The First World War, often referred to as ‘The Great War’, is the fifth deadliest conflict to ever happen in the world with an estimation of over 10 million deaths and another 20 million wounded. Despite it being a world war, the majority of battles and lives lost were in the trenches of Europe. During the four year conflict there were a number of technological advancements that took place. Machines entered the battle ground for the first time in any mass. Vehicles such as tanks were used in ground battles and existing vehicles such as buses were called upon to transport troops to and from the battle field. In the later stages of the war aircraft were used for ground attacks, bombing raids and air-to-air combat.
2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War One, to commemorate the technological developments of military machinery; Corgi presents the World War Centenary Collection.
The British Mark IV tank was one of the first armed tracked vehicles to be used in World War I, first entering into service in August 1916. It first saw action on the morning of the 15th September during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. The male version of the tank as modelled here was armed with two six-pounder QF guns. It required 8 crew members to operate this fierce machine.