Mark IV tank: Difference between revisions

The Mark IV was first used in large numbers on June 7th 1917, during the British assault on [[Messines Ridge]]. Crossing dry but heavily cratered terrain, many of the 60-plus Mark IVs lagged behind the infantry, but several made important contributions to the battle. By comparison, at the [[Battle of Passchendaele|Third Battle of Ypres]] (also known as Passchendaele) from 31 July 31st, where the preliminary 24-day long barrage had destroyed all drainage and heavy rain had soaked the field, the tanks found it heavy going and [[Battle of Langemarck (1917)#Subsequent operations|contributed little]]; those that sank into the swampy ground were immobilised and became easy targets for enemy artillery.<ref name="Glanfield, Devil's Chariots, 198-200" >[[#Glanfield, Devil's Chariots|Glanfield, Devil's Chariots]], pp.198–200</ref>