just saw this photo for the first time. apparently taken in September 1918. I had not found any reference to 503 being named Theunissen nor for any A7Vs being painted with the commander's name. Does anyone have any more details on this and also on Oblt Heinz Theunissen? I have seen reference to him in the Freikorps and I know he was still around to collect his commemorative tank crew badge in the early 1920s but then i have nothing. I work for Qld Museum and handle all of the enquiries about Mephisto which Theunissen was the last commander. Any other information on the crew members would also be appreciated.
According to Rainer Starsheim and Max Hundleby in the Tankograd book on the A7Vs, #503 was sent to the Saarburg area in late August 1918 and remained there for tank familiarisation training until 4 October. It's noted that #503 was named "Heiland" after 2nd Lt Heiland, the tank commander.
Wasn’t the A7V named “Heiland” the one with chassis number 540? And the 503 didn’t have a specific name, as far as we know.
Lieutenant Heinz Theunissen was a German officer during the First World War and commander of the famous A7V assault tank (vehicle number 506), which he personally christened "Mephisto."
Initially, the vehicle had been internally designated "Theunissen"—after the officer himself—before he renamed it in mid-April 1918.
-- Edited by Hedi on Tuesday 20th of October 2026 06:23:20 PM
Originally, the armored superstructure of vehicle 503 did not have a hatch in the front armor. It became evident, however, that the gun crew’s ability to orient themselves—relying solely on the sight and the small pistol port—was insufficient; consequently, a large rectangular opening was subsequently cut into the armor, which could be closed by means of a two-part hatch.
