First time Tanks appearance Shocked Germans #history #worldwar1 #unitedkingdom #germany #tank #war

On September 15, 1916, the British stunned the Germans. For the first time in history tanks appeared in battle on the Somme River. Their technical characteristics left much to be desired. Seventeen tanks broke down before they even managed to reach their starting positions. Nine more tanks broke down during the battle, and five combat vehicles got stuck in the mud. However, the eighteen remaining out of the fourty nine Mark I tanks demonstrated their potential. When they appeared on the battlefield, the Germans fled, and the tanks managed to advance 5 km into the enemy's defensive line, reducing British casualties by 20 times. The first tanks overcame trenches and tore through barbed wire. Their armor withstood bullets and shrapnel. However, crew expectations were higher, who expected them to knock down trees and cross wide rivers; moreover, the temperature inside the tank was over 50 degrees Celsius. Despite the fact that this was a decent start, the time for tanks had not yet fully come.

[Hugh__Jayness]

The first wave approaches
At Fleurs-Courcelette
Through fire and brimstone
Breaking away, coming your way

[alemgas]

The British leading the world as usual