New Bolt Action Char D1 Infantry Tank

emckinney writes:

The big problem with the D1 (and the D2) was that the build quality was terrible. David Lehman noted off-handedly:

"150 tanks are delivered between 1932 and 1935. … They are intensively used for training and to study and develop the doctrine of the French light tanks (infantry support) … at a point that in 1934, 17 tanks are exhausted and 62 under repair."

"Exhausted" means that the hulls had broken apart so badly that they were scrapped. The 62 were in major overhauls to try too make them usable.

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Paul at Warlord Games of Warlord Games writes:

Originally conceived as an infantry support tank, the D1 instead became the main battle tank of the French army during the 1930s, serving in North Africa, in defence of France during the German invasion of 1940, and ultimately during the battle of Kasserine Pass in 1943.

For its time, the Char D1 had good armor – 30mm thick on vertical surfaces, which the two-man crew would have appreciated!

The driver can operate the fixed 7.5 mm Reibel machinegun that sits low in the nose (almost completely hidden behind the armor). The second crew member operates the radio set on the right side of the fighting compartment.

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