A7V MEPHISTO: THE LAST GERMAN FIRST WORLD WAR TANK

The Queensland Museum is pleased to announce the launch of a new “Pocket Guide” publication on A7V Mephisto. Written by Greg Czechura and Jeff Hopkins-weise, this book contains over 160 photographs and 68 pages of information on the first German designed and built tank the A7V SturmPanzerwagen which saw service during the First World War. Twenty of these armoured fighting vehicles were built but only one survives. The survivor, Chassis Number 506 Mephisto, can be found at the Queensland Museum, Brisbane, Australia. This vehicle was one of the first A7Vs to go into action (March 1918, St Quentin). It later saw service at Villers-Bretonneux (April 1918) where the first tank-versus-tank encounters occurred. During this battle, Mephisto fell into a deep shell crater and was immobilised. It remained here until 22 July when it was recovered by Australian and British troops in a daring night operation under fire and gas attack. Mephisto was eventually shipped to Brisbane, Australia as a war trophy after the cessation of hostilities. It has been on permanent display at the Queensland Museum for the last 90 years. A7V Mephisto. The Last German First World War Tank is a guide for museum visitors and anyone interested in the origins of the first tanks and the development and combat history of A7Vs in particular. The brief combat history of 506 Mephisto is reviewed and its capture described. Photo galleries tell the story of Mephisto at the Queensland Museum and show its interiors and exterior. Extensive use is made of contemporary photographs, postcards and other memorabilia to illustrate this small but highly informative guide. 2008 marks the 90th anniversaries of the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, the capture of Mephisto and the end of hostilities. The publication of A7V Mephisto helps to commemorate these three significant events in military history.