A Company of Tanks

"A Company of Tanks" by Major W. H. L. Watson is a military memoir written in the early 20th century. This work provides an insightful account of tank warfare during World War I, particularly focusing on the actions and experiences of the Tank Corps and its crews. The narrative revolves around the major battles faced by the author and his unit, highlighting the challenges of training, mechanical failures, and the chaotic nature of warfare. The opening of the memoir vividly sets the stage by introducing the backdrop of the Western Front, specifically the XIth Corps area between October and December 1916. Watson describes life in the small village of Locon, illustrating the contrast between the peace of village life and the distant sounds of war. The opening section provides rich details of both the mundane and the extraordinary aspects of military life, from social interactions with the villagers to the impending introduction of tanks as new weapons of war. As the author transitions from his role with the Cyclist Battalion to commanding a tank company, readers encounter the anticipation and tension surrounding the emergence of tanks in the battlefield, ultimately foreshadowing the trials and tribulations that will come with their deployment.