“Ludendorff, 11. 8. 18.”
“Crown Prince’s Group of Armies.
“12. 8. 18.
“G.H.Q. reports that during the recent fighting on the fronts of the 2nd and 18th Armies, large numbers of Tanks broke through on narrow fronts and pushing straight forward, rapidly attacked battery positions and the headquarters of divisions.
“In many cases no defence could be made in time against the Tanks, which attacked them from all sides.
“Anti-Tank defence must now be developed to deal with such situations.”
Signal Communication—
“Messages concerning Tanks will have priority over all other messages or calls whatsoever.”
“Order dated 8. 9. 18.”
II
The first efforts at combating Tanks made by the German High Command were half contemptuously instituted chiefly to reassure their infantry, who seemed to them, for no particular reason, liable to extraordinary fits of nerves and panic upon the approach of their new assailants.