EVOLUTION OF WAR-TIME TANKS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2308, 28 November 1925, Page 9

EVOLUTION OF WAR-TIME TANKS

CHANCELLOR SAYS THEY TOOK SHAPE GRADUALLY

How Caterpillars Were Nearly Lost

CLAIMANTS’ NAME NOT MENTIONED [By Electric Cable—Copyright] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, November 26. Mr Winston Churchill, called by the Crifwn as a witness on Captain Bentley’s tanks claim, detailed the history or" armoured cars in war time when he was First Lord of the Admiralty. He told how Admiral Sueter raised a squadron which operated most successfully until checked by deep ruts made by the Germans. “We were then faced with the necessity of meeting new obstacles,” ho said, "and the idea of vehicles capable of crossing broken country gradually took shape in my mind ana the minds of the officers concerned, it summoned Admiral Bacon, and asked him if he could devise a machine which would cross trenches. Bacon was familiar with the tractor caterpillar, so I directed him to construct one. Later, he furnished his own design. I instructed him to proceed with the constructions, but other developments supervened. “Admiral Bacon’s design failed to pass a rigid War Office test. Later experiments were made with steam, rollers which were fastened together but the experiment was unsuccessful, Although engaged on other grave duties, this constantly engaged my mind, and in January 1915, I wrote to the Prime Minister, instructing him with the idea as developed. This was passed on to Lord Kitchener, and then to the Master-General of Ordnance, but nothing resulted. The difficulties of manufacture were most serious and the practical advantages doubtful, so the whole proposal was pigeon-holed.

“In March, 1915, Sir Eustace Ten-nyson-D’Eyncourt, Director of Naval Construction, reported that there were two designs which could be made one with great wheels and another on a caterpillar basis. Thereupon I ordered six of one and twelve of the other. This order was interrupted by the Government’s resignation, when a move was made to drop the whole thing. Subsequently Mr Arthur Balfour was able to save the caterpillar machine, hitherto ordered to be destroyed. This machine was Identical with the other tanks used in wartime.” Mr Churchill said that he did not hear "-Captain Bentley’s name on that point, Lord Kitchener would almost certainly have mentioned the matter to him.

Captain Bede Bentley is claiming £300,000 from the Crown on the ground that he was the real inventor of the tank and had discussed the question with Lord Kitchener.

USE OF POISON GAS.

KNOWN IN BRITAIN FIRST. LONDON, November 2G. The fact that poison gras was considered in Britain before it was used in Germany was revealed by Mr Winston Churchill in evidence in Captain Bentley’s claim to have invented the tank. Lord Dundonald, he said, in September, 1914, unfolded the secret of poison gas which he had offered the Cabinet during the Crimean War. The Government call, cd for reports and finally resolved not to use it owing to international Treaty obligations. The fact remained, said Mr Churchill, that Britain had the-idea a year before Germany.