Inside the Medium Mark A "Whippet" WW1 Tank I THE GREAT WAR On The Road

Check out the Tank Museum's KZbin Channel: / thetankmuseum
The Medium Mark A "Whippet" Tank was a new kind of tank design for exploiting breakthroughs and wrecking havoc in the rear of enemy positions. It could could reach a, for the time pretty fast, top speed of 8 miles per hour. When looking at the tanks of the First World War it is often overlooked.
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» WHAT ARE YOUR SOURCES?
Videos: British Pathé
Pictures: Mostly Picture Alliance
Background Map: d-maps.com/carte.php?num_car=6...
Literature (excerpt):
Gilbert, Martin. The First World War. A Complete History, Holt Paperbacks, 2004.
Hart, Peter. The Great War. A Combat History of the First World War, Oxford University Press, 2013.
Hart, Peter. The Great War. 1914-1918, Profile Books, 2013.
Stone, Norman. World War One. A Short History, Penguin, 2008.
Keegan, John. The First World War, Vintage, 2000.
Hastings, Max. Catastrophe 1914. Europe Goes To War, Knopf, 2013.
Hirschfeld, Gerhard. Enzyklopädie Erster Weltkrieg, Schöningh Paderborn, 2004
Michalka, Wolfgang. Der Erste Weltkrieg. Wirkung, Wahrnehmung, Analyse, Seehamer Verlag GmbH, 2000
Leonhard, Jörn. Die Büchse der Pandora: Geschichte des Ersten Weltkrieges, C.H. Beck, 2014
If you want to buy some of the books we use or recommend during our show, check out our Amazon Store: bit.ly/AmazonTGW
NOTE: This store uses affiliate links which grant us a commission if you buy a product there.
» WHAT IS “THE GREAT WAR” PROJECT?
THE GREAT WAR covers the events exactly 100 years ago: The story of World War I in realtime. Featuring: The unique archive material of British Pathé. Indy Neidell takes you on a journey into the past to show you what really happened and how it all could spiral into more than four years of dire war. Subscribe to our channel and don’t miss our new episodes every Thursday.
» WHO IS REPLYING TO MY COMMENTS? AND WHO IS BEHIND THIS PROJECT?
Most of the comments are written by our social media manager Florian. He is posting links, facts and backstage material on our social media channels. But from time to time, Indy reads and answers comments with his personal account, too.
The Team responsible for THE GREAT WAR is even bigger:
- CREDITS -
Presented by : Indiana Neidell
Written by: Indiana Neidell
Director: Toni Steller & Florian Wittig
Director of Photography: Toni Steller
2nd Camera: Robert Moloney
Sound: Toni Steller
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Research by: Indiana Neidell
Fact checking: Markus Linke
The Great War Theme composed by Karim Theilgaard: bit.ly/karimyt
A Mediakraft Networks Original Channel
Based on a concept by Spartacus Olsson
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Producer: Toni Steller & Florian Wittig
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Contains licenced Material by British Pathé
All rights reserved - © Mediakraft Networks GmbH, 2018

[@MrZpeppers]

I like these early tank designs where they were like, " Alright, we have some guns, some armor, and some tracks, looks like a proper tank to me"

[@DuckAllMighty]

Yea the early ideas of a tank was pretty much combining a tractor with an armoured boat, hence the Landship name of the Tank mark 1-5.

[@kingjonny394]

I saw you guys while you were filming this, it weird seeing people you've seen so much on a screen finally in real life

[@BigTuna69VCR]

Right? I thought Indy looked a lot taller in real life.

[@kingjonny394]

@@BigTuna69VCR haha I thought he looked shorter

[@jacobeberhardt1649]

I thought he looked just right lol

[@abuseofviolence]

I took a picture with Andy in stockholm, I was so proud to met him in person! He was really nice. Man it's impossible to find something wrong with these guys!

[@johndowe7003]

;)

[@moosemaimer]

"It's a lighter, faster tank to take the place of cavalry." Haig: *visibly shaking*

[@loddude5706]

The farrier's face when he first saw the tracks . . .

[@mnk9073]

Bah, humbug! Those things will never catch on... How would our brave cavalrymen give the enemy the cold hard steel from inside one of those? Where do you carry the colours? No Sir, it's men and horses who will break thru and charge to Berlin before the first snow falls!

[@SirSaladhead]

Drive me closer, I want to hit them with my cavalry sabre.

[@Marc83Aus]

How do you fit 4 men on horses inside that? Or are the horses at the front, the 'engine ' I think someone called it. The power of 4 horses?

[@dersuddeutschesumpf5444]

Bannerlord when?

[@ronkledonkanusmoncher564]

“You want me to drive this?” “Yep” “Where?” “At the Germans trench” “Are you serious?” “Yes.” “Okay well... which end is which though? How do I get in??” “The tower in the back is where you will be sitting, far away from the gas tank thank goodness, as that is located in the very front to shield you from bullets :)” “...” “Seems reasonable enough to me.”

[@deeznoots6241]

The Whippets were for exploitation not breakthrough, thus they shouldn’t be used against trenches but rather on open ground past the enemy trench lines after a breakthrough is achieved

[@ferbthe2gadgetguy]

@@deeznoots6241 Theoretically that should've been amazing in the East.

[@googlewasmyidea3296]

@@ferbthe2gadgetguy possibly, but i think armoured cars and trains were more effective in the east because of their superior speed of up to 30mph, the whippet was fast for a tank, but compared to armoured cars and trains it was slow.

[@riograndedosulball248]

@@deeznoots6241 though, it wasn't always used for what it was intended. Hence why the second A7V action ever ended with five whippets in flames

[@ISawABear]

tank you.

[@Ducaso]

Aww beat me to it

[@franzfanz]

Careful with that. It's an antique...

[@dersuddeutschesumpf5444]

Bannerlord when?

[@nostradamusofgames5508]

ayyyyyyy puns

[@rei4ikoo460]

That joke was unbearable.. i hate my life

[@Mode-Selektor]

"Open up the hatch, we need to send a carrier pigeon." WW1 Was an interesting meeting of new technology and the old world.

[@jbowers895]

The tank museum is so amazing...visiting it is a dream I hope to achieve at some point in life

[@MRpython360]

Joel Bowers As somebody who’s been before (went to Tankfest this year) i would absolutely recommend visiting. I would suggest visiting off-peak though when there’s no events on because whilst the events are great, there’s so many people that visit it’s hard to see and/or get up close to tanks in the museum because of the crowds (plus it’s cheaper to visit off-peak too.)

[@RichCommander]

I’ve been as well, definitely go off peak. It’s about a two hour train ride from London

[@Nufc_grb]

Baron Von Grijffenbourg or fly to maybe Southampton

[@user-do3wt9sk7t]

Excuse me Is there king Tiger tank in this museum

[@Warspite1]

There're 2 Tiger II's at Bovington. One with the original "Porsche" curved turret and one with the production model "Henschel" turret.

[@fochdischitt3561]

_When a problem comes along_ _You must whippet_ _Before the cream sits out too long_ _You must whippet_ _When something's going wrong_ _You must whippet_

[@josephparent2226]

Lol 😂

[@tucoramirez4558]

Yeah, great 1918 hit. ;) (1980)

[@weldonwin]

When the Germans come along You must Whippet I'll let myself out now

[@hovanti]

@@weldonwin Oh when the Germans come along You must Whippet And the Kaiser seems so strong You must Whippet And all those trenches are so long You must Whippet (Thanks for getting me started, I couldn't help myself!)

[@johnlittlejohn2615]

I laughed too hard at this. But really enjoyed it.

[@kevkfz5226]

Other museums need to follow the tank museum lead and embrace new media. Fantastic content as ever.

[@rexmundi3108]

A footnote: one of these tanks was shipped to St.John's Newfoundland after the war where it became the city's first snow plow.

[@Ray-lf1eo]

You didnt do the "Oh bugger the tank is on fire" test

[@johndowe7003]

atleast lindy is of average height

[@dragonsword7370]

that's a copyrighted crew maneuver lol!

[@cobalt2361]

@Baron Von Grijffenbourg If you look carefully there are 3 German soldiers hiding under the tank near the back, waiting for someone on fire to jump out the back so they can beat them up.

[@gefeize]

i like how his tie resembles tank tracks.

[@KhanWolf95]

"You must Whippet" :)

[@neilstiener5553]

For those who have no clue what he's referring to... kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJC0fa2qnbienK8

[@Duke_of_Lorraine]

Beautiful story of respect between enemies, that german officer saving a captured british from his own men

[@glm0142]

it's so cool to hear David Willey talk about anything honestly

[@Maus5000]

Absolutely thrilled that you've devoted so much time to an often-overlooked vehicle. The Whippet is often forgotten in the face of the heavier more impressive rhomboids.

[@bogdan6785]

It's great to see Mr. Willey again, always a pleasure listening to him.

[@TheBrainSpecialist]

Chieftain Neidell

[@PorqueNoLosDos]

Bravo David! Great walk through.

[@868686mauro]

Great to hear the stories of selflessness and even camaraderie amongst different sides. Top video.

[@HiringHamblin]

09:43 Oh they met up again, thats sweet. And it looks like the German decorated his uniform... oh... Awkward.

[@mpk6664]

It was probably before the polish "incident."

[@WinterYuzu]

@@mpk6664 it was

[@davedave2738]

i dozed off with autoplay on now im here. perfect.

[@KB4QAA]

Superb episode. The personal stories are quite moving. Thanks!!!!

[@jacobeberhardt1649]

David Willey has such an interesting voice to listen to.

[@codynewell7]

Great vid indy and crew! What an incredible story, make that a movie!

[@Beery1962]

Excellent episode. Thanks! The Whippet is my favorite tank - that unique silhouette, unlike any other tank. Incredible too, that three or four people would fight while crammed into the equivalent of a small bathroom or closet.

[@hanzup4117]

What a wonderful collaboration.

[@rick2112rkrk]

Great job, Indy! Thanks!!

[@ICULooking]

David is fantastic. Hope to see him more often on these features.

[@cristobalrendon2997]

I did not think I'd like this video/interview format, but my eyes were glued to the screen. Very Interesting!

[@robertpage4991]

This is a brilliant episode. Thank you.

[@christopherconard2831]

Mechanized armor to take the place of cavalry? General Haig is triggered!!

[@bradyelich2745]

It is cavalry. Calvary is where Jesus was crucified.

[@christopherconard2831]

Brad Yelich Changed. I could blame autocorrect, but I should check my homework before turning it in.

[@piritskenyer]

The machine gun can make the infantry impervious to cavalry? Nonsense, getthefuckoutofhere.

[@jonathanewer5910]

Who do you think was in command of the BEF when they became the first to use tanks? Haig placed an order for a thousand tanks just days after the first ever tank action. Obviously some kind of technophobe who hated tanks? FFS.

[@joeblow9657]

@@jonathanewer5910 He also thought the tanks would break the stalemate of the trenches where then the cavalry would storm through and achieve a substantial breakthrough so... He liked tech but only to advance horses

[@007Davis]

Splendid and tip top video looking forward to the next video.

[@leiladekwatro3147]

*Rolls up to a german trench in a giant armoured shoe*

[@chrismusix5669]

Tanks for the episode!

[@johnmoran4469]

You do a great job with these documentaries.

[@martentrudeau6948]

Indy your always great and David Willey is the GO TO MAN for anything about tanks and probably a lot of other things too, great video, thanks.

[@Doc_Tar]

Huh, a gas tank in the front. I wonder if anyone picked up that feature in future tank designs?

[@johnd2058]

Doc Tar It's an improvement from "two gas tanks in front, one on each side of the driver and commander." At least this one is on the opposite side from the crew.

[@davidsachs4883]

It the gas cans over the crew compartment that gave me The shivers

[@Thekilleroftanks]

until it gets shot out and now you're really fucked. you know, being in the middle of no man land, where all the enemy and your artillery is aimed at... just got feel sad for those poor souls.

[@neurofiedyamato8763]

Quite a few tanks have fuel tanks at the front.

[@Thekilleroftanks]

yes but there are two things going for those tanks, 1 they got armour to slug off most rounds, and two a reserve tank somewhere more protected. this thing? i dont even think it has a reverse tank, and seeing how the mk4 can be penned by ap firing german mg, and this thing got half of that thing armour... ya it aint gonna be fun for those guys.

[@worri3db3ar]

wish i could hear all the personal war stories about each of the tanks and tankettes cos usually you hear a bunch about the overall design type rather than each tank's history like as if it was an individual's.

[@Maus5000]

If you're really interested I'd highly recommend the book "The Tanks at Flers" by Trevor Pidgeon. It follows every single Mark I tank used on 15th September 1916. It's exactly what you're asking for, for every tank used on the day of their combat debut. Also contains some tidbits of the actions following 15th Sept, but it mostly focuses on that first day. It is in two volumes; the first contains all the important text information and some photos, the second volume is annotated maps showing the tank crew's objectives, route, and actions. For similar accounts for any other battle or time you'd have to do a lot of researching, I don't know of any books that present similar information.

[@brokenbridge6316]

I knew this video would be a fun one the moment I saw the thumbnail. And I was right. Had no idea that this tank ever existed. Wow the things you learn every day. I really loved everything about this video. Great job.

[@oliversherman2414]

I love your channel keep up the great stuff!!

[@clikzip]

I love the way the curator talks, hes great.

[@blackmichael75]

"The dalek", I would've called it.

[@Mishn0]

I like the way the lock nut on the port side track's tension adjuster is out of register on the red/white pattern. I'll have to remember that detail when I build my Emhar Whippet kit.

[@draculia24]

Hi Indy, Flo and co. Just putting it out there: There is a small town in Mexico called Nogales, Sonora, today they celebrate the centennial of a battle between USA and Mexico; Mexico actually won but according to local historians there were two german soldiers as advisers, both were killed and personal letters and belognings were confiscated and the bodies burned, i think this was part of Germany's plan to get Mexico on their side! This was the begining of the wall that separates the US from Mexico (prior to this people could freely cross between both towns) thanks for your videos i really love your channel!

[@Red-rl1xx]

Cool tank! Great story!

[@shooterfan1974]

Awesome video, thanks!

[@c96pistol26]

And Indy,can you make special about music in the great war?How does it influence soldier in trenches?What are the favorite of all music in the great war?

[@c96pistol26]

Are you European or American or Asian

[@jaredisley-oliver389]

IT'S A LONG WAY TO TIPPERARY!!!

[@bigbeef29]

Didn't know a pistol could type

[@flyforce16]

There’s a Long, Long Trail is my favorite

[@c96pistol26]

@@bigbeef29it seems like new age of digital is coming

[@basichistory]

Great video as usual

[@moonspots01]

Excellent, excellent episode!

[@Chunta24]

Yay I love your videos it makes me so happy!!!

[@johannesmichaelalhaugthoma4215]

Great video!

[@karimodang5660]

Bovington Tank Museum looks awesome!

[@shadowofthenight7316]

This is brilliant !

[@pastajensen]

Excellent video, informative and interesting. I really want to visit this museum (saving up time and money).

[@andreasimoncini2793]

Great stuff!

[@sirierieott5882]

Superb stuff!...

[@Maus5000]

I think the first prototype Mark A, ready in Frebruary 1917, is worth mentioning. It debuted at the Oldbury trials, along with the Gun Carrier and the first prototypes of what would become the Marks V and VII. It had a crew of two and a rotating turret designed to take a single Lewis gun. Renault beat Tritton in completing the first tank with a functioning rotating turret by mere days.

[@Alex-cw3rz]

Definitely in my top 10 tanks of WW1...

[@acediadekay3793]

1) Renault FT - *(French)* 2) Mark IV and Mark V - *(British)* 3) Saint-Chamond - *(French)* 4) A7V - *(German)* 5) Medium Mark A (Whippet) - *(British)* 6) Mark IX - *(British)* 7) Mark I (Big Willie / Centipede) - *(British)* 8) LK-II (Stridsvagn) - *(German)* 9) Tsar Tank (Netopyr) - *(Russian)* 10) Medium Mark C (Hornet) - *(British)* Honorable mentions: Fiat 2000 - *(Italien)* Schneider CA - *(French)* Little Willie - *(British)*

[@thurstablelane7567]

Currently modeling Musical Box in 1/35 along with a Mk V Male (German Captured) and Mk IV Female (British). All which are very close to being finished now. Might get the 1918 deadline finished now. If you guys at the great war want photo's I can provide them

[@Maus5000]

German Mark V? This must be a what-if model, then? The Germans never obtained a running Mk V to my knowledge. Can't speak for the Great War channel but I'd love to see all three of your models!

[@jimwagner6260]

Thanks.

[@TrickiVicBB71]

When he said they put petrol on the roof and rear of the tank. I thought to myself, "so if u get hit. U turn into flaming metal ball"

[@jona.scholt4362]

Musical Box, talk about a crazy story. Also, that's a great tank name, incorporates the shape, roughly, and of course the sweet 'music' it made.

[@mrrolandlawrence]

ive been watching this series since the start and its been an amazing journey! are the guys going to be making a new series on ww2?

[@freak042]

Hey The Great War, great video as always. Just a heads up, The hyperlink for the tank museum's channel in your description is off because of the "The" at the end.

[@gallendugall8913]

gah - the personal stories always make me tear up

[@williamprince1114]

Bobbington is steadily climbing towards the top of my bucket list.

[@thecaveofthedead]

Musical Box would make a great film if someone could build a driving mock-up of a Whippet.

[@dorsal123]

I’m gonna miss ya Indy, The armistice is drawing closer!

[@shark180]

Happy early Tanksgiving!

[@shanewright2772]

"It's a lighter, faster tank to take the place of cavalry." General Melchett; "Mehhhhhrrrrgh"

[@charles_wipman]

Very interesting.

[@raseli4066]

I whud love too read in more detail about that story!!!

[@normoloid]

Quite funky shaped engine!

[@Tsumami__]

Yeaaaaah more tanks

[@monicsperryn8497]

I met Captain Arnold's brother when he was a potato farmer in South Africa. He had also been in the RAC. This was in the 1960's and he was pretty old.

[@matthewdavid6134]

I wonder if the Germans saw the limitations in their own and British heavy tanks, but saw the effectiveness of the whippets and used that experience to build their panzers to be light, fast, and mobile.

[@xPlatiinHD]

Matthew David Renault FTs were better and released earlier. The Germans mostly looked up for that

[@xPlatiinHD]

Baron Von Grijffenbourg well said

[@Maus5000]

Regardless of postwar tank doctrine and anything that happened after 1920, the mere existence of the German LK tank project in 1918 proves you are right, I think. the Whippet and FT together greatly influenced the Germans to begin developing a tank weighing less than about 10 tons.

[@Ukraineaissance2014]

They captured 2 in working order and created their own versions with far more enthusiasm than for heavy tanks. Interestingly the japanese were also sold some and you can clearly see how it influenced their later designs.

[@pg123ab]

Hello Indy, any idea of the Whippet at the Royal Museum in Bruxelles? It was hit by a shell from behind. Thanks

[@dimi4111]

Indy, you need to make a special on artillery only!!!!

[@Jarod-sm5rf]

I so wanna cruise around town in one of theses

[@florianbecker6655]

indi is the chieftain of ww1 tanks :D

[@SRenner4100]

Some day I'll visit Bovington tank museum!

[@michaelpielorz9283]

"Dear fellow tank designers.Say,wouldn`t it be a brilliant idea to place the fuel tanks at the front end,the rear end and maybe the roof of your newest tank ? Your German High-Comm....ähem,sorry,aGOOD friend !!"

[@piritskenyer]

I got a new tank, let me just Whippet out. I'll see myself out.

[@AmazingAce]

Can't wait for a Great War Special on the Renault FT, I know it's soon!

[@joeyd1404]

Cecil Sewell, VC, hero!

[@archstanton5113]

we've also got one in the military museum in Brussels!

[@supermagicalcookie2400]

I wish this thing was in bf1

[@gigachad6787]

Probably isn't as fun as Indie is making it out to be

[@jackcarley6655]

Albanian eagle it would be cool af though, to add a new perspective to the game

[@re1010]

Be very easy to disable

[@Caiddenn]

I had bet on it appearing in the Apocalypse DLC, but I think that having only machineguns it would be a tough sell versus other tank types. The designers would've had to be creative and probably a-historical with the weaponry and gadgets.

[@bbcmotd]

they could've added it as a slower but more protected varant of armored car

[@nazberg445]

Artillery only special?

[@peterpepa3041]

*Bayonets only*

[@emelgiefro]

SANDBAGS ONLY

[@ville_1235]

this is getting too far

[@Raidou_]

It's time to stop

[@brancaleone8895]

it´s time to STAAP only

[@jamesmcevoy679]

Those pictures of that Whippet Tank in Ireland were taken in County Clare southern Ireland not Northern Ireland . They were taken during the Irish War of Independence, there are also photos of these Whippet tanks with the same markings in the streets of Dublin during the War of Independence. Newspaper captions of the time clearly state that the pictures in this video were taken in county (west of Ireland)

[@Mogadeet]

I want to see this museum SOOOOOOO bad.

[@mikhailv67tv]

Being inside a Whippet in combat would of been absolute mayhem. ARNOLD Get a VC? Musical Bob what a great name for a tank..

[@gungriffen]

What's going on with their WWII project? Is there an Update?

[@3-DtimeCosmology]

Tanks are cool!

[@brandonwright1791]

Can anyone tell me why the Med Mk A was never fitted with one or two revolving turrets? The single MG turret configuration had already proven effective on the Lanchester and the RR armoured cars and the Austin series sported a very snazzy twin turret arrangement. I'm interested because I like to model 'what ifs' and have ordered a Meng models Whippet and intend to copy the Austin twin turret arrangement onto it.

[@craigkoehler4363]

His tie reminds me of a tank track.

[@remc70]

Did they flatten the rivets with hammers or by then have pneumatic rivet gun?

[@kstreet7438]

Didn't know this channel had any 4k

[@Fragmatic88]

FT-17 tanks next please!

[@jamesmcevoy679]

The Whippet tanks photographed in Ireland carried the numbers 374 and A340 which was photographed in Dublin in 1920