POLE-VAULTING BRITISH TANKS

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 11 June 1932, Page 14

POLE-VAULTING BRITISH TANKS

"POLE-JUMPING” tank is the latest British development. By means of a simple fitting the -tank is able to "vault” across gaps nearly ; twice as wide as could, formerly be crossed by tanks of the samo dimensions.

There is no need to emphasise its importance for overcoming ditches, small streams, trenches and similar obstacles which may check the tank when travelling across country, says an English paper. The fitting consists of a short spadelike pole, which is hinged to a projecting arm at the front of the tank. It might almost be compared with an elephant’s trunk. But the tank differs from the elephant in having another trunk somewhat similar at the b^-ck. When the tank comes to a gap, and its nose pushes out across the void, the

Leaping Capacity with New Device

front "pole” engages in the bank on the far side of the gap. Then with, a quick heave the tank climbs, or "vaults” over, its tail being held up and prevented from falling into the gap by the rear pole—which momentarily engages in the near bank. By the application of this pole-jumping principle and attachment, the light tank is able to- cross a gap of about BJft instead, of the normal 4Jft. Demonstrations have recently been given by light tanks thus fitted.

Infantry officers who have seen them seem much impressed by the gap-be-striding powers of this new means of mobile action, which, bias carried a big step further the resurrected possibilities of the decisive "cavalry” charge which so often won the battles of past history.