Mephisto (tank)

The A7V tank Mephisto at the Queensland Museum in Brisbane, Australia

Mephisto is the name of a German tank captured by Australian troops during World War I. One of only 21 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.^[1]

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 the Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux on 24 April 1918 by the 26th Battalion of the 7th Brigade, 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.

Following the 2011 Brisbane Floods, the Mephisto was removed from the Queensland Museum for restoration work. It is unknown where and when it will be displayed again.^[2]

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  Mephisto and information about the history of Mephisto at Queensland Museum

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

References

1. ^ "Mephisto" at the Queensland Museum
2. ^ "Qld Museum won't reveal whereabouts of prized German Mephisto tank from World War I" by Sarah Vogler, The Courier-Mail (1 August 2011)

External links

• A7V Mephisto by Greg Czechura and Jeff Hopkins-Weise, ISBN 9780980569209

Coordinates: 27°28′22.77″S 153°01′04.45″E / 27.4729917°S 153.0179028°E / -27.4729917; 153.0179028