Page 18 - the story of motoring

The car at war

As soon as the car became reliable and had proved it was here to stay, the Army
became interested in it.

The first amoured vehicles were fitted with machine guns, like this 'motor war
car' built by an Englishman. Simms in 1902. There was a lot of interest but no-
body bought it.
I
FIRST WORLD WAR
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The Belgians are considered to be the first to use cars for attacking in war.
Troops were driven in cars at speed for hit and run attacks on the advancing
German army in 1914. Many countries used the frames [chassisl of ordinary large
cars and built an armoured vehicle onto it. The British used the Rolls Royce
Silver Ghost chassis which carried a machine gun turret and many tons of armour
plate. This Rolls Royce armoured car was used in the deserts of Arabia and rarely
broke down. This was a great achievement because of the dust, heat, rocky ground
and heavy weight. On the Western Front large Edwardian touring cars were used by I
Generals for transport. Lorries were used in large numbers to transport goods and
troops to the Front.

Rolls-Royce
Armoured
car 1916

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The Simms "Motor War Car" 1902
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