German 202nd Tank Battalion (Pz.Abt.202)
German 172nd Anti-Aircraft (Flak) Battalion
German army battalions in Yugoslavia
1052nd Special Unit (Sonderkommando)
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Char B1 bis
Char B was heaviest armed and armored tank which was available in quantity in 1939. On initiative of general Estienne, 'father of the French tank', in 1921 work has started on char de bataille for heavy support fo the infantry char d'accompagnement and for combat with heavy enemies fortifications and tanks. New tank had to be heavily armed and armored and equipped with radio for tactical coordination in his semi-independent actions, although his role in basics was support of infantry not independent attack.
After creation of model, permission was granted for three prototypes in 1926. It was decided to use suspension made by FCM (Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée), Renault engine and Schneider transmission. In 1927 order was received by FCM, Renault and FAMH (Forges et Aciéres de la Marine et d'Homéocourt). Arsenal Rueil (ARL) coordinated the project and vehicles where finished between 1929 and 1931, two at ARL and one at FCM.
These tanks had short 75mm gun in front hull and two machine-guns and two more machine-guns in small turret. Armor was 25mm thick and tank had weight of 25 tons. Engine of 180 hp give it speed of only 20 km/h, although range was 257 km. Tests during 1930 and 1931 where successful and work continued on future Char B. Promoted by German rearming and occupation of Rajne region in 1935, French immediately started producing modified version. New cast turret with short 47mm gun was added, new engine of 250 hp which give over 30 tone vehicle speed of 27 km/h but reduced range to 200 km.
After first 35 tanks, which are usually designated as Char B1, followed modified B1 bis with AR x 4 turret, better armored and with 47mm L34 gun, hull armor was increased to 60mm and new 307 hp engine which reduced range to only 150 km, adequate for infantry operations but mayor strategic fault for mobile warfare which followed. Later vehicles were equipped with extra fuel tanks to fix this problem.
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Four crew members had very complicated duties, even when expertly trained duty roster didn't allow for tactical efficiency in combat. Tank driver was also gunner for 75mm gun controlling elevation with hand lever, while at the same time controlling machine-gun in the hull. Special loader set the trigger on the 75mm rounds and passed 45mm rounds into the turret which was electrically powered in which overworked commander/gunner tried to command the tank and formation and work the 47mm gun quickly. Crew was complemented by radio operator.
In 1936 four year plan envisioned 12 battalions of Char B (around 400 tanks) with which two DCR (Division Cuirassee de Réserve) would be armed. Mechanical complicity of Char B1 bis postponed mass production, and until the fall of France only 365 tanks where produced, although four manufactures were hired: Renault, Schneider, FCM, FAMH and from 1939 AMX (Atelier de Construction d'Issy-less-Moulineaux). In first months of the war not more then 15 tanks where made monthly. When Germans attacked on May 10th 1940, France had some 300 B1 and B1 bis: 66 in each of the three DCR, 57 parceled out in the different small campagnies autonomes. Some 30 more made the core of De Gaulle's Foruth DCR.
In Action
Tank B1 bis was superior in his armor and armament. With his 47mm gun it was stronger then Pz.Kpfw. III and IV and could only be disabled by hit to the tracks or to vulnerable engine grate on the left side or by hits from 88mm Flak-18. However B1 bis didn't have success in a combat. Badly trained crews couldn't perform complicated tasks and small radius combined with often stooping and moving through roads crowded with refuges resulted in fear of running out of fuel and often stops to refuel. First DCR never recovered from surprise done by German tanks at the moment her tanks where refueling.
After June 1940, Germans used Char B for occupation duties (like Channel islands) as Pz.Kpfw. B1 bis 740 (f). Some had there turret and armament removed and become Pz.Kpfw. B1 (f), driver training tanks. 25 tanks had there 75mm gun replaced with flame-thrower and become Pz.Kpfw. B1 (f) Flamm. Several where converted at Rheimetall-Borsing to mount 105mm filed howitzer - 10,5cm le FH 18 Ausf Gw B2 (f).
Some surviving tanks where used by SS Tank Company of the 7th SS Freiwilligsten Gebirgsjägerdivision Prinz Eugen in Yugoslavia for occupation duties.
Armament: 47mm L34 SA-35 gun with 50 rounds
75mm L17,1 gun with 74 rounds
two 7,5mm m.1931 machine-guns with 5,100 roundsCrew: 4 Armor: hull front and side - 60mm
hull rear - 55mm
hull top - 25mm
hull floor - 20mm
turret front - 55mm
turret side and rear - 45mm
turret top - 30mmMax speed: 28 km/h (17.39 mph) Range: 150 km (93.15 miles) Engine: Renault six cylinder liquid cooled petrol rated at 307 hp Fording: 1.47 meters Vertical obstacle: 0.93 meters Trench: 2,75 meters Length: 6.37 meters (20.90 ft) Height: 2.79 meters (9.15 ft) Width: 2.5 meters (8.20 ft) Combat weight: 31,500 kg (69,457 lb)
31.5 tones (34.5 US tons)
