THE FRENCH TANKS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 8, 4 October 1917, Page 5

THE FRENCH TANKS

COMPARED WITH THE BRITISH. French tanks, or "Chare d'Assaut," as they are, officially called, differ considerably from the British land ships (says; Mr. H. Warner Allen). The French tank is lighter, broader iu the beam, and swifter> It reminded me of an armoured water-cart, and though tailless it manoeuvred with surprising ease, and seemed capable of turning in its own length. The following story of. the prowess of a. tank in. the offensive eastof Craonne was told me recently by a young officer who commanded the thiiks in that battle:— ' j "It must be rather like being in. a submarine, since once one is inside with all hatches closed one seems absolutely cut oft from the outside world. The deafening noise of the motor makes it impossiblo for one's thoughts to etray from the job iu hand, and deadens' every other sound. I saw a big shell explode withia a yard of another tank, and after the battle I said to the officer: 'You had a narrow escape.' 'What do you mean?' ho asked in reply; 'no shell burst within a hundred yards of my machine.' Hβ had no idea of the danger that had been so very. near: . Wo dodged their shells very satisfactorily, and soon reached the first German trench. My gun mid ma-chine-guns soon cleared it of Bochcs as we worked along its edge. We jnund a mahine-gun shelter made of cement, and sat on it till it gave way. Then, as the infantry were up with us, I decided to cross the trench. Our, noso went up into the air as we climbed tho parapet, and then plunged down into tho treich. The uoiso made by the motor as sits; caterpillar gear tried to get a hold in' the soft, earth was terrific. Then, like a boat mounting a wave, we wared itp again and mounted to the other 6\de. In tho hubbub I literally did not hear tbe gun that was firod whenever I gave tfe» . . ordAr." __!..