Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 265, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 November 1919 — Average Life of a Tank in Battle Was 47 Days, According to Figures [ARTICLE]

Average Life of a Tank in Battle Was 47 Days, According to Figures

, The average life of a tank in battle was days,, and nearly onehalf of the American fleet of seventyeight were put out of action the first day of the Argonne battle. Brig.-Gen. Samuel IX Rockenbach, tank corps commander, has disclosed these figures to the senate military committee In urging continued development of tanks, pointing out that damage to the tanks and casualties ainong the crews were light. In August, 1917, he said, the United States had no tanks, but obtained 150 from the French id September. In the St. Mihiel fighting 417 French, British and American tanks took part. In the Argonne, while the American fleet-of ’forty-eightrhe second day and to twenty-four ultimately, only six were hit by shells. At one time plans were considered for equipping taxicabs with “tin covers,” lacking tanks, General Rockenbach said, as it was known that the enemy would surrender when the fighting machines hove in sight, so great was thg fear of tanks.