On the 18th January 1918 the first Mark V tank was driven out of the Metropolitan Carriage, Wagon and Finance Company factory in Birmingham. Just 10 weeks later in early April 8th Battalion Tank Corps began training with the new tank at Humieres. It was a significant step forward from their old Mark IVs….
The Renault FT – Development and Combat Debut
On the 31st May 1918 the Renault FT was used in action for the first time at Ploissy-Chazelle, southwest of Soissons….
The Mysterious American Tiger
The US Army’s Armor School at Fort Benning holds a Tiger tank captured in Tunisia, with a contested heritage, but likely a longer service than Tiger 131….
When did British Intelligence learn about The Tiger?
Surprisingly, British intelligence did not know of the Tiger until months after its deployment, and years after Germany launched its requirement….
Why Tiger 131?
Today Tiger 131 is probably the most famous tank in the world. Of the six surviving Tiger I’s, it is the only one numbered 131. …
Tiger 131 Restoration: Part VI Oddities
Part VI. The quirks of the tank are revealed….
Action Debut of the Whippet Tank
On 26 March, 1918, the Medium A Whippet tank saw its first battle action, when it took a mass of German infantry by surprise….
Action Debut of The A7V
The first action of the German A7V tank, on 21 March 1918, is not very well known from the British side. Probably because most of those in action against them were either killed or captured and very little information reached the British authorities at the time. However we now have a German account to work…
Savage Rabbits
In early 1918 the Allies awaited a German attack. Defeating it would be a practical military challenge for the entire British Army, but it also posed a more existential problem for the Tank Corps. …
The Panzerkompanie
It’s difficult to imagine the impact of a single tank within the Museum. On the battlefield, if a tank was operating alone it was likely something had gone very wrong….
The Situation in 1918
Looking back from 2018, we know that the First World War ended with an Allied victory in November 1918. However back then, as 1917 ended and the New Year dawned, the Allies saw their position as perhaps the worst it had been for a long time. The Germans, on the other hand, had a small…
What the L
The Tiger I and Tiger II tank were armed with an 88mm gun. However, if you tried to fire a round for one through the other, it wouldn’t fit. Why should this be?…
Tiger 131 Restoration: Part V A Setback and a Repaint
Part V. The story of Tiger 131’s restoration, the engine blows and the Tiger is repainted after research reveals its original camouflage….
Tank Numbers
Like all military and civilian vehicles before and since the First World War, British tanks were given unique registration, or serial, numbers. …
Tiger 131 Restoration: Part IV The Hull
Part IV. The final stages of work on the hull, including interior details and fitting the engine….
Tiger Wheels
One of the most distinctive features of the Tiger family is the interleaved and overlapping road wheels….
Richard Wain at Cambrai
Richard William Leslie Wain was the second of four Tank Corps soldiers to be awarded the Victoria Cross during the First World War. …
The Battle of Cambrai: The Fascine
One of the adaptations added during the Battle of Cambrai was the fascine, enabling tanks to cross deliberately widened trenches. …
Tank Corps War Diaries: 17 – 19 November 1917
During November 1917 preparations for the Battle of Cambrai were well underway. Each battalion of the Tank Corps recorded day to day events in War Diaries….
Tank Corps War Diaries: 13 – 16 November 1917
During November 1917 preparations for the Battle of Cambrai were well underway. Each battalion of the Tank Corps recorded day to day events in their War Diaries. …