Editing Tank classification (section)

==Development of tank classification schemes==
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Development of a tank classification system started in [[World War I]], when tanks were separated into [[light tank]]s and [[tankette]]s, [[medium tank]]s, and [[heavy tank]]s, based on size and weight.  Heavy tanks were required to be large to cross trenches, and consequently weighed a lot. Medium tanks were smaller and had help to cross trenches so weighed less. Light tanks were much smaller and lightweight, allowing transport on lorries (trucks).<ref>In the Wake of the Tank - The first eighteen years of mechanisation in the British Army; Lieut.-Col. G. Le Q. Martel; Revised and enlarged 2nd Edition, 1936</ref>

These tanks started to be used in different roles based on armour and mobility.  Light tanks could provide mobile machine gun support for infantry, medium tanks could be used to react and exploit situational advantages, heavy tanks could be used for the main advance.

As tank doctrine developed, the role of tanks started to be defined.  Initially based on naval ideas, in late 1916 Captain [[Giffard Le Quesne Martel]] (later Major General Sir) proposed a tank army formed of Destroyer tanks, Battle tanks (of Heavy, Medium and Light types), Torpedo tanks (utilising large trench mortars), Engineer tanks, Supply tanks and Ambulance tanks<ref>A Tank Army; November 1916; G. Le Q. Martel, Captain G.S.</ref>

During the inter-war years, British tank doctrine evolved through experimental trials and the works of [[J.F.C. Fuller]], [[Percy Hobart|P.C.S. Hobart]] and [[B.H. Liddell Hart|B.H. Liddell-Hart]].  By 1936, these settled on the roles of light tanks for reconnaissance, [[infantry tank]]s to support an advance, and [[cruiser tank]]s in the cavalry role, using mobility to exploit situational advantages.  The works were further explored by [[Heinz Guderian]] in the development of German tank doctrine and [[Blitzkrieg]] for the opening stages of [[World War II]].

Other nations continued to use the light, medium and heavy designations. US and Soviet forces also incorporated the [[tank destroyer]] concept, allowing their light, medium, and heavy tanks to prioritise works with the infantry. Soviet and US forces added the concept of the [[flame tank]], armed with a flamethrower.

During the course of the war, German forces added command tanks, specialised to the task of co-ordinating tank formations.  This idea caught on with other nations.  Development of British doctrine added howitzer-armed close support tanks, similar to the older torpedo tank role.  These soon became critical to launching smoke, and post-war smoke dischargers became common on tanks. Both command and close support tanks were typically based on the type of tank they were supporting, so may not be considered a completely separate classification.

With the fall of France, the need for infantry tanks to advance with troops started to be replaced with a need for Assault tanks, a new class with heavier frontal armour to take on battlefield defences.  Infantry tanks proved capable in this new role however, and the designation was rarely applied outside of experimental production.  The term saw limited use with both British and US forces in joint development.  Hobart would later return to Martel's idea of Engineer tanks in the 1944 run-up to [[D-Day]] with [[Hobarts Funnies]], and specialised tanks became a core component of the modern battlefield.

Towards the end of the war, increases in tank engine power started to create the possibility of multi-role vehicles.  British light tanks had largely been replaced with armoured cars and carriers, and engineers proposed a new [[Universal tank]] coupling Cruiser tank mobility with Infantry tank armour.  The concept became redundant when Cruiser tank armour increased anyway, rendering the infantry tank obsolete.

Post-war the light, medium, and heavy designations remained prevalent until the multi-role concept evolved into the [[main battle tank]], rendering the earlier medium and heavy designations obsolete.  Heavy tanks were largely withdrawn from service as medium multi-role vehicles offered similar capability with less of the weight-based constraints.  Light tanks remained in use for flexibility, such as with air-portable use.