How the First Tanks CONQUERED the Trenches

My grandfather was a tank mechanic in world war I. American 301st Comp C. He fought from September 1918 to November of 1918. He was in five battles, was gassed, lost an eye and was assigned to a British company when he was in France.

Can we just appreciate for a moment how YouTube channels are giving us 1000x the quality of content that History Channel ever did?

Hello Tank Nuts! Let us know what you thought of our latest video.

My paternal grandfather started off in the cavalry and ended up in the Tank Corps in WW1. Unfortunately his military records were lost in the Blitz in WW2 but I do know he was in a Mark IV ~ probably a Female version ~ when his tank was destroyed by a German field gun, possibly 7.7cm. The warhead detonated in the engine and he was covered in burning engine oil and fuel. He later named his house Morlancourt and I’m not sure if it was because there was a tankodrome there that he might have been based at or whether he was in an action nearby there. He passed away in 1967 and although I was only 7 then I can remember the burn scars. I always regret that he didn’t live longer so I could really talk to him about his experiences. Those early tankers were real trailblazers, working in pretty horrendous conditions. I have the greatest respect for them all.

The park in waltham cross, England has a replica wwi tank in it. It's a replacement for an original wwi tank that was placed there after wwi to thank the town for raising funds for one. It was scrapped in wwii for the metal.

Great video again. I've been in Guy Martin's Mk IV. My old man took me out for the day, and where it was being kept in Norfolk was just up the road from where he lives. It was an insane piece of machinery.

That the FT was very forward-looking is shown by it seeing some service in WW2, and the Japanese Type 95 light tank being an improved FT-17.

Poland also used around 17 FTs during WW2 when Germans entered Warsaw to block tunnel leading to central square

it is always interesting that there was the tank made for ww1, the tanks that won ww2, and then everything thats come after

One thing missing here is the role of Winston Churchill in the development of the tank. Initially, the idea was rejected by the army, but Mr. Churchill provided financing for a 'land ship' through the Admiralty.

Splendid to see this more in depth coverage of the Great War armored vehicles and the genesis of tank warfare. Looking forward to visiting the American Heritage Museum Trench Warfare Exhibit, along with the restored M1917, our first mass produced tank based on the Renault FT. Another outstanding video production, kudos to Tank Museum staff, keep 'em coming and thanks very much!

Outstanding video! Even my roommate who has zero interest in this type of content watched and really liked it.

Very amused that a tank crew called their tank frey bentos. Cos its a tin can full of meat right? War humour.

I'm guessing there is still no heating in The Great War exhibition as Chris has donned a warm coat! As usual another great video, looking forward to Tankfest 2024.

That was good. You covered all the salient points. These early tanks are quite fascinating. A bit like early naval ironclads, they didn't know how they were going to develop,, an they were feeling their way. In a longer video you could have mentioned some of the funnies they came up with. Troop and stores carriers, radio tanks, gun carriers. Good video though.

Now THIS is epic!!!!!!

Another interesting and high quality video. Thanks.

Great vid. Would love to see the inter war years as well as WW2 in this format

Very interesting video. The spanish civil war made both germans and soviets understand how to operate tank units and the need to upsize them ( firepower, protection and mobility). The germans tested also combined operations (artillery + airplanes + tanks + infantry)

This is me telling the math robot that I liked this content