100th Anniversary of the "TANK"
August 31, 2016
100 years ago, military tanks were developed separately and simultaneously by two allied nations: Great Britain and France. Both nations were looking for a way to break the deadlock of trench warfare. Great Britain was first to deploy the Mk.I Tank in combat on September 15th, 1916 during the battle of the Somme.
French tank development started a bit later, eventually creating the Renault FT-17 Light Tank. This tank entered service in the later part of WWI, but became known as the "World's First Modern Tank", while also becoming the first tank with a rotating turret.
The United States began production of a light tank using the design of the French Renault, but no U.S. built tank saw combat during WWI. The development of these two tanks changed the world as we know it today - as the tank is still with us and is more powerful and useful than ever before.
Today the American Armoured Foundation Tank Museum is proud and honored to exhibit one of the first American built tanks. Make sure to plan your visit to the museum to wish a Happy 100th Anniversary to our M1917 6-Ton Special WWI Tank.
- N. Gasser, AAF Tank Museum, Danville VA