Along with revolutions in handheld weaponry, there were revolutions in vehicles too. The first recorded use of ambulances in war was in WWI. The first use of combat planes was in WWI. The first tanks were made and used during WWI. This page will give you a quick walk through of some of the vehicles that saw combat during the Great War.
(Above video courtesy of Simple History on YouTube)
The first tanks used in combat were made by the British, as a way of quickly crossing the enemy trenches and breaking through enemy lines. These tanks came in two versions: the Males were equipped with two cannons and four machine guns, while the Females had a total of six machine guns and no cannons. Eventually improvements had to be made because the Germans were elongating their trenches in an effort to make them so long that the tanks couldn't travel over them. However, these tanks weren't always feared war machines. It was quite common, especially during the early years of the tank, for these "war machines" to break down during battle. Sometimes the excess smoke from the engine would even leak into the cockpit, which could, at the very least, result in lung damage. However, many were successful, and many historians say that if the tanks were to not be invented, the war would have been elongated, maybe even by 5 years or more.
The first tanks used in combat were made by the British, as a way of quickly crossing the enemy trenches and breaking through enemy lines. These tanks came in two versions: the Males were equipped with two cannons and four machine guns, while the Females had a total of six machine guns and no cannons. Eventually improvements had to be made because the Germans were elongating their trenches in an effort to make them so long that the tanks couldn't travel over them. However, these tanks weren't always feared war machines. It was quite common, especially during the early years of the tank, for these "war machines" to break down during battle. Sometimes the excess smoke from the engine would even leak into the cockpit, which could, at the very least, result in lung damage. However, many were successful, and many historians say that if the tanks were to not be invented, the war would have been elongated, maybe even by 5 years or more.
The Fokker DR.1 was a German triplane that was used by the German Airforce during WWI as a fighter aircraft. It is best known because of its use by the famous Red Baron, who used it in his 19 victorious battles. It was made in response to the new (at the time) British Sopwith Triplane, which proved itself superior to the German Albatross planes used before the introduction of this plane. It had a max speed of 103 mph, a 110 horsepower engine, and 2 machine guns. It entered too late in the war to make a major impact.
(Above video courtesy of Simple History on YouTube)
Sopwith Camel
The Sopwith Camel was a biplane fighter that was introduced in 1917. It was one of the most iconic aircraft of WWI. It had two machine guns in the front of the plane. Even though it was difficult to handle, it had the best maneuverability out of any other plane in the war. The Canadian pilot who was rumored to have shot down the Red Baron used this
plane.
Sopwith Camel
The Sopwith Camel was a biplane fighter that was introduced in 1917. It was one of the most iconic aircraft of WWI. It had two machine guns in the front of the plane. Even though it was difficult to handle, it had the best maneuverability out of any other plane in the war. The Canadian pilot who was rumored to have shot down the Red Baron used this
plane.
(Video above courtesy of Simple History on YouTube)
(top)German A7V Tank. The A7V was made in response to the appearance of the first tanks on the Western Front. It was armed with 6 machine guns and one cannon which lied in the front of the tank. The design was a universal chassis that could be used for tank purposes or for carrying cargo to the front lines. It's armor was thick enough to stop rifle and machine gun fire, but not large caliber rounds (a field gun shell might pass right through it). It was first used in combat at the St. Quentin Canal (where there were 5 of them). Three of them suffered mechanical failures before they were able to get to the front lines, and the two that didn't break down helped stop a minor British advance. It helped the Germans but the British tanks were far superior, and it was easily taken down by grenades and field cannons. It was retired after 1918.
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(1 below) Renault FT-17 light tank. The FT-17 was the first successful French tank and the first tank with fully rotating turret. It was unique because of it's small size, rotating turret, and small gun.
(top)German A7V Tank. The A7V was made in response to the appearance of the first tanks on the Western Front. It was armed with 6 machine guns and one cannon which lied in the front of the tank. The design was a universal chassis that could be used for tank purposes or for carrying cargo to the front lines. It's armor was thick enough to stop rifle and machine gun fire, but not large caliber rounds (a field gun shell might pass right through it). It was first used in combat at the St. Quentin Canal (where there were 5 of them). Three of them suffered mechanical failures before they were able to get to the front lines, and the two that didn't break down helped stop a minor British advance. It helped the Germans but the British tanks were far superior, and it was easily taken down by grenades and field cannons. It was retired after 1918.
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(1 below) Renault FT-17 light tank. The FT-17 was the first successful French tank and the first tank with fully rotating turret. It was unique because of it's small size, rotating turret, and small gun.