Dummy Tanks were therefore used for several practice attacks. The dummies were made of wood and canvas and were carried from within by their crew of seven. “They looked for all the world like some drab-coloured prehistoric monster with as many legs as a centipede. A high wind blew during a certain ‘action’ in March, and made things most difficult. By the time the final objective was reached many of the Tanks were in a state of collapse, the torn canvas revealing the perspiring machinery to the amused gaze of the onlookers. The remains of the Tanks were, however, most useful for firewood and the renovation of beds.” The account goes on to relate the delightful keenness of the men, and how their interest in their training was so great that such serious _contretemps_ as getting in late for tea “were regarded as nothing.” The 2nd Brigade was to be equipped with Mark IV. Tanks as soon as a supply was available. The first batch of machines arrived in France towards the end of April. The Mark IV. Tank was an improved Mark I., and did not differ very materially from its predecessor in design. These were, briefly, the principal improvements: First, its armour was of a special steel which was impervious to the German armour-piercing bullet. Secondly, the sponsons were of a better pattern. In the Mark I. they had to be completely unshipped whenever the Tank was moved by rail; in the Mark IV. they were so constructed that they could be “pushed in” sufficiently for railway transport. Thirdly, a new and heavier design of track rollers and links was introduced. Fourthly, danger from fire was reduced by the petrol tank (protected, of course, by special armour-plates) being outside and at the back of the machine. There were also other minor improvements in armament, and the total weight of the Tank was slightly reduced. Such was the weapon which was to be first tried at Messines, and such was the unit which was at the same time to make its début. II The Battle of Messines did not prove one in which Tanks were able to show to any particular advantage; this not because of adverse conditions, but because of the battle’s very success. It was throughout an extremely well-planned little action, and would probably have been perfectly successful even without the co-operation of Tanks. An expert military critic has said of it: “The Battle of Messines, one of the shortest and best mounted limited operations of the War, was in no sense a Tank battle.” It was perhaps a little hard on the 2nd Brigade, who fought throughout with particular gallantry, that more of the laurel could not fall to them. For not only was the 2nd Brigade’s maiden battle notable for gallantry in the field, but also for the very high standard of the Staff work--the administrative arrangements indeed long remaining the model for subsequent Tank operations.