The D2 that fell into a ravine in Perigord was recovered, concealed from the Armistice Commission and rebuilt by a Capitaine Loffet and a Lieutenant Nicolau. The repaired vehicle was hidden near Sarlat at Saint-Martial-de-Nabirat. It is probably the best attested Vichy French tank, though other types are also believed to have been hidden. [See p.79 of "Une Entreprise Clandestine sous L'Occupation Allemande" by Restany (1948).]
The French decide to expanded their tank force only after Hilter declared Germany was going to equip the German Army with tanks and tank destroyers and assault tanks. Before that they were going to cut back their military spending on armour vehicles. The Great Depression caused their Military spending to be cut in 1929 and 1930. In 1933 is were they rapidly increased their military spending and push for larger numbers of combat vehicles.
While a pretty poor tank if the French had built the Char D1 in similar numbers to the way they did the S35 (they built approximately 440 S35 between 1936-40 while they only built 160 D1s from 1931-35) the French military would have been in far better condition and they would have been able to make a far more effective armoured force than they did due to the extra experience plus the earlier ramping up of production would have meant they would have been able to make later tanks like the S35 in far greater numbers than they did.
As someone who watches 'Inside the Chieftain's Hatch' and has tried playing French reserve tanks in War Thunder, I judge these to be deceptively charming and quirky pieces of shit.
An FCM 36 battalion got almost all destroyed at Sedan without being able to do anything. the small gun couldn't penetrate anything, and it was even too slow for a light tank. Despite that, French had good tanks, Somua S35 and Renault char B1 which were much more successful against Panzers. Somua s35 won the battle of hannut, While one char B1 at Stonne killed a dozen of panzers only by himself. Even Battle of France was a defeat, 1158 panzers were destroyed by Allies over 2445 engaged. The main weakness of French Army were the airplanes only 1400 against 4200.
The FCM 36 was a light infantry tank, it doesn't have to fast in that role. However,they cannot be upgraded with a better gun,because the turret cannot handle the "tremendous force" of the better SA38 cannon. The lack of penetration from the SA18 gun killed that battalion, because after a little while,the German tank crews realised "these guns can do nothing to our armor". In my opinion it's not fair that you try to compare the FCM 36 to either the S35 or the B1. The FCM 36 wasn't even designed with AT-capabilities in mind,but that's more of the French Army's fault rather than the designers,because the Army wasn't requested them to do so. Besides,the S35 was 7 ton heavier and the B1 bis was one of the heaviest tanks of it's time and weighed 2,5 times as much as the FCM 36. Of course with better AP-capabilities and better armor they fought better against the enemy.
@@keaneoRX7 the char b1 was not a good tank.it used bolted on armor.two man turret.It hada radiator on one side.The door to get in was on the other side.The 75mm gun velocity was only 200 meters a second.plus it couldn't move to either side.
Moran (Chieftan's) ergonomics ratings are badly flawed by his physical size, especially with the several tanks that were specifically designed for small crewmen. In many cases he really needs to hire a smaller friend to sit in the tanks while he narrates.
![BABYMONSTER - 'DRIP' M/V REACTION [WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS!!!]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/t0Lpgr1jo3Y/mqdefault.jpg)
The D2 that fell into a ravine in Perigord was recovered, concealed from the Armistice Commission and rebuilt by a Capitaine Loffet and a Lieutenant Nicolau. The repaired vehicle was hidden near Sarlat at Saint-Martial-de-Nabirat. It is probably the best attested Vichy French tank, though other types are also believed to have been hidden. [See p.79 of "Une Entreprise Clandestine sous L'Occupation Allemande" by Restany (1948).]
Very well structured episode, and the Further Reading section is great. 👍
Hey man...WELL DONE for focussing on these rare and interesting French tanks. Bravo!
You give really good information! I learned some new things about WW ll tanks and vehicles I didn't know! Keep up this great series!
Not specific to tanks but I would also recommend 'Organization, Equipment, & Tactical Doctrine Of The French Army 1939' from the Nafziger collection.
Bonjour Tom et merci pour votre travail ! Encore un effort et, avec un peu de fromage et de vin rouge, vous ferez un bon Français ! 😘
The French decide to expanded their tank force only after Hilter declared Germany was going to equip the German Army with tanks and tank destroyers and assault tanks. Before that they were going to cut back their military spending on armour vehicles. The Great Depression caused their Military spending to be cut in 1929 and 1930. In 1933 is were they rapidly increased their military spending and push for larger numbers of combat vehicles.
These videos are great! Please keep them up!
Great video, keep up the great work
The background image where can I find it or others of that parade?
It would be nice to have a overview of Alfred Becker's work. There's probably enough there to have a complete series of his own.
17:24 Minor note: that should be "variants".
Great series, such a shame you’ve gone silent.
While a pretty poor tank if the French had built the Char D1 in similar numbers to the way they did the S35 (they built approximately 440 S35 between 1936-40 while they only built 160 D1s from 1931-35) the French military would have been in far better condition and they would have been able to make a far more effective armoured force than they did due to the extra experience plus the earlier ramping up of production would have meant they would have been able to make later tanks like the S35 in far greater numbers than they did.
As someone who watches 'Inside the Chieftain's Hatch' and has tried playing French reserve tanks in War Thunder, I judge these to be deceptively charming and quirky pieces of shit.
Classic 'two man-crew' problem?Or the lack of penetration?
Ooh, both and so much more.
An FCM 36 battalion got almost all destroyed at Sedan without being able to do anything. the small gun couldn't penetrate anything, and it was even too slow for a light tank. Despite that, French had good tanks, Somua S35 and Renault char B1 which were much more successful against Panzers. Somua s35 won the battle of hannut, While one char B1 at Stonne killed a dozen of panzers only by himself. Even Battle of France was a defeat, 1158 panzers were destroyed by Allies over 2445 engaged. The main weakness of French Army were the airplanes only 1400 against 4200.
The FCM 36 was a light infantry tank, it doesn't have to fast in that role. However,they cannot be upgraded with a better gun,because the turret cannot handle the "tremendous force" of the better SA38 cannon. The lack of penetration from the SA18 gun killed that battalion, because after a little while,the German tank crews realised "these guns can do nothing to our armor".
In my opinion it's not fair that you try to compare the FCM 36 to either the S35 or the B1. The FCM 36 wasn't even designed with AT-capabilities in mind,but that's more of the French Army's fault rather than the designers,because the Army wasn't requested them to do so. Besides,the S35 was 7 ton heavier and the B1 bis was one of the heaviest tanks of it's time and weighed 2,5 times as much as the FCM 36. Of course with better AP-capabilities and better armor they fought better against the enemy.
@@keaneoRX7 the char b1 was not a good tank.it used bolted on armor.two man turret.It hada radiator on one side.The door to get in was on the other side.The 75mm gun velocity was only 200 meters a second.plus it couldn't move to either side.
Moran (Chieftan's) ergonomics ratings are badly flawed by his physical size, especially with the several tanks that were specifically designed for small crewmen. In many cases he really needs to hire a smaller friend to sit in the tanks while he narrates.