Char D1
The French plan of 1926, calling for the creation of a Light Infantry Support Tank, led to the development of the existing Renault NC1 prototype into the Char D1. One hundred and sixty vehicles of this type were produced between 1931 and 1935. There was a pre-series of ten vehicles and later 150 standard vehicles were built. Until 1936 the vehicles were fitted with Renault FT turrets because the intended cast ST2 turrets were not yet ready. Armament on the first tanks, sometimes referred to as Chars D1A, consisted of a 47mm gun in the turret with a fixed machine gun in the hull front. Maximum armour was 30mm. 60 were completed by the end of 1932. Further orders followed until a total of 160 had been completed by 1935. These later vehicles included an improved version mounting the ST2 turret. The ST2 turret was armed with a short 47mm SA34 tank gun but now also included a coaxial 7.5mm machine gun. The hull still carried a 7.5mm MG in the bow. Armour was increased to 35mm and the engine was uprated from 65hp to 100hp. The type did not serve as an infantry support tank as originally intended, but as France's major battle tank of the early thirties; it was quickly phased out in 1937 because of its mechanical unreliability and relegated to colonial units in North Africa.
In May 1940, during the Campaign in France, it was decided after the German success of Fall Gelb, to reinforce mainland France with the North-African battalions. Predictably, the readiness of the Char D1s had in the meantime only worsened. It was decided to concentrate all 43 operational vehicles available into 67th Tank Battalion (BCC), the first unit to be shipped to France. As Italy had not yet declared war, the battalion reached France in relative safety in early June.
The 67 BCC on 12 June reinforced the Senegalese 6th Mechanised Infantry Division's defence of the village of Souain, and defended against an attack by 8th Panzer Division. The battalion repulsed the first German attacks, destroying four enemy tanks. When the 67 BCC executed a flanking attack, following the official tactical doctrine prescribing that the best way of defence was to use the "shock effect" of an armoured counterstroke, it was itself hit in the flank by 37mm PAK fire and lost seven vehicles without any gain. Further German attacks were beaten off, again destroying some enemy tanks. It was decided to attempt a withdrawal to the south during the night but during this retreat the battalion was ambushed, losing all of its remaining vehicles.Of the 43 Char D1s participating in the campaign, 25 were completely destroyed; eighteen were captured by the Germans and given the designation Panzerkampfwagen 732 (f). There is no documented German use of the materiel.
Characteristics and Tabulated Data
Engine: Renault 25 CV, 4 cylinder, bore/stroke 110 x 160mm, 6,082cc producing 74hp at 2,000rpm
Gearbox: 6 and reverse
Max speed: 18.5kph
Range: 120km
Petrol capacity: 165l
All up weight: 14,000kg
Armour: 30mm max
Crew: 3 commander/gunner in turret, driver and mechanic in hull
Armament: Turret. SA 47mm gun Model 1934 with 112 rounds and 7.5mm MAC 31 machine gun. Hull: fixed MAC 31 with elevation only, no traverse. 4,500 rounds in total for both machine guns
Width of vehicle: 2.18m
Length: 4.7m
Height: 2.5m
Char D1 Characteristics for Command Decision
Char D1 Squadrons 10 May 1940
Organisation of the Tank Company Type D Compagnie de Chars de Combat (Type D)
Example Char D1 Organisation for Command Decision: 67th Tank Battalion (BCC)
67th Tank Battalion (BCC): Headquarters: command D1, ammunition Lorraine, 2 x fuel Lorraine, medium truck, support stand.
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