US troops digging in pause to watch a Whippet tank.

Whippet Tank in action

Troops digging in - France

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The Chicago Daily News

G. J. Kavanaugh

War Postal Card Department

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The British Medium Mark A or Whippet Tank was designed to be fast enough to advance with cavalry to achieve the breakthrough that attacking forces sought but rarely achieved throughout the war. With cavalry, it would advance through openings in enemy lines made by infantry and heavier tanks such as the Mark IV.

The Whippet was first used in March 1918, and in the defense of Amiens in April. Two battalions of 48 tanks took part in the Battle of Amiens on August 8, 1918. One, named Musical Box, broke through German lines and fired on retreating German troops and supply trains for nine hours before being destroyed. Two of the three crew members survived and were taken prisoner.

Weight: 14tons; Length: 6.1m/20ft; Height: 2.7m/9ft; Width: 2.6m/8ft 7in

Engine: 2 45hp Tylor 4-cylinder inline

Speed: 13.36kmph/8.3mph; Range: 258km/160mi

Armament: 4 Hotchkiss machine guns with 5,400 rounds

Armor: 6 to 12mm

Crew: 3

Whippet Tank is a tank.