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

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

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.

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

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.

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

'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.

1940: Les Blindes Francais

Ce livre présente les blindés français dans la bataille de mai-juin 1940. Ce sont tout d'abord les chars de combat avec les présentations des matériels (FT 17, D1, D2, R35, H35, FCM, H39, B1, FCM2 C) mais aussi des unités (les DCR, BCC et CACC). La seconde partie présente la « cavalerie », ses matériels (AMD 50, AMD 178, AMR 33, AMC 35, H35 et H39, AMC SOMUA), son organisation (DLM, DLC, GRDI), pendant la Drôle de Guerre puis sa réorganisation en juin avant la défaite finale.

Cet ouvrage, très largement illustré, présente un tableau détaillé de cette force blindée et l'historique de ses engagements, unité par unité. Un document de référence incontournable.

Les régiments de chars de la 2e DB

Lorsqu'elle est mise sur pieds en 1943, la 2e division blindée du général Leclerc est dotée de trois régiments de chars qui vont en constituer le fer de lance : le 501e régiment de chars de combat, issu des FFL, le 12e régiment de chasseurs d'Afrique et le 12e régiment de cuirassiers, issus de l'armée d'Afrique.

Présents dans tous les combats menés par la division, de la Normandie à l'Allemagne, en passant par Paris, la Lorraine, l'Alsace et Royan, ces régiments vont s'illustrer sur le champ de bataille et contribuer à la réputation de la division. Cet ouvrage retrace leur histoire.

Le texte, émaillé de nombreux témoignages pour la plupart inédits, constitue à la fois une synthèse des différents engagements et une évocation de la vie pleine de risques des équipages de chars. Il est illustré par plus de 300 photos, 23 profils en couleurs et 8 cartes.