Little Willie

British tank

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

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"Little Willie" was the first tank, built in Britain in September 1915 by the Admiralty Landships Committee. This development occurred during World War I due to the stalemate of trench warfare, which rendered armored cars ineffective. The committee, supported by Winston Churchill, experimented with tracked vehicles to overcome difficult terrain and barbed wire. "Little Willie" was followed by "Big Willie," which was accepted by the British Army and led to the production of the Mark I tank. This innovation marked a significant step in military technology, leading to the development and deployment of tanks in combat.1

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tank
World War I
…the first tank, called “Little Willie.” A second model, called “Big Willie,” quickly followed. Designed to cross wide trenches, it was accepted by the British Army, which ordered 100 tanks of this type (called Mark I) in February 1916.
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…the first tank, called “Little Willie.” A second model, called “Big Willie,” quickly followed. Designed to cross wide trenches, it was accepted by the British Army, which ordered 100 tanks of this type (called Mark I) in February 1916.
Read More