Summary: Whippet, Mark V, Mark V Star, Recovery and Mark II Gun Carrier tanks demonstrating their performances, probably at the Tank Corps Central Stores at Erin, Western Front, October 1918.
Description: (Reel 1) The setting is a large tank park with a training ground next to it. This has a number of artificial obstacles, water-filled craters and steep banks. The tanks are unmarked except for serial numbers. A Medium A Whippet drives through a water-filled crater (like a shell hole). A Mark V Female demonstrates its ability to turn on its axis by locking one track. A Mark V Male has both sponsons removed for maintenance work. A series of races or charges across the training ground by Mark Vs and Whippets, all turning tightly to avoid collision. A line of tanks, including two Recovery tanks with crane attachments, covered with tarpaulins. Two Whippets, one carrying about eight men on its hull, manoeuvre past each other. Mark V Star tanks lead off a column across the training ground. Three Whippets are driven into the park by ASC men, who park them and hose them down. (Reel 2) A long line of parked Mark Vs, mostly with hatches open. A Recovery tank with its crane comes into the park. A Mark V Male on the training ground drives through a shallow crater, then with more trouble a deeper crater. A closer view of a Mark V Male getting into and out of one of the craters. A line of Mark V Stars demonstrates that tank's ability to cross a wide trench. Two Mark II Gun Carrier tanks move across the training ground. Mark V Stars descend a steep slope followed by Mark Vs, one with an unditching beam. The various tanks drive across the training ground, and one of the Mark V Stars negotiates a deep, flooded crater. A line of Mark Vs moves forward 'shoulder to shoulder' at walking pace, guided by Tank Corps men on foot. The Recovery tanks manoeuvre into position beside two tanks which appear to have broken down.
Production Details: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
Topical Film Company (Production company)
Bassill, F A (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: British Army, Tank Corps (regiment/service)
Keywords: training, British military - specialist: tanks (object name)
armour, British - tank: Tank Medium A Whippet (object name)
armour, British - tank: Tank Mark V Female (object name)
armour, British - tank: Tank Mark V Male (object name)
armour, British - funnies: Tank Mark V Recovery (object name)
armour, British - tank: Tank Mark II Gun Carrier (object name)
armour, British - tank: Tank Mark V Star (object name)
01/3(4-15).9 (event)
Tank Corps Central Stores, Érin, Pas-de-Calais, France (geography)
