Tanks (WW 2) - France: Books - History, Types and Construction (1/2)

French Tanks of World War II (1) - Infantry and Battle Tanks (Osprey)

The first of two volumes covering the French armor of World War II, this title looks at the infantry and battle tanks that faced the onslaught of the German Blitzkrieg in 1940.
Many of the French tanks were intended as replacements for the World War I-era Renault FT, and various modernization efforts throughout the inter-war years had given rise to a number of new infantry tanks, including the Renault R35 and R40, FCM 36, and the Hotchkiss H35 and H39.
Alongside these developments was a separate family of battle tanks, starting with the Renault D1, D2, and, finally, the best-known French tank of the campaign - the Char B1 bis.

"French Tanks of World War II (1)" offers a background to the design and development of these tank types, and an evaluation of their performance in the Battle of France.

Contents: Introduction - Design and Development - Operational History - Conclusion and Analysis.

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French Tanks of World War II (2) - Cavalry Tanks and AFVs (Osprey)

A sequel to French Tanks of World War II (1), this title focuses primarily on France's cavalry armored vehicles, including the light reconnaissance tanks such as the AMR and AMC families, the famous Somua S.35 cavalry tanks and the extensive array of armored half-track and armored cars used by the French cavalry.

Contents: Introduction - Design and Development - Operational History - Conclusion and Analysis.

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Division Leclerc : The Leclerc Column and Free French 2nd Armored Division, 1940-1946 (Osprey)

'General Leclerc' was the nom de guerre adopted by the Gaullist officer Philippe de Hautcloque, to protect his family in occupied France. He became France's foremost fighting commander, and his armored division (the '2e DB') its most famous formation.
Starting as a small scratch force of mostly African troops organised and led by Leclerc in French Equatorial Africa, it achieved early success raiding Italian and German positions in co-operation with Britain's Long Range Desert Group.

Following the Allied victory in North Africa it was expanded and reorganised as a US Army-style armoured division, with American tanks and other armoured vehicles. Shipped to the UK, in spring 1944, it was assigned to Patton's US Third Army, landing in time for the Normandy breakout and being given the honour of liberating Paris in August 1944.
Combining a thorough analysis of their combat and organisation with detailed colour plates of their uniforms and equipment, this is the fascinating story of Free France's most effective fighting force.

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1940: Les Blindes Francais

This book presents the French armored vehicles in the battle of May-June 1940. First of all, there are the combat tanks with presentations of the equipment (FT 17, D1, D2, R35, H35, FCM, H39, B1, FCM2 C) but also of the units (the DCR, BCC and CACC).
The second part presents the "cavalry", its equipment (AMD 50, AMD 178, AMR 33, AMC 35, H35 and H39, AMC SOMUA), its organization (DLM, DLC, GRDI), during the Phoney War then its reorganization in June before the final defeat.

This extensively illustrated book presents a detailed picture of this armoured force and the history of its engagements, unit by unit. An essential reference document.

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Les régiments de chars de la 2e DB

When it was set up in 1943, General Leclerc's 2nd Armored Division was equipped with three tank regiments that would form its spearhead: the 501st Combat Tank Regiment, from the FFL, the 12th African Chasseur Regiment and the 12th Cuirassier Regiment, from the African Army.

Present in all the battles led by the division, from Normandy to Germany, via Paris, Lorraine, Alsace and Royan, these regiments would distinguish themselves on the battlefield and contribute to the division's reputation. This book traces their history.

The text, interspersed with numerous testimonies, most of which have never been published, constitutes both a synthesis of the various engagements and an evocation of the risky life of tank crews. It is illustrated by more than 300 photos, 23 color profiles and 8 maps.

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