Military tanks were developed during World War I to overcome the stalemate of trench warfare. Tanks were designed by different countries, including the British Mk V, American M1 Abrams, and German Panzerkampfwagen. The tanks provided armored support to infantry and brought firepower against opposing forces. The name “tank” comes from British factories where they were built under the guise of building water tanks.
There are many different types of military tanks, typically indicated by both their design and the country of origin where the tank was manufactured. These include several designs and models of the German Panzerkampfwagen, American tanks such as the M1 Abrams and the M4 or Sherman, and British tanks such as the Mk V and earlier World War I models, and later tank designs such as the Cromwell and the Chieftain. Since military tanks were one of the cornerstones of 20th century warfare, their design and use were typically indicative of a country of origin or manufacturer within a particular nation.
Military tanks are vehicles designed to provide armored support to infantry, while also being able to navigate different types of terrain and bring tremendous firepower against opposing forces in a military conflict. While there are some fairly early designs for vehicles similar to modern tanks, including a drawing by Leonardo da Vinci, the real birth of tanks and the use of tanks in warfare occurred during World War I (WWI) . The horrific trench warfare seen during World War I could often produce effective stalemate or battlefield conditions in which neither side could claim an advantage. Armored vehicles were designed to overcome these situations and provide support to soldiers on the battlefield.
The British Mk V and four earlier versions were among the first of these armored vehicles to resemble what most people think of as modern tanks. It is also likely that the name “tank” comes from the British factories in which they were built. In order to prevent spies from discovering the new weapons being produced, the workers were told they were building parts for “water tanks,” and it is likely that the name “tank” stuck to the vehicle due to its simplicity. Later designs of British tanks include the Cromwell and Chieftain, both designed to provide superior firepower and mobility on the battlefield.
American tanks include the M4 or Sherman tank which was frequently used during United States (USA) campaigns during World War II (WWII). The Sherman tank continued to be used throughout the Korean War, but more recently the M1 Abrams has become the primary tank used by the United States in land operations. While it proved susceptible to road bombing attacks in the Middle East, modifications were made to provide increased armor and make these tanks more resistant to such attacks.
The German word for tank, Panzerkampfwagen, meaning “armored war vehicle,” is often simply abbreviated to Panzer in reference to German tanks. A number of different military tanks were built and used by the Nazis during WWII, including the Panzer III and later models. Through the use of Blitzkrieg tactics, utilizing the combined efforts of many tanks and a deluge of artillery shelling, the Nazi Army was able to effectively break through enemy lines and destroy resistance.
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