Tanks

Paper Summary:

This paper traces the development of the tank and its impact on modern warfare. In particular, the writer focuses on the French and German contributions to its development. The paper further describes how each country made additions to the original multi-terrain armored vehicle system. The author concludes by stating that tank technology is constantly being improved upon by the vehicle's use in conflicts.

From the Paper:

"While the British were the first to consider the development of a multi-terrain armored vehicle system, their work cannot truly be considered seminal in the application of tank warfare to either the battles of the First or Second World War. For this we must look to the Germans and the French. Originally the tank seemed poorly adapted to the traditional war environment, since all prototypes were slow, unable to cross trench terrain and lacked the power to move through difficult cross country areas, especially when faced with the ubiquitous barbed wire. After the development of a footed track vehicle by David Roberts of R. Hornsby and Sons in 1905, the move to develop more tracked vehicles became a business boom in the United States. It is interesting to note that most of the superpowers of the early 20th Century felt that there was little of interest in the armored vehicle and that it was unlikely to change the face of modern warfare. As a result, Hornsby sold most of his patents overseas to smaller countries. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Macksey, K and Batchelor, JH. Tank. Charles Scribner and Sons, New York. 1970
• Ogorkiewicz, Richard M. Technology of Tanks. Coulsdon, Surrey : Jane's Information Group, 1991.
• Ogorkiewicz, Richard M. Design and Development of Armored Fighting Vehicles, Janes Information Group, 1994

More papers on Tanks:

• Analytical Essay # 57406 : "Storage Tanks"
• Comparison Essay # 112750 : "Canadian Think Tanks"
• Analytical Essay # 57484 : "The First Tanks of World War I"

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