Came across this 1970s book at a friend's this weekend. (We suspect that it's actually mine, but it was so long ago I can't remember lending it to him)
Anyway, the embarrassing part is that all the stuff I was so proud of having discovered about the Hussite War Wagons is in there. So are the Batter Tractor, all the stuff about steam driven machines, the Holt and Bullock, and everything from Simms's War Car to the Schneider, St. Chamond, A7V, and LKI & II. It is far better than I remember it. They do make rather greater claims about the value of the Hussite fire-and-movement than most other accounts, saying that the tactics dominated Eastern European battlefields. Most of what I've read says that it was one incident that was a breakout from a beseiged position and that the forces of the Holy Roman Empire didn't pursue them because they believed them to be a spent force.
A curiosity is a reference, with photo, of an American "twin-gun" machine (firing fore and aft) from the early 20th century that looks quite convincing and very like a Tank.
The only couple of things I would argue with are the claims that a) some Schneiders were sold to Japan (I think they're getting confused with the Whippet) and b) that a couple of St. Chamonds found their way to Lithuania. I have great reservations about the second statement.
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"Sometimes things that are not true are included in Wikipedia. While at first glance that may appear like a very great problem for Wikipedia, in reality is it not. In fact, it's a good thing." - Wikipedia.
I am like Saint Thomas and for Saint Chamond in Lituania or Schneider in Japon, I wait to see some photos or official French documents. . . . .
About Japan, in the Secret letter (Etat-Major General de l'Armée/Groupe de l'Avant/ 1° Bureau n° 12096. BS/1 du 11/10/1918) Clémenceau (Président du Conseil et Ministre de la Guerre) write to Louis Breton (Ministre de l'Armement et des fabrications de Guerre) that he was agree to sell "10 chars d'Assaut Renault, seul modèle dont la cession puisse être envisagée". (the only model it was possible to give) This letter was send in copy to : - Monsieur le Maréchal Cdt en chef des Armées Alliées (Maréchal Foch) - Direction de l'Artillerie/Sous-Direction de l'Artillerie d'Assaut.
I have, for instant not found other document about tanks for Japan. Of course, Clemenceau was speaking ot new tanks coming from the factory .
This letter was not send to General Pétain (Chief of the French Army) or General Estienne (Chief of the Artillerie Spéciale). At that time, all the Schneider and the Saint Chamond built was under their orders and no more in the hand of Louis Breton (the "Ministre de l'Armement"). It was not possible, about this two models to write this kind of letter without opinion and endorsement of Pétain and Estienne.
One Schneider (coming the Schneider's factory) was send to Italy. This tank was tested in May 1917 in Italy. I don't Know the story of this tank after this test period. After the war some Schneider was also bought by Spain.
About Saint Chamond, the only tank see outside France was the model send in the United States who is now in Saumur.
Michel
-- Edited by Tanker on Tuesday 5th of May 2009 11:13:23 PM
-- Edited by Tanker on Tuesday 5th of May 2009 11:15:33 PM
