The A7V's were originally intended to be male (cannonarmed) and female (machine guns only). There were to be 16 females and 4 males, 1 male and four females per 5-tank detachment. Experience with captured British tanks resulted in a decision to arm all A7V's as males. Additional gun mounts had to be made quickly. The first detachment was equipped with the four original male cannon mounts. Since the new mounts were not ready, one of the five tanks (#501) of Abteilung #1 had to be issued without a cannon. #501, named "Gretchen" went into combat with 8 machine guns and no cannon. "Gretchen" was eventually fitted with a cannon when a suitable mount became available. "Gretchen" saw action at Villers-Bretonneaux on April 24, 1918 as presented in this model.