Combat History
Mephisto’s beginnings in the First World War made it part of one of the bloodiest conflicts in the history of humankind. The war witnessed the mechanisation of armed forces across the world, and all sides raced to develop new weaponry that would bring some advantage over their opponents.
In 1916 the British Army deployed the first tanks at the battle of the Somme, and allied forces continued to use tanks in ever increasing numbers in 1917. It wasn’t until late 1917 that the German Army produced a modest number of A7V Sturmpanzerwagen’s which were deployed in combat the following year.
The A7V’s were involved in the first tank versus tank action. Crewed with 18 men, the cumbersome war machines clambered into action in April 1918.
Along with several A7V Sturmpanzerwagen’s, Mephisto participated in a tank battle in late April 1918 near the French town of Villers-Bretonneux, where it was immobilised after falling into a shell crater.
In July 1918 a detachment of soldiers from the 26th Battalion of the AIF helped recover the abandoned tank and drag it back to the allied lines. It was eventually sent to Australia as a war trophy.