Existing comment:
Ernest Swinton
(1868-1951)
Inventor of the Tank
Ernest Swinton, seeing the American Holt caterpillar tractor being used as heavy artillery tractors, developed the concept of a "Land Battleship". The British War Minister rejected the concept. Winston Churchill, the only minister who voted for the concept, decided to develop it under Admiralty sponsorship.
It is because of this beginning that tanks today have so many nautical terms applied to them. Swinton is also credited with the name "tank", which was used as a cover for the parts being assembled secretly in different shops.
Swinton's Notes on the Employment of the Tank provided the basis for British armor development and use. Swinton became heavily involved in the production of tanks. Against his objections, the British used the new Tank Corps to bolster a failing offensive on the Somme -- using them in driblets to little effect. |