Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux
The Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux took place from 24 to 27 April 1918, during the German spring offensive to the east of Amiens. It is notable for being the first occasion on which tanks fought against each other; it was the biggest and most successful tank action of the German army in the First World War.
A7V tank at Roye, 21 March 1918
Mephisto, German tank now held in the Queensland Museum
A captured "female" Mark IV tank C14 in 1917
The Mark IV was a British tank of the First World War. Introduced in 1917, it benefited from significant developments of the Mark I tank. The main improvements were in armour, the re-siting of the fuel tank and ease of transport. A total of 1,220 Mk IV were built: 420 "Males", 595 "Females" and 205 Tank Tenders, which made it the most numerous British tank of the war. The Mark IV was first used in mid 1917 at the Battle of Messines Ridge. It remained in British service until the end of the war, and a small number served briefly with other combatants afterwards.
Mark IV male with unditching beam deployed
The inside of a Mark IV seen through a peephole on the starboard sponson. One machine gun is visible at the forefront above.
A British Mark IV tank with Tadpole Tail.
Unarmed supply tank variant going up to the line at Villers-Bretonneux, August 1918