On this day in 1916, the first tanks were deployed during warfare.
The First Use of Tanks in Warfare
During the Battle of the Somme, British forces unveiled the British Mark I tank, rolling it out as part of a large-scale offensive operation targeting German positions.
The British Mark I holds the distinction of being the very first tank ever used in active combat. Sadly, its performance throughout the 7-day battle left much to be desired.
Slow-moving and plagued by mechanical failures, these early, rudimentary machines simply couldn't hold their ground — especially once German forces launched counter attacks at Flers Courcelette.
Of the forty-nine tanks transported to the Somme, only thirty-two actually took part in the initial attack. Even more strikingly, a mere nine successfully crossed no man's land to reach German lines.
Once the German counterattack got underway, the tanks proved sluggish and rapidly succumbed to breakdowns. Despite this disappointing debut, British commanders remained convinced these machines would become vital to future warfare and promptly ordered hundreds of additional tanks into production. Today, tanks are a standard feature of military operations.
Little Willie
Before the British Mark I ever saw a battlefield, there was Little Willie — the prototype that paved the way. Built in the autumn of 1915, it was the first tank prototype in history. However, Little Willie came with serious drawbacks: it tipped the scales at 14 tons, crawled along at just 2mph, and had an unfortunate tendency to get stuck in trenches.
Today, Little Willie holds the honor of being the oldest single tank housed at The Tank Museum, Bovington, England.