| Tango01 | 14 Jan 2021 9:20 p.m. PST |
…. the foundation of the German Geschutzwagen B2 Self-Propelled Howitzers. "With the Fall of France in May-June 1940 came the capture of thousands of French military vehicles. The Germans moved on claiming this still-useful stock and reintroduced them into their own ranks. While some vehicles were allowed retain their original combat roles, others were modified to fulfill growing German Army requirements and this proved with case with the Renault Char B Heavy Tank which was introduced into French Army service prior to the war during 1936. Armed with a 75mm howitzer in its turret, as well as a 47mm cannon in the hull, these steel beasts were well-armored fighting machines and of concern to the invading Germans during 1940. Under new ownership, the tanks were selected for conversion to Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) platforms as the "10.5cm leFH 18/3 (Sf) auf Geschutzwagen B2". Early on, the Germans modified the French tanks as flame-projecting vehicles under the "Flammwagen auf Panzerkampfwagen B-2(f)" designation and sixty were completed to that standard. However, their limited showing along the East Front helped evolve the Char B stock as dedicated self-propelled artillery systems instead…."
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Armand |
 Editor in Chief Bill   | 14 Jan 2021 9:45 p.m. PST |
From the Military Factory website |
 Legion 4   | 15 Jan 2021 7:58 a.m. PST |
The Germans were masters of using and/or repurposing captured enemy vehicles. They really had no choice as the war went on and expanded. |
| Wildman | 15 Jan 2021 9:09 a.m. PST |
I think they have the armament reversed. The 47mm gun was
in the turret and the 75mm howitzer was in the hull. |
| donlowry | 15 Jan 2021 10:09 a.m. PST |
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| Tango01 | 15 Jan 2021 12:20 p.m. PST |
Thanks!.
Amicalement
Armand
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| Legion 4 | 15 Jan 2021 4:09 p.m. PST |
Yes in was, the turret mounted the 47mm and 75mm in the hull. I've seen many photos and built a few Char Bs long ago … |
| Andy ONeill | 17 Jan 2021 4:07 a.m. PST |
The wiki article is pretty good. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Char_B1 The 75mm gun in the hull only had 1 degree of traverse. The driver had a sight to direct the tank and hence gun onto target. The intended usage of the weapon was on fixed defences as the tank broke through ww1 style trenches. That was the plan. |
| Legion 4 | 17 Jan 2021 4:43 p.m. PST |
Yes, I remember reading something like that too. Seems sometimes the French were fighting "the last war" … And in many cases they were not alone. |
| Warspite1 | 18 Jan 2021 4:54 a.m. PST |
A few points on French tanks.
The Char B and the Somua are said to have inspired Allied designs.
The Somua is said to made inspired the M-4 Sherman with its mid-hull track return and general hull shape while the Char B is said to have inspired the British Churchill.
Both tanks have a track return which goes up to the main deck level, both tanks had the main gun in the hull and both tanks had side hatches. The first Churchills had a 3-inch gun in the hull but this was soon removed. The captured Char Bs are said to have remained in service until at least 1944 with reports that the flamethrower versions were used by Dutch-born SS troops at Arnhem.
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| Legion 4 | 18 Jan 2021 10:10 a.m. PST |
I read some French tanks were even used by the Germans in some places on the Eastern Front as well. |
| Warspite1 | 20 Jan 2021 4:03 p.m. PST |
@Legion 4:
Ex-French tanks were used in the Soviet Union and the Balkans. Primarily in anti-partisan operations. Barry |
| Legion 4 | 20 Jan 2021 4:15 p.m. PST |
Yes, I heard that. Don't think they would have fared too well vs. some of the USSR's heavier tanks. E.g. T34s, KV1s, etc. |
