Rare First World War pictures show British troops on the front line blasting the enemy with tanks for the first time
Black and white images from new book 'Armoured Warfare in the First World War 1916 – 1918' reveal dawn of the tank age
INCREDIBLE rare photos have been uncovered showing the first ever deployment of tanks by the British Army.
The images show triumphant British troops posing for cameras atop the world’s first tanks during the First World War.
Other shots depict life from inside the cramped machines, showing crew members tank manning the machine guns.
The black-and-white photos are taken from a new book named Armoured Warfare in the First World War 1916 – 1918, by Anthony Tucker-Jones and published by Pen & Sword Military.
The author explained: “This book tells the story of where it all began with the birth of the tank.
“The first tanks came about through the desperate need to break the terrible deadlock in the trenches.
“Interestingly the British, French and Germans took completely different approaches with varying results.”
The British military produced a contraption affectionately nicknamed “Little Willie” in the Autumn of 1915.
Weighing 18 tonnes, the tank had a crew of two plus four gunners.
Anthony said: “Inspired by a tracked artillery tractor, ‘Little Willie’ was referred to as a water tank – hence the name tank – to ensure secrecy.
“This led to the strange looking Mark I with its peculiar rhomboid shape, designed to cross trenches with guns in sponsons on either side.
One picture shows a Mark II male tank passing through a crumbling French village in 1917.
In another image, jubilant British troops can be seen hanging onto a Mark IV tank following the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917.
During this encounter, the British army launched a stunning surprise attack using 476 tanks to penetrate the German trenches at the heavily fortified Hindenburg Line.
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Anmthony said: “The Germans saw the tank as unchivalrous and were slow to grasp its utility.
“They favoured the Stormtrooper (specialist soldiers used to infiltrate enemy trenches) and artillery, not the tank.
“However, they didn’t hesitate to make use of captured British tanks.
“Although the tank helped secure victory and German soldiers dubbed it ‘Germany’s Downfall’ the country was ultimately brought to its knees by the Allies blockade.”
Anthony compares the pioneering tanks of the First World War to those of the 21st Century military.
He said: “They were rudimentary to say the least and were seen as land warships, hence naval terms such as hull and turret.
“Everything was done by hand whereas today’s tanks are fully computerized and much more mobile.
“Fighting in a tank in any war is unpleasant but the early tanks were made of such poor steel that when hit they showered their crews in shrapnel.
“Those pioneering tankers would probably consider modern tankers as a bunch of sissies by comparison.”
Armoured Warfare in the First World War 1916 – 1918 by Anthony Tucker-Jones is available to purchase from Amazon for £14.99.
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