Mephisto (tank)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (March 2008) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Mephisto is the name of a German tank captured by Australian troops during World War I. One of only 20 built, it is the last surviving example of the first German military tank, the A7V Sturmpanzerwagen, and is displayed at the Queensland Museum in Australia.

Mephisto, chassis serial number 506, does not appear to be functional, but some years ago was able to be explored. It is now protected from the public and the elements by glass.

The name Mephisto is painted on the end facing of the box-shaped tank. The tank was captured at Villers-Bretonneux on 24 April 1918 by a battalion of Australian troops, mostly from Queensland.

Unlike modern tanks, the A7V has no single, large central turret, but instead is armed with a number of smaller casemates, two on each side and one at each end. A replica A7V was built in Germany in 1991, which is modelled substantially upon Mephisto.

"Mephisto" — and information about the history of "Mephisto", at Queensland Museum

Close-up photo of the information about the history of "Mephisto" at Queensland Museum

[edit] External links

• Queensland Museum, where the tank is displayed.
• Another page at Queensland Museum.