April 24, 1918 – The first tank vs. tank battle occurs in war
A different sort of automotive machine made history when the Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux broke out near Amiens in northern France on this day in 1918, during World War I. It was at this battle site that the first recorded tank versus tank engagement occurred in the history of warfare.
Above: A German A7V tankTop: A destroyed British Mark IV tank
The battle occurred when a German A7V tank advanced on three British Mark IV tanks. Two of the British tanks were armed only with machine guns, both of which were damaged and forced to withdraw. The remaining British tank was equipped with a 6 pound gun. This Mark IV fired on the German tank and eventually hit it, disabling it. The British tank continued to fire until the German tank withdrew. The British tank was able to continu...
