The First World War was not only a bloody clash of empires, but also a powerful catalyst for technological progress. It was in the period from 1914 to 1918 that mankind first massively encountered the use of the power-drive on the battlefield. Until then, cavalry was considered the main striking force, and logistics relied on horse-drawn transport, but the positional impasse required radically new solutions.
At the beginning of the conflict, many military leaders were skeptical of “self-propelled carts,” considering them unreliable and vulnerable. However, the urgent need to break through fortified defense lines, saturated with the need to defend the barbed-wire And with machine gun nests, it forced engineers to push things forward. The first samples were far from perfect, often broke down and became easy targets, but they laid the foundation for all modern armored vehicles.
It is important to understand that the term "machine" in the context of the time covered a wide range of devices, from heavy trucks to primitive tracked tractors turned into tanks. Gasoline engines Internal combustion was only gaining popularity, displacing steam analogues, which made operation difficult and required a high level of training of mechanics. It was during these years that the profession of a tank driver and an armored car driver was born.
The evolution of armored vehicles: from prototypes to tanks
The appearance of tanks was a response to the stalemate of the “trench war”. The first country to use these machines in combat was Great Britain. Theirs. Mark IThe slab, which appeared on the Somme in 1916, was a bulky diamond-shaped structure that could hardly overcome the craters from shells. The speed of these machines rarely exceeded 6 km / h, and inside reigned unbearable heat and gas.
The French have gone down the path of creating lighter and more maneuverable machines, such as Renault FT-17. This model is considered the world's first classic tank, as it received a rotating turret and rear engine. This arrangement became the standard for the entire subsequent history of tank building. The German Empire, in turn, created a giant. A7VIt looked more like a fortress than a maneuverable combat unit.
⚠️ The first tanks were extremely dangerous for their crews. Carbon monoxide poisoning, heat strokes and overturning injuries claimed lives more often than enemy fire.
The technical characteristics of the first tanks are impressive from a modern point of view, but were revolutionary for its time. The engines were often taken from trucks and the armor was made from boiler iron. Mechanics had to have the skills of a blacksmith to repair caterpillars directly under enemy fire.
Armored vehicles: reconnaissance and patrol
If the tanks were to break the front, armored vehicles They became the eyes and ears of the army. They were used for reconnaissance, rear guard and convoy escort. The Russian Empire in this regard proved itself very active, creating entire divisions based on the chassis of foreign brands, such as the Russian Empire. Fiat, Peugeot and Austin.
One of the most famous vehicles of that period was a Russian armored car. "Izhorets-A.". It was equipped with machine guns and sometimes even small-caliber guns. Thanks to the wheel drive, these machines could reach high speed on the roads, but were useless in the mud, which limited their use in the autumn-spring period.
Germany also used armoured cars, for example. Ehrhardt E-V/4It was often equipped with a Maxima machine gun. These vehicles played a key role in quelling unrest and patrolling the occupied territories. Their design allowed for rapid change of direction, which was critical in street fighting.
Pay attention to the type of tires: during the years of PMW, solid rubber tires were often used, since pneumatic tires were easily penetrated by bullets and fragments.
Heavy artillery traction and trucks
Without a reliable rear front would have collapsed, and here on the scene came trucks. The logistics of the First World War was the first to combustion-engine He started replacing horses in large numbers. American trucks Liberty French Berliet They became the "working horses" of the Entente.
A special place was occupied by heavy artillery traction. Huge guns with a caliber of 152 mm and above required powerful tractors. Russian Army Uses Tractors Holt and NagelThey were, in fact, the forerunners of modern tracked tractors. They could tow multi-ton loads where normal wheels got stuck.
- 🚛 Capacity: Standard trucks of that time could take on board from 1.5 to 3 tons of cargo.
- ⛽ Fuel consumption: The engines were extremely voracious, consuming up to 50 liters of gasoline per 100 km of travel.
- 🔧 Repairability: The design was made as simple as possible for repair in the field with a minimum set of tools.
The German industry also produced reliable trucks, such as Daimler and Büssing. They were highly reliable and were often used as a base for armored vehicles. However, the lack of resources at the end of the war affected the quality of rubber and fuel, which reduced the efficiency of the park.
Comparative table of key samples of technology
To better understand the differences in approaches of different countries to the creation of combat vehicles, consider their main characteristics. The data may vary depending on the modification and year of release, as standardization It was just in its infancy.
| Model | Country. | Type | Weight (t) | Armament |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark V | UK | Tank | 29.0 | 2 guns, 4 machine guns |
| Renault FT-17 | France | Light tank | 6.5 | 1 gun or machine gun |
| A7V | Germany | Heavy tank | 30.0 | 1 gun, 6 machine guns |
| Austin 3rd Series | Russia/WB | Armored vehicle | 5.3 | 2 machine guns |
In the analysis of the table, it can be seen that the German A7V The mass is comparable to the British heavy tank, but is much inferior to it in cross-country because of the tracked base, covering only part of the hull. French RenaultBeing light, it became the most massive tank of the war precisely because of its versatility.
Why did the Mark I have a rhombic shape?
The rhombic shape of the caterpillars was chosen so that the machine could crawl through wide trenches and ditches without getting stuck. The caterpillar covered the entire body, providing the maximum length of the supporting surface.
Engineering and special machines
The war required not only combat, but also specialized machines. The first samples appeared engineeringIt is designed to lay roads, lay bridges and evacuate the wounded. Motorcycles with wheelchairs, such as German Harley-Davidson (provided to allies) or NSUThey were used by the liaisons.
Of particular interest are snowmobiles and aerosleds, which were used on the Eastern front in winter. Russian designers, in particular I.I. Sikorsky, experimented with the installation of engines on the sled, which allowed you to quickly move through snowy fields. This was a unique decision, due to the climatic conditions of the theater of war.
It is also worth mentioning self-propelled cranes and workshops on the motorway. They allowed to carry out complex repairs of equipment directly near the front line. Mobility of repair units has become one of the factors affecting the pace of the offensive.
☑️ Criteria for assessing the effectiveness of the PMW machine
Legacy and impact on the future
The machines of the First World War laid the foundations of modern military doctrine. Experience with their use has shown that mechanical They are able to solve strategic tasks. After the war, many of the designs were modified and served as prototypes for the equipment of the Second World War.
The technology developed on these machines has migrated to the civilian sphere. Tracked tractors were used for agriculture, and the principles of assembly and logistics introduced for the production of tanks accelerated the development of conveyor production worldwide.
⚠️ Note: Many of the surviving PMV machines are museum exhibits. The technical condition of their units is often critical, and engine start-ups are extremely rare to avoid the destruction of historical details.
Studying the history of these machines helps us understand how quickly humanity adapts to new challenges. In just four years, the path from the first clumsy attempts to the mass use of tank wedges was completely covered.
The main result of the development of the PMV technique was the proof that the motorization of the army is an alternative way to develop military technologies in the XX century.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which World War I tank is considered the most successful?
The undisputed leader is considered French. Renault FT-17. It was the first tank of the classical layout (turret at the rear, engine at the rear) and was produced in large numbers, being in service with many countries even after the war.
Have diesel engines been used in PMV?
Practically not. The main fuel was low-quality gasoline or a mixture of gasoline with kerosene (ligroin). Diesel engines at that time were too heavy and bulky to be installed on mobile equipment, their mass introduction began later.
Did Russia have its own tanks in the First World War?
There was no serial production of tanks in tsarist Russia. There was a project "ATV" engineer Lebedenko, but it was too cumbersome and did not pass the test. The army relied on imports from the Allies.
What was the speed of the first tanks?
The average speed of movement on rough terrain was 3-4 km / h, which is slightly faster than the human step. On the road, they could accelerate to 6-8 km / h, but often broke with such a load.