researchers calculated for
1917 .:

Distribution teams Tankovogo body on March 21, 1918

Column medium tanks Mark A "Whippet" and the infantry move in the fighting area.

The tanks in defensive battle

After the battle of Cambrai British Tank Corps pulled to Bray-sur-Somme, where
tankers would like to equip the camp for joint training with the infantry and artillery. In
January 1918, the Corps withdrew from the camps and scattered along the 96-km front
from Peronne to Bethune - had information about the preparation of a large German
offensive. Tank Brigade was positioned in the army bands, subordinating them to the
command. The case at the time included the 5 brigades (13 battalions), but had only 320
combat-ready heavy Mk IV and Mk 50 medium A "Whippet", 200 tanks were being
repaired.

Envisaged positioned tanks platoon behind the advanced parts of the task to cut and to
counterattack the enemy had broken through the group. This tactic did not pay off.

167
Although established between the parts of radio and wire communication, spray tanks
with a weak reserve are not allowed to organize a strong counterattack, as the situation
demanded.

March 21 began the German offensive in Pickard. The Allies had at this time 216 tanks,
but participated in the battles of 180 (the others are out of order due to technical
reasons). Not knowing the situation on the front line, the command is constantly
changing the direction of the marches, fuel supply did not work (the situation is still
repeated much later and in other armies). Braye-sous-Somme soon was under threat of
capture, and reserve tanks had to withdraw. Part of the abandoned tanks, the British
managed to undermine. Tanks, coming into the fight, nevertheless helped the troops. On
March 21 September tanks (3 platoons) in forest Eklerviller Duan and delay the onset of
the German battle groups, returned part of their batteries and terrain. March 22 to the
east of the In-Vrokur, German troops Marty two tank companies of the battalion B
without infantry counterattacked, helped to restore the situation, but 17 out of 30 cars
were destroyed, the loss of crews reached 70%. Then battalions tanks D and E had a
successful counterattack at Epei, Ruazelya and Ervili. March 23 part of a battalion of
tanks Mualem A counterattack from captured German position, but withdrew under
threat of encirclement. The same evening, the battalion E had to be destroyed almost all
their tanks because of the lack of fuel. 24th Battalion N rescued from the environment
the 2nd Infantry Division and delayed the onset of the German parts in Boratra and
Bussang, south-east of Bapaume. 25th fighting continued in the area - two tank
companies of the battalion J held off the Germans at the Ashe-le-Grand and the Ashe-le-
Petit.

Tank Mk IV female extends into battle behind the shooting chain.

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The failed British heavy tank Mk IV male" in Villers-Foko (Somme region).

Tank- "tender", laden property, moving the troops.

March 26 from forests Meyi-Meye north of Bray first came into the fight 12 secondary
Mk A "Whippet" (battalion). Being focused on the exploration, tanks met about 300
Germans, advancing in order of battle, attacked them and fled. The counter "speed"
Mark A proved to be better than the Mk IV. Local successes are not fixed general
position. From 21 to 30 March (when the German attack weakened) Panzer Corps had
lost almost all of the materiel, and his actions came a break until April 23 of the units
were taken to Erin for rest and replenishment. Since March 24, the remaining crews
formed without machines and machine-gun platoon command and battalions E and I
reformed in the machine-gun. Instructors turned into a machine-gun platoon and fit with
the school to cover tanks placed road Albert - Bapaume. By March 31, Panzer Corps
came out of the fighting in mid-April, it was decided to reduce from 6 to 4 teams,
started reshaping the 4th Panzer Brigade machine gun.

April 24 at Villers-Bretonneux occurred the first battle tanks tanks - three Mk IV A


British battalion met with three A7V third department of the German assault. But this

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will be discussed in more detail in the chapter "The first combat tanks tanks."

Tankers have tried to establish a rapport with the Marines. While in combat, "landings
on the armor" is not practiced, with the joint preparation of the tankers often "rolled"
foot soldiers, the crew of the Mk IV.

In the last summer of the war

May 1918 Panzer Corps spent to bring the units in the order. From England began
delivering Mk V and Mk V *, an average of 60 per week. Battalions had similar
materiel, and the organization of battalions with different tanks differed. In July Panzer
Corps gave a permanent squadron.

June 22 23.55 tankov- five "female" with five platoons of infantry attacked the German
trenches at Byukua. The Germans cut off the infantry fire, but aiming to hit the tanks
could not. His problems did not reach the attack, but the tanks inflicted losses, and all
came back. It was the first night attack British tanks.

July 4, 1918 near the village. Hamel and forests Vere at the front about 5 km went on
the attack 4 th, 6 th and 11 th Infantry Brigade of the 4th Australian Division. Here for
the first time went into battle tanks Mk V. These were the tanks of the 5th Armored
Brigade. After fighting at Arras in April 1917, the Australians did not trust the tanks,
but this time it was worked out in advance the interaction of infantry and tanks, tankers
gave Australian infantrymen to get acquainted with combat vehicles.

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Tank operation near the village. Hamel 4 July 1918

Tanks drove water supplies and ammunition for the infantry. Again were taken masking
steps - nomination of tanks (5 tank companies and battalions N N 5th Brigade) covered
the low-flying planes, tanks to their original positions put forward by plowed fields,
smokescreen allowed before the attack. The attack began at 3.10 in the morning, tanks
and infantry moved behind the barrage. Battle order built unsuccessfully - 60 tanks in
the 1,000 meters behind the infantry, 48 in the first wave and 12 in the second. But in
the course of battle tanks ahead of the infantry and attacked the German positions from
the front and flanks. This gave success - tanks and infantry moved 6 km between the
Somme and the road through the Villers-Bretonneux, capturing some 1,500 German
soldiers. At the same time the Australians lost 672 men killed and wounded, tankers -
16 (according to other sources - 60) wounded.

Using his agility, Mk V successfully pressured guns and bypassed groups of infantry.
After the battle 4 supply tank infantry brought up to 10 tons demining assets.

5 destroyed tanks were evacuated on the night of 6 to 7 July. His role also played
Squadron - German planes neutralized battery, dumped his infantry ammunition. The
success overshadowed the death of two commanders and damage to the tanks as a result
of poor organization of the march to the rear. Nevertheless, the Australian historian
Charles Bean said that it was Amel "asked a model for all subsequent attacks, carried
out by British infantry with tanks during the remainder of the war."

23 July 35 Mk V Battalion, I supported the attack 3, 15 and 152nd Infantry Divisions IX


French Corps Arrashi forest, village Soviller, Monzhival, forest Arpon. The tanks went
on the attack after an hour artillery barrage and "decide the matter." Infantry "had to
take and to give prisoners" - people taken in 1858, 50 guns and mortars. British tankers
it was expensive - 11 killed, 45 wounded, 15 destroyed tanks. 3rd French division
assigned their marks tankers Battalion I, who have since carried them on the left sleeve.

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Tanks Mk V with the device crib roof advance to the battlefield.

The Battle of Amiens

Despite the continuing skepticism of many leaders of the military department, in 1918,
tanks were used in all offensive operations of the allies and not just repeat his success.
The most important thing was to attack at Amiens - near the extreme point to which
moved the German offensive. The main goal of the operation was to liberate Allied
railroad Paris - Amiens Amiens and cut the overhang of the German front. It was the
largest battle of the First World War with the use of tanks. The main attack on the
positions of the 2nd German Army inflicted 4th British Army under General Rawlinson,
advancing to the front, 18 km from the Amiens road - Rua to Morlankura. To the south
of the front 10 km advancing 31 Corps of the 1st French Army.

Shock Allied forces included:

2nd German Army included 11 infantry divisions and two reserve divisions (of which at
the direction of the main attack was 7 divisions) with 840 guns. Many of the infantry
battalions in the advanced trenches were severely weakened in positional battles. By the
time the German High Command was forced to cut even the personnel of combatant
soldiers in the battalion of more than 20%, meanwhile in some active infantry battalions
number is less than 200.

In the UK sector of the front main impact of the Australian and Canadian corps were
considered percussion parts, by virtue of perseverance and fortitude of the personnel,
and because of their composition (Canadian and most of the Australian infantry
brigades had 4 battalions, while the British - 3, the number of active infantry in the
Canadian and Australian battalions were somewhat higher than in English).

By the time Allied armored forces have presented considerable. From March 1 to
August 1, 1918 combat power of the British Tank Corps increased by 27%, however,
the power of the Machine Gun Corps during the same period increased by 41%, while
the number of aircraft in France, for example - by about 40%. According to estimates
"combat potentials", drawn up in August 1918, the allies, their forces were 4,002,104
person, 21 843 guns, 5646 aircraft and tanks in 1572, German forces - 3,576,900
people, 18,100 guns, about 4,000 aircraft and " virtually none of the tank. "

On the railways, from 31 July to 5 August pulled back almost all the Tank Corps,
except for the 1st Brigade, had not equipped with tanks. Total - 11 tank battalions. Two

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battalion (1st and 15th, t. E. A and D) were 36 heavy tanks Mk V *, seven (2, 4, 5, 8,
10, 13, 14 minutes, ie. E. B, D, E, H, J, M, N) - 42 Mk V, the two (3rd and 6th - C and
F) - 48 A medium Mk "Whippet". Weakened after the fight at Moreyl I left the battalion
in reserve. 2 Brigade was disbanded, giving its battalions N and O, respectively 4th and
5th brigades.

Distribution of British tanks in the 4th Army on August 8, 1918

Plan Tank surgery in Amiens 8 August 1918

Total for the offensive was prescribed 324 heavy and 96 medium tanks, 42 tank
technical reserve, five companies supply (96 machines) and the transporter tank guns
(22) - only 580 tanks for different purposes. 74% of British tanks have focused on the
10% advance of the front. The average density was 22.6 per 1 km of the tank front, one
attacking infantry battalion had 5 battle tanks. Thus, at the site of attack of 3rd and 2nd
Australian divisions advanced teams (in the first echelon of each division went on the 2
teams) was attached to 12 tanks, so that the front portion 6 km accounted for 48 tanks.
For reconnaissance Panzer Corps gave the second squadron. Training joint infantry
attacks with tanks were based on the experience of Australians at the village. Hamel
July 4th. Again, said the problem of interaction and communication. Organizing
communication with the infantry and command, commanders of tank companies were
often forced to accompany their tanks on horseback. The nomination of tanks
camouflaged artillery and low-flying aircraft, which, moreover, did not allow the
enemy's air reconnaissance work. German observers in the trenches, however, is
sometimes reported noise of tank engines, but the command did not give it much
importance, it is writing off to the "nervousness" of troops, exhausted by the fighting of
local importance. The troops and the truth is often mistaken for noise noise of tank
engines of trucks, but recent heavy traffic itself could be said about the preparation of a
major offensive. Time and speed of firing artillery allies were regulated so as to install
and start zeroing in new batteries, the enemy could not see an increase in the number of
trunks. The more that the local attack, from time to time by both parties, it is explained

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by regular attacks. Defensive engineering in the UK near the rear continued until last
evening.

You can compare the density of the support means in adjacent sections onset: 31
minutes French corps at the front about 10 km enacted 90 tanks, 276 light and 340
heavy guns, and the right of the 1st and 3rd Canadian Division at the front about a the
length supported 76 tanks, 240 light and 80 heavy weapons. Actions of British tanks
and infantry supported by 400 aircraft and French - up to 600 in total. If the French
infantry corps was considered weaker than the Canadian and Australian, the means of
strengthening it got bigger.

Renovated Tank Mk V in the Central Tank Corps workshops.

Interesting organization of interaction with the air tanks. Thus, the squadron number 8,
which operated in the interests of the Tank Corps, were set the task: to fly over enemy
positions during the last hour of nomination of tanks to drown out the noise of their
engines; patrol in the air and send messages at certain stations on the course of the
battle; at every opportunity to support the tanks.

Commanders of the British divisions until July 31, knew nothing of the impending
attack, and often was reported about it only 36 hours before their performance. At the
same time, part of the Canadian Corps, who was considered the "impact" of a
compound, a radio station (which is essential) was transferred to Flanders, to
Kemmelyu, which created the appearance of the upcoming offensive. In general, during
the preparations for this operation have been adopted very rigorous measures to
preserve secrecy and camouflage preparations. From 1 to August 8 forces of the 4th
British Army as a whole has been increased by almost half - to the area of impending
strike was transferred six fresh infantry divisions, 2 cavalry, about 1,000 guns plus
indicated already transfer Tank Corps (it required 290 trains, of which 60 -
ammunition). On the night of August 1, using supply tanks in nearby gardens have
started to harvest tank units advanced warehouses. True, much of it was lost - August 7
when the German artillery shelling from accidental lit camouflage net on a transporter
tank 1st transport company with the fuel reserve. The explosion of the tank gave the
location of the company, and the enemy concentrated fire destroyed 25 vehicles. But in
the preparation of the offensive is not much affected. And the German command did not
pay much attention to this case, as in the intelligence report of August 6, that "on the
road Ayi, Morizel found about 100 tanks." However, commanders of advanced German

174
units still restock hand grenades and fed demand for cartridges with armor-piercing
bullets. The tanks were nominated to their positions for two nights: 7 August tanks in
the night moved to assembly points in the 2-3 miles (3.2-4.8 km) behind the British
front line, on the night of August 8, took initial positions in meters 900 front line
infantry, to make the attack. Even in the night 8 2.50 8 aircraft Squadron took off for
camouflage tanks nomination. In addition, each of these planes dropped on enemy
positions on six 11-kg bombs.

August 8 at 5.20 am after a short artillery attack on a front of 17.6 km of tanks and
infantry, again taking advantage of the fog, began to attack German positions echelon as
well as at Cambrai, but worse equipped. The first wave of tanks was 200 meters behind
the barrage. Very successful was the interaction of tanks with the Australian and
Canadian infantry, advancing south of the Somme. A significant advantage was to move
tanks and infantry to attack immediately after the transfer of the shaft deep into the fire.
In conjunction with the fog it did not leave the German infantry and artillery advanced
ahead of time to open fire - in a number of areas of the German infantry attack is
detected, when the British, Australians or Canadians already jumped down in their
trenches and tanks were in the rear of the advanced trenches. An important aspect was
also giving tanks shooters and machine gunners with machine guns with the task of
combating calculations antitank guns. To quickly find the dangerous targets such groups
in the attack progressed, not only behind the tanks, but also between them - fog and
well-designed artillery barrage own allowed them less fearful of the impact of enemy
fire. Passing through the trenches, tanks repeatedly unfolded and returned to the infantry
to destroy animating guns or clear the German trenches on fire. The commander of the
5th Company of the 13th Infantry Regiment of the German Lieutenant Sholmeyer
recalled how after 5.30 am, "directly behind us there were tanks that went around the
forest to the right and the left. The whole area was so covered with fog, which is 3
meters could not see anything. It was the greatest evil for us. Wherever it went, we
opened fire, but the shooting was in vain: the tanks relentlessly moving forward. "
Lieutenant Gergel of 152 th Infantry Regiment of the German spoke about his fight 1st
company of the south of the Somme: "In order to raise the spirits of the people, I
ordered:" Fire ahead! Shoot to last 10 rounds! "... Around 7:30 we heard behind us
rumble of tanks, and a little later 2 tanks crawled from the rear through our trench,
leading the side fire from machine guns and shooting our people from a distance of
about 20 m. After them came the fugitive step and the wild roar of the Australians and
drove us out of the trenches. "

Lieutenant Hawk of the 157 th German regiment was telling about the battle of his 8 th
company against the advancing units of the 1st Canadian Division (the position of a
company, there were two anti-tank guns): "In the beginning is incredibly low over us
hummed a few flying at light signals planes that fired our machine-gun fire. Our
returned fire, unfortunately, remained inconclusive. Then show 2 tanks, but behind them
there was not a single enemy soldier. We opened fire, especially a successful one
apparently well tank, - he stopped, while another fairly high speed turned aside. Behind
the tank stopped, we found, apparently, got out of his crew, who contented himself with
looking out of the corners and made signs to us that we should give up. Meanwhile, the
tank was approached more enemy fighters. Go on the attack, however, they did not dare,
and we succeeded, after a long fire to force them to leave the shelter ... Finally, all of a
sudden for us fire was opened from the rear, apparently, two tanks, which, in all
probability, using the lie behind us ravine, spared us. Machine-gun fire crackled and

175
artillery at us from these two tanks, as well as standing in front of us out of the tank and
shooting chain that was formed there. " Here you can see the tactics and bypasses
resistance units in the rear, and the reluctance of even such a counter infantry as
Canadians move without tanks, and the confidence of the British tank, that the
appearance of tanks should force the Germans to surrender. In some places, the tanks
and infantry did manage to quickly capture captured group of German soldiers with
officers, but also many of them immediately, taking advantage of the turmoil of battle,
and ran back into operation. The German army was still quite persistent soldiers.

Tank Mk V female carries on the roof of fascines and assault section of the bridge.

The tanks with artillery destroyed the telephone and telegraph lines, destroy command
centers, heavy artillery fire hampered the work of radio and telegraph stations through
the soil and helped the infantry to capture command points (in Oberkure, for example,
as early as 7.55 was captured the headquarters of Infantry Regiment), so that part of the
management of the German 2nd army was almost completely disorganized. Links with
infantry artillery flares fog prevented. Four communications aircraft took to the air for
about 5.00. As was the thick fog, the aircraft flew low, looking for gaps to see at least
some episodes of the battle. The first report was received from the aircraft just after 8:30
in the morning and read as follows (using the notation coded cards): "In the forward
headquarters Tank Corps (airplane). Wireless station 4. 8 th. Declined in 8 hours 30
minutes in the morning apparatus communicates. At 6 hours and 15 minutes in the
morning 4 tanks can be seen in action on the line in the 500 yards to the west of the road
through S.17, S.11d, S.12.a At 7 hours and 15 minutes in the morning 4 tanks can be
seen on the road for Urzhem in C. 11 central. 3 tanks are seen together in C.6d
unreliable. At 7 hours and 20 minutes in the morning is taken Green Line, tanks,
complete for a new attack. Previous report refers to the sector of the 5th Tank Battalion.
In the morning hours, 45 minutes, 4 tanks on the road leading north from Demyuen
V.25 S.4.8. One tank in D.1c. central. 4 tanks in C.11.d.3.8, running in an easterly
direction. At 7 hours and 45 minutes in the morning the French infantry is visible in
large numbers on the western edge of the forest and Moreyl French barrage on S.17.s.
line S.23.a. and S.29.a. and 28.D. Motor vehicles, probably armored vehicles are seen
on the way to 1.26, near Domar. German tethered balloon seen at about 8 am just east of
Ke 1,200 feet. Bomb thrown at W.22d. south of Harbona goal - guns. Addressed an
advanced headquarters 3, 4 and 5 tank brigades. Posted by airplane to the station best
Staff Tank Corps. Additional note. The cavalry and tanks in large numbers at 8 am
moving to the south of the forest d'Aken. The officer of the intelligence department of
the 8th Squadron of the Royal Air Force. "

Former chief of staff of the 4th British Army Major General Montgomery wrote about

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during the battle in the offensive zone Australian Corps: "Despite the heavy fog, which,
together with smoke shells and general child from fire artillery shaft difficult to
maintain the direction of the attack, the attack was still held with great success.
Resistance generally had slightly; some difficulties were machine-gun nests and
strongpoints. A few brave Germans had close Varfyuze desperate resistance, but
covering the flank and blow tanks, they were captured, along with a 150-mm battery ...
In some areas, where the terrain was crossing, progress proceeded more slowly than
expected, and the infantry was unable to immediately follow the barrage. However, the
danger of ensuing have been eliminated thanks to the good work of the tanks. "

Check tank Mk V male mechanics. Pay attention to the area to protect the top of the
radiator shutters.

On the occurrence of the 4 th Canadian Brigade (2nd Canadian Division) with the
support of 28 tanks (offensive came from the district of Villers-Bretonneux) against
position 148 th German regiment Montgomery writes: "About 100 yards east of the
original position of the 190th battalion came across considerable resistance, which
immediately thanks to the timely help of tanks was broken. 7.00 Immediately after the
19 th and 21 th battalions ... burst into the northern and western suburbs Marselkav. hot
battle broke out in the southern part of the village, but the infantry supported by tanks
failed to fully master Marselkav 7.45 ". According to others, Marselkav village
managed to capture with only one tank that destroyed 6 machine guns. Next
Montgomery writes: "Meanwhile, the fog lifted; Now the enemy field and anti-tank
artillery, standing to the east of the village, took with open positions heavy fire on our
tanks. Unfortunately, this fire had suffered heavy losses tanks and their crews. To
compensate for this, the 5th Canadian Artillery Battalion and the 2nd Battalion of the
Canadian Machine Gun Corps so well supported attack on 19 and 21 th battalions to
7.55 have been able to achieve its goal. "

In general, the forefront of the German infantry were captured quickly and with minimal
losses, while simultaneously promoting buildings failed. This, of course, has not yet
decided the fate of the battle, as the main resistance expected in the depths of the
German defense in the second and third positions.

Hitch promotion occurred north district. Somme, where tanks have been less.
Sometimes tanks simply bypass continues the resistance of the enemy defense units, or
even temporarily retreated. So, the 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, the German

177
was able to delay the advance of the 12th Division of the British at the village.
Morlankur. After 6.30 am to the south of the village on the road Corbie - Bray Show 4
British tank battalion commander to put forward their reserves, which, together with
those at the depth of machine-gun nests had resisted the British, the tanks turned north
and then west. But after 7.00 units of the battalion still had to move under the threat of
encirclement. But as described the battle, which took place at the same time at the site
of the 43rd Reserve Division, commander of 202 th Reserve Infantry Regiment, Major
von Rathenow: "Around 7.00 am from the front were received information according to
which the enemy on our site and at the front adjacent to the left division broke through
the leading edge and with a large number of tanks and infantry following behind them is
far away from the command post of the regiment in front of us ... and on the right flank
in the vicinity there were tanks. Initially, there was a danger of a tank attack of panic,
but encouraging words and actions have contributed to the prevention of machine guns
this.

And when, almost simultaneously fire our guns and bundles of hand grenades first two,
and then another two tanks were set on fire and stopped (maybe guns fired armor-
piercing bullets at close range -. SF), then for the first time the danger had passed.

But then we, unfortunately, have been covered on our open left ... Tanks stopped there,
where there were no parts on the crest of a high slope, and opened cannon and machine-
gun fire on the flank of my position. I soon realized that further resistance aimlessly ... I
first took the machine-gun company of the 201 th Res. shelf back on the Somme canal,
to cover the retreat. Then, at 10.20, I gave the order to retreat. "

Lieutenant Imig of the 97th German Regiment described the confrontation of infantry
and tanks, and even if the enemy superiority in the air, "the enemy aircraft down to a
height of 20 meters and cracked on us from their guns; It was a continuous hell.
Suddenly in front of us popped in the fog-looking giant tank, which slowly began to
crawl forward, constantly firing his small-caliber cannons and machine guns popping
her. As far as our resources permit, we will respond in kind, but all the bullets
ricocheted without any benefit, and we could not stop him (apparently, there was no
armor-piercing bullets and hand grenades -. SF.). Now the tank came close to us; we
delayed the guns back and firmly pressed against the upper ridge of the ramp. "

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Repair Depot British Tank Corps.

Captain Weber described the attempt of his 2nd Battalion, 152 th Infantry Regiment
fight without tanks, armor-piercing bullets: "At a distance of about 300 m from the fog
emerged a monster and began to crawl towards us. According to him heavy rifle and
machine-gun fire was opened immediately, but to no avail. My aide told me that with
binoculars, you can clearly see how the bullets hit the tank wall. Against the right flank
moved 3 tanks left, they were still far away ... I ordered to withdraw to the eastern edge
of the ravine. Make it was not easy, because of the frantic fire machine guns and tank
guns people naturally began to run. To be the first on the spot and to suspend the further
backward movement, officers also had to flee, the soldiers that were misinterpreted ...
Despite all this, the battalion was stopped at this position it. "

Upon reaching the first line of attack was followed by a scheduled break to pull
artillery. The Germans managed to organize VET, mist for most of the offensive front
has dissipated, and after the resumption of the attack at 9.20 tanks suffered heavy losses
from artillery fire.

Varfyuze south, beams from the church, there were two guns 6th Battery of the 58th
Artillery Regiment Light nominated to direct fire. In front of them first appeared
infantry columns, they shelled from a distance of 1300 meters, followed by the beams
and the direction of the village of Lamotte appeared three British tanks, but all three
were stopped by the fire of the two guns. Then from Lamothe approached three more
tanks, but they were forced to stop. One tank went from the left flank battery and a
distance of about 60 m inflicted heavy losses servants gun fire their machine guns and
cannons. But soon he was hit. The emergence of new tanks accompanied by infantry
and intensified the fire forced the German to move the battery.

5th Canadian Brigade that replaced after the resumption of the offensive in the 9.20
mentioned above the 4th brigade, met the initially weak resistance German infantry, but
was forced to stay in front of hard to keep and well-covered by machine-gun nests, and,

179
according to Montgomery, "infantry and tanks had suppress them consistently. "

But to keep still on the banks of the Somme fog with the advancement in the depth of
defense began to work against the advancing where the German officers succeeded in
taking divisions hands and organize at least a makeshift defense. So, Major T. Von Bose
brings the story of a battery of the 13th regiment of the German light artillery on the site
of the 27th Infantry Division (on the banks of the Somme near the village Serizy against
British troops): "Around 9.45 mist descended to the valley of meadows dymivshimsya.
Somme, and the first glance showed the value of the enemy's success: the slope south of
the Somme ... was completely littered with enemy columns ... Beyond Serizy middle
echelon slope crept into the depths of the tank 4; directly behind them, hiding behind
another fog, withdrew from the limbers one easy pack ... Fortunately, just in the valley
lay still a light mist that covered her veil laying in front of the terrain from the eyes of
the one who was in the valley. Thus, the tools that are installed on an elevated site on
the northern edge of the valley, could discover held in their opponent's legs, which are
as a shadow, quickly moved in the columns to the east along the banks of the Somme,
before he finds them ... before all were tanks that however, due to its bulkiness,
progressed far; after 5-6 shots all 4 caught fire ... Some guns, shooting from time to
time, on the canister, even cuffed attacking part of the British. " The same four tanks
and mentions battery 243rd regiment of light artillery, and Bose suggests that they were
put out the fire of two batteries.

According to promote the British artillery, and infantry and part of the German artillery
was trying to fire chemical shells ( "Blue Cross", OB ptarmic action) to at least
temporarily cut off from their tanks.

However, the British tried to use not only tanks, but also other "cover-up". So, in a
report to the 7th battery 213th German Regiment Light Artillery said: "Around 9.00 on
the opposite slope of the ravine Kuijen seemed the enemy infantry with rifles on his
shoulders ... the infantry was brought under actual fire, and about 10.00 we also opened
fire on two hastily crawls back tanks. One of them was hit and caught fire, the other
disappeared. Almost simultaneously, a company of the enemy with a large number of
machine guns began to move across the ravine Kuijen, driving in front of him the
German prisoners of war. " To stop such an attack under the cover of the German
prisoners managed machine gunner, was brought forward ahead and shelled the British
flanking fire. But against tanks this technique did not work, if there was no guns
ammunition armor-piercing bullets. But at the same ravine Kuijen one British tank,
which appeared in the 9.25 North-west crossroads Morlankur, Shipilov and Corby, Bret,
was hit by the concentrated fire of the two forward put forward guns of the same 213th
light artillery regiment - it took them 12 shots a distance of about 1400 m.

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Mk IV of "female" with mounted on tracks "spurs" overcomes English trench.

Tanks now had to carefully choose the path of rapprochement with the enemy. So, in
the band of the 4th Canadian Division, who had gone on the offensive at 13.40 with the
second line of attack, tanks and infantry were able to approach positions at altitudes
between Kaye and Kemmel, defended part of the 109th German divisions advancing
village Bokur behind Kaye forests and Bokur and beams available here. As a result, the
tanks could in many places to break the defense of two German infantry regiments and
make them move in 15.15. "A large number of planes and tanks on both regimental
plots were put out of action - wrote von Bose - but the losses of the enemy does not
facilitate the situation, since it has a huge number of these weapons of war." This also
applies to other areas of the battle.

Act with Australians and Canadians tanks Mk V * brought machine-gun team,


"Vickers" and "Lewis" to the last uke milestone, but the Gunners after a stay in polluted
shaking machines needed to rest and could not engage the enemy at once, so interesting
on a plan experience transfer tanks with advanced means of fire support of infantry
proved unsuccessful. However, by the evening the front within 10 km Britons going to a
depth of 12 km (in the direction of Fokokur - 15), captured 7,000 prisoners, about 100
guns.

The fighting continued. The Germans tried to counter-attack. The company commander
of the 3rd Battalion, 479 th German Infantry Regiment Lieutenant Gefner describes the
course of a counter after 20.00 at the site of the 27th division (battalion advanced to
have not taken the British positions light artillery): "In the mountain of Saxony just
crossed several waves of British infantry supported by one tank in the direction of the
grove that south of the ravine. Standing nearby weapon alarm company was alerted. For
the third shell hit the target, and the tank glowed brightly under the loud cries of
"Hurrah!" The whole company ... In the meantime, the enemy infantry and suspended
its offensive. We are without a fight reached the western edge of the grove ... destroyed
tank was inspected; several Englishmen among them and the tank crew were captured. "
British infantry have preferred to stop, if left without the support of tanks. This is
evidenced by the episode of the evening, took place at the position of the 1st Battery of

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the 6th Bavarian regiment of heavy artillery: "One tank crawled out of the woods
malaria and could not be stopped even by fire a few guns on the slope of the firing
battery position. Messenger runner was immediately reported to the 7th battery 213th
light artillery regiment that several missiles stopped tank. Oberleutnant Mausner,
Lieutenant Gibson and 5 gunners rushed forward to grab the prisoner fleeing, tank team.
However, they ran into the enemy infantry, followed by tanks. Oberleutnant Mausner
drew all of them and captured 40 British and one machine gun. The remains of the
British ran into a subway in 400 forest Malar ... When viewed from the tank Lieutenant
Mausner was shot with a revolver a wounded Englishman. "

Isolation of the second echelon of 228 tanks (54%) still has not given the development
of tactical success into an operational one. Tanks are not solved, and could not be
solved in their pursuit driving performance tasks. The disorder of the enemy defense is
almost never used.

Tank Mk V male renovated in the Central Workshop. Back view. The tank narrow
tracks are installed.

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Again could not be used for the development of the cavalry success. Command Tank
Corps on the eve of battle tanks offered separate action Mark A "Whippet" - they could
enter into the breach and strike in a southeasterly direction along the rear of the German
army, facing against the French troops. But the "Whippet" battalions C and F 3rd Panzer
Brigade gave the Cavalry Corps with the objective to support the cavalry during its
entry into the breach made by the infantry and heavy tanks, and act on the rear of the
German with her. It was August 8 "Whippets" was first introduced in the fight "in bulk."

6th Battalion (F) Whippet" tanks took up positions to 8.30 am, he had to act along the
railway Villers-Bretonneux - Sholn: The company - north of the road, company C -
south, company A - in reserve. Of the 48 tanks after nomination to the position of
serviceability turned 44. The commander of the battalion, Colonel Truman, seeing that
the battle is developing successfully, entered into battle, and a company A, sending it to
Kaye. Around 9.15 in the one of the "Whippets" hit by a shell, but not exploded. As a
result, were wounded Colonel Truman and Gen. Inglis, the battalion took command,
Major Wood.

The cavalry made with tanks "Whippet", but their interaction soon went wrong. Already
on the march "Whippets" lagged behind the cavalry, and the cavalry horses are often
scared of tanks. However, sometimes the passage of the cavalry tanks "Whippet" in the
gap between the already fragmented German parts constrained the fight from the front
or already retreating, succeeded. So it is described in the story Frentseymera lieutenant
of the 227th regiment of the German light artillery, led the defense of the ravine Venkur
south d Venkur:. "The English cavalry gallops at poeskadronno Venkur. It becomes
more and more, I counted 1 500 riders. Behind them are high speed light tanks, which
also has no end ... Before we deployed the enemy infantry with heavy tanks enemy ...
shelled by heavy artillery area behind our positions. We have lain long, when suddenly
above us were thick swarms of aircraft ... Two airplanes we immediately shot down, but
it does not help .... Directly in front of us appear the enemy tanks that are trying to get
across in the field. We are open to these monsters of heavy rifle and machine-gun fire.
We're covered from all sides ... You're just a few people, we are now forced to hand
over the position of the tank ... The first hit, but the rest of us to pursue and try to
destroy. We see in our rear is already far behind in the fields darting enemy tanks
attacking the nests of resistance and expelling people from shelters, and how small
groups jumping on the terrain the enemy's cavalry. "

Major Rycroft, a company commander in the 6th Battalion, identified four "Whippet" to
interact with the cavalry to cleanse Bayonviller. This attack took place in accordance
with the plan - a company turned to the north of the railway line at the front of about
2500 yards (2275 meters) and successfully attacked with cavalry, firing at various
targets. Item was taken, captured prisoners and weapons.

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Mechanics and tank. The central workshops Tank Corps.

Soon the "Whippet" tanks were linked to fighting forest Kaye surroundings, Le
Quesnel-and Giyokur and acted virtually isolated from the cavalry. There are, however,
helped the infantry. So, next Giyokura held strong infantry machine-gun fire. Mayor
West deployed six "Whippets" Company C Giyokura to attack from the south, and three
other ordered around it from the north. In addition to guns, there were captured and the
enemy guns. In 1130, Major West through the point of contact sent the message: "Nine"
Whippets "With the company reached the" red line "at 10.15. Numerous machine-
gunners and snipers in the valley south of Giyokura. The cavalry is not yet appeared. 1st
Cavalry Brigade should move north of the railway. We can not come into contact due to
too many guns and snipers north line. Moving ".

Mobility "Whippets" allowed for the first time to achieve a semblance of a


breakthrough - "Whippets" moved to 10-16 kilometers into the German defenses.
However, it was not much deeper than the advanced heavy tanks; so that the two

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"Whippets" had a chance to rescue the crew of a heavy tank, passed before them in the
depth of the German defense and got there in the environment. Nevertheless shallow
"raids" relatively fast "Whippets" inspired a group of officers of the Tank Corps, led by
his chief of staff, Colonel George. F.CH. Fuller to develop the tactics of "cruising"
tanks, which they actively defended at the end of the war and in the postwar period.
Remarkable indeed "hussar raid" in the depth of enemy defenses one tank "Whippet"
The company F. Tank Battalion named "The Music Box" under the command of
Lieutenant Arnold came to the starting position at 4.20 in the morning, soon overtaken
by other units and single-handedly led the fight to 15.30 , killing (according to the
testimony of Arnold) about 200 enemy soldiers, scattering to the infantry battalion,
destroying the battery, attacking it from the rear, firing and retreating column convoy.
Finally, the tank was set on fire, the driver was killed, and the commander and gunner
were captured.

Several tanks Company C went to the proximal exploration to Rosiere. When to 22.00
tanks of the 6th Battalion, pulled together by the target collection point near the village.
Marselkav, it turned out that two companies of the tank in the (number 313 and number
332) are stuck in the pits at the railway north of Arbonera, tank number 344 is lost
(Lieutenant Arnold ), company a tank number 364 burned after a direct missile hit, the
tank number 375 company C also received a direct hit from Giyokura, there was burned
and the tank number 357 of the same company. That is the battalion combat losses
amounted to 6 tanks. Not much when you consider they have made. It is, of course, take
into account that the "Whippet" tanks were put into the case after the breakthrough of
the front.

Medium Tank Mark A "Whippet" from the 9 th Platoon of the 3rd (C) Tank Battalion.
Pay attention to the packing of spare parts and an abundance of Ammunition capacity
canisters.

Actions "Whippets" so different from the usual "surly" slow heavy "tank", that at first
they saw as an independent type of combat vehicle. The order of General Rawlinson
said: "fell to tanks and" whippets "role in combat on August 8 was performed by them
in all respects perfectly." The very same horse though and was able to help the infantry
to capture a number of villages, "build on this success," as implied high command,
could not. For real action "maneuvering" tanks on the operational depth was necessary
to establish their tactical interaction with cavalry and infantry landed on the truck, to

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support their progress with artillery fire and aircraft (needed communication machine),
supply of fuel and ammunition, motorized engineering units. All of this in 1918 was
still in its infancy.

Infused Tank Corps 17th Battalion armored vehicles operated on the front of the
Australian Corps. Armored, using existing roads, made a raid along the shallow edge. In
this section of the off-road and trench armored "Austin" broke in tow at the supply tank,
and then was advancing ahead of the Australian infantry. Montgomery describes the
promotion of 12 armored vehicles of the 17th battalion south Pryar: "Reaching the
factory la-Flac, armored cars with their fire in the valley west of Fukokur inflicted
heavy losses. The road here was quickly clogged traffic of enemy chariots; driving
under the influence of armored vehicles have lost control of their harnessing, many carts
ran into each other and turned. Then armored cars turned onto Proyar and Framervil ".
Armored turned on Proyar, able to fire cabinet headquarters and forced to move here
was to justify the German battery light, but came under concentrated fire of machine
guns 7 22-th separate machine-gun squad, turned and retreated. The adjutant of the 18th
German Infantry Regiment Lieutenant Schroeder apparently not avoiding exaggeration,
described the actions of the armored cars, sent to Framervil (south Pryar), which at that
time moved the headquarters of the 152-th and 18-th regiments: "As soon as we come to
the west outskirts, in a village in the south of retreating a few batteries, convoys and so
on. suddenly began a wild panic. In the village went on the attack on the Roman road a
large number of light armored vehicles, from the south-west - the cavalry. At the same
time appeared above the village at an altitude of 100 m 80-90 enemy aircraft that their
bombs and machine-gun fire even more increased panic in the village ... With 152 staff
officers Regiment we grabbed a machine gun and a few of the littered around in a large
number of rifles, took the south-western outskirts of the village and opened fire on the
cavalry galloping at us. After losing a few riders, horsemen turned back. Meanwhile, as
if by miracle, and armored cars turned back by the Roman road. " Reid armored
rearguard allowed to break the control of the German troops and supply.
Characteristically, it is possible to use tanks on the Western Front armored return to the
battlefield. Armored cars were even able to fire on the headquarters of one of the
buildings in the German Pryar.

Of the 415 entered into combat British tanks were lost per day 100 (24%), with nearly
half - from direct hits of projectiles. Note that only 5 tanks did not come into the fight
due to technical reasons - the percentage of technical losses in two years has decreased
significantly. Nevertheless, the British Tank Corps to continue fighting again had to
cobble together teams of companies.

1st French army was advancing on the front of 35 km, with the support guns in 1616 (of
which 836 heavy). The method of attack here was somewhat different. The artillery
preparation lasted about 45 minutes, the tanks were to take part only in the second
attack of the enemy defense line. 31 Corps launched an attack only at 10 am, with three
tank companies "Renault FT in the first line and three in reserve. Despite a late start of
the attack, the suddenness allowed the French, like the British, quickly succeed.
Advanced 325, 326 and 332-th company of light tanks destroyed a lot of machine-gun
point near the height of 101, Izola and villages Frenois (already in the depths of Defense
14th Bavarian Infantry Division). But the French, like the British, could not make the
tactical success of the operational properties. The essential point was relatively
continuous artillery support - it changed the battery emplacements alternately - and

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active assistance aviation bombed and fired machine guns and artillery batteries, anti-
tank guns and reserves.

War, war, and lunch schedule. Outdoor kitchen and quickly deployed in the table
downed tank Mk IV.

Armored "Austin" move along a forest road. Pay attention to the machine gun
"Hotchkiss" mounted on a tower in the tank version Mk1 *.

All in all, the Anglo-French troops on August 8 advanced 11 kilometers, captured more
than 16,000 prisoners and 400 guns.

In Amiens battle is already possible to see the attempt to reconcile the application of the

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system of armored vehicles: heavy (in English) and light (from the French) tanks as a
means to break, tanks, conveyors and machine-gun calculations for battle in the depths
of Defense, medium "speed" tanks for the development of successful, tanks, conveyors
tools to pull artillery and supply in a combat zone, armored cars for quick "raids" in the
depth of the defense. In addition to tanks and armored vehicles, "moving" parts were the
cavalry (cavalry corps and the corps cavalry regiments with infantry corps) and attached
English, British, Canadian and Australian Corps corps battalions cyclists.

Although the actual situation was repeated at Cambrai, and the promotion of the Allies
was much smaller than the promotion of the German forces during their offensive in
March of that same year, General Ludendorff called on August 8, "the blackest day of
the German Army" - the stability of the German units was now much lower. "The war
will have to end!" - Grimly stated then Ludendorff. The German defense strained last
effort.

After that, everything is developing according to the typical operations of the time
scenario - the next day, and the British and the French have the element of surprise
disappears.

Repeating the attack on August 9 was worth the loss of 39 British tanks from 145
(27%). J battalion north of the Somme introduced into battle 16 tanks from the 12th and
58th divisions, and decided their tasks at the cost of 5 machines, consolidated company
of the battalion M supported the attack on Australians Bayonville. To the south of the
Somme acted 5th and 4th Tank Brigade. The 3rd Brigade was unable to help the
Cavalry Corps, however, its "Whippets" helped the infantry, destroying hide in loaves
of German machine guns.

Easy French tanks also provide services to its infantry - "Reno" 9th Battalion occupied
and held Angers en include Centre, 333 th company clears the way Frenois - Angers.
10th battalion "Renault", supporting the 6 th and the 165 th Division, including the
offensive third of the French army, capture Resson station, led the infantry included in
Nivelles and Latil, advancing 3.25 km 4 km at the front. The main reason for such
success - the lack of effective German infantry anti-tank weapons.

Attack of the 4th Canadian and 32nd divisions English August 10 south of the Somme
was supported by 43 tanks, of which 23 are hit. The attack began at daylight without the
fire and smoke of the shaft. Breaking old overgrown trenches, some tanks have lost
their direction, the infantry was poorly trained to operate the tanks and almost
immediately cut off by machine-gun fire. Tanks "Whippet" and the cavalry towards
Parvieyr, generally failed to go the old trenches. A total of 67 tanks, published in the
battle that day, lost 30 (45%), with little success. 11 August 10 battalion of tanks helped
in the 1st Australian Division to capture Lihon. Then the tanks were taken to the rear.

By this time, the German command was able to increase the number of its troops in this
area to 18 divisions. And on 13 August and stopped the offensive itself. From August 8
to 13 out of 688 participated in the battles of tanks excluded from the system 480.

British to August 19 made a rearrangement, resulting in 1st (battalions C, G, J, Q), 2nd


(battalions F, L, D) and 3rd (battalions, I, K, N) tank brigades settled in the band 3rd
British army and 4th (battalions A, d, E) and 5th (battalions B, H, M) team - in the band

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of the 4th army. Battalions of G and L have the old tanks Mk IV.

The Battle of Amiens was widely used before the tank attack posing a smoke screen, if
there is no loss of tanks Fire increased significantly.

Characteristically, the commander of the allied armies of Foch August 11, pointed to the
British commander Haight that to overcome the enemy resistance is required "prompt
concentration and the introduction of business available nearby forces and resources
appropriate to the nature of obstacles encountered (tanks, artillery, infantry quite battle-
worthy ...)." The tanks are named among the most important offensive weapons.

Distribution British tanks 8 August 1918

Tanks in Bapaume

August 21 the British began the battle of Bapaume, south of Arras. Tank Brigade were
assigned to the compounds of the 3rd and 4th British Army.

Tanks of the 1st and 2nd Brigades tiered according to the machine capacity: 2 Mk IV
battalion operated to the second line of attack, one battalion of the Mk V and one
battalion of the Mk V * attacked the second line and moved to the railroad Albert -
Arras, 2nd Battalion medium Mk A "Whippet" has acted for the railroad. In addition,
here she acted the 17th battalion of armored vehicles, "Austin." The objectives were
achieved: of 197 heavy tanks, 27 received a direct hit.

August 22 tanks successfully supported the attack of III Corps, at the same time once
again violating instructions to follow in the rear of the infantry, and leading the attack.
The next day, 6 tanks of the 1st Brigade from III Corps attacked from the heights
Packaging ljusnan and 36 tanks of the 5th Brigade of the Australian Corps - north of
Shinolya. At night, at the front of the 3rd Army 10 Mk IV Battalion L tanks with the 3rd
British Division in the moonlight attacked and captured the village Gomikur. Already in
the morning Guards Division with four Mk IV took the village of Amelie-hens, and 52
Panzer battalion with 18 tanks K and 56th with 8 tanks of the battalion I took a spur of
Amelia chickens Hanenel. 24 August 1st, 3rd and 4th Tank Brigade participated in the
ongoing offensive of 3rd and 4th Armies. So, 11 Mk V * K battalion, having more than
9 km, the move went into battle on the front of the 56th Division, one of them had 25
hours to go 36.5 km - we can see that the reliability of the tanks has increased markedly.
Five Mk V Battalion I, met resistance in the forest Mori, not without success, to put on
use grapeshot shots. One Tank Mk A "Whippet" this day was hit in Kruazilya - it was
an incendiary bomb, but the crew was able to prevent a fire and to include a lower gear,
get out of the fire. Returning to the British positions, they were able to clean the tank
with soot and return to the point of collection.

Distribution of British tanks in the battle of Bapaume September 21, 1918

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Tank Mk V * female 4th Tank Battalion in the street of the village Meltem, 28 August
1918

25 August with the start of the second battle of Arras 2 Mk V Battalion supported the
action of the French parts, one battalion of the Mk IV and Mk And one battalion -
British parts. 29-30 August 1 Tank Brigade operated with New Zealand and 5th
divisions of the English against Fremikura, Beni, Bankura, Forest Velu, 2nd Tank
Brigade - on In-Vrokur. The attacks were successful.

Curious reports about the actions of "Whippets" tanks in the attacks. About actions
"Whippets" from the 3rd Battalion (C) reported to September 1, 1918 the battalion
commander Lieutenant Colonel William Bell: "I have the honor to submit the following
report on the activities of one platoon" Whippets "under the command of Lieutenant KH
Sewell 3rd (light) of a tank battalion in the afternoon August 29, 1918, east of Favre,
and had recommended that a Lieutenant Sewell to be awarded posthumously for
extraordinary valor and courage in the actions under artillery and machine-gun fire.

Around 2:00 pm on August 29, "Whippets" 3rd (light) of a tank battalion reached a
career with the coordinates H14 d43. In accordance with the task set by the command of
the New Zealand Division, the platoon "Whippet" it must have been to reconnoiter the
situation at the front third of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade before Fremikura and
expensive Bapaume - Cambrai, where, according to the infantry, it was stopped by
machine gun fire.

Upon reaching the railway ahead of our infantry platoon came under fire from artillery
and machine guns of the enemy. Maneuvering under fire and at the same time trying to
preserve the order of battle, the machine number A233 under the command of
Lieutenant O.L. Reese-Williams hit a caterpillar in the shell crater and turned upside
down and at the same time, was struck by enemy fire.

Lieutenant Sewell, who was at best "Whippet" (about 70 yards ahead), see the position
of Reese-Williams lieutenant, immediately got out of his tank and rushed to help.

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Acting shovel, he dug out the door of the tank cabin, pressed to the wall of the funnel,
was able to open the door and release the crew (who later, under cover of darkness,
unable to get to our infantry outpost) ... All this time, "Whippets" subjected to intense
fire projectiles and land near vzmetali machine guns with them. Unfortunately, trying to
get back to his tank, Lieutenant Sewell received several bullet wounds, his body was
later found near the body of his driver's PLR. Knox also killed, directly behind their
tank ... ". Lieutenant Sewell was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

That same September 1, when this report was written, two tanks "Whippet" under the
command of Second Lieutenant Mosley and Evin from the 6th (lung) Tank Battalion
supported the attack of 62-th division fortified German positions before In-Vrokur. The
tanks were subjected to intense machine-gun fire and were forced to retreat several
times, but returned to help the promotion of infantry. Mosley struck the Bridge tank
armor-piercing bullets, tank stopped and turned into a stationary target. The crew was
injured. In these circumstances, a machine gunner Sidell ruled out of the fire badly
injured driver Tachchi.

On the night of 1 September 2, nine "Whippets" of the same battalion under the
command of Captain Strehena were sent from village to attack Gomikur Lanikur. We
had to take into account the hard work of tanks in the previous five weeks and
considerable wear, no repairs. Accordingly, it was impossible to count on their rapidity
and sustained combat operation. Therefore, the battalion commander, Lt. Col. West
exploration pre-made riding routes and conditions. He was in the midst of the infantry
battle and died. His successor, Major Gibbs immediately afterwards sent two "Whippet"
6th Battalion against the machine-gun nests in the trenches north of Baux-de-Vaud.
Attack tanks carried out with the infantry regiment of Suffolk, she was crowned with
success, it was taken, according to official reports, 50 to 60 prisoners.

Tank Mk V male" on the battlefield.

Last months

After the end of the battles in August 1918 the Allies used the strategy of successive
connected with each other blows dealt the German troops in different parts of the front.
The tanks played an important role in these strikes.

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September 2nd 1st Tank Brigade with 42th and 5th divisions acted against Beni and
Vilyar-of-Flo, 2nd Brigade from the VI Corps - vs. Moreylya, Lanikura and Morsch,
and all combat-ready tanks of the 3rd Brigade supported Canadian attack and XVII
buildings against the fortified line Drokur - Keane. Resistance was weak, and the
breakthrough was given relatively easy. September 4 tank battalions were taken in the
rear, but they had to resume the action after only 2 weeks. September 6th German Army
retreated to the position of Siegfried, and up to mid-September, fighting was going on in
the old fields long ago turned into "moonscape".

There are some new items. So, to overcome the wide trenches tanks Mk V instead of
heavy fascines used lightweight prismatic frames (cribs). By setting smoke screens in
front of the tanks attracted aviation and engineer units. On the march of the tanks were
only commanders and drivers, the remaining crew members for saving power
transported by trucks.

17 September 3rd and 4th British Army attacked on a front of about 23.5 km from
Aulnay to Guzokur. 19 September 20 tanks in the battalion helped III, IX and
Australian Corps. 21st has 9 tanks of the battalion attacked the farm and Knoll Giyemon
from III Corps. Two of them were carrying the infantry, but were unable to land
because of her unsuppressed enemy machine guns. Two days later, 19 tanks of the
battalion had to maintain M IX Corps attack on Fresnes-le-Petit in a gas curtain, so the
advance was insignificant.

September 26 Army Entente moved into a general offensive, and the next day 1, 3, and
4 th British army began to break the German positions at the front of the Scarpa 26 km
to the west bank of the Meuse. Once again reorganized Panzer Corps took part in a new
attack on the Siegfried position at the front of Cambrai - La Fere-four battalions of the
Mk V, a battalion Mk IV and Mk A battalion "Whippet". 15 Mk IV G Battalion
attacked the village with the Canadian housing Burlon, one of them hit a mine, two
disabled artillery. 26 Mk V R Battalion operated from the XVII and VI corps against
Fleker and awards Chapelle and reach goals, lost 11 machines. Many tanks had to
overcome a dry channel and scarp height of 2.7 m. Attack the VI Corps with 12 Mk V
Battalion It was not a success. 12 Mk V D battalion supported the attack of the 27th
Division of the US, but met strong resistance and retreated, A battalion supported the
30th American Division at Belikurskogo tunnel. September 28 6 Mk IV participated in
the attack on the local Rayonkur, 29th Battalion 7 Mk V K V-go infantry corps captured
Gonele and Villers-Ghislain.

After the breakthrough of the front in Flanders, the German army retreated to the second
defensive zone (the position of "German", "Gunding", "Brunhilde", "Krimgilda").
September 29 at the front of the 4th British Army went into battle 175 tanks.

Distribution British tanks on 29 September 1918

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British inspected lined in battle Mk IV tank, who fought in the German tank "assault
office".

The tanks of the 3rd Panzer Brigade bypassed St. Kantensky channel and helped capture
the IX Corps Magny. The tanks of the 4th and 5th brigades cleared Nora and Bellicourt,
overcame German positions without infantry and suffered serious losses. Attack of the
27th and 30th American divisions between Le Katel and Bellicourt fell (more about this
fight - just below).

September 30 3rd Tank Brigade was ordered to support the attack of the 32nd Infantry
Division on the line Bovur - Manera. Combat-ready tanks remained a little, and had to
be administered in the case in small groups. Where German troops still held a stubborn
defense, it was fraught with setbacks. Thus, the 30 th of company A 6-Tank Battalion
operated in conjunction with the 14th Infantry Brigade. Three tanks "Whippet" should
have been from the south to attack the village and help Zhonkur infantry in mastering it.
At 14.30 three tanks under the command of Captain Ferrera came to the starting
position and reached the turn of the attack at 14.45. One tank was left in reserve, the
other two moved into the attack at 15.30. Upon reaching the railway tanks came under
fire from machine guns and anti-tank guns. Tank Lieutenant Holloway got three hits
from anti-tank guns and was incapacitated. The second tank has reached the outskirts of
the village, but as the infantry is not moved him, was forced to turn back to "lift" the
infantry. Do not establish contact with the infantry and taking into account disruptions
motor cars, tankers took her into the ravine. Third, reserve, tank tried to solve the same
problem and enter the village, but was also put out of action - apparently fire from anti-
tank guns - to the south of the railway on Zhonkur. Tanks mouth B and C of the same
battalion were able to bypass the channel south of Bellicourt.

3 October 32 th and 46 th infantry divisions with 60 tanks of the 5th Brigade attacked at
the front Sekart - Boni, but moved slightly.

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Tanks Mk V and Mk A "Whippet" solemnly through the streets on the day of the
Armistice.

Distribution British tanks at p. Cell October 17, 1918

October 5 began an offensive on the front of Cambrai - Saint-Quentin. Attack of the 25


th Division 6 Mk V D Battalion Beaurevoir failed - the infantry did not know how to
interact with the tanks. More successfully operated tanks Australians are accustomed to
attacking 12 Mk V * Monbren. October 8 about Nirni there was a second battle tanks
tanks (this time the same type) - tanks Mk IV (according to other sources, the newer Mk
V tank) mouth and C battalion L (12th Tank Battalion Tank Corps) met with the same
type of tanks - namely, the German 'assault separation ", equipped with four captured
Mk IV (one gun" male "and 3 machine-gun" female "). More about this fight will be
discussed later in the chapter "The first combat tanks tanks."

Also on October 8 there was a remarkable case of military cooperation tanks with
aviation, which reported to the British pilot, who was watching the battle for the village
of Seren, "When approaching tanks, we threw a bomb in the group is in the village of
Germans. Then the tanks began to surround the village; one of them went straight into
the middle of the village, and the other attacked the orchard and clears it from the
enemy, but the third went around the village from the north and approached a small
ravine, which was in the dead space between 200 and 300 Germans. Seeing tank draws
near, the Germans fled in an easterly direction; Seeing this, we flew over them and shot
at them with machine gun fire, inflicting heavy losses. "

October 9 8 Mk V Battalion, D carried out the attack to the east of the Award, 11 th - 5
Mk V E with a battalion of the 6th Division - to the north of the forest Rigerval. The
operation was completed. For 4 days we broke through the Siegfried position at the
front to 48 km and to a depth of 32 km.

The German army retreated to the line Antwerp - Maas. October 17 at p. Celle south of
Le Kato in the band 3 rd and 4 th British army acted two battalions Mk V * (R and 301

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American) and one battalion of the Mk V (A).

For the formation of the ford each of the 48 tanks carrying a wicker basket. On the
eastern shore tanks met little resistance. Three days later, the tank battalion 4 To
overcome the same river in the underwater bridge of sleepers, prepared by sappers per
night.

Further Allied offensive proceeded sluggishly - Germany has requested a truce - but
tanks remained work. 23 October 37 tanks assembled a battalion of F, I, J, N and 301 th,
spent a night attack on the front of the 3 rd and 4 th Army to the south and north of Le
Kato. While the enemy has put gas curtain, the tanks have reached goals and have done
for the infantry passages in obstacles. The next day, 6 Mk V * J battalion supported the
advancement of the 18th and 25th divisions near Robersara. This ended the battle on the
river. Celle.

The effect of tank attacks on the German army and its commanders in conditions of
exhaustion of the country's resources and rises in the rear of discontent, reflected in the
report sent by October 2, 1918 a representative of the German High Command leaders
of the Reichstag: "The enemy has used the tanks in unexpectedly large quantities.
When, after a hearty enveloping our positions smokescreen tanks began their sudden
attacks the nerves of our people often do not withstand stress. In such cases, the tanks
broke through our front lines, clears the way his infantry, appeared in our rear, made
here and there to panic and made impossible any battle management. " And mentioned
in the report of the Reichstag on 4 October: "The High Command was forced to take a
very important decision and declare that, given the human capacity, there is no longer
any hope to impose on the world the enemy. In addition, such an outcome crucially
influenced by two factors: the first one - the tanks ... ". The British sought to use tanks
as often as possible. As a result, by early November, they again "exhausted" and acted
consolidated team of highly attenuated battalions 9, 10, 14, 6, 17 th and 301 th US.
Sometimes just used "tankoboyazn German parts - near landrecies German infantry
surrendered two tanks supply. Not without effect were taken "in the fight" behind the
infantry and models of tanks of the rails and the canvas, put on wheels and pushed
inside mule (can recall wooden similarity elephants, which the Macedonian king
Perseus attempted to intimidate the Romans during the Third Macedonian War, II of in.
To BC. e.).

November 4 during the battle of Maubeuge on the front of attack the 3rd and 4th armies
(approximately 48.5 km from the Oise to Valenciennes) was the last World War I attack
heavy tanks. In the battle 37 tanks entered - with the IV and V buildings in Gisin and
Zholimes with XIII in Ek, Pr and Rozimbo with IX between Appergarbe and Katilon.
The attack had limited objectives, and was quite successful. Eight Mk A "Whippet" has
supported the attack guard the forest Mormal 5 November. It was actually the last of the
British battle tanks Tank Corps in the First World War.

Armored Tank Corps operated until the armistice. "Austin" 17 Battalion moved and flag
Tank Corps December 6 on the Rhine Hohenzollern Bridge. Total from 9 August to 11
November, Panzer Corps was used in battle 39 days lost 9,500 personnel killed and
wounded officers and 598 enlisted men in 2557, ie 33% -.. At the time, a little bit. All in
all the battles in 1918 the British Tank Corps lost 707 killed officers and 3581 soldiers

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and sergeants.

French tank units from 18 July to 11 November, took part in the fighting, a total of 45
days (total for this period has passed 4356 clashes with the participation of French
tanks), of which 3140 "tankodnya" had to "Renault", 473 - to "Schneider" 375 - on the
"Saint-Chamond." At the same time the French lost 2903 people, or about 13.2%
combat strength, and 748 tanks (308 "Schneider" and "Saint-Chamond" 440 "Renault
FT), or 17.2% of the total. According to the types of tanks loss for the period are
allocated as follows: "Schneider" and "Saint-Chamond" - 29% of the total, "Reno" -
13.3%.

Tanks are much reduced loss of British, French and American troops and helping them
to combat work. Work tank itself does not become easier - even in German reports have
been very respectful frequent reviews of the courage and endurance of the enemy tank
crews.

Tanks in the desert

Heavy British tanks to war in the desert. Back in December 1916, a detachment of the 8
heavy tanks Mk I and II E Company under the command of Major Norman X. Netti sent
by sea to Egypt - a total of 22 officers and 226 soldiers and sergeants. In February 1917,
they were transferred to Khan Yunus, but the first battle at Gaza, they were too late.
Preparing for the second battle, tanks, 2-4 distributed among 52, 53 and 54 th Infantry
Division, attacking crests Sheikh Abbas and Mansart south of Gaza, which covered the
way from Egypt to Palestine. The attack was carried out at the front of 8 km. April 17,
1917 tanks went into battle, and one was damaged by a direct hit. April 19 tanks
attacked Ali El Munter with artillery support from the ships, and the 52 th British
Infantry Division supported by four tanks and 53 th Division - two. Before the battle
tanks have been on their own about 64 kilometers, which was at the limit of their
resources. During the battle, one tank damaged the caterpillar, one fell into a pothole
and was filled with sand, one was in hands of the Turks. Success was not. Command
has absolutely not been known features of tanks, machines put into the fight at the front,
8 km without intelligence, put them as problems, no matter how much the two tank
battalions were given in France. The area was an almost continuous dune. British tank
crews took measures to increase the security of their vehicles, in particular, is mounted
on the front hull spare truck tracks - this technique appeared at that time.

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The remains of tanks, downed in Palestine.

Mk I tank in Egypt, the beginning of 1917 on the front of the chassis are reinforced
spare truck, flanked rubki- extra lights.

In the summer of 1917 in Egypt, he sent three Mk IV, and at the end of October 1917
the tanks were transferred to the seaside. They entered into the battle at the front
between the XXI Corps Umbrella hill and the sea coast to the west of Gaza (the "third
battle of Gaza"). 6 tanks gave the 1-2 Infantry Brigade, assigning them 29 goals, two
left in reserve. Tanks drove further and engineering assets. The attack was carried out
during the night of 1 to 2 November under the guise of barrage, smoke and dust is not
allowed to use the moonlight, and the direction of the crews kept the compass.
Nevertheless, part of the tasks performed tanks. One tank was lost and returned, 4 have
failed, bogged down, damaging the tracks, or because of a fire, but the losses were small
crews - one dead and two wounded. In the spring of 1918 gave artillery tanks
Management in Alexandria, and the crews returned to England for training - in France,
the German offensive unfolded. Then tanks not shown in the wilderness of their
capabilities, much more effective here acted in concert with armored infantry and
cavalry.

repairers

Considerable work to ensure action Tank Corps did t. N. "Rescue teams" or "wild tank
companies", consisting of teams of craftsmen and raznomarochnyh tractors. Lack of
experience was compensated by the ingenuity and initiative, all the more worthy of
respect, the work often took place on the battlefield under enemy fire or night. So, after
the failure at Ypres rescue company was evacuated to the rear about 190 tanks. Helped
tankers and "Chinese workers companies" - in September 1916 on the Somme, they
helped evacuate tanks were later assigned to the central workshops. With tanks, are not
subject to evacuation, removed whole sponsons, engines, transmission units,
caterpillars. Only from 8 August to 11 November 1918 field tank units were able to be
evacuated from the battlefield 887 tanks. 15 of them attributed to irretrievable losses,
559 repaired in field workshops, 313 were sent to the Central Workshops (204 back to
the front). Thus, the basis of tank-repair service has been laid.

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Chinese workers repairing the tank Mark A "Whippet".

Mechanics of Central Workshops decide what to do with the tank Mk V.

Combat application of French tanks

he first battles

The first application of the French tanks, April 16, 1917 at p. Al was unsuccessful. It
was during the April attack the British and French armies in 1917 - "Operation Nivelle",
held with a view to the decisive defeat of the German armies, but ended in failure. 5th
and 6th French Army broke through the German front at Craonne area, and they were
attached to the tanks. The area was generally tankodostupnoy, but taking into account
the 15-day-long artillery barrage and expansion tanks Germans tranches decided to use
behind the attacking infantry - they had to be replaced when pulling artillery attack the
third position at the front Amifontaine - Pruve. Instead of the planned 400 in the village
of Berry-au-Bac was able to concentrate 208 tanks "Schneider" and 48 "Saint-
Chamond", from which the attack was attended by only 132 "Schneider". The tanks had
to make a long march, advancing to the area of the fight on their own. Part of the
column the way passed by the light of the day, were discovered by German pilots, and
shortly thereafter started shelling. One section of track in addition to sweep German
artillery direct fire. These factors have led to heavy losses of tanks even during
deployment. In addition, the French attack was not a surprise to the enemy.

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Battery "Saint-Chamond" goes into battle. The tanks of the first series, with a flat roof,
oval turrets and gun TR

More April 11 one of the heads of the German division orders, which calls on soldiers
to defend their position to the end: "The fatal moment approaching. Development of the
enemy artillery attack heralds the future of our trenches. Brave reyntsy, Hanoverians
and Guard regiments will defend their position to the end. I am sure that no one will not
give up a prisoner. "

"Saint-Chamond" because of malfunctions and damage the chassis in battle did not
participate. Tanks "Schneider" operated within the two groups, each of which is called
by the name of the commander - a group of major Bossu (east) in the 2, 4, 5, 6 and 9th
divisions and a group of major Shobe (West) in the composition 3, 7 and 8th divisions.
Each division consisted of 12 vehicles, support units, and the repair of several reserve
tanks. For help in overcoming the obstacles they gave a group of infantry.

April 16 a group of Bossu had XXXII with parts of the body to attack the enemy in the
direction between the rivers and En Met in order to break through the second line of the
German defenses on the part of Zhyuvenkura. Shobe Group, on the west by the river
Met, was with Part V of the body to move in the direction Zhyuvenkura. Group Bossu
four divisions supported the 69th Infantry Division and one of the 42 th Division. The
rate of advancement of combat vehicles was small even before reaching the first line of
defense, because on the way of the tanks began to interfere with their carts and infantry.
Promote the left wing group Shobe paused before a ditch width of 4-5 m, and the group
on the right wing Bossu beginning of one column to cross the bridge over the 154th
Infantry Regiment spent 45 minutes river Met width of 3 m. In order to ensure the
passage of tanks through the wide trench, during which the tanks were forced to
disperse. During the fight in a burning tank lost a major boss, honored military officer,
Commander of the Order of the Legion of Honour and the Military Cross. After enemy
fire scattered infantry, tanks continued their advance to the third turn of the German
defense. Of the 82 tanks "Schneider" group Bossu 32 were destroyed by the enemy
defense area and 12 - on the lines of the French defense. The loss of this group - 44
tank, killed and wounded 26 officers and 103 privates. However, the attacking forces
captured XXXII body set targets, but suffered heavy fire of the enemy, and were forced
to withdraw. Attack Results 50 tanks Shobe group in the band of the 10th Infantry
Division were even more sad, because no one "Schneider" was not able to overcome the
first line of German defense, mainly because of the nature of the terrain. 8 tanks were
lost as soon as they are advancing, landed in the quagmire. Departing from the shelling,

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tanks added speed and broke away from the infantry. All this has led to heavy casualties
- 32 tanks were hit, including 26 struck by artillery fire and burned, killing seven
officers and 44 privates.

CA-1 Tank "Schneider", stuck in the trenches and battered by artillery.

The same tank "Schneider" from the other side. The German soldiers did not deny
myself the pleasure to witness its "victory" over the tank.

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Tank CA-1 "Schneider" from the group AS1, lost in the battle of the mill Luff May 5,
1917

As a result, combat tanks sustained heavy losses from artillery, and although the
remaining machines advanced to 2-3 km, the infantry did not follow them, and tanks
had to withdraw. In addition to the introduction of tanks on unfavorable terrain, said the
lack of interaction. "The infantry support, which was supposed to pave the way for the
pitted shells sites - wrote in his report to the captain Shanuan, instead of during the
attack of the deceased Major boss - did not fulfill its task; she performed this work so as
to allow the tanks to quickly make the transition. " Shobe Mayor also noted that "trench
neperehoda and crossing means no; support the infantry, came under artillery fire,
dispersed by communication trenches, and join it did not seem possible. " Of the 132
tanks, abandoned the attack with "expectant" positions, 76 tanks (ie. E. 57%) remained
on the battlefield, 57 of them destroyed by artillery fire.

It would seem that the opinion of the German High Command confirmed that the well-
organized defense of the tanks are not dangerous. But, despite this double defeat, the
French General Staff did not give up the use of tanks. Affected by the credibility of the
new kind of weapon and his team Etienne by the new Chief of General Staff - General
Petain.

"Saint-Chamond" first went into combat in May 1917 on May 5 in the mill district

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Laffitte 19 tanks "Schneider" 1st and 10th groups (divisions) and 12 (according to other
sources, 16) "Saint-Chamond" 31st infantry support group, but stopped in front of too
broad trenches opponent - said the lack of flotation machines. Killed six tanks: two
enemy fire on the outskirts of his defense and four are stuck, and then were hit.
Promotion at the front of 3200 m was 500 m, taken Laffite mill, destroyed several gun
emplacements, repulsed a counterattack. The operation was considered "partly
succeeding." In this battle, it brings out the best cross-country "Schneider" in
comparison with "Saint-Chamond", which barely can move on rough terrain - in any
case, no damage was a "Schneider".

From 23 to 25 October, during the battle of La Malmaison in the 6 th French Army used
38 "Schneider" tanks 12, 8 and 11 groups (divisions) and 20 "Saint-Chamond" 31 th and
33 th groups. For the first time in the operation used 5 "radiotankov" to coordinate with
other arms - a total of 63 tanks. In preparation for the operation, two battalions of
dismounted cuirassiers passed joint training with tanks in Shamplie.

After a six-day artillery barrage, October 23, 5 hours and 15 minutes, the attack began.
She was carried by waves of infantry chains, supported by tanks. Although 24 of the 63
tanks do not have moved the starting position of infantry and 19 are stuck between the
initial position and the first line of the enemy's defense, the remaining 20 served their
purpose to seize the lines of trenches and allowed to cut Malmaison ledge. At the front,
the French penetrated 12 km into the depth of the German defenses on the 6 km, lost
8,000 people and two tanks "Saint-Chamond", German losses, according to French
reports, accounted for 38 000 people were killed, up to 12,000 prisoners and 200 guns.

Tank CA-1 "Schneider" on the march.

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CA-1 Tank "Schneider", padded at Zhyuvenkura.

defensive battle

The next time the French tanks had to fight in the spring of 1918. In anticipation of the
German offensive cash armored forces concentrated in the 3rd Army Front for counter-
attacks (by analogy with the British Tank Corps). But the rapid advance of the German
troops in March - April, not given to prepare the action of tanks and their fragmented
thrown into the private counter.

April 5 at the farm Soviler five tanks "Schneider" group 4 supported counterattack two
infantry battalions to the farm Adelpar but hasty preparation of the attack, a complete
mismatch order of battle tanks specifics, their uncoordinated movement sodden soil is
not allowed to succeed. Two tanks were destroyed. On April 7, the same area of La
Somme, this time in UAH, six "Schneider" ( "enhanced battery") of the 2nd group
supports counterattack Company 355 th Infantry Regiment. Infantry re never used the
success of tanks, destroyed four cars. At dawn on April 8, 12 tanks, "Schneider" group 3
go on the attack on the Castel with the infantry of the 66th and 77th regiments, acting
partly in the forest, moving at the front of 3000 m to a depth of 1.5 km. May 28 5th
group "Schneider" after a short artillery barrage supports the attack of the 29th regiment
of the 1st American Division near Cantina - tanks cover the village, the infantry
occupies it, all the tanks returned to their location.

The first appearance on the field of light "Reno" battle tanks, too, was not particularly
successful. Etienne Petain urged not to let "Renault FT to fight until you can not use
them in large numbers, and if there are sufficient reserves. Petain himself had planned to
wait for the availability of 12 legkotankovyh battalions with a total strength of 864
tanks. Then we had to limit the plans to form a 6 battalions (432 tanks) to May 1, 1918

203
Gun setup 75 BS Schneider" - a trophy German Reichswehr.

Running gear repair tank "Saint-Chamond" in the field. Tank construction later, with a
sloping roof and a square tower.

Tanks are designed for use in mass in the planned attack (what and trained crews) were
forcibly thrown into a small amount of privacy counterattack. Actually, they wanted to
put to use by the end of March, when the great German offensive caught the Allies
completely unprepared to oppose it, but the tanks were not yet combat-ready - cannon
"Renault", for example, did not have weapons. April was spent on urgent resupply,
education and training to combat the three battalions of the "Renault". By May 1 of 216
handed over the army, "Reno" the FT combat ready acknowledged only 60 tanks were
adjusted in the parks, and the summer camp in Bourron now formed the "graveyard" of
defective tanks.

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May 29, 1918, three battalions of "Renault" 501 Regiment were transferred to the 6th
French Army Corps to support actions in the forest Retz (another name for Villers-
Cauterets) on the outskirts of Paris. For the transfer of used trucks "Pyurrey" and trailers
"La buire" towed by tractors. May 31 three platoons "Reno" on 304th and 306th tank
companies with the 4th Rifle Regiment attacked the Moroccan division Ploisy and three
platoon 305 th company to the 7th Rifle Regiment - Shazel. The fight went 21 tank
company commanders were in the lead car. Masquerading in breads and bushes from
the observations of the German balloon tanks move forward infantry dispersed the
enemy fire, suppressed machine-gun and advanced on the front of 2 km to a depth of
1.5 km, but the infantry, had never seen tanks and most do not even realize at -French
not moved them, and the attack came to nothing. After reaching the open tanks without
covering themselves under the fire of the enemy artillery. 3 tanks were damaged, and
one fell into the hands of the enemy. The commander of the 501st Tank Regiment then
compared the sacrifice of tanks "Renault" in the first battles with the exploits of "the
ancient cavalry at a critical, sometimes even bad moments." Nevertheless, "Reno"
counter-attack forced the German troops to stay in the forest Retz. An interesting duel
between the tank and anti-tank gun was held May 31 in the hollow Shazel. "Renault"
304 th company (2nd Battalion) at the exit from the valley came under fire from a
masked 77-mm cannon, but the first German shells lay ahead forward platoon of tanks.
The commander of the platoon, shooting toward the gun, stepped behind a bush and tied
duel gun, while the rest of the tanks, moving in zigzags, moved forward. Insufficient
rate and the firing angle is not allowed to move quickly to the German gun fire - only
one tank "tail" was damaged by shrapnel. When finally approached by a group of
Moroccan riflemen, tank crews showed them to fire a weapon. German cannon hastily
extended forward, had an infantry shield, its calculation was destroyed, finished off a
cannon tanks. Reaching out of the ravine, the tanks were waiting for the infantry, we
have not yet received a command to depart to the collection point.

June 2 at the eastern edge of the forest Retz at the front Faverolles Chicken - Korea 45
tanks of the 3rd "Reno" Battalion and 308th "Renault" company with the infantry of the
11th Army Corps on the front of approximately 6,000 m of the German counterattack.
Fight breaks into violent bouts of separate tanks with groups of infantry and machine
guns, but Faverolles Chicken and Saint-Paul repulsed, the French infantry advancing by
1.5 km and is attached to the new positions.

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Tanks Renault FT are moved by truck.

Renault FT go into battle with the infantry.

A notable fight took place here in the morning on 3 June. One platoon of 307-th
"Renault" company held a counter-attack on Faverolles Chicken against parts of the

206
German "shock" of the 28th Reserve Division. Two tanks were almost immediately
stopped by mortar fire, the other three continued their attack. Two "Renault", forced
their way into the heart of the German positions were surrounded. Against them, the
Germans threw infantry regiment and two battalions of divisional reserve. Only the
combined efforts of five battalions managed to bring both tanks of the system and
capture their crews. However, tanks ensured the advancement of his infantry on the road
to Troen. In the evening of the same day in the same area 15 tanks 301 and 304-th
mouth "Renault", moving to the front, 1 km ahead of infantry cover Vertfeyl farm and
give the infantry a foothold on it unscathed.

Counterattack three platoons "Reno" from the 302 th and 308 th mouth (only 15 tanks)
June 4 farm yes Grill success has not. The tanks are moving in the woods along the
track, trying to fire, it is not seeing the goals, and does not help the infantry to reach the
farm without the infantry, so that there is no one to fix the captured point. The same is
repeated on June 6 - Tanks come to the farm La Grill, but the infantry could not gain a
foothold on it. But on June 5 just 5 "Reno" (platoon 302 th company), counterattacking
with the 136th Infantry Regiment advancing ahead of the enemy in the flank, displace it
from the farm Shavon, destroyed 10 guns. Finally, on June 12 15 tanks 309 th company
"Renault" with the 233rd Infantry Regiment, overcoming the brush and fire concealed
machine guns, moving beyond the farm La Grill and expel the enemy from the woods
here Retz.

The last "big deal" of French medium tanks took place on June 11 at the Battle of Le
May. To counter the flank coming to Reims opponent 56 tanks "Schneider" 3rd Tank
Battalion were attached to the 152nd Infantry Division, 103 "Saint-Chamond" 10, 11
and 12 groups - respectively 120, 48 and 165th divisions 3rd army. Such a number of
combat vehicles French used for the first time and did not have time to organize
interaction. Parts prepared for the counter-attack, the order was read: "Infantry must
fight as if the support is not at all the tanks. The tanks will follow the infantry and
support it in case of need. " Tankers, however, is often overtaken by the infantry (the
gap reached up to 1 km, go back to the infantry, as in other battles, it was not possible),
they fought desperately, engage in a duel with the discovery of the German batteries and
suffered considerable losses (46%) - destroyed (in mainly artillery) or cast 31
"Schneider" and 42 "Saint-Chamond." But the main objective was achieved - stopped
the offensive of the 18th German Army at Compiegne.

June 13, 1918 held a private surgery in the woods Le Merle involving four tanks, but on
July 9 at the farm Port was carried out the attack with 16 tanks "Schneider" 16-th and
17-th groups (divisions). Their sudden attack ahead of the infantry after a short artillery
barrage reached the targets set (promotion - 1 km at the front 3.2 km) with minor losses
- enemy observation points blinded by smoke shells and batteries fired chemical shells.

At dawn on 15 June 15 tanks 303rd "Renault" company with the 153rd Infantry
Division carried out a counterattack to the elevation Kevr in quite difficult conditions.
They have to pass the column on the bridge and attack on the rise in places without
moving infantry. Nevertheless, at the front of 1800 m to 2000 m was promoting, by
artillery fire lost 3 tanks. June 18 two platoons "Reno" is finally discarded enemy.

June 28 in an attack carried out Kyutri 153rd Infantry Division, 418 Infantry and 9th
regiments zuavskogo "with a large number of tanks" - 60 "Renault" 305, 307, 308 and

207
309-th mouth. 305 th company was not able to complete the task, lingering on the soft
ground and suffered losses from enemy fire, but the 307 th and 308 th company spent
infantry for the designated purpose, while the tanks 309 th company covered them from
the flank side dell Kyutri.

On the morning of July 9, the dark (the storm) at the Port of farms and lodges 16 tanks
"Schneider" Group 4 going on the attack with 404 and 36th infantry regiments. The
movement of tanks, masks artillery, enemy observers blinded by smoke shells, and its
battery shelling chemical shells. As a result, the tanks are provided with enemy fire,
maneuver on the battlefield as long as they need, promotion was 1 km to the front of
3800 meters, the tanks without loss pushed to the assembly point. On the same day,
beginning to prepare the attack of the 3rd Army Corps, to the south of the Marne on the
line Sakon - Grunge-au-Bois. The evening of July 15 at 19 o'clock the infantry goes on
the attack with 10 tanks of the 313th "Renault" company. The enemy pushed aside, his
further progress in Champagne stopped.

on July 16-17 at the LA Grange-au-Bois and 80 Sakon "Reno" 313th and 315 th mouth
were almost continuous battle. Total promotion was 1.2-1.6 km, the loss - 20 tanks,
platoon 313th company in farm Janvier had to reflect the night attack of the enemy.

The usual even for trench warfare lack of time and the desire to save the service life of
tanks for the fighting was not allowed to properly work out the interaction of infantry
with tanks. Under these conditions, the use of "Reno" small "portions" and the poor
organization of the interaction caused rapid melting units - for both equipment and
crews.

Battle of Soissons

The most successful French tankers made July 18, 1918 at Soissons, where the 10th and
the 6th French army began a counter-offensive against the positions at which stopped
the German offensive between the rivers Ain-et-Marne. The aim of the offensive was to
eliminate Marne projection 7th German Army front (ie. N. "Second battle of the
Marne"). The French commander of the Allied armies Jean Foch took into account the
previous mistake of the English General Haig, who left shock troops without reserves
(although some historians attribute this foresight commander of the French forces,
General Petain). The main blow on the front of 15 km between the rivers Ain and Urk
inflicted 10th Army Mangin, an abundant supply of tanks (343-346 machines - three
groups "Schneider", three of the "Saint-Chamond", three "Renault" Battalion) and
artillery. In the first tier, advancing 10 divisions, including the 1st and 2nd American in
the second - 6 divisions in reserve were the 15th and 34th British divisions. 6th Army
Degutta (of 7 divisions, including 4-th and 26-th US, in the first echelon and one in the
second) occurs between the rivers Ourcq and Marne. Special mention American
divisions not by chance - at that time it was the division of "dual power", that is much
stronger than the usual British or French Infantry Division. To support their American
divisions were attached to the French tanks with French crews. In particular, the 11-th
and 12-th group (divisions), "Saint-Chamond" imparted to the 1st US Division.

10th French Army for the development of the success gained Cavalry Corps, which is
subordinated to 6 motorized infantry battalions on trucks with sappers.

208
Tanks "Reno" with the FT riveted tower type "omnibus".

The preparation and the concentration of tanks (water transport and on dirt roads) had
quite secretly - in particular, the five battalions of the "Renault" July 14-17, was
transferred from the front of the 1st and 3rd armies (from the area of Amiens and Saint-
Esprit, Denis ). On the night of July 17, the tanks sit on the fence, and "Renault" passed
to him from the place of unloading its course for 12-14 kilometers - at the time, a lot.
Strikes were suddenly without an artillery barrage at dawn, under the cover of fog. Tank
platoon or a battery of tanks commonly attached attacking infantry battalion. Tanks
should have acted in close liaison with the infantry, overtaking her, wherever possible,
to cover them with artillery opened the beginning of the movement counter-battery fire,
and then transfer it to a signal from the aircraft, fighters had to cover tanks for strikes of
German aircraft. The density of the tanks in the areas of the main attack was the 10th
Army - 14 tanks per 1 kilometer of the front, in the 6th Army - 11.

Distribution of French tanks 18 July 1918

Just fight went 245 "Renault" 100 "Saint-Chamond" 123 "Schneider". "Renault" The
tanks have played in this battle decisive role. The French largely repeated the tactics of
the British in Cambrai, more clearly applying massing tanks on the breakout direction.
Note the specifics of the use of tanks of the 11th and 12th group providing fire support

209
to the 1st US Division, and the 10th group, in place since the 38th and 48th French
divisions. After capturing the first line of infantry had approached the German trenches
the tanks opened fire on the second and third are often inaccessible to the field artillery.
Thus, "Schneider" and "Saint-Chamond" became the beginnings of self-propelled
artillery support.

The attack began at 4.45 am with a little fog after only a 10-minute artillery barrage.

6th army launched an offensive on 1.5 hours later after a preliminary artillery barrage.
The first German defense line were quickly breached, at 7.15 in the battle cast and
reserve tank. By 8 am, the promotion was 4-5 km. Around 10.00, when dispelled the
morning mist, the French pilots found that the German front was broken for 15 km in
the direction of Soissons. 1st and 2nd battalions of the "Renault" from the reserve were
attached to the 20th Corps, the 3rd - 30th Corps 10th Army. By noon, the troops have
reached positions of enemy artillery. By the end of the 10th Army advanced to 9 km, 6
th - 5 km. The enemy lost 12,000 prisoners and 250 guns. It is "the masses of tanks,"
explained the German officers that the success of the French. The only site where the
Germans have not moved from their positions, front offensive was the 11th French
division, which did not have tanks.

German writer Karl Rosner describes a massive attack the lungs, "Reno" July 18 tanks
from the German point of view of a soldier: "Ahead of the attackers was the vanguard
of the many hundreds of tanks, and, apparently, a new system of tanks, small and very
mobile. Penetrating, they formed a cover for the guns, and the minimum time to create
such a picture that our front line was broken through in countless locations, and our
people fought simply for their own skin, while their rear was already under enemy
machine-gun fire. No one knew exactly what was going on. "

CA-1 Tank "Schneider" overcomes a small obstacle. Curious inscription on the stern
Fee Kaputt - in German.

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CA-1 Tank "Schneider", came out of the fight with a number of holes.

The emergence of the mass density in tanks with an average of 10 vehicles per 1 km of
the front and the massing of artillery fire (50 guns per 1 km) played a role, but the tank
cover was not enough effective. The depth of the first tasks that tanks and infantry
performed brilliantly, limited range, which could promote the artillery barrage, without
changing position. Stopping to pull artillery delayed the French in the second position,
and the tardiness of three cavalry divisions and three infantry battalions by car to the
place of break up to 15 hours is not allowed to enter them into the breach and to expand
it, and the German retreat and reserve units have organized a new line of defense,
although weak. German machine guns once again forced the cavalry dismount squads
went into battle on foot. Tanks again acted the same wave with spray on all fronts,
exploration revealed no anti-tank weapons the enemy had time to take a new position.
Of the 225 tanks that came into the fight at the front of the 10th Army, 40 are out of
order due to technical reasons, 62 lost by enemy fire (total loss - 45%). At the front of
the 6th Army 42th Group "Saint-Chamond" almost did not participate in combat,
because it failed to catch up (!) The infantry, but the "Reno" tanks operated very
successfully. Local actions tanks continued in the evening. Thus, the 310 th company
"Renault" supported the attack of the 7th Infantry Regiment in two heights to the south
of Ein, started at 18.30. Tank company imparted to the advancing battalions unloaded
from trucks at the most starting positions and moved to bypass the height suppressing
fire machine guns on the reverse slopes and ensuring the execution of the task.

Actions tanks allow the troops to advance as fast as she could move fast infantry. But it
is found that in the presence of a reserve tank and needs a constant flow of fresh
infantry units, appeared to use the advantage and, on the one hand to quickly
consolidate the positions captured, the other - to continue the offensive with tanks.

211
Inspection of tanks Renault FT right on the railway platforms.

The prefabricated tank units operated during the continuation of the offensive on July
19. 10th Army was able to move only 2 km, 6th - 2.5-3 km. In the band of the 10th
Army lost 50 tanks of 105 entered into combat (50%), July 20 - 17 tanks of 32 (53%),
21 th - 36 of 100 (36%) - the usual for those days of rapid decline tanks during
operation. Loss of personnel of tank units on different days ranged from 22 to 27%. July
20 the resistance of the German troops is enhanced. July 23 French again allowed to
fight the remaining units - 19 "Schneider" tanks, 24 "Saint-Chamond" summary
batteries, 62 "Reno" six tank companies consolidated. But it is very hard. "Reno" to
reach the railway, and when you try to climb to the crest of the German battery are shot
from a distance of 40 m - 48 tanks were damaged.

Despite the insistence of General Foch to Petain "vigorously and immediately take
control of the operation in hand, to remove it from happening battle all the results that it
can still give 'tasks are not met, the promotion of the 10th Army - 0.5-1 km 5,5 km at
the front, the 6th army - 2.5 km.

Results from 18 to 23 July in the band of the 10th Army lost 102-103 tanks. In the
band's 6th Army tanks operated for 3 days longer, loss of tank units totaled 58 tanks.

General Eymansberger gave the following estimates of the losses of the French "assault
artillery":

As you can see, with a rather large losses in the tanks (36 to 58%), loss of personnel of
tank units on different days ranged from 22 to 27%.

From tanks that went into battle on the first day of the offensive, 168 were medium and
only 55 light. Nevertheless, in general, in the course of the battle played a decisive role
it easy "Renault".

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Experience the French basically the same as the English under Cambrai - fast-break first
sudden mass attack lines of tanks, but there is no use and development of initial success.
Again, there is a problem stopping the offensive even before the end of the possible
operation of tanks due to the need to pull artillery. On the other hand, is characterized
by General Ludendorff record on July 22: "Our previous success against tanks led to
some contempt for these weapons. We must, however, be considered more dangerous
now with tanks "- seems to have time to make an impression tanks" Renault ".

It should be noted that a relatively large tank fleet has allowed the French not to risk all
available forces in a single operation, highlighting the tank units and other areas. Three
"Reno" battalion and two groups of medium tanks were subordinated to the 9th Army
(south of the Marne) for local attacks with the aim of improving the position.

French tank units from 18 July to 11 November, took part in the fighting, a total of 45
days (total for this period has passed 4356 clashes with the participation of French
tanks), of which 3140 "tankodney" had to "Renault", 473 - to "Schneider" 375 - on the
"Saint-Chamond." At the same time the French lost 2903 people, or about 13.2%
combat strength, and 748 tanks (308 "Schneider" and "Saint-Chamond" 440 "Renault
FT), or 17.2% of the total. According to the types of tanks loss for the period are
allocated as follows: "Schneider" and "Saint-Chamond" - 29% of the total, "Reno" -
13.3%.

Expanded production of "Renault FT-17 allowed the French to quickly replace tank
units, loss of combat capability, and the French armored forces was observed that
"melting", as in the British Tank Corps. French tankers ever to maintain and British
infantry - so on July 23, two companies of the 6th "Reno" battalion operated with the
15th British division between Epei and Martha. At the same tanks at a number of areas
possible to advance to a depth of 1.2 km through the forest, sometimes passing through
the fallen trees, - provided that the infantry is constantly moving with them.

July 26 Four platoon 317 th and 318 th mouth "Reno" (20 tanks) maintain a fresh attack
of the 9th Infantry Division west of Fleury. Counterattacks forced the infantry to move,
and tanks cover its retreat.

Regarding the activities of the French "Renault" at Amiens mentioned above. Note that
the French during the offensive at Amiens is enough tanks to isolate them and to other
sectors. Since 10 August the 10th battalion of "Reno" (45 tanks) supports the attack on
the Ressam-sur-Matz in the center of the offensive third of the French army. Tanks
destroy enemy machine guns, captured Ressam station and transfer it to the village and
the infantry, then fade into the starting position for recovery.

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Rota "Renault FT on the march, accompanied by trucks.

From August to November

August 16-17, 3, 8 and 12-I of the "Schneider" ineffectual attack Tilolua - tanks just
stuck in the soft ground. 17 and 20 August at the Somme, near the Nansel, "Reno" 5
battalion and a small number of "Schneider" 11th group supported part of the 10th
Corps and achieved good results. Since August 20, the 5th Battalion was supposed to
support the attack of the 48th Infantry Division and the 3rd Senegalese battalion in the
Saint-Paul-aux-Bois, and expected that the infantry will be held to the object along the
ravine Nansel and tanks to go around it to the west . But despite the steep slopes of the
ravine, still we decided to go down on him, "Reno" and move them with the infantry. It
paid off, because in the ravine infantry met stubborn resistance, which helped break the
tanks. Especially 313th operated successfully on August 20 and I-315 "Renault"
company with the infantry of the 48th Division. Interestingly, the enemy fire was lost 6
"Reno", and from mechanical damage - 8.

Consolidated group "Saint-Chamond" remaining after Soissons, involved "batteries" for


7-10 tanks in local attacks on 21-22 August in the village of La Camelia and Zhanikr.

From 28 August to 3 September 4th, 5th and 6th battalions of tanks "Reno" from the
502 th Regiment, and 7, 8, 9 and 12th battalions of the 503rd and 505 th regiments
composed of 305 "Renault "support the offensive six infantry divisions of the 10th army
at Crecy-au-Sen and Krui. Tanks are facing a well-organized German defense and
resorted to new tactics. September 2 at Sorni tanks "Reno" 4, 5, and 12 battalions
(excluding two branches left in the reserve) to reduce losses are moving slightly ahead
of the infantry, "tightly clinging" to the firing shaft. Moreover, the crews have to use
masks as lowlands bombard gas shells. And although the 12 tanks are hit, the infantry
battalions have great help, destroying the German machine guns, the overall
advancement of 1000-1500 m. South of 323rd and 324th "Renault" company helped the
69th Infantry Division to take Wren plateau. To bypass fortified points tanks used
lowlands, and the crews were in tanks in gas masks as lowland fired chemical shells,
however, successfully pressed the point and shoot machine guns and suppress enemy

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infantry. One Tank separation supposedly surrendered 80 German soldiers.

Unarmed "Renault FT in reserve park.

Since the American tank units (which will be discussed more below) were not enough
to support US forces in Europe, in mid-August, the French gave them 505 th Regiment
"Reno" (13th, 14th and 15th battalions - only 135 tanks), 14 th and 17 th of the
"Schneider" (33 tanks), 34 th and 35 th of the "Saint-Chamond" (36 tanks). In early
September, these forces under the leadership of the commander of the 1st Brigade
"assault guns" are sent to the 1st US Army and 12 and 13 September are used during its
offensive to cut off the ledge of the German front in Saint-myelitis. Combat units gave
102 th and 105 th branch of supply and repair. Here for the first time September 12
acted the 344th and the 345th battalions of the US "Renault", summarized in 304 th
Tank Brigade, which was entrusted with the command of Lieutenant Colonel Patton.

Within the last general offensive of the Entente 26 September - 11 November 1918 on
various fronts were 16 battalions of the "Renault".

September 26 the US Army begins an offensive along the left bank of the Meuse, and
the 4th French Army - in Champagne. All in all this time the US Army includes 15
infantry and 1 cavalry (French) Division, 2400 guns (excluding trenching), 840 aircraft
and 790 tanks.

1st US Corps Gen. Ligeti, acting in the Argonne Forest, was 14th assigned and 17th
group "Schneider" (24 tanks), 4th Tank Battalion and the 304th American Tank Brigade
(141 "Renault"), located Rule V hull Cameron - 13, 14, the 15th battalion 505 th tank
regiment "Reno", the 17th battalion of "Reno" (only four battalions - 214 "Renault"),
the 34th and 35th group of 12 th battalion "Saint-Chamond." Thus, the tank crews were
both American and French (only the French tanks were built), half of the calculations
supporting artillery attack Americans - French. This operation was one of the most
popular applications "Renault FT during the war. tanks density was very high at that
time. The attack began at 5:30 am on September 26, following a 3-hour artillery
barrage. The area was so pitted with craters, the tanks started up behind the advancing
infantry, and the infantry unit attached to the tanks, were to prepare for their passages.
Light tanks acted separately, helping the infantry machine guns to suppress certain

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point. Attack was developed largely successful, but after reaching the Goals body were
stopped. Enter in the business medium tanks could only on the next day, but by that
time organized departed German troops were able to organize the defense of the new
line, and the Americans, resuming the attack, came under heavy fire. Total promotion -
to 4.25 km. September 28-29, the situation is almost repeated. Several "Schneider"
Americans used as a supply machine. American infantry had no experience of the
struggle in terms of position, bad commanders were aware of the German defense
tactics focusing efforts on the second and third lines, the American tankers over infantry
supported by their presence than actions. As a result of the German counter-attack in a
number of items discarded Americans. Only last October 3 three batteries "Saint-
Chamond" infantry tanks help finally gain a foothold in the occupied positions. By 10
October the Germans nevertheless withdrew from positions in the Argonne forest, but
the whole operation was for the Americans, rather unsuccessful. Marshal Foch still
spoke about it diplomatically: "It is necessary ever to learn from the Americans, and
now they are rapidly being developed."

Tank "Renault FT, converted into a self-propelled vantage point, in the Canadian part.

In Champagne 2nd French Army Corps was reinforced by the 16th battalion and one
company "Renault" (60 tanks), the 15th Division "Schneider" (12), 21 Corps - the 2nd
and 3rd battalions " Reno "(90 tanks), 4th and 9th battalions" Schneider "(20), the 2nd
Corps - 10th and 11th battalions of" Reno "(90) in the reserve were two battalions of"
Reno " and two battalions of "Saint-Chamond." That is, all 330 were involved in "Reno"
tanks Since the area of training required for routeing tanks, planned to introduce them
into battle after the infantry, and to prepare the infantry passes allocated work units the
total number of 2,800 people. However, at the insistence of the infantry, the attacks
have not thought without tanks, 26 September "Renault" 328 th and 330 th mouth attack
on the site of the 11th Corps. A number of successful battles tanks conducted along the
entire front of the 4th Army on 27 September. Positive results gave preliminary
approval commander of a tank company and platoon about possible cooperation with
the commanders of infantry regiments and battalions in the respective areas as advanced
infantry units were constantly changing - so 306-th company "Renault" 26-29
September had to act consistently with the 170, 168 and 116th infantry regiments. Until

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8 October to promote the French had reached 15 km. Loss of "assault artillery"
accounted for 40% of officers, 33% of the lower ranks, 39% of the tanks. The
widespread use of smoke screens helped reduce losses from enemy fire - out of 184 lost
only 56 tanks knocked out by artillery, one hit a mine, the rest are out of order due to
technical reasons. Moreover, 167 tanks, was restored. However, due to poor
communication and clearly-established control artillery fire trying to protect the
attacking echelon of tanks and infantry smoke shells proved successful not always. A
BS artillery support tanks, which could be fired smoke shells, the army, as has been
said, has not received. Interesting references to the battle scenes on October 8, when due
to lack of communication with the 2nd US Division, one platoon of "Renault" came
under fire of their infantry, and the section 73rd Infantry Division attack of tanks and
infantry tore the concentrated fire of the German anti-tank guns. Tanks "Schneider"
after these battles finally taken out of the combat units, removed from their arms and the
roof and turned into armored personnel carriers for cargo and crew.

During September and October had to storm the heavily fortified German positions.
From 30 September to 17 October the 12th Battalion "Reno" and the 12th group "Saint-
Chamond" involved in the occurrence of the Belgian army in Flanders. "Saint-
Chamond" hopelessly stuck in the soft ground, while the "Reno" are well enough to
help in breaking through the German front in the area Hoglede on October 14-15, and
then participate in the pursuit of the enemy at Tielt and Ghent. An interesting battle on
October 18 to the east of Hoylheka - 8 tanks 334 th and 336 th mouth "Renault",
developing an intense fire on the move, with little or no infantry captured two farms.
During continuous operation for 8 days running tanks was about 74 km and the failure
of over 50%.

Tactics tanks became more diverse. So, on the night of 16 October 17 19 Battalion
"Reno" was transferred by truck to Seboncourt - in the morning he had to support the
attack of the 15th Corps. 355 th tank company gave the 411 th Infantry Regiment
advancing on the village and Tyupina ship. The attack sent only the first platoon,
leaving the other two in reserve. By the time the first squad reached the intermediate
abroad, one tank in the fog off course, one is stuck, one was hit. 2nd platoon passed
him, cleansed captured abroad and helped the right-flank infantry battalion advance to
ship. At the same time, the 3rd platoon, turning to march, left-flank battalion caught,
pinned by machine-gun fire, and helped him to capture the village. Thus it was possible
to ensure the continuity of attack and increased efforts. On starting positions tanks
camouflaged tarpaulin and vegetation - with bunches of branches on the hull and turret
tanks are sometimes left in the fight.

The retreating German army in some places has demonstrated a highly successful anti-
tank defense. That same October 17, for example, Tielta French tried to shoot down a
small German rearguard platoon attack "Renault" without infantry. But slowly move the
tanks were shot on the outskirts of the village disguised instrument of 200 m. October
25-26, near Villers-le September Six "Reno" blew the fresh carefully disguised German
minefield. October 30 the 507th Regiment "Renault" supported the attack of the 47th
Jaeger and 153 th Infantry Division on the German position, which took place along the
road Guise - Marl. The German batteries hiding in the copses, sent a direct fire on the
infantry, cut it off from the tanks. The tanks were not damaged, but forced to return, as a
result of the French attack came to nothing.

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Poor visibility of the tanks required in the battle indicate their direction and goals for the
bombardment by the infantry - a whole system of signs (handkerchief on bayonets, fire
lighting rifle grenades in the direction of the target) has been developed for this, but in
practice the marines rarely used them, afraid to unmask himself under enemy fire. No
wonder the instructions recommended tank commanders as often as you can talk with
the infantry, and having gone far ahead, "come back to it for guidance." But if you
managed to interact, the results exceeded expectations. One of the American officers in
the recall of the tanks "Reno" wrote: "Give enough divisions, trained and supported by
tanks, and nothing will stop them."

Tanks Renault FT on parade in honor of the victory.

October 25 th 502 "Renault" regiment supports the attack of the 5th Army on the
German position "Gunding". enemy observers blinded by smoke projectiles, special
artillery group struggling with the PHE, intelligence warns tanks on minefields. Tanks
spend infantry through the barbed wire, and the following day, help her to reach the
road of Saint-Bonnet Kanten-. In general, the promotion of small - 2 km at the front of
6.5 km. Of the 135 tanks hit 51 fire guns and mortars, two were blown up by mines,
barbed wire hidden in the (loss of - 39%). At the same time, "Reno" 3rd Tank Battalion
supported the offensive of the 47th Infantry Division in the band of the 1st Army,
moving to Guise, and 27 October tanks with infantry transferred to the pursuit of the
enemy. The expectation is that each column of infantry accompanied the company
"Renault". But the October 30 attack stops.

31 October 30 Renault tanks 314 th and 315 th mouth involved in the onset of the
13th US Corps to the Scheldt, but the attack is stopped due to the failure of the

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neighboring buildings. 75 "Reno" (five companies) are involved in the attack to the
river. Esko on the Flanders front. Offensive to p. Esko is developing successfully, 2
November promotion is 7 km away, while the offensive front extends from 2 to about
6.75 km.

Despite heavy losses, the tank forces of the French army was still quite large - has
affected the right choice in favor of "Reno" tank FT. General Petain reported on
preparations for the offensive in Lorraine, which was due to begin on November 14
forces "28 infantry divisions, 3 cavalry divisions, supported by a large mass of artillery
and about 600 tanks." But the war ended before - on November 11 in Compiegne Forest
in a railway carriage Marshal Foch signed an agreement on cessation of hostilities.

Of the 440 "Renault", lost to the armistice, 356 were hit by artillery fire, 13 -
calculations of the German anti-tank guns. Given that "Renault" with their small size,
agile, and the ability to operate in larger quantities than the more heavy tanks, proved
less vulnerable, it shows sufficient effectiveness of the German anti-tank defense.

The greatest number of non-combat losses (vastly superior combat during operations,
but does not apply to irrevocable) "Reno" suffered on the broad ditches and trenches.
Maintenance of tanks and combat engineers specially trained infantry to assist in
overcoming barriers only partially solves the problem.

Further, the number of non-combat losses followed technical. Captain Dyutil, the first
historian of the French "assault artillery", appreciating the role of "Reno," the FT in
1918, wrote: "Our troops with light tanks moved toward victory with the speed
characteristic of light tanks." Also some pathos, here sounded quite rational and time -
in most battles and operations of the last months of the war the French infantry hardly
progressed without tanks. "Reno," the FT remained good, but all purely "infantry" tank.
Together with a small power reserve, mechanical failure, disabled vehicles, artillery,
small maneuverability it has put a limit to the ideas breakthroughs in great depth, it has
been such enthusiasts tanks as General Etienne.

In general, French armored forces, as well as the British have done a great job, saving
many lives infantry and a large part of deciding the outcome of some operations,
although the success of the tanks was limited to a tactical level. Marshal Foch, in a
special order, said: "The tanks have a good service to the fatherland."

British tanks in the French army

In February 1918, the initiator of the creation and the first commander of the French
armored units, General Etienne said about the need heavy tanks that can "lead the
attack," - with the first British heavy tanks Etienne met by visiting the summer of 1916
Foster plant in Lincoln. Since the French work on heavy tanks were extremely slow, we
decided to use English. In January 1918 the French government requested the British
Mk V on assignment in exchange for a lighter "Renault". The British offered to transfer
300 tanks Mk V *. The need for most completions by tanks of the British army was
postponed until the autumn. The personnel of the 3rd Battalion, "Schneider" left without
cars after fighting in Champagne, in late September, was sent to Bourron. In early
October, there arrived the first 25 Mk V *, just arrived by November 1 77. Crews were

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trained, but in the fighting did not participate. After the war, the battalion joined the 551
th Heavy Tank Regiment. In the early 1920s, 57-mm cannon replaced by shorter 75-mm
(200 rounds ammunition). In 1929 in the French army has had 70 Mk V *. Then they
were partially replaced French 2C.

American tankers in battle

In April 1917, the United States finally entered the war, and the military leadership was
forced to simply pay attention to the new combat vehicle, is already applied allies. In
June 1917, on the proving ground of British mechanical arms supplies Department in
Dollis Hill, the British demonstrated their tanks delegation of the US Navy - the tanks
proposed for the Marine Corps. US military attach rightly judged that such a powerful
weapon is more in line army, and offered to bring to the work of English as American
technicians. At the same time the French have turned to the United States with a
proposal to take over the manufacture of the tanks, "Reno."

July 19, 1917 J. J. Pershing, appointed commander of the American Expeditionary


Force, ordered the formation of a special committee to consider the use of tanks in more
detail. Then Colonel Parker presented a detailed report, which summarized the
experience of using tanks and their allies the possibility, pointing out to the need for
new combat funds in cooperation with walking and motorized infantry, cavalry, artillery
and aircraft. Tactics breakthrough he metaphorically likened to the "flying wedge" in
football: "Tanks are playing the role of" linear backlinks "which breaches, divisional
machine-gun companies to help them, and the cavalry chases the ball, as long as the gap
is open." The Commission concluded that "the tank is considered to be a factor, which
will be an important element of the war."

September 23, 1917, Americans have decided on the formation of their own Tank
Corps, arming it with two types of tanks - easy on the basis of the French "Renault FT-
17 and heavy British Mk VI (apparently under the influence of General Etienne), though
the latter existed only in project. The original size of the Tank Corps identified 20
"divisions", and said the commission recommended staffing of light in 2000 and 200
heavy tanks, providing for monthly replacement of 15% of the cars. The order for 600
Mk VI was soon canceled. The Americans decided to expand its tankostroitelnuyu
program to meet the needs of its own army and the Allied armies, designed for ending
the war in 1919, the plan is developed with the usual American scale - 4400 "Reno"
type tanks, 1,500 sets of units and units to heavy Anglo-American tanks Mk VIII and
1450 fully assembled Mk VIII, and in addition, 15 015 light tanks "Ford".

According to the initial draft US Tank Corps was to include 20 and 5 light heavy tank
battalions. Corps commander appointed Colonel SD Rokenbaha, Pennsylvania created a
training center, the chief of which was Colonel D. Eisenhower. February 18, 1918 at
Camp Upton (Long Island) formed the first division "Tank Service" under the name of
the 65th "engineering unit".

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Tanks M1917 type "Renault" in the US Army.

Cannon tank "Renault FT - 1st in the 2nd platoon of C-327 Tank Battalion - at Saint-
myelitis.

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Machine Gun "Renault FT-17, US 304 th brigade on the march.

Tankostroitelnaya American program from the beginning was on the verge of collapse,
mat-parts for its US tankers could not deliver, and recruited volunteers were sent to
Europe. Actually the formation of the US Tank Corps began in France January 26,
1918, and in May it increased staff and approved consisting of 15 teams, each with 2
light and 1 heavy battalion. The French agreed to supply materiel for the three US tank
battalions. July 5, 1918 Union Committee decided to equip the US arm of the British
and French tanks (likewise allies had to supply the American expeditionary army and
artillery and machine guns). Preparation 301 - the first heavy tank battalion fought in
England in Bovington (so there was formed the American training center), light
battalions - in tank school in France in Langres, Haute-Marne department, under the
supervision of Lieutenant Colonel George S. Patton..

This dashing cavalry officer with command experience and knowledge of the machine-
gun unit technology has become very enthusiastic about the use of light tanks, and it
was his, not Rokenbaha Americans prefer to be regarded as "the driving force" of the
US Tank Corps. In Bovington as crews prepared for the 302 th and 303 th American
battalions and two rescue tank companies, but they participate in the fighting did not
take. Total US Tank Corps (or "Tank Corps of the US Army") received from the allies
47 Mk V * tanks and 514 Renault FT-17.

Among the transferred "Reno" was the first series of tanks with cast not "universal"
towers and cast the frontal part of the body. US lekgotankovye units in Europe in 1918,
we used the French principle of notation, but tied it to their organization, and icons are
applied to the sides and aft turret. So, red worms in white with a white rhombus is a "1"
on it pointed to the 1st Tank Platoon of the 2nd Company C 327th American tank
battalion. The Americans were trying to find a camouflage pattern - for example, green
stains on the sandy background.

From Allied American tank crews got some elements of equipment, although they
generally use standard army field form. The most distinctive difference between
American tank in 1918 was the helmet of leather and fabric with a low dome, ear
protection and a tight lining. Like other soldiers, tank crews used and British Steel
kaski- "bowls" - usually outside the tanks. By the time of entry into the US battle tank
crews managed to pass nearly four-month training and were prepared well.

301 battalion of heavy tanks manned Mk V and Mk V * and 24 August was sent to
France where he gave the 1st British Armored Brigade.

On the morning of 29 September 301 battalion took part in the attack of the 27th and
30th American divisions to the east of Belikurskogo tunnel. But only one tank was able
to pass a tunnel, and the rest were the old British minefield. As a result, 10 tanks were
razvorocheny bottom, most of the crew died. Of the 34 cars on the assembly point came
only 10. But on October 8, American tank crews successfully supported the US attack II
Corps to the north-west of Brankura, although of the 23 tanks in the battle out of 20, of
which only 11 reached the designated boundary. 17th battalion of the newly supported
the II Corps west of Byuzini, with 20 tanks had overcome wade p. Sella, and 19 were
forwarded successfully. Short combat service 301 Battalion completed on October 23,
when 9 tanks supported by a night attack the 1st and the 6th British divisions around

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Bazyuelya. The attack began at 1.20 nights, and tanks virtually lossless suppressed
enemy strongholds. The German artillery shelled their gas shells. Actions tanks slowed
down, there were some slight poisoning among soldiers. 301 battalion remained given
the British Tank Corps until February 1919

American crews "Reno" tanks, as already mentioned, for the first time engaged in battle
September 12, 1918, during the offensive in Saint-myelitis. They were tankers 344th
and 345th battalions of the American "Renault", summarized in 304 Panzer brigade
under the command of Lieutenant Colonel George S. Patton (174 tank "Renault FT).

Lt. Col. George. Patton was photographed against the background of the tank
"Renault FT. 1918

Instructions, Patton announced before the fight, demanded that none of the crew did not
dare to hand or throw your car under any circumstances: "As long as the tank is able to
move, he has to move forward. His presence will save the lives of thousands of marines
and kill a lot of Germans. Finally, it is our serious chance. We worked for a long time to
use it. "

Attack 344th and 345th battalions of the American "Reno" began on 12 September at
5.00 am. They supported the attack of the 1st and 42th Infantry Divisions IV of the
American housing. German soldiers described the US attack "Renault", "flotilla of small
tanks, each of whom was armed with a gun or a machine gun at a rate of affection were
before and behind our artillery positions, and this strange crowd flowed like a hell of a
brat." Although weak, sticky soil, the operation proved successful. 345th Battalion,
commanded by Patton himself, suppressed several machine-gun nests, destroyed the
artillery unit and significantly helped the promotion of the 42nd Division. 344th
Battalion Major S. Brett, in force since 1 st Division, managed to break through the
enemy's wire fence and destroying several machine-gun nests around Bae yes Rath.
Despite the soft ground, the operation is successful, the troops advanced by 7.5 km at
the front of 9.5 km, and took possession of the essay Mezro. Losses - one medium and
one light tank blown up by mines, 2 light tanks were destroyed by artillery, several were
damaged. However, in the midst of the operation the Germans have started a systematic
departure from the position. American tank crews simply did not catch up to pursue the

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enemy infantry, but lost 3 "Renault" because of breakdowns.

On the second day of the offensive American tanks began to experience a lack of fuel,
but on September 14, a group of 8 tanks of 344 Battalion attacked and dispersed the
German battalion near Voelya.

In two days of fighting, the brigade of 144 Patton tanks lost by enemy fire only 2 cars,
but 22 "Reno" stuck in the pits and ditches, and 14 out of service for technical reasons.
Of the 14 lost only 2 were killed in the tank. The first American tank battles on the
"Renault FT were much more successful than their colleagues from the 301 Battalion
in heavy tanks Mk V *.

About actions 304 th US Armored Brigade in the Argonne forest, together with the
French tankers September 26, 1918 mentioned above.

Combat use of German tanks

The Pickard

During a large-scale offensive in Pickard ( "Operation Michael", March 21 - April 4,


1918) the Germans to attack the front width of 70 km between Arras and La Fehr
entered in the case of the army in 3 divisions consisting of 62 - 450 thousand bayonets. -
at 6800 guns, 1000 aircraft and around 19 tanks. Of these, 10 tanks have their own
production and 9 - trophy.

The first German armored units went into action on the first day of the attack, on March
21 in the offensive zone of the 18th German Army against the British troops, and it
happened just 50-52 kilometers from the place where in 1916 came the first British
tanks battle - in conditions of trench warfare on the Western front line shifted not so
much. 18th Army in the 24 infantry divisions with more than 3,000 instruments
operated at the front width of 33 km. It is clear that the tank attack was only a very
small part of its offensive.

A7V tank during carriage by rail. Cutting sheets stacked, the tank is covered with a tarp

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and masksetyu.

When traveling on their own outside of the field of battle A7V most of the crew
preferred to stay on the roof of the car. Tank photographed from the stern. Note that the
guns have been removed inside the car, and on the body of the crew hung steel helmets.
March 1918

Five tanks A7V 1st "Attack department" gave XVII Corps, and five Mk IV 11th Branch
- XIX. Both buildings were an attack on the Saint-Quentin, t. E. The tanks were to act
on the direction of the main attack. The tank A7V number 540 of the 1 st branch
revealed technical problems, and it is on March 16 has been sent for repair to the factory
in Berlin-Marienfeld (from there he will come back only at the end of June). By the
beginning of this operation, the troops were tractors and transporters on the chassis A7V
- AKK as a part of the convoy (R) 1111, gives the 18th Army, and A.K.K. column (R)
1112, gives the 2nd Army.

German infantry launched an offensive after a short artillery preparation, with chemical
rounds, during which, disorganized communication and control was suppressed by
British artillery destroyed the first-line trenches. Fog contributed to attack the German
infantry, but he also made it difficult few steps of the German tanks. 4 tanks A7V first
"assault Branch" under the command of Captain Greif 5 and Mk IV tanks, having
moved in the morning fight due to fog frequently lost touch with the infantry, and really
"moved independently", as the instructions for use. Two A7V (number 505 and number
507) in the course of the fight revealed technical defects and two - number 501 and 506
- have acted more or less successfully, and helped a few points of German infantry with
little loss to capture the British fortified positions. This was facilitated by the fact that
along with the tanks on this site acted not only fighters line the 128th Infantry Regiment
and two companies of the 5th Battalion of assault, as well as machine-gun and
legkominometnaya companies of this battalion and flamethrower platoon.

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A7V Tank, failures in a wide trench.

The crew of the tank A7V was photographed during a halt on the march. Pay attention
to the features of the tank camouflage coloring.

By the beginning of the next day all the A7V tank combat capability retained only
number 501. The tanks Mk IV did not fulfill its stated objectives on March 21 - two
tanks knocked out by artillery fire, the two were not enough fuel (Mk IV were very
"uneconomical" in the expenditure of gasoline ), but one could engage in battle with the
enemy - is, incidentally, also operated units of the 5th assault battalion. The limited
results and, as it turned out, soft ground on the path of movement of tanks is not
possible to objectively judge their effectiveness.

Nevertheless, for the first day operation tanks advanced to 8 km in depth of British
defense - the maximum promotion of the 18th Army that day. The army brought the
enemy into complete disorder, while the 2nd and the 17th Army, acting north, barely
moved for advanced trenches. Of course, the much greater role played reached Germans
surprise, the high density of artillery, a brief but powerful artillery preparation, the rapid
pace of operations with the promotion of parts in the interior of the defense to seize the
key points, the initiative infantry commanders, the use of reserves to the direction of

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perceived success, but also tanks rendered great services to the troops. The impression
made by them on the first day on the British soldiers, slightly inferior to the dismay of
the German infantry on the Somme in September 1916 It is worth noting that the
German spring offensive in 1918 found allies and unreadiness to fight the German
tanks. Apparently reassured its primacy in the use of tanks, the British and French were
engaged in almost no problems of anti-tank defense. It is the expectation that Germany
will be able to create your own tanks and use them in the offensive, the Allies almost
did not do anything to prepare for their meeting. The fact that the actions of the few
German tanks were not reflected in the British communiques, generally attributed to the
fact that British soldiers and officers in this area were either killed or taken prisoner, and
from the rest of a few tanks hid fog. However, note the role of tanks in the operation
and did not bother to General Ludendorff in his memoirs about the war. The pupil of the
old Prussian military school, he was a lot more attention paid shelled Paris from
sverhdalnoboynoy gun, known as "enormous" - "a miracle of science and technology,
the outstanding achievements of the company Krupp" - although the fire did not give
nothing but confirmation of shooting opportunities for 120 km and had no effect on the
course of the fighting. But the Germans had to pull the tanks in the camp near Charleroi
- seven of the nine who had gone into battle machines in serious need of repair. Tank
number 507 also "dropped" during the loading platform at the railway station on March
27 Saint-Quentin. By the beginning of the preparation of a new offensive machine is
still under repair workshops V.A.K.R. 20. Therefore, the tanks of the 1st "Attack
department" were transferred to continue their formation of the 3rd department, 1st
return branch received a new chassis numbers 526, 527, 541, 560 and 562 (the tanks
were already equipped with "system described above fire control, "commander's hatch
and a compass in the wheelhouse) - A7V benefit all housed in the same camp.

In early April 1st "assault separation" would be used in the attack on Saint-Gobain, but
all the planned facilities and positions here were captured German infantry before the
tanks could arrive at the scene.

Tanks of the 2nd and 3rd "assault offices" in the course of the same transaction
"Michael" helped parts of the 18th Army in the capture of Noyon and Montdidier on 27
March which acted against the French troops. When the German tanks on the battlefield
German press started talking about the fact that "only the German genius could deploy
all the tools and features available tanks." Such a sharp turn in the evaluation of the
tanks was logical in terms of propaganda support, but is far from reality. For 15 days in
the course of "Operation Michael" German troops at the front, 50 km advanced to a
depth of 30-35 km, but in the development of the operation involving tanks are not
accepted.

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Two A7V tank moving through Villers-Bretonneux.

New Zealanders visiting the stricken and abandoned by the Germans A7V tank number
504 "Shnuk", which have already written "The New Zealand Division. Stay away! ".
Clearly visible additional armor logging and control body armor jacket abandoned
machine gun.

In Villers-Bretonneux

On the first day of the offensive in Flanders on the river. Fox ( "George" operation,
better known by the diminutive nickname "Georgette", 9-30 April 1918), three German
tanks' assault department "acted in the 6 th German Army General von Quast against the
British and Portuguese parts in the area between Armentieres and La Basse channel.
The fight went to only 14 A7V tanks, fifteenth (tank number 562) to break even during
the training camp in Charleroi.

Artillery training offensive began on April 7. April 9 at 4.05 am German artillery began
an intensive bombardment of enemy positions at breakthrough sector, putting on his
flanks chemical barriers with mustard (reception "zaiprichivaniya" flank attack of tanks
and infantry will go to many teachings 1920-1930). At 7.30 am the infantry attack
began in small groups. At 9.00, after re-intensified shelling attack crossed the main
force in some places supported by tanks. Portuguese division in the heart could not
stand it, the gap formed in the British front line. Almost the entire front the Germans

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managed to advance into the heart of the British defense to a depth of 11 to 30 km
away, throwing the opponent and forcing him to clean the front protrusion at Ypres. By
April 12, the Germans were close to an important railway junction Hazberuk. The
British were prepared to have to evacuate their main base in Dunkirk and Calais. But by
April 14 attack power has weakened. In the subsequent course of this attack German
tanks are no longer involved. Here, the German army to repeat the experience of the
British and French in 1917 - after the first fighting force tank units ran low, and further
fighting was already practically without them.

The most famous battle with A7V participation from Villers-Bretonneux 24 April 1918
This town was important - its seizure and retention would provide the Germans
subsequently comfortable position for firing and the capture of Arras and the deepening
of the gap between the allied armies. only 15 tanks - therefore all three available at that
time "assault Branch (Sturmpanzerkraftwagen Abteilung) A7V five tanks each were
involved here. It was the largest concentration of German tanks at one location for the
entire 1918. However, more about this fight, as well as the collision on the same day the
German A7V with British "Whippet" will be discussed more below in the chapter "The
first combat tanks tanks."

In Flanders, with its poor roads have been used as crawler tractors, transporters A7V.

In Reims

During the second German offensive in 1918 on the river. Ain (operation "Blucher", 27
May - 14 June) 15 Mk IV tanks offices number 11, 12, 13 and 14 are introduced into the
fight in the band of the 7th German Army, located then 25 divisions, 3953 guns and 687
aircraft. On the first day of the offensive tanks acted together with the divisions of the
65th Corps and the 5th Guards Division of the 4th Reserve Corps in the area Voeckler -
Berry-au-Bac against the French positions.

The success of the attack with tanks was strongly painted by the German press. But in
fact, the tanks broke through the first line of defense, but stopped in front of a wide
trench of the second band (the so-called "Dardanelles trench"), while the infantry in this
sector reached p. Vel, having advanced to a depth of 20 km.

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Tank A7V from the 1st "Attack department" photographed at the beginning of May 1918
on the frontal part of the circled places hit enemy bullets in the battle of Villers-
Bretonneux.

A7V tanks Mk IV and the German 'assault offices "are moved by rail.

The main burden of promoting the infantry lay on the artillery. The artillery preparation
began at 2.00 am on May 27 and lasted 2 hours and 40 minutes (the fire was, including,
and chemical shells), and when at 4.40 began infantry attacks, artillery arranged
movable barrage, followed by assault infantry units. French Marshal F. Foch later wrote
about that day: "The infantry of the enemy went on the attack on a front of 55 km from
Brimona to Leia, and under the cover of a very dense rolling barrage, supported by
tanks in some areas, a pressure burst deep into the location of the French troops' . Chief
Military Advisor to the Prime Minister of Great Britain, General Harold Wilson in the
War Cabinet report on the events on May 27 stated: "The battle began with a gas attack,
especially strong in the second lines, it was followed by an artillery bombardment,
which lasted 2.5 hours. After breaking through the barbed wire using trench mortars, the

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opponent led the attack in the usual way with the assistance of the tanks. 50th <UK>
Division "hung in the air" when the 22th French division left the front left without
warning. The Germans poured into the gap left by the departure of the French 22th
Division, and went to the rear of the British 50th Division, which as a result has
suffered a huge loss. " Departure 22th French division was caused by the fact that,
adhering to the old tactics, it occupied the main forces of the first line of trenches that
were swept away by the fire of the German artillery. So the German tank crews did not
have to play a significant role in the successful fight.

Before stopping the second German offensive tanks took part in the attacks of the
German 7th backup and 15th corps at Reims defending connections 4th French Army.
May 31 here went into battle tanks A7V 2nd "Assault department." Tank number 529
"Nix-II, moving along the narrow road, the gearbox (tank later was taken by the
French) was hit by a shell 75-mm field gun in the left side, three crew members were
killed, two were wounded, injured. Tanks move next number 525 and number 528 were
forced to withdraw in order not to be trapped. The tank number 504 and number 563 of
the same department discovered the mechanical problem.

1-5 June, German troops continued their attacks, fierce fighting at altitudes around
Reims, in particular for the forest of Villers-Cotter. The French at that time were able to
focus considerable reserves here. Tanks A7V 2nd "assault Branch" June 1 were to
operate north of Reims, supporting the infantry 242 th Infantry Division, a A7V 1 st
branch and Mk IV 13th and fourteenth divisions - to the south of the city with a 228- th
Infantry division. Tanks number 501 and number 540, we note, at this time were re-57-
mm gun on the column book-rests installation. The main obstacle considered the French
position at Fort Pompelo (La Pompelo). Intelligence Officer on the eve of the attack
showed that the area is quite passable for tanks, combat engineers but need assistance
for the organization through the transition relatively broad German trenches at the site.
French as trenches were narrow, and German tanks could they go.

Tank A7V number 564 towing tank number 505 (3rd "assault separation") June 10,
1918 - the day after a fine move offices p. Maas. Obviously, the tank number 505 just
having problems on the march.

German A7V were more or less satisfactory technical condition, worse than was the

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case with worn captured Mk IV. In the 13th ward were three tanks ready for battle,
which complemented one tank of 11 and another of 12-th branch. May 31 around 20:00
tanks southern group came up with a waiting position in Vitry, and the tanks of the
northern group (2nd Division) - from Bezenkura. On the way, they stop and tanks
camouflaged to avoid detection by enemy tanks to their original positions reached in the
dark. As it turned out, the transition through their trenches engineers have not prepared,
and the tankers do it yourself - here, perhaps, and had an advantage of the large number
of crews A7V.

Tanks of the 1st department, acting north-west, at Fort Pompelo reached a few - tank
number 541 and number 562 of the office due to mechanical problems stopped almost
at the starting position, another broke down shortly after the beginning of the
movement. Tanks number 526 and number 527, advancing forward, stuck in the "wolf
pits" and were hit by fire of the French artillery (tank number 527, for example, was hit
in wheelhouse shells 75 mm field guns). Tank number 526 could move (however, it was
soon dismantled, the engines installed on other tanks), the second tank crew abandoned
because the clutch was damaged. 14th branch captured Mk IV acted successfully. Its
tanks have been three lines of trenches and helped promote the infantry. But of the four
tanks of the office returned under their own power, only one - the rest are either stuck in
the funnels were either knocked out of the French artillery. From tanks "composite" of
the 13th branch of a collapsed into the funnel, the other has failed airborne transmission.
One tank of the office still had enough successful attack, although it was during the
battle jammed pedal driver. When Pompelo fort was captured tank to help the infantry
moved to the channel Al-Marne, but disabled by gunfire. The crew took three of his
gun, took part in the battle with the infantry, and with them also went to the German
positions. One tank Mk IV with the name of "Moritz" stuck in the funnel on the "no
man's land" in front of the French line of trenches and undermined the crew during the
withdrawal. Two tanks of the 13th department remained at the starting position. The
tanks of the 3rd "assault separation" in the operation were not involved.

Unsuccessful attack was the 1st "Attack department" on 5 June. Altogether Reims
French artillery fire knocked out eight German tanks (said the practice of nomination
forward field guns for direct fire from concealed positions), knocked out one tank-
infantry grenade throwers. Fighting in Reims showed the need for more careful
selection and reconnaissance in the planning of the offensive with tanks. In addition, the
German tankers have developed a kind of "zigzag" order of battle to attack the prepared
anti-tank defense: As a small amount of cash tanks are not allowed to allocate the
second tier, the tanks were built in the form of a polyline with a distance between the
cars about 50 m - to see the visual signals of adjacent tanks and to be able to cover them
with fire.

During the German attack on June 9 p. Mas tank A7V number 562 from the 1st "Attack
department" was hit by artillery, first close projectile break interrupted gasoline pipe,
causing a stop of the tank, then a direct hit was mortally wounded tank commander
Lieutenant Bartens and stored in the tank Lieutenant Skopnik (Acting the commander of
the 1 st branch), killed three crew members and injuring five. Tank number 560 under
the cover of fog moved deep into the French positions until he fell into a pit, which
turned the battalion command post, then the shell gap (or grenade) at a tank brought him
down - think about the weak protection A7V tanks from the bottom. However, were
evacuated tank. Tank number 541 supported the attack of German infantry, but because

232
of problems in the propulsion system was forced to move back, picked up on the way
the crew of the tank number 562. The tanks of the 3rd "assault Branch (number 503,
505, 507, 543, 564) in June 9 fight was more fortunate - they helped the infantry to
capture target objects without suffering losses.

Instead, the tank number 527 received the first compartment tank number 501,
converted into a workshop V.A.K.R. 20 rearmed and 57-mm cannon on the column
book-rests installation, instead of the tank number 562 - the tank number 540, a
converted factory in Berlin-de Marienfel. Tank number 562 evacuated and sent to the
workshops V.A.K.R. 20, after repair transmitted 2nd compartment.

About how small was the number entered by the Germans in battle tanks, can be judged
from the fact that, when on June 11 the French at Reims counterattacked, they are at the
front, about 10 km entered in the case 5 divisions and 159 tanks, "Schneider" and "Sen -
Shamon ".

Loading soldiers "rear echelon" Mk IV tanks at the field of the railway platform to be
sent in for repair.

From the "Second Marne" to a truce

July 15, the first day of the last German offensive (so-called "Second Marne" or "Battle
of the world"), the tanks of the 1st and 2nd "assault offices" again operated on both
sides of Reims, in the band of the 1st German army. The attack began at dawn, around
4.50, after artillery preparation started in 1.10 nights. 1st department started up the
attack all who are on the move tanks - number 501, 540, 541 and 560. The attack had no
success as part of the French 4th Army tactics used herein "elastic defense" developed
in depth - not long restrain on advanced positions taken in small groups with machine
guns, then they retreated into the interior on the main positions. And since the main strip
of the French defense has not suffered during the artillery barrage, the resistance here
was very stubborn. In addition, the French quite well spent artillery counter and
produced a very tight machine-gun fire. German infantry support weapons could not
move far from her, and the tanks, due to their small size, could not replace the artillery.

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In the offensive zone of the 1st Bavarian Corps several tanks were blown up by mines.
Tanks number 504, 525 and 563 of the 2nd "assault separation" was supported by
infantry from Fort de la Montagne and suffered no losses.

A7V tanks showed their protection against infantry fire - on the armor returned from
battle tank number 525 "Siegfried", for example, then counted 520 dents from enemy
bullets. July 17 attack on both sides of Reims stopped.

A July 18 French counter-offensive began at Soissons, to the top of which the 10th
French Army had 337 tanks, "Schneider", "Saint-Chamond" and "Renault" the FT, and
6th - 183. And on August 8 during the big Allied offensive at Amiens the British
entered into a fight 324 heavy and 96 medium-sized, and the French - 90 light tanks (not
counting the technical reserves). The comparison is not in favor of the German side.

On August 9, during the offensive of the Entente, the 1st and 3rd armored "Assault
department" supported the action of the 18th German army southwest of Noyon against
parts of the 3rd French army. Tank number 560 1 st branch was damaged by artillery
fire, number 562 hit the funnel, number 541 has damaged the engine and transmission.

3rd department operated successfully, although the tank number 564 stuck on the
village street.

Division Mk IV captured tanks being transferred by rail.

During the withdrawal of German troops on tanks, conveyors A7V chassis


(Uberlandwagen) were used for the evacuation of the property - in particular, the
columns of the machine AKK (R) 1115 was taken during the month 223 tons of cargo.

August 31 tanks of the 1st and 2nd "assault offices" allowed to carry out counter at
Fremikura against parts of the 1st British Army, advancing on Cambrai using a large
number of tanks. Counter-attacks were intended to gain time on the right flank of the
front and to the waste of the German armies in the band, located further south, to
prepared positions "Siegfried." All four tanks A7V 1 st branch out of service for
technical reasons in the course of a 20-kilometer march. In the 2 nd branch of the
previously transmitted to him the tank number 562 "Hercules" was still on August 30, a

234
bomb damaged aircraft in the bombardment of the enemy in the woods collecting point
Burlon and sent for repair in Charleroi V.A.K.R. 20 (tank had to disassemble). Tanks
525 "Siegfried" and the number 563, "Wotan" out of service for technical reasons, so
that the infantry attack could support only two A7V second branch - 504 "Shnuk"
and the number 528, "Hagen". They were hit by artillery. And it states that tanks, off
course, went to the site where German infantry and artillery were not warned about the
appearance of their tanks and took them for the enemy. As a result, the tank number 504
was shot by his own (of three or five one projectile hit came from the frontal part, and
30-mm frontal armor resisted), and the tank number 528, trying to avoid "friendly fire"
stuck and was also hit. The crews left the car, and three days later, both tanks captured
the New Zealand Infantry Division. After this 2nd "assault branch" has ceased to exist,
and the remaining machines and personnel transferred to the 1st unit. In Fremikura
operated and one branch captured Mk IV.

In early October, the tanks of the 1st "Attack separation" with tanks attached to it
number 525 and number 563 of the former 2nd Branch sent to Cambrai to participate in
local counterattacks. October 3 the first branch was forced to throw the tank number
540, the failed during a march by removing all valuable equipment with him. The tank
then was taken as a trophy by the British.

Tanks A7V third "assault separation" in late August sent in Saarburg to familiarize
troops with tanks Duke Albrecht group armies. There were tanks to October, without
taking part in the fighting - a group of Duke Albrecht's armies until the end of the war
played a supporting role. But based on the third separation September 7 tested the light
tank LK, also conducted a joint exercise ostentatious A7V tanks and infantry of the 15th
Assault Battalion.

On September 28, 1918 for the combat work suitable only 13 A7V tanks and 35
captured tanks.

October 5 allies launched an offensive at the front Kambre- Saint-Quentin. And on


October 7 after the retreat of German armies in the position of "Siegfried", four tanks
A7V third "assault separation" (number 503, 505, 543, 564) took part in the counter-part
third of the German army against the French troops at Saint-Etienne . Tanks are not
moved with the infantry, because they could not overcome a small wading the river, the
bridges over which were blown up the day before the attack (closed front and rear
tracks, an open bottom and a low-set tailpipes A7V allowed him to overcome unless the
shallow puddles). Infantry, which operated on the other side, supported by tanks fire
their guns and machine guns to the place, playing the role of those "moving forts."

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German tank crews before the tank Mk IV.

Despite some success of the German tank, part of their tanks were lost by fire British
tanks and artillery. All released into battle tanks in the end, were damaged. Some later
broke down for technical reasons.

October 9 A7V 1st "Attack separation" and Mk IV 13th Branch at the disposal of the
German 371 th Infantry Division with the task to support its counter-attack. Tanks A7V
number 501, 525, 541, 560 and 563 of the 1st department used to counterattack north of
Cambrai in Saint-Aubert Yves October 11 - a month before the armistice. Counterattack
in Willow went quite well - good terrain was suitable for these tanks. Tank number 560
in this battle once again suffered an injury - broken tracks. failed to evacuate it, the tank
was blown up. Tank number 501 received minor damage after the battle. It was the last
application A7V tanks in World War II. From the 13th branch of the tank, only three
were able to go into battle, and the rest were too worn out. Two of the Mk IV issued in
battle were set on fire by enemy fire, another one has stopped due to a fault of a
transmission and clutch, the crew was forced to leave. However, participants in the
battle Lieutenant Ernst Folkgaym thought it was October 11, "the most successful
German battle tanks" - at least a dozen tanks, infantry helped to successfully eliminate
the British breakthrough, in turn, carried out with tanks. The next day began a planned
withdrawal of German units from these positions.

October 12 tanks of the 3rd department returned to Mons-sur-Sambre (Charleroi), but


V.A.K.R. 20 could not carry out their repairs here, as prepared for evacuation to
Germany. Promoting British troops just do not give the possibility to organize the repair
of tanks.

October 23 remnants of the 3rd "assault separation" was included in the composition of
the 1 st branch and 27 October 1 st and 2 nd department merged under the commander
of the 1 st branch of Captain Toferna. November 3 joint unit was sent to Erbenheim
(Wiesbaden), where close to the former horse arena planned to organize a new camp
tank. It is known that in early November, there were A7V tanks 503 (502) 505 (or
507), 525, 541, 543, 563, 564.

November 1, 1918 in the German attempts to prevent the capture of Valenciennes

236
Canadian and British parts of the German 28th Reserve Division were attached to four
tanks Mk IV from 12.13 and 14th divisions. The tanks with the infantry moved to
counterattack in Kyurzhi area in south-eastern outskirts of Valenciennes. The Germans
managed to throw back part 4, 49 and 61 minutes British divisions, while losing two
tanks from enemy fire. But the very next day, the British resumed the offensive, and the
soldiers of the 61st British Division even captured two "German Mk IV.

All combat work of the German tank "assault branches" was no more than a dozen
private episodic attacks for eight months.

The interaction with the infantry and artillery was organized poorly, did not initially
produced and exploration area in terms of its terrain for tanks. In battle tanks tried to
maintain visual contact with each other, but the flags signals were hard to see, and
management within the tank units in practice carried out on the principle of "Do as I
do", if necessary - messengers. According to the Austrian general Ludwig von
Eymansbergera, "tanks, the available in the German army, were used without any
knowledge of this kind of weapon." Nevertheless, the use of tanks was not random or
haphazard - the German command tried to use them in critical sectors of the front.
Sometimes the "assault divisions' attack were successful, but the number of used tanks
does not correspond to the scale of operations. With more than 90 tanks, suitable for
combat use - albeit mostly trophy - the German command in any battle is not massage
them, even on a small section of the front. The tanks are operated in combat separately,
in small groups, and as a result of the attack acted together in no more than 7-8 cars.
The density of the tanks at the front of the 18th Army on March 21 was 0.5 per 1 km of
the tank, in the 6th Army on April 9 - 1, 7 th Army on the 27th of May - tank 0.3 to 1
km of the front of attack. Actions three "assault offices" (only 13 A7V) in Villers-
Bretonneux was perhaps the only example of a "massive" tank attack on the German
side. For comparison - the beginning of a counter-offensive of the Entente (18 July
1918)

10th French Army had 16 divisions with 1573 guns, 531 aircraft and 337 tanks, and
tanks density was 9-14 per 1 km of the front. Nevertheless, in one of the records of staff
of the 18th German Army said: "Our tanks are greatly strengthened the spirit of the
infantry, even when they are used in a small number; At the same time, as experience
has shown, they made a big demoralizing effect on the enemy infantry. "

The disadvantages of the use of the first German tanks include a small number of
repairs carried out by "rear echelon" armored forces' assault divisions. " Most tanks had
to be sent for repair shops in Charleroi or a factory in Berlin. Apparently, the impact of
command related to the combat use of their tanks as a "military trials." Meanwhile, the
"rescue teams" or "field company" British Tank Corps in the same in 1918, not only
were evacuated fighting vehicles from the battlefield, but a lot of repairs carried out in
the field.

Three "assault Branch A7V for all the fighting - 21 March before the armistice
November 11, 1918 - from 1,400 troops have lost 80 men killed and 220 wounded,
several people were taken prisoner. But it's not just the losses themselves tank units. In
recognition of the German and English authors, in those areas where used German
tanks, infantry advancing at a much smaller loss than those without them. This is
confirmed by the experience of the British and French tank - tanks help save soldiers'

237
lives, while ensuring that better than only one infantry.

Tank A7V number 501 during the filming of the educational film Die Abwehrschlacht
Sasha in October 1918

The first battles with tanks tanks

By the beginning of the German offensive in March 1918 the army of the Franco-
British allies had 216 tanks, but participated in the battles of 180, the other out of
service for technical reasons. Part of the British managed to undermine the abandoned
by retreating tanks. Tanks, coming into the fight, nevertheless helped the troops, but
from 21 to 30 March the British Tank Corps had lost almost all of the materiel. At such
extremely low density of tanks on both sides of the first clash of tanks with tanks,
except as may be explained by the importance of the item around which there was
fighting and that, accordingly, the two sides directed efforts.

The collision occurred at Villers-Bretonneux 24 April 1918 Capture and retention of


this settlement would provide the Germans subsequent capture of Arras and the growing
gap between the allied armies. So here we were involved all three available at that time
"assault separation."

One tank - number 540 of the 2nd department - was still under repair in Charleroi. The
tanks are designed to participate in the attack on 21 April at Giyokura disembarked here
in the tank number 503 of the 3rd department revealed damage to the cylinder heads.
The remaining tanks headed in Venkur, while "technical echelons' offices remained at
the unloading station, where organized a field warehouse of ammunition and fuel.

Only 13 A7V, divided into three groups, went to fight in the offensive zone of the 2nd
German Army against parts of the 4th British Army. April 22 group commanders were
ordered and were able to discuss the issues of cooperation with the infantry
commanders.The first group under the lieutenant Skopnika team included tanks number
526 (and they commanded Skop-nick), number 527 and 560 of the 1st department and
acted with the 228th Infantry Division; second consolidated under the command of
lieutenant Uilayna (tank number 501, 505, 506, 507 3rd branch, number 541 and 562 of

238
the 1st department) - with the 4th Guards Division in the center of the order of battle;
third lieutenant Shtaynharda (tank number 525, 542, 561 and 504 of the 2nd Branch) -
from the 77th Reserve Division. In accordance with the chosen tactics, tanks were sent
to the most important object - the village of Villers-Bretonneux. In order not to be
exposed to too much risk of injury by fire of British field artillery, tanks for the
performance of their tasks and after the infantry reaches the task of the day and secure
new positions, we were to return to the assembly point behind the leading German
trenches. In the case of the successful promotion of the machine "technical levels" must
have been a ride ammunition and fuel in Venkur, then - in Marselkav where nominated
"combat echelons' offices before the fight, and for supplying each compartment isolated
two trucks - one for ammunition, one for fuel. Curiously, the tank number 562 in the
experimental procedure equipped with a radio station, but communicate in a trembling
tank, standing inside the noise and interference from the magneto engines was
impossible.

April 24 at 4.45 am tanks began to advance on the initial positions assigned to them
behind the advanced trenches. The attack began on the British data at 7.00 under the
cover of morning fog and smoke screen. The terrain in this area corresponds to driving
performance A7V - there have long been "cultivated" flat fields, craters from shells a
little, trenches and ditches relatively narrow.

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Driving Battle of Villers-Bretonneux 24 April 1918

The first group A7V lieutenant Skopnika moved from their original positions at 6.50
and headed directly to the Villers-Bretonneux. All three tank groups successfully moved
to the village ahead of their infantry, passed through the village and a nearby grove, and
even forced the British troops to surrender. But were forced to return to help the infantry
to move, stopped in front of the British positions. Under the guise of German
infantrymen captured the leading British trenches and machine-gun point by taking
many prisoners.

Tank number 526 Skopnika advanced 100 meters along the railway line behind the
Villers-Bretonneux without infantry, and then came back, fired from behind and

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crushed four machine-gun emplacements. Then he helped the infantry to eliminate
several positions gunners on the outskirts of Villers-Bretonneux and move up to the
railway crossing on the western outskirts of the village. Tanks number 527 (commander
Lieutenant FITC) and number 560 (Lieutenant Folkgaym) in the fog and the smoke
moved almost independently of the commander, however at 8.45 overtook him near the
brick plant. Here the British infantry and machine gunners kept a stubborn defense,
waging an intense fire. Three tanks came almost came and opened fire on the building
and firing points. British soldiers were forced to surrender. Then tanks number 527 and
number 560 moved to the shed on the eastern edge of the village, which also populate
the British gunners, they suppressed their fire and helped the infantry to capture a
fortified building on this site. By noon, the tanks of the first group to complete its task,
were allocated to the assembly point. The intense fire that the enemy was on the tanks,
did not remain without consequences - two tank crews were killed, 16 people were
injured (including one officer-tanker and four of infantry, direct acting with tanks).

Tank A7V number 506 "Mephisto" - a trophy of the Australian infantry. On board the
captured British car painted "imperial" lion that put a paw on a German tank, and
identified the date when it was put out of action.

Tank A7V number 542 "Elfriede", overturned in passing through the funnel and become
the trophy of the British.

he second group was moving on the southern outskirts of Villers-Bretonneux and


located near the forest d'Akenn along the railway line, some of the tanks had to

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overcome the railroad tracks. Some of the tanks of this group in the fog off course, but
still reached the intended objects. Tanks 505 "Baden I of" (Lieutenant Hennecke) and
number 507 "Cyclops" (Lieutenant Byuman) advanced to the Villers-Bretonneux along
the railway embankment, suppressing several gun emplacements along the way, the
tank number 507 cleared the fire trench, extending west to the church, destroyed a large
number of enemy soldiers and took 13 prisoners, which gave the infantry. Then both
tanks passed over the railway station. Although the tank number 505 could not conduct
aimed fire from a gun (jammed targeting mechanisms), it is quite successfully
suppressed the enemy firing points. Both tanks opened heavy fire on the enemy reserves
found in Bois-d'Akenn - west of the forest, through which at that time held the German
infantry. Tank number 506 "Mephisto" (Lieutenant Toynissen), who was arrested at the
beginning of the British machine-gun nests, soon joined tanks number 505 and number
507, suppressed the resistance of the British infantry to the south of the railway station.
Soon, however, the tank number 506 is stuck in the funnel, the crew left the car and, in
accordance with the instructions, took part in the battle as an infantry assault group.

A7V number 541 (Lieutenant unit) and number 562 (Lieutenant Bartens) from the same
group moved to the fortified farm south of Villers-Bretonneux. Tank number 541, going
forward defense line in 7.10, reached the farm, passed through it, destroyed buildings,
from which the enemy was shooting, and helped the infantry to capture the point. On
the left flank the two tanks covered tank number 501 "Gretchen" (Lieutenant Lappe).
After the capture of the farm all three tanks deployed on the Bois-d'Akenn. They are not
without success, took part in repelling counterattacks infantry. Number 562 has strayed
away from the others and came under heavy machine-gun fire. The driver was injured
(no wonder the German tank crews then reinforced upper cabin reservation), brakes are
out of order. Lieutenant Bartens and his tank crews left the tank and joined the infantry,
but then returned to the car, to stay ahead of Bois-d'Akenn, and the fire helped the
infantry to clear enemy positions.

Tank number 501 continues to move in the direction indicated by him, but the infantry
did not follow him, as a result of the tank also came under heavy fire, which has become
particularly effective when thirty meters from the enemy tank stopped due to
overheating of both engines. His driver was also injured. However, the crew was able to
start the engines, and the tank low speed back to their original positions.

The loss of the second group: one person was killed, 24 people were injured (including
two officers, tanker and 13 infantrymen accompanying the tanks). In areas where
operated tanks, infantry losses were significantly lower than where the tanks were not
entirely - and this despite the fact that the tanks themselves attracted enemy fire.

The tanks of the third group attacked the hill behind the village grove d'Anger Kashi
(south of Villers-Bretonneux). The task was complicated by the fact that the infantry
moved to this point through the dense forest, and the tanks were to circumvent the
forest, turn around and catch up with the infantry - and all this in the morning mist.
Tanks still reached the village of L'Abbaye Kashi and forests and facilitated the actions
of the German infantry. Tank number 561 with the name "Nix" (Lieutenant Biltz) was
able to suppress the machine-gun, which is almost an hour delay the advance of German
infantry. The fact that the 77th Reserve Division was transferred to the recently
liquidated Russian-German front, and its soldiers are simply not accustomed to such a
density of artillery and small-arms fire, which characterized the fighting on the Western

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Front.

Trophy tank A7V Elfriede" taken from the shooting range Bourron to Paris for display
at the exhibition of trophies, October 1918 Pay attention to the cut piece of armor in the
frontal part of the body to the right - left it for ballistic tests.

Trophy Mk IV male" as a part of the Reichswehr armored forces. Tank installation


rearmed German 57 mm gun "Maxim-Nordenfeld" bears large crosses and the name
"Heinz".

At 9.30 am near the village of Kashi three heavy tank A7V third "Assault department"
met with came out of the woods with three heavy tanks Mk IV A Company A of the
battalion (1st Battalion) of the British Tank Corps. So battle tanks tanks first in history
had been one of the counter, and for both sides was sudden. By the time the British
could not be allowed to fight a large number of tanks - even during the big German
offensive of March the British Tank Corps, participating in local counterattacks and lost
almost all of the math. With an extremely low density of tanks on both sides of the first

243
clash of tanks with tanks, except as may be explained by the importance of the item for
which direct their efforts both sides.

British tanks came out of the forest, were not in the best position - two of the three tanks
were machine-gun ( "female"). In addition, on the eve of the British positions were fired
chemical shells and tank crews were exhausted long-term presence in gas masks. British
tanks were put forward along the southern edge of the forest d'Akenn. Company
commander Captain Brown was in the gun tank ( "buck" tank number 4066), the
commander of which was a second lieutenant Francis Mitchell. On the way to Kashi
running up infantryman he told about the appearance of the German tanks. Brown and
Mitchell saw the enemy tanks in the four hundred meters.

German A7V stopped unsuccessfully, actually led the fight, only one of them - the tank
number 561 Lt. William Biltz. This tank initially moved slightly north of the
destination, but as soon as the fog began to dissipate, Lieutenant Biltz turned Kashi,
focusing on the village church. Although the British saw the German tanks before the
German tank crews saw them fight was formed initially in favor of "Nix". Noticing the
British tanks, Lieutenant Biltz backpedaled and leisure, ordered the artillery to open
fire.

Driving near the village of battle. Nirni October 8, 1918

Unlike the Germans, the British cannon Mk IV constantly maneuvering, firing cannons
and machine guns. But conduct aimed fire at a moving and rocking the tank was
impossible. Especially in the British tank was one gunner, who was forced to climb out
of the sponsons to the sponson. Yes Mk IV and the management required the work of
three people, the driver and assistants working on airborne transmissions, could not

244
fulfill the duties charged when the guns in the sponsons. Shooting was fruitless. Having
about 25 shots, Lieutenant Mitchell stopped the tank, so that enabled the gunner on the
left sponson conduct aimed fire on German tanks. When the "gun Mk IV stopped Biltz
decided that he was incapacitated, few turned and pointed his tank gunner new goals -
machine-gun British tanks. Soon the two Mk IV- females" were hit and forced to
retreat to the rear. The battle continued gun tank Mitchell. Using the fact that A7V
turned machine guns on tanks, "British" with the place made him a shot in the right side.
"I carefully moved along the line of defense, - later wrote about this fight Mitchell. -
Gunner portside guns (if I remember correctly, his name was Carter) to shoot
accurately. His shells exploded in the immediate vicinity of the German tank. I opened
the recess at the top of the cab for better visibility, and when we found ourselves in
front of our opponent, we stopped ... Then I saw the shell gap in front of the German
tank. It was a direct hit. Followed by a second, slightly lower then the third. It was a
great shooting for a man whose eyes swam out of gas exposure, and who ran an
instrument alone due to the lack of people. German tank stopped short and slightly bent.
From the side of the hatch popped people, and I opened fire on them from my "Lewis".
The German infantry, followed the tank, too, has stopped. "

After three hits (possibly one of them - not one British tank guns and field guns out) at
A7V oil radiator was damaged, three people, including a gunner guns, killed three
slightly injured. It was about 10.20.

However, the Mk IV came under fire of other German tanks - they were A7V number
525 and number 504, under the command of Lieutenants Frank-Walter Bitter and A.
Muller, respectively, from the same third group. These two tanks could not move at
Kashi, as the German infantry was stopped by heavy fire, and remained on site (tank
Bitter lieutenant, however, succeeded in going from the flank, clear fire a British trench
- part of the British infantry was hit by fire, some retreated) . Since the beginning of the
withdrawal of the German tanks Mk IV Mitchell continued to fire even after them, but
at a distance of about 900 meters (1000 yards) could not get there. Tank Mitchell clearly
ceased to carry - for a start it is fired at a British aircraft, taking the enemy tank. Then
Mk IV came under mortar fire 5th German Guards, and smote him break mine
caterpillar. The British had to leave your tank and take refuge in the nearest trench
behind it (it was 12.45). Meanwhile, the commander of the damaged A7V Lieutenant
Biltz, using the fact that the fire on his tank stopped and the engine continues to run,
was able to move about 2 km, then broke down one of the engines (due to the complete
oil leakage).

The crew left the tank and took part in the battle with the German infantry.

British tanks seemingly inferior encountered them in German firepower, booking and
crew performance. However, in this battle, affected by factors such as tanks agility,
experience and teamwork of crews. Interestingly, the battle took place near the position
of the British infantry and in full view of the German artillery. But they did not take part
in it - the German gunners were afraid of hitting their tanks and infantry British simply
did not have anti-tank weapons.

A tank battle broke out, and east of Kashi. Around 12.30 Lieutenant Frederick William
Bitter, the commander said A7V number 525 of the third group (the tank carrying the
name of "Siegfried"), noting a departure of the British infantry to Kashi, he moved to

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cut her way. Soon he saw seven British medium tanks Mk A "Whippet". It was the
company X tanks from the 3rd Battalion (battalion) of the British Tank Corps. The
commander of this group "Whippets" Captain Thomas R. Price, received the pennant
with the message thrown airplane, about 11.00 moved to Kashi with the aim to counter
infantry advancing German 77th Reserve Division. Passing on the maximum speed line
British fences, tanks "Whippet" met in a hollow two infantry battalions of the enemy
and opened fire on them. Prices of German tanks captain did not notice that is
understandable and combat conditions, and poor visibility of the tanks. As a result,
while the "Whippet" turned and fired from their guns and crushed caterpillars German
infantry lieutenant Bitter, who was watching the fight, put forward his A7V number 525
forward so that he could from a distance of about 300 meters to lead on "Whippets" fire
from the space . He was joined by the German field artillery. A "Whippet" was hit, three
were injured. And Price was sure it did not German tanks and field artillery of the 4th
Guards German division (whose mortar, by the way, damaged the caterpillar, and
Lieutenant Mitchell Mk IV). Nevertheless, "Whippets" during their counterattack,
according to British reports, managed to "knock over 1,200, of which at least 400 have
been killed," and actually disrupt the German attack in this direction. Price gave the
command to move his tanks over the hill in the direction of Kashi. A "Whippet"
overturned, another departed, and did not intervene in the case, and three corrupted
"Whippet" could on their own to return to the location. According to the description of
the same lieutenant F. Mitchell: "Three of the seven <" Whippet "> came back, and with
their trucks dripping blood; four others were on the front lines, and their crews after
such a massacre could not rely on the fate of prisoners of war. I saw one of them,
without a suit, who fled with a machine gun under his arm to another "Whippet" which
stopped to pick it up. " This clash with tanks tanks was purely "local significance". The
German attack of the village of Kasi has not begun.

Tank number 542 Lieutenant Stein could lead to silence the enemy's machine guns in
the way of their movement, but deviated from the route to the north. Then, passing
through a funnel with sandy edges, capsized to starboard. The crew left the car with the
three carbines and machine guns and took part in the attack as an assault infantry group
- as, indeed, and trained crews Bvile. In this battle, Lieutenant Stein and one soldier
died, another member of the crew was injured, one was captured, and the rest were able
to return to her.

The surviving tanks A7V third group returned to their original positions around 15.45.
Losses tank of the third group of six people killed (including one officer), 13 wounded
and one missing.

Padded A7V number 561 Germans evacuated the night, but in the rear had to be
disassembled (according to another version, he was blown up by German sappers, not to
leave it in the hands of the enemy). Evacuate tank fell into a funnel 506 "Mephisto",
despite one attempt during the battle and two at night, the Germans did not succeed,
against him were even cannon and machine guns.

As a result of the fight and by the Germans, and the British public was lost and two
damaged by two tanks. Losses from the German tank, according to a British Major
General John Fuller (based on German sources he had collected.) - Nine people were
killed, including an officer, 36 wounded, including three officers, and one missing.
According to others, however - six killed, 28 wounded and one prisoner. Golf first fight

246
with tanks tanks left behind by the British. It gave them reason to consider themselves
winners in this battle.

Padded Tank Mk IV female German "Assault department."

However, the German attack on Villers-Bretonneux in general has been successful and
has improved the position of the German troops in this area. However, the very village
of Villers-Bretonneux on the night of 24 April 25, the British took back - it was thrown
into battle strong Australian infantry battalions, supported their tanks - but also on the
village could not move. As fighting continued in the area, the tank number 506
"Mephisto" for a long time remained in their funnel, then find themselves near the
German positions, near the British, at the neutral territory.Finally, on June 14 this A7V
taken as a trophy of the Australian infantry, with two tanks Mk V dragged him to the
rear of the British position. Later he was transferred to Australia and installed in the
Queensland Museum in Brisbane. Tank A7V number 542 on May 15 the British pulled
two tanks Mk IV A of the same company his 1st Tank Battalion, with the help of the
soldiers of the 37th division of the Moroccan. This tank bore the name of "Elfriede",
which is why in the popular and called "type Elfriede tanks" in the literature A7V tanks
for a long time.

Battle of Villers-Bretonneux opened another part of the tank in addition to the means of
breaking fortified forward positions and support infantry combat in the depth of the
defense - the role of an effective anti-tank weapons. As it is written in the history of the
British Tank Corps: "It is remarkable that the winner of the first ever tank battle tank
was the number 1 of the 1st platoon of Company A, 1st Battalion, Tank Corps." Two
lieutenant - British and German Mitchell Biltz, - in fact, they put the top tank battles
with tanks. Although the Chief of Staff of the British Tank Corps George. Fuller
reported to the General Staff in December 1917 .: "The mobile anti-tank defenses, no
doubt, the most powerful available today means ... The tanks have an important
advantage over the artillery because the move by petrol motors, and not on the horse-
drawn. "

2nd Panzer "assault separation" after the battle at Villers-Bretonneux received three new

247
tanks A7V: 563 "Wotan" - return number 542, number 528, "Hagen" - return number
543, and the tank number 529 replaced the number 561 and, apparently, so I was given
the name "Nix-II. 3rd Department of the tank instead of the number 506 received tank
number 564. The new tanks took the surviving crews. Tank number 501 has been sent
to the factory in Berlin for mounting the gun installation stead third branch received a
refurbished tank number 543.

The next encounter with tanks tanks took almost half a year, but this time faced the
same type of combat vehicles.

On the morning of October 8 near the village Nirni British tanks Mk IV (according to
other sources, a new tanks Mk V) mouth and C battalion L (12th Battalion of the British
Tank Corps) met with the German tank compartment equipped with captured Mk IV as
part of a cannon "male" and three machine-gun "females".

Pre-dawn twilight, and the same type of machines initially played into the hands of the
German tank crews. British tank L16 Company A under Captain Ro took German tanks
for tanks operating in the neighboring village Serenvil Company C of the same battalion
L and realized his mistake, just approaching at a distance of 50 m. Before L16 could
fire, he received two direct hits, the commander was injured, driver killed. Po Captain
with the rest of the crew left the tank and the tank moved to L19. This tank has a crew
of five people were killed, including the gunner guns, so the fire of the guns he did not
keep. Tank commander Lieutenant L19 Uorsep German tanks fired machine guns, but
soon the tank received a direct hit by a shell, there was a fire in it. Leaving the tank
together with the surviving tank crews, lieutenant blew it. Tank L12 same company as
late noticed the enemy and at first took him for tanks tanks Company C. As a result, the
tank was put out of action two hits shells. Contact German shell and the tank got L8, he
turned out to be broken radiator, and the car still stood. Tank commander Lt. Martel
ordered the crew to leave the tank and took part in the battle on foot. Together with
artillery observers, he turned left here by the Germans field cannon shot from her own
tank - not to give it to grab - and then knocked out two German Mk IV.

L54 Tank Company C under the command of Lieutenant Walters, faced with German
machine-gun Mk IV, fired their machine guns, forcing the move. Another two German
machine-gun cannon tanks were hit by British tanks, commanders were Lieutenant
Clark and Sherat. But British tank company A has lost in this battle tanks, almost all
(except one) and 19 persons of staff.

This fight is interesting for our subject, first, that showed increased combat prowess of
the German tank, and secondly, once again confirmed the weakness of a purely
machine-gun tanks.

Two small, local clashes on the value given considerable material for the further
development of tank technology and tactics.

WORK OVER-terrain combat vehicles IN OTHER COUNTRIES

Work in Russia

248
During the First World War, they were built and used tanks only three countries -
Britain, France and Germany. But attempts to design and construction of all-terrain
combat vehicle made not only within their borders. Of great interest in this respect are
the work carried out in Russia. In talking about them, we will have to deal with as a
whole or in part embodied in the "iron" machines as well as various proposals and
projects, not recycled on the sketch.

The legend of the "ATVs"

The huge role played by tanks in 1916-1918 gg., Was never in doubt. And it is not
surprising that immediately arose disputes about the priority in creating a new
formidable means of struggle (as they say, "victory has many fathers, defeat - always
the orphan"). Due to a number of claims from the Allies in the UK in 1919 by a special
decree of the king even was appointed parliamentary commission to determine the
burning question - whether the tank is really "the British contribution to the arsenal of
new weapons," or the idea was born earlier and in a different country. Although really
important is the priority in the establishment and practical application of the new
facility, but not in the "ideas" and proposals, the question of "who first came up with?"
Later became the subject of heated debate. Perhaps the first entered into this dispute
Russia.

This happened shortly after the first battle 32 British tanks on the Somme, September
15, 1916 was still more than a year before the true triumph of tanks at Cambrai, but
journalists have predicted the tank very bright future. It is in these colors was his article
"Land Fleet" military commentator "Times" wrote, among other things: "... There is no
doubt that in this case we are the first. Now this diabolical machine belongs to us and
only us. " September 25 (hereinafter date - old style) the article reprinted Russian
newspaper "New time". The reaction was not long in coming. Already on September 29
in the same newspaper article appeared with a loud headline "Land fleet - Russian
invention". Its author argued that even two years before the appearance of British tanks
invented a similar machine.

He insists on his other priorities: "In 1909, I built automatically steady the plane ... the
first plane" diplura "in 1912 ... in 1912, I proposed a suffocating gas". Then came the
bitter regret about the fate of the inventor in Russia.

The author of the article was AA Porokhovshchikov.

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AA Porokhovshchikov before his experimental machine "rover". Next to the inventor,
apparently, the Colonel-Poklevsky Kozell, 1915

To clarify further, a few words about his activities. Hereditary nobleman Alexander
Porokhovshchikov born in 1893, in his early youth showed a tendency to invention,
putting it first in entering the aviation mode. Employment Porohovschikova helped
Enron family good money. Even as a schoolboy, Porokhovshchikov built a small model
braced monoplane, which in December 1909, put up for Aeronautic subsection XII
Congress of doctors and scientists in Moscow. Despite the extremely simplified
construction (pilot, for example, had to sit astride a beam-fuselage), the model has
earned a positive review of Professor NE IMTU Zhukovsky. Trying to build an airplane
factory "Dux" ended in failure due to lack of engine. In Riga Porokhovshchikov he
organized a small workshop, and finding a suitable engine 22 hp, built the aircraft, have
personally experienced his June 26, 1911, and in 1912 presented at the Second
International Exhibition in Moscow. In 1914, already in Petrograd Porokhovshchikov
original polutoraplan built with double-girder fuselage ( "diplura") with an engine 50 hp
and a pusher propeller and offered it as a two-seater reconnaissance military
department. Also good airplane flight data, known as the "number 1", or "Bi-Cock",
different folding design and dual controls. War Department became interested, as has
secured a contractor for a series-built plant Tereshchenko. But Porokhovshchikov letter
dated 8 January 1915 notified the War Department that wants to build the unit itself
and, moreover, in an amount not less than as the whole aviation detachment. The
insistence (and, alas, typical of the inventor) the desire to build a machine to actually
disrupted the issuance of the order.

During the First World War Porokhovshchikov continued work. In 1915 he was set to
"Bi-Cock" tracked chassis in the form of an endless canvas tape on seven wooden
drums. He also suggested that the Ministry of Defense training two-seater with dual
controls, which consisted of one-off and on the arms. February 27, 1917
Porokhovshchikov introduced double training biplane II-IV, earned a positive review by
Professor GA Botezatu, the Technical Committee of the Office of airforce airplane
proposed order "for aviation schools." In 1918, AA Porokhovshchikov passed the
official exam for the title of military pilot, during the Civil War fought in the North,
West and South fronts. At the same time he continued to design work, in February

250
1920, appeared II-IV bis, in 1921-1923. - P-IV 2 bis, the V P-, R-VI, II-VI bis. These
aircraft were built as a series of training, they learned to fly, many Soviet pilots.
Although they remained in operation only until 1923, when their scheme is deprecated.

The design "ATVs" was really unusual.Welded frame relied on the one wide caterpillar
made of rubberized fabric, stretched over four hollow drum, the front drum is
considerably elevated above the supporting surface. Raised in the front of the track
perimeter to facilitate the overcoming of obstacles, can be attributed to the advantages
of machines. However, Porokhovshchikov was not the first to apply this decision. Fifth
drum pressed caterpillar on top. Rear drum is leading, rotating it passed through the
gearbox and driveshaft from the carburetor engine 10 hp Three circumferential grooves
on each reel and ridges caterpillar protects it from lateral movement, but did not prevent
it slipping. Ground pressure was to be only about 0.05 kg / cm 2 (remember chassis
canvas monogusenitsey for "Bi-Cock", created at the same time). On either side of "All
Terrain Vehicles" caterpillars were placed two rotary columns with small wheels, which
the driver is controlled by the steering wheel. The driver and passenger were placed
next to the seat. The machine was equipped with a streamlined body with a niche in
front of the air intake. In a good way, "rover" was supposed to move to the rear drum
and wheels, on weak and loose ground "lie down" on the bottom of your mobile -
caterpillar. Wheels in the latter case were to play the same role as the steering wheel of
the ship or aircraft. Originally.But on the ground, such wheels will only hinder the
movement and the rotation will likely attempt to break them. Note that the same error
Porokhovshchikov repeated two years later, offered a major military-technical
management (GVTU) "winter ski-wheel self-propelled guns": skiing had bent down
side "undercuts". Chief of Military Automobile School immediately pointed out that "...
providing undercuts wheel rolling against arbitrary ... would only hinder the rotation."
Aircraft Porokhovshchikov, apparently, is much better known features of the aircraft,
rather than the machine ground. However, in Riga "sinking" the wheels are not
considered a disadvantage, and in February 1915 began construction. Immediately, we
note that the management of "all-terrain vehicle" really turned out to be problematic -
on tests for the turn had to rest on the ground long poles alternately on the right and on
the left side of the machine.

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Above - schematic section "ATVs" (from the magazine "Tankman" number 5 of 1952
made supposedly from memory participant works Rabinovich VI): 1 - frame 2 - drive
drum, 3 - guide drum, a tensioner 4 - the pressure drum 5 - tissue caterpillar, 6 -
"steering" wheel, 7 - steering wheel, 8 - seat 9 - engine 10 - the propeller shaft, 11 -
body 12 - machine-gun tower. It is clearly seen that the overall modest size machines
dotted planned tower would not accommodate any real gun or gunner.

At the bottom - in the later figures "rover" transformed; Here, for example,
disappeared niche intake in the body (from the book Kosirev EA, Nuts EM Fomin NN
"Tanks", DOSAAF Publishing, 1973).

May 18 "All Terrain Vehicle" has been tested on a good road. July 20, an official
demonstration on "regimental yard" deserted barracks Nizhny Novgorod regiment. The
tests continued throughout the year, the last act dated on 29 December. The results
appear from the documents. July 20 "All Terrain Vehicle" shows a commission of the
North-Western Front, which is in the act number 4563 noted: "It turned out that the
aforesaid" rover "easily comes at a fairly deep sand at a rate of about twenty-five miles
per hour; as the "rover" moved to the middle course of the ditch with gentle slopes wide
at the top 3 and a depth of about 1 yard ... it's turning quite satisfactory; in general,
"rover" was held on the ground and terrain impassable for ordinary cars. " But Colonel
Poklevsky-Kozell in his report to the chief engineer of logistics armies front general-
lieutenant Kovalenko on January 8, 1916 stated that: "Built copy of" rover "did not
show all the qualities that are due to report number 8101, for example, could not walk

252
on loose snow depth of about 1 foot, and running tests on the water it has not been done.
" Head of Engineering endowments Army Western Front February 6, 1916 in GVTU
wrote: "After a year of work at a rate of 8500 rubles and repeated tests during this time,
the crew is now made in the tests did not satisfy the requirements laid and did not show
any particular positive qualities" . Porokhovshchikov himself in a statement dated 3
January 1916, the name Pakleski Kozell-recognized "final tests carried out for this
instance of" rover "and explained the failure of a number of reasons: the distance
between the main drum is small, the engine is weak, the tape was not grooved and
smooth. In conclusion, he proposed to start immediately to build a "new and improved"
rover "stronger and more complete." Superior endowments of the Western Front,
however, lost interest in the development and ordered the "design of the front means the
title of the crew to stop and invite the inventor to provide made them the crew ... in
GVTU" reasonably believing that a machine built on public funds, should be
"transferred to the treasury" . March 1, 1916 all documents sent to GVTU for "ATVs" ".

Not that Porokhovshchikov hurry to fulfill these requirements. He even held up for
some time in his 15 craftsmen and dedicated to him at the time of the development of
the car "Ford". As for "ATVs", the repeated reminders of the Technical Committee
GVTU he posted 13 June: "When making the allocation of funds for the construction of
the Treasury nearly 10 000 rubles. It does not specify delivery of ... "ATVs" to the
Treasury, and the actual cost of "ATVs" expressed in the amount of about 18 000
rubles, and all were voted against overruns covered me from my own funds. " Routine
same test "can be performed only by fixing the damaged engine, which will take about
two weeks." Immediately inventor wrote: "... in the near future is expected to begin
construction of a new advanced copy of" All Terrain Vehicles ", which, however,
delayed the lack of available material resources." As for the "overrun" means, then
presented Porohovschikova documents showed that the construction costs amounted in
fact 10 118 rubles 85 kopecks, including 428 rubles 93 penny spent on the purchase of
two pistols, "the scientific content of the books," the seven popes, and so on. f. up to
"tip to couriers in Petrograd" (so to speak, hospitality). Funds for a new car
Porohovschikova not identified, and in the application to the Technical Committee of 7
September he vaguely hinted that construction is already "at the expense of a private
company."

But then, as we have seen, appeared in time sensational news about the British tanks.
Good article in the "New time" was not the only reaction Porohovschikova. October 18
he sent a letter to the head of GVTU, in which he wrote: "December 24, 1914 I was
introduced superior endowments" ATVs "North-Western Front, I invented the project -
the exact prototype of today's" tubs "(it was translated into Russian print the word" tank
"-. SF) English." Navy land. ' " Immediately Porokhovshchikov results following the
results of their testing machine: "In tests" rover "developed a speed of 25 km per hour,
crossed the ditch width of 3 m ... being equipped with just desyatisilnym engine ...
carries on very easily 13 people." However, in the Save photo twin car driven by "for
yourself" on a good road people eight. But the important thing is not it. Note
importantly - built and tested "rover" can not be called a prototype tank. None of the
document on the construction and testing "ATVs", there are no references to the arms or
reservations. No such certificate and specially prepared by the manager of the Technical
Committee works GVTU October 21, 1915 The machine is referred to throughout as
"self-propelled", "improved the car", "self-propelled carriage". Apparently, in the case
of at least a hypothetical booking car appeared to the term "armored vehicle", the more

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so because he had a habit of immediately Porokhovshchikov paint prospects for their
inventions. At least, not yet found the information about attempts to install on this
reservation chassis.

It is worth making a remark about another invention Porohovschikova - the original


multi-layer armor. In the literature to argue that it was intended for "ATVs" housing.
Try to understand.In the spring of 1915 (already in the tests "ATVs") Porokhovshchikov
armor really offers, "based on a completely new principle and right." According to the
description Porohovschikova "armor represents a combination of elastic and hard layers
of metal and special viscous and elastic linings." Plate boiler plate annealed "by the
process of constituting the secret of the inventor." These iron sheets can be bent, drilled,
cut and welded. As pads "after huge number of experiments," the author chose a dried
and pressed seaweed. Dried seaweed, we note, is widely used for stuffing upholstery, so
that the material was fully available. He emphasizes author cheapness "iron armor" in
comparison with steel. To demonstrate the capabilities Porokhovshchikov reservation
booked in Riga car "Ford" with the engine at 11 hp Crew of 3 persons (the driver and
observer in front, rear gunner) defended the reservation is in the form of an elongated
pentagon with "soft visor" in front of the driver and the observer, the roof was not.
Armour were covered as the engine, gearbox and traction control. The armor consisted
of two layers of iron thickness 4.5 and 3.5 mm and "pads". June 14, 1915 is represented
by a light armored vehicle commission headed by Colonel-Pakleski Kozell and fired
from a distance of 50 meters from the German and Austrian rifles, revolvers "Revolver"
and the gun "Browning". Not been a single perforation. Special Commission noted that
it was not necessary to strengthen the vehicle springs for reservations, although on sea
trials have been reported.

October 11 at the shooting range for the guard troops fired on a sample of the "iron
armor" consisting of three iron sheet thickness of 4, 2 and 4 mm spacers between them.
With 50 meters of the three-linear rifles fired three bullets pointed. All three struck two
iron sheet, the third recorded "significant indentation without cracking." October 15,
these results together with the application Porohovschikova were considered by the
Technical Committee in GVTU Journal number 995. Administrative Director Major
General Committee Svidzinskii indicated that Porohovschikova armor with a thickness
of 10 mm (without pads) does not exceed applied to armored vehicles 5-mm armor, but
" It represents a larger volume "and weight.

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Light armored car on the chassis of "Ford", which Porokhovshchikov felt his "iron
armor", June 1915

"Breastplates of iron" was declared inadmissible the petition Porohovschikova ordering


his car bookings rejected. As an experience it was suggested to try the same armor, but
with strips of felt. December 10 this pattern was fired, and it turned out that the
replacement of the usual sea grass felt in no way reduce the quality of Porohovschikova
invention.

Without any embarrassment recall GVTU, Porokhovshchikov "makes a second run":


January 31, 1916, he offers the same "iron armor" Automobile and aviation department
of the Central Military-Industrial Committee (TSVPK). Armor Porokhovshchikov
newly appointed to "the booking of cars and trains" and immediately offered to order it
"Associated workshop" Reservations few cars, so that they "could take part in the
upcoming spring campaign." Automobile and aviation department has sent a proposal to
the Office of Inventions, pointing out that "the armor is noteworthy in view of the
possibility shape the ... well ... the connection of individual sheets by autogenous
welding." Department inventions, taught by experience in dealing with various
inventors began to make inquiries. Requesting GVTU February 23, he received a copy
of the said Journal number 995. GVTU opinion of the Technical Committee are
supportive and help the chief of the Obukhov plant of 8 January, where he led
penetration data pointed bullet produced by the steel armor shields. Based on these data
Division TSVPK inventions also rejected the "iron armor".

As in the documents of the "all-terrain vehicle" was not a word about armor, and
documents about the "iron armor" never mentioned "SUV." Even Poklevski-Kozell
Porokhovshchikov introduced specially reserved "Ford", and the shape of the booking
does not correspond to contours "ATVs", and say that in this way was tested for the hull
of a tracked vehicle, is not necessary. Work on two of his inventions - "ATVs" and
"iron armor" - Porokhovshchikov conducted in parallel, but without any noticeable
connection.

"Tank" in its most general form is a combination of four key elements: cross-country

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mover, mechanical engine, armor protection and high-velocity weapons. By removing
some of the elements, we get a different car. So what's behind the car built and tested
Porokhovshchikov? The answer is in the title, which gave her the inventor himself, -
"SUV." ATV, undoubtedly original, though not entirely thought out, the design, but
does not "pull" on the prototype tank. By the way, odnogusenichny mover
Porokhovshchikov also came up with is not the first thing that can be seen from a
review of the history of caterpillar tracks in the XIX century. (Remember locomobile J.
Englishman. Gitkota, crawler Russian inventor Captain S. Majewski, and so on. D.).
The English in July 1915 - two months after the first test "ATVs" - tried installing
armored hulls on the chassis of the tractor trehgusenichnogo "Killen-Strait" on
September 10, Tritton and Wilson brought to the test car "number 1 Lincoln" on the
chassis of the tractor " Bullock 'hulls and with the layout of the tower, and the end of
November have prepared for the tests, "Little Willy" - in the armor and setting for the
machine gun.

Combat vehicles AA Porokhovshchikov also engaged, but it had other projects. In


August 1915, he introduced the draft, which he called "Earth battleship." The machine
was designed for the "attack on the protected items." In his memo Porokhovshchikov
offered two versions of "Battleship" - "Field" and "land". Accordingly, the first book
was calculated to be protected from fire field artillery, the second - from the land of fire.
The machine according to the preliminary design looked, to put it mildly, unusual. In
the version of "Field of the battleship" steel bridge truss length 35 and a width of 3 m
was based on the 10 leading armored drums (like the roller) with a diameter of 2.3 m
each. Inside each drum was placed power pack with petrol engine capacity of 160-200
hp, clutch, gearbox, generator, fan, fuel tank and tool on the sides of the drum - fixed
machine gun unit. A total of 20 machine-gun offices there would be 40 guns and 20
mortars. The front and rear parts of the farm were put on special platforms cupola - each
carrying a heavy gun caliber 4-6 dm (101,6-152,4 mm), which mated smaller caliber
weapon. In the central part of the armored rose cutting workplace for the commander of
the battleship, an artillery officer and assistant chief engineer, telegraph, top wheelhouse
mounted spotlight. The entire crew of "Field Battleship" have amounted to 72 people.
thickness of armor - 101.6 mm. "Settlement" (more accurately - suggests the inventor)
the rate - from 4.4 to 21 km / h. Porokhovshchikov claimed that his "armadillo", due to
their size, would be able to overcome obstacles up to 11 m in width. The issue of
rotation of the machine, and there has not been worked out. For transfer by rail
"Battleship" was proposed to put on the train move.

"Castle battleship" differed from the "field", except for the reservation, the presence
bronebashen instead of two armored decks, which would be located up to 500 troops
under armor protection. It turned out much enlarged likeness "assault cars" of the
Middle Ages (Porokhovshchikov in their imagination far surpassed
predecessors).August 13, 1915 at the meeting of the Technical Committee GVTU
rightly pointed out: "... even without detailed calculations we can confidently say that
the proposal is not feasible. It would be appropriate for use in a combat situation to
distribute weapons armadillo on individual mobile units that are not related to one rigid
system. "

This time Porokhovshchikov really developed something like a tank. The idea of
propulsion remains the same, but the driven wheels have taken similar to the car, such
as wheels and appeared on the rear ends of the drum axis crawler. Dimensions grown -

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now the machine was due to carry a crew of 4 man, armor and weapons. It added a new
Porokhovshchikov his invention - "armored cabin." "Deck" (tower) divided by height
into three independently rotating belt, fastened to each machine gun "Maxim". Another
"Maxim" was mounted in the front hull next to the driver. Consideration of the project
was delayed due to the presence in GVTU huge number of more urgent cases (recall the
tumultuous events of 1917). Only September 20 armor department Autoparts GVTU
examined the project in the Journal of the number 1. The report did technical engineer
L.E. department Semmering (a bit later - in 1918 - he was the Chairman of the Board
Tsentrobroni - Central armored car division, head of the school of commanders of
armored forces), pointing to a number of general and specific deficiencies "ATVs 2.
Opinion Bronevoi department is worth quoting. Regarding the "armor Porohovschikova
designer cutting": "a) is too small height of the individual zones, what prevents the
passage of one gun over another, b) the work of the three machine-gunners at the same
time on one board is not possible due to insufficient cutting radius, and c) the work of
three machine-gunners in the opposite direction is not possible for the same reason, d)
can not be thermosyphon cooling device of machine guns, etc.) do not specify a location
and seat design gunners, e) unacceptable skating tower on the rack on the casters. " And
further: "The Commission finds this project is not worthwhile." Regarding the
propulsion: "In view of the fact that when driving on normal roads," rover "to the
ordinary car has no advantages, but rather only has disadvantages, such as: the absence
of differential presence of one tape instead of two, and so on, and when driving on loose
soil the car does not go, because of the presence of the mass of the various obstacles
arising from the imperfection of the structure, the inevitable slip tape on the drum and
the impossibility of turns, the Commission finds that the ATVs designer
Porohovschikova project in its present form, does not deserve any attention. " It is an
exhaustive document.

So it should look like a giant "Field battleship" according to the draft AA


Porohovschikova from 1915

Here is how he described Porokhovshchikov emergence of the idea of "All Terrain


Vehicles": "On the field passed the teaching recruits. Looking at the soldiers, ran a
chain, I suddenly thought, not a cheerful thing to escape the attack by enemy machine
guns. What if sending the assault trenches not people defenseless against the leaden
rain, and the car, dressed in armor and armed with machine guns? Constructive solution
I saw in the formulation of endless belts or crawler tractor type. There was still the
question of how to turn on the tapes. The idea was born: to make a turn on the spot with
a side sliding by braking one of the tapes. A few days passed, and I came up with a new
piece. Let my rover will go in difficult circumstances on tracks, and on a good road to
switch on wheels ... All these ideas I have presented in the project, filed in mid-August
1914, the General Headquarters. Judge Colonel gave the conclusion that my car will not

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be able to unfold. However, the commander in chief, after hearing my report, deigned
strain: "And me these things invention inspires confidence. '" This passage has already
seen the confusion - two caterpillar tracks (perhaps this option and developed, but all
the documents for "ATVs" relate odnogusenichnoy machine), the report of the
commander in chief.

Porohovschikova efforts in defending his championship met with sympathy. So, in the
newspaper "Izvestia" on September 13, 1922 there was an editorial with the headline,
who later became the motto - "Homeland" tank "- Russia." It reaffirms the priority
Porohovschikova and makes even the hint of a transfer GVTU documents "ATVs"
England (according to another version, the British experts were present at the meeting in
GVTU on which the project was discussed Porohovschikova). So, in fact, the formation
of the legend. But particularly intense - a paradox of history - began to exploit this
theme after Porohovschikova death. Here we must return to his biography. In 1923, AA
Porokhovshchikov moved to Moscow, where he worked as an engineer in various
companies and factories. In 1928, for health reasons demobilized from the Red Army.
In October 1940 he was arrested on charges of espionage, anti-Soviet agitation and
sabotage activities. According to his grandson, the remarkable Soviet actor A..
Porohovschikova: "The charges were brought against the grandfather completely
standard and ridiculous - worked for German intelligence, spending public money on
inventions that are not needed Soviet society, to work in the design office gained only
people from the nobility and thus weaving a conspiracy." In July 1941, AA
Porokhovshchikov shot. Rehabilitated in December 1955

However, the name Porohovschikova mention of his works were necessary much earlier
than the official rehabilitation. And above all - about the work in the field of aviation. In
1944, under the auspices of the People's Commissariat of Aviation Industry prepared
and released a study, "The history of aeronautics and aviation in the USSR", based on
archival documents and testimonies of participants of events. A separate chapter is
devoted to it "airplanes AA Porohovschikova ".

As you can see, Vasilyev had even less reason to claim the "paternity" than
Porokhovshchikov, but it is the literature since 1952, usually referred to with him. True
- in second place. And not "conservatism ranks of the Ministry of War" became the
reason that "ATV" Porohovschikova not gone beyond the first tests, and "wagon"
Vasilyev and not built. The reasons for this, as we have seen, are different.

But the "legendary" car Porohovschikova and weak validity of claims Vasilyev does not
mean that does not really developed their machines projects in Russia like "tanks".

"Armored Vehicles" engineer Mendeleev

Due to the Soviet researcher VD Mostovenko become known for another project,
authored by Vasily Mendeleev, the son of the great Russian scientist DI Mendeleev.In
his article "The world's first super-heavy tank" (magazine "Tankman" number 9 for
1948) Mostovenko first told about the developed VD Mendeleev Project heavy tracked
combat vehicle.

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This project and its author are worthy of special attention.

December 30, 1886 DIMendeleev noted in his diary entry:. "The birth of children -
twins Mary and Basil" Perhaps under the influence of his father's varied interests
children have chosen their independent way of life. Maria D. was one of the leading
Russian dog handlers, a prominent expert on hunting gun dog. Vasily has chosen is not
easy, but the venerable path of an engineer and connected his life to military
shipbuilding. In 1903-1906 gg. He is studying at the Kronstadt Naval Engineering
College, he serves on the St. Petersburg shipyards from 1908 to 1916 - the Baltic, the
Neva, is involved in the design and construction of engines for submarines, manages a
number of projects. Since 1911, in their spare time, hard life of a young engineer
working on a project Mendeleev tracked combat vehicle. August 24, 1916 (when the
first British tanks has just arrived in France, and ended the first French assembly)
Mendeleyev is the office of the Ministry of War draft project with the following note: "I
present herewith a preliminary design of an armored car of my system ... If he is
worthy, then humbly ask to specify the establishment of the Ministry of War, in which I
should mention the draft project submitted for consideration. " Draft project was
developed by all the rules, and different from the proposals of the majority of inventors
extraordinary forethought, care and detail. The very description of the "armored
vehicle" is divided into chapters - internal placement of personnel, specification, table
of weights, calculation of the bearing surface, the passage (transportation) on the
railway line.

The machine frame is a simple box shape going to the corners, and the frame was set
Mendeleev "in the ship" - of stringers and frames.

The "armored vehicle" engineer VD Mendeleev, 1916

"Lateral" armor was made of whole-rolled plates, roof - five transverse plates.

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Reservation rely on the protection of the 6-inch armor-piercing shells. armor thickness
was: forehead - 150 mm, side and roof - 100 mm. Side door thickness of 120 mm was
attached to the massive external hinges and could batten down. In front of the case
established a 120-mm gun Kane "type Marine Committee" on the center pin (column
book-rests installation). Flat gun mask with vertical porthole on the horizontal sliding
guide on the frontal. Submission of shots from the "powder room" (stacking) made
roller carts at Kokoro-Monorail.It provides ammunition to 46 rounds plus 4 on the
carriage and one in the breech gun. In addition, in the central part of the housing
mounted retractable turret with a diameter of 1400 mm with a machine gun "Maxim"
and 8 mm thick armor (it could go down under strong enemy fire). At the rear of the left
side was placed in-line 4-cylinder engine "automotive type" water-cooled, 250 hp
(Probably under the "road" meant the type of gasoline engine, since the power line with
a submarine). Start the engine with compressed air. Gasoline was kept in an isolated
"steel tank" at the bottom. Transmission consisted of the main clutch, mechanical
gearbox and differential in a rotation mechanism. The gearbox provides 4 forward
speeds and one reverse.

Working air suspension on one side tracked "armored vehicle" Mendeleev. For
shooting "Armored Vehicles" I had to go to the body on the ground.

The dimensions of the machine have been impressive - the length of 13 m with a gun,
on the case - 10 m, height is lowered with a turret - 3.5 m, with a raised - 4.5 m when
lowered to the ground - 2.8-3.8 m, width 4.4 m, ground clearance - 0.7 m Estimated
weight was 173.2 tons..

To calculate the Mendeleev movement specifically studied a "course of motoring" NG


Kuznetsova, very popular in Russia then. According to calculations, the car had to reach
a speed of 24.8 km / h, climb inclines of up to 25 degrees, turning radius was
determined in 10 m. However, the engineer motorist Dorofeev, evaluating the project,
pointed out that "in such a large and a small gravity power motor ... can not exceed 3
miles per hour. "

Considering the issue of transporting his "armored vehicle", VD Mendeleev specifically


pointed out that "the adaptability of the machine to move along the railway is essential
for it because if the existing pontoon bridges and highways can not withstand its weight,
remains railroad."

The project is developed in detail - right down to the type of batteries. Affected
thorough engineering training and experience of the designer. Some features of the
project suggests that the author is counting on production base shipyards. Great
difficulties would cause "is permeated with" the whole project pneumatic system, and
the power plant and all electrical equipment would have to buy abroad. There was also a
second, "lite" version of the 100 tons of the project submitted by VD Mendeleev
autumn of 1916 he was not kept in the details, but fragmentary data differed reduced to
50-76 mm (2-3 inches) thick armor at a more powerful British 127-mm cannon and two
machine gun turrets.

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The conceptual design Mendeleev does not have the specific purpose of his "armored
vehicle". It is understood that the machine is low - 1.5 hp / t - the specific power of the
engine and high - 2.78 kg / cm 2 - ground pressure could not be designed for driving on
pitted shells battlefield. The peculiarities of the device, it was self-propelled, well-
protected armored firing point.We can assume that their giant Mendeleev intended to
use the land in a war (remember the "land battleship" Porohovschikova) or for coastal
anti-airborne defense and the Gulf of Finland. After all, much later, in 1933, in
Leningrad, at the suggestion of the engineer AA Tolochkova project tracked self-
propelled units for coastal defense, armed with 152-mm naval gun B-10, with armor up
to 20 mm (which, by the way, as for the firing was lowered to the ground) was
developed.

"Armored Vehicles" Mendeleev was not the first project of "tank" in general (he was
not even the first project of super-heavy tank - think of the project E. Buyena). But it
was really the first Russian project of such a machine. Technical culture and integrity
with which it was designed, make the honor of Russian engineering school at the time.
However, long it has been noted that the general backwardness in terms of a number of
modern technologies Russia has excellent engineering staff. However, the periodic
project has not had any impact on the development of combat vehicles. In GVTU where
the project has been transferred, it is not subjected to careful scrutiny (probably due to
the same gigantism), Vasily himself died in 1922 at the age of 35 years, and the project
"donkey" in the archive and was forgotten in the three decades until it was raised
Mostovenko in his article, and then - in the book. Later in the popular literature it
appeared from somewhere nickname "Bronehod", as well as drawing general form, not
quite meeting the description of the Mendeleev.

"Tank Rybinsk plant"

It has long "walks" in our literature and references to "20-ton tank Rybinsk plant."

VD Mostovenko in the book "Tanks" wrote that "in 1915, at one of the factories was
designed tank project with the following characteristics: weight 20 tons, crew of 4 men
armed with 107-mm cannon and heavy machine gun, armor 10-12 mm, power engine
200 liters.with ... Presented in the main military-technical management of 10 August
1916, this project has not received the necessary support ... There is information about
another project developed at the same time. For this project, the tank ( "armored heavy-
duty tractor") should have the following data: weight 12 tons, speed up to 12 km / h,
armament 75 mm gun and a machine gun. "

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Sketch "20-ton tank Rybinsk plant."

Mostovenko cited sections of the machine, which looked very plausible and refers
rather to the second - easier - project. With all the conventions of the drawings the artist
MI Peter later created for the "Tank Museum" magazine "Youth technics-" picture
version of the tank assembly on the "Rybinsk plant" and Rybinsk historians then even
tried to find information on exactly which plant their city and by whom the project was
drawn up. In vain. However, the proposal tracked combat vehicle from Rybinsk really
was.

Originally chassis has been developed.Road wheels 270 mm in diameter were blocked
by four in the truck (5 trucks on board). It is difficult to say whether the project
Drizhenko Mendeleev knew, but he also used the air suspension in your car, with the
pneumatic chamber carriages on one side communicate with each other. The drive
wheel is located behind. Caterpillar teeth engagement consisted of "sleepers", connected
by edges tsepyami- "rails". Track width - 800 mm. By turning the wheel slows the
movement of one of the tracks. Since most of the length of the bearing surface would be
hampered (6 m), turn, provides for the automatic rise of the extreme suspension trolleys
(this decision 45 years later will be implemented in Swedish tank STRV-103). For
protection against dust served vozduhopritokov system of curved plates, and elastic
chambers "harmonics".

The machine had to have electric lighting, ventilation. The estimated mass of the
"tower" - 46 tons, crew - 6 persons, length - 8.1 m, width - 3.8 m, height - 3.4 m, the
power density of the power plant - 7.8 hp / ton, speed - up to 12 miles per hour, the
ground pressure - 0.5 kg / cm 2 .

The initiator and head of construction was an engineer NN Lebedenco (sometimes


called the "captain", but if he actually wore this title is unknown), who led t. N.
"Military-technical laboratory." "Engineer Laboratory Lebedenco" placed in Moscow

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and engaged in a variety of orders, in particular, was able to get an order to GVTU
bombsight. Offered Lebedenco and his method of "determining the position of firing
guns," so that the military authorities had known. The development of the "war chariot"
Lebedenco participated BS Stechkin and A. Mikulin. Later, the first will be an
outstanding scientist in the field of fluid dynamics and heat transfer, and the second
well-known designer of aircraft engines. While future academicians - Only novice
engineers. Mikulina is sometimes attributed to the idea of the car, but as he recalled the
beginning of the work: "One day I was invited to his Lebedenco, locked the door to the
office and said in his ear:

- I recommend you Professor Nikolai Zhukovsky as a capable designer. Are you willing
to develop drawings invented the machine to me? With the help of these machines in
one night is a breakthrough all-German front, and Russia won the war ... "

Incidentally, the recommendation given by Professor Zhukovsky and Stechkin


Mikulina, was not an accident - he was well aware of their ability. Both were not only
his students at the Imperial Moscow Technical College (later -. Bauman Bauman, the
legendary source of manpower-tank builders Engineers), and comes to his nephews (one
another, they were second cousins). NOT. Zhukovsky helped perform the calculations
for the project part. Lebedenco could be interested in his idea, not only of young
engineers, but also to the military department.

Lebedenco machine in a clearing near Dmitrov, 1917 Armament on the car and did not
install.

It was made a moving (from the windup spring) model cars on a scale of 1.30.This
model Lebedenco allegedly even showed Nicholas II, as well as obstacles to this show
if used scattered on the floor bulky volume of the "Code of Laws of the Russian
Empire" (this allegorical picture may have originated much later in the oral tradition).
Be that as it may, the project was approved. Mikulin was the "chief designer" project,
Stechkin - chief estimator.

Funds for the construction of the prototype identified the All-Russian Union of cities
and main military-technical management. The work cost a large sum - 210 000 rubles.
While much of this amount is allocated Cities Alliance, it is worth remembering that the

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very means of the Union largely consisted of government grants and advances, not too
carefully monitored.

The works were developed since the middle of 1915 became a special concern
Lebedenco secrecy, which he, according to the recollections of Mikulin and Stechkin,
acquired almost theatrical character. Although the production of components of the
machine parts in various companies, most can be explained by the limited capacity of
industry - a few engineering plants that can produce large-sized units, it has already
been loaded with work. The hull and turret for the machine Lebedenco collected in the
indoor arena near Khamovniki barracks, wheels - at a plant in Lyubertsy (Lyubertsy
plant now bridge-building equipment), and attracted Sormovo plant. Assembling
machines directly started on a large meadow near Orudievo site - among forests grown
with the pores and can now be found the remains of a double shaft, once zoster clearing.
Along the shaft, apparently, was a fence or palisade.

On trial in August 1917 the car moved away, broke the front axle big old birch, passed a
few meters along the causeway prepared, but almost came down with it, stuck in the
ground tail roller. Affected unreasoned weight distribution. The drive wheels to slip, the
original drive to the drive wheels Mikulin required finishing. In a complex febrile
atmosphere of those days, new tools could not identify. Once again I tried to force the
car to move under its own power in 1918 and the equally unsuccessful.

Lapping machines are not involved, and perhaps rightly so. Production of even small
series of these machines is difficult to imagine.

BSStechkin still have to have a relationship with bronesilami - during the November
revolutionary battles of 1917 in Moscow, he managed to get on the side of the counter-
revolution in the crew of the armored car. And his partner on the armored car was LV
Kurchevsky, who later became famous for his work on recoilless guns (though their
subsequent fate - another topic).

As for the "chariots Lebedenco", it is the only sample exploded in 1923 for scrap, with a
light hand Mikulina nicknamed "King-tank." Lebedenco subsequent fate remains
unknown. "Probably lost somewhere - said about this later BS Stechkin. - On this, as he
is, we would certainly have heard. So, no longer alive - must be turned up. "

It is worth noting that the "gigantism" was then surprisingly common among inventors.
Wheels of large and very large diameter seemed a good solution to the problem of
mobility and the ability to overcome any obstacles.

Realistically build machines were more modest.The German company "Hansa-Lloyd",


for example, demonstrated the February 1, 1917 in Berlin Army armored truck
"Treffasvagen" with two-wheel diameter "only" 3 m and with a front swivel castors. As
you can see, three-wheeled scheme that promised a good turning ability, has been
popular. Machine "Hansa-Lloyd" is interesting because in it on a smaller diameter roller
falls significantly less load than the leading two large wheels - as opposed to the
"chariot" Lebedenco.

As for Russia, in 1915 alone, the Russian Defense Ministry have been proposed: 8-
wheeled armored tractor Bykovtsa lieutenant, "an armored tractor" Kazan, "the Earth

264
battleship" Porohovschikova on rollers of large diameter, etc. The magazine GVTU
Technical Committee 6. in April 1915 it was reported: "The duty of the Supreme
Commander General at the inscriptions on February 27, 1915 transmitted in GVTU
petition nobleman VA Kazan with several proposals, including the description of the
armored tractor. " The tractor was supposed to be a three-wheeled all-wheel drive and
differential rotation mechanism. The proposal was sent to review the Chief Military
automotive school, who refused to give a review of one general description. "Judging by
the fact that the city of Kazan offers armor, impenetrable field artillery shells, and
believes that his tractor will have a speed of 15-20 miles, offering his admittedly
impossible", - concluded the Technical Committee.

A certain S. Podolsky (maybe it was a pseudonym - was the inventor of Podolia) chose
exactly "easy" way, offering in October of the same 1915 building of boiler iron huge
rollers that and ironing enemy defenses. Each rink would be pushed forward like a
company of soldiers manual Asphalt skating rink, as for "fire run up to the enemy"
would have on the ends of the axis of the fixed turret with machine guns or mortars. But
there were oddities, decorated and more "solid."

April 20, 1917 Technical Committee considered the draft GVTU "mobile battery
Improved turtle" mechanical engineer SPNavrotskiy, was in charge of the factory,
"Richard Nole" in Voronezh. The project is intended to machine weighing 192 tons,
height 8.52 m, with front-wheel drive roller of a spherical shape with a diameter of 6.5
m and two rear hemispherical with a diameter of 2.5 m. Inside the front roller and the
rear floor housed two 203 mm howitzer, two 152 -mm guns, four 102-mm and eight
76.2-mm guns, 10 machine guns. Inside the front roller and mounted engines. "Turtle"
would have a thickness of 30-20 mm armor, the crew of 60 to 100 people, electric, radio
with telescopic antenna, commander's cupola, floodlights.

The project is a huge "Rolling battery Improved turtle" mechanical engineer Navrotskiy
(Russia, 1917 by the inventor of the description) - To plan the mass of the car with
front-wheel drive spherical roller - 192 tons, armament - two 203 mm howitzer, two
152-mm guns, four 102-mm and eight 76.2-mm guns, 10 machine guns. The numbers 1
to 6 are designated installation space weapons 7 - scraper to clean the front of the drive
of the spherical roller.

The inventors wanted to create a hard "destructional" abundantly armed giant machines.
The withdrawal of the Technical Committee noted the extreme awkwardness "Improved
turtles' inability to provide propulsion movement (power density - 1.56 hp / t), and
calculated by the author machine price - 150-200 thousand rubles -. Was understated

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times three. It is interesting to note the following Technical Committee: "... compared to
tanks, battery completely little mobile." Of course, the construction of such monsters
could not be considered.

Russia has not become "the birthplace of the tank," not because of gigantism of
individual projects, not because of "inertia", "laziness", "sabotage" or "conspiracy". The
reasons should be sought in a particular area - then and the lack of industrial capacity,
level of technology, and financial resources, and a set of circumstances. Tanks - a
product especially developed engineering industry, including in engine construction,
automotive, machine tool, etc. On the one hand, on the eve of the First World War,
there was "the rise of Russian industry", and the concentration of production: 1914 to
3.1% of all Russian companies.. We had a staff of workers from 500 to 1,000 people,
2.5% - more than 1000 people, which, in those days, was a good indicator. But at the
same time dominated by the old mills and factories with worn-out equipment in the
metalworking and machine-building enterprises have been very few high-precision
machine tools. Primitive was the organization of factory transport, energy, agriculture.
A typical figure - the level of application of the country-driven: in the European part of
Russia on the 100 souls of the population had an average of 1.6 hp, Germany - 12.8 hp,
England - 24 l. from.In terms of production specialization, standardization of products
as Russian industry lagged far behind the other countries. At the Second Congress of the
representatives of the military-industrial committees on 26-29 February 1916 among the
causes of underperformance military orders stated: lack of factories private industry
specific skills in precision work (at the same time, state-owned factories were
overwhelmed with orders), the backwardness of Russian mechanical engineering in
general, and almost complete lack of machine tool and tool factories, shortages of
engineering plants and metal fuel. Manufacturing relatively large heat engines had in
Russia, but it was stationary or marine engines. It is unlikely that in these conditions it
was possible to build on their own even a few thousand tanks, the British and the
French, but at least a couple of dozen, as the Germans. On the state of the Russian
machine-building in those years can be judged by what the problems and difficulties
caused by four years of production of a dozen "Russian Renault" at the Sormovo
factory, and a decade later - the organization of production of the first batch of Soviet
tank MC-1.

However, Russia, with its steel industry (including the production of special steels) and
weapons production, has demonstrated the ability to deliver the release of armored
vehicles on the example of the armored cars. However, at the same time it took to buy
abroad ready chassis. And here we can see a number of developments that have a direct
bearing on our subject.

The Tsar Tank

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The Tsar Tank, also known as the Netopyr or Lebedenko Tank, was an unusual
Russian armored vehicle developed in 19161917 by Nikolai Lebedenko, Nikolai
Zhukovsky, Boris Stechkin, and Alexander Mikulin. The project was scrapped after
initial tests deemed the vehicle to be underpowered and vulnerable to artillery fire.

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It differed from modern tanks in that it didnt use caterpillar tracksrather, it used a
tricycle design. The two front spoked wheels were nearly 9 meters (27 feet) in diameter;
the back wheel was smaller, only 1.5 meters (5 feet) high, triple wheel, to ensure
maneuverability. The upper cannon turret reached nearly 8 meters high. The hull was 12
meters wide with two more cannons in the sponsons. Additional weapons were also
planned under the belly. Each wheel was powered by a 250hp Sunbeam engine.[1]

The vehicle received its nickname because its model, when carried by the back wheel,
resembled a bat hanging asleep.

The huge wheels were intended to cross significant obstacles. However, due to
miscalculations of the weight, the back wheel was prone to be stuck in soft ground and
ditches, and the front wheels were sometimes insufficient to pull it out. This led to a
fiasco of tests before the high commission in August 1915. The tank remained in the
location where it was tested, some 60 kilometers from Moscow until 1923 when it was
finally taken apart for scrap.

About bronesilah Russian army

Before proceeding to attempt construction of armored vehicles in Russia terrain, recall


briefly what were bronesily Russian army. Questions of development, construction and
combat use of armored vehicles of the Russian army considered in detail by a number of
researchers (M. Kolomiets, Bariatinskii MB). There shall mention only the most
common features.

Throughout World War II Russian army used armored cars much more active allies and
opponents, and their development has received considerable attention. Russian front
was stretched over less densely "populated" army and full of firepower, leaving more
room for armored action than in the West, where by early 1915 established a solid
positional front.

First tested in Russia, "self-propelled" combat armored vehicle was "armored"


(armored) vehicle of the French firm "Charron-Girardot e Voix" Colonel Gyuye
development. The armored car was delivered to the Russian initiative and the efforts of
a retired staff captain MA Guard Nakashidze. Armored tested in the summer of 1906. In
the test report the Commission indicated that the armored cars "have a broad future as
an aid in military affairs", namely - for exploration in the rear and on the flanks of the
enemy, "a breakthrough with the purpose of exploration through the outpost chain" "for
communication services under enemy fire," counter cavalry "for quick movement to the
front or to the rear of the enemy to him, to set the explosives to guerrilla warfare and
persecution." He cites a number of claims to the sample. Nakashidze himself was killed
during the assassination of Stolypin SRs 12 August of the same year, the armored
vehicle tested again in 1908, but when the same firm in 1908 "Sharron" sent to Russia a
few armored vehicles, Russian Ministry of War and refused to pay take them. Two cars
bought Germany. In 1912, the Main Artillery Administration has proposed to continue
testing of armored vehicles. In 1913, the Russian Defense Ministry has considered the
German "broneavtobus Benz." As you can see, interest in armored cars was shown
before the war, but to the formation of an armored car parts commenced only after it has

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started. Minister of War, Colonel Dobrzhanskaya Sukhomlinov instructed to form a
"machine-gun armored car battery" 19 August 1914. October 19, 1914 formed the 1st
Machine-gun automotive company, and which was sent to the North-Western Front.
Formed and a separate team of 4 armored cars.

En automotive base in Russia it has been very limited. The first and almost the only one
at that time a thorough attempt at setting the serial domestic automotive industry has
made "Russian-Baltic carload factory 'in Riga. But he in 1909-1914 gg. constructed of
581 (according to other sources, 541) car, after the evacuation of the Riga plant in 1915.
Car production ceased.

At first, one might expect a large supply chassis. We create and organizational base: in
1910 formed a training company car in 1913 - early 1914, developed and taken
sufficiently detailed "Regulations on self-moving carts in the army", "Drill charter
automobile parts", "Instructions for automotive service. " By the beginning of World
War II Russian military department belonged to about 1000 vehicles, including in cars,
trucks and special. As a result of the mobilization of vehicles for automotive trespass it
was received about 3060 (according to other sources - a little more than 4,000) vehicles,
most of them do not meet the requirements of the military. That same autumn of 1914
by order of the minister of war established a special procurement commission, which
was sent to England with the task of selection and purchase of motor vehicles and
equipment, including armored vehicles. Already in December 1914 it had to buy about
4,000 cars in the US.

Two-tower machine gun armored car on the chassis of "Hansa-Lloyd", made under the
scheme captain Bylinski.

"Armstrong-Whitworth" -. 10 "

A number of Russian businessmen was trying to do "armored thing", but without much
success. We can recall the remarkable episode. In December 1914 in Arkhangelsk
security personnel department detained a resident of Petrograd BA Bratolyubova who
was interested in armored vehicles arrived from England. He was removed and the

269
camera. It turned out that the information he collected at the request of his brother, the
engineer AA Bratolyubova, in the studio which produced the chassis book "Russo-Balt"
project Captain Nekrasov, Lieutenant-General of the Bratolyubova Durlyahova and
commissioned by the Ministry of War. But Bratolyubova armored cars were too heavy.
Subsequently, the car reservations made at the Putilov, Izhora plants.

Meanwhile, in a report to staff of the 2nd Army of the North-Western Front on January
3, 1915 stated: "Armoured vehicles have earned a full confidence in the armed forces
who have found in these machines a huge strong support, especially in the offensive." In
a report of staff of the 1st Army of the action of the first armored car company said: "A
number of fights under Strykw, where the whole company first broke into the city; at
Lodz, where she acted on all outgoing traffic out of the city and covered the withdrawal
of our troops, moving the latter; under Pabiyanitsami where three regiments of the
enemy ran into one of the ambushes of the company in going 19 Corps and were finally
dispersed by another ambush the same company under the Goslitsami than flanking
attack was stopped considerable forces of the enemy; Prosnyshskie fights, in which five
armored vehicles, under the company commander of the team, going in one night 120
miles out of Plonsk, selflessly contributed to the success of the 1st Siberian Corps, and a
number of separate smaller battles in which, as appropriate, acted alone platoons
companies have shown flexibility in its organization and its expediency ... itself
supplying, facelifted their own means, without recourse to the cluttered work road
Wrotham, the first automotive machine-gun company was always ready for action on
the first commandment, and the scope of activities it was not confined to the troops of
one army, and at the same time it extended to neighboring armies, depending on the
term of the situation. "

The worth noting details such as the installation of armor at large angles tuck
(bronelisty biased for "extinction" of the energy of impact of bullets and shells) fun
project armored vehicle Zavatsky Russian inventor (patent of 1917), the rotating blades
to break down barriers of wire and turntable at the top for dropping from the roof of
hand grenades the enemy.

As can be seen, in the Russian army armored vehicles from the beginning of combat
employment decided not alone "support" tasks and became an independent race
weapon. This is reflected in the "Instructions for the combat use of armored vehicles",
already introduced February 11, 1915 order of the Supreme Commander of the number
7. Knowing it was "mandatory for all senior commanders to commanders of regiments,
inclusive." The instructions indicate the basic properties of armored cars, objectives and

270
means of action in the attack, defense, prosecution, intelligence, on the march, at the
head-on collisions. By "basic properties of armored vehicles" were: "a) the speed of
movement, b) the strongest destroying fire (machine-gun and cannon) for all kinds of
outdoor living purposes and c) most of their combat readiness for the immediate entry
into battle." It is necessary to elaborate on combat tasks specified in the instructions:

"eleven. the problem rests with the armored cars by:

a) fire support troops, particularly infantry and cavalry, in various cases;

b) implementation of separate commissions for: enhanced enemy intelligence, raids on


the flanks and rear of his unit ambushes and unintentional attacks, the establishment and
maintenance of communication ... demolition of various buildings in remote areas or
occupied by the enemy ...

12. In offensive operations and counter-clashes armored troops are assigned to:

a) promoting the production of intelligence ...

b) the classes of intersections of roads, river crossings, mountain passes, gorges and
other important items to ensure their capture by the enemy to approach of his troops;

c) detention in this direction the enemy attacking units to perform the appropriate
maneuvers by our troops;

g) the most intense fire support outer wings of our troops;

Of course, the Russian inventors are not paid attention crawler tractors.July 14, 1915
addressed to the Chief of the Main Artillery Directorate (GAU) received a report
number 36 Guard Colonel Nikolai Alexandrovich Gulkevichi, held at the disposal of
GAU. Colonel Gulkevichy was well known in the military for its useful inventions -
before the war successfully been tested its folding bayonet to the rifle (during the war he
even tried to launch into production), already during the war taken his rifle scissors for
cutting wire. But now Gulkevichy offered more solid "tool."

US Patent CH.E. Scha from 1917 clearly shows the device tracked chassis "Allis-
Chalmers" tractor (patent pending Schem in 1915 in cooperation with the firm "Allis-
Chalmers Menyufekchuring Company").

In mid-1915 there were suggestions tracked and half-track tractors from firms "Holt
Caterpillar", "Allis-Chalmers", "Lombard Steam Log Hauler," "Si. L. Best Trektor Gaz
"," Killen-Stright Manyufekchuring "," Bullock Trektor "," Tried Trektor Yuba Ball ","
Bi. L. Nelson "- a characteristic set. July 30, 1915 GVTU offered to buy another 70
crawler tractors (40 of them, "Holt", 10 "Allis-Chalmers" 10 "Lombard", 4 "Best") and
340 wheeled "car type". Of 408 tractors, including in the Russian army on October 1,
1916, there were only 3 tracked "Holt" and a half-track "Allis-Chalmers". Broader
supply went only from mid-1917. In addition to these, in Russia supplied the English
track-type tractors "Ruston" (same "Holt", produced under license in the UK company
"Ruston-Gornsbi") and "Clayton".

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The first "Americans"

In the chapter devoted to "international" heavy tanks Mk VIII, it has been said about the
extensive "tank" as identified in the US in 1917 - 4400 "Reno" type tanks, 1500 sets of
units and units to heavy Anglo-American tanks Mk VIII and 1450 fully assembled Mk
VIII, and in addition, 15 015 light tanks "Ford". But after the armistice November 11,
1918 this program turned. During this time managed to take only 64 tanks of the
"Renault", 15 "Ford" and one set Mk VIII, the troops sent to the only 20 "Reno" and 10
"Ford". However, by January 31, 1919 number of instruments "American Reno" has
reached 291. The history of the first American developments in tank production is
directly related to the events of the First World War, so it is interesting to look at them.

The first development

Immediately after the first reports of the appearance on the battlefield British tanks in
September 1916 the press was filled with drawings versions of this event. It is not the
first photos were published of tanks, artists portrayed them in a caricature, or in the
form of a completely fantastic. But the combat tracked vehicles, shown in the picture,
placed in the American magazine "Sayntifik America", though very different from the
real British tanks (the picture was drawn "from the stories and rumors"), but looked
very real and thoughtful. There was a feeling that the Americans "opened" there existed
a project already own.

One of the most unusual cars built in the last year of World War I, became an
experienced American tank, known under the name - or nickname - "Skeleton" and
made "Pionir Trektor Company" (of Winona, Minnesota pcs.). In this machine tried to
combine high throughput and the ability to overcome significant obstacles on the
battlefield, the inherent British tanks, with a light weight of the French "Renault",
without making the machine very easy target for enemy artillery.

Task decided witty. A small box-shaped tank body hung in the center of the structure of
steel pipes with long and high farms on the sides, which was about caterpillar mover
with a stiffer suspension, on contours resembling a "diamond-shaped" British tanks (in
American literature there are allegations that the Americans have developed this scheme
before the British but such claims are made in other countries). Moreover, the perimeter
frame was made of wood. Caterpillar run-on rollers, the axes of which are rigidly

272
fastened to the frame.

Pilot light tank Skeleton (Skeleton) company "Pionir Trektor Company", rear view,
on the left. Clearly visible booked propshaft and steering gear.

273
Projections "Skeleton" pilot light tank.

274
The photo clearly visible frame and the chassis of the tank "Skeleton."

"Skeleton" Tank. Back view.

The performance characteristics of Skeleton tank

Cannon M1917 tank at the US Army exercises.

The US government has issued an order for 4400 "special 6-ton tractor." By producing
attracted "Van Dorn Iron Works", "Maxwell Motor Car Company", "Si. L. Trektor Best
Company "."Van Dorn Iron Works" has produced the first tanks in October 1918 and at
the time of the armistice collected 64 tank. The US Army in October 1918 took only 31
car, and only 10 cars were in Europe - and that after the armistice. By the end of 1918
assembled 209 tanks, as well as the war was over, we decided to limit ourselves to the
assembly of the 950 machines already made kits of parts and components.

These 950 tanks (often called "Reno American" or "Buda") were completed assembly in
1919 and formed the basis of a few tanks of the US Army Forces in 1920-1930. Among
them were 374 cannons, 526 machine guns, 50 tanks communication.

Connected tank ( "radiotanke") M1917 posed transceiver station SCR 189 (T2E1). Such
tanks are, in particular, were delivered to the US Marine Corps.

The greatest experience in combating enemy tanks amassed, of course, the German
army. anti Defense Organization (Panzerabwehr or Kampfwagen-Abwerhr, according to
the German terminology), as a more pressing problem, the German Reichswehr
leadership pays much more attention than building their own tanks, and the German
army achieved considerable success here in two years. Although popular in the
literature ironic look at the impact of anti-tank defense in 1916-1918 gg., It should be
recognized that the German army has done a lot for the development of this type of
combat support (until the end of the Second World War it belonged to the PTO types of
combat support). Of course, many measures have been hasty improvisation, but after
all, the very creation of tanks and production methods of their combat use were the
same imprint "improvisation". At the very least, have been put forward, and not without
success, tried in combat a variety of means and methods of construction or production

275
process, were developed in the future. Naturally, the first for the PTO somehow adapted
existing tools artillery, small arms, weapons engineering. But it created and special
antitank weapons, as well as units of the armed.

German 77 mm field gun model 1896 (7,7 cm FK 96 n / A) established as an anti-direct


fire.

Which has already become commonplace in 1916 in the German trenches constantly
ready to fight stocks hand grenades were useful against tanks.

The first order anti-tank recommended the creation of obstacles on the road and defeat
their long-range artillery fire - the calculation was made on slow speed, noise and
movement of the first tanks pristrelyannost supply routes in the near rear of the enemy
in a position of the front.

On the other hand, 77-mm field guns to anti-tank roles were too bulky, had a limited
angle and rate of fire. Direct fire even more difficult by the fact that the British and

276
French in the preparation and holding tank attacks are now fought with the German
PTO. GFBiryukov and GV Melnikov in the book "Fighting tanks' lead interesting ratio
of losses of tanks and artillery on the German operations of 1917-1918. involving tanks:

Even taking into account that there is a general impact achieved allies outgunned, you
can see that the struggle of their artillery and tanks pushed forward by the German
"anti" tools yielded results.

The Germans have adapted to deal with the available light tanks, 20mm automatic
cannon, but they were of little use because of the weakness of the projectile. Already in
1920 there will be 20 mm "anti-tank guns." It is interesting to note that according to the
Treaty of Versailles in 1919 the German Reichswehr was forbidden to have not only the
tanks and armored vehicles, but also "anti-machine guns" - obvious winners impressed
acquaintance with German weapons.

German military writer Schwartz from all the artillery assets of the German army in
respect of anti-tank highlighted "all sorts of small-caliber weapons at the car plants.
These tanks, fighter jets repeatedly brought great benefit; Yet the question of anti-tank
guns was not allowed until the end of the war. "

7.58 cm mortar mounted on a position at Cambrai as anti-tank weapons - at a small


angle of elevation.

Outstanding Russian gunner VFKirei reviewed artillery firing questions at the tanks,
providing a brochure entitled "Supplement to the conclusions of the mass use of artillery
in the attack" from the 1916 application "anti-tank". "Probably, artillery combat tanks

277
will result in a shooting at point-blank range - Kirei wrote. - The tanks, which appeared
in our rear, perhaps, be seen with some of our battery, which should be shot, cannon
hiding behind shields of machine-gun fire. Tanks moving in the area of the trenches
may be put forward to break protivoshturmovymi guns. In addition, for the same
purpose should be specifically put some guns. " These obvious, seemingly conclusions
at that time have not yet been established. We note that these conclusions are broadly in
line with the practical experience of the German Army on the Western Front. Their
suggestions to combat with tanks Kirei codified in published in 1917 book "Defense
Artillery." question was raised about the inclusion of the fight against the tanks are not
only dedicated instruments, but of all the artillery defensive zone. As published in the
1917 "Manual for the struggle for the strengthening of the band" was said that during
the attack the anti-Battery Artillery Group must hunt down "car batteries armadillos and
ground (tanks) that appear around the trenches, and immediately destroy them" very
carefully . Regarding the artillery action in the defense of the fortified strip Manual
indicating that the infantry of the enemy "can go on the attack under the cover of tanks"
and that the approach of tanks to the trenches "should automatically cause a barrage of
grenades." It was assumed that as long as the tanks will be in the barrage area, they will
be the main goals, so was offered to lead them concentrated fire, and on the tanks
approach to the trenches - to move to the next barrage infantry behind them.

Thus, the specialists of the Russian army, based primarily on the experience of others,
and some general provisions, developed the correct and effective "anti-tack", as the
proper conditions of war and military capabilities cash. And did it the year before, as a
very few German tanks led to the confusion of the British and French on the Western
Front. It is worth mentioning that its views on possible measures of anti-Russian
Defense Command as early as the middle of February 1917 reported the Allies with
"disturbing information" about the plans for the construction of tanks in Germany: "The
defense against tanks - the most effective observed accurate fire at long range armor-
piercing projectiles . Also useful are the concentration of artillery fire along the roads,
intense machine-gun fire and the deep pit. "Here, the command and the Russian army
experts were prudent allies. And this work was useful.

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"Land torpedo" with two electric motors, each set in motion a caterpillar, E.
Vikkerskhamom established in 1918, even took the test, but the effects of this work did
not have (figure - from the US patent 1922).

Alternative land torpedo-controlled cable, patented in the UK in 1915 by Phil Simms -


one of the pioneers in the development and construction of "movable machine guns" at

279
the beginning of the XX century one of the first proposed and remotely controlled
tracked vehicles.

FIRST GERMAN TANKS

Visit the French captured German tank A7V number 542 "Elfriede". According to the
established tradition trophy dotted with the signatures of his "dobyvshih".

280
INTRODUCTION

The phrase "German tanks" in the minds of most associated with the events of World
War II. However, its tank building Germany began to build much earlier - during the
First World War.

For the first time the German tanks appeared on the battlefield March 21, 1918 in Saint-
Quentin. In just a year and a half before, and just fifty kilometers from this place for the
first time came out to fight the British tanks. Now British troops could see the "Teutonic
answer." And the impression made on the day tanks on the British soldiers gave way a
little horror of German infantry on the Somme in September 1916.

"A" of the Germans, by the standards of war, fairly late. Becoming the third country on
the battlefield who brought their tanks, Germany lags well behind the UK and France as
the time to begin a new combat vehicle, and the number of constructed and practically
used combat vehicles. Mass German tank building of the First World War was limited
to the construction of two dozen "assault armored vehicles (Sturmpanzerwagen) A7V,
and combat use of their own and captured tanks - a half dozen episodes in March and
October 1918. Nevertheless, the German designers were able in a short period of time
(with a small funding) to overcome the skepticism of the military leadership, to build a
series of combat vehicles, more advanced machines and to develop a range of projects -
from a completely rational to rather funny (which is natural for the initial period of the
development of a new branch of technology). At the same time the development of
combat vehicles were the pioneers of the German tank development, based on their own
views, using the available expertise of the British and French "colleagues", but without
direct imitation of them. And the first German tank crews, although not significantly
influenced the course of combat operations, managed to achieve significant tactical
successes. They are not only a lot of frightened British and French troops, but also have
developed their own tactics, even participated in the first in the history of battle tanks
with tanks.

The book is offered to the readers, it talks about the creation of special tanks and all-
terrain vehicles in Germany in the years 1916-1918, the features of their device and the
production history of the organization, training and combat the first German tank
"assault divisions." Also A7V tanks in the book also describes the experimental tanks -
from LK light up the first ever real-built super-heavy tank K-Wagen, and a number of
projects that are not embodied "in the metal", but reflected the lines of thought of
designers combat vehicles of the time. The first German tanks appeared at the end of the
First World War, and the history of their creation and use, of course, manifested gained
combat experience. On the other hand, their own experience has been used in the future.
It adds interest on "tanks in the Kaiser's Germany."

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Experienced, armed with 57-mm armored car company "Daimler" 1909 anti-aircraft (
"protivoaerostatnoy") Krupp cannon - on the eve of the First World War, the struggle
with the "airships" was considered one of the main possible tasks "armored vehicles"
(photo from the magazine "Niva" First World war).

OF FLASHBACK

There is no need once again to prove that at the beginning of the First World War,
Germany was one of the most powerful industrial nations with a high level and high
quality industrial production, skilled workers and technical staff, excellent engineering
school. In terms of equipment technology and holds its German Reichswehr was one of
the first places in the world. We may recall that the German engineers and designers
have made a considerable contribution to the development of heat engines (above all -
internal combustion engines), metallurgy of iron and steel (including the production of
steel, nickel and chrome-nickel steel armor, special steels), high-velocity artillery and
infantry weapons. That is the very key industries that are "converged" in the new
combat vehicle, referred to as "the tank."

Is that with all-terrain movers worked until the Germans somewhat less than their
foreign counterparts. Although the projects that can be considered the prototype of
"tank", appeared in different countries long before the First World War, the German
designers and inventors are themselves not particularly shown.

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Driving device tracked armored vehicles "Motorgeshyutts" and how you plan to
overcome its obstacles - from patent lieutenant Burshtyn 1912 Pay attention to the
spring suspension and road wheels to original lever-roller devices in the front and rear
of the car to overcome obstacles.

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However, in 1911, Lieutenant Railway Regiment of the Austro-Hungarian Gunter
Burshtyn developed quite realizable "Motorgeshyutts" project armored vehicle
(Motorgeschutz). The machine should move in the continuous Track rope system, have
an individual spring suspension bogie wheels, weigh about 5 tons, carrying a crew of
three, 30 or 40 mm gun in a rotary turret armor thickness of 4-8 mm. The envisaged
project engine capacity of 50-60 liters. from. I was supposed to provide the speed of
three to eight km / h (rather sober assessment), and the original lever-roller arrangement
in the front and back - to overcome various obstacles. For road travel at speeds up to 20-
30 km / h Burshtyn supposed to provide the car with removable top and steering wheels.
In October 1911 the project was proposed by the War Department of Austro-Hungary,
and later - in Germany. Although the February 28, 1912 Burshtyn received his German
patent (which to this day allows it to rank as "the dawn of German tank production"),
and on April 25 - the Austro-Hungarian, and "Militarishe Tsaytshrift" for 1912 noted it
as "an ingenious invention 'military authorities were not interested in them. It is
mentioned, however, that the difficulties in the practical implementation of the project
may arise in connection with the violation of patents already in force tracked
agricultural tractors, but it soon would become a reason for unsubscribing, not more.
The German researchers also found reports of B. Gabala. who in 1913 allegedly he
experienced in Poznan armed with guns all-terrain vehicles, and in 1914 even tried to
show it in Berlin. The "land cruiser" Hebel Commission considered the War Ministry
and was recognized as unrealizable. In general it can be noted that before the First
World War, interest in the tracked vehicle in Germany was less than, say, in the United
States. UK and even in Russia. So, if the military authorities of Great Britain and Russia
before the First World War experienced tracked tractors as tractors for artillery or
engineering work in Germany prefer to have mastered in manufacturing and in practice,
wheeled tractors and truck tractors.

Heavy wheel-drive two-axle armored vehicle "Bssing" A5R with several installations
in the building and the tower for three 7.92 mm machine guns, 1915

Moreover, the issue of military vehicles German military leadership has paid
considerable attention, relying mainly on the development of a network of railways and
highways. , The condition of road transport in its army fully comply with the
requirements Although the volume of production of cars and the size of the total fleet of

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Germany was not in the first place (- - 245000 and 57000 in Germany as of 1 January
1914 in the US there was a rounded 300,000 cars in the UK) time. Before the war, the
German Defense Ministry held regular car testing to select for procurement models. For
example, the French army at its disposal in 1914 of 6,000 cars, the British planned by
1914 to have about 900 machines (really well has 80 trucks and 15 motorcycles). The
German also had a 4000 car, and they were mostly trucks with carrying capacity of 3 to
7 m. The world war left no doubt in the meaning of road transport. And in 1918 at the
same British Army were already 80,000 cars, the French - more than 90,000 in
Germany - 60000. You can see a different attitude than the opponents, to armored
vehicles. Experienced armored cars appeared at the turn of XIX-XX centuries, some
were armed with machine guns and rapid-guns. No exception, and the countries of
Central Europe. In Austria-Hungary in 1904, Paul Daimler through the firm
"Esterrayhishe Daimler-Gesellschaft" presented four-wheel drive (4x4) armored vehicle
with the installation of one or two machine guns in a rotating turret. Despite the good
performance, the development of this machine is not received, and the creation of
armored Austria-Hungary returned only in 1915. In Germany itself in 1906 represented
armored cars and Heinrich Erhard firm "Opel", the latter, under the name 18/32 PS,
presented without weapons - as the staff. The experience of the maneuvers in 1909 the
German command had concluded low value of armored vehicles. In 1913, "Erhard" in
Germany showed a new version of the armored vehicles with armored installing 50-mm
"protivoaerostatnoy" WAC gun S / 1908 "broneavtobus Benz" was introduced in the
same year. But they are of special interest is not aroused. However, immediately prior to
the war in the military maneuvers continued to experience armed vehicles - primarily it
was the rapid-guns mounted on trucks. Daimler, for example, was such cars in 1908,
1910 and 1911, respectively. This experience is useful in starting - maneuverable - the
period of the outbreak of World War II soon.

77 mm "protivoaerostatnaya" gun "Rheinmetall" on polubronirovannom chassis


"Daimler" truck, captured by Russian troops in the South-Western Front. 1915

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At the beginning of the war the German reconnaissance units were equipped with so-
called "motor-tools" - a car with a cannon armament and partially armored. They were
mostly cars on the chassis of all-wheel drive trucks, "Krupp-Daimler" and "Erhard" with
65-, 75- and 77-mm guns in the column book-rests installations. His values are not lost,
and the beginning of the trench soldiers, becoming a kind of mobile artillery reserve.
They are widely used in the system of air - and later anti - defense. In October 1914 the
War Department issued an order for a fully armored four-wheel drive wheeled vehicles,
and in July 1915 the company "Daimler", "Bssing" and "Erhard" presented their
options. Heavy armored vehicles "Bsingen" the ASP, "Daimler" M1915, "Erhard EV
/ 4 carried three 7.92-mm machine gun in the turret and hull and the crew of 8-9 people,
equipped with additional rear control station (for the same manageability while moving
forward and reverse - while the popular idea of a "shuttle"). Although these machines
fared well at the front - in the summer of 1915 a detachment of armored vehicles
operated on the Russian front, and "Bssing" A5R 1916 fought in Romania, their
number remains limited. The largest series of armored cars fired "Erhard" - 33
machines. Russian army, we note armored applied far more broadly in these years. On
the Western Front, meanwhile, combat use of wheeled armored vehicles, linked to
roads, almost came to naught. Positional fronts, rich variety of firepower, with solid
tench trenches, barbed wire series, stripes "no man's land", pitted with craters and shoots
machine gun and artillery fire, it is strongly demanded new combat funds that would be
brought troops from "positional impasse." The German army, as well as its opponents -
put primarily on the capacity power of their artillery, saturation army automatic
weapons and the development of new tactical infantry techniques. Begun in 1915, its
use of the problem of chemical warfare agents, not only did not solve, but worsened:
clearing the trenches of the enemy advanced in a particular area, "munition" could
neither move through them guns and machine guns coming, nor increase the pace
attack. Opponents of Germany has created its way to breaking static defense.

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The German trenches, 1918 Pay attention to the supply of ready to use hand grenades
Stielhandgranate, applied, in particular, and against tanks.

Overcoming skepticism

On the morning of September 15, 1916 Fleur and Gvedekur villages went into battle 32
first British heavy tanks Mk I. It was just a big battle scene on the river. Somme, but it
made a huge impression on the two warring parties.

It is well known German Post correspondent, describing the soldier's reaction to the first
tank attack: "All were amazed, as though having lost the ability to move. Huge monsters
slowly approached us, rattling, limping and swaying, but always moving forward.
Nothing they do not linger. Someone in the front line trenches, said: "The devil is
coming." And the word spread through the trenches with great rapidity. " "It moves and
shoots, and is not afraid to fire a gun! And it has no wheels! "- So described the new
weapon of the enemy German soldiers immediately after the battle. Private 17th G.
Ebelskhauzer later wrote Bavarian regiment: "The whole front was shocked by the
appearance of the steel monsters. "Steel monsters" - the words coming from his lips
involuntarily. What is this stuff? Seeing them, the soldiers did not know what to do. Is it
even possible resistance? Is not it better to run? Is it worth it to sacrifice so many lives,
trying to hold the position? Motors monsters roared louder as they crept closer. They
were approaching steadily, rising, falling, getting closer and closer. Funnels, bumps,
rocks, even the barbed wire did not mean anything ... The soldiers opened fire, but the
bullets rifles and machine guns do not cause harm. Iron beasts still approaching. Then
came the confusion and chaos. It breaks through the defense line. Some remained in
place, while others threw themselves into the attack on the car, while the others rushed
in the opposite direction. " Although in reality, the permeability and the degree of
"invulnerability" of the first tanks were not so great, "tankoboyazn" in the autumn of
1916 has become a typical disease in the German trenches.

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German 77 mm field gun model 1896 (7,7 cm FK 96 n / A) established as an anti-direct
fire.

Exploration allies, based on the captured messages, noted this fact and pointed out that
the German soldiers, "especially fear that they (the tanks) were not armed with flame
throwers" (we'll see how the Germans tried hard to provide their tanks flamethrowers).
German command tried his best to smooth the acuteness of the problem, emphasizing
the real and perceived shortcomings of the new weapons. "Tanks - is a ridiculous
fantasy and quackery. Machine-monster for a short time hit the soldiers, but soon a
healthy soul calms good German, and it is easy to fight with the stupid machine "- one
of the" encouragement "of phrases that time. But one thing - sent by the troops "to raise
the spirit of" orders and leaflets, and quite another - practical work. High Command
(OHL - Oberste Heeresleitung) initially not perceived as a serious risk of the tank. This
was facilitated by the single Mk I setbacks in the November 1916 battle. For a variety of
evidence, skepticism of the German High Command against the tanks tried to support a
number of activities and British intelligence. But, despite all the skepticism, the military
leadership was obliged to take action, firstly, for the protection of the troops appeared in
enemy combat means, and secondly - to create your own version of this tool. And in
October 1916 rate and the Prussian war ministry do "tank issue."

To create a new weapon Germany had the appropriate level of technology, industrial
and design potential. According to the number of large metallurgical and machine-
building enterprises, she held one of the first places in the world.

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So in the press in 1916 depicted fantastic "Kaiser machine to break the enemy ranks."

"Bremer-Wagen" Experimental chassis layout hulls, March 1917

In addition to first-class metallurgy, artillery production (German steel used throughout


the world, many armies were armed with German artillery and small arms in the same
Europe) Germany had perfectly delivered dvigatele- and automotive engineering,
advanced electrical and chemical industry and it was able to put the production of a new
type combat vehicles. In the autumn of 1916 the Kaiser assured the industrialists and
military leaders: "The resources at the disposal of the German industry, such that it is
able for many years to supply our valiant army ... all the necessary weapons." Of course,

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the authors of such statements baked on military orders, but not too truthfully, when
needed to solve a "problem hands" (the problem is very acute, given what human
resources before the end of the war, "ate" the front). Despite the general plight of the
economy, the military industry, to implement the program in October 1916
intensification (referred to as the "Hindenburg program"), was extremely mobilized and
virtually ensured the army needs arms, ammunition and equipment. True, the
"Hindenburg program" no "tanks" are not included. "Time for us to build the tanks has
not yet come", - wrote later General Ludendorff, who was at that time the first
Quartermaster-General of the Supreme Command. Construction of a new type of
combat vehicles would require a significant reallocation of funds and resources.
Meanwhile, highly qualified engineers and skilled workers allowed to hope for a new
type of ground combat vehicles and the development of their production in a relatively
short period of time.

Chetyrehgusenichnoe chassis "Bremer-Wagen" ( "Marien-Wagen I), the end of 1916

You could also count on the presence of technically competent and experienced staff
drivers and mechanics for the maintenance of these machines after their delivery to the
troops. The Reichswehr is widely used for the transport of goods by road the troops, as
well as the transfer of tactical units along the front. Only 20,000 cars were used on the
Romanian front for rapid troop transport. So the shortage of technical personnel were
not in the army.

In the development of the German tank designers as well as their British and French
"colleagues" had to start from scratch if you do not take into account the limited
familiarity with British machines. However, after the appearance on the battlefield
British tanks appeared in the print pattern awesome "Kaiser machine to break the enemy
ranks" with spikes on armor and 20-25 cannons and machine guns aimed in all
directions, but it is likely to have been pure fantasy, what then, and later gave birth to
the press in the set.

By the middle of the war the German constructors, as already mentioned, have already
gained experience in the creation of wheeled armored vehicles. By the autumn of 1916

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he has accumulated experience in the development of all-terrain chassis. However,
experience with tracked vehicles was still small. In mid-1915 the War Department
issued a demand for the development of a truck for off-road driving. In July 1915 an
order for such a machine was HG Bremer, and in October 1916 experienced
chetyrehgusenichny sample was presented in Neheim. On the device, he looked like a
normal truck with a front engine and rear drive axle, but with the replacement of all
wheel caterpillar moves with elastic suspension, and the drive was provided only the
rear pair of tracks (rear crawler design has been executed on the tractor "Holt" type).
The front, a pair of rotary drive caterpillars had increased and less permeability, as
resistance to the movement and management difficulties. However, an order for 50 of
the chassis began to perform a factory in Marienfelde (Berlin suburb), so that the
machine known as the "Bremer-Wagen" and "Marien-Wagen I. Poor handling chassis
made soon go to the half-track model "Marien-Wagen II from the front steerable wheel
pair. Somewhat earlier (mid-1916) - a self-propelled tracked chassis, designed by order
of the War Ministry, presented the company "DRKOPP". Testing machines, known as
"Dur-Wagen", held January 30, 1917 In the rear part placed two 80-horsepower engine,
in front of them - the driver's seat. Chassis and final drives have been developed
according to the type of the same American "Holt" tractor, already well known in
Europe - even the drive wheel is driven by Galya chain - although the guide and the
drive wheels are raised over a pound. On the test machine speeds up to 14 km / h.

Experimental Machine "Orion-Wagen" with the layout hulls, April 1917 Pay attention
to the original design of the tracks, and controlled wheel.

Soon after the appearance on the battlefield first British tanks in October 1916 in the
War Ministry in Berlin held its first meeting on "Tank issue." Naturally, the meeting
was attended by designers, "Bremer-Wagen" and "Dur-Wagen". However, an attempt to
provide the chassis "Bremer-Wagen" box-like armor-casing from a 9-mm steel plates
failed, as all experiments with chetyrehgusenichnymi machines Bremer. Demonstration
of the Chief of General Staff, General von Hindenburg and the First Quartermaster
General, General Ludendorff chassis "Bremer-Wagen 'hulls with the layout and
weapons, held March 11, 1917 at a training field near Mainz, did not make a favorable
impression. Chassis "DRKOPP" was too weak to set the hulls, and later built two
copies of this machine without reservations have been used as conventional conveyors
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with towering control room and on-board cargo platform. "Orion-Wagen" project light
combat vehicle half-track scheme has also been developed with a controlled rotary
wheel and stocky streamlined body, partially covers the original tracked chassis with
caterpillar "orbital" scheme. The model was presented in April 1917 With regard to the
half-track schemes, then they established in Germany of some interest as a means of
rapid increase in cross-trucks. In 1918, for example, the company "Benz" on the basis of
a two-axle truck manufactured half-track truck "Benz-Breuer" - driving the rear wheels
maintained, but in front of and behind each rear wheel on a swinging double-arm levers
suspended two rollers of smaller diameter, the caterpillar stretched around this structure.
But it was pure transport vehicle. Suggested as a tribute to Germany and
vysokokolesnym armored vehicles - they then developed in different countries. Already
1 February 1917 the company "Hansa-Lloyd" in Berlin, demonstrated a three-wheeled
armored vehicle "Treffas-Wagen", which high permeability provided two drive wheels
with a diameter of 3 m wide steel rim provided with a developed cleats. Between the
wheels placed bronerubka and served to control imposed on the forward box beam
triplex rotary roller of small diameter. Like all attempts to create a "vysokokolesnogo
tank" (remember, though, "the bat" built in Russia NN Lebedenco with 9-foot wheels),
this proved unsuccessful. "Treffas-Wagen" tested until October of 1917, was offered as
a hard bronetyagacha, but even before the war, was dismantled for scrap. The only sure
way of creating cross-country armored combat vehicles was the use of caterpillar tracks.

A7V - MANAGEMENT AND MACHINE

For organizations and associations work on the creation of the German tank November
13, 1916 was established a technical committee under the leadership of General
Friedrichs - the head of the 7th (Transport) Branch Chief (or "General") of the Office of
the Military Ministry. This office, formed in October 1915 and referred to in
abbreviated A7V (or A.7.V - Allgemeine Kriegsdepartement 7 Abteilung
Verkehrswesen), acted as a customer of combat vehicles. The commission also includes
representatives of known firms: G. William - from the "Opel", he Privy Councillor W.
von Opel, K. Shippert - from the "Daimler", Director of NAG / AEG Jung, owner of the
company "Audi" and a member of the supervisory boards of a number of other
companies avtokonstruktor A. Horch, CTO "Bsingen" professor Hoffmann. Later, in
his memoirs, A. Horch said: "We too need these terrible tracked vehicles. But it turned
out that our country has no experience at all manufacture tracked vehicles "(we have
already seen that the more experienced chassis business in Germany has not yet passed).
Head of design works on the decision of the commission, was appointed chief engineer
of the department of Experimental Inspection of motor forces Captain Joseph Vollmer
(Joseph Vollmer, 1871-1955). Engineer J. Vollmer had a great experience in the
development of various types of vehicles, the Defense Ministry has established itself
works to improve cross-trucks. As a member of the Transport and Technical Test
Commission (VPK - Verkehrstechnische Priifungskommission) Ministry of War, he
made a considerable contribution to the development of standard requirements for the
vehicles and their components. In Volmer group included about 40 designers from
different companies. Views of the War Ministry and the High Command of the
appointment of the developed machines diverge considerably. Skepticism of command
in respect of tanks and a reluctance to spend already scarce resources "in vain" gave rise
to the decision to develop a universal chassis. November 15 have been identified
requirements for self-propelled crawler chassis, which could be used for a tank for

292
tractor or all-terrain truck. Last purpose - "motor vehicles" - the military leadership
seemed much more important. The machine had to reach a speed of 12 km / h, to
overcome ditches 1.5 m wide and climbs steep 30 . Only at the end of the 1920s finally
became clear inability to create a full tank on the tractor chassis or the efficient use of
the tank as a tractor (forced to build in different countries and at different times
"bronetraktory" - is another topic). In the meantime, on 25 November 1916, Tempelhof
airfield near Berlin representatives of the Technical Commission and the military
establishment showed an agricultural crawler tractor, in order to assess the prospects of
using crawler chassis for combat and transport vehicles. To participate in the
development of the company "Daimler", "Bssing", the NAG, "Benz" were involved,
"Opel". By developing the chassis attracted foreign department representative "Holt
Caterpillar" Steiner and X. The Berlin company "Brass und Hershtett". Despite the
skepticism of Bids, supporting the War Ministry has provided funds for the work.
Development of the project was carried out hastily and was completed by 22 December.
The basis of the layout of the machine scheme was put symmetry in the longitudinal and
transverse planes. This symmetry is affected then even on the location of the door body.
January 16, 1917 in Berlin-Marienfelde was demonstrated chassis layout and wooden
model hulls. January 20 the Ministry of War in the face of VPK has prepared an order
to build 100 chassis.

Draft project for the installation A7V chassis shortened body with "nose" for the
destruction of barriers and options for weapons installation in embrasures housing.

The number of booked chassis OHL was initially limited to ten. The car has received
A7V designation - for its abbreviation engaged in military units of the Ministry.
Sometimes in the literature of the letter V in the acronym stands for A7V mistake
"Volmer design ( bauart Vollmer). Chassis number received by "500" and then,
under which were considered and later the machine. It is interesting that the information
about these works soon became known to Russian intelligence. In the order of the
Commander of the troops of the Southwestern Front General AA Brusilov number 0234
of January 8, 1917 stated: "There is evidence that the Germans have already built two

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types of" Tank ": one low, armed with machine guns and other large type, the size of a
railroad car with machine guns and a device for the release of poisonous gases. I order
to prevent any and all of the lower ranks of the possibility of the enemy "Tank" and
explain the language they can understand their device, so that the output of these
monsters of modern technology might not be surprising for the troops. " In fact, at that
time still conducted assembly of wooden heavy tank layout and prototype light machine
gun tank Germans built only a year later. In mid-February 1917 Russian command
informed allies "disturbing information" about the plans for the construction of tanks in
Germany, and the report stated: "The defense against tanks - the most effective
observed accurate fire at long range armor-piercing projectiles. Also useful are the
concentration of artillery fire along the roads, intense machine-gun fire and the deep pit.
" As the events, availability, and capabilities of Germany were revalued to manufacture
tanks. But the anti-tank defense measures Allies on the Western Front in advance is still
not prepared. On the other hand, 16 April 1917, p. CN at Chemin des Dames first came
to fight the French medium tanks "Schneider" and "Saint-Chamond", and although their
first combat experience was unsuccessful, the German military leadership had to reckon
with the fact that the new combat vehicle emerged and the French. And accelerate the
work on its own tank design.

Draft project for the installation of full-length A7V chassis hulls and weapons as part of
a 77-mm assault gun, two 20-mm automatic cannon Becker and four 7.92 mm machine
guns MG.08. Pay attention to the opposite set of sitting in the oval cockpit.

The first prototype tank (working chassis layout hulls) - was prepared to 5 April 1917,
and on 30 April demonstrated in Berlin-Marienfelde. May 14, he was featured on the go
on the training ground north of Mainz management Command Headquarters - also with
a wooden mockup of the housing. At the same time the housing layout had only
machine gun embrasure and the "nose" of steel staples - to destroy the barbed wire. For
greater likelihood machine loaded with ballast weight of 10 tons. Then in May, it was
decided to organize two armored divisions and issued an order for a further book A7V
chassis - as a backup machine. First, the order for manufacturing of tanks was reduced

294
to 38, but soon it was reduced to 20 (following 10 tanks, the tanks are known as
"second-order") That is, it was, in fact, a military combat vehicle tests on the front. The
question of reservations 100 chassis postponed pending clarification of the test results.
Although so few expect positive results, it was difficult - it was possible to compare the
results of the first battle of the Somme British tanks and armored breakthrough in
Cambrai November 20, 1917, when the battle started up at the same time was 377 tanks
and on the first day achieved impressive tactical successes . General von Marvits,
commander of the 2nd German Army, on whose site and the breakthrough came, said:
"The enemy has won at Cambrai thanks to its numerous tanks." Nevertheless, the
German command by increasing attention antitank defense in matters of attack still rely
on the existing and well-spent tactics "trinity" - an infantryman - gunner - gunner.
Moreover, the industry is straining every effort for the production of weapons and
ammunition for this "trinity". A7V prototype was tested in parallel with the half-track
"Marien-Wagen II. High Command of the results of tests chosen A7V. However, the
chassis' Marien-Wagen II , too, did not remain idle - they were used as transportation
machines, and manufactured on their basis self-propelled anti-aircraft and anti-tank
guns (!). In 1917 the serial production of wheeled armored vehicles and four-wheel
drive "Erhard EV / 4. The first five finished tanks A7V expected to receive by 15 July
1917 following five tanks and 40 non-armored chassis - 1 August, finally, the last 49
chassis - to the September 1, 1917

"Dur-Wagen" tracked chassis, the beginning of 1917

By late summer, it was expected to receive a 50 chassis "Orion-Wagen", but their


throughput and ability to overcome obstacles wire doubt. This project has not received
further development. 16 Although the basic chassis and still sibling and even developed
a new version of the tracked chassis - without turning the wheel pair. A7V proved, in
the end, the only basis for the construction of the tank. Tests conducted in the spring
and summer of 1917, identified a number of technical flaws in the cooling system of
engines and transmissions, in guiding crawler. Their correction significantly prolong

295
work - the result of the initial rush. In addition, he disrupted the growing shortage of
materials. Construction of the first production A7V chassis number 501 was completed
by the end of October 1917, t. E. A month before the massive British tank attack at
Cambrai. Even before the completion of construction, June 19 tank was demonstrated in
the Berlin-Marienfelde Kaiser Wilhelm II. General Staff did not wait for the results of
revision and 1 December 1917 adopted for its part, the order for the construction of the
chassis 100. Order finally got the category of urgency And I - tanks hastily prepared for
the big spring offensive on the Western Front.

In "machine-gun" version of tests A7V tank on the chassis number 501. Pay attention to
the reservation of the chassis, the lack of protection covers the machine guns and the
conclusions of the exhaust pipes, open tow hooks.

296
A7V chassis with a wooden dummy body, demonstrated leadership OHL on the training
ground north of Mainz, May 14, 1917 The tank is equipped with a "nose" for the
destruction of obstacles.

Heavy tank A7V - FORT TRACKED

Given the "universal" character was being developed chassis, the description of the car
will start with him. Construction was going on a massive rectangular box frame. In the
geometric center of the machine was located the engine compartment (engine
compartment), closed the hood. Above it was located playground with a driver's seat
and the vehicle commander. Note that in the first embodiment, the chassis had two
driver's seat is installed rotated in opposite directions, for forward and reverse - the
same idea of "shuttle". To increase the useful volume of the caterpillar body pomesheny
we were almost at the bottom of the housing. Thus, the machine layout was like a three-
storey - chassis platform with the power plant in the middle, and the control pad. After
the test, the first chassis number 501 in November and December 1917, strengthened
chassis frame.

A7V Tank (with the case "Rhling" second order and an elongated exhaust pipe) from
the 2nd Tank "assault separation" runs the railway station. Most of the crew was placed
on the roof of the car.

The requirements for speed at the planned mass of 25-30 tons and the expected
resistance movement assumed the engine installation of about 200 hp These engines
were in Germany, for example, "Zeppelin", but they get to the ground of the machine,
has not given priority, it is difficult. The company "Daimler" could put the engines 100
hp and provide them built chassis. Therefore, it was decided to apply a twin-engine
installation with the operation of each motor on one side of the caterpillar. Engines -
carburetor, four-stroke, four-cylinder, in-line, liquid-cooled, with a working volume of
17 l, 165 mm cylinder diameter and stroke of 200 mm piston. Consumption of gasoline

297
engine with one on the 1 km of track was 4 liters on a good road, and up to 16 liters
over rough terrain. The engines were installed in parallel, socks crankshafts to the stern.
Each motor is separately fastened to the frame at three points. Pipelines engines were
arranged so that the carburetors and supply connections are on the outside and not
heated by the neighboring engine. Exhaust pipes displayed on the inner side and under
the bottom of the housing is coming from the outside mufflers on both sides of the
machine. The silencer was mounted on a frame outside under the upper branch of the
caterpillars. engine power system is calculated in such a way that its operation does not
depend on the tilt of the machine. Two tank capacity of 250 L each were placed in front
of the housing under the bottom. For more fire safety, they were covered with iron
sheets and insulated from the fighting compartment. fuel supply pressure of the exhaust
gas was carried out, with each tank could feed both engines. To start the engine, and as
a safety margin were two auxiliary tank near the driver's seat with gasoline and better
cleaning quality. Ignition of the mixture was carried out by Magneto with starting
magnet.

Assembling on chassis enclosures A7V "Rhling" of the first order in the workshops of
20 V.A.K.R. in Mons-sur-Sambre (Charleroi, Belgium). The housing in the foreground
corresponds to the "gantry" installation tools. Pay attention to the housing unit with the
help of jacks, as well as captured British tank in the background.

Engine speed was controlled with a safety mechanism that limits its maximum value,
and a throttle valve with a special hand lever. Start the engines could be made in several
ways: electric starter, a U-shaped starter handle rotated three crew members (similar to
the British "diamond-shaped" heavy tanks), spray "Bosch", inflating pump mix. Helm
starter was located behind the commander's station in the control room. To heat served
as acetylene burner. Running one of the engines and giving the initial movement of
tanks, you can run through a second clutch. Each engine has a rev counter. Thoroughly
grease system was developed. engine oil drains into the sump suction pump in a
separate tank, from where it is again another pump was supplied through the filters to

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the friction places. This prevented the flooding and engine oil splashing spark plugs
even when the longitudinal inclination of the machine up to 45 . To cool the engines
along the front and rear walls of the hood vertically installed two tubular radiator. They
were attached by elastic straps and placed in special pockets on the felt lining, reduces
the effect of vibration. Radiators blown on four fans - each pair of fan drive shaft is
rotated by the motor belt drive (at the flywheel) with adjustable tension. Air is drawn
out from the cabinet and ejected outward through the lower grille engine. The drive and
control each side of the tracks were finished unit, both units are enclosed in a single
housing. It included a clutch three-speed gearbox, bevel gears forward and reverse,
single-row final drive. The clutch (main clutch), placed at the end of an elongated toe
crankshaft of the engine was carried out under the scheme with a "balanced plug",
which allowed to control the clutch with a little effort. Gearbox - Tractor type with
leading and gear shaft and sliding gear. The velocities - 3, 6 and 12 km / h. Gear change
lever produces a corresponding movement of the sliding gear on the drive shaft, the
inclusion of forward or reverse - moving the bevel gear hub, braking tracks - block
brake at the end of the transmission shaft. Lapping transmission implemented firm
"Adler". Turn the machine off and braking was performed one track.

Sectors A7V firing weapons. Visible large dead zones in the front sector.

The turning radius was thus 2.2 m and was approximately equal to the width of the
machine tracks. Enabling reverse one of the tracks, you can turn the machine on the
ground around the vertical axis. When turning with a large radius of the driver turning
left or right of the steering wheel ( "shuttle") changed the ratio of the number of engine
revolutions. Thus, the driver drove the car alone and could vary within wide limits and
turning movement of the machine. The management bodies he served as the steering
wheel (in front of his seat), two clutch pedals, gear shift lever (to the right of the driver's
seat), two brake lever (right side just behind the seat), two levers forward and reverse
(on either side of the seat), the lever pump. With appropriate mechanisms controls are
linked through a rod and flexible cables.

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Chassis with a blocked elastic suspension has been performed on a tractor "Holt" type.
As in Germany, the production of crawler chassis was not, Horch and Dr. Vangemann
through the Ministry of War of the Austro-Hungarian agreement with the Hungarian
branch of "Holt Caterpillar" in Budapest on the supply of larvae and other units chassis.
"Daimler" company engineer Eugene Link together with Josef Volmer modified chassis
"Holt" in accordance with the task. "Undercarriage" suspended to the transverse box
beams, riveted the bottom of the chassis frame. On board had three carts. Each trolley
suspended from the axle and vertical cylindrical helical springs. Initially, each truck had
two springs, then, operating experience, the suspension medium trucks, the greatest
perceived burden, strengthened and brought the number up to four springs. One truck
was carrying five dual road wheels with the outer flanges and central - the type of
railway wheels. From longitudinal mixing and hitting the frame of the truck kept
longitudinal sloping screed. Moving trucks were limited relative to the frame beams.
The upper branch of the caterpillars supports six single rollers, which are mounted in
pairs on special bars, stacked on each side of the frame to the tabs of the transverse
beams, ie the axis of supporting rollers and the drive wheel are rigidly connected to the
frame. The axis of the steering wheel was equipped with a screw mechanism for
adjusting the track tension. Trailing axles and axles of trucks and rail drive wheels of
both sides were connected by transverse rods. Located behind the driving wheel had a
ring gear engages a caterpillar chain of hinges sleeve. Guiding and driving wheels were
spitsovannymi later established and solid driving wheels. As in "Holt" base unit in A7V
axis leading and guiding the wheels were low-lying.

Assembled trolley A7V chassis with springs, axles and suspension rods.

Truckee caterpillars - assembled. Each track consists of extruded shoe with low
transverse lugs and rails (with cut-outs to facilitate) is attached to the shoe on the
screws. Eyelets at the ends of the internal rail serves to connect the cylinder fingers shoe
wearing the sleeves. As a result, rail trucks form a hinge roller chain. The teeth of the
drive wheel for the caterpillar chain hooked on her sleeve joints. Shoes for wide edges
were curved visors - visor of one shoe was laying next visor, thus hinge defended from
dirt and stones at a circuit bending. Shoe width was 500 mm, 65 mm rail, the distance
between the rails - 180 mm, shoe tire tol - 8 mm, the height of the rail - 115 mm. The
rails were made by punching a profiled steel angles, pins and bushings - steel "chronos",
the shoe is stamped from the Siemens-Martin steel. Placed under the beams of the frame
mounting the suspension and drivetrain components from below remain open. We now
proceed to booking and armament A7V tank. Representatives of the High Command

300
demanded to provide machine protection from projectiles of field artillery, but even
preliminary calculations showed that it would deprive the machine of any mobility. It
was decided to restrict armor thickness of 15-20 mm, only the frontal part to bring it to
30 mm. As shown, although it provided a tank to good security, but - together with the
taken forward installation tools peretyazhelilo nose of the body, further limiting the
permeability of the tank on the battlefield. The armored hull of the tank was mounted on
the chassis frame at the top and going riveted on the steel frame of the direct sheets of
rolled armor steel. The final assembly of the tanks were in the factory of the company
"Steffens und Knolls", which had considerable experience in the manufacture and
assembly of bridge and mast structures, as well as equipment for cutting, drilling and
riveting parts made of hardened steel. The first order for 10 hulls was divided between
two competitors - the company "Krupp" and "Rhling" - industry leaders for a long time
already supplies the Defense Ministry and other ship's armor. Broneliste set "Rhling"
firm, in full compliance with the conditions of acceptance, but the "Krupp" turned out to
be with marriage - had a deviation from flatness. Therefore, at the "Steffens und Zero"
bronelisty had to cut and bring the place. As a result, each side "Krupp" housing about
five vertical sheets, roof - four longitudinal and one transverse sheet. Such body got
tanks with chassis numbers 540, 541, 542, 543 and 544. Cases firm "Rhling" featured
whole, from a single sheet side. They had tanks 501, 502, 505, 506, 507.
Subsequently, the body made tanks for number 502 and number 544, transposed to the
chassis, respectively, with the numbers 503 and 504. The front and rear of the hull
initially were made in one piece, but in due to changes in the choice of weapons had to
"share" the parts and assemble each of the three sheets.

Crawler chain type "Holt" in the assembly shop.

Since the issuance of the second order is still supposed to receive and cannon and
machine-gun tanks, part of the hull of the second order had also to redo the installation
under the gun. An interesting mix of elements of buildings are two orders tanks
529 and 562 - both the body of the second order was originally planned under the
machine-gun tank, and when the alteration in the gun used in the frontal parts of the

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body made by "Rhling" first order. The thickness and quality of the armor can
withstand armor-piercing rifle bullets (like the French ARCH) at distances of 5 m and
beyond, as well as close breaks high-explosive projectiles of light field artillery. body
armor protection increased slightly "ship" shape of the front and rear part. However, the
vulnerabilities were bronelistov joints due to poor fit at the corners. According to the
allies, examine captured German tanks, penetrated through the joints of the pieces of
bullets and lead spray. The bottom of the fuel tanks was covered by 10-mm
bronelistami, another booking was not the bottom. The roof of the body front and back
puts more air vents, which served in part to cover the fighting compartment of the tank.
The calculation was made on the natural air broach out of the bottom of the roof. In the
first order tanks ventilation grille on each side consisted of 45 small cracks, but the
"second order" - has increased 18 slots, which should improve the ventilation. Top
cutting was going to bolt out of the five removable plates and evolved during transport
and on the march. When folded the upper wheelhouse tank can be transported on a
standard platform on the German, French and Belgian railways without interference
from the railway facilities. The roof of the cabin there was a hatch with a hinged lid
lattice over the driver's seat (in the second order this lattice also changed the tanks).
Inspection hatches by cutting the perimeter were covered by folding up covers allow
you to adjust the height of the opening of the "gap". Later cuttings book strengthened -
by felling a number of tanks can be seen overhead bronelisty. Plans to install a tank
rotating turret, as well as plans to increase armor protection due to a larger angle of
inclination armor plates, remained on paper. The original draft provided for a special
"nose" in the form of two triangular frames of the T-section beams. The frames were
attached to the front and served to facilitate the overcoming of obstacles and breaching
fences to. "The Nose" was even made on a wooden breadboard, but already in the first
demonstration model was abandoned.

Tankers 3rd "Assault department" pose in front of the tank A7V number 503 "Heiland".
The tank has a housing "Krupp" (originally - "machine-gun" type, later altered under

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the "gun"), column book-rests installation tools, elongated exhaust pipe and lighter
version of the reservation covers of machine guns.

The total mass of hulls was about 8.5 tons, ie, not more than 30% by weight of the tank
(chassis itself weighed 16.5 tons, arms and ammunition -.. 3.5 m additional equipment -.
Just a little more than 1.5 tons ). The second order hulls. understandable given the
company "Rhling". Cases of this order were placed on the chassis 525, 526, 527,
528, 529, 560, 561, 562, 563 and 564. The commander of the machine was placed at the
top of the left, right and behind him sat the driver (we use it, the term "driver "as a
profession," the driver "tank formed later). The upper platform is at the height of 1.6 m
above the floor of the crew compartment, on the ground were two internal staircases -
front and back. Artillery and machine-gunners were placed in the fighting compartment
on the perimeter of the body. Was a member of the crew of two mechanics were placed
on the seats in the front and rear of the engine and had to keep track of their work. For
the embarkation and disembarkation of crew served folding hinged door in the starboard
side - the front and the left - behind. Under the door outside riveted two narrow stairs,
could be used and retractable ladder. Not once was chosen armament. The plan, for
example, to arm the gun only every fifth tank, and the rest - with machine guns and
small-caliber automatic guns. Accordingly, the first eight to ten tanks were to be
machine gun, and two - cannon. For a machine-gun of the tank was considered a variant
of the truncated body with eight loopholes. Depending on the situation in the
embrasures could be set as required (for shooting forward, backward and side boards),
two 20-mm automatic cannon Becker magazine-fed, and two 7.92-mm machine gun
MG.08 or four machine guns and two flamethrower , the installation of automatic guns
and machine guns were interchangeable. For truncated (facilitated) body, it was offered
as an option arms of two 13.3 mm machine guns TuF (Tank und Flugzeug, anti-tank
and anti-aircraft", though this gun is still being developed) and two 7.92-mm MG.08. At
the same housing on the sides had high brackets for deflection when driving on roads
sagging or dangling electrical wires (such devices supplied cars in frontal zone by that
time). Cannon tank with a "full-length" body intended to equip 77-mm field gun model
1896 (FK 96 n / A), but this setting is too of overweight. More chances afforded short-
77-mm infantry assault gun Krupp model 1916 With a length of 20 caliber barrel,
supplemented by two 20-mm cannons and four machine guns Becker MG.08 on swivel
units.

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Longitudinal section of an experienced tank chassis A7V (layout, built in January
1917): 1 - the "nose", 2 - steering wheel, 3 - track chain, 4 - driving wheel, 5 -
radiators, 6 - protected tank of fuel, 7 - exhaust pipe leading under the bottom of the
hull, 8 - the clutch pedal, 9 - the case, 10 - seat commander, 11 - the steering wheel (
"shuttlecock"), 12 - the gear lever, 13 - brake lever, 14 - the driver's seat, 15 - reversing
lever, 16 - motor 17 - airborne transmission.

column book-rests installation has been designed to be placed in the tank 77-mm assault
gun with a long barrel 20 gauge. However, this has caused a number of problems - only
rollback length 77 mm gun was 750 mm. In addition, orders for the guns have been
completely painted, and getting them also was difficult. In another embodiment,
intended to equip the tank with a "full-size" housing four 20-mm cannon and four 7.92
mm machine guns, while OHL insisted on the "cannon" version - especially after the
success of British tanks at Cambrai in November 1917. In December 1917, . it was
decided to limit, following the example of the British, 57-mm gun. To do this, choose
57-mm rapid-kaponirnye gun "Maxim-Nordenfeld" British manufacturing, captured in
October 1914 in the fortress of Antwerp (although the literature is mentioned that part
of the guns was allegedly taken to an unnamed "Russian fortress") Installation gun was
redesigned accordingly. From production in a series of machine-gun version of the tank
- sometimes modeled on the British call "female" or "female type" - refused. 57-mm
gun was put in front of the case. The gun had a barrel length of 26 calibers, the vertical
wedges, roll back the length of only 150 mm. Two cylinder recoil devices mounted
above the barrel. Ammunition gun was placed in a metal box (behind the seats the
gunners) and included between 180 and 300 unitary shots (bullets). And except for
armor-piercing ammunition and shrapnel in the included shots and grapeshot - machines
for self-defense and defeat enemy personnel at short distances. 90 shots in boeukladke
placed directly behind the calculation tools. When ammunition 180 shots - 100 of them
were with high-explosive shells, 40 - from armor-piercing and 40 - grapeshot. With an
increase of ammunition and increased the proportion of case-shot.

A7V Tank with housing "Rhling" second order demonstrates their driving capabilities
and the ability to cut down trees (the diameter of the tree falls down it will still be
referred to the tactical and technical characteristics of the tank as an indicator of their
"power"). Machine guns removed. Pay attention to the cut in a triangular shape
extreme broneekrany chassis.

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Layout A7V tank crew: A - driver B - commander in - Charge, T - gunner guns, R -
gunners, E - mechanics.

High-explosive shells had a fuse with a moderator, and could be used against field
fortifications. The initial velocity armor-piercing projectile was 487 m / s, armor - 20
mm at a distance of 1000 m and 15 mm at 2000 m, the maximum firing range - 6400 m,
although actually rarely aimed fire was fought more than 200-300 m tanks except the
first order. buildings and different type of installation tools. Collected first tanks with
chassis numbers 502, 505, 506, 507 buildings with the company "Rhling" in the bow
carrying rack ( "goats"), on which are mounted swivel gun mount system Artillery
Testing Commission. Wide Mask (shield) guns swung in a vertical plane, and a small
inner flap - horizontal. Installation supplied with counterweight and guidance
mechanism with two handwheels. The sighting device was limited to sight and front
sight with a slot (they then used in conjunction with an optical sight). Tanks 540-
544 with housings firm "Krupp" column book-rests got installed. Column book-rests
installation was developed originally for A7VU tank (see. Below), but was put on A7V.
Angle pointing guns in a horizontal plane is 45 in both directions, in the vertical - 20
.

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Vertical and horizontal longitudinal sections A7V tank (column book-rests with
installation tools) allow you to see the features of the machine layout.

The gunner was located on the leather seat, fastened to a bracket tables and rotates
together with the gun, for the convenience of landing in the same bracket is fixed stops
for the knees with leather cushions. The seat was based on the roller, rolling on the floor
of the housing. For aiming guns served telescopic sight. Incidentally it is lagging behind
in the production of this sight by "Heinrich Hertz" (Berlin) was the delay in the
installation of weapons on tanks until March 1918 t. E. Almost to the time of their first
combat use. Mask column book-rests artillery installation consisted of two parts. Large
Shield semi-cylindrical shape was connected to a pedestal, and with it moved in a
horizontal plane on the left side, he had a vertical slit for aiming. In the vertical recess in
the middle of the shield plate was located, associated with the barrel and the gun moves
in a vertical plane. Thus, the gunner sat in the inside polubashni that rotates, resting his
feet on the floor. Charging to the right of him on a stationary seat. Narrow field of sight
and the location of the gun in front of the point led to the fact that the gunner is easy to
lose sight of the goal for any movement of the tank, and when you turn the gun in the
left corner of the maximum body armor simply overlaps the field of sight. Therefore, on
both sides of the gun loopholes completed inspection hatches with covers bivalve.
About these hatches should mention. On tanks first order they appeared almost by
accident - after the decision to abandon the machine gun variant of the tank had to alter
ready-frontal bronedetali, making guns for neckline and closing unused machine gun
embrasure armor covers. On the part of the tank it was folding open the cover and the

306
tank to the chassis number 502, for example, received a left frontal sheet with a folding
cover loopholes and right - continuous. On the other hand, the tank number 540.
initially ordered a gun, did not have hatches in the front plate.

Column book-rests installing 57-mm gun "Maxim-Nordenfeld" shields mantle result, an


optical sight and the gunner's seat. Pay attention to the guard, the trigger mechanism of
the flywheel gear and pickup roller under the seat gunner.

The front part of the housing of certain A7V had more small differences, mainly related
to the installation of tool installation. Work gunner in the A7V was more comfortable
than in the British heavy tanks. And yet, to lead a more or less accurate fire tank could
only place. Column book-rests Installation 57-mm guns mounted on tanks and
subsequently the first assembly 501, 502 (503), 505, 507. Tank number 506 to the
beginning of this change has been lost in the battle of Villers-Bretonneux. The standard
7.92-mm machine guns MG.08 (Maxim system) were attached to the swivel units with
masks and semi-cylindrical screw mechanism vertical guidance. Speakers covers water-
cooled machine guns on the tanks of the first order were protected from destruction
bronekozhuhami large and small front flaps - just as it did on MG.08 in the infantry.
Later, using less bulky cylindrical bronekozhuhi. After the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux,
when German tanks attracted the intense rifle and machine-gun fire of the English, the
loopholes for guns on most tanks covered broneschitkom additional protection against
the penetration of lead spray through the joints and gaps. The angle of the horizontal
guidance gun is 45 . The calculation of each machine gun - two people - an issue
which, in the same year, barely escaped the French in the development of "Reno" light
tank and there is, apparently, because of the desire to provide the greatest military
machine guns firing rate Quick change tapes. The machine-gunners were placed on
seats with a low back, fixed on the floor on the same rack as the machine guns. A box
with a ribbon on 250 cartridges mounted on a seat needle, spare boxes fit under the seat.
The tank could carry a 40-60 belts, t. E. 10-15 thousand rounds of ammunition. A
quarter of the ammunition cartridges were guns with armor-piercing bullets. The sides
of the body and the doors were hatches with bronezaslonkami to fire the weapons crew.
Arming the crew was to include machine gun MG.08 / 15, four Kar.98 carbine, pistols,
20 hand grenades and even a flamethrower, and two signal pistols and 300 cartridges for

307
them. For laying rifles served as staples, attach to the inside stairs. That is, the tank crew
was gathering and arming, like the garrison of the fort or the assault group. In practice,
this was not observed (at least, not seen in the flamethrower tanks), and the crew had
with a personal weapon and grenades.

"Gantry" option to install the 57-mm gun "Maxim-Nordenfeld" A7V chassis number
506. Pay attention to the moving panels mantle result and a counterweight system.
Behind the visible hull of "Rhling" of the first order.

Excessive armament and intent to entrust the tank also features infantry assault teams
determined to record the serial number of the tank crew. If the design of the tank in
1917, it was assumed that the crew did not exceed 13 people, with an order in January
1918 on a gun variant and the inclusion in the crew of driver assistants (engineers) their
number increased to 15 and then up to 18 people. The only "machine gun" tank number
501 was completely "symmetrical" - instead of artillery installed in the front part, as
well as in the rear, two machine guns were installed. Thus, it provides a truly circular
firing. Later the tank was rearmed number 501 57 mm gun on the column book-rests
installation. Front and rear fastened to the machine frame tow hooks on the part of the
tank instead of them were put thimbles. At minimum speed traction up to 15 ton. The
experience of testing the first prototype tank entered were fastened hinged triangular (in
the first series of tanks could have been rounded) of the lid for the protection cuts the
body under the hooks in a combat situation. We carry spare parts placed in a box under
the floor in front of the body, ie. E. Before the fuel tanks. In the tank were busy two
hand fire-extinguishers. Ammunition entrenching tool was mounted on boards outside
and included two shovels, two Pickaxes, two scissors for cutting wire. On the roof of
the car was transported camouflage net, without which cover a large object in the
parking lot it would have been impossible even in the woods. For the electrical supply

308
(internal and external lighting) served as a generator driven by the engine. From the
internal means of communication should be mentioned pointer to aim, introduced after
the test the first five cars (with cases of firm "Rhling") in the armed forces. He was
attached to the roof of the shell over the gun mount and turned a tank commander with
the help of a cable. Before calculating the gun over the right inspection hatches located
panel with white and red lights: white light - "attention", red - "fire", both off - "cease
fire". It turned out kind of fire control system with a space vehicle commander. The rest
of the crew, as in all the tanks at the time, the commander had to give commands
shouting over the noise of engines, transmissions and shooting, although later signal
lamps "fire control system" and held to the gunners places. external communication
means are not provided.

Deck Control A7V tank number 504 to tip the front and rear sheets. Clearly visible
shields inspection hatches and method of assembling the cabin.

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Assembled Tank A7V number 501 with the body "Rhling" of the first order in the
factory, "Steffens und Nolle", even without weapons. End of November - beginning of
December 1917

Tank A7V number 564 with the body "Rhling" second order. Clearly visible differences
from the prototype. In particular, efforts to book the upper cabin, armored shields
running gear removed, extreme screens, covering the leading and guiding wheels, cut
with rounded corners. In place of the towing hook in this tank suspended thimbles.

The reliability of the available radio stations in shaking the hull caused large and well-
founded doubts, had no confidence in the efficiency of light-signaling, although the
tanks of the first order with cases "Rhlinga" signal supplied floodlights produced by
"Zeiss", but then they were rejected. Semaphores would quickly stray bullets, shrapnel
or blast. After testing the first machine in the roof top harvesting completed hatch to
signal flags or lantern, on the right side of the cover flap cutting performed commander
with a folding cover. In addition, the roof of the cabin compass mounted at a slight
hemispherical cap (formerly British tankers have already fulfilled techniques adjustment
compass inside the armored vehicle). These structural changes introduced when
retrofitting the next five tanks of the first order (with cases "Krupp") and in the tanks of
the second order. Of these the first five tanks of all these changes was just a tank with
chassis number 540, returned to the factory in March 1916 Tank number 501 at the
conversion into "gun" was described "fire control" system, but did not alter the
wheelhouse.

In battle tanks tried to maintain visual contact, but the flags signals were hard to see,
and management within the tank units in practice carried out on the principle of "Do as I
do", if necessary - messengers. Overall A7V tank design embodied the idea of a "rolling
fort", more adapted for perimeter defense and fire support of infantry action, rather than
the day breaking through the enemy defense and infantry support. Despite the abundant
arms, circular firing literally did not work: because of the limited two sectors guns
pointing angles in the front direction is a dead space. The main producer A7V was a

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factory "Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft) in Berlin-
Marienfelde. At the same plant, by the way, were collected and machines "Marien-
Wagen". Manual assembly and finishing at the place of impact on the external tanks
form. Cost of construction of the tank A7V in prices in 1917-1918 was 250,000 German
Reichsmark, of which 100,000 marks had reservations. In the course of the year - from
October 1917 to September 1918 it was collected only 20 A7V. For comparison: in
1917, German companies produced an average every month about 3,000 light and 400
heavy artillery pieces and 1,600 aircraft in France in 1917 in the month was based on
the average about 50 tanks in the UK - about 40 tanks (!).

Tank A7V number 501, the Germans abandoned at the train station in Belgium, the end
of 1918, pay attention to the additional armor machine gun embrasures.

Reservation chassis protruding under the frame of the machine and the final drive
housings at the bottom of the suspended front and rear lower bronelisty with a high
center of gravity of the machine decreased permeability (minimum total clearance
proved to 200 mm). The tank can confidently move on loose ground, but only on an
open flat area without mounds, deep potholes and craters hitting the funnel is no longer
able to get out, because a caterpillar, enclosed front and back, just lost traction, and it is
easily tipped over when side roll. When passing through the barbed wire barbed wire
just dragged to the tracks and tangled in them, sometimes leading to overload and
failure of the clutch. In addition, the wire can damage the passing under the bottom of
the open lines (in this A7V appeared like a dragon Fafnir in Scandinavian epos and
"Song of the Nibelungs" - terrible lizard crawling with strong armor on the sides and
back, but with a soft belly). To increase the patency and the ability to overcome
obstacles offered to suspend the bow of a tank on a long spring-loaded roller frame
(save the drawing assembly of the device on the tank to the body of the second order),
but in practice, this proposal was not implemented. Reservation chassis was used on its
own experience of the German anti-tank defenses, often "splits" open track British
tanks. But German designers are, in fact, reiterated the decision of designers of the
French company "Saint-Chamond" - those in the spring of 1916 have provided a
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prototype of his "armored tractor" body, hanging down in front and behind the chassis,
and the book, almost closes the running trolleys (in series, however, the French chassis
"Saint-Chamond" left open). The first sample of the tank to book came to the axes of
rollers.

Scheme of transmission A7V tank: 1 - end of the crankshaft, 2 - the main clutch, 3 -
sliding pinion drive shaft, 4 - gear transmission shaft, 5 - drive shaft, 6 - movable sleeve
bevel gear, 7 - bevel gear onboard shaft, 8 - final drive, 9 - brake, 10 - the driving
wheel.

The screens that covered the chassis, were on serial tanks, but crews filmed their
opening running trolleys, so the dirt from the upper branches of the caterpillars have not
scored in the chassis. Previous armor shields were cut and used for additional protection
the top cutting. Armor plates, covering the rails and the drive wheels could be folded up
on its hinges when servicing the chassis. After removing the central broneekranov these
extreme sheets on a number of tanks were circumcised at free corners. To service the
chassis on each side there were also two small flap, the front cover had a cutout for the
output of the exhaust pipe (except tanks on the chassis 501 and 507, where hatches
with cut performed later). Hatch also had lower leaf fodder. Location of the commander
and the driver in a raised wheelhouse provided them with a good overview of the area,
and this A7V favorably differed from, say, the British "rhomboid" heavy tanks or
French "Schneider". However, long tall cabinet is particularly difficult to observe
directly in front of the tank. The driver saw the countryside in only 9 meters ahead of
the car and on. Therefore, in the management of the mechanics helped him, observing
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the terrain through the inspection holes in the sides - under the deckhouse. Unlike the
British heavy tanks (until the Mk V), all physical work on a tank driver management
acted alone, and it was easier than that of British colleagues. The mechanics involved in
the management of only the "eyes and voice." By the way, and the driver's seat,
commander and gunner in the A7V were more comfortable than the jobs of crews of
British heavy tanks. It has been developed version of the "tank connection" (or "switch-
car") equipped with radio poruchnevoy antenna on the roof of the enclosure, armed only
four machine guns, with a crew of 11-13 people, including radio operators and
observers. This machine is intended to be used as a mobile point of contact for the
management of combined arms combat ( "Battle of the combined arms of the service",
as they said), the radio station had to work in the parking lot. But, although the
installation of radio equipment, even under the allocated operating chassis, this project -
unlike the British or French "radiotankov" - has remained on paper. The large size and
especially the height of the tank made it highly visible target for artillery. For bulky
hulking body and two smokestack exhausts A7V called in the troops' heavy field
kitchen ". Ventilation of the tank, as well as the early British and French cars proved
unsatisfactory, and when combined with the engine compartment inhabited - in the case
quickly accumulate pair of gasoline and oil, and when firing - powder gases. According
to the story of the driver A7V, the temperature inside the tank during the battle reached
86 C - perhaps a slight exaggeration. And on the march or in anticipation of the battle,
when the roof top ventilation grilles placed maskset and tarpaulin tank habitability was
not the best, so that a large part of the crew on the march preferred to stir the tank on the
roof. Shaking and anguish hampered movement within the tank. Crews resorted to a
makeshift adaptations to maintain the balance - to the vents in the roof tied a rope with
knots and loops such as loops in a tram.

However, the large size of the hull and a large armored door made getting in and out of
the crew A7V easier and faster than, for example, in the British tanks. As the combat
experience, plenty of weapons at numerous crew and lack of time for training tank
crews led to the fact that the artillery gunners prevented and vice versa. In general, the
failure to comprehend the German tanks subsequently, should be attributed not only to
the account of the design flaws, but also on account of the small number of machines
and the degree of training of their crews - the Germans simply did not have time and
opportunity to carry out proper training of all crews. Even if they achieved local
success, it does not affect the course of operations. Equally striking mismatch of goals
and means disturb "public opinion". October 2, 1918 at a meeting of party leaders in the
Reichstag representative of the High Command tried to explain the "elected
representatives" so striking mismatch of goals and means, "Hope to overcome the
enemy disappeared. The first factor that strongly influenced this outcome are the tanks.
The enemy used them in huge, we have not foreseen the masses. We were not able to
counter the enemy the same number of German tanks. Our industry could not produce
them in sufficient numbers without serious damage to other important tasks: and so it
was tense to the extreme. " MPs, as expected, sharply criticized the Ministry of War and
the General Command of neglecting the new combat vehicle. October 23 issued a
statement the Minister of War, General Sheikh: "We have been actively engaged in the
construction of weapons (which is recognized as important). We will soon have an
additional tool for the successful continuation of the war, if we are forced to it. "
Usefulness "of this weapon," now do not give rise to doubts nor the Ministry of War,
nor the High Command. But it was too late. On the other hand, the emergence of the
German tanks excited allies, t. E. The British and French. Tank A7V number 542

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"Elfriede", captured by the British in Villers-Bretonneux, has been scrutinized, tested by
the French and British crews. According to the allies, "the Germans in his model was
repeated a large number of design errors and mechanical defects borrowed by them
from the first English and French tanks" (as in any case, he wrote in 1919, the French
historian Captain L. Dyutil). More accurate to say that the Germans have taken into
account many of the shortcomings of the first Allied tanks, but did a lot of their own
mistakes.

British experts pointed out the good book A7V front, rear and sides of the roof with
weak protection (weakened ventilation grilles). In addition, the "flap apertures in the
tower, the gun shield, mask and machine-gun slits between the boards ... were very
vulnerable to fragments of rifle and machine-gun bullets" (these shortcomings A7V
Germans mostly eliminated in the summer of 1918). British Major General John. F.CH.
Fuller in the same in 1919 wrote that German tanks "have, especially from the front,
very thick armor, armor-piercing bullets resisting at close range, and light guns
nebroneboynym projectiles at long range. They were, however, very sensitive to rupture
due to ordinary bullets ledges and armor joints. The most interesting feature of this is
generally mediocre car was supplying them with top webs spring bogies. The use of
spring leading webs in such a heavy car was the only one made by the Germans step
forward in the construction of tanks. " And, of course, there was a low cross-machine -
is indicative of this is that a captured tank number 542 just tipped over, passing through
the funnel.

Modified cutting A7V tank - with the commander's hatch (with a hole for alarm), the
installation of the compass under the hood in the middle of the roof. Inspection hatches
open as much as possible, the driver of the hatch cover is folded.

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The first working A7V chassis at the test site of the plant in Berlin-Marienfeld.
Beginning in April 1917 chassis can be seen the device, installation of engines and
mufflers. Seats on the site management has established to meet each other.

Draft project "tank connection" on A7V base of the antenna on the roof of the
enclosure. On this sketch you can see and handle to start the propulsion system
manually.

315
A7V Tank c Krupp" demonstrates the ability of the body to overcome obstacles to the
exercise.

Sea trials A7V chassis.

316
The preliminary draft of the tank A7VU-3 with a machine-gun and gun sponsons
installation in front of the case.

EXPERIENCED HEAVY TANK A7VU - Improved Flotation

Already during the assembly of the first prototype A7V, in April 1917 in Germany last
conducted detailed tests of captured British "rhomboid Mk IV tanks. As a result, OHL
issued the job to an experienced tank design on the British model. The project received
the designation A7VU (or A.7.V. U). The main objective was to achieve a high cross,
and above all - an increase in the width of crossing the moat. It was supposed to provide
a machine with tracks covering the body, and the same engine-transmission group that
A7V. What is the basis of a decision taken layout used in the UK "rhomboid" tanks,
quite naturally - in any industry normally up first sample schemes had time to prove
itself in practice. "British" linking scheme was, however, significantly modified.

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Tank A7VU, assembled at the plant, "Steffens und Nolle", June 1918

During the construction of the prototype using components and chassis units A7V
chassis number 524. remake was planned to get the test to September 1, 1917 Engines
and transmission occupied the rear of the casing. Designated driver and commander
have been moved forward to the front hull. The middle part of the body has taken the
upper conning tower with units under the guns. On each side of the engine, ie. E. Closer
to the stern of the hull, arranged symmetrically sponsons. The fighting compartment, so
it was divided into three sections - two sponsons shifted back and conning tower. The
upper armor-cutting allowed, in addition, to improve crew battlefield surveillance - like
the average cabin on the British Mk V. To observe the inspection covers have also been
used on the sides of the driver's compartment. A7VU housing in longitudinal section
has acquired a diamond shape, more angular than that of the British prototype.
Broneliste are also fastened riveting on a steel frame. armor thickness was limited to 20
mm. But in spite of this, as well as to reduce the crew more than twice the mass of the
tank, in comparison with the A7V increased by 10 tons - 40 tons Immunity front
projection increased by tilting the upper front hull plates at an angle of 50 to the
vertical.. The roof and the rear inclined wall of the body was performed with ventilation
grille shutters. The following lattice fastened armored box. On either side of her were
installed tow hooks. Each sponson installed 57-mm gun "Maxim-Nordenfeld" and 7.92-
mm machine gun MG.08. behind her. Gun setup was column book-rests, in fact,
designed to A7VU, but is guided in the horizontal plane angle (as opposed to A7V)
reaches 110 . Work gunner in A7VU was more comfortable than the sponsons of the
British tanks, but they themselves were larger sponsons. Installations guns were similar
A7V. angle horizontal fire - 45 in the host unit and slightly less in the feed.

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Tank A7VU, the view from the stern. Pay attention to the chassis number, grille and
service outlet with a porthole.

Another one-two machine guns were mounted in front of the pistol ports sponsons (for
logging), six embrasures felling or in the frontal. In addition, the crew could through the
hatches to fire personal weapons. Each sponson as in British prototypes had the rear
wall door outer loops. The propulsion system consisted of the same units as that of the
A7V, as a whole were the same and controls used by the driver, only change their
thrust, because the driver was sitting not on top, and far ahead of the engine. Traction
control, as well as fuel tanks, located between the bottom of the housing and the floor
management offices and combat. Exhaust pipes with silencers displayed on the roof of
the enclosure. Track progress has been assembled around a large box-like structures on
the sides. Suspension unlike British prototype was supple and, in general, repeating the
blocked suspension A7V with undercarriage five double support rollers, each suspended
from a coil spring. But then added to the undercarriage roller group, rigidly fixed to the
walls of the crawler against the ascending and descending branches of the tracks to
prevent their collapse or decay - five rollers on the front inclined portion board boxes
and two in the rear. Driving wheels - rear location, solid. Significantly raised over a
pound of guide wheels are equipped with screw regulation track tensioning
mechanisms. Remake chassis with a new body experienced in the experimental field
"Daimler" plant. By June 1918 the tank was assembled at the plant, "Steffens und
Knoll" in Berlin-Tempelhof. The first sea trials of the prototype took place on June
25th.

Compared with British heavy "lozenge" tanks, A7VU had a number of advantages:
better armor protection, elastic suspension, a better overview and a more comfortable
working space for the crew. But his weight was too great, and the resistance to
movement by 40% higher than the A7V. Large low-set cross-sponsons are not
contributing to - the tank turned out to be very broad, with a slight roll of the sponson
"cling" ground. "Looking at this bulky construction of large-tonnage, - recalled the tank

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A. Horch - I bitterly regretted that all the work on its creation were in such a hurry."
September 12 Bet ordered to stop work on the project, the only prototype was
dismantled. Save the drawing projects other options A7VU:

- A7VU-2 - modification A7VU additional machine gun in the hull aft and stern
sponsons doors;

- A7VU-3 without cutting and serving with reduced sponsons, which only puts the
machine guns, cannon installation was located in the building, to the right of the driver's
seat;

- A7VU-4 - A7VU with reduced cannon sponsons and logging (in the wheelhouse only
had 4 loopholes for machine guns). But the "iron" such tanks have not been built.

Assembled A7VU tank body to recompose A7V chassis number 524. The test site
"Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft" in Berlin-Marienfeld. At the opening, designed for
easy installation sponsons, you can see the power plant of the tank.

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The preliminary draft of the tank A7VU-2. Pay attention to the fire sector tank weapons.

Tractor transporter A7V Uberlandwagen with registration number corresponding to the


3rd German Army. The appliance is fitted brackets for deflection wires, the load on
both sides covered with a tarpaulin platform.

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Tractor Transporter (UBERLANDWAGEN) ON CHASSIS A7U

Of the 100, only 22 A7V chassis used for the construction of series of tanks, the chassis
with two hulls and weapons were soon removed, the same chassis used in the
construction of an experienced A7VU. But the chassis is not used for the tanks have
been used at the front. These machines, conventionally called Oberlandwagen (can be
translated as "the car for longer trips", although also referred Gelandewagen designation
- "all terrain vehicle"), commonly referred to as "tractor", although more accurately be
attributed them to the category crawler transporters. Carrying capacity was 8-10 m, the
force on the towbar - up to 15 ton. Most of the body of the machine occupied a cargo
platform, enclosed hinged wooden boards. The boards were built up, the car drove with
a tarpaulin for shelter cargo. The front and rear edge of the platform as far stood out for
bypass track (when shipping it should have been much lower permeability), and in the
middle of it stood a covered cabin to the engine compartment and the cab, and remained
on the sides of the aisles of the cabin platform. Deck had a rigid roof and double doors
on both sides. Order on-road machine is not interrupted telegraph and electric wires or
crew are not hit by a broken wire, along the sides of the arched brackets fastened. The
machine is mounted spotlights could - one under the platform front and rear and two
rotary cutting the ceiling.

Although Germany and podotstal by their opponents in the conduct of tracked vehicles
to the army, the German Uberlandwagen on A7V chassis nevertheless became one of
the first military tracked transporters. Tractor transporter had a crew of three, weighed
18 tons, with a full load -28 tons, patency was almost identical to the tank A7V, power
reserve of 48 km. The assembly of tractors, transporters producing factory "Daimler" in
Marienfelde, components supplied by the "Bssing" in Braunschweig. Since the chassis
has been standardized, and the only difference between the tank and the tractor-
transporter was to be mounted on the platform hull and equipment, conversion of one to
the other took one day of work in the workshops of the 20th "Vehicle Park Bavarian
army" (V.A.K. 20. R. Charleroi, Belgium), who served as a base for tanks and
transporters A7V.

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Test A7V Uberlandwagen as an infantry transporter and its cargo.

The first eight cars A7V (Uberlandwagen) was sent to the 1111-th army convoy (on
tracks) - Armee Kraftwagen Kolonne (Raupe) 1111 or AKK (R) 1111. The column
nominally included in addition to the eight tractor-transporter even one car, two light
trucks and five three-ton truck - two for the delivery of fuel, spare parts for one, one for
tools and equipment and a tractor for field kitchen. The personnel of the column - 59-60
people, including two officers. The order of the formation of the column A.K.K. (R)
appeared in 1111 September 18, 1917, but ready to be sent to the front it is only
recognized 7 December. 23 December - was sent to France. December 21, 1917 order
was given to the formation of the column A.K.K. (R) 1112 and January 3, 1918 -
column AKK (R) 1113. They were sent to the front, respectively, 21 January and 21
February 1918 For March 9, 1918 ordered the formation of the AKK (R) 1114 convoys
and AKK (R) 1115. Thus, about 40 A7V chassis was used for tractors, conveyors.
Convoy A.K.K. (R) 1116, ordered the formation of which appeared April 23, 1918, was
equipped with caterpillar tractors "Orion" with carrying capacity up to 7 tons. Total
ordered 10 of these tractors for her, one of them as a backup. Tractors "Orion" and
ordered the column to A.K.K. (R) in 1117, was formed by the order of July 20, 1918 are
also planned formation of columns A.K.K. (R) 1118, 1119, 1121 and 1122, but they
have simply not been machines. It reported on the use of vehicles in columns and half-
track vehicles, "Marien-Wagen II.

Crawler tractor-conveyors for the transport of supplies referred to as Munition


Schlepper. They were used together with a partially armored trucks to supply the troops
in a combat zone. Since June 1918, each transport vehicle was equipped with a machine
gun for protection from enemy aircraft. The number of good roads in the combat area
was extremely limited, and off-road vehicles could play an important role here.
However, the practical use of transporter tractors A7V chassis proved relatively small.
The reason for this can be called a high consumption of fuel - vehicle carrying 8-10 tons
of cargo, spent more than 10 liters per 1 km of track, while the three-ton truck - 0.84
liters per kilometer. But the tractor-transporters are involved in anti-infantry exercises
on defense.

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Installation of 77-mm anti-aircraft gun "Krupp" on A7V chassis.

The First World War demanded extensive engineering machinery, mechanization of


construction of field fortifications. And A7V chassis is also equipped with a bulldozer
and excavation equipment supplied by "Orrenshtayn und Koppel" (Berlin) and
"Vezerhyutte" (Bad Osenhauzen). According to Josef Volmer, such devices have been
equipped with 60 to 80 cars, but it seems, is an engineering machines based on different
chassis. However, it is known that chain trenchers to A7V chassis was equipped with
the 423rd Engineer Company, formed in the summer of 1918. At the end of October
1918 it was planned to equip the tractor-transporters gas equipment for contamination
of the terrain warfare agents, but these plans have not had time to implement.

Self-propelled artillery

Gunners refused to use unarmored A7V chassis as the prime mover, although
experiments of this application with heavy field guns were placed. However, it served
as the basis for an interesting experimental self-propelled. We have already mentioned
the widespread use of the German army to fight against air targets "motor guns
(Kraftwagenflak) - guns on the column book-rests units mounted on the chassis of all-
wheel drive trucks, unarmored or partially armored. Since 1917 they were used in the
anti-defense. But the application of the "motorized guns" was constrained by the
presence in the area of road battles, suitable for moving wheeled vehicles. It would be
strange not to be used for the same purpose again appeared crawler. On A7V
Uberlandwagen long platform was installed two anti-aircraft guns - front and rear
wheelhouse.

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Experienced "self-propelled anti-aircraft battery" K-Flak Battery 16 with 77-mm anti-
aircraft guns at the "Krupp". Column book-rests installation provided a circular firing
guns and elevation angles up to 70 degrees.

There are photos of one such facility (by the way, to them it is covered by deforming
camouflage color), tested for "motor flak" courses in 1918. Needless weapon was a
trophy Russian 3-inch (76-mm) gun obr.1902 field was used in the Reichswehr under
the designation of 7.62 cm FK 02 L / 30, its swivel part mounted on an open column
book-rests installation (Sockelflak) firm "Krupp" . The unit provides a circular firing
guns and elevation angles up to 70 , and, like the same "engine implements", could be
fired, and at small angles - at ground targets. Engine compartment light closed book -
apparently, for the protection of the sleeves. The sides of the body at the position
recline, increasing the size of areas for settlement, but remained along the sides of the
fence. Ammunition - from 168 to 200 shots were guns fixing in its stowed position
(trunks unfolded to the cabin). It is alleged that in the two-gun self-propelled anti-
aircraft weapon remade three A7V chassis, and put on two captured Russian 76mm
cannon, and one - the German 77-mm (photo of such a facility is also preserved - it is
made at the Krupp factory in Essen). Machines are known as "self-propelled battery."
Two units, armed with 76-mm cannon, were the basis for the "anti-aircraft batteries K-
Flak Battery 17 and 18, and the German armed 77-mm guns - K-Flak Battery 16. Each
"battery" in addition to two-gun installation would include a passenger or a truck and a
motorcycle for communication. Up to combat use of these "batteries" is not reached. On
the other hand, the 57-mm gun "Maxim-Nordenfeld" column book-rests on the
installations created for A7V and A7VU, suitable for "motor guns" - 150 such units
mounted on a wheeled truck as a self-propelled guns antitank defense.

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Test pilot "self-propelled anti-aircraft battery" on A7V chassis with two 76-mm cannons
column book-rests on the plants. "Battery" in the firing position. Pay attention to lean
back side, fencing workers settlement places, spotted camouflage painting installation.

EXPERIENCED light tanks LK-I and LK-II - TOWARDS "mass Tank"

Shortly after the demonstration A7V high command layout proposed to develop a larger
"super-tank". The task for the development was granted shortly J. Vollmer. However,
Vollmer considered more appropriate to the creation of light vehicles, which would be
released faster and in greater numbers. The conditions for the development and
production of fast setting was the presence of large stocks of automobile units. In the
parks of the military department at that time had accumulated more than 1,000 cars, is
recognized as unfit for use in the army, "eaters of fuel and tires," as they were called.
The machines were heterogeneous, with motor power from 40 to 60 hp However, their
systematization could get a group of 50 and more pieces, and on this basis to build a
party of light combat vehicles with a ready supply of components and assemblies. It was
supposed to use the chassis of the car "inside" crawler chassis, installing the drive
wheels caterpillar drive on their drive axle. German experts almost the first to have
understood the advantage of light tanks, as the possibility of widespread use of
automobile units. The project was presented in September 1917 Head of the
Inspectorate of automobile troops approved it and 29 December 1917 decided that the
construction of light tanks.

Longitudinal section of the tank LK-I.

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Pilot light tank LK-I using the units "Daimler" truck with a rotating machine gun turret,
front view, side view. The machine gun in the turret is not installed.

For January 17, 1918 High Command rejected the decision, finding the alleged
reservation of such tanks is too weak. Soon, however, it became clear that the High
Command itself was negotiating with Krupp of light tank, to develop his firm, yet
another example of lack of coordination of the High Command and the Ministry of War.
Development began on a light tank company Krupp under the guidance of Professor
Rauzenbergera (lead designer of artillery company) in the spring of 1917. In the end, it
is the creation of a light tank was approved and passed to the jurisdiction of the Ministry
of War. We gave permission for the construction of two experimental machines LK-I
(Leichte Kampfwagen I). Basic requirements for light tanks assumed:

- The crew - a driver (a driver) and one or two hand;

- Weapons - 57-mm cannon and two machine guns, the presence of hatches for the
firing of personal weapons;

- Protection against armor-piercing rifle bullets at short distances (thickness of armor -


not less than 14 mm);

- Suspension - elastic;

- Speed on flat terrain with a ground average hardness -. 12-15 km / h, the ground
pressure, about 0.5 kg / cm 2, the width of crossing the moat - up to 2 meters, turning on
any ground, the ability to take steep climbs to 45 ;

- Weight of not more than 8 tons, possibility of transport in the form of undismantled on
standard railway platforms and ready to go immediately after unloading;

- A reliable and, if possible, low-noise motor;

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- Small silhouette with the greatest possible clearance;

- Duration without replenishment of fuel and ammunition reserves to 6 hours.

To improve cross and opportunities prodelyvat passages in the barbed wire offers not
overlap caterpillar armor protection and increase the height of the toe lift crawler bypass
in the front. Furthermore, it requires the ability to tow light guns or mortars on a
wheeled carriage and at the same time the opportunity to tow the tractor tank itself or
another tank. Embarkation and disembarkation of the crew had to be simple and fast, the
volume is sufficient for the crew compartment of combat operation. Attention was paid
to fire safety, the device inspection slits and hatches, protection of the crew from
splinters and lead spray, the possibility of sealing the tank in the event of the application
of flamethrowers opponent (note that, because the Germans were planning to use
backpack, and flamethrowers in the trench combat tanks).

Pilot light tank LK-I, a right side view. Opened the door cabin hatch tower hatches and
the engine compartment.

It is worth paying attention to the requirement of availability of mechanisms for


maintenance and repair and the possibility of rapid replacement of the engine, the
presence of caterpillars treatment system from dirt. Crawler chassis LK-I tank Volmer
development going on a special frame. Chassis each side was between the two
longitudinal parallel walls connected by transverse webs. Between them arranged in a
frame running carriage. On board had six trucks with four dual road wheels each. The
trolley is suspended from the frame on the rocker arm and two coil springs. Another
truck is rigidly mounted in front - it rolls were resistant to the caterpillar rising
branches. It was rigidly fixed and the rear drive wheel axle. The steering wheel was
elevated above the supporting surface, and its axis is provided with a screw mechanism
for adjusting the track tension. The upper branch of the caterpillars support five rollers,
the axes of which are rigidly fastened to the frame brackets. Originally it was planned to
mount between the front lugs crawler "nose" in the form of a horizontal steel arches,
protects idlers and contributes to the destruction of obstacles. But on the tank, extracted
for testing, such arcs were not. Longitudinal profile of tracks has been designed so that

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when driving on hard road length of the supporting surface of the left 2.8 m, on soft
ground increased somewhat, and when passing through the trenches reached 5 m.
Raised front part of the tracks appeared in front of the body. Thus we supposed to
combine turning on solid ground with high traffic. Construction caterpillar repeated
A7V, but on a smaller scale - a stamped shoe with two lugs riveted "rail" in the form of
two core parts, which rolled and road wheels fitted with flanges. Shoe width was 250
mm in truck, rail - 80 mm, the opening of the rail - 27 mm height - 115 mm, thickness
of the shoe - 6 mm. The number of trucks in the chain had grown to 74. The resistance
circuit breaking - 30 tons of material links and bolts -. The same as in the A7V. From
lateral offset lower branch of the caterpillars hold the center flange rollers and sidewalls
bogies, the top - frame walls. Inside such ready crawler fastened vehicle frame (eg,
"Daimler" truck) to the main aggregates, and - not hard, and keep the car on its springs.
The rear axle, used to drive the drive wheels are inserted into the holes of the side
frames crawler. Thus, the elastic suspension is provided as if the two-stage - coil springs
bogies and semi-elliptic springs of the inner frame. The engine and transmission of the
base of the car as a whole preserved. In front of the engine radiator is located,
respectively shutters for air entering the engine compartment carried out in its front
plate.

Chassis Test LK-II tank. October 1918

The whole structure as it was an armored car. "Inserted" in the crawler. This scheme
allows to get quite a robust design with an elastic suspension and a sufficiently large
clearance. The result is a tank with a front engine, rear - the transmission and the crew
compartment. At first sight striking resemblance to the British medium tank Mk A
"Whippet", appeared on the battlefield in April 1918. It is of interest that the LK-I had a
tower circular rotation as "light tank persecution" Triton - prototype "Whippet". Tritton
tank was officially tested in England in March 1917, may have had some German
intelligence data on these tests. However, the similarity of pattern layout can be
explained and choice as a base car circuit, the machine-gun towers were well
established on the armored cars by all the warring parties. Especially because on the
device LK significantly different from the "Whippet": separation of management in the
German tank was ahead of the combat, and the driver's seat was located on the axis of

329
the machine. Armour Corps about on the frame of the direct rolled steel sheets riveted
armor. The cylindrical tower had riveted recess for installation MG.08 gun, veiled by
the sides two outer flaps, like the towers of a number of armored vehicles in those years.
Machine gun had a screw lifting mechanism. The roof of the tower was carried round
hatch with a hinged lid, at the rear - a small butterfly hatch. Embarkation and
disembarkation of the crew carried out through two low doors on hinges located at the
sides of the fighting compartment in front of each other. driver's window was covered
by a horizontal double-leaf cover, the bottom sash five viewing slits were cut. For
engine maintenance hatches were provided with hinged covers in the sides and the roof
of the engine compartment. The ventilation grille shutters supplied. Sea trials of the first
prototype LK-I was held in March 1918. Although they have been very successful, it
was decided to modify the design - to strengthen the armor protection, improve the
performance of the chassis and to adapt the tank for mass production.

Pilot light tank LK-II with the installation of a 37-mm cannon, front view.

It began the development of the tank LK-II. June 13, 1918 were presented LK-II model
and the light tank Krupp. Krupp tank should have the layout scheme with rear engine
compartment and front - of the fighting compartment, combined with a management

330
office in one fixed wheelhouse streamlined. This gunner was placed in front of the
cabin. Five embrasures to install 7.92-mm machine gun can fire in the sector more than
180 . The commander was located behind and above the machine-gunner in the
elevated part of the cabin, which was to provide him with a good view of the terrain,
could use a retractable periscope. Characteristic features of the chassis was lowered to
the ground rear drive wheel position and elevated above the bottom steering wheel is
rendered on the frame far ahead of the body that was supposed to improve the
permeability. Both projects were recommended for further development in the machine-
gun version with a large angle of the horizontal fire. Later I added and gun version of
LK-II - under the obvious influence of the successful application of the French on the
front light "Reno" FT tanks in the machine-gun and cannon in the embodiment (the first
time with the tanks "Reno" German troops had to face May 31, 1918 at Retz forest).
Once started Battle of Amiens allies August 8 - "very black day of the German army",
as defined by General Ludendorff - not only, a number of orders of the High Command
to improve the anti-tank defense, but Krupp received an urgent order for 65 tanks, but
was not yet ready no real sample. After the test, the chassis of cars competing October 2
at the Berlin-Marienfelde order firm "Krupp" canceled. Choosing stopped at LK-II,
developed by a group of Volmer. It was planned to order 580 cars in December 1918 to
begin production of the first 10 LK-II, and from April 1919 to bring their production to
200 cars a month.

Pilot light tank LK-II with 37-mm cannon, left view. Cabin doors are open.

331
Projections of experimental light tank LK-II in the version with the installation of a
machine-gun towers.

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Longitudinal section and a front view of LK-II light tank with 37 mm gun in the cockpit.

However, only one third of cars had to be machine-gun (two 7.92-mm machine gun),
and two-thirds - cannon. This was preceded by test firing 57 mm cannon mounted in
LK-II package. Tests last another 29 August revealed the weakness of the gun and
install the destructive action of the impact on the body. And September 30, decided to
bet that gun LK-II will be armed with 37 mm cannon "Krupp". Contours of the hull
have changed somewhat. There sloping cheekbones between the straight sides and roof.
Behind the rise of the engine compartment and bilge hull formed cockpit driver with
three viewing hatches. The front flap has two flaps, side - one. Fixed conning tower had
straight sides and a sloping rear wall. The conning tower placed gunner (gunner) and his

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assistant, who worked standing. logging door positioned just like LK-I, but has been
increased. The roof of the cabin there was a hatch with a hinged lid, which served to
review and ventilation. The straight sides, the front page and on the roof of the engine
compartment carried out blinds on the upper inclined sheets - covers with hinged lids
for engine maintenance. Ventilation system according developers had to provide the air
temperature inside the tank slightly above the ambient atmosphere. Installation column
book-rests 37 mm gun was mounted on a vertical support. The design of the whole gun
shield was similar to installing the 57-mm cannon on the A7V with a corresponding
decrease in size. Artillery unit weighed about 0.5 tons, was equipped with a telescopic
optical sight, the handwheel traverse. Pointing angle in a horizontal plane - 30 . We
were provided loopholes for firing a 7.92-mm MG.08 / 15 machine gun in the side door.
Carburettor engines selected for the construction of the chassis are of two types - with
40 and 50 hp Start the engine can be carried out by crank from inside or outside the tank
(the handle was attached under the front grille) or electric starter. Two sheathe the fuel
tank capacity of 170 liters located on either side of the engine between it and the sides,
the bottom of the tank was covered by 8-mm armor. fuel supply pressure of the exhaust
gas was carried out. For reliable engine power float chamber was altered at any
inclinations machine. closed "circulation" lubricating system has been introduced to
prevent flooding of the engine oil. Engine cooling fan or an ejector produced. The air is
sucked out, but was thrown out through the holes in the sides and the roof of the engine
compartment. The exhaust pipe was deduced from the left side through the chassis wall.
One amusing detail - while the British on their heavy tanks used one engine, but on
average, "Whippet" two German designers have provided heavy tanks with two engines,
and lightweight - one. No laws are not - and both of them had to use the available
engines available and once out of the situation. Transmission LK-II included: plate
clutch (main clutch); 4-speed gearbox car type; propeller shaft, on which the bevel
gears, cam or disc clutch, brake drum or belt; Two transverse drive semiaxes with bevel
gears at one end and on the other cylinder. Tapered side gear mated with conical shaft
gears, forming a simple differential and cylindrical gears with a larger diameter on the
axles of the drive wheels form a single row final drives. Reducers placed in casings,
reinforced on the inside walls crawler. At the same walls in special sleeves were
mounted on bearings drive axis and the axis of the drive wheels. To increase traction
and opportunities to take the steep slopes in the drivetrain including the intermediate
transfer lowers the speed at 2,14-2,16 times. When off, the intermediate transmission
speed ranged from 3.5 to 14 km / h, included - from 1.6 to 6.5 km / h. The angle of
elevation to the minimum speed when downshifting reached 41 , in which off - 17,5 ,
the maximum on - the respective 6.5 and 2 . Several reduced removal guide wheels
ahead of the body, respectively, the number of bogies on the one side was reduced to
five, more resistant trolley with rollers retained. Turn off and carried out one of the
caterpillars troll. Manipulation of caterpillar on one side made a rocker arm on three
positions. In the rear position of the lever engages the clutch corresponding tracks in the
middle - the clutch is turned off, the front - Includes brake tracks. Thus, the driver can
adjust the turning radius. The minimum turning radius of 1.7 m.

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Pilot light tank LK-II with the installation of 37-mm guns in the cockpit on the tests. The
tank is equipped with a deforming camouflage coloring. In the background visible
crawler transporters.

Drives control and transmission elements housed under the floor of the crew
compartment. The layout of the transmission mechanisms and rotating along the
longitudinal shaft are well matched sheathe uzhaty combat vehicle. To increase the
patency on tracks tracks can be fixed with screws "expanders" in the form of wide steel
plate with cross fin-grouser. Exterior wall crawler got bent inwardly sloping section to
clear the dirt from the upper branches of a caterpillar - a device borrowed from the same
"Whippet". Several changed compared to LK-I, was massive and towbar. Machine-gun
version of LK-II had several larger fighting compartment with the installation of a
machine gun in a cylindrical rotary tower. Accordingly slides forward engine that
affected the external contours of the engine compartment, but the removal of the
steering wheel in front of the body preserved. Moved grilles with the front plate of the
engine compartment. Apart from the main tower had loopholes and the side (as in the
German heavy armored vehicles). Side door body shifted forward - to the place of the
driver, and machine-gun embrasures were made in the sides of the body behind the
door. Exploration allies, based on defector information, it is assumed that in Germany in
the summer of 1918, "was in the construction of" 250 light tanks, but it is not true.
Orders for light tanks and have not begun, although the troops during 1918 year there
were demands for a more mobile type of light tanks. First LK-II was built in autumn
1918, and strongly was late. In October alone, Volmer was able to provide two light
tanks.

Light tank with wide application of finished automobile units was much more
promising ideas "super-tank", if only because that was 10 times cheaper. LK-II-type
tanks, the use of mass, can achieve great success, to provide support for the "assault
group" in the depths of the infantry of the enemy defense. Relatively small, but well-
trained and equipped with a melee weapon (automatic, cold, grenades, flamethrowers)
assault groups could seep into the depth of the defense, interrupt the communication and

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supply routes, attacking command posts. The key to their mode of action were the
surprise and mobility, and which could provide and maintain light tanks. Wink
Command for tanks type LK. Defined by mid-1918, it is consistent with the experience
of a large German spring offensive. The German army finally managed to carry out
deep penetration positional defense and to withdraw its troops to the operating room,
but to maintain the momentum of the offensive after the success and development of a
large number of times required maneuvering tanks. LK Tanks for that it. But their
construction and limited to a few prototypes. Plans for mass production refers to 1919,
but the "tank program" allies in the same year, has repeatedly exceeded the German.
Together Volmer group of designers and Krupp to LK-II chassis was designed armored
artillery tractor-transporter. He had completely closed housing with doors in the sides
and stern and large hatches in the roof. In the front hull machine gun was mounted so
that the gunner was located just behind the driver. In addition, there were loopholes for
guns in the sides. The capacity of the machine was 8 people - driver and tools
Ammunition payment of 7 people sitting along the boards. This very promising
development has been approved, but not implemented in the metal, while the British
"armored artillery transporters" (transporting guns on the loading platform) has acted on
the front. Also, has not been realized and easy to double bronetyagach LZ LK-II chassis
is also armed with a machine gun. After the war, in the early 1920s, in Sweden designed
by J. Volmer at "Landsverk" started to produce the first Swedish tank Strv m / 21. He
was a direct development of the machine-gun version of LK-II, but with the installation
of "Shvartsloze" machine gun, the engine "Daimler" power of 55 hp crew and 4 people.
Several LK-II in 1919-1921 gg. I bought Hungary, but it Treaty of Trianon in 1920 it
was forbidden to have tanks, so they delivered unassembled, and assembly held in
secret. In contrast, Sweden has built and upgraded its "offspring of the German line"
quite officially.

Tatktiko performance characteristics LK-II.

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Scheme of transmission LK tank. Driving chassis unit LK tank: 1 - car frame with the
engine and transmission, 2 and 3 - wheel drive, 4 - caterpillar mover.

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Draft project of the armored artillery tractor at LZ LK-II chassis.

PILOT super-heavy tank "K-WAGEN - FIRST "SVERHTANK"

In May 1918, the Italian officer George. Douai conceived to make public its views on
the means and methods of modern warfare in the form of a science fiction novel
"Winged Victory". In the book he "supplied" Germany two thousand "colossal tanks
Krupp 4,000 tons in weight, with 6 diesel 3000 hp (Including two spares), a speed of 4
km / h, the spray on the area of a semicircle with a radius of 100 m pep liquid crew -
only two persons. " These colossi Douai needed only to set off the power and value they
offer "Inter-Allied Air Force", underwhelming in the novel German and Austrian army
attacks on the rear communications. You can see that after the first shock in 1914 by the
German heavy artillery fire and gas attacks in 1915 the Allies constantly expect from
Germany some "technical monsters."

338
The proposed sequence of the tank assembly K-Wagen with an overhead crane.

In fact, of course, these monsters in Germany is not going to build, but the idea of
"mobile fortress" still found its extreme expression in the form of a first embodied in
metal super-heavy tank. At the end of March 1917 Command Headquarters issued a
demand for "sverhtank" named initially "modestly Gross Kampfwagen ( great
fighting machine") weighing up to 150 tons. J. Vollmer received from the Inspectorate
of motor forces corresponding to the task of designing. Directly involved in the project
engineer Mueller-Noygauz known before the development of "street freight train" with
active trailer and a gasoline-driven. Mueller gave more than 20 employees. The
commission on the development of "big machine" is also included Horch, von Opel and
Professor Hofmann. tank The project was approved by the War Department June 28,
1917 and became known under the designation "K-Wagen (Kolossal-Wagen or just
Kolossal - then fashionable word in Germany). It was assumed that the tank will have
the armor thickness of 30 mm, two or four guns caliber 50-77 mm, four machine guns,
two flamethrower (flame throwers again), the crew of 18 people, two engines of 200-
300 hp or four 100 hp, will be able to overcome the trench width up to 4 m. The
project's design and construction of the first tank was allotted a year, but reduced the
Command Headquarters for up to eight months. Pretentious 100 tanks construction
program (the first order for 10) were unlikely to be realized. Most units had to develop
anew. The estimated cost of one "sverhtanka" was not less than 500,000 Reichsmarks.

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Scheme communication management department and engine department K-Wagen.

The circuit layout "K-Whgen basically has been borrowed from the British: caterpillars
covered the body and arms are installed in a wide sponsons and pistol ports. However,
the relative position of branches was similar A7VU - was located in front of the control
room, in the middle part - martial in the rear - engine and transmission. At the same
time the crew compartment without sponsons, and engine-transmission group took
approximately an equal volume of the body. The crew was again a record - from 22 to
27 people (the largest number of crew for ever built "iron" tanks). In the department of
administration placed two drivers. On the roof of the tank in front of the cylinder
mounted control cabin (turret) with observation slits around the perimeter and a sunroof.
Felling was intended for the tank commander and an artillery officer. Behind it there
were two round hatch. Housing tank was going to the frame of the large sheets of steel
armor Kata on rivets and bolts. Removable sponsons were complicated in shape. The
sloping front and back walls of the sponsons performed broadened cannon loopholes.
The embrasure installed 77-mm semi-automatic gun with kaponirnaya gate. These guns
were taken from the fort in Idshtayner. Tilting of the gun was mounted on a rotating
pedestal with a semi-cylindrical shield and fencing breech. The gunner's seat was
located on the left of the fence, I enjoyed a telescopic sight and coaxial flywheels
pickup, on the sides of the installation placed assistant gunner and loader. The front of
the sponsons, at the corner, located MG.08 installing machine guns, served by a
machine gunner and his assistant (t. E. In front of the sponsons housed up to 5 people).
The same machine gun were in the narrow back of the sponsons, in the sides and front
of the compartment control unit. In the engine compartment placed mechanics, the main
duty of which was to monitor the state of the engine and transmission.
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Tank layout diagram K-Wagen. It is clearly seen in the separation of the driver's
compartment, fighting, engine and transmission, as well as the desire to provide equal
"firepower" in several sectors simultaneously.

Installing the arms meet all the same claim circular firing - in any direction "K-Wagen
could concentrate approximately equal to the density of the fire. Interestingly, the
project provides guidance electric guns. On the roof of the sponsons were carried out air
vents. Already the design mass of the tank made to look more powerful engines. For
motor group selected two engine "Daimler" 650 hp, mounted in parallel in an insulated
engine compartment. With gearbox motors connected with cardan shafts, derived
through the holes in the wall separating the engine compartment from the transmission.
Was developed electric remote control system of the clutch (system "Volcano"),
Exhaust pipes with silencers and engine radiators to be displayed on the roof in the rear
of the hull. The stock of petrol was 3,000 liters. An original (so-called "orbital") -
design had undercarriage. Track chain composed of alternating inner and outer shoe
pivotally connected to each other. The outer track is an assembly of the trolley with four
rollers with flanged (according to the type of rail), which is attached to the shoe,
equipped with lugs. "Gauge" roller was 495 mm. The body of each board was covered
by the guide rail, on which "run in" roller shoe tracks. This track was previously tested
on a tractor "Orion". Among its advantages include reducing the friction loss in the
joints and increase efficiency crawler, but an increase in the mass of caterpillars is
practically reduced to nothing these advantages. Truckee going on bolts and rivets. The
drive wheel - back arrangement. The case was suspended to the chassis on the helical
springs. The upper branch of the caterpillars with front and rear descending branches
were covered bronekryshey passing into curved broneekrany. Lower caterpillar branch
went through an arc of large radius - in accordance with the views of those years, it was
to provide a better turning and less resistance to movement on solid ground and an
increase in the soft terrain, due to immersion of larvae in the soil and increase the
contact area. It was supposed to equip the communications tank - for a radio operator
took place in front of the engine compartment.

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Assembling two tanks K-Wagen on the factory floor.

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For communication management department of the mechanics in the engine
compartment in the casing pipe were laid negotiation (so that the engine compartment
can be called a "machine", by analogy with the ships). For transportation by rail "K-
Wagen could sort into four large pieces. As conceived combat use of such colossi, is
quite difficult to understand. Obviously, the command believed in the possibility of
using mobile fortresses "to break in several places" Allied Front - an idea that occurred
in those years in all the belligerent countries. However, October 18, 1917 Department of
Experimental Inspection of motor forces acknowledged that "K-Wagen is suitable only
as a means of trench warfare. By arming "K-Wagen" was an artillery mounted in a
"rolling forte" and machine-gun battery. For such a "rolling fort" (or "the position of the
tank"), a large dead space in the field of view from the cockpit was tolerable. The
contract for the construction of five copies of the tank "K-Wagen" was issued by ball
bearing plant "Ribe" in Berlin-Weissensee, five other plants "Vagonfabrik Wegman" in
Kassel (and not "Krupp factory" for which the literature of the world used to write off
the entire "militarism" of German industry). Construction of tanks began in April 1918,
"K-Wagen tank assembly technology has been developed with the use of the bridge
crane and special wagons. As a subsidiary designed to execute a self-propelled boom
crane on the chassis of the tractor-transporter A7V (obviously, with the expectation of
its use for the assembly and disassembly of a giant tank during carriage). By the end of
the war at the "Ribe" was almost completed one tank for the second and were ready hull
of a set of basic units and components except for engines. All of this went for scrap
after the defeat of Germany. Tests constructed tank and did not pass, although the
manufacturer allegedly requested permission to do so from the representatives of the
victorious Allies. Note that after a quarter century in Germany, two of the heavy tanks
were built again - 180-ton "Mouse", also did not take part in any battle. In both world
wars, when the situation was not in favor of Germany, the German military leadership
issued a job and devote resources to "sverhtanki". Both times, the designers laid in their
original ideas and solutions, and both times turned out to be stillborn monsters.

PROJECTS OF THE LAST YEAR WAR

A7V design is clearly not satisfied with the German command. Battles have revealed
numerous shortcomings of these tanks. And the War Department was inclined to
reconsider the requirements for tanks. This led to the emergence of over 1918 new and
new projects as "serious assault" and lighter military vehicles. By June 1918 Head of
the Inspectorate of motor forces recognized the need for "assault" tank, armed with light
guns and machine guns, to develop a high speed, and is suitable for mass production.
And the firm "Krupp" in parallel with the development of lung 8-ton tank unveiled July
23, 1918 the project "Small assault tank" - a few more heavy machine with a 52-mm
gun and a machine gun.

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Experienced super-heavy tank K-Wagen.

The project was not accepted, since it would have already conceded on cross-tested LK-
I and develop LK-II. Shortly before the end of the war was prepared and more
ambitious project light tank. Design LK-I and - II was to some extent a compromise
between the desire to create an effective fighting machine and the need to make
maximum use of the available truck chassis. Therefore, even before the construction of
LK-II started designing machines with a more rational scheme of arrangement. The
project received the designation LK-III. Crawler chassis and LK-II control circuit were
it saved, but the engine was moved to the rear of the machine and the driver's
compartment and the fighting shifted forward respectively. The engine was placed on
the gearbox and transmission and should be fixed at three points on the crankcase tides
gearbox or a special frame. In the same frame in front of the engine was mounted
vertically to the cooler. Thus provides a rigid connection of the engine with the radiator
piping for any vibrations and flexing of the chassis frame. Shaft clutch master disk was
connected to the drive shaft gear, or chain, transmission, nestled in the front vertical tide
transmission housing.

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Draft tank Oberschleisen project: 1 - landing hatches, 2 - the drive wheel, 3 - engine 4 -
Transmission, 5 - brake, 6 - 57 mm cannon, 7 - 7.92-mm machine gun.

The elongated end of the clutch shaft was connected to the crank, derived in the fighting
compartment. Armament (gun or a machine gun) - was set in a rotating turret. It is easy
to notice that the LK-III was carried out on the same assembly scheme as a light French
"Renault FT-17, developed a year earlier. R. Kruger maintained that "in Germany, the
enemy form of small tanks were completely unknown." However, the LK-III
development was carried out clearly under the influence of "Reno," the FT, which
German troops met in May 1918 and still need to pay tribute to the German designers,
had time to assess the advantages of the circuit layout, later recognized as "classic", and
quickly "to enter" it has developed a machine. It was planned to equip the tank station.
But before the construction of full-scale sample case has not reached. Thirteen firms
submitted projects "heavy assault tanks." Of these, most noteworthy project
Oberschlesien ( Upper Silesia"), developed in the mid-1918 by Oberschlesishe
Huttenwerke ( Upper Silesia Metallurgical Plant"). The project was presented by
member VPK Captain Muller. The tank should have a layout diagram of front-office
management, middle - and fighting back - the power pack. At the same time the main
armament - 57 mm cannon - was placed in a rotating cylindrical tower and two machine
guns - in the front and back of the small towers. Carburetor inline engine aircraft such
as AS3 Argus Water, which develops power of 180 hp at 1400 rev. / min, with

345
machine design weight of about 20 tons it would provide a specific power of 9 HP / t.
Gasoline stocks should reach 1 000 liters - twice more than the A7V. The original
feature of the chassis was elevated middle position of the drive wheel - it caught on the
upper branch of the tracks, and was covered with armor. This arrangement of the
driving wheel was not new - it can be found, for example, in US Patent Cu. Best of LA
1915. It is more advantageous in terms of protection, not only from the destruction by
enemy fire, but also from pollution, shocks while driving, reducing transmission length,
but the number of engagement points caterpillar driving wheel is much smaller. The
front and rear idlers were raised over a pound, tracked perimeter markedly extends
beyond the housing, which should improve the permeability of the car. Suspension Coil
- elastic. It is worth noting the presence of the sight dome (cupola) in the roof of the
main tower and large-angle pointing guns in the vertical, which would reduce "dead
spots" around the car. The project attracted the attention of Bids, ordered on October 5
on the construction of two prototypes. To speed up the Oberschleisen II on the
chassis type "Holt" works VPK week later decided to build a car with rear wheel drive
arrangement, but this could not be done - the project remained unrealized. The project
Oberschleisen already showed characteristics of medium and heavy tanks for the
"breakthrough of fortified areas," which will deal with the designers of different
countries in the 20-30s, a relatively low-speed off-road vehicles with multi-level
installation of weapons in several towers. Certain traces of layout solutions
Oberschleisen can be seen, for example, developed a half decades, the German
medium tank Nb.Fz. Then, in October 1918 were presented and other projects, "heavy
attack" tank "Hannover" L. Ehlers, "infantry" tank "of Hesse-Kassel" firm "Wegman",
"Bremer-Wagen III (or Marien -Vagen III ), The latter, incidentally, unlike
previous" Bremer-Wagen "had already Two track circuit, it is also offered as an
armored version and in a variant of crawler transporter. On the implementation of these
projects already have been neither the resources nor the time. The literature also
mentions "Horch" (aka "Benz Brauner") heavy tank project.

SOME COMPARISONS

It is interesting to compare the main tactical and technical characteristics of tanks, built
in Germany in the last two years of the war, with the characteristics of British and
French tanks. At the same time, of course, we need to remember the difference between
the requirements for tanks in the design. For example, the British Mark A "Whippet"
was created as maneuverable "Cavalry" tank, and the French "Renault FT - like a tank
infantry escort. German LK-II in its driving performance closer to the "Whippet".

"K-Wagen ( enormous), as already mentioned, was the first real built superheavy
tank. In general, a variety of projects of huge "land ironclads" and "mobile fortresses"
then appeared in large numbers in all the belligerent countries, but the majority did not
stand anything but wild imagination and love of sensationalism. Only a few projects
have been worked out intelligently, taking into account the real possibilities of
technology of the time. Therefore it is useful to compare the performance characteristics
of the main "K-Wagen with the characteristics laid down in the most developed of
these projects, although not having moved on the drawing board or layout.

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STURMTRUPPEN in the armor - the organization and preparation tank units

Tanks in the Kaiser Reichswehr amounted to "assault armored vehicles units


(Sturmpanzerkraftwagen Abteilung), which are also referred to as tank "assault
separation." Even before the construction of the first A7V, September 20, 1917 the
Ministry of War ordered the formation of two "branches assault" on the five tanks. The
commander of the 1 st branch was appointed Saxon Oberleutnant Seifert. However,
even before the combat use of German tanks, he was sent to the German troops in
Palestine, and the squad leader with the February 1918 became a Prussian infantry
captain Walter Greif, and since the beginning of June - the Prussian infantry captain
Hans Tofern, commander of the department before the end of the war .

Captured British tank Mk A "Whippet", prepared for the Reichswehr. However, the
Germans in battle tanks such as is known, did not apply.

Formation of the 1 st branch, including one machine-gun tank A7V chassis number 501
and four cannon 505, 506, 507, 540 "of the first order" housings "Rhling", was
completed January 5, 1918 By January 12 unit arrived in France to study at the driving
school at the training course of the General Staff in Sasha (near Sedan). It came to the
conclusion that the vehicles and crews are not ready for combat. For additional training
department sent a Bvil near Monmedi (France). Here, incidentally, the crews have
already started to remove the armor shields the chassis, hampered movement on the
ground. For driver training as part of separation had one unarmored tractor-transporter
A7V. Intensive training given their results - 1st "assault separation" was considered
among the most combat-ready German tank units. Tank number 501 had already
January 26, 1918 to send to repair to Berlin-Marienfeld, but the beginning of a large
offensive in March he returned to the office.

Formation of the 2nd "assault division" actually began in March 1918 - for it simply
does not have the material part. Recruit volunteers also sent in Bvil, which at that time

347
were additional training crews of the 1st department. But at this time the tanks are ready
for the transfer to take part in the offensive, and the volunteers had to wait for the new
machines. 2nd department received A7V with chassis numbers 504, 525, 542, 543 and
561. The first in early April has arrived in Charleroi tank number 504, received in the
unit "one" number. The commander of the department became vyurtermbergsky
Infantry Oberleutnant Hans Shtaynhard.

The crew of the tank A7V number 504 "Shnuk" 2nd Tank "Assault department." Tank - a
"Krupp" housing.

The order of the formation of the 3rd "assault Branch A7V held November 6, 1917,
however, as the 2nd Division, it was actually formed only in late March - early April
1918, when in Mons-sur-Sambre (Charleroi ) began to arrive A7V "first order"
housings "Krupp" and "second-order" housings "Rhling". The commander of the 3rd
department of Baden became an officer of the horse transport Oberleutnant Otto Uilayn.
Tanks, plan to separate, with the chassis numbers 526, 527, 541, 560 and 562 were
urgently transferred to the 1st department until his tanks were repaired after the first
battles. And at first the only combat vehicle of the 3rd department A7V was number
503 - to the tankers could at least get acquainted with the tank. In April, the separation
tanks passed renovated former 1st department - 501 (before the alteration in the
gun, but with the derived out tailpipes), 503 (at that time the only one in the room,
equipped with "fire control system") 505, 506 and 507. So the two departments
"exchanged" machines. The crews for the tanks were recruited on a voluntary basis
according to the following scheme: drivers and mechanics - from engineering (
"pioneer") troops, gunner and loader - from the artillerymen, gunners - from the

348
infantry. Officers were taken from the infantry or vehicle parts. Shortage of volunteers
was not felt, and the reason for that was not only of interest to a new kind of weapons,
but also improved allowances at rates assault units - do not forget that the beginning of
1918, Germany was in a very difficult economic situation, and this affected the supply
of the main part of the army. Total have formed nine "assault offices' five tanks each.
1st, 2nd and 3rd were equipped with tanks A7V. Five A7V used as a reserve for
replacement of damaged or lost vehicles.

11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 th 'assault division "was equipped with captured British tanks
Mk IV, they have become known as Beutepanzerkampfwagen Abteilung ( division
captured armored vehicles ").

A7V 1st "Attack department" is moving along the street of the village. The crew, as
usual, is the battlefield prefers to go to the roof of the car. Note that the guns have been
removed inside the car, and on the body of the crew hung steel helmets. 1918

The Germans were the first after the British themselves, who used to fight tanks of
British manufacture, repairing of the captured Mk IV. One "assault separation Mk IV
consisted of two cannon tankov- "male" and three machine-gun "females". 13th and
16th branch of the number of "Bavarian" - in this manifested features of "autonomy"
that have prevailed Bavaria, Saxony, Wrttemberg as part of the German Empire. The
first units equipped with Mk IV, visited the Kaiser Wilhelm II in Le Cateau (near
Cambrai) 23 December 1917 Total Germans possessed 75 usable captured British tanks,
but the battles did not use all of them. Most of these Mk IV were taken into Cambrai
and have roof rails for self beams. Captured Germans tanks repaired in workshops in
Charleroi. Part of the Mk IV, they rearmed 57-mm guns, "Maxim-Nordenfeld" - with a
corresponding shield cover for A7V type - and 7.92-mm machine guns MG.08 / 15.
These tanks are called Beutepanzerwagen IV, although this name also applies to the
"native Mk IV, was in service "assault divisions." During the fighting in 1918 it was
captured and several medium-sized British tanks Mk A "Whippet". They were prepared
for combat use, enrolled in the "assault separation", but no information on the use of the
Germans at the front there. Tanks were "fighting echelon" department. "Technical tier"

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under the command of an officer appliances included evacuation squad truck, a mobile
workshop, machine delivery of ammunition, fuel and spare parts, field kitchen and
tractor - just 9-10 trucks, one or two cars and a motorcycle. However, the motorcycle
and the car could be considered in the "battle echelon" as a means of communication.
State "Assault department" depended, of course, on the type of tank. Branch A7V
included 176 people: the commander with the rank of captain or Oberleutnant, five
junior officers (lieutenants) - machines commanders - and 170 sergeants, petty officers
and men, including the masters ranks communications, medical assistants, orderlies, etc.
The staff of the Mk IV office. included up to 140 people, which is quite natural - if A7V
department, for example, there were 48 gunners and gunner 22, the Mk IV-
compartment 20 and 14. Tank "assault separation" bronechastey obey the command, the
headquarters of which are located here, in Charleroi. Here, in the workshops of the 20th
"Vehicle Park Bavarian army" (V.A.K.R. 20) prepared for battle and were repairing a
A7V, and captured Mk IV. Commander bronechastey reports to Chief of Staff at the
Automotive Field Command Headquarters.

Transportation by rail "Assault department" captured British Mk IV tanks. As part of


the separation of the two types of tanks -. "Males" and "females"

Total staff of the "tank forces" Reichswehr together with the staff, the staff of the tank
school and workshop included about 2.5 thousand people. This includes the replacement
crews - were assigned to the 1st "ground attack separation" but also were called "fourth
branch". Total staff of the "tank forces" Reichswehr, together with the staff, the staff of
the tank school and workshop included about 2.5 thousand people. This includes the
replacement crews - were assigned to the 1st "ground attack separation" but also were
called "fourth branch".

Waiting for admission in 1919, a large number of light LK tanks, the Germans were
planning to form one battalion for 30 cars (three companies of 10 tanks each), but those
plans went awry. Command tanks have still not cause much enthusiasm. Field-Marshal
Hindenburg, who examined in March in the first 10 cars Charleroi, spoke highly

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skeptical: "Probably. they will not do much good, but because they have already been
made, we will try to use them. " In the coming offensive in matters of defense
breakthrough the German command the emphasis is on surprise attacks, offensive
outburst infantry, the use of automatic weapons, artillery firepower and careful
organization of her fire. The admonition "attack fortified positions" of tanks is almost
no mention. However, the High Command issued instructions "Interaction with infantry
tanks", which said among other things: "The infantry and tanks are moving
independently of each other. When driving with infantry tanks should not approach
them closer than 200 paces, as artillery fire "will be open on the tanks. Indication of the
"independence" of promotion of infantry and tanks - actual repetition of mistakes of the
British command at the beginning of combat employment of British tanks. As can be
seen, the German command did not evaluate the experience of the Battle of Cambrai
November 20, 1917, when one British tank accompanied by a dedicated infantry
platoon.

Organization of armored forces German Reichswehr in 1918

One of the German regulations, however, said: "War Machines are assault weapons,
designed to help the infantry. According to the purpose they are similar to batteries, in
direct support of the infantry. Like assault infantry units, they should be directed at the
enemy's defense units, machine gun nests and other pockets of resistance. They must
destroy the barriers and break the defense, moving the head of the attack, in order to
facilitate the promotion of following them infantry waves. To achieve this requires
better cooperation assault units. " But this form of cooperation had yet to be worked out.
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In the preparation of the 1st and 2nd "assault offices" in Bvile they held a joint training
with the infantry assault forces. So, 1st office in February 1918, held a joint training
with polubatalonom 5th assault battalion. Already 1 February 1918 the tanks together
with infantry-stormtroopers staged a parade here. During training tank crews watched
and Captain J. Vollmer. February 25, 1918 here in the presence of General Ludendorff
tanks A7V number 505 and number 506 of the 1st "Attack department" took part in the
exercise to simulate an attack fortified defense line together with the soldiers of the 5th
Assault Battalion. Tanks broke rows of barbed wire, snarjadnye funnel, broken brick
wall, crossed the trench width of 2 m, but stuck in the next trench width of 3 m.
Surpassing the British "rhomboid" tanks on the travel speed, German tanks is clearly
inferior to them in their ability to overcome ditches and trenches, confirmed that a
comparative test A7V captured and Mk IV, conducted 12-13 February 1918 This played
a role in the decision not to order A7V tanks already ordered over twenty. Aside from
overcoming the ditches and trenches, running A7V tanks is quite possible to allow them
to maintain the combat actions of the assault groups, made up of specially trained
infantrymen and combat engineers. For example, the commander of the 5th Battalion
Assault Captain Willie Pop - a veteran of "assault" parts of the Reichswehr, differed
even at Verdun in 1916 - admitted that the tanks with all their shortcomings can play an
important role in the appropriate area for their actions.

Tanks of the 2nd "assault separation", from left to right: number 504 "Shnuk" number
563 "Wotan," number 525 "Siegfried." End of June - beginning of July 1918 The tanks
are visible from the rear. Pay attention to the additional armor logging and the location
of the markings. Camouflage nets and tarpaulins laid on the roof, on the towbar tank
number 504 suspended backrest gunner.

Already in August 1918, the tank number 560 held exercises with the 6th Bavarian
assault battalion. Much later, a combination of tactics assault teams with armored
divisions (plus, of course, radio communication and interaction with artillery and
aviation), has given a new German army major advantages. Tankers themselves are also
trained to act as infantry-attack aircraft - in the event of leaving the machine (not by
chance in the transportable tank weapons in trying to enter the flamethrower backpack).
If the machine is deprived of mobility, but could be fired, it was supposed to use it on

352
the battlefield as the DOT. It is mentioned that in the tank during the battle would be
more than 18 full-time people - additional soldiers would not only help the crew in the
tank (quite the contrary). as it intensified its activities at the outside of the machine as an
infantry assault group. For transfer by rail of "assault Branch A7V tanks required 27
railway cars: six open loading platforms for tanks (one platform - Reserve), 12
platforms for cars and trucks, four cars for fuel reserves, ammunition, spare parts and so
on. ., 5 wagons for personnel. For loading tank on railway platform crew typically had
to build a special ramp to make loading platform end (used to tanks, stopping on the
platform, falling from the platform at the turn). The tank was covered with a tarpaulin or
masksetyu platform.

TANKS AND CREWS - coloring, markings, EQUIPMENT

The German tanks were painted differently. Initially dominated by monochrome


coloring in light green or gray-steel color "feldgrau". Some tanks - for example the
British - were covered deforming spotted coloring. Spotted color from a combination of
colors of different colors (literally those that were "at hand") have, for example, A7V
number 501 in the course of testing, tanks number 506, number 507, number 529 and
number 562 during Spring Battle 1918, number 560 in June, number 504 and number
528 - in August. Tank number 505 and at Saint-Quentin in March, and at Villers-
Bretonneux in April carried a camouflage coloring of blurry spots. In the battle at the
Reims 15 July 1918 A7V tanks carrying camouflage paint in the form of irregular
yellow and red-brown spots over the green background.

Tank A7V number 505 shortly after the transfer from the 1st to the 3rd "assault
separation." April 1918 shall be Tank early version of camouflage color, crosses and
tactical numbers yet. Pay attention to the "gantry" installation tools, as well as
supporting the fly, put on the barrel of the weapon.

From the French the Germans borrowed from reception to draw on the armor forged
peepholes to divert the fire on the enemy machine gunners and riflemen - fake
inspection covers carrying, for example, the tank number 525 in the battle of the same
in July 1918 on board on the front and the rear plate were painted black "Teutonic"
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crosses corresponding to the sign of the Order of "Iron cross", such crosses at the time
have been used as the insignia of the German military aircraft. Initially, on each side of
the tank pictured a cross, and in May, 1918 - two. Tank A7V number 507 in March
1918, moreover, bore the frontal part of a simplified representation of the Iron Cross
sign. Large Crosses were more likely not to "raise the spirits" of crews, and to protect
them from fire by his own troops - in fact the German infantry and artillery are more
accustomed to the presence of the enemy tanks. Some tanks - as, for example, number
527 - were crosses and roof ventilation grille - obviously based on their planes, ground
attack aircraft. After April 1918 between the crosses in the middle of the board, as well
as on the front and the rear plate was placed the figure - the number of the tank in the
unit (the tanks of the 1st "Attack department" carried black Arabic numerals over the
spotted camouflage even before the fight April 24, 1918 in Villers -Bretonne). Number
could be located within the rim - in particular, a white circle corresponds to the 1st
compartment. In the 2nd compartment numbering tanks used Roman numerals - at first
they were written in white on each side of the "Iron Cross" on the front and back of the
body, and after fighting at Villers-Bretonneux on the tanks of the 2nd department of the
hotel was applied on the sides between the "iron crosses "red Roman numerals with
white bordering. But A7V third "Assault department" long remained one cross on the
sides and do not carry a clearly visible tactical room. In accordance with the traditions
of each of those years he had an armored car, like a ship or fort, the proper name.

Tank A7V number 560 (with the case "Rhling" second-order) from the 1st "Attack
department." We draw attention to the lack of inspection hatches on the sides of the gun
installation, the presence of hatch for shooting from the sidearms in the left front plate.

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Systems in the names was not on the first letter, nor in meaning - there were
mythological characters like "Mephisto", "Vaughan", "Hercules" or "Cyclops", and the
characters of the epic of the Nibelungen "Siegfried", "Hagen" and popular history - for
example, "Old Fritz" (the nickname of the Prussian King Frederick II). Tank number
501 after the transfer in the third compartment is mentioned under the name of
"Gretchen" - apparently because it was built originally as a "feminine style", "female",
although the tank number 502 (503) transmitted at the same office, called it "Faust"
(and in fact, Faust in Goethe called his beloved Gretchen). Tank number 504 carrying
the name "Shnuk", 505 - "Baden I, 506 - "Mephisto", 507 - "Cyclops", 525 -
"Siegfried", 527 - "Lottie", 528 - "Hagen", 542 - "Elfriede "561 -" Nix ", 562 -"
Hercules ", 563 -" Wotan ". It should be noted that in the 1st "assault office" gave their
own names, not all tanks, and in the 2nd and 3rd "baptized" all cars. Sometimes more
than once. In the 3rd "assault office" showed quite a sense of loyalty, picking up tanks
names of the sons of the Kaiser: by June 1918 Tank number 503 here was of "Faust"
renamed the "Crown Prince William", number 505 - from "Baden I in Prince August
Wilhelm "number 507 - from the" Cyclops "in" Prince Eitel Friedrich, "and number 543
after the transfer of the second branch of the third of the" Bulle "crossed in" Prince
Adalbert ".

These names exist as if in parallel with the old names of machines. Well, the tank
number 564 - last staged in third branch - once called "Prince Oscar." True, May 25
banned the use of special order titles of the ruling family, but in the battle on the river.
Mas in early June tanks 3rd branch still bore the names. They were then reduced to
simply "William", "Adalbert," "Frederick" and so on. G. By filling in the titles. A tank
number 503 after the "King William" ( "William") in August was even renamed simply
"Heiland" - by commander Lieutenant Heiland names. There was a certain continuity -
so when the 2nd branch instead lost in Villers-Bretonneux tank number 561 "Knicks"
received tank number 529, he received not only the same "five" number, but the name
"Nix-II. The name "Old Fritz" is mentioned in various sources for the tank number 526
and number 560 for the tank - the benefit of both were in the 1st "assault office". The
name on the A7V written in white paint on the front and rear parts of the body at the top
left or right, but the names of the princes in the 3rd department wrote down the middle.
Of all tanks except that the number 506 "Mephisto" was carrying a significant own
emblem - on the left front hull was painted red devil, fun carrying under his arm the
British "diamond" a tank (German humor - say, "utaschim British tank in hell").

355
The ATV Tank number 540 from the 2nd "Assault department." Marchienne-au-Pont,
mid April 1918 Tank - with the body "Krupp" column book-rests gun mount, full
broneekranami chassis. Early signs include option one "Iron Cross" on the sides, front
and aft, tactical "IV of" name and number "Bulle". We note that at full turn left cannon
artillery gun mask slot sight overlaps the edge of the loopholes.

Tanks of the 1st "Attack department" first received "Adam's head" - a skull and
crossbones, the ancient symbol of immortality of the spirit, adopted as the emblem of
another Prussian Leib-Hussars at the end of the XVIII century. "Adam's head" (or "dead
head") has become a common symbol tank "assault divisions," it kind of makes them
with assault groups of German infantry - according to some historians, it was the means
of action of assault infantry battalions and groups in 1917-1918. It became the basis for
further development of the tactics of tanks. Emblem "dead head", worn by German tank
crews in 1918 was similar to that worn by some infantry units, flamethrower, and so on.
N. "Adam's head" was, by the way, is popular at the end of the war and Russian "shock"
parts, including armored car. Tanks first deliveries could carry the chassis number on
the inside of doors and on the wall of the body - to guide crews and repairmen (useful
technique, taking into account the "boxed" build each combat vehicle with their small
differences). In September 1918 the command has decided to organize a system of tanks
designations. September 22, 1918 a special order for a new combat funds instead of
borrowed English Tank, as well as their own word-formations Panzerwagen,
Panzerkraftwagen and Kampfwagen approved the term Sturmpanzerwagen (later
in Germany prefer shorter Panzer or complete Panzerkampfwagen). At the same
time approved a typical camouflage coloring deforming combat vehicles. On top of the
usual "feldgrau" plotted major spots and winding broad bands irregularly shaped
reddish-brown, light green and lemon yellow. The spots can be separated by black
contour lines. Image of "Adam's head" Now was applied to all tanks, including the
trophy. Teutonic crosses are replaced with straight black cross with white bordering - a
cross (Balkenkreuz) in 1918 and was admitted to the Reichswehr Aviation, later its

356
variants were used in the Wehrmacht. Some machines - as the number 507 "Cyclops" -
bore the stern image of the imperial black-white-red flag. British tanks on the "German
Service" saved "native" color, on top of which necessarily drawn by two large crosses
on the sides and crosses at the stern and the frontal (again - to the German artillery was
not to mix them with the enemy), the name and the tank room . Thus, a captured
machine gun Mk IV carried the number 153, the name "Honey", crosses and "Adam's
head." German tank crews were at first the form that brought the birth of his weapons.
For the infantry and artillery it was the usual field form, but without backpacks,
pouches, and so on. N.

Later, tank crews began to use aircraft and motorcycle jackets and overalls (two parts).
Motorists have brought with them and "glasses-canned." Back in February 1918, there
were gray one-piece protective suits containing asbestos worn over normal uniforms.
But they are usually worn by drivers and mechanics, other members of the crew
remained in the usual uniform - and so it was hot inside the tank. From shoes could be
worn boots and boots with the windings. Leather helmets with protective shock-
absorbing cushions that were used by drivers and mechanics have also been borrowed
from the pilots and motorcyclists. Often, however, the crews used conventional steel
helmets, worn over the cap, his cap. Later, there were leather helmets the simplified
form, reminiscent of the British helmets - the benefit of such helmets in large numbers
were taken, along with the British tanks at Cambrai. Helmets are often supplemented
with leather and metal mask with slits for eyes and mailed beard, protects the face and
eyes from small fragments of armor and lead spray - their German tank crews are also
borrowed from the British "colleagues". The belt worn by pistol or revolver holster,
dagger ( "trench knife") in a sheath. Since the tank crews were trained to operate
machines is like an infantry assault group, in the tank, as already mentioned, were busy
carbines crew, the stock of hand grenades, two signal pistol.

Captured British tank Mk IV male (Beutepanzerwagen IV) as part of the Reichswehr


armored forces. Tank rearmed 57-mm guns, "Maxim-Nordenfeld" carries deforming
mottled camouflage coloring, large "iron cross" and the name "Heinz".

357
Tank A7V number 540 of the 1 - th 'assault division "left in the Cambrai region in
October 1918 with the Tank Corps" Rhling "of the first order, shall be the last version
of the camouflage coloring and direct (" Greek ") crosses.

Tank A7V number 506 from the 1st "Attack department" under the command of
Lieutenant Foss at the landfill near Bvilya during a joint training with the units of the
5th assault battalion, beginning in February 1918 Fifth from left, in overcoat and cap -
Captain Joseph Vollmer. Tank with housing "Rhling" of the first order, "gantry"
installation tools and early booking option covers guns, in a monochrome color. Most
of the crew - in overalls and helmets of steel, except for the mechanics and the driver,
using protective "chauffeurs" helmets.

358
A7V tank loaded on the railway platform (view from the stern). Control house built,
thrown over a tank camouflage net.

Tank A7V number 525 "Siegfried" from the 2nd "Assault department." On the armor of
the tank marked with 520 hits in combat in Reims July 15th. Tank with housing
"Rhling" second order, without inspection hatches, but from the observation slit and
hatches for shooting in the frontal body. Fake "inspection covers" are included in the
camouflage pattern.

359
MILITARY APPLICATIONS German tanks in 1918

Formally, the German troops in 1918 put into the case 45 of tanks 15 and 30 A7V
captured Mk IV. Trophy tanks, German troops were forced to apply more broadly than
their own. During the battles of the damaged tanks was replaced by the reserve, and
some managed to renovate and re-let the battle. Thus, the 1st "assault separation" of the
fighting is almost completely updated the material part. So that the number of actual
acting is somewhat more tanks. Combat application of the first German tank units is
considered against the background of the German army operations in which they
participated.

Tanks A7V number 564 "Prince Oscar" (foreground) and number 503 "Faust" 3rd
"assault separation" in the school yard in a march-au-Pont, in May 1918 tanks of the
3rd department for a long time carried on one cross on the sides and had no apparent
tactical room.

In the March attack. During a large-scale offensive in Pickard ( "Michael" operation,


21 March - 4 April 1918), the Germans at the front of the attack width of 70 km
between Arras and La Fehr entered in case 3 as part of the Army 62 Division - about
450 thousand bayonets. 6800 guns, 1000 aircraft and a total of 19 tanks (10 of them -
own production and 9 - trophy). The Germans relied on much more carefully prepared
and well-controlled artillery of various calibers and levels and new infantry combat
techniques - including acts of assault groups, equipped with light machine guns, mortars
and grenades and trained tactics trickle - rather than the armored vehicles. Although the
German army is already quite experienced the effects of such machines. The first
German armored units went into action on the first day of the offensive, March 21, in
the offensive zone of the 18th German Army against the British troops, and it happened
just 50-52 kilometers from the place where in 1916 came the first British battle tanks -

360
in conditions of trench warfare on the Western front line mingled not so much. 18th
Army in the 24 infantry divisions with more than 3,000 instruments operated at the front
width of 33 km. It is clear that the tank attack was only a very small part of its
offensive.

Five tanks A7V 1st "Attack department" gave XVII Corps, and five Mk IV 11th Branch
- XIX. Both buildings were an attack on Saint Kang, t. E. The tanks were to act on the
direction of the main attack. The tank A7V number 540 of the 1 st branch revealed
technical problems, and it is on March 16 has been sent for repair to the factory in
Berlin-Marienfeld (from there he will come back only at the end of June). By the
beginning of this operation, the troops were tractors and transporters on A7V chassis -
as part of the convoy A.K.K. (R) 1111, gives the 18th Army, and columns A.K.K. (R)
1112, gives the 2nd Army.

Tank A7V number 505 "Baden-I and his crew from the 3rd "Assault department." The
tank still carries an early camouflage color, but with the "Iron Cross" and the name of
the machine. Auxiliary fly from the gun barrel is removed. Tankers - in daily form.

German infantry launched an offensive after a short artillery preparation, with chemical
rounds, during which, disorganized communication and control was suppressed by
British artillery destroyed the first-line trenches. Fog contributed to attack the German
infantry, but he also made it difficult action a few German tanks, four tanks A7V 1st
"Attack department" under the command of Captain Greif and five tanks Mk IV,
journeyed in the morning battle iz-za fog often lost touch with the infantry and really
"moved independently", as demanded by their application instruction. Two A7V (
505 and 507) in the course of the fight revealed technical defects and two - 501

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and 506 - have acted more or less successfully, and helped a few points of German
infantry with little loss to capture the British fortified positions. This was facilitated by
the fact that along with the tanks on this site acted not only infantry and mortar linear
128th Infantry Regiment and two companies of the 5th Battalion of assault, as well as
machine-gun and legkominometnaya company of this battalion and flamethrower
platoon. By the beginning of the next day all the A7V tank combat capability remained
just 501. Mk IV did not fulfill its stated objectives on March 21 - two tanks knocked
out by artillery fire, the two were not enough fuel (Mk IV were very "uneconomical" in
the expenditure of gasoline) but one could engage in battle with the enemy - is,
incidentally, also operated units of the 5th assault battalion. The limited results and, as it
turned out. soft ground in the path of movement of tanks is not possible to objectively
judge their effectiveness. Nevertheless, for the first day operation tanks advanced to 8
km in depth of British defense - the maximum promotion of the 18th Army that day.
The army brought the enemy into complete disorder, while the 2nd and the 17th Army,
acting north, barely moved for advanced trenches. Of course, the much greater role
played reached Germans surprise, the high density of artillery, a brief but powerful
artillery preparation, the rapid pace of operations with the promotion of parts in the
interior of the defense to seize the key points, the initiative infantry commanders, the
use of reserves to the direction of perceived success, but also tanks rendered great
services to the troops. And the impression made by them on the first day on the British
soldiers, slightly inferior to the dismay of the German infantry on the Somme in
September 1916.

The crew of the tank A7V from the 1st "Attack department." Tank - a body "Rhling"
motley camouflage coloring and "Iron Cross". Pay attention to the combination of
elements of crew equipment - you can see the normal field form with waist belt and
without him, the soldier's cap, steel helmets and protective "chauffeurs" helmets. The
officer - in a cloak.

It is worth noting that the German spring offensive in 1918 found allies and unreadiness
to fight the German tanks. Apparently reassured its primacy in the use of tanks, the
British and French were engaged in almost no problems of anti-tank defense. It is the

362
expectation that Germany will be able to create your own tanks and use them in the
offensive, the Allies almost did not do anything to prepare for their meeting. The fact
that the actions of the few German tanks were not reflected in the British communiques,
generally attributed to the fact that British soldiers and officers in this area were either
killed or taken prisoner, and from the rest of a few tanks hid fog. However, note the role
of tanks in the operation and did not bother to General Ludendorff in his memoirs about
the war. The pupil of the old Prussian military school, he was a lot more attention is
given to the Paris fire from sverhdalnoyboynoy gun, known as "enormous" - "a miracle
of science and technology, the outstanding achievements of the company Krupp" -
although the fire did not give nothing but confirmation of shooting opportunities for 120
km, and had no effect on the course of the fighting. But the Germans had to pull the
tanks in the camp near Charleroi - seven of the nine who had gone into battle machines
in serious need of repair. Tank number 507 also "dropped" during the loading platform
at the railway station on March 27 Saint-Quentin. By the beginning of the preparation of
a new offensive machine is still under repair workshops V.A.K.R. 20. Therefore, the
tanks of the 1st "Attack department" were transferred to continue their formation of the
3rd department, 1st return branch received a new chassis numbers 526, 527, 541, 560
and 562 (the tanks were already equipped with "system described above fire control,
"commander's hatch and a compass in the wheelhouse) - A7V benefit all housed in the
same camp. In early April 1st "assault separation" would be used in the attack on Saint-
Gobain, but all the planned facilities and positions here were captured German infantry
before the tanks could arrive at the scene. Tanks of the 2nd and 3rd "assault offices" in
the course of the same transaction "Michael" helped parts of the 18th Army in the
capture of Noyon and Montdidier on 27 March which acted against the French troops.
When the German tanks on the battlefield German press started talking about the fact
that "only the German genius could deploy all the tools and features available tanks."
Such a sharp turn in the evaluation of the tanks was logical in terms of propaganda
support, but is far from reality. For 15 days in the course of "Operation Michael"
German troops at the front, 50 km advanced to a depth of 30-35 km, but in the
development of the operation involving tanks are not accepted.

It is interesting to note about the operation of the German military author G. von Moser,
"even now had to face almost insurmountable difficulties in bringing up ammunition to
the best German lines across the field funnels." Still needed crawler tractor-transporters.

363
Tank A7V from the 1 - th 'assault division "during a demonstration exercise in Sasha in
October 1918

In Villers-Bretonneux. On the first day of the offensive in Flanders on the river. Fox (
"George" operation, better known by the diminutive nickname "Georgette", 9-30 April
1918), three German tanks' assault department "acted in the 6 th German Army against
the British and Portuguese parts in the band between Armentieres and channel La
Basse. The fight went to only 14 A7V tanks, 15th (tank number 562) to break even
during the training camp in Charleroi. April 9 at 4:05 am German artillery began an
intensive bombardment of enemy positions in this sector, putting on his flanks chemical
barriers with mustard (reception "zaiprichivaniya" flank attack of tanks and infantry will
go to many teachings 1920-1930). At 7:30 am the infantry attack began in small groups.
At 9:00, after re-intensified shelling attack crossed the main force in some places
supported by tanks. Almost the entire front the Germans managed to advance deep into
the enemy defenses to a depth of 11 to 30 km away, throwing the opponent and forcing
him to clean the front protrusion at Ypres. By April 12, the Germans were close to an
important railway junction Hazberuk. The British were prepared to have to evacuate
their main base in Dunkirk and Calais. But by April 14 attack power has weakened. In
the subsequent course of this attack German tanks are no longer involved. Here, the
German army to repeat the experience of the British and French in 1917 - after the first
fighting force tank units ran low, and further fighting was already practically without
them. The most famous battle with A7V participation from Villers-Bretonneux 24 April
1918 on the operation, during which it has occurred, General Ludendorff wrote shortly
after the war: "After thorough preparation of the 2nd Army, using tanks, tried to April
24 to improve their position in Villers-Bretonneux. She was able to move forward, but
to keep the occupied territory she could not. "

364
The crew of the tank A7V number 528 "Hagen" 2nd "Assault department" posing
literally stuck to its war machine. June-July 1918 Tank - with the body "Rhling"
second order. Pay attention to the additional control cabin booking, reservation
lightweight version covers of machine guns. Tankers equipped soldiers like infantry
assault teams.

Meanwhile capture and hold this settlement would provide the Germans subsequent
capture of Arras and the growing gap between the allied armies. Therefore, all the three
available at that time "assault Branch A7V were involved here. It was the largest
concentration of German tanks at one location for the entire 1918. And although the
battle at Villers-Bretonneux is best known for, the collision tanks with tanks, worth
telling details not only about the first ever Tank duel, but also about the other activities
of the German tank on the day. One tank - number 540 of the 2nd department - was still
under repair in Charleroi. The tanks are designed to participate in the attack on 21 April
at Giyokur disembarked here in the tank number 503 of the 3rd department revealed
damage to the cylinder heads. The remaining tanks headed in Venkur, while "technical
echelons' offices remained at the unloading station, where organized a field warehouse
of ammunition and fuel. Only 13 A7V, divided into three groups, went to fight in the
offensive zone of the 2nd German Army against parts of the 4th British Army. April 22
group commanders were ordered and were able to discuss the issues of cooperation with
the infantry commanders. The first group under the command of Oberleutnant Skopnika
included tanks 526 (and they commanded Skopnik), 527 and 560 of the 1st
department and acted with the 228th Infantry Division; second consolidated under the
command of Oberleutnant Uilayna (tanks 501, 505, 506, 507 3rd branch, 541 and
562 of the 1st department) - with the 4th Guards Division in the center of the order of
battle; 3rd Oberleutnant Shtaynharda (tanks 525, 542, 561 and 504 of the 3rd
department) - with the 77th Reserve Division. In accordance with the chosen tactics,
tanks were sent to the most important object - the village of Villers-Bretonneux. In
order not to be exposed to too much risk of injury by fire of British field artillery, tanks

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for the performance of their tasks and after the infantry reaches the task of the day and
secure new positions, we were to return to the assembly point behind the leading
German trenches. In the case of the successful promotion of the machine "technical
levels" must have been a ride ammunition and fuel in Venkur, then - in Marselkav
where nominated "combat echelons' offices before the fight, and for supplying each
compartment isolated two trucks - one for ammunition, one for fuel.

In Mons-sur-Sambre (Charleroi) arrived from the factory with four A7V corps
"Krupp" and "Rhling". End of March 1918 Note the complete book chassis, column
book-rests gun mounts and elongated exhaust pipes of tanks.

Curiously, the tank number 562 in the experimental procedure equipped with a radio
station, but communicate in a trembling tank, standing inside the noise and interference
from the magneto engines was impossible.

April 24 at 4:45 am tanks began to advance on the initial positions assigned to them
behind the advanced trenches. The attack began on the British data at 7:00 am under the
cover of morning fog and smoke screen. The terrain in this area corresponds to driving
performance A7V - there have long been "cultivated" flat fields, craters from shells a
little, trenches and ditches relatively narrow. The first group A7V Oberleutnant
Skopnika moved from their original position at 6:50 am and went directly to the Villers-
Bretonneux. All three tank groups successfully moved to the village ahead of their
infantry, passed through the village and a nearby grove, and even forced the British
troops to surrender. But were forced to return to help the infantry to move, stopped in
front of the British positions. Under the guise of German infantrymen captured the
leading British trenches and machine-gun point by taking many prisoners. Tank number
526 Skopnika advanced 100 meters along the railway line behind the Villers-
Bretonneux without infantry, and then came back, fired from behind and crushed four

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machine-gun emplacements. Then he helped the infantry to eliminate several positions
gunners on the outskirts of Villers-Bretonneux and move up to the railway crossing on
the western outskirts of the village. Tanks number 527 (commander Lieutenant FITC)
and number 560 (Lieutenant Folkgaym) in the fog and the smoke moved almost
independently of the commander, nevertheless caught up with him at 8:45 am near the
brick plant. Here the British infantry and machine gunners kept a stubborn defense,
waging an intense fire. Three tanks came almost came and opened fire on the building
and firing points. British soldiers were forced to surrender. Then tanks 527 and
560 have moved to the shed on the eastern edge of the village, which also populate the
British gunners, suppressed their fire and helped the infantry to capture a fortified
building on this site. By noon, the tanks of the first group to complete its task, were
allocated to the assembly point.

Tank A7V number 507 from the 1st "Attack department" capsized when loading on
railway platforms at the station of Saint-Quentin, March 27, 1918

The intense fire that the enemy was on the tanks, did not remain without consequences -
two tank crews were killed, 16 people were injured (including one officer-tanker and
four of infantry, direct acting with tanks). The second group was moving on the
southern outskirts of Villers-Bretonneux and located near the forest d'Akenn along the
railway line, some of the tanks had to overcome the railroad tracks. Some of the tanks
of this group in the fog off course, but still reached the intended objects. Tanks 505
"Baden I of" (Lieutenant Hennecke) and number 507 "Cyclops" (Lieutenant Byuman)
advanced to the Villers-Bretonneux along the railway embankment, suppressing several
gun emplacements along the way, the tank number 507 cleared the fire trench,
extending west to the church, destroyed a large number of enemy soldiers and took 13
prisoners, which gave the infantry. Then both tanks passed over the railway station.
Although the tank number 505 could not conduct aimed fire from a gun (jammed
targeting mechanisms), it is quite successfully suppressed the enemy firing points. Both

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tanks opened heavy fire on the enemy reserves found in Baux de Akeno - west of the
forest, through which at that time held the German infantry. Tank number 506
"Mephisto" (Lieutenant Toynissen), who was arrested at the beginning of the British
machine-gun nests, soon joined tanks 505 and 507, suppressed the resistance of the
British infantry to the south of the railway station. Soon, however, the tank number 506
is stuck in the funnel, the crew left the car in accordance with the instructions, took part
in the battle as an infantry assault group. A7V number 541 (Lieutenant unit) and
number 562 (Lieutenant Bartens) from the same group moved to the fortified farm south
of Villers-Bretonneux. Tank number 541, going forward defense line at 7:10 am,
reached the farm, passed through it, destroyed buildings, from which the enemy was
shooting, and helped the infantry to capture the point. On the left flank the two tanks
covered tank number 501 "Gretchen" (Lieutenant Lappe). After the capture of the farm
all three tanks deployed at Bo de Akeno. They are not without success, took part in
repelling counterattacks infantry. Number 562 has strayed away from the others, and the
priest, that is under heavy machine-gun fire. The driver was injured (no wonder the
German tank crews then reinforced upper cabin reservation), brakes are out of order.
Lieutenant Bartens and his tank crews left the tank and joined the infantry, but then
returned to the car, to stay ahead of Baux de Akeno, and the fire helped the infantry to
clear enemy positions. Tank number 501 will continue to move in the indicated
direction to him, but the infantry did not follow him, as a result of the tank also came
under heavy fire, which has become particularly effective when thirty meters from the
enemy tank stopped iz-za overheating both engines. His driver was also injured.

Tanks of the 1st "Attack department" nominated by the forest road to the starting
position for attack. End of May - beginning of June 1918

However, the crew was able to start the engines, and the tank low speed back to their
original positions. The loss of the second group: one person was killed, 24 people were
injured (including two officers, tanker and 13 infantrymen accompanying the tanks.). In
areas where acted tanks infantry losses were significantly lower than where the tank was
not at all - and this despite the fact that the tanks themselves attracted enemy fire. The
tanks of the third group attacked the hill behind the village grove d'Anger Kashi (south
of Villers-Bretonneux). The task was complicated by the fact that the infantry moved to

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this point through the dense forest, and the tanks were to circumvent the forest, turn
around and catch up with the infantry - and all this in the morning mist. Tanks still
reached the village of L'Abbaye Kashi and forests and facilitated the actions of the
German infantry. Tank number 561 with the name "Nix" (Lieutenant Biltz) was able to
suppress the machine-gun, which is almost an hour delay the advance of German
infantry. The fact that the 77th Reserve Division was transferred to the recently
liquidated Russian-German front, and its soldiers are simply not accustomed to such a
density of artillery and small-arms fire, which characterized the fighting on the Western
Front. At 9:30 am in the village of Kashi three heavy tank A7V third "Assault
department" met with came out of the woods with three heavy tanks Mk IV A Company
A of the battalion (1st Battalion) of the British Tank Corps. So battle tanks tanks first in
history had been one of the counter, and for both sides was sudden. By the time the
British could not be allowed to fight a large number of tanks - even during the big
German offensive of March the British Tank Corps, participating in local counterattacks
and lost almost all of the materiel. With an extremely low density of tanks on both sides
of the first collision with the tanks unless the tanks can be explained by the importance
of the item for which direct their efforts both sides.

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A7V tank crew at rest in a ruined village in the district of Villers-Bretonneux. April
1918 on the wheelhouse roof and control the body visible camouflage net.

Driving a tank battle at Villers-Bretonneux 24 April 1918

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British tanks came out of the forest, were not in the best position - two of the three tanks
were machine-gun ( "female"). In addition, on the eve of the British positions were fired
chemical shells and tank crews were exhausted long-term presence in gas masks. British
tanks were put forward along the southern edge of the forest de Akeno. Company
commander Captain Brown was in the gun tank ( "buck" tank number 4066), the
commander of which was a second lieutenant Francis Mitchell. On the way to Kashi
running up infantryman he told about the appearance of the German tanks. Brown and
Mitchell saw the enemy tanks in the four hundred meters. German A7V stopped
unsuccessfully, actually led the fight, only one of them - the tank number 561 Lt.
William Biltz. This tank initially moved slightly north of the destination, but as soon as
the fog began to dissipate, Lieutenant Biltz turned Kashi, focusing on the village
church. Although the British saw the German tanks before the German tank crews saw
them fight was formed initially in favor of "Nix". Noticing the British tanks, Lieutenant
Biltz backpedaled and leisure, ordered the artillery to open fire. Unlike the Germans, the
British cannon Mk IV constantly maneuvering, firing cannons and machine guns. But
conduct aimed fire at a moving and rocking the tank was impossible. Especially in the
British tank was one gunner, who was forced to climb out of the sponsons to the
sponson. Yes Mk IV and the management required the work of three people, the driver
and assistants working on airborne transmissions, could not fulfill the duties charged
when the guns in the sponsons. Shooting was fruitless. Having about 25 shots,
Lieutenant Mitchell stopped the tank so. which allowed the gunner to the left sponson
conduct aimed fire on German tanks.

Tank A7V number 542 "Elfriede", overturned in passing through the funnel at Villers-
Bretonneux. Clearly visible unprotected bottom of the tank, acting crankcases final
drives.

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When the "gun Mk IV stopped Biltz decided that he was incapacitated, few turned and
pointed his tank gunner new goals - machine-gun British tanks. Soon the two Mk IV-
female" were hit and forced to retreat to the rear. The battle continued gun tank
Mitchell. Using the fact that A7V turned machine guns on tanks, "British" with the
place made him a shot in the right side. "I carefully moved along the line of defense, -
later wrote about this fight Mitchell. - Gunner portside guns (if I remember correctly,
his name was Carter) to shoot accurately. His shells exploded in the immediate vicinity
of the German tank. I opened the recess at the top of the cab for better visibility, and
when we found ourselves in front of our opponent, we stopped. Then I saw a shell gap
in front of the German tank. It was a direct hit. Followed by a second, slightly lower
then the third. It was a great shooting for a man whose eyes swam out of gas exposure,
and who ran an instrument alone due to the lack of people. German tank stopped short
and slightly bent. From the side of the hatch popped people, and I opened fire on them
from my Lewis. The German infantry, followed the tank, too, has stopped. " After three
hits (possibly one of them - not one British tank guns and field guns out) at A7V oil
radiator was damaged, three people, including a gunner guns, killed three slightly
injured. It happened around 10:20. However, the Mk IV came under fire of other
German tanks - they were A7V 525 and 504 under the command of Lieutenants
Frank-Walter Bitter and A. Muller, respectively, from the same third group. These two
tanks could not move at Kashi, as the German infantry was stopped by heavy fire, and
remained on site (tank Bitter lieutenant, however, succeeded in going from the flank,
clear fire a British trench - part of the British infantry was hit by fire, some retreated) .
Since the beginning of the withdrawal of the German tanks Mk IV Mitchell continued
to fire even after them, but at a distance of about 900 meters (1000 yards) could not get
there. Tank Mitchell clearly ceased to carry - for a start it is fired at a British aircraft,
taking the enemy tank. Then Mk IV came under mortar fire 5th German Guards, and
smote him break mine caterpillar.

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A7V Tank, failures in a wide trench. The tank carries camouflage coloring of broad
colored bands.

The British had to leave your tank and take refuge in the nearest trench behind it (it was
12:45). Meanwhile, the commander of the damaged A7V Lieutenant Biltz, using the
fact that the fire on his tank stopped and the engine continues to run, unable to move for
about 2 km. after which the faulty one of the engines (due to the total leakage of oil).
The crew left the tank and took part in the battle with the German infantry. British tanks
seemingly inferior encountered them in German firepower, booking and crew
performance. However, in this battle, affected by factors such as tanks agility,
experience and teamwork of crews. Interestingly, the battle took place near the position
of the British infantry and in full view of the German artillery. But they did not take part
in it - the German gunners were afraid of hitting their tanks and infantry British simply
did not have anti-tank weapons. A tank battle broke out, and east of Kashi. Around
12:30 Lieutenant Frederick William Bitter, the commander said A7V number 525 of the
third group (the tank carrying the name of "Siegfried"), noting a departure of the British
infantry to Kashi, moved to cut her way. Soon he saw seven British medium tanks Mk
A "Whippet". It was the company X tanks from the 3rd Battalion (battalion) of the
British Tank Corps. The commander of this group "Whippets" Captain Thomas R.
Price, received the pennant with the message thrown airplane, around 11:00 moved to
Kashi with the aim to counter infantry advancing German 77th Reserve Division.
Passing on the maximum speed line British fences, tanks "Whippet" met in a hollow
two infantry battalions of the enemy and opened fire on them. Prices of German tanks
captain did not notice that is understandable and combat conditions, and poor visibility
of the tanks. As a result, while the "Whippet" turned and fired from their guns and
crushed caterpillars German infantry lieutenant Bitter, who was watching the fight, put
forward his A7V number 525 forward so that he could from a distance of about 300
meters to lead on "Whippets" fire from the space . He was joined by the German field
artillery.

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Tank A7V number 562 from the 1st "Attack separation", the beginning of May 1918. In
the frontal part of the circled places hit enemy bullets in the battle of Villers-
Bretonneux.

A "Whippet" was hit, three were injured. And Price was sure it did not German tanks
and field artillery of the 4th Guards German division (whose mortar, by the way,
damaged the caterpillar, and Lieutenant Mitchell Mk IV). Nevertheless, "Whippets"
during their counterattack, according to British reports, managed to "knock over 1,200,
of which at least 400 have been killed," and actually disrupt the German attack in this
direction. Price gave the command to move his tanks over the hill in the direction of
Kashi. A "Whippet" overturned, another departed, and did not intervene in the case, and
three corrupted "Whippet" could on their own to return to the location. According to the
description of the same lieutenant F. Mitchell: "Three of the seven <" Whippet "> came
back, and with their trucks dripping blood; four others were on the front lines, and their
crews after such a massacre could not rely on the fate of prisoners of war. I saw one of
them, without a suit, who fled with a machine gun under his arm to another "Whippet"
which stopped to pick it up. "

This clash with tanks tanks was purely "local significance". The German attack of the
village of Kasi has not begun. Tank number 542 Lieutenant Stein could lead to silence
the enemy's machine guns in the way of their movement, but deviated from the route to
the north. Then, passing through a funnel with sandy edges, capsized to starboard. The
crew left the car with the three carbines and machine guns and took part in the attack as
an assault infantry group - as, indeed, and trained crews Bvile. In this battle, Lieutenant
Stein and one soldier died, another member of the crew was injured, one was captured,
and the rest were able to return to her. The surviving tanks A7V third group returned to

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their original positions around 15:45. Losses tank of the third group of six people killed
(including one officer), 13 wounded and one missing.

Tank number 560 from the 1st "Attack separation" near Marselkav immediately after
the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, April 24 1918 Tank - in the stowed position, laid
masksetyu. The crew members are resting on the roof. On the right (in the area of the
left front door) is visible vehicle commander Lieutenant Folkgaym.

Padded A7V number 561 Germans evacuated the night, but in the rear had to be
disassembled (according to another version, he was blown up by German sappers, not to
leave it in the hands of the enemy). Evacuate tank fell into a funnel 506 "Mephisto",
despite one attempt during the battle and two at night, the Germans did not succeed,
against him were even cannon and machine guns.

As a result of the fight and by the Germans, and the British public was lost and two
damaged by two tanks. Losses from the German tank, according to a British Major
General John Fuller (based on German sources he had collected.) - Nine people were
killed, including an officer, 36 wounded, including three officers, and one missing.
According to others, however - six killed, 28 wounded and one prisoner. Golf first fight
with tanks tanks left behind by the British. It gave them reason to consider themselves
winners in this battle. However, the German attack on Villers-Bretonneux in general has
been successful and has improved the position of the German troops in this area.
However, the very village of Villers-Bretonneux on the night of 24 April 25, the British
took back - it was thrown into battle strong Australian infantry battalions, supported
their tanks - but then the village also could not move. As fighting continued in the area,
the tank number 506 "Mephisto" for a long time remained in their funnel, then find
themselves near the German positions, near the British, at the neutral territory. Finally,

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on June 14, the A7V taken as a trophy of the Australian infantry, with two tanks Mk V
dragged him to the rear of the British position. Later he was transferred to Australia and
installed in the Queensland Museum in Brisbane. Tank A7V number 542 on May 15 the
British pulled two tanks Mk IV A of the same company his 1st Tank Battalion, with the
help of the soldiers of the 37th division of the Moroccan. This tank bore the name of
"Elfriede", which is why in the popular and called "type Elfriede tanks" in the literature
A7V tanks for a long time. Battle of Villers-Bretonneux opened another part of the tank
in addition to the means of breaking fortified forward positions and support infantry
combat in the depth of the defense - the role of an effective anti-tank weapons. As stated
in the British Tank Corps history: "It is remarkable that the winner of the first ever tank
battle stasis tank number 1 of the 1st platoon of Company A, 1st Battalion, Tank
Corps."

German tank number 506 "Mephisto", which became a trophy of the Australian
infantry. On the side of the hull is already painted British "imperial" lion paw on A7V
imposed, and marked the date when it was put out of action.

Two lieutenant - British and German Mitchell Biltz - in fact, put the top tank battles
with tanks. Although the Chief of Staff of the British Tank Corps George. Fuller
reported to headquarters in December 1917 .: "The mobile anti-tank defenses, no doubt,
the most powerful available today means ... The tanks have an important advantage over
the artillery because the move by petrol motors, and not on the horse-drawn. "

2nd Panzer "assault separation" after the battle at Villers-Breton received three new
tanks A7V: 563 "Wotan" - return number 542, number 528, "Hagen" - return number
543, and the tank number 529 replaced the number 561 and apparently, so I was given
the name "Nix-II. 3rd Department of the tank instead of the number 506 received tank
number 564. The new tanks took the surviving crews. So, the commander of the tank
number 564 became Toynissensen lieutenant who commanded until the tank number
506 Shlivinski lieutenant, commanding a tank number 543, became the commander of
the tank number 528, and, of course, the tank number 529 "Nix-II received the

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Lieutenant Biltz. Tank number 501 was sent to the factory in Berlin for mounting the
gun installation stead third branch received a refurbished tank number 543. In Flanders,
with its poor roads have been used as crawler tractors, transporters A7V.

The British edition of The War Illustrated placed the dramatic figure of the first
battle tanks tanks at Villers-Bretonneux. The artist painted almost "hot pursuit" German
A7V quite plausible, but inadvertently mixed up the tank "Nix", who led a duel with the
British tanks, with a captured tank "Elfriede" (who was carrying a third number).

Against the wall of Reims. During the second German offensive in 1918 on the river.
Ain (operation "Blucher" on May 27 -. 14 of June) 15 Mk IV tanks offices 11, 12,

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13 and 14 were put into action in the band of the 7th German Army, located then 25
divisions. 3953 guns and 687 aircraft. On the first day of the offensive tanks acted
together with the divisions of the 65th Corps and the 5th Guards Division of the 4th
Reserve Corps in the area Voeckler-Berry-au-Bac against the French positions. The
success of the attack with tanks was strongly painted by the German press. But in fact,
the tanks broke through the first line of defense, but stopped in front of a wide trench of
the second band (the so-called "Dardannelsky trench"), while the infantry in this sector
reached p. Vel. having advanced to a depth of 20 km. The main burden of promoting the
infantry lay on the artillery. The artillery preparation began at 2:00 am on May 27 and
lasted 2 hours and 40 minutes (the fire was including chemical shells), and when at 4:40
began infantry attacks, artillery arranged movable barrage, followed by assault infantry
units. French Marshal F. Foch later wrote about this day:.. "At 3 h 40 m enemy infantry
went on the attack on a front of 55 km from Brimona to Leia, and under the cover of a
very dense rolling barrage, supported in some parts of tanks, one onslaught I burst deep
into the location of the French troops. " Chief Military Advisor to the Prime Minister of
Great Britain, General Harold Wilson in the War Cabinet report on the events on May
27 stated: "The battle began with a gas attack, especially strong in the second lines, it
was followed by an artillery bombardment, which lasted 2.5 hours.

Tank A7V number 504 "Shnuk" 2nd "assault Branch" on the march, beginning in May
1918 removed machine guns inside the car.

After breaking through the barbed wire using trench mortars, the opponent led the attack
in the usual way with the assistance of the tanks. 50th <UK> Division "hung in the air"
when the 22th French division left the front left without warning. The Germans poured
into the gap left by the departure of the French 22th Division, and went to the rear of the
British 50th Division, which as a result has suffered a huge loss. " Departure 22th
French division was caused by the fact that, adhering to the old tactics, it occupied the

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main forces of the first line of trenches that were swept away by the fire of the German
artillery. So the German tank crews did not have to play a significant role in the
successful fight. Before stopping the 2nd German offensive tanks took part in the
attacks of the German 7th backup and 15th corps at Reims defending connections 4th
French Army. May 31 here went into battle tanks A7V 2nd "Assault department." Tank
number 529 "Nix-11", moving along the narrow road, was hit by a shell 75-mm field
gun in the left side, three crew members were killed, two were wounded, gearbox (tank
later was taken by the French) has been damaged. Move next tanks 525 and 528
were forced to retreat, not to be trapped. In tanks 504 and 563 of the same
department discovered the mechanical problem. 1-5 June fierce fighting on the heights
around Reims, in particular for the forest of Villers-Cotter. The French at that time were
able to focus considerable reserves here. A7V tanks of the 2nd department of June I had
to act to the north of Reims, supporting the infantry 242 th Infantry Division, a A7V
first compartment and Mk IV of the 13th and 14th divisions - to the south of the city
with the 228th Infantry Division . Tanks 501 and 540, we note, at this time were
re-57-mm gun on the column book-rests installation. The main obstacle considered the
French position at Fort Pompelo (La Pompelo). Intelligence Officer on the eve of the
attack showed that the area is quite passable for tanks, combat engineers but need
assistance for the organization through the transition relatively broad German trenches
at the site. French as trenches were narrow, and German tanks could they go. German
A7V were more or less satisfactory technical condition, worse than was the case with
worn captured Mk IV. In the 13th ward were three tanks ready for battle, which
complemented one tank of 11 and another of 12-th branch.

Australian soldiers and British officers inspect a captured tank number 506 "Mephisto".

May 31 at about 20:00 tanks southern group came up with a waiting position in Vitry,
and the tanks of the northern group (2nd Division) - from Bezenkura. On the way, they
stop and tanks camouflaged to avoid detection by enemy tanks to their original positions
reached in the dark. As it turned out, the transition through their trenches engineers have
not prepared, and the tankers do it yourself - here, perhaps, and had an advantage of the
large number of crews A7V. Tanks of the 1st department, acting north-west, at Fort
Pompelo reached a few - tanks 541 and 562 of the compartment due to mechanical
problems stopped almost at the starting position, another broke down shortly after the

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beginning of the movement. Tanks 526 and 527, advancing forward, stuck in the
"wolf pits" and were hit by fire of the French artillery (tank number 527, for example,
was hit in wheelhouse shells 75 mm field guns). Tank number 526 could move
(however, it was soon dismantled, the engines installed on other tanks), the second tank
crew abandoned because the clutch was damaged. 14th branch captured Mk IV acted
successfully. Its tanks have been three lines of trenches and helped promote the infantry.
But of the four tanks of the office returned under their own power, only one - the rest
are either stuck in the funnels were either knocked out of the French artillery. From
tanks "composite" of the 13th branch of a collapsed into the funnel, the other has failed
airborne transmission. One tank of the office still had enough successful attack,
although it was during the battle jammed pedal driver. When Pompelo fort was captured
tank to help the infantry moved to the channel Al-Marne, but it was torn down by
artillery fire, the crew took three of his gun, took part in the battle with the infantry, and
with them also retreated to the German positions. One tank Mk IV (called "Maurice") is
stuck in the funnel on the "no man's land" in front of the French line of trenches and was
blown up by the crew during the withdrawal. Two tanks of the 13th department
remained at the starting position. The tanks of the 3rd "assault separation" in the
operation were not involved. A7V tanks 501 and 540 at this time were re-57-mm
gun on the column book-rests installation. Unsuccessful attack was the 1st "Attack
department" on 5 June. Altogether Reims French artillery fire were destroyed eight
German tanks (said the practice of nomination forward field guns for direct fire from
concealed positions), knocked out one tank-infantry grenade throwers.

Photo tank A7V "Elfriede" in the British press and joyful message - "The first tank of
the Huns, taken by the British" (press allies loved then called "Huns" of the Germans).

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Fighting in Reims showed the need for more careful selection and reconnaissance in the
planning of the offensive with tanks. In addition, the German tankers have developed a
kind of "zigzag" order of battle to attack the prepared anti-tank defense: As a small
amount of cash tanks are not allowed to allocate the second tier, the tanks were built in
the form of a polyline with a distance between the cars about 50 m - to see the visual
signals of adjacent tanks and to be able to cover them with fire. During the German
attack on June 9 p. Mas tank A7V number 562 from the 1st "Attack department" was hit
by artillery, first close projectile break interrupted gasoline pipe, causing a stop of the
tank, then a direct hit was mortally wounded tank commander Lieutenant Bartens and
was in the tank, Oberleutnant Skopnik (the acting commander of 1 th department),
killed three crew members and injuring five. Tank number 560 under the cover of fog
moved deep into the French positions until he fell into a pit, which turned the battalion
command post, then the shell gap (or grenade) at a tank brought him down - think about
the weak protection A7V tanks from the bottom. However, were evacuated tank. Tank
number 541, whose commander was Oberleutnant Skopnik, received Lieutenant Philip
after his death. Under his command tank supported the attack of German infantry, but
because of problems in the propulsion system was forced to move back, picked up on
the road tank crew number 562. The tanks of the 3rd "assault Branch ( 503, 505,
507, 543, 564 ) in action June 9 luckier - they helped the infantry to capture target
objects without suffering losses. The commander of the 1 st branch officially became
captain Hans Tofern.

Instead, the tank number 527 received the first compartment tank number 501,
converted into a workshop V.A.K.R. 20 rearmed and 57-mm cannon on the column
book-rests installation, instead of the tank number 562 - the tank number 540, a
converted factory in Berlin-Marienfelde. Tank number 562 was evacuated and sent to
the workshops V.A.K.R. 20, after repair transmitted 2nd compartment.

About how small was the number entered by the Germans in battle tanks, can be judged
from the fact that, when on June 11 the French at Reims counterattacked, they are at the
front, about 10 km entered in the case 5 divisions and 159 tanks, "Schneider" and "Sen -
Shamon ".

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Tank A7V number 503 with the name "William" from the 3rd "assault separation", the
end of June 1918 machine guns removed, the upper cabin - no extra armor. Pay
attention to the open inspection covers, locks the door body and a removable step
outside the door.

IN "The Second Battle of the Marne." July 15 on the first day of the last German
offensive (so-called "second Marne" or "Battle of the world"), the tanks of the 1st and
2nd "assault offices" again operated on both sides of Reims, in the band of the 1st
German army. The attack began at dawn, around 4:50, after artillery preparation, which
started at 1:10 at night. 1st department started up the attack all the tanks are on the move
- 501, 540, 541 and 560. The attack had no success, because the French are used
tactics of "elastic defense" developed in depth - not long restrain the frontrunners
engaged in small groups with machine guns, then they retreated deep into the basic
position. And since the main strip of the French defense has not suffered during the
artillery barrage, the resistance here was very stubborn. In addition, the French quite
well spent artillery counter and produced a very tight machine-gun fire. infantry support
guns could not very far behind her, and the tanks, due to their small size, could not
replace the artillery. In the band of the 1st Bavarian Corps several tanks were blown up
by mines. Tanks 504, 525 and 563 of the 2nd "assault separation" was supported
by infantry from Fort de la Montagne and suffered no losses. A7V tanks showed their
protection against infantry fire - on the armor returned from battle tank number 525
"Siegfried", for example, then counted 520 dents from enemy bullets. July 17 attack on
both sides of Reims stopped.

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A July 18 French counter-offensive began at Soissons, to the top of which the 10th
French Army had 337 tanks, "Schneider", "Saint-Chamond" and "Renault" the FT, and
6th - 183-name. And on August 8 during the big Allied offensive at Amiens the British
entered into a fight 324 heavy and 96 medium-sized, and the French - 90 light tanks (not
counting the technical reserves). The comparison is not in favor of the German side.

French soldiers posing in captured tanks A7V number 542 "Elfriede" (view from the
stern). Pay attention to "Krupp" hull of, massive (early version) book jacket preserved
machine gun, as well as the shape of the drive wheel trimmed screen. On the roof of the
housing laid towline.

In recent months a counterattack. On August 9, during the offensive of the Entente,


the 1st and 3rd armored "Assault department" supported the action of the 18th German
army southwest of Noyon against parts of the 3rd French army. Tank number 560 1 st
branch was damaged by artillery fire, number 562 hit the funnel, number 541 has
damaged the engine and transmission. 3rd department operated successfully, although
the tank number 564 stuck on the village street. During the withdrawal of German
troops on tanks, conveyors A7V chassis (berlandwagen) were used for the evacuation of
the property - in particular, the machine A.K.K. column (R) 1115 was taken during the
month 223 tons of cargo. August 31 Tanks 1 - and 2 of "assault offices" allowed to
carry out counter at Fremikura against parts of the 1st British Army, advancing on
Cambrai using a large number of tanks. Counter-attacks were intended to gain time on
the right flank of the front and to the waste of the German armies in the band, located
further south, to prepared positions "Siegfried." All four tanks A7V 1 st branch out of
service for technical reasons in the course of a 20-kilometer march. In the second
branch of the previously transmitted to him the tank number 562 "Hercules" it was still
August 30 aircraft damaged by a bomb in the bombardment of the enemy in the woods
collecting point Burlon and sent for repair in Charleroi V.A.K.R. 20 (tank had to
disassemble). Tanks 525 "Siegfried" and the number 563, "Vaughan" out of service
for technical reasons, so that the infantry attack could support only two A7V 2nd
Branch - 504 "Shnuk" and the number 528, "Hagen". They were hit by artillery. And
it states that tanks, off course, went to the site where German infantry and artillery were

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not warned about the appearance of their tanks and took them for the enemy. As a
result, the tank number 504 was shot by his own (of three or five one projectile hit came
from the frontal part, and 30-mm frontal armor resisted), and the tank number 528,
trying to avoid "friendly fire" stuck and was also hit. The crews left the car, and three
days later, both tanks captured the New Zealand Infantry Division. After this 2nd
"assault branch" has ceased to exist, and the remaining machines and personnel
transferred to the 1st unit. In Fremikura operated and one branch captured Mk IV.

Tank A7V number 529 "Nix-II of", belonging to the 2nd "ground attack secession" and
lined in Reims, the end of 1918 or the beginning of 1919 Tank carries on board two
"iron cross" with a white outline and a number of V; already partly dismantled by the
French.

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Tankers 2nd "assault separation" with the tank A7V number 525 "Siegfried" in the
course of employment in the march-au-Pont (Charleroi), in September 1918 Tankers -
in working overalls and everyday form. Established additional armor cutting and
machine-gun embrasures. Tank has not yet received the new camouflage coloring on
board - tactical "II of" number "iron cross" smeared, straight is not yet applied.

French soldiers inspect the broken artillery fire Mk IV female, which operated as
part of the German tank "Assault department." Pay attention to the location of the "Iron
Cross" and tactical machine rooms.

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Double trophy. Tank Mk damaged in combat IV of "female" from the German tank
"assault Branch" taken by British soldiers. The tank carries direct crosses.

Tank Mk IV female from the German "Assault department" stuck on the ground. It is
worth noting that, along with the adopted in the German "storm room" system of
markings - "Iron Cross", tactical room in a circle, the name of "Lotte" - see the
numbers "30", probably left over from the traditional owners.

In early October, the tanks of the 1st "Attack separation" with tanks attached to it
number 525 and number 563 of the former 2nd Branch sent to Cambrai to participate in
local counterattacks. October 3 1st branch was forced to throw the tank number 540, the
failed during the march, removing all the foam equipment with him. The tank then was
taken as a trophy by the British. Tanks A7V third "assault separation" in late August
sent in Saarburg to familiarize troops with tanks Duke Albrecht group armies. There
were tanks to October, without taking part in the fighting - a group of Duke Albrecht's
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armies until the end of the war played a supporting role. But based on the third
separation September 7 tested the light tank LK, also conducted a joint exercise
ostentatious A7V tanks and infantry of the 15th Assault Battalion. October 5 allies
launched an offensive at the front Cambrai-Saint-Quentin. And on October 7 after the
retreat of German armies in the position of "Siegfried", four tanks A7V third "assault
separation" ( 503, 505, 543, 564) took part in the counter-part third of the German
army against the French troops in Saint-Etienne. Tanks are not moved with the infantry,
because they could not overcome a small wading the river, the bridges over which were
blown up the day before the attack (closed front and rear tracks, an open bottom and a
low-set tailpipes A7V allowed him to overcome unless the shallow puddles). Infantry,
which operated on the other side, supported by tanks fire their guns and machine guns
to the place, playing the role of those "moving forts." All came out to battle tanks, in the
end, were damaged. October 12 tanks of the 3rd department returned to Mons-sur-
Sambre (Charleroi), but V.A.K.R. 20 could not carry out their repairs here, as prepared
for evacuation to Germany. Another 29 September submission of the German XIV
Reserve Corps, which was to contain the offensive of the British to the north and south
of Cambrai, tanks Mk IV 11th were transferred to the 15th and 16th "assault divisions."
And 8 October 15 tanks entered these offices in the German front at Cambrai gap
against parts of the 1st British Army. The appearance of tanks again caused panic
among the British soldiers, so that, according to the British, "was able to restore order
only after two of them were put out of action." It held its second encounter tanks with
tanks on the battlefield, but this time faced the same type of combat vehicles.

Captured British Mk IV (Beutepanzerwagen IV), rearmed 57-mm guns, "Maxim-


Nordenfeld" in the service of the German tank "assault compartment (Beutepanzer-
kampfwagen Abteilung).

Already in the morning on October 8 near the village Nirni British tanks Mk IV
(according to other sources, a new tanks Mk V) mouth and C battalion L (12th Battalion
of the British Tank Corps) met with the German tank compartment equipped with
captured Mk IV as part of I cannon "male" and 3 machine-gun "females". Pre-dawn
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twilight, and the same type of machines initially played into the hands of the German
tank crews. British tank L16 Company A under Captain Ro took German tanks for tanks
operating in the neighboring village Serenvil Company C of the same battalion L and
realized his mistake, just approaching at a distance of 50 m. Before L16 could fire, he
received two direct hits, the commander was injured, driver killed. Ros rest of the crew
left the tank captain and moved to the L19 tank. This tank has a crew of five people
were killed, including the gunner guns, so the fire of the guns he did not keep. Tank
commander Lieutenant L19 Uorsep German tanks fired machine guns, but soon the tank
received a direct hit by a shell, there was a fire in it. Leaving the tank together with the
surviving tank crews, lieutenant blew it. Tank L12 same company also later saw the
enemy and at first took him for tanks tanks Company C. As a result, the tank was put
out of action two hits shells. Contact German shell and the tank got L8, he turned out to
be broken radiator, and the car still stood. Tank commander Lt. Martel ordered the crew
to leave the tank and take part in the battle on foot. Together with artillery observers, he
turned left here by the Germans field cannon shot from it your tank to prevent his
capture and then knocked out two German Mk IV. L54 Tank Company C under the
command of Lieutenant Walters, faced with German machine-gun Mk IV, fired their
machine guns, forcing the move. Another two German machine-gun cannon tanks were
hit by British tanks, commanders were Lieutenant Clark and Sherat.

Driving a tank battle in Nirni October 8, 1918 In addition to areas of action are shown
stopping places destroyed tanks.

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But British tank company A has lost in this battle tanks, almost all (except one) and 19
persons of staff. This fight is interesting for our subject, first, that showed increased
combat prowess of the German tank, and secondly, once again confirmed the weakness
of a purely machine-gun tanks. Two or three small, local gave considerable material for
the further development of tank technology and tactics on the value clashes with tanks
tanks. Despite some success of the German tank, part of their tanks were lost by fire
British tanks and artillery, later part has failed due to technical reasons, and the
promotion of British troops made it impossible for them to delay and repaired. October
9 A7V 1st "Attack separation" and Mk IV 13th Branch at the disposal of the German
371 th Infantry Division with the task to support its counter-attack. A7V tanks with
numbers 501, 525, 541, 560 and 563 of the 1st department used to counterattack north
of Cambrai in Saint-Aubert Yves October 11 - a month before the armistice.
Counterattack in Yiwu has become quite successful - the benefit of the terrain was
suitable for these tanks. Tank number 560 in this battle once again suffered an injury -
broken tracks. failed to evacuate it, the tank was blown up. Tank number 501 received
minor damage after the battle. It was the last use of the German A7V tanks in World
War II. From the 13th branch of the tank, only three were able to go into battle, and the
rest were too worn out. Two of the Mk IV issued in battle were set on fire by enemy
fire, another one has stopped due to a fault of a transmission and clutch, the crew was
forced to leave. However, participants in the battle Lieutenant Ernst Folkgaym thought
it was October 11, "the most successful German battle tanks" - at least a dozen tanks,
infantry helped to successfully eliminate the British breakthrough, in turn, carried out
with tanks.

German tanks and infantry near the tank Mk IV male (Beutepanzer wagen IV)
German Tank "Assault department."

The next day began a planned withdrawal of German units from these positions. Tank
number 501 was sent to Sasha, which was used for the filming of the educational film
Die Abwelirschlacht ( Defensive Battle") about the actions and measures of anti-

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tank defense. Subsequently, the tank number 501 was thrown at a train station not far
from Sasha. October 23 remnants of the 3rd "assault separation" was included in the
composition of the 1 st branch and 27 October 1 st and 2 nd department launched a
combined commander I - Precinct Captain Toferna. November 3 joint unit was sent to
Erbenheim (Wiesbaden), where close to the former horse arena planned to organize a
new camp tank.It is known that in the beginning of November, there were tanks
503 (502), 505 (or 507), 525, 541, 543, 563, 564. 1 November 1918 during the German
attempts to prevent the capture of Valenciennes Canadian and British parts of the
German 28 th reserve division were attached to four tanks Mk IV from the 12th, 13th
and 14th divisions. These tanks with the infantry moved to counterattack in Kyurzhi
area in south-eastern outskirts of Valenciennes. The Germans managed to push back of
the 4 th, 49 th and 61 th British divisions, while losing two tanks from enemy fire. But
the very next day, the British resumed the offensive, and the soldiers of the 61st British
Division even captured two "German Mk IV. All combat work of the German tank
"assault branches" was no more than a dozen private episodic attacks for eight months.
The tanks are operated in combat separately, in small groups, and as a result of the
attack acted together in no more than 7-8 cars. The interaction with the infantry and
artillery was organized poorly, did not initially produced and exploration area in terms
of its terrain for tanks. According to the Austrian general Ludwig von Eymansbergera,
"tanks, the available in the German army, were used without any knowledge of this kind
of weapon." Nevertheless, the use of tanks was not random or haphazard - the German
command tried to use them in critical sectors of the front. Sometimes the "assault
divisions' attack were successful, but the number of used tanks does not correspond to
the scale of operations. With more than 90 tanks, suitable for combat use - albeit mostly
trophy - the German command in any battle is not massage them, even on a small
section of the front.

Tank A7V number 501 on the set of the film school in October 1918 Pay attention to the
form of direct crosses.

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The density of the tanks at the front of the 18th Army on March 21 was 0.5 per 1 km of
the tank, in the 6th Army on April 9 - 1, 7 th Army on the 27th of May - tank 0.3 to 1
km of the front of attack. Actions three "assault offices" (only 13 A7V) in Villers-
Breton were not, perhaps, the only example of a "massive" tank attack on the German
side. For comparison - the beginning of a counter-offensive of the Entente (18 July
1918) The 10th French Army had 16 divisions with 1573 guns, 531 aircraft and 337
tanks, and tanks density was 9-14 per 1 km of the front. Nevertheless. in one of the
records of staff of the 18th German Army said: "Our tanks are greatly strengthened the
spirit of the infantry, even when they are used in a small number; At the same time, as
experience has shown, they made a big demoralizing effect on the enemy infantry. "
The disadvantages of the use of the first German tanks include a small number of
repairs carried out by "rear echelon" armored forces' assault divisions. " Most tanks had
to be sent for repair shops in Charleroi or a factory in Berlin. Apparently, the impact of
command related to the combat use of their tanks as a "military trials." Meanwhile, the
"rescue teams" or "field company" British Tank Corps in the same in 1918, not only
were evacuated fighting vehicles from the battlefield, but a lot of repairs carried out in
the field. Three "assault Branch A7V tank battles of all time - on March 21 to a truce II
in November 1918 of 1,400 troops have lost 80 men killed and 220 wounded, several
people were taken prisoner. But it's not just the losses themselves tank units. In
recognition of the German and English authors, in those areas where used German
tanks, infantry advancing at a much smaller loss than those without them. This
confirmed the experience of the first British and French tank - tanks help save soldiers'
lives, while ensuring that - better than only one infantry.

Tank A7V 540 abandoned and dismantled by the Germans and the British are already
partially disassembled. End 1918 - beginning of 1919.

The postwar fate of German tanks

Unlike the British or French tanks, which have reached the end of the war, the German
was not able to continue to serve in his or someone else's army and accumulate new
experience. The Allies were not going to leave the defeated Germany of weapons that
could threaten them. Since the book Robert Kruger "The tanks, their origin and use in
war", published at the beginning of the 1920s, confirmed the formula: "The German
tanks, which have reached the homeland ... suffered, according to the Treaty of

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Versailles, the sad fate inglorious death in the rear of the property "and that" the fate of
"the same time spread all A7V. Indeed, in the course of the remaining tanks in the
course of purification of the Belgian territory were evacuated Erbenheim, near
Wiesbaden, where in late October - early November 1918 transferred to the
headquarters of the commander bronechastey. Here they were caught and the truce.
After its announcement armored "Assault department" were dissolved. The tanks fell
into the hands of the French, who took Erbenheim December 15, 1918, under the terms
of the armistice. They immediately proceeded to their dismantling and destruction -
even before the signing of the peace treaty. During 1919 it was dismantled allies A7V
with chassis numbers 501, 525, 540, 541, 543, 563, 564. Some A7V, captured on the
front, the Allies were used as exhibits "trophy" exhibition. A7V number 504 "Shnuk"
and the number 528, "Hagen" taken the New Zealand infantry in Fremikura, were
exhibited in London and also went to be scrapped after the signing of the Treaty of
Versailles (apparently a sign of "the final victory"), and the gun installation of the tank
number 504 a mantle result transferred to the Imperial war Museum. The United
Kingdom was removed and one unarmored A7V chassis (Uberlandwagen), but it
survived for long. Member of the battle at Villers-Bretonneux tank number 561 "Nix"
was destroyed by the Germans long before the truce. Tank number 562 "Hercules" was
dismantled after the battle August 31, 1918 The remains of tanks 526 and 527
"Lottie", rust-at Fort Pompelo, dismantled for scrap in 1921. The tank number 529
"Nix-II, lined in Reims and taken by the French, he was in July 1919, handed them to
the Americans and transferred to the United States. There he was examined at the
Aberdeen Proving Ground and only in 1942 was dismantled for scrap. Tank number
542 "Elfriede", as already mentioned, was the trophy of the British and Moroccans in
Villers-Breton April 24, 1918, and the tank number 560 lost by Yves 11 October.

New Zealanders visiting the stricken and abandoned by the Germans A7V tank number
504 "Shnuk", which is already signed by "The New Zealand Division." Clearly visible
additional armor logging and control body armor jacket abandoned machine gun.

392
Tank "Elfriede" French suffered at the shooting range in Bourron fire from 37-mm
infantry guns and armor-piercing rifle bullets, hoping to identify the possibility of anti-
infantry weapon. In late 1918, he was put among the other trophies in the Place de la
Concorde in Paris, and in 1919 was dismantled for scrap. In the literature, starting with
the famous handbook Heigl "Tanks" are mentions that several A7V Allied Powers
transferred along with armored vehicles "Erhard" newly formed Polish state, which is
more like a legend. If we can talk about and A7V transfer, it is not tanks and unarmored
truck chassis, although this has not yet found clear evidence. But it is known that
another tumor - Latvia - received several tracked vehicles "Marien-Wagen II. In
Germany, the first tanks came to the streets to suppress the revolutionary actions. That
is their first "to the streets" was quite "peaceful" - in early 1918 on the streets of Berlin
held a captured tank Mk IV, in order to raise the morale of the Germans. But a year later
the same Mk IV on the streets of Berlin as the same has already been used by the
Germans against the Germans. The counter-revolutionary Freikorps ( "volunteer corps")
except for heavy armored vehicles and captured Mk IV was used and two newly
manufactured machine gun on a tank A7V chassis and - according to some reports - one
"original" A7V. During street fighting in Berlin during the revolutionary events of
January 1919 of the Freikorps supported one machine-gun tank with the number "54".
This tank is assembled on A7V chassis after the armistice and of "combat" was
characterized by low streamlined central wheelhouse with two folding armored covers,
having four doors in the building, hastily made ventilation grilles, installation of a
machine gun. In the corners of the body were put guns MG.08 / 15 mobile
broneustanovkah high angle horizontal fire, one more machine gun can be installed in
narrow front and rear hull embrasures. One of the same tank, known as "Hedy (Hedi),
the spring of the same year delivered to Leipzig to help Volunteer (landegerskomu)
General Merker body in suppressing the revolutionary actions. And with him in Leipzig
deployed and two captured Mk IV with an equally "endearment" names "Marihen" and
"Ernie". It is assumed that the tanks "number 54" and "Hedy" were assembled in the
factory "Steffens und Zero" in Berlin-Tempelhof on the basis of buildings, projected
previously for the "tank connection". There is mention of the presence at the Freikorps
in Berlin "combat" A7V tank number either 505, or 507, but not "in his name" -
fraykorovtsy gave the tank the name "Emperor" (whether this tank Freikorps was used
in the fighting - unknown).

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British transport captured A7V number 528 "Hagen".

On the other hand, it is argued that the tanks 505 and 507 were dismantled allies
that, in principle, does not rule out their presence at the Freikorps in 1919. All three cars
were part of the so-called KOKAMPF (Kommandeur der Kampfwagen, Command
combat vehicles") - time division headed by Captain G. Krting, who had served before
in tank units. Stir in Division barracks transport parts in Lankwitz, near Berlin. In the
Freikorps were many first tankers Reichswehr - in Leipzig, for example, acting
lieutenant Toynissen and Bornshayn. The street battles in 1919 were used, by the way,
and armored half-track "Marien-Wagen II of" and captured Mk IV of heavy and
medium Mk A "Whippet". Allies against such use of the German tanks, of course, did
not object, but after the suppression of the revolution all these machines were
dismantled in accordance with the terms of the Versailles Treaty. In Germany, no A7V
tank has not been preserved. However, the tank is not forgotten. Already in the early
1930s in the Berlin armory (now the German Historical Museum) wooden model A7V
was put on the scale of 1: 1. Despite the high level of detail, the layout was quite
conventional. In particular, he had two doors on the side, distorted sizes embrasures,
gun mounts, and so on. D., Although spotty camouflage painting was close to actually
apply. Apparently, based on the conventions of the tank and bore the name of the
conditional - "Hummel (Hummel). This layout was killed when hit bomb in Zeughaus
in 1945 - along with the store near real heavy armored car "Erhard" in 1919. Then, in
1930 on the territory of the newly formed tank units of the Wehrmacht put monuments
reduced to simplistic models of A7V as a sign of "continuity of traditions." So, like a
monument, installed in the barracks of the 5th Panzer Regiment in Wnsdorf, already in
1937, we held a meeting of veterans of the 1st "Attack separation" - of course, with
pompous attributes of the Nazi "celebrations". At least one unarmored tractor-
transporter A7V was after the war in the exhibition of the famous Deutsches Museum
(Museum of Science and Technology) in Munich. Tank A7V number 506, bearing the
name of "Mephisto", as has been said, becoming the trophy at the Australian infantry
Kashi. Australians after the tank capture were not fully paint a jack with a British tank

394
under his arm, but in retaliation portrayed on board the "Mephisto" British lion, cover
with paw German A7V and the large letters brought marking the 26th Australian
Battalion, who took the tank, and the place of capture. Tank initially transported to the
location of the artillery courses of the British Tank Corps, and the spring of 1919,
transported to Australia. Here he was in August of the Queensland Museum established
in the same year in the city of Brisbane, as the majority of the soldiers of the 26th
Battalion was in this state.

Tank A7V number 542 "Elfriede", exhibited among other trophies on the Place de la
Concorde in Paris, the end of 1918

Australians are less than the other winners of the needed scrap metal, and, apparently,
so the "Mephisto" escaped the fate of their brethren. However, the shortage of museum
exhibit - lost many original features and elements of the interior. In 1972 it was
renovated and brought in more or less original appearance in 1994 pomeshen in a glass
dome with climate control. This is the only original A7V, preserved to our days, served
as a model for the reconstruction of tank number 563 "Wotan" for the German tank
museum in Munster. "Building Committee tank A7V was formed in April 1987, under
the chairmanship of Brigadier General of the Bundeswehr R. Rothenberger. "Wotan"
completely re-built, and in 1990 established a special diorama in the memory of the first
German soldiers. A worthy example of respect for its history. Next "replica" of the tank
A7V was presented to the museum of the Royal Tank Corps at Bovington (England) in
June 2009. This propelled copy built under the direction of British history enthusiast RB
military equipment Grande with chassis units two tractors "Ford". The body is made up
of wood panels on a steel frame. A copy is made very high quality, and bears the name
of tactical icons A7V number 504 "Shnuk" though, according to some historians,
armored vehicles, its color and number of external parts do not comply with the tanks of
the 2nd "Assault department." Nevertheless, it is worth noting a lively interest continues
to be of a "gasoline dinosaur" as A7V.

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INSTEAD OF CONCLUSIONS

The scale of the German tank building the First World War did not go to any
comparison with a tank-building opponents Germany on the Western Front. France in
1916-1918 gg. built 800 medium and 3,177 light tanks, United Kingdom - around 2370
heavy, about 250 secondary and 35 special, as Germany - a total of 20 production A7V.
"Maybe I should make a stronger push - was justified after the war, General Ludendorff,
- it is possible that if we had to a decisive moment in 1918 a few large number of tanks,
but I will not say by how the army needs them then must build. More it was not possible
to release the workers, new rear power not found. " General H. von Kuhl spoke before
the Reichstag Commission after the war: "There is no doubt that German industry
would have coped with the production of tanks, if we put it in front of this problem in
advance, definitely enough and persistently." We can say that in the field of formation
and development of anti-missile defense system for the 1916-1918 years, Germany has
done much more than in the field of tank construction.

The crew of "Hedy" tank arrived in Leipzig to support the Freikorps. May 1919

The only "serial" tank A7V was not one of the promising structures. Of all the layouts
implemented in the first tanks, "three story A7V chassis layout with a long body head
high, far outstanding to the same front and rear track of the perimeter, it was perhaps the
least successful. Although in the course of development, and it had its foundation in the
views on the appointment of the future car. Other shortcomings of the first German
"serial" tanks have already been mentioned earlier. Nevertheless, in the Soviet book Tau
"motorization and mechanization of the army and the war" in 1933 noted: "Designed to
the beginning of 1918, the type of heavy tank and appeared at the end of the war fine
examples of high-speed tanks (that went for scrapping, without participating never in
battle), prove that the design idea, the Germans did not work worse, and even better in
many ways than the allies. " 171-th article of the Treaty of Peace signed at Versailles,
June 28, 1919, prohibited the "manufacture and importation into Germany of armored
cars, tanks or any kind of other similar machines that could be used for military

396
purposes." But the prohibitions of the Versailles Treaty could not simply be respected
country that cares about fighting capacity of its armed forces. Germany, as often
happens with the losing party has learned from the experience of the war deeper and
more valuable conclusions than its winners. And the greatest service concelebrated she
did not "technical" and "tactical" experience. Even limited use of their own small
armored forces (10-12 martial episodes over eight months) allowed the German army to
accumulate knowledge and combat skills in the use of a new kind of weapon. Adding
them assess richer experience opponents, the German specialists were able to make
sensible conclusions for the further development of its own doctrine of the use of
armored forces. Much attention is paid to this matter led the Reichswehr of the Weimar
German General von Seeckt. In 1920, the engineer J. Vollmer, is now working on a
project of civil crawler tractor, spoke in detail about his work over the tanks to
"Motorvagen" magazine. The commander of the tank A7V number 560, a member of
the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux Lieutenant E. Folkgaym summed up the experience of
tank "assault offices" in "German tanks attack in 1918," and later published a book "The
tanks in modern warfare", has acquired a certain popularity in the Reichswehr .

Tank "Hedy" on A7V chassis at a railway station in Leipzig in May 1919 clearly visible
differences to its "serial" A7V.

With great attention treated German military to research Austrian Major Heigl
development of tank, combat employment of tanks and anti-tank defense. It is
interesting that the German military writer G. von Ritter, evaluating the usefulness of
"type tanks Renault" in 1924 for the Reichswehr (covertly, of course, taking into
account the "Versailles" prohibitions), proposed "machine guns, put on carriages to the
track course and equipped with armor ... On these same design data will be based device
mast infantry cannon, which in this connection will replace modern light tanks. "
Captain von der Principality of Leyen wrote in 1925: "The tanks are self-propelled
artillery and machine guns. They are composed of infantry, about how one of its heavy
firepower. " Despite the persistence of more "binding" of tanks to the infantry, seen the

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desire to go further experience in 1918. On the other hand, E. Folkgaym in his works of
the 1920s insisted that the main tank should be heavily armed average, rather than a
high-speed light. Externally observing "Versailles" restrictions Weimar Germany
resumed experiments with the tanks on foreign soil - in neutral Sweden and concluded
the Rapallo Treaty Soviet Russia. Joint work with the Soviet Union intensified after his
election in 1925 President of the German Field Marshal Hindenburg. The cooperation
included and functioning on the territory of the USSR joint Soviet-German "objects".
So, in October 1926 signed a protocol on the organization of the Soviet-German tank
school, which is placed on the outskirts of Kazan. Of the various types of "object" was
"Kama" the most famous - an abbreviation of Kazan-Malbrandt (from the first
syllables of the city and the name of the first German Head of School).

Fraykorovtsy the tank "54" on the A7V chassis.

Since the middle of 1928 is thoroughly experienced four instances experienced light
German tanks and six medium. Moreover in some samples tested variants
"Grosstraktor" and "Lyayhtetraktor" more visible "rudiments" of the German tanks in
1918 - a clear "position" in nature, the location of the vehicle commander not in the
tower, next to the driver. It should be noted that the Soviet Union cooperated with the
bourgeois-democratic Weimar Germany, and charges it to the "arming of German
fascism," groundless - assistance in the development of Nazi Germany's military
industry will have a completely different country. However, the Soviet-German
cooperation in the field of tank construction - a separate issue. Recall only that the
German side gave the Soviet extensive documentation on his work helped in the

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production of the first Soviet series of tanks. The same J. Vollmer worked on Soviet
orders over diesel engines, developed a project wheeled-tracked tank. Volmer new tank
project has not been realized in the USSR, but they developed chassis with retractable
wheel move served as a basis for the Czech tanks type "Breytfeld-TANECO", as well as
the Swedish car 'Landsverk' -5 tank and La-30 "Landsverk." Note that the plants
'Landsverk' who were actually under the control of the company "Krupp", served as the
basis for testing a number of new developments in the field of German tank production.
According to the project the same factory J. Volmer "Landsverk" in the early 1920s
began to produce the first Swedish tank Strv m/21 - direct the development of the
machine-gun version light tank LK-II, which contrasted with the tower and dome
commanding a machine gun "Shvartsloze" increased up to 4 people crew "Daimler"
engine 55 hp, the improved protection of the frontal projection, further aft door. In
1929, part of the upgraded tanks the installation of engines "Scania-Vabis" 80 hp
Swedish mechanized battalion equipped with the T / 21 and T / 21/29 has become a
training ground not only for the Swedish tank - its combat training was a focus of the
German specialists. In the fall of 1928 on the basis of the battalion spent tank exercises
on its own program, Major Guderian (later - Colonel-General).

Machine Gun tank with the number "54" on the A7V chassis supported actions
Freikorps in January 1919

Who left in Germany and experience the use of caterpillar tractors transporter.
Immediately after the First World War, a number of German companies ( "Lanz",
"Bssing", "Magirus", "Ganomag") is actively engaged in the creation of agricultural
crawler tractors. Since the beginning of 1920 began their tests in the new Reichswehr.
And in 1927 passed the tests, self-propelled 37-mm anti-tank and 77-mm field guns on
the chassis polubronirovannyh crawler tractors. As the transporters and artillery tractors
in Germany later preferred car half-track scheme. The German army is better than the
other participants in the war, and realized the need for a harmonized application of the
tank and anti-tank weapons, the more that she has accumulated at the end of the war the
greatest practical experience of anti-tank defense. It is no accident in Germany the

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creation of light and high-velocity anti-tank gun was considered a priority, even at the
expense of the gun infantry support, and formed part of the tank portion includes a
motorized anti-tank units. German advocates of "mechanization" of the army is not
carried away with the idea of "pure tank" combat, clearly putting on a combined arms
battle under the leadership of the tanks, moving then the use of armored and motorized
joints at the operational level.

Summary table A7V tanks

ILLUSTRATIONS

Tank A7V number 507 from the 3rd "assault separation", April 1918 The tank is
equipped with a "gantry" gun mounts and is a monochrome type of protective
coloration "feldgrau".

Tank A7V number 527 from the 1st "Attack department", April 1918

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Tank number 563 A7V "Wotan" from the 2nd "Assault department" summer of 1918
shall be Tank monochrome protective coloration of the "feldgrau".

Tank A7V number 527 "Lotti" from the 1st "Attack department", May 1918 The tank has
got additional armor cutting and machine-gun embrasures.

Tank A7V number 528 "Hagen" from the 2nd "assault separation", May-June 1918

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Tank A7V number 540 from the 1st "Attack department", September 1918 Camouflage
coloring is applied on top of the typical "feldgrau".

The front part of the A7V of the first order, with a column book-rests installation tools.
Variant monochrome color type "feldgrau" (left).

The front part of the tank A7V number 563 "Wotan" from the 2nd "assault separation",
summer 1918 (right).

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Option monochrome color tank A7V 1st "Attack department", April 1918 The front part
of the casing column book-rests with installation tools. Felling tank control - with the
installation of the compass and the additional armor (left).

Option monochrome color tank A7V 1st "Attack department", April 1918 Aft body
(right).

Machine Gun Tank "Hedy" on A7V chassis protective monochrome color. 1919

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The only surviving A7V Mephisto" is a copy of the tank in Australia, Queensland
Museum exhibition (Brisbane). In 1994, this machine is installed in a glass dome with
climate control.

11. Replica tank A7V number 563 "Wotan" made in Germany and installed in the tank
museum (Munster town) in 1990. The model for the restoration of the "Wotan" served
as a tank "Mephisto".

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Early British Tanks [WWI]

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The name tank, by which these armored fighting vehicles became universally known,
was intended to disguise the contents of the large crates containing the vehicles when
they were shipped to France. The curious would draw the conclusion that the crates held

406
water tanks. The French made no such effort at name deception; they called their new
weapon the char (chariot).

The Mark I was the mainstay of tank fighting in 1916 and early 1917, but it had notable
defects. The stabilizer tail proved worthless; its fuel tanks were in a vulnerable position;
the exhaust outlet on the top emitted telltale sparks and flame; and there was no way for
a ditched tank to retrieve itself. Some of these deficiencies were addressed in the
Marks II and III. These tanks appeared alongside the Mark I in early 1917.

The Foster Company manufactured 50 Mark II and 50 Mark III tanks. Produced in the
same male and female versions and almost identical to the Mark I, they differed only in
details. The Mark II, for example, had wider track plates fitted at each sixth link that
distributed its weight over a larger area, preventing it from becoming as easily bogged
down. The Mark III had improved armor. Superseded by the Mark IV, many Mark IIs
and IIIs were converted into supply and specialist vehicles.

The Mark IV, also produced by the Foster Company, had the same general appearance
as Marks I-III but incorporated further refinements. The most visible change with the
Mark IV was in its smaller sponsons. These were swung inward rather than having to be
removed for transport by rail. Armor protection was also increased because the armor of
the Marks I-III proved incapable of keeping out German armor-piercing bullets. The
Mark IV made much more extensive use of 12mm armor, which was sufficient to defeat
an armor-piercing bullet and thus would leave artillery as the primary means of stopping
the tank. The Mark IV also had an improved fuel-line system, silenced exhaust, and
better ventilation. The Mark IV also employed the short version of the 6-pounder main
gun, and .303-caliber Lewis machine guns replaced the Hotchkiss and Vickers machine
guns of the earlier tanks. The female version mounted six machine guns. The air-cooled
Lewis gun did not prove satisfactory as a tank weapon, however, and the Hotchkiss was
reinstalled.

Ditching had proven a major problem with the earlier British tanks, and each Mark IV
was equipped with a large wooden beam. It could be attached to the tracks by a chain,
so that the tracks could pull the beam under the tank, enabling the tank to free itself.

The Mark IV was also equipped to carry fascines (bound bundles of brushwood), which
the tank could then drop into a trench as an aid in crossing it. More Mark IVs were
produced than any other British tank of the war-1,015, of which 420 were males and
595 females. The Mark IV was also the most numerous German tank of the war.
Captured and repaired Mark IVs equipped four German tank companies and were
known as the Beutepanzerkampfwagen IV (Captured Tank IV).

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The Mark IV first appeared in the Battle of Messines in June 1917, but its greatest
impact came in the Battle of Cambrai that September. Variants of the Mark IV also
appeared, the most important of which was an unarmed tank tender, with a 125-hp
Daimler engine, used to bring tank supplies forward.

The Mark V first saw action on the battlefields of France in May 1918 during the
German Spring (Ludendorff) Offensive. Of the same appearance as its predecessor and
the same crew size of eight men, it nonetheless incorporated important design changes,
most notably a new transmission in the epicyclic gearbox, designed by Wilson. This
was a dramatic technological leap forward, as it did away with the need for gearsmen;
for the first time the tank could now be driven by one man. It also had a more powerful
150-hp, six-cylinder Ricardo engine, capable of propelling the 66,100-pound tank at a
maximum speed of 4.6 mph with a range of 25 miles. All of its machine guns were of
the Hotchkiss type. Viability was also improved, but the Mark V was not well
ventilated. By the end of the war the Foster Company and the Metropolitan Carriage
Wagon and Finance Company had built 400 Mark Vs (200 males and 200 females).
Sixty Mark Vs saw action at Hamel on 4 July 1918, and 288 saw service at Amiens on 8
August 1918.

The final version of the basic Mother design was the Mark V*. Various manufacturers
produced a total of 642 of this model. It differed from the basic Mark V tank by the
adding of another machine gun (male with five, female with seven), and it was also
heavier (73,900 pounds male and 71,700 pounds female). The Mark V* was 6 feet
longer and could span a 14-foot-wide trench. It had a range of 40 miles. The Mark V*
tank participated in the Tank Corpss final engagements of the war.

The Mark I through Mark V* were all heavy tanks. With the relative success of the first
tanks, however, the British set out to develop lighter vehicles. Based on the prototype
Tritton Chaser, it became the Medium A tank, known as the Whippet. Making its
appearance in 1917, the Whippet was what became known as a cavalry tank, an
attempt to replace horse cavalry with an armored vehicle capable of exploiting a
breakthrough of an enemy position. Foster produced 200 Whippets. The new tank
weighed some 31,400 pounds, was powered by two 45-hp engines, and had a crew of
three men. Armed with four machine guns, it had maximum armor protection of 12mm.
With a maximum speed of 8 mph, it was twice as fast as the heavy tanks. Its range of 40
miles was also greater.

This first British light tank had serious disadvantages. The driver had the difficult task
of combining the speeds of two separate engines to maneuver. Between them the
commander and gunner had to man four separate machine guns that, while covering an
arc of 360 degrees, were fired from a fixed cupola at the top of the tank rather than a
rotating turret. Spare gasoline was carried outside the tank, which could prove to be
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disastrous in combat. Whippets saw service beginning during the Germans Spring
Offensive of 1918 through the end of the war that November.

Even before the first tanks had gone into action the British were at work on more
specialized tracked vehicles, one of which was a gun carrier. An adaptation of the Mark
I, it was designed to carry a 6-inch howitzer through the initial German defensive zone
in order to provide artillery support to advancing troops. Other tanks were modified to
serve as troop carriers, supply tanks, and even signal vehicles.

First Use of the Tank

A British Mk. IV tank pictured advancing through the ruins of a French village on
the Western Front during the First World War.

On 15 September 1916, at the Battle of Flers- Courcelette, the tanks led the way on the
first day of the engagement with somewhat mixed results. The effect upon the German
troops who faced the tanks for the first time on that day are possibly exaggerated, but
Feldwebel Weinert, serving in the 211th Prussian Infantry Regiment, clearly remembers
the reaction of one of his comrades: A man came running in `There is a crocodile
crawling into our lines! The poor wretch was off his head. He imagined this giant of
a machine, rearing up and dipping down as it came on, to be a monster.-

409
Though only thirty-two of the forty-nine tanks available to Haig reached their start
positions, of which seven failed to start, the remaining twenty- five demonstrated just
how effective the tanks could be if their reliability could be improved. Haig, though,
was heavily criticized for using the tanks when so few were available. If he had waited
until he had hundreds at his disposal he might well have achieved the breakthrough he
sought. Some territory was won at Flers-Courcelette but it was of comparatively little
significance, and for those few gains he had revealed Britains great secret weapon
which, had it been employed in greater numbers, might well have won the war at a
single stroke.

The tank had proved itself in battle and Haig ordered hundreds more to be built and
their first really successful use with the British came at the Battle of Cambrai in 1917.
This time Britain was able to amass 476 tanks, mostly of the new Mk. IV design (the
Mk. II and Mk. III tanks were almost identical to the Mk. I with only minor changes),
though less than 400 were actually engaged. The success the tanks achieved was not
followed by the infantry and the overall result of the battle was unsatisfactory. The
battle tank, however, had firmly established itself and henceforth would be a feature of
almost every important battlefield.

The French were quick to appreciate the value of the tank and by the end of the war had
produced more than any other country. The Germans, on the other hand, were far
slower, producing only twenty of their ungainly A7V tanks. It was inevitable that at
some point opposing tanks would meet in battle, though it was not until the last year of
the war. Like British attempts at a major breakthrough, so the Germans launched their
Spring Offensive in March 1918 in the hope of achieving a decisive victory. On 24
April, German artillery opened re on British and Australian positions in and around the
village of Villers-Bretonneux. Just over two hours later the German attack began, led by
fourteen A7V tanks.

The German tanks performed well and three of them penetrated as far as the village of
Cachy where three British tanks were stationed. Alerted by an infantryman that there
were German tanks in the area, Lieutenant Frank Mitchell MC of No. 1 Tank of 1st
Section, `A Company, 1st Tank Battalion, opened a loophole to look out. There, some
three hundred yards away, a round squat-looking monster was advancing; behind it
came waves of infantry, and farther away to the left and right crawled two more of these
armed tortoises, so we had met our rivals at last. For the first time in history tank was
encountering tank!

A shell from Mitchells 6-pounder hit one of the German tanks, but the two other
British tanks received return re from the enemy which tore big holes in their armour.
This left Mitchell facing two A7Vs alone. To his surprise the German tanks withdrew,

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but it was only to allow their artillery to deal with the British tank. Both sides claimed
victory.

By the end of the First World War, the Germans had learnt how to deal with the Allied
tanks, having devoted considerable resources into developing anti-tank weapons. At the
Battle of Amiens in August 1918, for example, 72% of the 532 vehicles of Allied Tank
Corps were destroyed in the first four days.

In the decades after the First World War tanks became more heavily armed, faster and
mounted ever bigger guns and would eventually come to dominate the battlefield. A
hundred years on, however, their future seems limited, for it is aircraft, manned and
unmanned, and missiles that are now the arbiters of victory.

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