The British Mark I was the first tank used in combat, rolling into battle on September 15, 1916, during the Battle of the Somme in France.
It was designed to cross trenches and barbed wire on the Western Front. Its rhomboid shape let its tracks run all the way around the hull.
Did You Know
The word tank began as a code name. Workers were told they were building water tanks to keep the project secret.
Male and Female
Mark I tanks came in two versions: male tanks carried small cannons, while female tanks carried only machine guns.
See It in Person
Ohio is a great place to see military history up close. The National Museum of the United States Air Force near Dayton is free and displays hundreds of aircraft, and local veterans memorials, county historical societies, and VFW and American Legion posts across the state often display vehicles and artifacts. Thank a veteran when you visit.
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