Knowra Tank Tank A tank is an armored tracked fighting vehicle combining protected mobility with a large-caliber direct-fire weapon. Its tracks help it cross difficult terrain while engaging enemy forces.
Tank track : A continuous articulated band that spreads a vehicle’s weight and provides traction across terrain. Tracks distribute a tank’s weight and provide traction where wheeled vehicles may struggle.
World War I : A global war fought from 1914 to 1918, involving the major powers of Europe and their allies. Trench warfare created the need for protected vehicles that could cross shell-damaged ground.
Main battle tank : A tank designed to combine firepower, protection, and mobility as a principal armored combat vehicle. This is the dominant modern tank category, replacing many specialized wartime classes.
Infantry fighting vehicle : An armored vehicle that transports infantry and supports them with weapons during combat. Unlike a tank, it is designed to carry infantry as well as provide fire support.
Blitzkrieg : A German operational approach emphasizing concentrated forces, speed, and coordinated attacks, especially in World War II. Mechanized forces including tanks were central to the rapid penetrations associated with this approach.
Tank gun : A large-caliber cannon mounted on a tank for firing directly at targets. Its direct-fire weapon gives the tank its principal means of engaging armored targets.
Little Willie : A British experimental armored vehicle built in 1915 and an early prototype in tank development. Its trials helped establish the tracked armored vehicle form that led to operational tanks.
Infantry tank : A tank designed primarily to support infantry, emphasizing protection over speed. Its role illustrates how tanks have been tailored to accompany foot soldiers.
Armored personnel carrier : An armored vehicle designed mainly to transport troops through dangerous areas. Its primary purpose is troop transport, not tank-style direct-fire combat.
Anti-tank warfare : Military methods and weapons intended to stop or destroy tanks. The spread of tanks drove the development of dedicated weapons and defensive tactics.
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