Tanks - WW1 Uncut: Dan Snow - BBC

Summary

The video script delves into the history of tanks, beginning with their British invention during World War I. It highlights the fascination they held for soldiers and the public, with early models like Little Willie and Big Willie evolving into the battle-ready Mark I. The Mark IV became a warhorse, despite its challenges, such as the lack of engine compartment separation leading to crew asphyxiation. The script also touches on the French Renault FT-17 and the German A7V, emphasizing the British innovation and industrial might that led to tanks becoming a critical component of warfare, contributing significantly to the Allied victory.

Takeaways

• 🇬🇧 The British invented tanks during World War One, which quickly became a source of fascination for soldiers and the public.
• 📽 The release of the film 'Battle of [Agra]' in 1917 showcased the tank to millions, highlighting its novelty and impact.
• 🔧 Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George witnessed the first armored vehicle capable of cutting through barbed wire on June 30, 1915.
• 🚜 'Little Willie', the oldest tank in the world, was replaced by 'Big Willie', which was the first to see combat but had limitations.
• 🔄 The Mark 1 was the first British tank to engage in battle, despite initial setbacks, it demonstrated the potential of armored warfare.
• 🇫🇷 The French developed their own tanks, but they were unreliable, often getting stuck, unlike the British designs.
• 🐴 The Mark 4 and Mark 5 tanks were workhorses of the British forces during the middle years of WWI, featuring more advanced designs.
• 🔥 Crew conditions inside the tanks were harsh, with heat and engine fumes leading to asphyxiation and hospitalization.
• 🏹 Tanks were heavily armored and equipped with various weapons, including machine guns and cannons, for offensive capabilities.
• 🏰 The tank's role evolved from a novelty to a critical component of the Allied strategy, contributing to significant victories like the Battle of Cambrai.
• 🚀 British innovation and industrial capacity led to rapid advancements in tank design, making them faster, more reliable, and integral to warfare by the end of WWI.

Q & A

Who invented the tank and during which war were they first used?

The British invented the tank during World War One.

What was the public's initial reaction to the tanks?

The public was fascinated and mesmerized by the tanks, as they were like nothing else seen before.

When was the film about the Battle of [agra] released, and how did it affect the public?

The film was released in early 1917, and millions of Britons rushed to see it, indicating a high level of public interest.

What was the name of the first prototype tank seen by Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George?

The first prototype tank was named Little Willie.

What was the issue with Little Willie that led to the development of subsequent models?

Little Willie was not thought to be long enough to cross the German trenches.

What was the first tank model to see combat, and what was its nickname?

The first tank model to hit the battlefield was the Mark 1, also known as 'Mother'.

How did the Mark 4 tank differ from its predecessors and contribute to the war effort?

The Mark 4 was a significant improvement, being bristling with armor and armed with a six-pound gun and machine guns. It was a workhorse for the middle years of the war.

What were the challenges faced by the tank crews due to the design of the Mark 4?

Crews faced issues with asphyxiation from engine fumes and extreme heat due to the lack of partition between the engine and crew compartments.

How did the French and German tank development compare to the British during World War One?

The French developed unreliable tanks that frequently got stuck, while the Germans were slow to adopt tank warfare, often using captured British tanks.

What was the role of the 'whippet tank' in battle strategy?

The whippet tank was designed to follow the heavy tanks into battle and spread out behind enemy lines, sowing chaos.

How did the British tank designs evolve from the Mark 4 to the Mark 5?

The Mark 5 was faster, more reliable, and could be steered by one person instead of the four required for the Mark 4.

What was the significance of the tanks in the final allied victory of World War One?

Tanks became an integral part of the allied strategy, contributing significantly to the final victory, especially in battles like the Battle of Amiens.

Outlines

00:00

🛡️ The Evolution of Tanks in WWI

The first paragraph delves into the early history of tanks, invented by the British during World War One. It describes the public's fascination with these new armored vehicles and their initial deployment in battle. The script mentions the first-ever images of tanks and the release of the film 'Battle of Agincourt' in 1917, which drew millions of viewers. The evolution of tanks is highlighted, starting with the first prototype seen by Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George in 1915, through to the development of Little Willie, Big Willie, and the Mark 1. The Mark 4, a significant improvement, is described in detail, including its armament and the challenging conditions faced by its crew. The affection the crews had for their tanks, often naming them, is also noted. The paragraph concludes with the impact of tanks on the battlefield and their role in key battles like Cambrai, emphasizing their growing importance in military strategy.

05:08

🚀 The Race for Tank Innovation

The second paragraph focuses on the advancements in tank design and the competitive spirit between nations during WWI. It contrasts the British innovation and production capabilities with the German slow start in adopting tank technology. The British Mark 4's successor, the Mark 5, is highlighted for its role in significant victories like the Battle of Amiens. The paragraph also touches on the German's eventual development of the A7V tank and their reliance on captured British tanks due to material shortages caused by the British blockade. The narrative emphasizes the British industrial prowess and the continuous evolution of tank design, which became a critical component of the war effort, culminating in the final allied victory.

Keywords

💡Tanks

Tanks are heavily armored, tracked combat vehicles designed for front-line combat. They are a central theme in the video, showcasing their evolution from the early designs during World War I. The video mentions the first tanks as 'lumbering metal monsters' and discusses their development from Little Willie to the Mark series, highlighting their increasing importance in warfare.

💡World War I

World War I, also known as the Great War, is the historical context in which tanks were first used in combat. The video discusses the British invention of tanks during this period, marking a significant shift in warfare strategy. The script references the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Cambrai, which were significant engagements where tanks played a crucial role.

💡Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill was a British statesman who served as the First Lord of the Admiralty during World War I. In the video, he is noted as one of the first to witness the early tank designs, indicating his involvement in the development of military technology. His presence underscores the significance of tanks in British military history.

💡Little Willie

Little Willie is identified in the script as the oldest tank in the world, a prototype that laid the groundwork for future models. It was not long enough to cross German trenches, leading to the development of subsequent models. This term is crucial as it represents the infancy of tank design and the beginning of their evolution.

💡Mark 1

The Mark 1 was the first tank to be used in battle, as mentioned in the script. Despite its initial engagement not being a resounding success, it demonstrated the potential of tanks in warfare. This model is significant as it represents the first practical application of tank technology in combat.

💡Mark 4

The Mark 4 tank is described as a game-changer in the video, highlighting its role as a workhorse during the middle years of World War I. It was bristling with armor and equipped with various weapons, making it a formidable weapon on the battlefield. The Mark 4's design and deployment illustrate the rapid advancement in tank technology during the war.

💡Whippet Tank

The Whippet Tank, as discussed in the video, was a lighter, faster tank designed to follow the heavy tanks into battle and spread out behind enemy lines, causing chaos. This term is important as it shows the diversification of tank roles and the strategic use of different types of tanks to exploit weaknesses in enemy defenses.

💡Renault FT-17

The Renault FT-17, a French light tank, is noted for being the first with a fully rotating turret. The video mentions its speed, which was double that of other tanks at the time. This keyword is significant as it represents an innovation in tank design that increased their tactical flexibility and effectiveness.

💡German Tanks

The video discusses the German response to the development of tanks by the Allies, initially dismissive but eventually leading to the production of their own tanks. The term 'German Tanks' in the script refers to the A7V, which was introduced late in the war. This keyword highlights the competitive nature of technological advancements in warfare and the eventual adoption of tanks by all major powers.

💡Mark 5

The Mark 5 tank is mentioned as playing a part in significant British victories in 1918, such as the Battle of Amiens. This model was faster and more reliable than its predecessor, the Mark 4, and could be steered by one person instead of four. The Mark 5 exemplifies the continuous improvement in tank design and the increasing sophistication of these vehicles.

Highlights

Tanks were invented by the British during World War One, becoming a source of fascination for soldiers and the public alike.

The first images of tanks were seen by the public in 1917 with the release of the film 'Battle of [agra].'

Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George witnessed the first armored vehicle capable of cutting through barbed wire on June 30, 1915.

Little Willie, the oldest tank in the world, was not long enough to cross German trenches, leading to the development of subsequent models.

Big Willie, also known as 'Mother,' was the first tank to see combat, although its first engagement was not a complete success.

The French developed their own tank designs, but they were unreliable and often got stuck.

The Mark 4 was a game-changer, becoming the workhorse of the middle years of World War One.

The Mark 4 was equipped with a six-pound gun and machine guns, and required a crew of eight to operate.

The Mark 4's engine was a pre-war tractor engine, which caused issues with fumes and heat inside the tank.

Despite the harsh conditions inside, tanks were affectionately named by their crews and played a crucial role in battles like Cambrai.

The 'Whippet' tank was designed to follow heavy tanks into battle and spread out behind enemy lines, causing chaos.

The French Renault FT-17 was a light tank with a fully rotating turret, capable of speeds up to 8 miles per hour.

The Germans were slow to adopt tanks, initially considering them unmanly, but later produced the A7V tank.

Due to material shortages caused by the British blockade, the Germans produced very few tanks and often used captured British tanks.

The British continued to innovate, with the Mark 5 tank playing a significant role in the victories of 1918.

The Mark 5 was faster and more reliable than its predecessor, and could be steered by one person instead of four.

Britain's industrial base and innovative culture led to the production of increasingly advanced tanks each year.

Tanks evolved rapidly from a novelty to an integral part of the machinery of war, critical to the final allied victory.

Transcripts

Tanks

Invented by the British in world war one they were a source of fascination for the soldiers who fought alongside?

the public were just as mesmerised

These are among the first images people ever seen of these lumbering metal monsters and when the battle of [agra] film was released in early

1917

Millions of Britons rushed to see it

And who can blame tanks were like nothing else seen before but looking back now at those early [years] of the tank?

It's astonishing how rapidly it's evolved

on the 30th of June 1915 right here on wormwood Scrubs in West London Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George

first saw this

An armored vehicle that could cut through barbed wire

Just three months later [had] it become this

This is Little willie. It's the oldest tank in the world

This one wasn't thought to be long enough to get across the german trenches and so subsequent models were stretched out

[Little] Willie was replaced by Big Willie also known [as] mother

This was the first tank to hit the battlefield the mark 1

It's first engagement wasn't a resounding success

But it showed its potential

Independently the French had come up with their very own tank designs

But they were unreliable and frequently got stuck the real game-changer [was] this the Mark 4

and

in to the mark for tank

I mean

If is the real workhorse for the middle years of the first world war it

Bristling with [armored] you got a six-pound gun here

You've got this would have been a lewis gun or a [like] machine gun here and then you enter the main

body of the tank quite

Tight for space so even eight people in there eight crew required four of them just required to drive the thing

Right in the middle dominating the whole space [is] the engine there. We go sold a pre-war tractor engine as you can see there's no

Partition here between the engine compartment and the crew compartment and that meant that people had huge problems the crews often had to be

Hospitalized after a day or two in the tank with they've become asphyxiated [by] the fumes coming off this engine also incredibly hot these

Exhaust pipes here would have been glowing red hot?

And with all the bodies in here as well, it would have been absolutely

bacon

Even so they were held an affection and often named by their crews

The commander's seat first thing I guess about this is that they would have these windows to see through

But of course if they were taking incoming fire to close these and they have to look through the periscope glass periscopes here

more slots [uh] machine gun here more holes in it [to] shoot your

Pistol through and shoot people off the outside of the tank it was a very very heavily armored vehicle, but also one capable of really

Taking the fight to the enemy as well and made a thousand [of] these during world war one

And it went on serve with great success in Battles like cambrai

The tank was becoming an integral part of the allied strategy

as

Armored warfare evolved the number of different types of tank multiplied. This was a so-called whippet tank

It was designed to follow the heavy tanks into battle then when they made the penetration these could spread out speeding behind the German lines

[Sowing] absolute Chaos

the French had a similar idea, [but] only a few months earlier in 1917 and launched the popular renault FT-17

This is a light tank and the first with a fully rotating turret

But it wasn't as quick as the whip it

This could do 8 miles an hour at dizzying speed around double what other tank can do at the time?

The Germans were slow to pick up on the whole tank thing

Initially their high command thought it was pretty unmanly driving around the battlefield in a steel container

[good] old walking was good enough quite rapidly though. They realized their mistake and they produce this film panzer wagon

The Germans were slow to produce them though partly because of the lack [of] that top-down drive and also the lack of materials

Thanks to Britain's blockade of Germany

very Few were built

And they didn't really go into service until the last days of the war in fact the germans probably use more captured British tanks in

Their own home produced models

The Germans even set up special workshops where they brought and repaired captured tanks

Meanwhile the British Design just kept evolving

after Mark 4 Tank came surprise surprise the Mark 5

now this was the vehicle that played its part in the titanic British victories of the summer and autumn of

1918 it's

spearheaded British attacks like the one [at] the battle of Amien on August the 8th which saw

British and allied infantry Advance further into german lines than any other battle on the western front in World War one

These marked fires were faster more reliable

Than the marked fault they were also able to be steered by one person unlike the four people required to steer this tanks predecessor

Britain's Massive industrial base and innovative culture

Was producing tanks which every year were becoming better and [better] by orders of magnitude

In less than three years tanks had gone from the drawing board to becoming integral to allied Warplanes

They were no longer just a novelty but another part of the machinery of war

One that was critical to the final allied victory