History
The Australian 1st Tank Battalion was created when tanks were still a very new invention. During the Great War, generals realized that tanks could help soldiers get past machine guns and barbed wire. This unit was formed to train and operate these large, loud machines. It was a difficult job because the tanks often broke down or got stuck in the deep mud of the battlefield. The crew members had to be very brave because the inside of the tank was hot, loud, and dangerous. Even with these problems, the tanks were very helpful in major attacks. They protected the infantry soldiers by moving in front of them and clearing paths. The battalion showed that tanks were the future of fighting wars. After the war ended, the unit was no longer needed in the same way. The lessons they learned helped other armies build better and faster tanks for later years. Their service showed the world that change was coming to the battlefield.
