The scale of the French tanks' failure in their first engagement (1917) lead to rumours that the Artillerie Sp ciale was in danger of being disbanded, yet by the end of the war it was the world's largest and most advanced tank force. This work examines this important facet of the French army's performance in the First World War, arguing that the AS fought as intelligently as possible given the immature state of the technology available. The successful...