Difference in ww1 Tank

During World War I, early tanks were divided into “male” and “female” types based on the weapons they carried. The names did not relate to gender in a human sense, but were simply a way to describe their different battlefield roles.

Male tanks were fitted with large cannons mounted on their sides. These guns were designed to destroy enemy defences such as bunkers, barbed wire, and fortified positions. Female tanks did not have cannons and instead carried several machine guns. Their purpose was to defend against enemy soldiers, especially those trying to get close enough to damage the tanks.

The idea was that the two types would support each other in battle, with male tanks attacking strong positions and female tanks protecting them from infantry. Over time, this system proved less practical, and later tank designs combined both cannons and machine guns into a single vehicle, removing the need for separate types.