Mark I
Quick Summary
The Mark I was the first tank adopted by the British Army, entering service in February 1916 during World War I. It was developed from earlier experimental tracked vehicles, with the "Little Willie" and "Big Willie" models preceding it. Designed to cross trenches, the Mark I was first used in action on September 15, 1916, though its success was limited due to its speed and range. A significant deployment occurred at the Battle of Cambrai on November 20, 1917, where 474 Mark I tanks achieved a breakthrough. However, their slow speed prevented exploitation of this success, leading to demand for faster tanks. By the end of World War I, Britain had produced 2,636 tanks.1
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