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Just as the Mexican Border War had introduced mechanized vehicles to combat, WWI marked the first time motorized ambulances were used to transport the wounded from the front lines to field and civilian hospitals. At the start of the war, in fact, the French still moved some of the wounded in horse-drawn carts.

Other armored vehicles include armored tanks, cavalry tanks, armored cars, trucks, and light tanks, armored command vehicles, jeeps, artillery tractors and unmanned demolition vehicles. Military forces also employed light scout cars, light reconnaissance cars, and light and heavy artillery tanks to fight the war.

Two technologies that were crucial in shaping the First World War were railways and artillery. Railways provided the enormous logistical capacity needed to support huge armies in the field for years on end, including transportation of millions of artillery shells.

Throughout the war the railways were the quickest way of moving people and goods around the country and most places had ready access to a railway station. Despite their vital role there was relatively low investment in the railway system.

The first large scale use of motor vehicles in warfare occurred during "The Great War," starting in 1916. Early on, the British used a number of GMC model 15 trucks, similar to those used in pursuit of Pancho Villa. GMC developed the improved model 16, ¾ -ton truck and released it in 1916.

World War I. Generally, armored cars were used by more or less independent car commanders. However, sometimes they were used in larger units up to squadron size. The cars were primarily armed with light machine guns, but larger units usually employed a few cars with heavier guns.

Perhaps the most famous WWII vehicle was the General Purpose transport vehicles used by the U.S. military. These military trucks could be used as supply transport for medical items, artillery shells, and more. Maintaining secure supply lines is critical during war times.

Easily the most famous vehicle of World War II, the jeep derived its name from the acronym for GP (general purpose) vehicle. When the German army overran Western Europe in 1940, the importance of mechanized transport became apparent to the United States.

Not only did it become the workhorse of the American military, as it replaced the use of horses and other draft animals (still heavily used in World War I) in every role, from cavalry units to supply trains, but improvised field modifications also made the jeep capable of just about any other function G.I.s could think ...