The Origins and Secrecy of Tank: Codenames and Misdirection in WWI

During World War I, the concept of land tanks was both innovative and top-secret. While the actual invention of tanks came after initial plans, the term 'tank' had a significant role in early secrecy and misdirection. This article explores how the word 'tank' was used as a cover name to disguise the true purpose of these machines, particularly during the early stages of the First World War.

Secrecy and Codenames in WWI

Military operations and projects during World War I were often cloaked in secrecy to protect strategic planning and to mislead the enemy. The British, in particular, had a habit of using codenames for their military endeavors to keep them hidden. One of the most intriguing examples was the use of the word 'tank' to refer to the experimental land warfare machines.

Initial Projects and Codenames

The early projects for land tanks during World War I were indeed intended to be secret. The British were the initial developers of these machines, which were envisioned to be a kind of small armored naval warship designed for land travel. At the time, the idea was to use a code name to mislead the enemy into thinking that the British were working on water transportation solutions for troops.

One of the first codenames used was "land cruiser," but this term didn't catch on. Instead, the British used the term "tank" to confuse the Central Powers. The word 'tank' was strategically chosen as it was easily concealed and could be incorporated into various aspects of military logistics and transportation, making it a plausible cover story.

Secrecy and Disguise During Transportation

The British military went to great lengths to keep the development of these tanks a secret. Even when transporting these machines by rail, they were often described as parts for portable water storage tanks for security reasons. This method not only helped in concealing the true purpose of the tanks but also in maintaining operational secrecy.

When 'Landships' were first deployed, they were not initially manned by naval crews. Instead, mechanical engineers were recruited from the army and given the Machine Gun Corps badge. These troops were unaware of the true purpose of their new machines until much later. The tanks were transported under wraps on trains and entered onto manifestos as 'Water Tanks.' The secrecy was so successful that the term 'tank' stuck and became official jargon.

Formation of the Tank Corps

As the tanks began to play a significant role in the war, the British decided to form an official unit to manage and operate these machines. On 28th July 1917, the Tank Corps was officially established, becoming a part of the Machine Gun Corps. However, it maintained much of its secrecy, and even after its official formation, it was still referred to as 'Water Tanks' or 'Landships.'

The Tank Corps eventually evolved into the Royal Tank Regiment. Interestingly, many soldiers who served in this unit were unaware of the true purpose of their machines until after the war. One such soldier was the speaker's father, who served in the Royal Tank Regiment for 26 years.

Conclusion

The use of the term 'tank' as a codename and cover story during World War I was a significant aspect of maintaining military secrecy and misleading the enemy. The term 'tank' has since become synonymous with land warfare machines, but it was initially chosen for its ability to avoid suspicion and to fit into the broader context of military logistics.