WWI Tanks in WWII: Relics and Remnants

It is a widely known fact that World War I tanks were not extensively utilized in the second great conflict. However, some limited instances of these historical relics saw brief action, rendering them as training tools, static defenses, and even as historical exhibits.

The Notable Exceptions

Perhaps the most prominent examples of WWI tanks being used during WWII include the Mark I Tank and the Whippet Tanks. These early British tanks, although largely obsolete by the time of the later conflict, were utilized for training and static defenses. The Whippets were occasionally employed in secondary roles, though primarily as training vehicles or historical exhibits in museums and exhibitions.

Operational Usage

There were also instances where WWI tanks saw actual combat. For instance, the Renault FT-17 saw some action in the North African theater of WWII. These tanks were the first ones encountered by American troops during the landings in Tunisia, as the French defenders had a plethora of them. German forces also captured several FT-17s during and after the invasion of France, but instead of using them as frontline tanks, they utilized them as rear-line policing vehicles. One infamous account involves a captured FT-17 being destroyed during the D-Day landings when it was sent to investigate reports of British Paratroopers capturing Pegasus Bridge.

Strategic and Propagandistic Purposes

Some WWI tanks were refurbished and used for strategic and propagandistic purposes. They were displayed as static defenses around airfields and ports, particularly in the UK, to provide a psychological barrier against potential paratrooper attacks. An interesting anecdote from this period involves the 'Little Willie,' the world's first tank, which was damaged when it got stuck in mud during training. Passers-by used a metal wire to free the tank through the vision ports, causing significant damage to the vehicle.

Disposal and Preservation

To prevent the valuable metal and materials from these antique tanks being recycled, the staff at Bovington, where advancements in tank development had been made, deployed their collection of WWI tanks as "defensive pillboxes" in fields around their base. This precautionary measure ensured that these historical artifacts would remain intact and could continue to be used for educational purposes.

Comparison: Anachronistic Guns in a Modern Battlefield

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to compare sending a Model T Ford to compete with 1940s cars, or fielding 1910s tanks against their 1940s counterparts. The technology and capabilities of WWI tanks were simply outclassed by their WWII counterparts. The British Mk I Tank, for example, would fare as poorly on the battlefield as a 1945 Cisitalia D46 would in a sprint race against modern vehicles.

But despite being outdated and unable to compete directly in combat, these WWI tanks still hold a significant place in the annals of military history. Their use in training, as static defenses, and even in parades and exhibits highlights the evolution of military technology and the lasting impact of past conflicts on our present military capabilities.