What do you see in this picture? What do you think is happening?

How were tanks used during the First World War? What were the problems?

Learning Objectives By the end of this lesson you should: Be able to say how tanks were used during the First World War Be able to explain some of the problems with the early tanks Be able to answer exam style questions about the use of tanks during the First World War

Study the source carefully and answer the question which follows. You should use your own knowledge where appropriate. Source C is a photograph from the Imperial War Museum collection of a tank in action in 1916. Source C 3. How useful is Source C as evidence of the use of tanks in the First World War?

Is it a Primary or Secondary source? If it was produced at the time it is a Primary Source. In your answer you write: “It is a primary source, so the photographer had the benefit of being there at the time” If it was produced more recently it is a Secondary Source. In your answer you write: “It is a secondary source so the person who produced it had the benefit of hindsight”

What does the picture show? Label everything you see in the picture. In your answer you write a few sentences describing the picture by writing about what you have labelled: “The picture shows …………………….”

What uses of tanks does the picture not show? From your own knowledge, and things you have learnt this lesson, you write a sentence or two describing any uses of tanks which the picture does not show. “Tanks could also be used ……………….”

Add more information Add one or two sentences to give more information about tanks in WWI. For example: What battles were they used in? How did they change from when they were first used? Were they successful in all battles they were in? Which battles were they successful in? Which battles were they not successful in?

Now directly answer the question – How useful is Source C as evidence of the use of tanks in the First World War? “Source C is very useful as evidence as it shows everything about the use of tanks in WWI” OR “Source C is quite useful as evidence as it shows …………………… but it misses out ……………….” “Source C is of limited use as evidence because …………………………………………………….…”

Study the source carefully and answer the question which follows. You should use your own knowledge where appropriate. Source C is a photograph from the Imperial War Museum collection of a tank in action in 1916. Source C 3. How useful is Source C as evidence of the use of tanks in the First World War?

HOMEWORK Source E was written in the memoirs of Lieutenant F. Mitchell who was in charge of a tank in 1917. Source E How fully does Source E describe the use of tanks in the First World War? You should use your own knowledge and give reasons for your answer. The tank that went for the pill box got stuck in the mud. As it sank deeper, it fired desperately. By chance, its six-pounder gun pointed straight inside the pill box door and most of the German garrison of 60 men was killed by the tank’s fire. There were only 29 British casualties instead of a thousand. The tank had shown its qualities.

Learning Objectives By the end of this lesson you should: Be able to say how tanks were used during the First World War Be able to explain some of the problems with the early tanks Be able to answer exam style questions about the use of tanks during the First World War