Landships II

In my readings I have come across several references to this body and its workings. A picture starts to emerge. It would appear that the AEF in France were not prepared to countenance the ordering of tanks on their behalf unless they had either been involved in the design process or had actually evaluated the vehicle in France and specified any changes they might require(regardless of what the Department of Ordinance or Aberdeen back in the States had concluded) This appears to be why the Ford 3 ton was shipped out to France before an order was finally issued in October 1918 and would explain why the Steam Tank was shipped to France (The case of the Studdebaker supply tank is different as it was the British who were ordering this). This might explain some of the contradictory references to contracts. Ordinance in the US might have been able to award provisional contracts, letters of intent, encouragement, vague promises etc but the AEF Tank board would have the final say so.

Can any one CRUD (Confirm Refute Update or Detail) this theory? Does anyone have any details on the membership and operation for thr Tank Board?