French wreck, 1940. - French Forces | Gallery

[system]

French wreck, 1940.

Destroyed French H-35/38 light tank, western campaign, 1940. These little tanks, designed for "cavalry" use, but also assigned to infantry support, were slow, under-armored, under-gunned and drank fuel in large quantities, resulting in short range. The clear total penetration low in the tank's left-front tends to confirm that light French armored vehicles were distinctly viable targets for the German "door knocker" 37mm PAK 36, albeit that the latter were ineffective against the heavier French and British tanks of the time. A Somua S35 would have been a distinctly tougher target ... although the general tactic of shooting in the general direction of the tracks/wheels, of which their is some evidence from the Battle of France, would have been useful ... JR.

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This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.ww2incolor.com/gallery/french-forces/53981/french-wreck-1940.

[leccy]

The H35 was originally designed as an Infantry tank but was rejected during the trials.

The War Minister Jean Faby saw the H35 (which was complete) and the Souma S35 (no turret and early example) and having no real idea of the technical capabilities of each vehicle told Gen Gamelin (CGS) to proceed with production of the H35 over the S35.

The Cavalry did not want the H35 due to a poor gun and one man turret, the Infantry did not want the H35 due to problems during the trials.

The Infantry refused them so they were directed to the Cavalry until the S35 was ready.

Later the H35 was redesigned to become the Char Léger mle 1935 H modifié 1939 or H39 which had improvements but was still not a good vehicle.

It was however available and helped mechanise the army - replacing older types and increasing tanks in the forces.