First use of tanks at Flers-Courcelette

15-25 September 1916

The battle was part of the Somme offensive that had began in July 1916. General Haig decided to deploy the new British weapon, the tank, for the first time, against advice that said they should only be used in large formations.

49 tanks and took part in the battle and the initial surprise helped the 12 British divisions push back the Germans by 2km. The tanks' unreliability, sloth and lack of numbers, however, meant they were not effective for long and the gains were mostly lost.

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The Tank
Wright, Patrick — Hardback £25.00 —