Around late 2000, there was an article and photo ( might have been USA
TODAY ) concerning the finding and excavation of a World War One British
Mk IV rhomboid. [MALE: two 6pounders (57mm) & three Lewis MG's.
FEMALE: five .303in Lewis MG's] I have not heard nor read any mention
of this find since, but am interested in what ever became of this HMV.
It seems a local Frenchman had heard a story that was passed down from
previous generations that a WWI tank was buried in a field somewhere
which been a battleground in 1917-18. He spent a number of years
searching for it, eventually succeeding and unearthing the relic.
I recall the photo showed an excavation (estimate) 35 feet long, 20
feet wide, and a good 12 feet deep, with what looked like a rather
rusted but well preserved Mk IV 'Male'. According to the story, when
the tank was knocked out it was abandoned in place, and eventually
absorbed into the expanding trench lines to become a strong point. After
the war it was simply buried along with the trench work and craters to
become farmland again.
But what really piqued my curiosity was what they found inside the
rhomboid after eighty years. In addition to a stack of British and
German steel helmets, were found boxes of fine china dinnerware; glass
goblets; candle stick holders and silverware.
Could any of our listers in Europe fill me in on the current status of
this historic mil-veh ?
LANCE
MVPA 22125
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