TANK INVENTION.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18549, 26 November 1925, Page 9

TANK INVENTION.

ARMY OFFICER'S CLAIM. NEGOTIATIONS WITH KITCHENER. (BY CABLE—rRISS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, November 24. "Who invented the tank?" is a question being revived in tho High Court. Mr Justice McCardie is hearing a petition of right on behalf of Captain Bede Bentley, claiming £300,000 from the Crown. Counsel for plantiff said that Lord Kitchener, whom plaintiff knew in the Boer War, requested him, in October, 1914, to produce an armoured car which would be independent of roads. Plaintiff suggested a caterpillar tractor with an armoured body.

Plaintiff described a three-hours' interview after dinner with Lord Kitchener at his house, at which Bentley illustrated his design, with rubber bands and pins. H© asserted that Kitchener requested Bentley not to patent the claim for reasons of secrecy. He declared that he and Kitchener discussed -the use 'of poison gas in 1914, Captain Bentley gaTe evidence that Lord Kitchener, urging him not to take out a patent for the tanks, said: "Beyond anything else, wo hard got to keep the thing a secret. You can trust me. I will protect your interests." Lord Kitchener added: "Well, Bentley, if it does what you claim, it will revolutionise warfare." Later, Bentley'had to go to Russia, and when he returned Lord Kitchener said that experiments had been carried" out and the invention would be a success, in the war. Bentley then went to Africa and Lord Kitchener was dead before he returned. The case was adjourned.