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For the one-off battle which took place in Extreme Series 1, see Robot Wars Extreme: Series 1/UK vs Germany.

"Tonight, we are opening old wounds. Settling old scores. Taking on old enemies, in our UK vs Germany special! But don't worry, its just a friendly exchange of engineering skills, technical know-how European goodwill. And then its about getting the robots in the warzone to prove the British are the best once and for all!"
— Craig Charles

The UK vs Germany Special was an extra competition held at the end of Robot Wars: The Sixth Wars broadcast on BBC Choice on 10 January 2003 and repeated on BBC Two on 4 April 2003. It was also broadcast as part of German Robot Wars on 26 October 2002 on RTL II. It featured four British robots and four robots representing Germany, who fought in a tournament to determine which country had the best robots. It was repeated on Challenge on 27 January 2016.

Format[]

Like the Extreme Warriors Season 2 International Championship it was a straight knockout competition between eight robots, four representing each country, with the fights of the first two rounds being fought between robots representing the same country. Only the final offered a UK vs Germany encounter.

Differences between versions[]

The UK vs Germany special was one of three tournaments to be contested in multiple versions of Robot Wars. In the UK version, Craig Charles and Philippa Forrester presented, with Jonathan Pearce providing the commentary. In the German version, Jürgen Törkott presented and also interviewed the German teams before and after the German battles. Forrester's interviews with the UK teams remained intact, as did Charles' announcements after the UK battles, with dubbed translations for both provided by commentator Volker Wolf.

At the end of the German version, Charles and Törkott appeared together to announce the Judges' decision for the final, interview their respective representatives and discuss the standard of German robots at the time. Charles considered the latter to be 'exceptional' for the emerging domestic championship, encouraging German teams to keep developing their machines further for future competitions.

The line-up shown below is that of the UK airing, which showed a UK battle, then a German battle, and so on. This was reversed in the German airing, so that a German battle was shown first, then a UK battle, and so on.

Robots Competing[]

UK Robots[]

Judge Shred 2.5 S6 Crop
Judge Shred 2½
Weight 96kg
Dimensions 0.40 x 1.26 x 0.97m
Power 2 x 750W electric motors
Weapons Flipper
Strengths Srimech & manouverability
Weaknesses Reliability
From: Ellistown, Leicester
Team Members: Alan Blakeman, Paul Blakeman & Dave Cluely
259 photo
259
Weight 100kg
Dimensions 0.77 x 1.10 x 0.80m
Power 600W motor
Weapons Vertical spinner
Strengths Potentially lethal weapon
Weaknesses Low strike rate
From: Chadwell Heath, Essex
Team Members: Adam Clark
Corkscrew S6
Corkscrew
Weight 99kg
Dimensions 0.65 x 0.88 x 0.88m
Power 3 x 750W electric motors
Weapons 6 Blades
Strengths 360 Degree killing zone
Weaknesses Difficult to control
From: Borders, Scotland
Team Members: John Heatlie, Lewis Heatlie & Laurence Heatlie
Fluffy Series 6
Fluffy
Weight 100kg
Dimensions 1.30 x 0.20 x 0.70m
Power 750W motors
Weapons 20kg spinner
Strengths Powerful weapon & fast
Weaknesses Unreliable response
From: Enfield, Middlesex
Team Members: Peter Holroyd, Peter Johnson & Richard Johnson

German Robots[]

Delldog
Delldog
Weight 98kg
Dimensions 0.26 x 0.83 x 0.83m
Power 2 x 750W motors
Weapons Spinning ring with spikes
Strengths Runs both ways up
Weaknesses Vulnerable when static
From: Homburg, Saarland
Team Members: Stephan Duhl, Thomas Dietz & Susanne Kribelbauer
Dynamite
Dynamite
Weight 98kg
Dimensions 0.60 x 1.10 x 0.75m
Power 2 x 750W motors
Weapons Lifter
Strengths Powerful weapon
Weaknesses Thin armour
From: Ursensollen, Bavaria
Team Members: Jürgen Geissler, Christian Reindl & Anna Scharl
AnsgarsRevenge
Ansgar's Revenge
Weight 200kg
Dimensions 0.17 x 0.84 x 0.92m
Power 4 x 750W motors
Weapons Lifting spears
Strengths Heavy and fast
Weaknesses Untested
From: Ahrenviöl, Schleswig-Holstein
Team Members: Joachim Thomsen, Sunje Thomsen & Sascha Thomsen
Dasgepackcropped
Das Gepäck
Weight 95kg
Dimensions 0.26 x 1.18 x 0.80m
Power 4 x 750W motors
Weapons Ramming spikes
Strengths Invertible
Weaknesses Lack of weaponry
From: Heemskerk, The Netherlands (mentioned in German version only)
Team Members: Peter Koene & Kees Sicking

Round 1[]

Judge Shred 2½ (UK) vs 259 (UK)[]

Philippa Forrester: "You're up against 259. He's horrible. Are you horrible enough to cope?"
Alan Blakeman: "No, I don't think so, we're too weak and feeble."
— Self-deprecating from Judge Shred
Judge shred 2 1-2 259

Judge Shred makes a brave attack on 259's front

259 judge shred 2 1-2

259 hurls Judge Shred 2½ against the side wall

The two robots met, and immediately, a sliver of Judge Shred 2½ was torn free and hurled away by the huge spinning disc of 259. Judge Shred 2½ briefly got beneath the front of the disc and flipped 259 up into the air, only for 259 to smash through and buckle its flipper as it landed, rendering the flipper useless. 259 followed this up quickly by ramming into Judge Shred 2½ three more times, tossing it ahead of it and buckling its side armour. One of the right-hand armour plates was torn off, exposing the wheel, which 259 promptly destroyed, leaving Judge Shred 2½ only able to go around in circles. Sergeant Bash crossed the arena and joined Growler in menacing Judge Shred 2½, with Growler clamping down on Judge Shred 2½.

"I'm afraid, the scales of justice are tipping against you!"
— Jonathan Pearce
Judge shred 2 1-2 floor flipper

Judge Shred 2½ goes flying

Growler judge shred

Growler puts Judge Shred 2½ out of its misery

However, they backed off and allowed 259 to continue attacking, which resulted in Judge Shred 2½ flying into the air and balancing against 259's flywheel. Wary of his robot, Adam Clark stopped his machine and waited until Refbot knocked Judge Shred 2½ free. However, 259 had stopped moving by now, and Growler pushed 259 into the pit release. Growler switched back to Judge Shred 2½ and pulled it out from the arena wall, holding it in front of Refbot, who counted it out.

"Judge Shred, not fit to fly the flag."
— Jonathan Pearce

Growler seized Judge Shred 2½ by its mangled flipper and pushed it onto the floor flipper, where it was thrown through the air and onto its back. Growler then grabbed Judge Shred 2½ and held it over the flame pit, before finally pitting it.

In the German version, 259 was shown to be pitted as well, but still qualified as Judge Shred 2½ had been immobilised first.

Winner: 259

Delldog (Germany) vs Dynamite (Germany)[]

Delldog entered the arena with a severe disadvantage. Its main weapon had broken down and the team were unable to get it working again, meaning it had to compete completely weaponless.

"No spinning ring with teeth...vulnerable when static...the robot absolutely defenceless now."
— Jonathan Pearce, reading Delldog's (broken) weapon and weaknesses
Delldog dynamite

Delldog pushes Dynamite into Dead Metal

Dynamite counted out

Dynamite counted out

Despite its lack of any weaponry, Delldog was quick off the mark and slammed into Dynamite's side, managing to dodge the powerful flipper. A second ram from Delldog alone managed to dent the wheelguard of Dynamite. Delldog then pushed Dynamite across the arena and into Dead Metal, who pushed Dynamite into the middle of the arena, slicing into its side.

"Out comes Dead Metal with a slice, and already you can see the scar!"
— Jonathan Pearce

Delldog got itself briefly caught by Sir Killalot, but managed to slip past the House Robot and nudge Dynamite, who was immobile after the attack by Dead Metal. Refbot counted Dynamite out and Sir Killalot pushed it onto the floor flipper.

"Dynamite? How can you call a machine like that Dynamite? Think of another name - Powderpuff! Weakling! Smashed and Bashed! Dynamite, flies, yeah, but it doesn't come down with an explosive, percussive, rap!"
— Jonathan Pearce
Sirkillalot vs dynamite

Sir Killalot burns Dynamite on the flame pit

Dynamite over wall

Sir Killalot disposes of the ruined Dynamite

Dynamite was hurled through the air and landed heavily, shattering parts of the thin armour. It was caught by Dead Metal and Sir Killalot, the former of whom sliced into the flipping mechanism. Sir Killalot then plucked Dynamite up and dropped it on its back, causing the armour shell to break off.

"What have they made the armour out of? Baked bean tins? No... a baked bean is more mean! Dynamite? Well, that's what they came into the arena with, to protect the mechanics."
— Jonathan Pearce

It then picked it up and swung it around, bathing it in flames and shaking the armour completely off. Sir Killalot then dropped Dynamite over the arena wall.

"Delldog survives somehow, I dunno."
— Jonathan Pearce, having backed Dynamite to win

Winner: Delldog

Corkscrew (UK) vs Fluffy (UK)[]

Fluffy corkscrew

Fluffy knocks out Corkscrew's weapon

The battle started slowly as both machines spun their weapons up on the spot. Fluffy struck the spinning Corkscrew, losing most of its weapons momentum, but knocking Corkscrew aside. Fluffy quickly recovered its weapon speed and struck Corkscrew's body, but accidently spun on its axis and slammed its side into Corkscrew's weapon. Recovering quickly, it slammed its spinning weapon into Corkscrew and knocked it decisively across the arena. Corkscrew's weapon had stopped spinning and this left it vulnerable to a follow up attack from Fluffy.

"What you will see is, with the Fluffy blade once it has struck its opponent, the blade will stop. Mind you, Corkscrew, has stopped dead!"
— Jonathan Pearce

Corkscrew spun around in circles, but could not get its own weapon's speed up. Growler then rammed into Corkscrew, causing it to bounce out of the CPZ and skid to a halt near the pit release. Fluffy slammed into Corkscrew, activating the pit in the process. Bash closed in, blasting its flamethrower, and it became apparent that Corkscrew had been immobilised.

Corkscrew no pants

Corkscrew having been hurled by the floor flipper

Growler corkscrew

Corkscrew is pitted

"Corkscrew's done for, here, I think"
— Jonathan Pearce

Refbot moved in and counted Corkscrew out, before Sergeant Bash and Growler pulled it away and the latter carried it across the arena. Corkscrew was placed on the arena floor flipper and hurled away, revealing a "no pants" slogan painted underneath.

"So that's what's under the kilt! Don't worry, you won't be seeing close-ups, only close-ups of the right sort here, the tasteful close-ups, of a machine about to be mercilessly pounded into the pit."
— Jonathan Pearce

Growler seized it and dumped it into the pit, eliminating it from the competition.

"No pants? It was pants! It goes spinning out of the competition, wheras Fluffy, they display the spirit of 66!"
— Craig Charles

Winner: Fluffy

Ansgar's Revenge (Germany) vs Das Gepäck (Germany)[]

Ansgars revenge dead metal

Dead Metal caught on Ansgar's Revenge

Das gepack ansgars revenge

Das Gepäck ramming Ansgar's Revenge into the angle grinder

Sir killalot ansgars revenge

Sir Killalot dragging the shuffler around

Das Gepäck started quickly, slamming into Ansgar's Revenge twice and pushing the shufflebot into Dead Metal. Ansgar's Revenge shifted its weapon, trying to keep Dead Metal from slicing into its body, but it was unable to escape with Das Gepäck continually slamming it into Dead Metal's CPZ.

"Dead Metal, therefore, is caught on Ansgar's Revenge, which won't bother Dead Metal at all, but it will do, the German robot!"
— Jonathan Pearce

Sir Killalot closed in, grabbing Ansgar's Revenge's weapon and pulling it free of Dead Metal's grasp, before carrying it across the arena. Das Gepäck swiftly activated the pit, and Sir Killalot released Ansgar's Revenge in the centre of the arena. Ansgar's Revenge slowly moved backwards and forwards, but was unable to prevent Das Gepäck from pushing it into an angle grinder and ramming it there several times. Ansgar's Revenge shuffled away from the wall, while Das Gepäck slammed into the wall and bounced free. Still not showing signs of fluent movement, Ansgar's Revenge was pushed into Sir Killalot again, who attempted to cut and lift it before pushing it towards the pit.

"They look worried, Ansgar's Revenge, and so they should be. But for me, Das Gepäck, is the best machine we've seen so far in this UK vs Germany special."
— Jonathan Pearce

Das Gepäck attempted several times to pit Ansgar's Revenge as the battle drew to a close, but 'cease' was called, and the judges were called to make a decision. The decision unanimously went in favour of Das Gepäck.

"Well I've just heard from the judges - it didn't take long - its obvious who won. Ansgar Revenge completely battered, Das Gepäck go marching on!"
— Craig Charles

Winner: Das Gepäck

Semi-Finals[]

259 (UK) vs Fluffy (UK)[]

259 fluffy

Fluffy smashes 259

Adam Clark: "I believe that vertical has sway over the horizontal, so I think that the vertical disc will win out in this one."
Jonathan Pearce: "Adam I don't know, I like the look of Fluffy's weaponry."
— Pre-battle opinions

The opening stages of the battle were very tense, with both robots spinning their weapons up to speed and avoided premature contact. Finally, the two made light contact, with a piece of 259's front wheel guard shorn off. Fluffy spun around and attacked again, bouncing 259 and buckling its side skirt. This contact significantly hampered 259's mobility as it had caused a drive belt to slip straight off.

"Is that a drive belt, coming loose there for 259? It certainly seems to be!"
— Jonathan Pearce
259 drive belt

259's drive belt slipped and side skirt buckled

Fluffy slammed into 259 again, before 259 limped away quickly, leaving its drive chain behind. Fluffy slammed into 259 again, knocking the other drive belt loose. 259 limped on, trying to land an attack on the side of Fluffy, but Fluffy's heavy weapon struck 259's and knocked it onto its side, immobilising it.

"And another, massive attack! Sends 259 toppling! What ease! They simply tossed 259 aside!"
— Jonathan Pearce
259 pitted

259 in the pit, very much the worse for wear after its encounter

259 refbot mr psycho

Refbot counts out 259

Refbot moved in and counted 259 out, before Mr. Psycho closed in and slammed his hammer down twice, bending its chassis out of shape. Dead Metal then seized 259 and sliced into it, before pushing it into the pit release and into the pit.

"Fluffy, worthy winners. A real match for anything Germany can put up."
— Jonathan Pearce

Winner : Fluffy

Delldog (Germany) vs Das Gepäck (Germany)[]

Bash delldog

Sgt. Bash captures Delldog

The two robots battered against each other, but with Delldog's weapon still not working, it became a battle of pushing. Despite an early push from Delldog, Das Gepäck easily won the pushing match and shunted Delldog into Mr. Psycho's CPZ. Delldog spun in circles, trying to use its weapon to ward off Mr. Psycho, and managed to slip through an opening before he could attack.

"Into the clutches of Mr. Psycho - they've got to get out of there very very quickly. It can get up to top speeds of 11 miles per hour, nothing like that at this moment in time."
— Jonathan Pearce
Sgt Bash Delldog

Delldog is stuck on Sgt. Bash's jaw

Psycho bash delldog

Mr. Psycho smashes Delldog off Sgt. Bash's pincer

Das Gepäck rammed into Delldog again, pushing it into Sgt. Bash, who shot flames at Delldog. Sgt. Bash then seized Delldog in his pincers, crushing through its armour and lifting it with his top pincer. Das Gepäck activated the pit, as Sgt. Bash carried Delldog out to Mr. Psycho, who slammed it with his hammer in an attempt to separate the two robots.

"Teamwork from the House Robots! Now, you understand that they're totally neutral in all this. They don't mind if UK or Germany wins this."
— Jonathan Pearce
Refbot delldog

Refbot counts out Delldog

Das gepack delldog

Das Gepäck pits Delldog

After three attempts, Delldog was knocked free from Sgt. Bash, but sat immobile as the latter retreated into his CPZ. Das Gepäck slammed Delldog into the wall again before the latter was counted out, after which it pushed Delldog into the pit with ease.

Winner: Das Gepäck

Final[]

Fluffy (UK) vs Das Gepäck (Germany)[]

The fight[]

Fluffy das gepack

Fluffy cracks the spike of Das Gepäck

"Fluffy will fight them in the arena, he'll fight them on the angle grinder, he'll fight them in the pit, and Fluffy will never, never, never, surrender!"
— Jonathan Pearce paraphrases Winston Churchill to support the British Fluffy
Das depack fluffy

Das Gepäck pushes the weaponless Fluffy

Fluffy powered its weapon up, but neither robot attacked the other for a considerable amount of time, swerving around the arena in an attempt to get the right position. Fluffy's first contact smashed one of Das Gepäck's ramming spikes, severing its connection and letting it hang loose. Fluffy clipped Das Gepäck's sides a few more times, but no damage was done. Fluffy and Das Gepäck collided twice, the first collision knocking Fluffy askew, whilst the second tore a fragment of Das Gepäck's armour free.

"Well set up, this final. By far and away the best two machines we've seen!"
— Jonathan Pearce
Fluffy bash C02 Das Gepack

The robots stumble into Sgt. Bash's CPZ

Das Gepäck then pushed into Fluffy's side, but abandoned this attack. Das Gepäck resumed its attack on Fluffy, whose weapon had stopped working. However, Das Gepäck's buckled spike slipped, causing it to lose purchase as it tried to push Fluffy. Das Gepäck pressed the pit release button instead, and the two robots entered a pushing match close to the descending pit. Fluffy resisted, getting its axe beneath Das Gepäck and allowing it to push back. Das Gepäck drove around the pit and tried to push Fluffy into Sergeant Bash, but got caught itself. Das Gepäck swiftly reversed out of Sgt. Bash's grasp and pushed back into Fluffy.

Mr psycho fluffy das gepack

The final push

"Has the Fluffy weaponry stopped? That could be decisive, if it does go to the judges, mind you the Das Gepäck weapon has hardly been effective throughout."
— Jonathan Pearce analysing in the last twenty seconds

Das Gepäck seemed to dominate the pushing match, with Fluffy ending the match on the flame pit.

The decision[]

"An unstoppable force meets an immovable object!"
— Craig Charles
UK vs Germany special decision

Charles announces the decision on the UK version

UK vs Germany Decision RTL

Craig and Jurgen announce the decision together on the German version

Noel Sharkey, Mat Irvine and Martin Smith were called upon to decide the UK vs Germany champion. Based on the usual criteria of style, control, damage and aggression, they were unable to separate the robots on points, and thus declared the battle a draw.

"They've called it a draw!"
— Craig Charles

The decision was met with emphatic booing from the audience, while the trophy was handed to the Das Gepäck team, with promises of another being made for the Fluffy team.

UK vs Germany Champion: Draw declared

"Well for international relations, that fight ensured, that all is fair in love, and Robot Wars!"
— The UK episode's sign-off

Trivia[]

  • Due to a lack of available entrants, only two of the German representatives were actually from Germany, with Dutch robot Das Gepäck and Loanerbot Dynamite being drafted in.
  • This is the only episode of the UK Robot Wars to have ended in a draw.
  • The German version of the episode was billed as Germany vs England, although Corkscrew was actually from Scotland.
  • The German version of the episode misspells Philippa Forrester and Adam Clark as Phillipa Forester and Adam Clarke, respectively.
  • During the battle between 259 and Judge Shred 2½, Refbot's head was completely misshapen.
  • The German version of this episode marked the only time presenters from multiple different countries' versions of Robot Wars appeared in the same episode together.

Navigation[]

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