Friday 25 November 2016

Tanks & The First World War: The Whippet

Welcome back to the Tanks & The First World War series. The tank we are talking about in today's edition won't take very long and that is for one main reason - it wasn't until 1917 that this tank or landship was introduced. It meant that it has missed most of the war and although still a great weapon, it never got the fame that previous tank designs were to get. 

The official name for this tank was the Mark A, but it was nicknamed "The Whippet", due to it being faster and much more movable than the original Mark I tank. The Whippet's played a huge part in the offensive at Cambrai during November 1917, where more than 400 tanks created a battering ram that attacked straight through German lines. This was to be one of the only famous battles that The Whippet took part in on a large scale. 

During the post war years, The Whippet was used in several conflicts including those situated in Ireland, but whilst its role during the First World War was short lived, it was the starting point of a design that we would be able to improve on in years to come. 

Remember to join us next Friday for our latest edition of the Tanks & The First World War series. 

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