Source: File: Germans attacking tank.
See an original image at:
<http://wio.ru/tank/ww1tank.htm> [Accessed 25 October 2016]
To see inside a
tank see, Weapons of War: Mark 1 Tank Available at: <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/launch_ani_mark_one_tank.shtml>
Amid the newest
formations of force
Came the crews of
tanks, whose
Experiences
brought another aspect
Of war out of the
western front.
One recruit of a
crew an Australian,
Maintained a
diary to tell of one
Week inside the
fighting machine in
A story to the
Manchester Guardian.
Initially an
unpleasant set of feelings
Akin to seasickness
- in the motion
Of the craft he
dealt with the nausea
Of tank sickness,
to find his tank legs.
With such legs he
climbed inside
With the tank
corps - a Subaltern,
3 Drivers and 4
Gunners - minimal
Training made for
strange sensation.
The Australian
decided being inside
To be worse than
in a submarine -
Imagination
became heightened - in
A confined space
nothing was visible.
Once away though, limited vision
Continued
restricted views - then out
In the midst of
battle sounds of hail
On a galvanized
roof deafened all.
Next a series of
'hammer blows'
Of heavier
weaponry against their
Shell - still the
driver carried them
Onwards making
it, all unscathed.
Crawling at a
methodical pace until
There was a lurch,
the Australian felt
They were 'booked
through' - a look
Out saw they were
astride a trench.
With the enemy
close by their orders
Were to 'give
them hell' - this they
Did, raking
bullets right and left -
Allowing a peek
it was grim humour.
Outside their tank
were Germans
Acting as
frightened rabbits, easily
Shooting them
down in bunches -
Halting escape to
their burrows.
In hopeful
futility the Hun brought
Out machine guns
to rattle their hide,
Without making
any indentations -
They came across more
fearful Huns.
As if possessed
the enemy scattered,
To be scythed in
the process - some
Officer sought to
gather his men back
Together,
awaiting the metal tank.
As the crew began
anew the enemy
Scattered once
more - all around
Infantry
followers rounded up any
Survivors, who
stared open mouthed.
Their wide eyes
watched the crawling
Tank - then on
the Tuesday they did
It all again. The
Australian spoke in
His diary of Germans
as silly blighters.
German tactics believed
some ability
To succeed with rushing
the tank from
All sides, as if
raiding a fort - Devilish
Plucky but mad,
to be hit point blank.
On the third time
out, the Wednesday,
Found the tank
approaching some
Village - a place where a Hun party
Stood to greet
them - a big mistake.
By obscured
vision it appeared they
Might be the
mayor and other big pots -
Somewhat large
figures made a warm
Reception of
machine guns and more.
Trying to board
the sealed machine -
With a laugh to
return their fire; 'tank
Reception
Committee dispersed' - amid
Smoky cloud and
flames one stood.
Rotund and purple
in his rage, he ran
Like a part in a
sack race; 'funny as hell.'
The old man threw
himself down in
Made gestures of
terror and surrender.
On another casual
touring day, this
Australian
witnessed rounding up
Of surrendering Hun
when one said,
It was 'not fair
to fight with such things.'
This was their
affair - despite any racket
Germany sought to
give - taking air the
Crewman asked one
such cheeky chap
If they should
get Kaiser's permission?
The joke went
over his head as they
Gave another big
shock, to counter any
Enemy surprise of
entrapment, where
They rolled into
midst of their ambush.
In a repeat of
terrified fleeing, enemy
Quickly took to
heels in all directions - only
A few lingered to
fire back, but were easily
Crushed, for Yorks to pick up the pieces.
Crushed, for Yorks to pick up the pieces.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1916. Inside
a 'Tank' - Grim And Humorous Tales. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 17 October 1916. P.10. Col.7.
Available at: <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/12213438/Daily-Telegraph-October-17-1916.html>
[Accessed: 25 October 2016].
Mann, J., 2016. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal
communication, 25 October 2016).
#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary
#worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1Tanks
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