"WW1 Tanks - Unditching Beams" Topic

I figured the wooden beams on the tops of many Mark IV tanks had to do with trench crossing. Was able to find out some additional info (in case others wondered what the wood on top was for).

"A large wooden beam, reinforced with sheet metal, was stored across the top of the tank on a set of parallel rails. If the tank became stuck, the beam was attached to the tracks (often under fire) and then dragged beneath the vehicle, providing grip."

What no cat litter?

How much would it take to grit a trenchline enough for a tank to get unstuck? :)

Fascines were used for trench crossing. At Cambrai, these were huge bundles of wood that were held together with chains. By Amiens the fascines were purpose-built octagonal wooden structures that were lighter but just as strong.

The unhitching beams were less relevant later in the war because the British, like their French and German counterparts, recognised that tanks were best used on relatively flat terrain that was untouched by prolonged bombardments. In some of the earlier uses of the tanks, the ground was so bad that the unhitching beams just slid under the tanks without providing any additional grip at all.

Robert

Thanks for that info, Robert.
Just saw a cool modeled Mark IV with a large bundle of twigs and jewelry chain to replicate what you describe.

Privateer4hire, that's the one. Here is the later version:

There is a photograph of the unditching beam about to be used here:

Robert

Just saw these pics. Thank you.
Wouldn't want to be on beam install duty.