THE TANK THAT STOOD THE TEST OF TIME

MARK IV “LODESTAR III”: A TANK THAT STOOD THE TEST OF TIME

Among the World War I tanks that have survived to this day, the Mark IV “Lodestar III” is truly unique. This British tank from 1917 is the only one in the world that still has its original paint, complete with battle scars, bullet impacts, and worn armor. A true time capsule of military history.

This steel giant was used during the Hundred Days Offensive in 1918, a decisive campaign that helped bring the war to an end. Today, it stands as a reminder of the rapid evolution of mechanized warfare, alongside other legendary models like the Renault FT and the Whippet.

But why do we call these vehicles “tanks”? The origin of the word dates back to World War I. At the time, the British wanted to keep the development of these new weapons a secret. To mislead German spies, they claimed they were building water tanks for troops in Mesopotamia. The name “tank” stuck, and the Germans only discovered the deception when these armored beasts rolled onto the battlefield during the Battle of the Somme in 1916.