The Military Workshop
1st Lieutenant
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2005
- Messages
- 4,778
Guys,
I just mentioned this in a thread in the K&C section but thought forum readers
might be interested :
The only original A7V WWI German tank in the world is in Brisbane Australia.
Apparently a German company offered about A$20 million for it several years ago which was declined. They got the specifications and apparently made two replicas back home in Germany.
A bit of background "Mephisto remained stranded at Monument Wood until July 1918, when Australian troops of the 26th Battalion AIF (composed mainly of Queenslanders) eventually pushed the Allied front line past Mephisto's position. It was recovered by Allied forces on the night of 22 July 1918 and taken to Vaux-en-Amienois before being shipped to England in January 1919. During this time, Mephisto was 'redecorated' with details of its capture, soldiers' names and a 'British' lion with his paw on an A7V.
Subsequently, it was proposed that the tank to be displayed as a 'war trophy' in Queensland. Mephisto eventually arrived in Brisbane aboard the S S Armagh in June 1919 where it was unloaded at the Norman Wharf. On the morning of 22 August, two City Council steamrollers towed the tank to the Queensland Museum in Gregory Terrace. It remained there until 1986 when both it and the Museum were relocated to the Queensland Cultural Centre, South Bank".
For further information on this tank go to www.qm.qld.gov.au/features/mephisto/index.asp
Regards
Brett
I just mentioned this in a thread in the K&C section but thought forum readers
might be interested :
The only original A7V WWI German tank in the world is in Brisbane Australia.
Apparently a German company offered about A$20 million for it several years ago which was declined. They got the specifications and apparently made two replicas back home in Germany.
A bit of background "Mephisto remained stranded at Monument Wood until July 1918, when Australian troops of the 26th Battalion AIF (composed mainly of Queenslanders) eventually pushed the Allied front line past Mephisto's position. It was recovered by Allied forces on the night of 22 July 1918 and taken to Vaux-en-Amienois before being shipped to England in January 1919. During this time, Mephisto was 'redecorated' with details of its capture, soldiers' names and a 'British' lion with his paw on an A7V.
Subsequently, it was proposed that the tank to be displayed as a 'war trophy' in Queensland. Mephisto eventually arrived in Brisbane aboard the S S Armagh in June 1919 where it was unloaded at the Norman Wharf. On the morning of 22 August, two City Council steamrollers towed the tank to the Queensland Museum in Gregory Terrace. It remained there until 1986 when both it and the Museum were relocated to the Queensland Cultural Centre, South Bank".
For further information on this tank go to www.qm.qld.gov.au/features/mephisto/index.asp
Regards
Brett