In the beginning, there was the Tank Mark I

The Tank Mark I established the rhomboidal shape of British heavy tanks of the First World War and very early Interwar period. The Tank Mark I had 150 examples built, in a combination of Male tanks (armed with 57mm 6-pdr guns along with Hotchkiss machineguns) and Female tanks (armed only with Vickers and Hotchkiss machineguns). Virtually identical was the Tank Mark II, which also had 150 tanks built. The objective was to create a vehicle that could withstand small arms fire, cross the barbed wire and craters of No Man's Land, and assault enemy fortifications.


At this, the Mark I (and Mark II) was only partially successful. Its 1 centimeter of armor on the front hull was mostly adequate, although machineguns armed with armor-piercing bullets could penetrate it. Artillery easily damaged or destroyed these tanks. They were slow and hard to turn. The Hotchkiss machineguns could only use strips of ammunition with 14 rounds due to space constraints. The 57mm guns had barrels long enough that they'd often get damaged crossing rough terrain. Despite all this, they were still very capable war machines, often able to penetrate enemy lines and roll up entire trenches. Some accounts state that the Mark II was made from mild steel for use as a training vehicle. However, since they served in combat and had no noticeably different casualty rates, this is probably not the case, and it was likely the same hull as the Mark I.

A typical tactical deployment was 1 or 2 Male tanks partnered with 2 Female tanks. The Male(s) destroyed bunkers and other strong points, while the Females engaged infantry. If a Male tank suffers a mishap while traveling above safe speed, damage to a 57mm gun should be strongly considered as a consequence.

Surviving examples: The Bovington Tank Museum has a Mark I Male and a Mark II Female. No other survivors are known, and neither of these vehicles are in running condition.

Tank Mk I (and II)
 Fire Control 0
Armament: 57mm L/40 left sponson, 57mm L/40 right sponson, Hotchkiss Mk 1 left sponson, Hotchkiss Mk 1 right sponson, Hotchkiss Mk 1 forward cabin
Stabilization: None
Ammo: 334x57mm, 6272x7.7mm
Fuel Type: G, A
Veh Wt: 28.4 tonnes
Crew: 8 (commander, driver, 2 gunners, 2 loaders/machinegunners, 2 gearsmen)
Mnt: 14
Tr Mov: 7/3
Com Mov: 3/1
Fuel Cap: 227
Fuel Cons: 65

Config: Veh
Susp: T: 6
HF: 2
HS: 1
HR: 1

Female tanks change the following:
Armament: 2 Vickers Mark 1 left sponson, 2 Vickers Mark 1 right sponson, Hotchkiss Mk 1 forward cabin
Ammo: 24320x7.7mm (Vickers), 2100x7.7mm (Hotchkiss)
Veh Wt: 27.4 tonnes