Good morning, we are working through World War I and World War II documentaries for November. Last time we finished up the Great War by the Numbers, and this time we will focus on the tanks of World War I. This is part of the series of the Greatest Tank Battles. The run time for this documentary is 44:11.
World War I was the first war where tanks were introduced in warfare. It was the British that introduced the first tanks. The British were determined to end the stalemate of trench water. The Germans did not know what happen. However, they caught up with lethal fire and then with their tanks. How did the first tanks develop? Would they put a stop to trench warfare? This documentary explores the history of the tank and the greatest battles they participated in. In 1916, the tank made its debut. The Great War is a stalemate and the Western Front is covered with trenches. The Great War heavily featured the infantry until the trenches. There had to be a way to break the stalemate. The British launched a top-secret project the tank, a mobile killing machine. Mobile weapons had been around since Hannibal and his elephants and Leonardo da Vinci’s drawing now was the time to make them a reality. The British trick the Germans into believing that they are developing a water carrier, however, what they are developing is a revolution in warfare. The first tanks were armed with guns, thin armor plates, and tracks. The Mark 1 Heavy Tank was introduced to the world in January 1916. It can handle the trenches however it requires a large crew. It first went into action on the Somme and was meant to end the battle and the stalemate. The tanks made their debut in Dellville Woods, a stretch of land a few miles north of the main battle of the Somme. For the first time in warfare, tanks will lead the attack. The tanks start their attack in the predawn darkness and press forward to the battle line. Unfortunately, one tank breaks down and another gets stuck. One tank, nicknamed “Daredevil” continues and becomes the first tank to fire a shot. Although eventually, all three tanks go down, the infantry can press forward. The next day, more tanks join the battle ahead of the infantry. Their job was to crush the barbed wire and launch a major artillery barrage. Unfortunately, the majority of the tanks break down or stall. Despite this initial setback the tanks press forward. However, there is a danger upheld: a German operation balloon. If the balloon sees them, they could call in an artillery barrage. The balloon is shot down and the British tanks press on. The Germans are shocked by the metal monsters coming at them. They had no idea that the tank was in development. They fired at the tanks but they could not get stop them. The tanks went over the trench and were able to cross it easily. At the end of the day, the tank showed that they have a place in modern warfare. The British commanders order more tanks, and the public rejoices at the good news. The tank had helped turn the battle of the Somme. What else could this weapon do? How will the tank continue to develop? Will the Germans be able to stop the tanks? Or will they be able to develop their own tanks? Tune into the rest of this episode to find out more. The animations were excellent and you could tell what the early tanks looked like. The initial designs were funny with the wheels on the back of the tank. It was interesting to see how the element of surprise was necessary for the tank. The tactics that the Germans used to try to stop the tank were all a game of catch up too. To me when I was studying World War I the tank was glossed over and this documentary went into more detail on the tank and how it impacted the Great War and future wars after that. This would be a good series for an independent student who has an interest in military history as well as a good one to show during the World War I section of class.
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