Tankopedia
WW1HeavyAssault GunGerman Empire

A7V Sturmpanzerwagen

In service 1918 - 1919

Germany's only tank to see service in the First World War, a towering 18-man box on Holt tractor running gear.

Built byDaimler / Steffen & Noelle

A7V Sturmpanzerwagen
Mephisto A7V in AWM front view — Skyring, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Development history

Germany reacted late to British tanks and the A7V was rushed from a common chassis programme intended for both tanks and tractors. Only twenty were completed, so German units relied heavily on captured British vehicles. At Villers-Bretonneux in April 1918 an A7V met British Mark IVs in the first tank-versus-tank action in history.

Variants

One canonical record, 3 recorded variants.

  1. A7V early

    1918

    Flat plate front, Steffen & Noelle body, mild-steel armour on some vehicles.

  2. A7V late

    1918

    Revised commander cupola and improved armour plate.

  3. A7V-U

    1918

    Prototype with British-style all-round track; not completed for service.

Notable actions

  • Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux (1918)
  • Battle of Saint-Quentin Canal (1918)