Ancient Greek hoplites joined their shields and advanced in unison. Hannibal’s Carthaginians mounted war elephants. The visionary Leonardo da Vinci rendered an image of an armoured fighting vehicle in 1487. While the concept of the tank - an armoured unit that could dominate the battlefield - has existed for almost as long as mankind has waged war, it became workable and developed to devastating capability 100 years ago.
Since the creaky bathtubs that ruled World War I, the tank has existed to provide an operational edge during combat. Its varied roles range from the hammer blow of the mailed fist to break through enemy lines, to the rapid exploitation of the breach and the destruction of other vehicles and fortifications, as well as reconnaissance and fire support as mobile artillery.…
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History of War Book of Combat Machines (Digital) - 1 Issue, History of War Book of Combat Machines 2016