Mephisto and the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux

The Second battle of Villers-Bretonneux represented a critical turning point in the Great War. While most fans of military history recall the first battle between tanks, the fate of the A7V "Mephisto" tells the story of tank warfare in the First World War. The History Guy recalls the story of the only surviving A7V.
This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
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All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.
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Script by THG
#wwi #thehistoryguy #a7v

[@russelljones5176]

My Great-uncle Ted - Corporal Edward Pearce (51st Battalion AIF) - was wounded in the Australian counter-attack that retook Villers-Bretonneux, on 25 April 1918. He had previously been wounded and gassed at the Battle of Passchendaele the year before, and was a veteran of the Gallipoli campaign, but his wound at VB kept him out of combat for the rest of WW1. He returned to Australia in October 1918, and was met on Station Pier in Port Melbourne by his wife, whom he had not seen for 4 years. Two days later she died of Spanish influenza, leaving him alone with two children to raise. His four brothers who served were not so lucky. Bert (Auckland Regt NZEF) was wounded at Gallipoli, and died of wounds at Alexandria on 17 August 1915. Richard (15th Battalion AIF) was killed at Gallipoli on 27 August 1915, Stan (5th Battalion AIF) was killed at Pozieres on 20 August 1916 and Carl (1st Australian Battalion Imperial Camel Corps) was killed at the 1st Battle of Amman in Palestine on the morning of 30 March 1918. Of the four brothers, only Bert has a known grave. Ted's story isn't all doom and gloom. He remarried, and had a long and mostly happy life. At a family gathering in the 1960s, when I was a child, I asked Uncle Ted why he always sat leaning to the left. He answered succinctly, "Because the effing Germans shot my effing a*** off at Villers-Bretonneux." My grandmother immediately scolded him, "Ted! Language, in front of the children!" Uncle Ted said nothing in reply, just grinned, and gave me a wink. I think he can be forgiven for that minor transgression. For the record, Uncle Ted's service record euphemistically states his wound received at Villers Bretonneux as gsw right thigh.

[@russelljones5176]

@Nicholas Kirk It's a difficult subject for me and my family. I mourn the men I never knew, the cousins I never had. I mourn for my grandfather WIlliam, who suffered from life-long grief for his four lost brothers. He did not enlist, as he was married with two children, and thought it more important that he stay and care for his family than going gallivanting off to war. When William was on a tram in 1918 on his way to work, a woman gave him a white feather for cowardice. He told her that he had lost four brothers to the war, and he had no intention of inflicting more pain on his mother by enlisting. The woman went bright red with shame, and got off at the next stop, while the other passengers gave him a round of applause for his words. I have a letter from Carl to my grandfather, written three months after the Australians were evacuated from Gallipoli. In it, Carl told him never to enlist, that the horror of war was worse than anything that could ever be imagined. Carl wrote that all he wanted was to come home, marry his girlfriend Mary and have a family like his. I traced Mary - she never married, or had children, dying in 1969. Carl was instantly killed by a shot to the head in house to house fighting in Amman, about 4 in the morning on 30 March 1918. His mates had to leave his body behind when they withdrew from their position. There are digitised photos of Carl in the Australian War Memorial collection - they are easy enough to google. Stan was killed by an artillery shell, after only two weeks on the front line in France. There was nothing left to bury. No one knows what happened to Richard - he just vanished on the battlefield, in the midst of heavy fighting. Our family does not think of their bravery - we think of the loss and horror of war, and the grief that followed.

[@russelljones5176]

@Nicholas Kirk It's a difficult subject for me and my family. I mourn the men I never knew, the cousins I never had. I mourn for my grandfather WIlliam, who suffered from life-long grief for his four lost brothers. He did not enlist, as he was married with two children, and thought it more important that he stay and care for his family than going gallivanting off to war. When William was on a tram in 1918 on his way to work, a woman gave him a white feather for cowardice. He told her that he had lost four brothers to the war, and he had no intention of inflicting more pain on his mother by enlisting. The woman went bright red with shame, and got off at the next stop, while the other passengers gave him a round of applause for his words. I have a letter from Carl to my grandfather, written three months after the Australians were evacuated from Gallipoli. In it, Carl told him never to enlist, that the horror of war was worse than anything that could ever be imagined. Carl wrote that all he wanted was to come home, marry his girlfriend Mary and have a family like his. I traced Mary - she never married, or had children, dying in 1969. Carl was instantly killed by a shot to the head in house to house fighting in Amman, about 4 in the morning on 30 March 1918. His mates had to leave his body behind when they withdrew from their position. There are digitised photos of Carl in the Australian War Memorial collection - they are easy enough to google. Stan was killed by an artillery shell, after only two weeks on the front line in France. There was nothing left to bury. No one knows what happened to Richard - he just vanished on the battlefield, in the midst of heavy fighting. Our family does not think of their bravery - we think of the loss and horror of war, and the grief that followed.

[@russelljones5176]

@Nicholas Kirk Don't feel concerned - the Pearce brothers' stories should be known, if only to tell people of the true nature of war, and the effect it has on those who died, and those who survived - even over a century years later. War is not glorious - read some of Wilfred Owen's WW1 poetry, especially Dulce et Decorum Est - this expresses my feelings far more eloquently than I can write.

[@mikehoare1338]

Thanks for the insight and that you tell your families moving story in public. These personal fates are never told in history books.

[@bigboy9693]

When the tank was out side the old museum in the valley, I used to go and play in Mephisto as a child, I grew up next to a soldier who was involved in its recovery from the battlefield and this is how it ended up in Queensland. Fond memories, standing in the tank looking at those engines and it's massive gearbox.

[@fliccochon]

Many of us did that. It was more fun than the two dinosaurs which stood near it.

[@KoolKman]

Yep, during the early 80s I managed to sneak into it one night as a dare..didn't realise how cramped it was inside! and I always thought the poor driver on top got hit with a mortar or the like..so the Germans blew it up themselves? learn a new thing everyday, Thanks History Guy.

[@martinreinhold6589]

@@KoolKman I climbed on it in the early/mid 80's when it was outside at South Bank. I didn't climb in but I looked in and remember it being full of garbage. Coke cans, plastic and other rubbish. We just didn't know what we had in those days and didn't look after it. So glad it is now properly cared for.

[@goodshipkaraboudjan]

@@fliccochon Yep I remember being a kid climbing on Mephisto while waiting for the bus after a school excursion to the museum.

[@bluedogreddogstumpy5868]

Funny thing is mate you and i probably ended playing in it together- my sister used to take me to play in it in the late 1960s/early 70s and I always ended playing war with some other kid who was there....small world.

[@oldmanriver1955]

The Battle of Villers-Bretonneux occured on the night of 24-25 April. The 25th is our Anzac Day, a day of national remembrance. Our national memorial is situated on the high ground as is our Western Front museum. The general who planned and led the battle was the great, Brigadier Pompey Elliott who sadly committed suicide, a victim of PTSD. The battle was a masterpiece of sustained night attack without a heavy prelim bombardment. I had the honour of being at V-B on the 100th annivetsay in 2018 and laying a wreath. Very emotional service.

[@pshehan1]

I was in V-B later in 2018 on a tour of battlefields where my great grandfather and great uncle fought with the AIF. I am from Melbourne and had a beer in the hotel Melbourne and visited the Victoria school.

[@ray.shoesmith]

Pompey was loved by his men, no small feat commanding Australian Battalions and Brigades in WW1. His depression stemmed from the loss of the men under his command. His war never ended, he was just KIA 13 years after the shooting stopped

[@oldmanriver1955]

@@ray.shoesmith I don't think he ever forgave himself for the destruction of his troops at Fromelles. He was visibly crying in the trenches as they returned.

[@evanevans1843]

Big fan of Pompey Elliot but also the counter-attack included the Australian 13th Brigade under Brigadier General Thomas William Glasgow with the 15th Brigade under Brigadier General H. E. "Pompey" Elliott. The success of these eight undermanned Divisions in kicking the German Army out of VB is why VB is celebrated by the townsfolk as an Australian town. The rebuilding of VB by Victoria donations came later, but was equally welcomed by the people of VB.

[@karl303]

Thanks History Guy, as someone from Brisbane I know Mephisto well. Great to see this

[@Life_Is_Torture0000]

Just wondering...how do Aussie men walk with balls like that? 🤘

[@KimRobertson]

Yep. I have even touched it when it was on display outside the old Queensland museum. Thanks for the history! I never knew so much detail about it.

[@KimRobertson]

😊

[@RobertSmith-pt7gl]

Go hard Aussies.

[@bubbacaine2870]

My Great Great Grandfather was a involved in the capture and relocation or Mephisto. In itself the story of Mephisto's voyage to Brisbane Australia is very entertaining as it was told buy my Grand father and then my Father. Very proud of the Aussies who captured it.

[@samr8591]

My great great grandfather was one of the 26th Battalion who captured it as well, William Themor. It has been a very important story to our family.

[@robbaskerville253]

All the Brisbanites jumping in to support our favourite tank. Gotta admit it's a random place for it to end up, but we are strangely proud of it.

[@quillmaurer6563]

Not a random place - they earned it!

[@kennethkellogg6556]

And well you should be proud: it is the world's only surviving German WWI tank.

[@JohnCran]

Of course we are proud of it. I remember reading a story in one of the free rags back in the 90's. It was a piece on the weirdest places people had sex in Brisbane. One of them was on top of Mephisto which was at the time in front of the new Museum with very small space between the top of the tank and the ceiling. That's something I'll never forget

[@goodshipkaraboudjan]

@@JohnCran lol bugger. As a kid we'd climb up on top of the tank during school excursions. I don't remember seeing any used condoms luckily.

[@charlieclelland5895]

Mephisto was recovered from the battlefield on the initiative of Lt.Col Robinson C/O 26th Inf.Battalion AIF. He raised the prospect for recovery of the tank with higher command and the 26th Bn did much of the manual work building an access track to the tank through Allied lines. The tank was recovered by a pair of vehicles from the British 1st Gun Carrier Company with volunteers from 26th Bn providing security. The 26th Bn was a Queensland unit - it's depot was in Brisbane and many of the soldiers serving in the 26th were Queenslanders. The Queensland Premier and Governor at the time made strong representations to get Mephisto as a war trophy. When SS Armagh sailed to Australia in early 1919 loaded with war trophies it stopped in Brisbane and off loaded Mephisto.

[@bazil19550607]

When I was just a kid in the 1960s I was lucky to have visited the old Queensland Museum when they were doing a spot of cleaning Mephisto. Actually allowed to play inside the beast and imagine being in a tank battle. It was just a shell with lots of holes where the gun ports were. A worker had left rubbish in the back. It was hot and smelly then so it was probably almost unbearable with a full crew and a working engine. A great memory and probably not shared by too many.

[@John-ru5ud]

In the Hundred Days Offensive one of the leading units was the Australian Corps, led by Lt. Gen. John Monash. General Monash developed the concept of the combined arms offensive, which included infantry, artillery, armor, and aviation, and which was able to break through the trench defenses. The allied assault on the first day was described by Hindenburg as "The black day of the German army."

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/sH2Te3uGeZWohc0

[@brendanquinlan5936]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@kimchipig]

The Canadians were doing just the same.

[@aaronleverton4221]

Sir John Monash, knighted in the field by His Majesty King George V. The first time in two centuries and the last time the monarch has traveled to the scene.

[@Paveway-chan]

I would argue he laid the groundwork... It took decades for combined-arms tactics on an operational level to be developed and refined in the various militaries of the world. See this video for more information: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmikmJZ4fthrmK8

[@pauls1883]

I remember my mum taking me to the Brisbane exhibition ground. I recall seeing Mephisto. I also remember thinking “that’s not a tank!. I’ve seen them on TV and they don’t look like that!”

[@adriang6259]

I've been to the Anzac Museum at that village and stood for a photo under the Mural in the adjoining primary school that reads "Do not forget Australia". As an Aussie it is very humbling. The village has Australian street names like Emu road or Kangaroo street. I've also gone to the massive monument outside the town where they hold Anzac day services. Interesting enough, the "Night" attack was early morning Anzac day, 25 April. Three years to the day of the Gallipoli landings. The date and time for the attack would have been poignant to say the least, to those diggers. They were never going to lose. Although the fighting lasted the whole day before the two pincers finally met.

[@earthenjadis8199]

We've all heard that story of the big sign at the local school. But did you know it was put up there at the insistence of the then Victorian Minister for Education? It was Aussie-made propaganda intended for an Aussie audience. When the mayor of Villers-Bretonneux was asked by the Victorian government in 1920 how could Australia help them out, they said they wanted a memorial abattoir! After WW1, their main concern was creating jobs for the local people. The reality wasn't quite as romantic as Aussies have been taught...

[@adriang6259]

I knew most of that, not all the minor details.

[@Aviationlord7742]

I’m a brisbane local and I’ve been to the museum and visited that tank so many times as a kid. Shame I didn’t find out the historical significance until a few years ago

[@tommurray8312]

has in canberra for abit wasnt it? love too see it

[@Aviationlord7742]

Tom Murray yes in 2015 it was in Canberra. After 2018 it was returned to Brisbane

[@davidsargent9359]

As a young Army recruit we went to the War Memorial. Most info, educational and hands on experience one could ever hope to enjoy for a small donation.

[@Aviationlord7742]

David Sargent I’ve been there 3 times and I loved every second. I wish I could live in Canberra, I’d be there every day

[@wonniewarrior]

Ooooh that makes me jealous. Are there any tank crew artifacts on display with it such as crew uniforms and equipments that were captured with the tank ? And is it capable of running under it own power (It own engine) ? EDIT - I have climbed many times as a kid over the Centurion tank at Caribbean Gardens market in Melbourne as a kid, but sadly it got wrecked by vandals and weather. There a Centurion on display at local Vietnam Veteran Museum on phillip island, it amazing how huge a tank is in real life when standing next to one.

[@av_oid]

Took my sons 5 and 7 to visit the Queensland Museum for the Apollo 11 exhibit last year. They saw Mephisto on the way in and were captivated. When they are older I’ll have to make sure they understand tanks in the context of war. Sometimes war is necessary, but it’s best avoided.

[@kombik7189]

Wonderful vid. Two members of my family lie in the ground at Villers-Bretonneux. The Australians retook the ground but, like every other battle of WW1, there was a terrible cost. I’ve seen Mephisto, too, when it was on loan to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra some years ago. It’s stories like these and the recent anniversary of VE Day that remind me how vain and paltry the current cries of injustice and suffering are compared to those things our grandparents and great grandparents endured in a world where the value of human life was comparatively so low and the safety net for the sick, maimed, widowed and orphaned was virtually non-existent.

[@aaronleverton4221]

"On loan" now there's a tricky thing. It was never the property of the Qld museum, but something happened in Brisbane and she was offloaded when she shouldn't have been. Officially the tank is part of the AWM's collection, but is relatively permanently displayed in Brisbane, allowing all to keep face.

[@KrisHandsome]

Amazing, you’ve taken the story of great personal loss and used it to spread hate against those who fight injustice today. Suffering exists at all points in history. Hundreds of years of slavery in the US makes the sacrifices of many during WW1 seem tame. Yet there’s no point comparing them, same with the threat many face now from police forces that view themselves to be above the law. Rather than belittle the problems people face because you think others suffered worse, we should work to end suffering and injustice in all case.

[@kombik7189]

Kris Handsome And I find it amazing that you haven’t raised the story of the Harlem Warlords who, maligned by their own commanders, were armed by the French and fought to great renown, only to return to ignominy, racism and Jim Crow in their homeland, as did other African Americans in WW2. But slavery is gone from the USA 155 years now and through the labours of Martin Luther King Jnr and others Jim Crow is gone and all returned US servicemen are honoured, regardless of race. Yes, people suffer throughout the ages, but a sense of proportion is important, and I have no hatred for anyone. I might add, plenty of those in need of a sense of proportion are white. I’ll leave it at that.

[@KrisHandsome]

kombi k A sense of proportion has no bearing on whether the injustice exists or not. Slavery was worse than Jim Crow, yet they’re both injustices. The mistreatment of many black veterans in the US (including my grandfather) after and during many conflicts is tragic, but even though that and many Jim Crow era laws have largely been abolished, there’s still more to be done. I don’t consider it “vain and paltry” to draw attention to the fact that people like me can be shot and killed by the police with impunity. I don’t consider it “vain and paltry” to fight against injustice in all forms even though someone with a vastly different life experience thinks that such injustices simply don’t exist because other injustices occurred in the past. Further, it’s quite hateful to declare all concerns of racism now to be “vain and paltry” simply because you think the past is so bad that society is perfect by comparison.

[@kombik7189]

Kris Handsome But I didn’t declare those things. I’ve explained my comment. If you can’t take me at my word then you’ll find hatred in all who think differently and unhappiness much of the time. And to what end? You know me not at all. I’m just another KZbin commenter. I hope you can find peace and count your blessings.

[@SCOTTBULGRIN]

I had the good fortune to visit Mophisto when I took leave and went to Australia with a shipmate of mine in 1989. My shipmate had cousins in Brisbane and Mophisto was on our list of things to do. I hadn't been restored yet, at that time it sat open in a small city park covered in decades of graffiti. Children were climbing all over it with only a small plack to let the odd visitors from The United States Navy to read. I'm glad to see it's finally in a museum.

[@goodshipkaraboudjan]

Mephisto was the most famous playground in Brisbane for kids. I remember climbing on it in the early 2000s. Glad it's rightfully been properly restored and placed in a better display but it's still a local icon.

[@Paveway-chan]

*Standing in the line of fire,* *32 will lead the way* *Coming over trench and wire,* *Going through the endless gray* This has been the obligatory Sabatonposting comment, please enjoy your day.

[@kommandantbaker]

You're doing the lord's work my dude

[@caldera11]

Sabaton is just a shittier Sabadu

[@Keckegenkai]

Sabaton and their fans are pure cringe

[@thegiverion3982]

Listen to 1914 - A7 v. It's so much better than the pop songs of Sabaton

[@Paveway-chan]

@@Keckegenkai Bwahaaa, your whinging pleases me

[@TheRealUnconnected]

I have visited the town, and as an Australian it is an extremely moving place. Especially the local school. I reccomend all australian's visit the town if they have a chance.

[@aaronleverton4221]

If I ever get the chance, Gallipoli, Beersheba/Gaza, Villers-Breteneux and Ypres will be visited.

[@sharonshookup]

I wonderful how certain towns develop century old relationships with other towns or countries, either through war or disasters. Halifax and Boston; The Netherlands and Canada; Gander Newfoundland and 911 diverted planes and many more......

[@donaldmoreland8909]

Visited there in 2019 the school has a great museum

[@sharpshooter_Aus]

@@aaronleverton4221 Walk the Kokoda trail too mate. That shit is on my bucket list.

[@Cujo2447]

Former Army Cavalry Scout here. I worked closely with Tank crews as our organization of elements included, at least my 1st year serving, 2 platoons of Cav Scouts & 2 platoons of tanks. One of the common mantras you can here from Armored service members is "take care of your vehicle, it will take care of you". We'd spend 90% of our down time fixing, rearming, cleaning, re-fixing, babying & cooing, etc... our vehicles because, though it's been around 100 years since armors inception into warfare, some things never changed. They seem to spring leaks or simply break *while still parked in the motorpool*. Loved this episode THG, thanks for the vid!

[@patrickvanderlaan1151]

Thx History Guy. Stoked to see our tank on your channel. Also enjoyed your Slouch Hat episode.

[@adamknipe216]

I live in Australia, Mephisto is in great hands and very much cared for,she's kept inside and loved with TLC,the size and mass of her is eye opening upfront you don't get the size of this monster on a screen,come down under one day and check it out the beers are always cold here.

[@garycourtenay4719]

Yep, I remember going on a school outing and climbing over the mephisto, back when the museum was next to the Brisbane showgrounds. Must get to the new museum and take the grandkids!

[@neilc7101]

I just posted a comment about doing the same. You must be as old as me. Lol I don’t suppose you went to Ascot state school ?

[@jezzeronthecoast]

I stumbled over this tank a few years ago in the museum in Brisbane, it's amazing to see.

[@VonChoker]

I remember as a kid living in Brisbane visiting Mephisto at the museum many times and before they had it preserved behind glass spending lots of time trying to climb on it but unfortunately it was sealed. It's most likely the main inspiration for my fascination of tanks of all types thinking back on it. I'm so glad my Australian forebears had the presence of mind to preserve this piece of history and look after it. The same people destroying all the statues currently would probably be inclined to destroy pieces of history like this and they all deserve to be remembered or we will not learn from them

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

IT dies seem amazing, today. that the UK, US and France all received A7Vs for testing and then just scrapped them. the Tank Museum does have a working reproduction.

[@wilfdarr]

Context: though I do think those status should be destroyed, it should be done by the city, democratically, by officials charged by the people to do it, not by rioters. The people those status commemorate don't deserve to be remembered that way (though it should definitely not be forgotten the evil people can do to each other!). A war trophy is different: it commemorates the sacrifice of the people who fought and died to make it's capture a possibility. I don't think most people would be confused by that.

[@wilfdarr]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel Did you mention this in the video? I didn't catch that. That is just crazy! Edit: oh they tested them after the war, they didn't get samples to test before the war. I misunderstood. Still, that they didn't keep them being as strange as they were is odd. Makes me wonder what pieces of history we're tossing right now without realizing it: the Canadian Iltus comes to mind, being so unassuming, I'm only aware of one in a military museum, for all the peace keeping around the globe that that little vehicle was responsible for.

[@aaronleverton4221]

@@wilfdarr Following WW2 the British received 2 V2 rockets, which had terrorised London. What did they do with them? They test fired them into the North Sea, learning nothing of use.

[@VonChoker]

@@wilfdarr So you consider statues of Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Winston Churchill, Andrew Jackson, Robert E Lee etc to all be evil? Because those are some of the statues they've tried to tear down, remove or deface. This mentality of destroying someones culture comes from a belief in which that culture does not belong or represent them. This is exactly the same series of destruction of history that happened when Communism took over both Russia and China. Also when when Tibet was invaded many Buddhist monuments were destroyed. Same thing happened when Isis took over parts of Syria many historic statues and places of worship were destroyed. During the French revolution the same thing and when the Vandals invaded Rome - same thing. History repeats over and over. This happened because the people taking over didn't want that history or religion because it didn't represent them. Letting Rioters make that decision for you is no different than living in Rome with the Vandals at your door. If the majority of the people want things like that changed it can be done democratically but to let a baying mob (while ideologically possessed) decree what is right or wrong is witnessing the start of the destruction of your civilization.

[@ironhornforge]

This tank lives here in my city and I'm very proud to have her. She's very well loved and incredibly important to our history and to the world. I visit her often even to this day

[@glenngrant7778]

There's a good story about the retaking of Villers-Bretonneux by the Australians, and the school that was built after the War by the donations of school children in Victoria. It would be worth a look at by the History Guy. Villers-Bretonneux have never forgotten the Australians.

[@glenchapman3899]

And to this day, the school kids in that village sing the Australian national anthem every Australia Day. Say what you like about the French, but they never forget a good deed!

[@paythepiper6283]

Described by many historians as the single greatest feat of modern warfare.

[@brendanquinlan5936]

So many stories. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@aaronleverton4221]

@@glenchapman3899 Well, except for that time back in c. 2002 that they decided to move a bunch of Australian war graves to extend a runway.

[@Elora445]

@@aaronleverton4221 Hey, better that they move the graves than building the road right on top of them, completely ruining the graves, right?

[@mackenshaw8169]

Thanks HG for this one. Villers-Bretonneux is a special place for me. For a few years I took part in the memorial game of Australian Rules Football match for ANZAC day there. Streets are named after Australian towns and cities and the school financed by Victorian state school children after the war bears the moto "Remember Australia". Not far from there is the location where the Red Baron met his end.

[@11buster1000]

I get to see this beauty when ever I want.

[@Peoples_Republic_of_Devonshire]

You lucky bugger

[@davidwhite4874]

I used to know somebody called Darren Earwaker. Almost, but not quite, you.

[@ihateemael]

as a boy growing up in Brisbane in the 70's, my family and I would occasionally visit the (old)Queensland museum. They used to have a collection of odd looking antique pistols, a tigermoth hanging from the rafters and sitting under an awning out the front was this odd looking tank painted white. It didn't have any guns in it but that didn't stop my me and my brothers from shooting up many an imaginary enemy as they loomed into view. I haven't seen it since its been restored and rehoused in the new museum, but i'll bet my kids won't be able to climb all over it playing cowboys and indians like we did.

[@davidsargent9359]

Those that don’t thoroughly enjoy The History Guy , would boo Santa Claus! Thanks THG

[@HemlockRidge]

Soooo, Philadelphia hates the History Guy?

[@PJ-pj8lr]

Obama must hate really hate the History Guys guts !

[@samiam619]

P J And tRump would think that if it didn’t mention him... it wasn’t real!

[@spsmith6919]

@@PJ-pj8lr I didn't know Obama was from Philly.

[@malusignatius]

Having seen Mephisto for most of my childhood (I grew up and currently live in Brisbane) , I only saw her restored recently. It was... sobering to see her restored to her former glory.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

It is fascinating that it wasn't until the most recent restoration in 2011 that they made a really comprehensive study of the battle damage from 1918.

[@malusignatius]

Indeed. From memory she spent some time in Germany during that period as well. I'm pretty sure she's the model that they used to make a replica A7 for the Munich tank museum.

[@camerondunn6258]

Food for thought. They did it in 2011 because Brisbane was flooded that year, and unfortunately Mephisto got coated inside and out with Brisbane River mud.. (anyone living in Brisbane at this time will remember the smell and shudder). While tanks are made for muddy conditions, this was a bit over the top for a 93 year old tank! I think they did a lot of restoration work at the railway workshops at Ipswich. Thanks again History Guy!

[@aussiedonaldduck2854]

@@camerondunn6258 The Ipswich railway workshops are also a real treat for anyone interested in history, took my kids there several times. And yes the smell was bad in 2011.

[@thurin84]

@@malusignatius she was used for the model but the germans went to autralia to take measurements.

[@alanvonify]

When I was younger you could climb all over the tank in its position outside the museum, it’s inside now and is still amazing. Might be frowned upon climbing now though.

[@goodshipkaraboudjan]

Haha yeah I remember doing the same while waiting for the school bus to pick us up after excursions. To kids it was just a big steel playground.

[@southerncross9990]

Great to hear this story, my Great Grandfather was in the group that captured the tank. Thanks THG.

[@dougstubbs9637]

I used to climb Mephisto at the old Museum as a kid. That old Museum, on Bowen Bridge and Gregory, was at construction the largest Brick building in the Southern Hemisphere, now repurposed as an Arts Centre.Was there the day the tank was moved, my BIL was one of the truck drivers,along with the Dinosaur, moved to undercover at the New Museum.

[@sophrapsune]

It's fantastic that you've covered the history of the sole surviving A7V Sturmpanzerwagen "Mephisto", an extraordinary relic of the Great War. As you mentioned, it has lived in Brisbane, Queensland, as war booty for over a hundred years now, first arriving here in June 1919. When I was a child in the 1970s, we used to climb over this vehicle as it sat out in the weather outside the old Queensland Museum in Spring Hill. Since then, the passing of time seems to have given the vehicle greater recognition as a precious & exceptionally rare relic of the Great War. I last saw it two years ago, just prior to its restoration, sitting in an atmospherically-controlled bubble in the Workshops Railway Museum in Ipswich. Since then, it has returned to the Queensland Museum but is now housed and carefully preserved inside. Thanks to your inspiration, I'm going into the Museum right now to visit "Mephisto" again: once a weapon of war, then war booty shipped to the opposite side of the planet, a memorial to the sacrifices of soldiers in the Great War, then an outdoor plaything for children, and now a precious historical artefact. That's truly history that deserves to be remembered. Thank you.

[@John_NJDM]

I feel like there should be a team of Jawas operating this thing.

[@BirchBarlow]

Funny, I just watched the Rifftrax version of A New Hope this morning.

[@sophrapsune]

Now you mention it, it was probably the inspiration for the sand crawler...

[@kevinconnor9676]

true

[@nu.wa.n]

George lucas took a lot of inspiration from the world wars.

[@markrowland1366]

Thirty years ago I moved to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, and went to join the library. Standing in my way was Mafisto. At well over six foot tall I had a clear view through the many gunports. How seventeen men must have suffered, standing, packed inside that pokie little stinkhole and motored boldly for the enemy, both impressed and sickened me.

[@arkzbh]

Hi Sir, My dad was a history teacher for over 39 years and probably from there I found my interest in history. I found you not too long ago and subscribed immediately. I have seen that you have few videos on British India, can you please do some more? I believe UK's history books don't teach their students about the colonialism at all. As you said in the "Bengal feminine" video, some history "Needs" to be remembered. Thank you.

[@cliff8669]

As always ... I enjoy watching your history lessons. Tanks for this one.

[@mikeyhau]

I live in Brisbane. As a child we used to climb over the Mephisto when it was kept in the grounds of the old Queensland Museum. We had no idea then of how important it was historically.

[@deedee4531]

Just got off from three days in work . Cheers history guy you always spark my curiosity no matter how tired I am

[@baarni]

Awesome bit of history. I live only 45 minutes from the Queensland Museum so I'll definitely be going to check it out. Thanks History Guy.

[@briantayler1230]

Hello from Brisbane Australia, I also have childhood memories of playing around and on Mephisto. It is the only original tank of its type in the world with some reproductions existing. Mephisto was restored by the Queensland railway workshops in Ipswich, they preserved all the battle damage on it. I saw it again 4 years ago at the National War Museum in Canberra. It was like seeing an old friend.

[@pracemaker2517]

Watching this with my morning coffee is a great way to start my day.

[@darkwinter6028]

Vaguely reminds me of the sand crawlers from Star Wars ep. IV...

[@TheMCD1989]

A lot of the early star wars movies are based vaguely on WW1 and especially WW2. A lot of the blasters are leftover surplus guns from WW2. Without doing any research it wouldn't surprise me if there is some relation there. EDIT: I should say styled after WW1 & WW2 themes not based on, that's the incorrect wording.

[@MosoKaiser]

_Utinni!_

[@anthonystike6034]

I was going to say that this Tank is what the model designers were thinking of when they designed the Jawa Crawlers.

[@johncab23]

Jawa tossing should be an Olympic sport!

[@Marin3r101]

@@johncab23 that's a hate crime!

[@tedthesailor172]

Well done, the Aussies, often the unsung - or inadequately sung - heroes of war...

[@TonyGrant.]

In WW2 they were the first to stop both the Germans and the Japanese on land.

[@iatsd]

@@TonyGrant. False on both counts.

[@iatsd]

Unsung? You can't shut the damn Australians up about how fantastic they think they are.

[@TonyGrant.]

@@iatsd Look up the Battles of Tobruk and Milne Bay.

[@vincentwhite7693]

@iatsd That's the new idiotic breed. The old boys would have thought it was very poor form to skite so much.

[@indigocheetah4172]

The German tank, Mephisto, was kept at the old Queensland museum in Brisbane, before moving to the new museum. I and many children have climbed over Mephisto. The tank is part of our childhood, and have wonderful memories of the tank and its history. Thank you for telling her story.

[@crazygame2724]

History Guy... You never disappoint me with your presentations. Thanks

[@sophiepaterson7444]

Thank you so much for this episode. Mephisto is on display in my hometown Brisbane. I just happened to visit the museum at Southbank in February. It's a truly rate and important piece of history and I'm proud to have it in my hometown. Thanks again. Love your channel.

[@tasman006]

I remember seeing Mephesto A7V for the first time in Brisbane back in 1979 where it used to be shown near the Easter showgrounds. From then on I became a tanknut and still am. And also recomend WOT.

[@williamforbes6919]

Clan of the ruski snail is here to represent as well

[@edwardlansdowne291]

Not the Easter show, we have our Show in August, during the school holidays. It's just "the Showgrounds" up here in Brissy.

[@stevedriscoll6539]

Yet again, History Guy does not disappoint. Inexhaustive research and a fascinating topic. Thank you.

[@paulkeys175]

It sat outside the old Queensland Museum near the exhibition grounds for decades, every kid in Brisbane, including me, played in that rusty old thing. It still had rubbish from France in it, with its guns stripped but still in place. Good to see it was shifted out of the open and preserved.

[@allenatkins2263]

I just named my 1965 Ford F100 "Mephisto". I will try to avoid holes. Thanks History Guy!

[@thurin84]

i suspect mephisto wouldve been better served being bestowed on a "dodge" ram.

[@TheDamowalshe]

I've been visiting Mephisto all my life, I new its history and uniqueness, great to hear you tell the story. No other allied city had so much troops pass through it, as testament to your telling of the battle of Brisbane. Warehouses built by the U.S army and Navy are still used till this day.

[@jamesmorris8295]

I would just like to say how nice it is of you THG to do quite a few history stories with Australian background. Thank you so much, J

[@jameswyatt2739]

I was very excited to find your program. I’m a history nut myself. Keep doing your thing I’ll keep watching.

[@xgford94]

My G-Grandfather (my avatar) was badly injured two days before and about 10km away the tanks captured, I also live in Brisbane a visit Mephisto at the ANZAC hall at QLD Museum regularly. It’s an awesome feeling to be so close history

[@MrTurbogreg6969]

Mr. History Guy, you remind me so much of a great story teller I used to listen to as a kid (with my father who is passed away now) who would impart information so you knew "the rest of the story". Like Paul Harvey, it is hard not to listen to a great forgotten story from THG! Thank you sir... and madam!

[@bghyst]

Congrats on another great piece and closing in on 100 million cumulative views! Ever thought about doing an episode on the Great Railway Strike of 1877? First nationwide labor dispute (100k workers involved, country’s RR infrastructure paralyzed for 69 days, first time the federal government called out troops to put down a labor dispute). Labor history is so little told and sometimes (almost) forgotten.

[@ashthomas5257]

Now I know the relevance of our history and the town of Villers-Bretonneux (They hold an ANZAC Day ceremony each year, supported by the school kids and up). Southbank, Brissy? One museum I haven't seen yet, but it on the list next time I'm down there. Thanx THC! Luv ya work!

[@JackoNorm]

I've seen this tank a bunch of times on display here in Brisbane, Australia. Beautiful beast

[@dskadd32]

The professionalism of your channel and your work (the plural your) is a joy to behold. As is Mephisto. Now inside the museum and away from the elements. Thank you

[@OldFellaDave]

As a Brisbanite I to was fortunate enough to clamber all over Mephisto as a youngster and it was sad to see it rot away out in the open uncared for for years ... and then some idiots decided it would be a great idea to get paintbrushes out and paint over it with a ridiculous fantasy pattern of colours. It was 'rescued' from the Queensland Museum by the people who run the Railway Workshops Museum at Ipswich before the absolutely brilliant staff at the Australian War Memorial were able to get it shipped to Canberra. For several years they went over every inch of Mephisto and restored her painstakingly to her former glory based on pictures and reference materials they had. Mephisto is now back in a new enclosure/display at the Queensland Museum where they are now taking much better care of her ... but we can't climb on it anymore like we used to as kids ;) Great video History Guy! Thoroughly enjoyed it and the background presented. The Battle of Villers-Bret is a fabled one in our Military History, one that is still remembered. The recent Centenary of WW1 has allowed the story of these battles and the men that fought them to be retold and re-discovered by many who were never taught this part of our hsitory in the past few decades. This video is a great compliment to that.

[@thurin84]

they didnt really restore it so mush as preserve it. the interior was left pretty much wrecked. just rust controlled.

[@williamgralton7468]

Seventy-three years ago my family, while on holiday in Brisbane, visited the museum. Mephisto was on display, in the open, outside the building. Perhaps the reason I remember the tank was my mother's reaction. She was absolutely horrified.

[@thomsalveson9360]

THG did a great job on this! I have always liked Mephisto and I have read reams of information about the A7V. I have a model of the A7V over my desk at work too! Great job!

[@DTavona]

The happy face when he describes World of Tanks and his offer to meet us on the battlefield? Priceless.

[@samr8591]

One of my most treasured photos is of my daughter with her great great grandmother, who is the daughter of William Themor, one of the men in the 26th Battalion that captured the Mephisto, both standing in front of it in the new exhibit at the Queensland Museum.

[@gerardbryant4840]

Excellent video. Tanks proved their worth in the battle of Hamel on July 4 1918, when the battle was spearheaded by Mark V tanks that crushed the strongpoints, leaving the Australian and US infantry to mop up the rest of the Germans.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/sH2Te3uGeZWohc0

[@stephenhicks826]

Thanks for bringing some of Australia's history to the rest of the world. Villers-Bretonneux is well remembered here, at least by older Australians.🇦🇺

[@goodshipkaraboudjan]

Younger ones are taught it.

[@shannondixon9031]

Love this vid.... I've been keen to view "mephisto" every time I visit the muesum an I'm hugely proud to know such a rare military artifact is located in Australia .... Thanks history guy

[@vet-7174]

Very interesting episode!! Happy 4th of July 🇺🇸

[@Leosarebetter]

Before they put up the plate glass surround/structure (Its up at the Brisbane Museum) - I went and slapped the tanks hull in numerous places (with my hand) and actually felt the bullet hits and other war dents by placing my finger tips in the dents. The feel of that tank, its war damage and the sound of its hull was an eiree feeling. It also sounded like a thick hollow tin can just with my bare hand hitting it. It must have been deafening with armament hitting it. Pity its out of bounds now, you get a different feel (no pun intended) when you can actually "feel" the bullet dents.

[@americanpatriot2422]

Outstanding video and presentation

[@RevSinkiller]

Yes! Another WWI history lesson. ❤ it. Thank you History Guy, coming from a WWI history buff, I certainly appreciate it.

[@jwflyaway]

Thanks The History Guy that like about you bring history from all sources, learn something new everytime watch your video.

[@kirkwilson10]

Good on ya Aussies! Thanks, History Guy, you make me a better history teacher!

[@MyName-pc8ei]

Good heavens. This error-strewn nonsense?

[@Peter-pk1bl]

Thank you for this episode I remember suggesting it on one of your other videos

[@jacquelinechristensen9231]

Actually went there last summer on a long trip to France. A wonderful museum near by and well worth the visit

[@Mrcaffinebean]

Excellent video, every time I watch your channel I learn something new and interesting.

[@chrisholmes6311]

It’s really pleasing to get an Aussie mention. Keep up the great work THG 👌🏻

[@ericgrace9995]

Thanks for your work. It's eclectic and always enjoyable. Nuggets of pleasure !

[@MrUbiquitousTech]

Excellent presentation! Tanks for sharing!

[@desubtilizer]

I got to see the Mephisto when it was still on display at the War memorial museum in Canberra in 2016 along with the Me262, comet, V1 flying bomb etc an awesome collection

[@gregsmith1719]

Another great video! I would love to see some on Northwest logging railroad history! Cheers!

[@mikeymar1]

As usual a thoroughly enjoyable snipet of history worth hearing about. Thanks again.

[@jaxhoffalot2812]

The tank is on display at the Queensland Museum, located in the city of Brisbane. THG mentions Southbank, but that refers to the riverside location of the museum. While it's now kept in a glass enclosure to preserve it, for many years after its installation you could walk around it and touch it, as I and so many other school children did on visits to our state's premiere historical repository.

[@deadfreightwest5956]

Tanks for all you bring us, THG! Happy Fourth.

[@zippymctarget2770]

I always love visiting Mephisto when I head to the Queensland Museum. There are photo's of steam engines dragging it off the freighter that brought it back to Oz

[@chiefpontiac1800]

A good story here HG! Tanks for the memories!

[@drewhartwell2559]

Always a good day when The History Guy uploads another video.

[@AquaMarine1000]

My kids climbed over this tank when it was kept out in the open at the old museum before it was moved to the new museum at South Bank Brisbane - I have photo somewhere. Cheers

[@thurin84]

wish i could see it.

[@copycat21c]

I used to see Mephisto every time I went to the museum as a kid. But I didn’t realise it had been used at VB. Visiting the town for ANZAC day in 2011 was incroyable. Very special place, particularly if you’re an Aussie. Pas de rien Australie et nos amis en Villers-Brettoneux.

[@carltownsend5280]

I never thought I would say this but the music in your ad was a total bop.

[@tidybowlman6528]

Please start a podcast of your shows!!! They would be awesome to listen to on my commute!!!!! Your narration is great!

[@NoPulseForRussians]

That is an impressive collection of Challenge Coins you have in the background, sir. I have one only, given to me from a 1st Class PO in the Navy when i was an E-2 aboard the USS Carl Vinson during RIMPAC of 1998 for quickly completing speed drills in loading and off-loading ordnance from F-18's & F-14's.

[@iuploadherebecauseimnotbuy7236]

Great show. WoT is one of my favorites. I like it almost as much as your videos. The Teir IX tank destroyer the Tortoise is my favorite, would love for you to do a show on it.

[@olepreacher]

Again I thank you for teaching me more about both the great wars......tho I don't know what was so great about either one.....just another waste of human lives and the families affected by their sacrifice. But I do really appreciate all the work you put into your videos....oh, and the one's your wife has done too....I hope you continued success and happiness in all that you do......Thanks again!!

[@glynnmurdoch6243]

Proud to say that can visit the old girl anytime as I live in Brisbane

[@Ted_E_Bear]

Enjoyed watching

[@aaronpotts5042]

Used play on it as a Brisbane boy before it was considered a treasure. Trust me the inside is a blown up mess. I think the Germans dynamited it. The outside was solid, but the roof was not. So it all blew up, but it externally remained intact. Cool tank, amazed it is the only one left. Cheers Aaron

[@pedrotheswift5937]

Right! I'm off to Southbank! The Aussies were mainly used by British Generals as cannon fodder and didnt perform well,, when we finally had an Aussie, Gen Monash, put in charge we kicked butt... Another great episode,, Thanks HG!

[@goodshipkaraboudjan]

To be fair the British Generals also used their men as cannon fodder.

[@thurin84]

canadians and kiwis as well.

[@miked9000]

i remember reading the "Time Life" series of the decades, thru the eyes of the American experience(man, Time Life had some great series of books back then), around 1982, I was eleven, or so, and whenever I see the font you use for the text in your videos, I see that famous font of the " Roaring 20's" as depicted in those books. Love your channel.

[@seriansclass]

Wow, finally one of the early ones