History of Tank in Timeline
Tanks are heavily armored fighting vehicles designed for offensive ground combat. They combine firepower, protection, and mobility, typically featuring a turret-mounted main gun. Essential to modern warfare, tanks play a crucial role in combined arms operations alongside infantry, artillery, and air power.
1903: H.G. Wells' "The Land Ironclads"
H.G. Wells published his short story "The Land Ironclads" in 1903, envisioning armored vehicles that predated the development of actual tanks, although with some technological differences.
1903: Early Concepts of Armored Vehicles
In 1903, Captain Léon René Levavasseur of France proposed mounting a field gun on a tracked, armored box, foreshadowing the basic concept of a tank.
1904: The First Armored Car
Austria produced the first armored car in 1904, marking an early step in the development of armored vehicles.
1908: Robert Falcon Scott's Antarctic Expedition and the Caterpillar Track
In 1908, Robert Falcon Scott, while planning his Antarctic expedition, proposed the need for motor traction on snow and ice.
1911: Caterpillar Tracks Tested in Scott's Antarctic Expedition
Caterpillar tracks, developed by Reginald Skelton for Scott's expedition, were tested in Switzerland and Norway and featured in a 1911 documentary film.
1911: Early Tank Designs Emerge
In 1911, various individuals, including Günther Burstyn, Lancelot de Mole, and Vasiliy Mendeleev, proposed designs for tracked, armored vehicles. These designs, though innovative for their time, were ultimately rejected.
1912: Scott's Death and the Legacy of the Caterpillar Track
Despite Robert Falcon Scott's death during the expedition in 1912, the caterpillar tracks used by his team are credited as inspiration for the British tanks of World War I.
1914: Tank Development Largely Ignored
Despite the earlier proposals, tank development was largely ignored by military leaders at the outbreak of World War I in 1914.
1914: British Army Officers Advocate for Armored Vehicles
Starting in late 1914, a small group of British Army officers began advocating for the development of armored vehicles, including those based on caterpillar tractors. However, their proposals were initially dismissed by the War Office.
February 1915: Formation of the Landship Committee
In February 1915, prompted by the efforts of Royal Naval Air Service officers, Winston Churchill, then First Lord of the Admiralty, established the Landship Committee to explore the development of armored vehicles.
July 1915: Design and Secrecy
In July 1915, the Landship Committee commissioned a design for a trench-crossing machine. The design process was shrouded in secrecy, with designers working in seclusion at the White Hart Hotel in Lincoln.
September 1915: First Prototype, "Little Willie"
The committee's initial design, "Little Willie," was completed and tested in September 1915. Though primarily a testbed for track design, it marked a significant step in tank development.
December 1915: Inter-Departmental Conference on "Caterpillar Machine Gun Destroyers"
On December 24, 1915, an Inter-Departmental Conference was held to discuss the development of "Caterpillar Machine Gun Destroyers or Land Cruisers," which we now know as tanks.
1915: Early Tank Prototypes and Development
The first British tank prototype, nicknamed "Little Willie," was built in 1915 by William Foster & Co. in Lincoln, England.
1915: French Tank Development
In France, Colonel J.B.E. Estienne played a crucial role in promoting tank development, leading to the production of the Schneider and Saint-Chamond tanks, both based on the Holt tractor. However, these early French tanks proved to be largely inadequate.
1915: The First Use of the Word "Tank" in a Military Context
In 1915, the term "tank" was first used by the British military to describe their new "landships" in order to keep their true nature a secret.
January 1916: Improved Design, "Mother"
By January 1916, an improved design, known as "Mother," was finalized and approved for production. This design featured enhanced trench-crossing capabilities and formed the basis for future tanks.
January 1916: The Word "Tank" is Officially Adopted
The word "tank" was officially adopted for the new armored vehicles in January 1916 after Lieutenant-Colonel Ernest Swinton used it in his report on the Inter-Departmental Conference.
February 1916: First Tank Order
The first official order for tanks was placed in February 1916, marking the beginning of large-scale tank production.
August 1916: Tanks Shipped to France Under Secrecy
In August 1916, the first tanks were shipped to France, disguised as snowplows and labeled "With Care to Petrograd" to maintain secrecy.
September 1916: Tanks Debut at the Somme
In September 1916, tanks were deployed for the first time in history at the Battle of the Somme. The presence of these "mechanical monsters" had a significant psychological impact on both sides of the conflict.
September 1916: The First Use of Tanks in Combat
The British Mark I tank, the world's first tank to see combat, was deployed in September 1916 during the Battle of the Somme.
1916: H.G. Wells Acknowledges Inspiration but Denies Invention of Tanks
After witnessing British tanks in 1916, H.G. Wells clarified that while he drew inspiration from existing ideas, he didn't invent the tank itself.
March 1918: Germany's Late Entry into Tank Warfare
Germany, initially slow to adopt tank technology, introduced its own tank, the A7V, in March 1918. However, only a small number were produced.
April 1918: First Tank-versus-Tank Battle
The first recorded tank-versus-tank battle occurred in April 1918 at the Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, pitting British Mark IV tanks against German A7Vs.
July 1918: Popular Science Monthly Report
In July 1918, Popular Science Monthly published a report about the development of tanks, providing insights into their early history and impact.
1918: Renault FT: A Revolutionary Design
The French introduced the Renault FT light tank in 1918, featuring a revolutionary 360-degree rotating turret and a rear-mounted engine. This design became the standard for tank development worldwide.
1934: Japan Pioneers Diesel Engines in Tanks with the Type 89B
In a pioneering move, Japan introduced diesel engines to its tank design in 1934 with the Type 89B. This shift from traditional petrol engines offered significant advantages, including improved fuel efficiency, which translated into extended operational ranges. This innovation marked a significant step in tank development.
1937: French Tank Doctrine Prioritizes Firepower and Protection
In 1937, French military doctrine emphasized firepower and protection over mobility in tank design. This approach stemmed from the belief that tanks should operate closely with infantry, prioritizing the ability to engage enemy targets and withstand counterattacks over rapid maneuvering.
1937: Spanish Civil War: A Testing Ground for Tank Warfare
The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) served as a testing ground for tank warfare, with both sides utilizing tanks in combat. The conflict demonstrated the limitations of machine-gun-armed tanks and highlighted the need for heavier armament and armor.
August 1939: Revolution in Tank Deployment Tactics and Strategy
In August 1939, a major shift in tank warfare occurred. Soviet General Georgy Zhukov demonstrated the effectiveness of combined tank and airpower at Nomonhan, challenging existing military doctrines.
August 1939: The Dawn of Blitzkrieg
The Soviet Union launched the first mass tank and air attack at Khalkhin Gol (Nomonhan) in August 1939, showcasing the devastating potential of armored warfare.
1939: Battles of Khalkhin Gol
The Battles of Khalkhin Gol in 1939, fought between Japan and the Soviet Union, provided valuable lessons in tank warfare. The Soviets, despite fielding a larger number of tanks, faced challenges due to their reliance on gasoline engines, which proved vulnerable to fire.
May 1940: Blitzkrieg and German Tank Tactics
Germany's successful use of tanks in the Blitzkrieg in May 1940 highlighted the importance of tank warfare and combined arms tactics.
1940: German Blitzkrieg Dominates Early Stages of World War II
In 1940, Germany's blitzkrieg tactics, heavily reliant on tanks, proved devastatingly effective. This period underscored the importance of speed, maneuverability, and combined arms in armored warfare.
December 1941: US Enters World War II with Mass-Produced Sherman Tanks
December 1941 marked the entry of the US into World War II, bringing with them the mass-produced M4 Sherman tank. While not as individually powerful as German tanks, the Sherman's reliability and sheer numbers proved crucial to Allied victory.
1942: Germany Introduces the Tiger Tank
Facing challenges on the Eastern Front, Germany introduced the formidable Tiger tank in 1942. This marked an escalation in the technological arms race of tank design and firepower during the war.
1942: The North African Campaign and the Importance of Logistics
The North African Campaign of 1942 highlighted the critical role of logistics in armored warfare. The desert battles demonstrated that even with superior firepower, tanks were reliant on supply lines, as evidenced by the Afrika Korps' defeat at El Alamein.
1943: Early Experimentation with Hybrid Drives: The Elefant Tank Destroyer
In 1943, the German Elefant tank destroyer, though ultimately unsuccessful, introduced the concept of diesel-electric hybrid drives in armored vehicles. This early experimentation foreshadowed future developments in tank propulsion technology.
May 1945: End of World War II and the Legacy of Tank Warfare
By May 1945, the impact of tank warfare on World War II was undeniable. The conflict had driven technological advancements in tank design and production, with the Soviet T-34 emerging as a key symbol of these advancements.
1946: Post-War Tank Development: Centurion and T-54/55
The years following World War II saw continued development of tanks, with the British Centurion and Soviet T-54/55 entering service in 1946, shaping the armored forces of NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
1951: US Introduces the M48 Patton Tank
In 1951, the US fielded the M48 Patton tank, another key player in the Cold War arms race. These tanks, alongside their counterparts, represented the evolving nature of armored warfare in a new era.
1971: Tanks in Proxy Wars: The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 exemplified the use of tanks in proxy conflicts during the Cold War. The conflict, featuring tanks like the T-55, highlighted their continued relevance in regional conflicts and influenced future tank development.
2003: Tanks in the 21st Century: US Invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq demonstrated the continued role of tanks in modern warfare, with the US deploying large numbers of M1 Abrams. However, the conflict also exposed vulnerabilities to roadside bombs and improvised explosive devices.
2005: Urban Combat and Tank Vulnerability in Iraq
By 2005, the experience in Iraq highlighted the challenges of urban warfare for tanks. The threat of IEDs and the need for infantry support led to modifications and tactical adaptations, showcasing the evolving nature of armored warfare in urban environments.
2022: Modern Tanks: Versatile Weapons Platforms
By 2022, tanks have evolved into versatile mobile land weapons platforms, playing a crucial role in modern military forces and shaping the landscape of armored warfare.