Author Archives: Jim Bambra

The S35 was built by the Société d’Outillage Mécanique et d’Usinage d’Artillerie, abbreviated to SOMUA. Designed to fight enemy armour, the S35 has has an effective 47L32 gun in a One-and-a-Half Man turret where the radio operator helps the commander … Continue reading →

The Hotchkiss H35 was originally intended as a light infantry support tank, but due to its inferior cross-country handling it was used by the French Cavalry to equip their light tank units. The H35 was also issued to reconnaissance units … Continue reading →

The Hotchkiss H39 was an attempt to improve the speed of the H35 and also saw the replacement of the 37L21 gun with the more effective 37L33. The H39 was only available in small numbers in 1940, but was fitted … Continue reading →

Based on outmoded design concepts, the Char B1 bis owes its origins to World War One tank design. Slow and unreliable, the Char B1 bis is heavily-armoured and with a hull-mounted 75mm howitzer. It has a 47mm gun in a … Continue reading →

The PDF for the French Armoured Divisions is now available. The 1re, 2e, and 3e Divisions Cuirassées de Réserve (DCR) were formed in early 1940 as part of the French Infantry Arm. The 4e DCR was created in mid-May 1940, … Continue reading →