TANK CONTROVERSY

Southland Times, Issue 19720, 28 November 1925, Page 7

TANK CONTROVERSY

WHOSE INVENTION? INTERESTING EVIDENCE BY MR CHURCHILL THE BENTLEY CASE. (By Telegraph— Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, November 26. Mr Churchill, called as Crown witness in Captain Bentley’s tank claim, detailed the history of armoured cars during the war 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 and the idea of vehicles capable of crossing broken country gradually took shape in my mind and in the minds of the officers concerned. I summoned Admiral Bacon and asked him if he could devise a machine which would cross trenches. Admiral Bacon was familiar with the tractor caterpillar so I directed him to construct one. He furnished his own design and I instructed him to proceed with the construction but other developments supervened. Admiral Bacon’s design failed to pass the rigid War Office test. Later, experiments were made with steam rollers which were coupled together but these were unsuccessful. Although engaged in other grave duties this matter constantly engaged my mind and in January, 1915, I wrote the Prime Minister suggesting that the idea be developed. This was passed on to Lord Kitchener and then to the Master-General of. Ordnance but nothing resulted. The difficulties in the way of manufacture were most serious and the practical advantages doubtful so the whole proposal was pigeon-holed. In March, 1915, Tennyson Deyncourt reported that there were two designs that could be made, one with great wheels, the other based on the caterpillar action. I thereupon 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 Balfour was able to save the caterpillar machine which had previously been ordered to be destroyed. This machine was identical with the other tank and was the prototype of all the tanks used during the war.” Mr Churchill said he did not hear Bentley’s name mentioned in connection with the matter which Lord Kitchener would almost certainly have mentioned to him (Mr Churchill).