Combat History

An A7V on the front

Troops following an A7V into battle

A7Vs made their combat début in the German Spring Offensive of March 1918. Vehicle 506, plus three other A7Vs and five captured English tanks supported shock troop (Stosstruppen) assaults around the French town of St Quentin. The tanks played a relatively minor role, although 506 and 501 proved effective in neutralising Allied strong points. Following this operation, 506 acquired the name Mephisto and a painting of a devil (Mephistopheles) running off with a British tank under one arm on its front armour.

The next engagement occurred when the Germans attempted to capture the village of Villers-Bretonneux and resume their advance on Amiens in late April 1918. Mephisto and 13 other A7Vs took part in this operation. The A7V's were split into three groups: one of these encountered British Mark IV tanks and the first ever tank vs tank battle ensued, resulting in damage to three Mark IVs and one A7V.

The group, which included Mephisto, successfully cleared the British front before advancing on a fortified farm in Monument Wood near Villiers-Brettoneaux. At some point Mephisto was driven into a deep shell crater where it became firmly stuck and was unrecoverable.