The document describes the development of early tanks by the British in response to the high casualties caused by trench warfare in World War I. They needed an armored vehicle that could cross muddy, barbed wire-filled battlefields under heavy fire in order to allow infantry to advance. This led to the development of the first tanks, which had key components like caterpillar tracks, engines, armor plating, turrets, and guns to fulfill this purpose.

1. REVISION

2. Basic Tank Parts
Great Britain developed the modern tank in the early 1900s as a
response to the rise of _____ _____. In the battles of World War I,
opposing forces dug parallel __________ __________ guarded by
barbed wire and machine gunners. This strategy made for high
casualties on both sides. To advance any ground, soldiers had
to storm the ______ _______, sacrificing dozens of men for the
chance that a few might make it through the mud and hail of
bullets. The British and their allies needed an armored "land
boat," a machine that could plow through mud, barbed wire and
heavy fire to clear a path for infantry troops.
trench
fortifications
INSERT THE RIGHT WORDS
enemy’s
trench
trench warfare

3. The final design had six components:
Caterpillar tracks
Internal combustion engine
Hull
Turret
Armor
Guns

4. caterpillar
tracks
barrel
turret
hull

5. Arrange the words into the following
groups

6. Height
_________________
Width
_________________
Length a)
_____________
b)
_____________

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corn
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11. Unlike the battleship, the tank remains a key part of most militaries.
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies there are
60,000 tanks in active service worldwide.
Do
you
know
that…
.

12. Homewo
rk
corner II

13. Five major tank battles
1917 Battle
of Cambrai
One of biggest
early tank
battles, fought
between
British and
Germans. The
British
attempted to
break through
the
Hindenburg
Line. About
475 tanks
were used and
both sides lost
about 45,000
soldiers.
1942 Second
Battle of El
Alamein
More than 1,000
Allied tanks
fought 547 Axis
counterparts,
which saw the
Germans
effectively lose
their battle for
possession of
Egypt and the
much-prized
Suez Canal.
Tanks played a
key role, with
Allied forces
receiving 300
Sherman tanks
from the US.
1965 Battle of
Chawinda
Part of the
1965 IndoPakistani War,
the forces were
fairly evenly
matched, with
the Indian Army
commanding
225 tanks and
the Pakistani
Army
controlling 282.
The war ended
after a UN
resolution
prompted an
unconditional
surrender from
both sides.
1973 Battle of
the Valley of
Tears
The Yom Kippur
War, between
Israel and an
Arab coalition
led by Egypt
and Syria, saw
coalition forces
march into
Israeli territory.
Tanks were
central to their
surprise attack
in the Golan
Heights. But the
Syrians - with
about 1,200
tanks to the
Israelis' 100 were unable to
defeat them
1991 Battle of
73 Easting
Decisive Gulf War
victory for US and
British forces in
their Desert Storm
operation in Iraq.
The Iraqis lost
more than 160
tanks.

14. Types
Weight is one way tanks have been _________ over the last 100 years.
Depending on size, tanks are categorized as light, medium or heavy.
However, a tank _________ as "medium" in 1939 might not weigh as much
as a "light" tank designed in 1945. The tactical role a tank plays can also
determine its classification, which is based upon a country's military
doctrine. In the 1930s and '40's, the British _________ their tanks using
terms such as "infantry" and "cruiser," while the Soviets had
classifications like "fast" and "breakthrough."
WHAT’S THE M
ISSING WORD?
IED!
CLASSIF

16. mn
colu on
ati
form

17. 1. Staggered Column Formation . The staggered column is used for rapid movement across open
terrain. It affords all-round observation and fields of fire. The figure below shows the platoon in the
staggered column in a two-section organization with the heavy section leading.
2. Herringbone Formation . The herringbone provides 360-degree security during a temporary
halt from a march column .Troops should dismount to provide greater security. The
formation may be widened to permit passage of vehicles down the center of the column. All
vehicles should move completely off the road if terrain allows.
3. Wedge Formation . This formation uses the two-section organization. The platoon maintains relative
positioning based on terrain and combat losses. The wedge lends itself to immediate mutual support and
provides depth; it is very flexible. Using any of the techniques of movement, the two forward vehicles
perform all of the information gathering and reporting. The rear vehicles provide overwatch and
command and control.
4. Line Formation . This formation can be used regardless of the platoon organization and is
applicable to most reconnaissance platoon missions. It allows the platoon to cover the
most ground systematically with maximum reconnaissance forward.
4
2
1
3