IV

The creed of the present writers can be very briefly summarised. A considerable amount of evidence points to the conclusion that in the phase at which military science has arrived, and at which it will probably remain for at least a generation, a superior force of Tanks can always tip the scales of the military balance of power.

Within the period of a generation, a time may again come when we shall have to defend our lives and our liberties. We lead the world in the design and manufacture of Tanks. Let us not abandon that lead in the production and use of a vital weapon.

We know too well the tragic cost of one day of war, and it has been said that had we been visibly prepared the Germans would not have attacked.

Obviously we cannot be going to fall again so quickly into an old error. We certainly intend to be armed, but who can say that through sheer absence of mind it will not be with arquebuses? Surely not for the sake of Army precedent, for the sake of emphasising our pacific intentions, for the sake of saving a little money, or even—dearest of all—for the luxury of “not bothering” about our Army, must we lose our present unparalleled position of advantage. This advantage is not only a material one. The Tanks are accustomed to win. Do not let us throw away a fine tradition of victory.

Of all that, in our agony of striving we gained by the way, let us lose nothing.

[(Larger)]

TANK OPERATIONS.

AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER
& NOVEMBER, 1918.

NOTE.

Thick black lines indicate position of British line on dates noted.

Red wash indicates areas in which Tanks operated, with numbers of Tanks operating and date.

Red lines indicate the ground gained on day of Tank operations.

Thick black dotted lines indicate army boundaries.

Headquarters
Tank Corps