THE track-laying type of vehicle is, of course, old. The emergency which brought the modern “tank” into existence was the menace of the machine-gun. The tank is simply a device that can approach closely and destroy the gun or its crew. It is fundamentally a man killer, and its strongest points are speed and mobility. It is now an indispensable arm of the military service.
The writer gives a rapid résumé of the fantastic period in design, the early work done on heavy armored cars and the reasons for concentrating on the track-laying type of vehicle. The American type of track was adopted as a foundation and from this and around it France, England and the United States have developed the tanks known through successful use in the war. The British are to be credited with producing the first practical fighting machine of this type. France has two types of machine, one mechanically driven and the other with electric drive, both small. The American Army used both the large and the small machines; the French Renault, selected for light, speedy work, and a modified design of the huge British tank, produced by British and American ordnance engineers working jointly in London during the winter of 1917-1918.
The development of the tank has been almost a romance. The future presents great possibilities for it. Three sizes appear to be needed and they must be fast, easily maneuverable and have a large radius of action.
