Part 6/11:
The success of Big Willie led the British to commit to mass production, resulting in the manufacture of Tank Mark I. The first batch of fifty was shipped to France in August 1916. Despite logistical issues during transit—many tanks broke down en route—these early models marked a turning point. The tanks participated in their first combat on September 16, 1916, during the Battle of the Somme. Although they faced numerous mechanical problems and limited tactical understanding, the tanks' presence symbolized a new era of armored warfare.