A7v mephisto german war tank queensland museum guide booklets information book. A history of the sole surviving first world war german tank by whitmore, mark book description queensland museum, brisbane, 1989 1st edn. Tune in to the museum revealed podcast to hear nick hadnutt, curator of archaeology reveal how the tank ended up in brisbane. Mephisto recovered by british and australian troops in july 1918. Mephisto a7v sturmpanzerwagen 506 a history of the sole. According to abc australia, mephisto, a unique weapon of war and the only surviving german a7v tank from world war i, has gone on display at the australian war memorial in canberra as part of centenary commemorations. Sturmpanzerwagen a total of 20 germanys a7v sturmpanzerwagen were ever built for use in world war i and they saw limited service on the western front in 1918, and today only one survives number 506 mephisto. Aug 19, 2020 mephisto is the sole surviving german a7v sturmpanzerwagen tank in the world, but did you know these facts about the rarest items in our collection. Mephisto, klaus mann 1906 1949 mephisto novel of a career is the sixth novel by klaus mann, which was published in 1936 whilst he was in exile in amsterdam. A7v mephisto german war tank queensland museum guide booklets. One of only 20 built, it is the last surviving example of the first german military tank, and is displayed at the queensland museum in australia. Mephisto is a world war i german tank, the only surviving example of an a7v.
A comprehensive pocketsized guide to the german wwi tank, the a7v mephisto. On 22 august, the tank was towed from norman wharf to the queensland museum in gregory terrace. Nevertheless they were the landmark of german panzer development in the 20th century. Mar 23, 2020 jun 14 1919 mephisto tank unloaded at brisbane. Only a single type of german tank was used in action, the a7v sturmpanzerwagen, and it was a formidable opponent for the allied forces. Great colours photos dont do it justice see photos for best description. Our iconic a7v mephisto tank, the last of its kind in existence, is back on display in our new anzac legacy gallery. Front armour and main gun of german a7v tank mephisto. Wings of the great war german sturmpanzerwagen a7v infantry.
World war one german mephisto a7v tank on display in canberra. There is only one surviving example of an a7v mephisto resides in. Mephisto is the only surviving ww1 german sturmpanzerwagen a7v tank out of the 20 that were built. New zealand soldiers examining a german tank nicknamed schnuck, captured by new zealand forces on the western front. Panzerkampfwagen 506, known as mephisto, was part of the initial german tank detachment which participated in the first german tank attack at st quentin in france. Mar 11, 2021 a collection of a7v pictures from the wwi, also as recent as 2018 at brisbane.
Mephisto, the only remaining german a7v tank from world. The german a7v tank and the captured british mark iv tanks. Battle scars reveal the life of mephisto, a ww1 german tank. Only twenty a7v tanks were ever built and saw action in the great war. The mephisto, one of only 20 german manufactured tanks, saw active service during ww1 as part of the first german detachment, and was one of the four machines that launched the first attack by german tanks. Last of its kind only remaining german a7v tank on display in. This australian museum holds mephisto, the only surviving a7v in the world. Sep 07, 2019 only one a7v, mephisto, survives to the present day as a museum piece. The design of this the very first german tank began in 1916 but. Mephisto was captured in northern france by australian troops and shipped to australia as a war trophy, arriving in brisbane in june 1919. A7v mephisto german war tank queensland museum guide. Like those later german tank designs the a7v was superbly engineered. Ww1 german tank a7v mephisto the devils chariot is the only. The a7v or moving fortress as the british called it, was heavily armored with 20mm of steel plate at its sides and 30mm in the front.
Sturmpanzerwagen a7v 506 mephisto tanks enyclopedia. It was recovered by allied troops about three months later and, after the war, taken to australia as a trophy. It could be armed with 6 gun plus heavier fortification gun mounted in the front. Technology, war and remembrance tells the story of how the german tank ended up in australia. The only surviving a7v is mephisto, which was abandoned by its crew during the battle of villersbretonneux in april 1918. Mephisto a7v sturmpanzerwagen 506 a history of the.
Mephisto is the last surviving a7v tank anywhere in the. This book tells the story of 506 mephisto against a backdrop of conflict, technological change and the heroism of ordinary men. Please note we are not a book shop but vc book and mephisto book are. A mere twenty german a7v sturmpanzerwagen tanks were built during the. This book tells the story of 506 mephisto against a backdrop of conflict. Mephisto was the last surviving german a7v sturmpanzerwagen tank from the world war i queensland museum south bank, qmsb, queensland museum, qm we acknowledge the first peoples the traditional owners of the lands where we live and work, and we recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community.
The german a7v tank and the captured british mark iv tanks of world war i a foulis military book hundleby, maxwell, strasheim, rainer on. It was recovered three months later by british and australian troops, and taken to australia in 1919 as a trophy. The only a7v left in the world surviving from world war 1. Housed at the workshops rail museum, redbank, ipswich, brisbane, australiahoused in a temp controled bubble to slow corrosion after brisbane floodsthe tank. One of only 20 built, it is the last surviving example of the first german.
Battle scars reveal the life of mephisto, a ww1 german tank from a. The last german first world war tank by czechura, gregory. Mephisto is the last surviving german a7v sturmpanzerwagen tank from world war i 19141918. Mephisto a7v sturmpanzerwagen 506 a history of the sole surviving first world war german tank paperback january 1, 1989 by mark whitmore author 5. Aug 01, 2018 a book has just been published to commemorate the 100 th anniversary of the mephistos arrival in brisbane. Panzerkampfwagen 506, known as mephisto, was part of the initial german tank detachment which participated in the first german. Mephisto mephisto is a german a7v tank captured by australian and british troops during world war i. The german a7v tank and the captured british mark iv tanks of world war i. Book dealing with the first world war, technology, science, warfare and remembrance, with a focus on the war trophy german a7v tank mephisto, captured 14 july and recovered 2223 july 1918. One of only 20 built, it is the last surviving example of the first german tank and at present is displayed at the australian war memorial in canberra, australia. Queenslanders and tasmanians of the 26th battalion retrieved the tank from within sight of the german lines. German tanks in world war i gives an insight into the tank service in the germany army in 19171918 and offers a detailed look at the history and colour schemes of the only german designed tank in world war i.
Only a single type of german tank was used in action, the a7v sturmpanzerwagen. Mephisto a7v sturmpanzerwagen 506 a history of the sole surviving first. In 2014 stephen dandocollins published tank boys, a book set against the battle of villersbretonneux and the fate of mephisto. One of only 20 built, it is the last surviving example of the first german tank wikipedia. These newly invented war machines were hot, noisy, and cramped. Sturmpanzer a7v deutsches heer imperial german army 18711919 abt. This sheet contains a all of the decals required to create a scale model of mephisto in any of its appearances. The lk ii still never saw combat and remains largely forgotten. A7v mephisto german tank, last surviving original housed in. Only a single model of a german tank was used in action, the a7v sturmpanzerwagen, and it was a formidable opponent for the allied forces. Australian mephisto remember worlds rarest tank ww1 hard. Also ditched and abandoned at villersbretonneux on 24 april 1918. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on javascript in your browser. During ww1, australian soldiers at the second battle of.
A7v tank krupp deutsches heer imperial german army 18711919 abt. Book recommendations, author interviews, editors picks, and more. Mephisto is a german a7v sturmpanzerwagen tank from world war i, bearing chassis number 506. Jul 17, 2018 mephisto is one of the best known objects in the queensland state collection and has been the subject of significant research and conservation work. Mephisto is the name of a german a7v tank captured by australian troops during world war i. This pocket book sized guide features the only remaining ww1 german a7v tank in the world. A7v sturmpanzerwagen mephisto queensland museum network.
A history of the sole surviving first world war german tank. A book on the daring capture of a german wwi tank by australian soldiers in. Mephisto a7v sturmpanzerwagen 506 a history of the sole surviving first world war german tank whitmore, mark on. Michael westaway, author provided investigation of war relic. Last of its kind only remaining german a7v tank on display. The primary weapon for the a7v, however, was the l26.
Mephisto is a german a7v tank captured by australian and british troops during wwi. Articles, editors choice, world war i by world wars magazine mephisto is a german a7v sturmpanzerwagen tank from world war i, bearing chassis number 506. Nevertheless, it was probably more significant, over the. Fitted with either rochling or krupp armor plate, the first. This book usually ship within 1015 business days and we will endeavor to dispatch orders quicker than this where possible. Australian owned and family operated independent book shop established 2006 in hillcrest browns plains. The german army several years ago had a replica a7v constructed for their museum at munsterlager, filling an important gap in their collection of german afvs. Mephisto tank lands at brisbane mephisto on display in the australian war memorial, july 2015.
A world war one german mephisto a7v tank has been put on display at the australian war memorial in canberra, it is thought to be the last surviving tank of its kind the tank is on display in canberra as part of the centenary commemorations of world war one and will stay on display for the next couple of years before it goes back to its home in brisbane. Mephisto rarest tank in the world australian war memorial. Mephisto is the only surviving from 20 built first world war german a7v sturmpanzerwagen tank left in the world. None of our partner shops or mates has this currently for sale. The a7v tank mephisto at the queensland museum in brisbane, australia. Of germanys a7v sturmpan zerwagen, only 20 were ever built for use in war. One of only 20 built, it is the last surviving example of the first german military tank, and is displayed at the queensland museum in australia mephisto, chassis serial number 506, does not appear to be functional. Sturmpanzer a7v deutsches heer imperial german army 18711919 506 mephisto july 1918 villersbretonneux green, brown, sand.
Greg czechura senior information officer queensland. Well, thats not quite the whole truth, but there you go. Only remaining german wwi tank marks 100 years in australian. Qld museum remembers australian wwi heroism defence connect. It includes a map of the attack at vb on which the map on page 201 of the new book is clearly based. This pocket companion contains everything you need to know about the only surviving a7v mephisto tank, housed at the queensland museum. Beutepanzer im ersten weltkrieg captured tanks in the first world war in german. The german a7v tank and the captured british mk iv tanks of world war i. A book has just been published to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the mephistos arrival in brisbane. Mephisto ww1 german tank mephisto is the name of a. From technical specifications to service history, its the next best thing to being in the drivers seat.
Video footage taken at the australian war memorial of the sole surviving example of a german a7v sturmpanzerwagen tank. They saw limited service on the western front in 1918, and today only one survives number 506, mephisto. This was germanys world war i tank and it was a real killer. To commemorate the centenary anniversary of a7v mephistos capture and. Were kicking things off with the german a7v but there are plenty more on the way.
A7v mephisto german tank, last surviving original housed. This book, published by haynes better known for their excellent series of auto manuals is an important reference for this unusual vehicle and includes dozens of photographs of the preserved tank mephisto, contemporary photos, and plans and drawings. The german a7v tank and the captured british mark iv tanks of. Mephisto a7v sturmpanzerwagen 506 a history of the sole surviving. A latecomer to the great war tank development between 19151918 as it became apparent that the great war was becoming a tremendous stalemate following the failure of the schleiffen plan, new tools and tactics had to be developed. Last of its kind only remaining german a7v tank on. Jun 04, 2018 the fact that mephisto, the sole surviving a7v, wound up here in australia also amazed me.
Mephisto is the last surviving a7v tank anywhere in the world. Jul 20, 2018 the a7v sturmpanzerwagen mephisto in transit at the ipswich railway works museum. I cant say i would place a lot of trust in a source that refers to mephisto as an av7. Battle scars reveal the life of mephisto, a ww1 german. It was published for the first time in germany in the east berlin aufbauverlag in 1956.
The british mk i tank was unleashed during the battle of the somme in september 1916 but the germans were much slower to develop an armoured fighting vehicle of their own. This pocket companion contains everything you need to know about the only. More information about this seller contact this seller 23. In april 1918, during a german attack at villersbretonneux on the western front, it became stuck in a shellhole and was abandoned by its crew. It is on display in the anzac hall at the australian war. German wwi a7v tank 506 mephisto, custom hobby decals ws. The a7v was a promising start from a nation that would come to lead the world in tank design twenty years later.
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