100 YEARS OF TANK WARS AND CONFLICT
Incredible tale emerges of the WW1 tank crew who survived three days stranded in no-man's land while being shelled by BOTH sides
- Mark IV tank was named Fray Bentos as a nod to its grocer captain having a licence to sell the tinned meat
- Captain Donaldson and his heroic crew came under fire from both sides for three days and three nights
- Their tank had become stuck in a bomb crater and the soldiers were unable to use the vehicles guns
- But the brothers in arms were able to bravely fend off waves of German attacks using their personal weapons
- Miraculously, all but one of the nine-strong crew survived the onslaught after crawling back to the British line
- Historians have now uncovered one of the crew's written accounts of the action in detail never before known
An extraordinary survival story of how eight British soldiers were able to survive a three-day onslaught inside a stricken tank has only now been revealed in detail.
For three days and two nights the nine British servicemen endured German machine gun fire, snipers, grenades and heavy artillery attacks after their tank became stuck in the barren swathes of no man's land.
If that wasn't bad enough, they also came under fire from their own side.
In 1917 the tank was a relatively new invention and the British couldn't risk the Germans getting their hands on one, even if it meant the loss of its crew.
For three days and two nights, war hero Robert Missen (left and right) and his crew endured German machine gun fire, snipers and grenade and heavy artillery attacks after their tank got stuck
A Mark IV tank, similar to the Fray Bentos, is pictured stranded in the mud at Passchendaele. The Bentos' captain was a grocer with the licence to sell the famous tinned meat before the war, remained stranded in a bomb crater
Remarkably, eight of the nine-man crew survived the onslaught and crawled back one by one to the British lines after repelling numerous enemy attacks.
They were all given gallantry medals and as a result became the most decorated tank crew of the war.
The Mark IV tank, named Fray Bentos — as its captain was a grocer with the licence to sell the famous tinned meat before the war — remained stranded in a bomb crater on the battlefield at Passchendaele afterwards.
The incredible story can now be told after historians at the Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset, uncovered one of the crew's written account of the action in its archives.
Left: An aerial picture of No Man's Land shows the Fray Bentos visible beneath the Y of 'Fray' on the map. Right: Heroic gunner William Morrey
A Mk IV tank stranded in the quagmire of Passchendeale. Fray Bentos was called into action during the Third Battle of Ypres on August 22, 1917
In his account Sgt Missen wrote: 'We kept on firing and killed several Boche close to the tank, we expected the infantry to come up any time'
They also found Sergeant Robert Missen's personal effects including his uniform and Bible, which have gone on display at the museum.
Fray Bentos was called into action during the Third Battle of Ypres on August 22, 1917.
On board were Captain Donald Richardson, Second Lieutenant George Hill, Sgt Missen and Gunners William Morrey, Ernest Hayton, Frederick Arthurs, Percy Budd, James Binley and Ernest Braedy.
As it advanced it entered the crater sideways. At that moment the driver, Lt Hill, was thrown off his seat. Capt Richardson took over the controls but was unable to prevent the hulking tank ditching in the soft mud.
Capt Richardson took over the controls but was unable to prevent the hulking tank ditching in the soft mud. Sgt Missen is pictured inset
Another aerial shot shows the Fray Bentons stranded in the middle of No Man's Land, where it sustained constant attacks for three days and two nights from both sides
This wedding picture show Sgt Missen after he marriage to Miss M Cole in 1926 after the end of the First World War
In his account Sgt Missen wrote: 'Budd and Morrey were hit at the same time. Budd was unconscious for about two hours. Mr Hill hit in head and neck, Morrey arm and leg.
'I got out of right sponson door to put on one side of the unditching gear but I heard bullets hitting the tank and saw some Boche about 30 yds off firing at me, I got in again.
'Braedy had got out of the other side to help me, and they shot him and he fell under the side of the tank that was sinking, Arthurs said he was dead.
'We kept on firing and killed several Boche close to the tank, we expected the infantry to come up any time.'
Sgt Missen's bible. He joined the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment in 1909 then moved to the Heavy Branch Machine Gun Corps and Tank Corps during the war
David Willey, curator of the Tank Museum, said: 'Many amazing stories of stoicism and bravery have emerged with the First World War anniversaries, but you still cannot help but be taken aback by the tale of Fray Bentos.
Sgt Missen wore an almost medieval-looking protective mask to protect his face from flying shrapnel
he next 60 hours Germans attempted to reach the tank but were repelled.
Its main guns were rendered mostly useless because of the angles at which they were pointing so the men used their personal weapons to see off wave after wave of attack.
An enemy soldier even climbed on top and dropped a grenade inside but one of the plucky Brits threw it back before it exploded.
Seven of eight surviving crew were all injured in the exchanges, mostly by bits of flying metal pinging off the sides of the tank.
Sgt Missen said: 'Captain Richardson told me to go back and warn the infantry not to shoot us as we should sooner or later have to clear out of the tank.
BATTLE OF THE TANKS: HOW THE MARK IIs SHAPE UP VS MARK IVs
A Mk IV tank similar to 'Fray Bentos' is still on display at the Tank Museum at Bovington
The earlier Mark II tanks were vulnerable machines that provided little protection to their crews during the early mechanised battles of the First World War.
As they were taking to the battlefield in May 1917, more powerful tanks were being developed back home, with the Mark IVs entering active service just one month later.
One of the main improvements was the improvement in armour, with Mark IVs made of steel around half-an-inch think, more than double the size of the Mark IIs armour.
But how else did the vehicles stack up against each other?
Mark II
Length: 26ft
Width: 8ft 4ins
Height: 8ft
Armament:
'Male' - Two six-pound Hotchkiss guns, four 0.303ins Hotchkiss machine guns
'Female' - Four 0.303ins Vickers machine guns, one 0.303ins Hotchkiss machine gun
Weight: Around 28 tonnes
Speed: 3.7mph
Range: 28 miles
Number produced: 50
Mark IV
Length: 26ft 5ins
Width: 8ft 4ins
Height: 8ft
Armament:
'Male' - 2 six-pound guns, six hundredweight Mark I 23 calibre gun, three 0.303 inch Lewis machine guns
'Female' - 5x 0.303 inch Lewis machine guns
Weight: Around 28 tonnes
Speed: 4pm
Range: 35miles
Number produced: 1,220
'We were all getting stiff from wounds. I got out of the right sponson door and crawled back to the infantry.'
One by one the crew followed, even carrying with them the Lewis guns so they didn't fall into enemy hands.
David Willey, curator of the Tank Museum, said: 'Many amazing stories of stoicism and bravery have emerged with the First World War anniversaries, but you still cannot help but be taken aback by the tale of Fray Bentos.
'Eight men, stuck in a tank for three days and nights in no-man's-land, being continually shot at with bullets and hot metal flying around inside.
'Temperatures reached 30 degrees C (86F) and dropped down to freezing at night. The men were forced to drink water from the radiator to stay alive.
'To lose just one man during this siege was quite remarkable; their heroism and calmness under sustained attack was astonishing, especially when you consider how many serious injuries there were.
War hero Sgt Missen is surrounded by many of his tank comrades at his wedding in 1926. The keen sportsman retired on his birthday by putting on a bowler hat and saying: 'Now show me civil life'
On display at the tank museum are myriad of Sgt Missen's personal effects, including his war medals and ID tags
'We have been left a number of Missen's personal effects including the Bible he had with him, his uniform, medals, identity tag and cigarette case.
'And here at the museum we have an example of the tank that these men were in, so it is possible to see how cramped and intimate the space in which the drama took place.'
Sgt Missen joined the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment in 1909 then moved to the Heavy Branch Machine Gun Corps and Tank Corps during the war.
He served in the Royal Tank Corps until 1936. The keen sportsman retired on his birthday by putting on a bowler hat and saying: 'Now show me civil life.'
Ernest Braedy's body was never found and Percy Budd was killed a year later aged 22.
Capt Richardson later fought at the Battle of Cambrai, in a tank named Fray Bentos II. That tank was put out of action and captured by the Germans, who took it to Berlin, where it was put on display.
His son served in the Royal Tank Regiment in the Second World War and was killed at El Alamein.
Historians reveal British WWI troops went into battle in UNARMOURED tanks that Germans could destroy with ordinary bullets
- British Mark II tanks went into 1917 Battle of Arras with virtually no armour
- Forty-five were used on French battlefield but were vulnerable to rifle fire
- Experts believe the Germans became overconfident after capturing one
- They were replaced with heavily armoured Mark IV models with great success
British tank crews unwittingly went into the first ever major tank battle in vulnerable unarmoured vehicles, historians have revealed 100 years after the event.
Researchers have found that the 45 Mark II tanks that went into action at the Battle of Arras in May 1917 were training vehicles which had no armour.
Experts believe the crews were not informed the steel the tanks were made from was untreated and therefore could be penetrated by rifle fire.
The weakness of the vehicles actually ended up helping the British war effort after one was captured by the Germans, who then abandoned plans to develop more advanced armour-piercing weapons.
But it was actually mechanical issues that proved the most costly, with just 11 of the tanks eventually crossing No Man's Land due to breakdowns.
Researchers have found the British Army went into the first ever major tank battle during the First World War in vulnerable vehicles. Mark II tanks took part in the Battle of Arras in May 1917 but were made of steel so weak it could be penetrated by ordinary rifle fire. Pictured is Tank 785, the oldest surviving tank that saw active service for the British Army, on display at the Tank Museum in Dorset
Experts at the Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset, said none of the 45 Mark IIs that took part in the battle should have been there, and claimed their crews were unaware of the danger they were in. Pictured is museum curator David Willey with a Mark II tank, Tank 785, that took part in the battle
The Germans were able to capture a Mark II tank during the battle, pictured, and were surprised to find how weak the armour was. Experts at the museum say this actually helped the British war effort as the Germans abandoned plans to develop more advanced armour piercing weapons, before the British Army brought out the stronger Mark IV tanks
Out of 360 men in the tank crews, more than 50 were killed in the action.
Historians at the Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset, which is home to the oldest surviving tank to have seen combat, believe that none of the 45 Mark IIs should have gone to war in the first place.
But incredibly the move actually helped the British war effort after the Germans successfully captured one of the tanks.
Upon examining it they were surprised to find that simple bullets would penetrate the armour and so felt no urgency to come up with an anti-tank weapon.
Tank 785, which is on display at Bovington, was commanded by 2/Lt Herbert Chick who advanced on the enemy on May 3, 1917 with his eight-man crew.
He attacked the German lines, knocked out several machine guns and broke the wire.
However, with five of his crew wounded, two seriously, he was unable to continue the offensive.
Chick returned to Allied lines and filled in a form reporting the numbers of wounded, the rounds used and the damage sustained, as well as details of the engagement.
The Mark II, pictured, was built in Lincoln, with 50 built in total. Forty-five were used in action, beginning with the Battle of Arras. Tank 785, which was later rebranded 285 when it became a supply vehicle, was commanded by Second Lieutenant Herbert Chick, who had an eight-man crew
Mr Willey, pictured with the damaged Mark II, said the German capture of a 'training vehicle' tank turned out to be a 'peculiar win' for the British as it caused the Germans to become 'relaxed' about tank warfare
Lt Chick, pictured left and right, advanced on enemy lines in his tank, but was forced to abandon the offensive after five of his crew were injured, including two seriously
Eventually the Mark IIs were withdrawn from service and replaced by Mark IVs, pictured during the First World War. Mark IVs were heavily armoured and went into production in May 1917, with more than 1,000 produced
AND IF YOU THOUGHT MARK II WAS BAD...
Developed from the Little Willie tank prototype, the Mark I was the first British Tank to enter the battlefield in the First World War.
Officially, they were called His Majesty's Land Centipede. They first trialled in April 1916.
They were more than 32ft long including their tail and 8ft wide, and carried eight crew members. They travelled at a maximum speed of 4mph.
In total, 150 of these machines were produced.
Features of the Mark I included tail wheels to aid steering at the rear (left), a commander's seat and engine controls at the front (right), Hotchkiss pounder and machine guns (right) and ammunition storage tube for up to 334 shells (centre) After the Battle of Arras the Mark II tanks were gradually removed from the front as the fully armoured Mark IV tanks were rolling off the production line.
However, museum curator David Willey said the Mark IIs shouldn't have been taken into battle.
He said: 'During the Battle of Arras the Germans captured a Mark II and took it back for testing.
'They realised that bullets would go straight through it and passed on this information to their soldiers.
'It was over a year before they released that the tank they had captured was only a training vehicle.
'So it was a peculiar little win for the British as it meant the Germans were a bit more relaxed about the tanks than they would have been otherwise.
'The steel had not been treated properly and while it would protect those inside against some things, rifle fire could simply pass through the armour into the interior.
'Bigger rounds and armour-piercing rounds had absolutely no difficulty in passing through.
'The bullets would then ping around inside the tank - you can only imagine the fear of Chick and his crew.
Lt Chick was awarded several medals during the war and commanded tanks until victory in 1918. Pictured from left are his Military Cross, awarded for bravery in combat, his 1914 Star, given to those who fought in France or Belgium between August and November 1914, his British War Medal and his Victory Medal
Also on display at the museum is this postcard sent to Lt Chick by his commanding officer, known only as Colonel Ridley
'Our research suggests that before the battle the crews were not told that the tanks were unprotected.
'Even when they must have realised this, it didn't stop them driving at the enemy lines.
'After the battle, Chick's tank was used as a supply vehicle and later arrived at the museum and is the oldest surviving tank ever to have seen action.
'Its damage is still visible and people always want to touch it and that really does help bring home the horrors of this war.'
The Battle of Arras was part of the spring offensive and there were just 15 Mark I tanks left from the previous year.
As they needed 60 tanks for the battle at Bullecourt the Mark IIs were summoned.
Tank 785 saw action on April 9 and then again on May 3 when it sustained the damage.
Upon his return from the Battle of Arras, Lt Chick filled out this battle report, which detailed how much ammunition was used, how many people were injured and the condition of the vehicle following the action. The report is also on display at the museum
When the battle officially ended on May 16, British troops had made significant advances but had been unable to achieve a breakthrough.
Herbert Chick continued to serve and in 1918 won the Military Cross after leading his tanks into battle on foot and taking charge of the infantry.
He survived the war, changed his name officially to Chick from its original Cicognani and in 1921 married Hilda Grove.
He died the following year at his home in Maidstone, Kent, aged 29 from a cerebral abscess.
The Mark II tanks were built by Fosters in Lincoln.
THE BATTLE OF ARRAS
The Battle of Arras began on April 9, 1917, and lasted until May 16, and was one of the first major uses of tanks by the British.
Forty-five Mark II tanks took part in the advance, alongside 15 Mark I tanks previously used in the Battle of the Somme in September 1916.
As with the Somme, tanks proved unreliable in the battle, with only 11 eventually able to support the advancing troops due to mechanical failures.
Lt Chick is pictured here second left with fellow officers during the Battle of Arras in 1917. Also taking part in the battle were 15 Mark I tanks, which had survived previous use in the Battle of the Somme in September 1916, when just nine of 49 Mark I tanks were able to make it across No Man's Land due to mechanical problems
Although British Empire troops were able to make some of the most significant territory gains since the beginning of the war, they were unable to break through the German lines.
The battle ended in a stalemate, with French and British casualties totalling around 160,000, while the Germans lost around 130,000 men.
But the battle allowed the Allies to learn important lessons about more closely liaising troop, tank and artillery attacks.
While the battle was being fought, more advanced Mark IV tanks were being produced at home, which would go on to help the British win battles as the war came to a close.
Our army is bigger than YOURS! China, Russia and Nato forces put on a huge show of strength as the world's powers flex their military muscles
- The world's superpowers have flexed their muscles in massive parades to showcase their military prowess
- China put on huge show of force in a parade to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army
- It featured 12,000 troops, 570 vehicles and 129 jets - including China's latest J-20 stealth fighter
- Elsewhere today, Russian President Vladimir Putin oversaw a pomp-filled display of Russia's naval might
- In response, Georgia and the United States launched their biggest ever joint military exercises today
- The exercises also included 400 servicemen from Armenia, Germany, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine and the UK
The world's superpowers have flexed their muscles in massive parades to showcase their military strength.
China put on an ostentatious show of military force in a parade to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army, overseen by President Xi Jinping.
Troops, nuclear missile launchers and new stealth aircraft all featured in the parade at the remote Zhurihe training base in China's remote Inner Mongolia region.
Zhurihe Training Base is Asia's largest military training centre and features life-size mockup targets, including Taiwan's presidential palace.
Xi, wearing military clothing, told troops that the 'world isn’t safe at this moment' adding that 'a strong army is needed now more than ever.'
Among the terrifying display of weapons was China's Chengdu J-20 stealth jet fighter as well as its new DF-31AG intercontinental ballistic missile. The rocket is mounted on an all-terrain vehicle to make it harder to track.
China's party-run media said about 12,000 troops, more than 100 types of aircraft and 600 pieces of military hardware were put on display at the sprawling desert camp
A formation soldiers from the PLA's Rocket Force, which controls the nation's arsenal of nuclear and conventional ballistic missiles, shout pledges of loyalty during the parade, which are part of the celebrations of the 90th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army
Chinese Type 99 tanks parade, followed by elite airborne troops in helicopters above. The march took place at the remote Zhurihe training base in inner Mongolia, which is Asia's largest military training centre. The Chinese military said the parade had been planned for some time, and was not related to the current tensions in North Korea
The PLA rolled out some of its latest weapons at the parade, including the DF-31AG ICBM (pictured). The nuclear-capable ballistic missile has a reported range of 6,000 miles. President Trump has sharply criticized China for not doing enough to stem the nuclear ambitions of North Korea
Clad in military fatigues President Xi Jinping oversaw the massive show of force. He called on the PLA to transform itself into an elite fighting force and demanded that the troops pledge 'absolute loyalty' to the Communist Party. Xi's corruption purges have seen dozens of officers removed from the PLA
Clad in military fatigues President Xi inspected the 12,000 troops, repeatedly shouting 'Hello comrades!' and 'Comrades, you are working hard!' into microphones fixed on top of a jeep.
Troops shouted back: 'Serve the people!', 'Follow the Party!', 'Fight to win!' and 'Forge exemplary conduct!'
In a live address Xi, who commands the People's Liberation Army, called on the Chinese military to transform itself into an elite fighting force to bolster the country's rise into a world power.
He said the Chinese military had the capabilities to 'preserve national sovereignty, security and interests' and demanded the troops' show 'absolute loyalty' to the party
The PLA has undergone an extensive modernisation programme with the strategic aim of competing with the US for regional dominance.
Hundreds of thousands of troops have been cut, and an anti-corruption purge has removed dozens of officers, while also investing heavily in aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines and stealth fighters.
A trio of Chinese J-20 stealth fighters fly overhead during the parade. The newest generation fighter by the Chinese air force is the country's most advanced aircraft and designed to potentially rival the F-22 and the F-35 of the US Air Force
Divisions on display: Up to 12,000 troops, 570 vehicles and 129 jets participated in the parade. State media reported that it was the first time that 40 per cent of the vehicles had been presented, which highlighted China's massive military spending
Xi said the military must, 'Always listen to and follow the party's orders, and march to wherever the party points' and said that the world was not peaceful, however he did not specify any hot spots the Chinese military would intervene in
China's military has undergone an extensive modernisation programme, cutting thousands of troops while investing heavily in modern technology, including drones, stealth fighters, nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers
Unlike previous parades seen in Beijing, the troops in Inner Mongolia were clad in full combat gear, to further emphasis their readiness. It was also the first time that President Xi had reviewed troops in such a way
Missile launchers, self-propelled artillery and transport helicopters stand on display behind the formations of troops. Xi said the Chinese military had the capabilities to 'preserve national sovereignty, security and interests'
It has been decades since China last fought a war and the country insists it has no hostile intent, and simply needs to defend itself. However it's increasingly assertive stance in the South China Sea has rattled its neighbours
More than 100 planes flew overhead and almost 600 types of weaponry were on display for the occasion — nearly half of which were making their debut in public, according to the Defence Ministry
The Chinese flag is raised during a military parade at the Zhurihe training base in China's northern Inner Mongolia region
Since coming to power in 2012, the president has trumpeted the need to build a stronger combat-ready military, while leading efforts to centralise the Communist Party's control over it
Troops make preparation for a military parade 90th birthday celebration of the Chinese People's Liberation Army
Elsewhere today, Russian President Vladimir Putin oversaw a pomp-filled display of Russia's naval might as the Kremlin paraded its sea power from the Baltic Sea to the shores of Syria.
Some 50 warships and submarines were on show along the Neva River and in the Gulf of Finland off the country's second city of Saint Petersburg after Putin ordered the navy to hold its first ever parade on such a grand scale.
Putin told servicemen: 'Today much is being done to develop and modernise the navy. The navy is not only dealing with its traditional tasks but also responding with merit to new challenges, making a significant contribution to the fight against terrorism and piracy.'
The showcase event to mark Russia's annual Navy Day is the latest to be beefed up by Putin, with the Kremlin strongman also bolstering the traditional WWII victory parade in Moscow as he looks to flex the country's military muscles.
Russia has ramped up its military manoeuvres as ties with the West have slumped over Moscow's meddling in Ukraine, unnerving NATO and its members in Eastern Europe.
It came as Putin on Sunday said the United States would have to cut 755 diplomatic staff in Russia and warned of a prolonged gridlock in its ties after the US Congress backed new sanctions against the Kremlin.
Putin added bluntly that Russia was able to raise the stakes with America even further, although he hoped this would be unnecessary.
A US State Department official denounced the move as a "regrettable and uncalled for act," adding that Washington was now weighing a potential response.
Russian President Vladimir Putin oversaw a pomp-filled display of Russia's naval might as the Kremlin paraded its sea power from the Baltic Sea to the shores of Syria
Russia staged its own show of force on Sunday with President Putin joining a naval display
Russian warships sail during the Navy Day parade in Kronshtadt, a seaport town in the suburb of St. Petersburg
A boat with Russian President Vladimir Putin onboard sails along the Neva river during the Navy Day parade
Some 50 warships and submarines were on displayed in the Gulf of Finland and on the Neva river around St Petersburg
Russia has ramped up its military maneuvers as ties with the West have slumped over Moscow's meddling in Ukraine, unnerving NATO and its members in Eastern Europe
Russian news wire Interfax reported that six vessels, including the latest generation 'Krasnodar' diesel submarine, were taking part in the parade
In response to Russia's display, Georgia and the United States launched their biggest ever joint military exercises today in the latest show of support for the tiny Caucasus nation that has squared off against Russia.
The start of the drills comes a day ahead of a two-day visit to Tbilisi by US Vice President Mike Pence during which he is expected to reiterate Washington's backing for Georgia's wish to join NATO.
Some 800 Georgian and 1600 US troops are taking part in the Noble Partner 2017 drills - the largest ever in the Caucasus nation since it fought a brief war with Russia in 2008.
Georgia's Defence Minister Levan Izoria called the scale of exercises 'unprecedented', insisting they will 'make clear the support for Georgia by the NATO member states, especially the US.'
The US has sent some of its M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks and M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles across the Black Sea for the drills, which will last until August 12.
The exercises also included 400 servicemen from Armenia, Germany, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
It comes a day after North Korea tested a ballistic missile that it claims can reach all of the United States, US President Donald Trump criticised China for not reining in Kim Jong Un and his missile program.
'I am very disappointed in China,' Trump wrote in a pair of Twitter posts. '...they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!'
North Korea's test Friday of an intercontinental ballistic missile was its second of the long-range weapon in a month. The first on July 4 showed the missile had the range to reach Alaska.
Friday's test was designed to show the Hwasong-14 missile's maximum range with a 'large-sized heavy nuclear warhead,' a statement from Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency said.
It said Washington should regard the launch as a 'grave warning.'
British servicemen gather before the official opening ceremony of the joint multinational military exercise 'Noble Partner 2017' at the military base of Vaziani, outside Tbilisi, in Georgia
Georgian servicemen line up during the official opening ceremony of the joint multinational military exercise
The exercises included 400 servicemen from Armenia, Germany, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom
US servicemen sit on a M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank before the official opening ceremony
Some 800 Georgian and 1600 US troops are taking part in the Noble Partner 2017 drills - the largest ever in the Caucasus nation since it fought a brief war with Russia in 2008
German servicemen line up during the official opening ceremony at the military base of Vaziani, in Georgia
Seventy years after the end of World War II, a European city is once again reduced to rubble
- The devastation left across eastern Ukraine echoes that seen in European cities at the end of the Second World War
- Donetsk airport and its surrounding regions are abandoned with only partially destroyed buildings left standing
- New pictures reveal the airport, once used as a hub for Euro 2012, is a scene of wholesale devastation
- Ukrainian troops have towed artillery away from the conflict's front line in a sign the ceasefire is finally holding
- Both the Government troops and rebels have reported no combat fatalities at the frontl ine for a second straight day
- The artillery withdrawal is 'point two' of the France and Germany-brokered peace deal agreed upon 11 days ago
The images of European cities left smouldering and in ruins at the end of the Second World War have been starkly echoed in new pictures revealing wholesale devastation across eastern Ukraine.
Heavily shelled tower blocks, abandoned hotels and airplane noses that look to have dropped from the sky are among the sights depicting the destruction in Donetsk, which in parts equals that seen after the Second World War in cities such as Stalingrad and Dresden.
It comes as heavy weaponry was today towed away from the front line at the village of Paraskoviyvka, north of the government stronghold of Artemivsk, in a move that signified a France and Germany-brokered ceasefire may be beginning to take hold 11 days after it was agreed.
Destroyed: A shell of a car lies among dead trees in front of heavily shelled tower blocks in Donetsk
Ruins: A heavily damaged hotel stands in ruins near to Donetsk airport in Donetsk, Ukraine
Crushed: A tank can be seen among the shattered buildings in the industrial city of Donetsk that was at the centre of the fighting
A direction sign at Donetsk airport is left riddled with bullet holes, while huge blast craters can be seen on a nearby building
On guard: A separatist soldier stands close to a ruined hotel in Donetsk as weapons were moved away from the front line
A partially collapsed building sits amid the barren landscape after the area surrounding the airport was left ravaged by months of shelling
The move to withdrawn heavy weaponry was Kiev's most direct step to acknowledge that the ceasefire was finally holding, a week after suffering one of the worst defeats of the war at the hands of rebels who initially ignored the ceasefire to launch a major advance.
The pro-Russian rebels, who committed to the truce after their successful offensive, have been pulling back heavy weapons for two days, but Kiev had until now held back from implementing the withdrawal, arguing that fighting had not yet ceased.
However, the army today reported no combat fatalities at the front for a second straight day - the first time no troops have been killed since long before the French and German-brokered truce was meant to take effect.
The withdrawal of artillery is 'point two' of the peace agreement reached in the Belarus capital Minsk, so it amounts to an acknowledgement that 'point one' - the ceasefire itself - is being observed.
'Today Ukraine has begun the withdrawal of 100 millimetre guns from the line of confrontation,' the military said in a statement, saying the step would be monitored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
It said it reserved the right to alter the schedule of withdrawal 'in the event of any attempted offensive'.
Barren trees and a bullet ridden stop sign are all that is left standing in a section of Donetsk airport
A partially destroyed church remains standing despite the obvious damage it has received during months of warfare
One of the main buildings of Donetsk airport is left in ruins after troops withdraw from the bitterly disputed area
Ukrainian troops and rebel forces both began withdrawing artillery from the frontline today in a sign the peace plan may be taking hold. Pictured is the battle worn Donetsk airport
The roof of this abandoned administrative building in Donetsk was completley destroyed during the heavy bombing
A gutted bus sits in the middle of the road between the towns of Debaltseve and Artyomovsk in eastern Ukraine
A part of the airport passengers once used to board flights is left a wreck, with only the frame of the building remaining upright
A rebel soldier wanders through part of Donetsk airport as artillery began withdrawing from the area
A rebel walks through the remains of the airport amid reports both sides have begun withdrawing artillery from the frontline
Rebel soldiers force Ukrainian prisoners of war to search through the wreckage of Donetsk airport to remove dead bodies and weaponry
The airport has been left in ruins, with collapsed roofs and walls burying soldiers after months of shelling and fighting
Witnesses in rebel-held Donetsk said they had heard no artillery in the night although the occasional distant blast or gunshot could be heard during the day.
Rebels brought Ukrainian war prisoners to the ruins of the airport on the north of the town to recover the dead bodies of their fellow Ukrainian troops, left buried in the wreckage since the terminal was captured in January.
Rebels also carried out controlled explosions to blast holes through walls inside the ruined terminal and sent the prisoners down a ladder where the floor had collapsed.
Three dead bodies still lay at the site out of five that had been recovered from the debris yesterday. Prisoners said they were searching for three more they believed were still buried.
The commander of the separatist 'Sparta' battalion, going by the nom de guerre 'Motorola', said the prisoners had been assigned the task because 'it's not our job to recover dead bodies, it's our job to make them.
'They take their comrades out to return them to their mums and dads. Did they think we would feed them for free?'
Airplane noses sit partially damaged near Donetsk airport. The site has been one of the most heavily fought over pieces of land
Damage: A commercial aircraft lies destroyed at the region's airport, which came under heavy bombardment during months of fighting
Bullet-ridden: A destroyed commercial airplanes sit scattered at the airport, revealing the extent of damage caused by months of fighting
Shells: Burnt out vehicles lie strewn next to a destroyed building in Pisky village, in the eastern Donetsk region
Obliterated: An armed soldier of the separatist self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic army stands inside the damaged Donetsk airport
Rubble: A pro-Russian rebel stands guard while Ukrainian prisoners of war are forced to search through the wreckage
A flimsy building remains standing but covered in shelling damage and bullet holes amid the rubble of Donetsk
The twisted remains of a tank lie near Donetsk airport. On the left is its base, while metres to the right sits the turret
The battle of Stalingrad (pictured), which took place during the Second World War, was a prolonged and entrenched battle which left much of the Russian city in ruins
Donetsk airport has been a totemic battlefield for both sides. Ukrainian troops had held out there for months until the rebels assaulted it after abandoning a previous ceasefire agreed in September.
The separatist rebels initially ignored the new truce last week to launch an advance that led to one of the biggest battles of a war that has killed more than 5,600 people.
But since capturing the strategic town of Debaltseve, where the rebels said the truce did not apply, they have taken pains to emphasise that they now intend to abide by it.
Western countries denounced the rebels and their presumed sponsor, Russian President Vladimir Putin, for advancing on Debaltseve after the truce was meant to take effect. But they have since held out hope that the ceasefire will now hold, with the rebels having achieved that objective.
In the days after its troops were driven from Debaltseve, Kiev maintained that it believed the rebels were reinforcing for another advance, particularly expressing fear for the city of Mariupol, a port of 500,000 people.
Western countries have threatened to impose new economic sanctions on Moscow if the rebels advance further into territory the Kremlin calls 'New Russia'.
Moscow, which denies aiding its sympathisers in Ukraine, said today the threats of more sanctions were cover for Western efforts to undermine the truce.
'It's an attempt to... distract attention from the necessity to fulfil the conditions of the Minsk agreements,' Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
Moving away: Members of the Ukrainian armed forces ride armoured personnel carriers as they pull back from Debaltseve region, near Artemivsk
A rebel soldier makes his way through the debris which litters the ground of Donetsk airport
A pro-Russian rebel smokes a cigarette while making his way through the ruins of Donetsk airport, which has been left completely destroyed
Ukrainian prisoners of war are lined up by rebels before they are ordered to begin sifting through the rubble
Withdrawal: Pro-Russian rebels move tanks and heavy weaponry away from the front line of fighting in accordance with the Minsk II agreement
A pro-Russian rebel stands guard while Ukrainian prisoners of war are forced to search through the wreckage for weaponry and dead bodies of comrades
Pro-Russia rebels are pictured moving tanks and heavy artillery away from the frontline as agreed upon in the recent ceasefire
A rebel soldier looks on from the comfort of his tank after it appeared the France and Germany-brokered ceasefire today began to take hold
A rebel brandishes his assault rifle while tanks withdraw in the distance. The withdrawal of heavy weaponry constitutes the second phase of the peace agreement
A tank travels along a road near Olenivka village, Donetsk, after rebels appeared to adhere to the ceasefire following their defiance of the peace plan when they launched an attack on Kiev troops a week ago
Ukrainian soldiers also started withdrawing heavy weapons. Pictured are a group of soldiers riding an armoured personnel carrier as it tows a cannon away from the frontline
Ukrainian heavy artillery is withdrawn as officials claim 100 millimetre guns are being removed from the line of confrontation
The moment a $60k US-made missile hits a $4.5m Russian T-90 battle tank
- The CIA has been supplying vetted rebel groups with American weapons
- Mountain Hawks Brigade, fighting near Aleppo, have filmed themselves firing a TOW anti-tank missile system
- Target was a $4.5million T-90 tank, though it is not clear if it was being operated by Russian troops or Assad's forces
- Video shows missile hitting the tank, before crew are forced to flee moments later, suggesting it was badly damaged by the impact
- Video highlights dangerous proxy-war being waged between the U.S. and Russia in Syria, where a ceasefire is supposed to begin Saturday
Uploaded by a Syrian rebel group called Mountain Hawks Brigade, fighting near the besieged city of Aleppo in the country's northeast, the film shows fighters coming under fire from the T-90.
As shots from the T-90's top-mounted machine gun crack and whistle overhead, the rebels can be seen adjusting and firing the missile which hits the tank head-on, just to the right of the main gun.
While the $60,000 projectile does not destroy the tank, crew can be seen fleeing the vehicle after it hits, suggesting it was badly damaged in the explosion.
Syrian rebel group the Mountain Hawks Brigade have filmed themselves shooting a Russian T-90 tank with an American-made TOW anti-tank missile near the city of Aleppo
It is not clear from the footage whether the T-90 tank, which costs around $4.5million, was being operated by Russian soldiers or forces belonging to Bashar al Assad.
Whether the tank was being operated by Russians or not, it does highlight the dangerous proxy-war being waged by both America and Russia in Syria, as weapons from both sides are used against each other.
While it is not known when the video was shot, the use of both tanks and heavy weapons in Syria also shows the difficulty of imposing a ceasefire on the country, due to come into force on Saturday.
While jihadi groups such as ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra are not included in the agreement, Syrian government forces and Western-backed rebel groups are, meaning the combatants involved in this video will be expected to stop fighting.
Footage shows the missile (orange dot, center right) tracking towards the tank (center left) before colliding with its main turret, despite the tank being fitted with defense systems designed to stop it
The 13lbs high-explosive missile can be seen colliding with the tank's main turret in a shower of flames and sparks, but fails to destroy the war machine
Russia first deployed T-90 tanks, which are in the process of being replaced by the formidable T-14 Armata, in Syria back in September last year to defend an airfield belonging to Assad's regime.
A month after T-90s were first reported in Syria near Latakia, on the Mediterranean coast, more sightings were made well to the east around Aleppo, where the Mountain Hawks Brigade is fighting.
Following that sighting local media reported that a unit of T-90 tanks had been given to the Syrian Army in order to help with offensives in the region.
The tanks have also been spotted around Raqqa, more than 100 miles to the east.
Meanwhile, the CIA has been supplying TOW missile systems to vetted rebel groups fighting against Assad and ISIS inside Syria.
The weapons have also bee supplied to rebel groups by Saudi Arabia, which has paid for them to be shipped through Turkey.
While the weapons are not common, they do feature in multiple online propaganda videos for rebel groups where they are used against a range of targets, from buildings to armored cars.
However, footage of the American-made weapon striking a Russian tank is exceptionally rare as the U.S. has not engaged Russian forces since the T-90 was available.
TOW missiles were shot at, and destroyed, Russian tanks during the Vietnam War, though these would likely have been T-34s, a predecessor of the T-90.
TOW stands for tube launched, optically tracked and wire guided. This refers to the fact that, once fired, the gunner is required to keep looking through the sight of the missile launcher, keeping the target in the center of the crosshairs.
As the gunner tracks the target through the sight, wires attached to the missile send updates on the target's position, allowing it to adjust mid-flight.
However, troops inside the tank can be seen fleeing through the main hatch moments later, suggesting that the vehicle was heavily damaged during the blast
As the TOW was developed in the Sixties, wires were initially used in place of wireless technology, though continued to be used because they were impossible to hack or disrupt.
The latest versions of TOW missiles being used by the U.S. Army do not rely on wires, though these advanced weapons systems are unlikely to have been given to Syrian rebels.
As a countermeasure to TOW missiles, T-90 tanks are equipped with a device known as the Shtora Active Defense System, which detects incoming guided rounds and throws them off target.
The laser system detects incoming missiles, turns the main turret to face them, then fires a smoke, infrared and electro-optical jammer, which should be effective against TOW missiles.
However, the system on the tank in the video appears to have been inactive or malfunctioning, as the missile flew straight into its target.
RAYTHEON BMG-71 TOW MISSILE
Cost: $60,000 (single missile, 2015)
Size (launcher): 5ft long by 4ft high
Weight (missile): 13lbs, high explosive round
Range: 200ft - 2.3 miles
Speed: 735mph
In service: 1970 - present day
Features: Missile guided to target by optic on launcher, which gunner must keep fixed on target. Missile is updated with new target information mid-flight by wires attached to the warhead. Newer models used by U.S. military are wireless.
Missile equipped with precursor charge designed to penetrate 'reactive armor' which explodes outward prior to impact, designed to throw the projectile off target.
T-90 MAIN BATTLE TANK
Cost: $4.5m (2011, last year order placed)
Size: 31ft long, 12ft wide, 7ft tall
Weight: 46 tons
Range (main cannon): Up to 2.5miles
Top speed: 37mph
In service: 1993 - present day, currently being replaced by the T-14 Armata
Features: Main armament of 2A46M-5 125mm smoothbore gun, secondary armaments of a 12.7mm Kord heavy machine gun, and a 7.62mm PKMT machine gun.
Also equipped with reactive armor that explodes outward prior to impact to throw missiles off, plus smoke, infrared and electro-visual jammers to block incoming anti-tank weapons.
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