Landships II

 

You got the standard polite reply - Mephisto was supposed to be returned to the Museum in August 2012 - so far no sight of it.

Regards,

Charlie

And at least he got a reply at all - and one which makes some sort of sense. I wonder if there was a delay in funding, or if there was a change of plan as to work needed, for instance to fabricate special items or to soak in anti-corrosion liquid (perhaps once they took it down and could see what the issues were).

I'd much rather they took their time and did a proper job with due respect to the existing paintwork and structure - like the F4 Corsair restoration at the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton UK on which there is an excellent book "Corsair KD431 Time Capsule Fighter" by David Morris.

I was slightly surprised there are no interim photo reports but on a little reflection I expect it is to prevent anyone recognising the facility and people involved, i.e. to follow the insurance company's request.

Assuming Mr. Tarrant is to be believed and is not involved in a conspiracy of any kind, the insurers have "advised" that the current location should not be publicly disclosed. I should have thought that taking the advice of one's insurers in such a matter is a good idea.

Whatever the degree of the individual's fear/resentment of government, the slashing of public spending is appears to be ubiquitous. You naturally have my sympathy, Charlie. What other contributors to this thread might think of the concept of universal health care, I cannot say.

But that is beside the point. Brian Crozier, formerly of QM, was complaining about cuts and the prospect of job losses a decade ago. He also said that the AWM were constantly trying to relieve QM of Mephisto, something which was stoutly resisted. From what I gather, he did become a victim of cutbacks, but, happily, it seems he is operating in a freelance capacity: http://www.museumandhistoryservices.com/index.htm

My understanding is that Mephisto is on permanent loan to the QLD Museum from the AWM.

Mephisto's capture.

"On the night of the 13th July, the 28th Battalion was relieved by the 26th Battalion which consisted mainly of Queenslanders, together with some Tasmanians. Shortly after midnight the 26th Battalion sent out patrols to probe the German positions held by the 148th Infantry Regiment. They moved through the Orchard, along the Demuin Road and captured a section of the Stamboul Trench, just to the west of the trees. At 6 pm that evening an assault party from B Company, comprising of Lieutenant J.O. Gibson and eight men, advanced further down Stamboul Trench and captured the junction with Syria Trench after a stiff grenade fight with the German garrison. At the same time, two other parties captured the Syria Trench, west of the Demuin Road, while men from D Company made a successful bombing attack through the orchard east of the road, which pushed beyond MEPHISTO. A subsequent advance on the night of the 17 July, as part of a wider operation to improve the Allied line in front of Villers-Bretonneux, established the outposts further beyond the tank. Veterans of the 26th Battalion, Mr R. Caplick and Mr W.J. Barrett, recall that MEPHISTO was a German strong-point and that there were several dead Germans in the tank a the end of the fighting.

The battalion's commanding officer, Major (later Lieut-Colonel) J.A. Robinson, was keen to salvage MEPHISTO, although it had been quite badly damaged before capture. With approval from General E. A Wisdom (commanding the 7th Brigade, of which the 26th battalion was part) he liaised with Major Harrington of the Tank Corps and artillery officers and planned an operation for the night of 22 July. MEPHISTO was examined by men from the 1st Gun Carrier Company and a recovery route was selected. although the 23rd Battalion took over the front line on the night of the 19th July, working parties from the 26th Battalion came forward during the two nights preceding the operation to prepare the route.

The tank lay in full view of the Germans, so the recovery operation had to be carried out at night with careful precaution against discovery. The 23rd Battalion pushed outposts as far forward as possible. After dark on the 22 July, two tanks of the 1st Gun Carrier Company with a detail of 23 men crept forward from Villers-Bretonneux, accompanied by a party of 12 men from the 26th Battalion under the command of Sergeant F.R. Hansen. To disguise the noise of the operation, a light artillery barrage was launched on the German lines and aircraft flew low across the front. Apparently by coincidence the Germans also were active that night, launching a heavy gas attack around Villers-Bertonneux, including Monument Wood. Mustard gas shells plopped around the recovery team who toiled away with the added discomfort of wearing gas masks.

One of the 26th Battalion party, Mr S.F. Smith, recalls that by 9pm the recovery tanks had been attached to MEPHISTO and its tracks had been carefully oiled to prevent noises which might alert the Germans. It was dragged from the shell hole, back through the orchard. By now, all of the men were suffering form the prolonged exposure to Mustard gas and had to fall out, one after another. But before dawn MEPHISTO had been hidden under camouflage among the trees in the eastern edge of the Bois dÁquenne and a false trail had been laid to deceive German aircraft observers.

MEPHISTO was taken to the 5th Tank Brigade demonstration ground at Vaux-en-Amienous, near Amens. On arrival the tank showed sighs of its ordeal. a large hole had been blown through the roof on the front right-hand side and another explosion had caused damage a little further back at the base of the turret. The flap between the front tracks had been broken in half and an explosion had buckled steel plates just in front of the fuel tanks. By early August, many fittings had been stripped. Photographs taken at at this time show the tank looking worn and abandoned with fuel tanks. a radiator, machine-gun mountings and other components strewn around. Part of the driving platform had been removed and placed on top of the tank behind the turret. It is reported that the German carburettors, which had been damaged by the fire were replaced with Zenith units but that these were taken by the Australians who were particularly enthusiastic souvenir hunters.

The exterior also had been receiving attention. An Australian artist decorated the left side with a painting of a loin resting his paw on an A7V, presumably a response to the illustration of Mephistopheles on the front of the tank".

I have included a link to a photo of the Queensland tank that I took in 1987, before they enclosed it in perspex.  These kids will remember the experience for the rest of their lives.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10201947923604314&set=p.10201947923604314&type=1&theater&notif_t=like