Fredrick Simm's earliest design of the armored vehicle
The Development of the Tank
One of the biggest challenges during the wars of the 19th century was how to effectively move equipment with the most efficiency and the least amount of losses. One of the first attempts to solve this problem came with the traction engine during the Crimean War. These engines were used to pull trains loaded with supplies over terrain impossible for horse-drawn wagons to pass from Balaclava to the front[1]. They were also used to pull heavy guns during the Franco-Prussian (1870-1871) the Russo-Turkish (1877-1878) Wars. The success of the traction engine led to the further experimentation by various national militaries to improve and make use of the traction engine. The rapid increase in the production of petroleum in the United States after 1859 brought about the practical invention of the stationary gas engine by Doctor N.A. Otto in 1876. It was later in 1885 when Gottlieb Daimler created an internal combustion engine with petroleum spirit and placed it on a bicycle that the real revolution began. It was not long before the engine was replacing horses in carriages. In France, motorized vehicles were first introduced into battle by 1896. In 1899, British engineer Fredrick Simms mounted a bullet-proof motor-driven carriage with a Maxim machine gun which could be fired through an armoured shield while moving.[2] Simms offered his design to the British army; however it was slow to be considered anything other than “a pretty mechanical toy.”[3]
One of the biggest challenges during the wars of the 19th century was how to effectively move equipment with the most efficiency and the least amount of losses. One of the first attempts to solve this problem came with the traction engine during the Crimean War. These engines were used to pull trains loaded with supplies over terrain impossible for horse-drawn wagons to pass from Balaclava to the front[1]. They were also used to pull heavy guns during the Franco-Prussian (1870-1871) the Russo-Turkish (1877-1878) Wars. The success of the traction engine led to the further experimentation by various national militaries to improve and make use of the traction engine. The rapid increase in the production of petroleum in the United States after 1859 brought about the practical invention of the stationary gas engine by Doctor N.A. Otto in 1876. It was later in 1885 when Gottlieb Daimler created an internal combustion engine with petroleum spirit and placed it on a bicycle that the real revolution began. It was not long before the engine was replacing horses in carriages. In France, motorized vehicles were first introduced into battle by 1896. In 1899, British engineer Fredrick Simms mounted a bullet-proof motor-driven carriage with a Maxim machine gun which could be fired through an armoured shield while moving.[2] Simms offered his design to the British army; however it was slow to be considered anything other than “a pretty mechanical toy.”[3]
The Landships Committee
To increase the popularity of the tank, Colonel Ernest Swinton organized a demonstration of the Killen-Strait vehicle in June of 1915. Both Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George were present at the demonstration and were surprised by its ability to successfully cut through barbed wire. Churchill agreed that the tank should be used in battle as a landship and sponsored the establishment of the Landships Committee[4]. This committee agreed to begin production of the vehicle which was later to be named a ‘tank’ (The name ‘tank’ came from how the shape of the shell resembled a water tank. It was initially just a codename, but then stuck later on)[5].
A Ditched Tank
To increase the popularity of the tank, Colonel Ernest Swinton organized a demonstration of the Killen-Strait vehicle in June of 1915. Both Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George were present at the demonstration and were surprised by its ability to successfully cut through barbed wire. Churchill agreed that the tank should be used in battle as a landship and sponsored the establishment of the Landships Committee[4]. This committee agreed to begin production of the vehicle which was later to be named a ‘tank’ (The name ‘tank’ came from how the shape of the shell resembled a water tank. It was initially just a codename, but then stuck later on)[5].
Tanks in Battle
Initially men of the Royal Navy were responsible for the operation and crew of the tanks which first entered battle on September 16th, 1915 at Delville Wood and later on an attack at Flers. Although the tank was successful at terrifying its opponents, it was also considered to be very unreliable as well. In order to break the stalemate, Sir Douglas Haig deployed tanks before they were truly battle ready. This led to many of the tanks breaking down and becoming ditched (another word for when a tank would fall into a trench, or ditch, and was unable to be removed) during battle. Not only did the crew of the tank find themselves having to grab a rifle and shoot but conditions for soldiers were terrible inside tanks as well. The heat generated from being inside the tank was almost unbearable, and the fumes choked the men inside.
Initially men of the Royal Navy were responsible for the operation and crew of the tanks which first entered battle on September 16th, 1915 at Delville Wood and later on an attack at Flers. Although the tank was successful at terrifying its opponents, it was also considered to be very unreliable as well. In order to break the stalemate, Sir Douglas Haig deployed tanks before they were truly battle ready. This led to many of the tanks breaking down and becoming ditched (another word for when a tank would fall into a trench, or ditch, and was unable to be removed) during battle. Not only did the crew of the tank find themselves having to grab a rifle and shoot but conditions for soldiers were terrible inside tanks as well. The heat generated from being inside the tank was almost unbearable, and the fumes choked the men inside.
References
[1] Fuller, J.F.C. The Conduct of War 1789-1961 New Brunswick, New Jersey: Da Capo Press, 1961 p 135
[2] Duffy, Michael. “Weapons of War: Machine guns” FirstWorldWar.com http://www.firstworldwar.com/weaponry/machineguns.htm (accessed May 3, 2013)
[3] Fuller, Ibid p 135
[4]Duffy, Ibid. (accessed May 2, 2013)
[5]Duffy, Ibid. (accessed May 2, 2013)
[1] Fuller, J.F.C. The Conduct of War 1789-1961 New Brunswick, New Jersey: Da Capo Press, 1961 p 135
[2] Duffy, Michael. “Weapons of War: Machine guns” FirstWorldWar.com http://www.firstworldwar.com/weaponry/machineguns.htm (accessed May 3, 2013)
[3] Fuller, Ibid p 135
[4]Duffy, Ibid. (accessed May 2, 2013)
[5]Duffy, Ibid. (accessed May 2, 2013)