The fast light tank was a major feature of the pre– World War II army buildup, where it was expected they would be used to exploit breakthroughs in enemy lines created by slower, heavier tanks, with the goal of disrupting communications and supply lines. They are primarily employed in the screening, armored reconnaissance, skirmishing, artillery observation, and supplementing landing operations in a fire support role of expeditionary forces where larger, heavier tanks are unavailable or have difficulties operating safely or efficiently. It is smaller in size with thinner armor and a less powerful main gun, tailored for better tactical mobility and ease of transport and logistics. After testing, the British government ordered the production of 150 ‘Mother’ style tanks, which occurred in early 1916.A light tank is a tank variant initially designed for rapid movements in and out of combat, to outmaneuver heavier tanks. As well, the new design, which was first referred to as ‘Big Willie’ or ‘Mother’ included side mounted 6-pounder (57 mm) guns. For instance, a rhomboidal shape was chosen because it allowed the tanks better ability to scale over and out of enemy trenches. Revisions were made to the original design, including changing the body shape to better meet the needs of the battlefields of the Western Front. Regardless, the construction of ‘Little Willie’ proved to the British Army that the invention had potential. It also included caterpillar tracks, which became the standard form of movement for all later tanks. The ‘Little Willie’ tank was a 14 ton armored box with a 105 hp Daimler engine. This first design, which was completed in September of 1915, was called ‘Little Willie’ and is considered to be the prototype to the first British tank. More specifically, the first practical tank design was undertaken by William Foster & Co Ltd in Lincoln, England. The development of the first tank began in 1915 and was based on earlier armored vehicle designs that had already been used in World War I.
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