Alecras234
Senior Airman
- 346
- Sep 6, 2018
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Let's see what books say ...
"The full-size wooden model of the tank was presented to the War Office representatives at Wembley Park in London in September 1915. The final appearance was revealed at Fosters in December 1915. The completed vehicle was sent to the Hatfield Park, Hertfordshire for official trials.
On 29 January 1916 the new machines gave the demonstartion of its capabilities in the grounds of Hatfield House. Four days later , on 2nd February 1916 , the show was repeated in front of a distinguished audience that included the Field Marshal Kitchener."
From Major General Sir Ernest Swinton's memories ...
" the 29th January 1916 was the first day of the demonstration and was for those, Civilian, Military and Naval, who had played a part in the invention and development of Landships. The main event over the same course took place on 2nd February 1916. This was the event at which Kitchener made his 'pretty mechanical toy' comment. Another demonstration for the King took place over the same course on 8th February 1916."
Actually it is not stated directly if the tank was presented to the entire Landships Committee fistly .
Although, Wilson, Tritton and Stern were members of the Committee , their participation in the event could be because of their direct involvement and control over the Mark I project rather than their belonging to or position/status in the Committee. There is known a couple of shots taken during the time. In one of them we can see Tritton, Wilson and Stern amoung the group gathered around the tank.
The official presentation for diginitaries/ authorities started four days later ( but not 4 weeks later as you wrote above ) and we can assume, the Landships Committee could be there as well.
However the Gen. Swinton's recollections may indicate that the tank was presented to the Landships Committee ( and not only to them ) on the first day of the presentation. It might have happened because, according to him , the first day was just for all of these who were involved in the works on the tank. And the people from the committee were just these Civilian, Military and Naval, who had participated in the invention and development of the Mark I tank , weren't they?.
So ... to answer your question.. I would say yes the tank had been demonstrated in front of the Landships Committee before Kitchener saw it on the 2nd February 1916. .
so for my notes, does the first point sound ok?
Wooden MK1 tank shown to War office - September 1915
I want to say something about it's demonstration in jan 1916 but how was it its final appearance??