The Mark IV
The introduction of the Mark IV tank in large numbers in the Battle
of Cambrai formed a major turning point in the history of warfare.
Experience of the tank at Cambrai quickly led to improvements which
played a decisive role in bringing about the armistice. The Mark IV
was the result of considerable secret work carried out in England
and naturally its introduction took everyone by surprise. The Mark
IV was made in two forms named as Male and Female, the difference
being the form of weapons.
A few statistics will
enable the magnitude of the exercise to be appreciated:
The Male version weighed 28 tons and was equipped with two 6 pounder
and four machine guns. The Female weighed 26 tons and had six
machines guns. The length in both cases was 8.05 metres and the
width, 4.11 metres Male and 3.2 metres Female. The speed was almost
6km per hour [3.7mph]. The engine was a Daimler 105hp high octane
petrol. Eight men formed the crew. The Tank Commander was usually a
2/Lt and shared the front cab with the first driver. Behind on each
side there were two gunners and one gear man. The two gear men were
also called the second and third drivers.
For further
detailed and technical information, please refer to the excellent
book of David Fletcher titled ‘British Mark IV Tank’ [IBSN 978 1
84603 082 6]