Hotchkiss H39

Top to Bottom: H39 SA18, H39 SA 38, colour drawings H39 SA 38

As the Cavalry wanted an even better top speed, it was decided to bring to fruition experiments already conducted from October 1936 to install a stronger engine. A new prototype was made in 1937, with a 120 hp instead of a 78 hp engine. The hull was enlarged, giving it a higher almost level engine deck, to accommodate it. The track and the suspension elements were improved, raising the weight to 12.1 tons. This improved type was faster, with a top speed of 36.5 km/h (22.6 mph), but also was much easier to drive. Therefore it was first presented to the Commission d'Expérimentations de l'Infanterie on 31 January 1939 to see whether the original negative decision could be changed. The commission indeed accepted the type, the Char léger modèle 1935 H modifié 39; and it was decided on 18 February to let it succeed the original version from the 401st vehicle onwards, which was just as well as both in 1937 and 1938 an order had been made of 200 vehicles and production had already started, the total orders of the improved type thereafter being expanded to 900. The factory identifier however was Char léger Hotchkiss modèle 38 série D, its predecessor having been the série B. The designation has caused much confusion; this was still officially the same tank as the "H 35", only in a later variant. However even at the time, many began to refer to it as the 38 H or the 39 H.

The new subtype differed from the original one in having a raised and more angular engine deck (in later production vehicles with crosswise instead of longitudinal ventilation slits on the right side); a range decreased to 120 km; closed idler wheels; tracks two centimetres wider at 27 cm; metal instead of rubber wheel treads; a silencer directed to the back and larger, more reliable and effective, ventilators. 

A modernisation programme was initiated in early 1940. This included besides the fitting of episcopes, tails and some radio sets, the gradual introduction of a longer L/35 37 mm SA38 gun with a much improved anti-tank capability (30 mm penetration at 1,000 m); about 350 vehicles were (re)built with the better gun, among them about fifty "H 35"s. The new gun became standard on the production lines in April. Before that, the available new guns had, from January 1940, gradually been fitted to the tanks of platoon, company and battalion commanders; about half of the commander vehicles in Hotchkiss units were so modified. It had been intended to fit the longer gun to all vehicles during the second half of 1940. After the war it was wrongly assumed for a time that "H 38" was the official name of the tank with the new engine but without the new gun and that "H 39" was the name of the type that had both major improvements. "H 38" however, in contemporary use indicated the same type as "H 39" and it is only possible to refer to the latter with historical accuracy in an informal sense. Parallel to the development of a R 40 it was, for a time, considered to create an "H 40" by adopting the improved AMX suspension of the other vehicle; but this option was ultimately rejected. 

Characteristics and Tabulated Data

Engine: Renault 24hp, 8 cylinder, bore/stroke 75 x 120mm, 4,241cc producing 85hp at 2,800rpm

Gearbox: 4 and reverse

Max speed: 36.5kph

Sustained speed: 45kph

Range: 120km

Petrol capacity: 207l

All up weight: 12,1,000kg

Armour: 40mm max

Crew: 2 commander/gunner in turret, driver in hull

Armament: 37mm SA18 or 38 with 100 rounds; 7.5mm machine gun

Width of vehicle: 1.95m

Length: 4.22m

Height: 2.13m

H39 SA 18 and SA38 in Command Decision

H 39 SA18

IV

18/10T

4/4S

T:37L22

HE

1

6(4)W

12(3)W

18(2)W

24(1)W

AP

1

6(7) 2

12(5)1

18(3)1

24(1)0

T:MG

SA

1

6(7)W

12(5)W

xx

xx

H 39 SA38

IV

18/10T

4/4S

T:37L33

HE

1

6(4)W

12(3)W

18(2)W

24(1)W

AP

1

6(7) 3

12(5)2

18(3)1

24(1)0

T:MG

SA

1

6(7)W

12(5)W

xx

xx

H39 Tank Squadrons and Companies 10 May 1940

Light Tank Squadron	II Cavalry Squadron Group	1st Armoured Regiment (Cuirassiers)	5th Combat Brigade	3rd Armoured Cavalry Division (DLM)
Light Tank Squadron	II Cavalry Squadron Group	1st Armoured Regiment (Cuirassiers)	5th Combat Brigade	3rd Armoured Cavalry Division (DLM)
Light Tank Squadron	II Cavalry Squadron Group	1st Armoured Regiment (Cuirassiers)	5th Combat Brigade	3rd Armoured Cavalry Division (DLM)
Light Tank Squadron	II Cavalry Squadron Group	2nd Armoured Regiment (Cuirassiers)	5th Combat Brigade	3rd Armoured Cavalry Division (DLM)
Light Tank Squadron	II Cavalry Squadron Group	2nd Armoured Regiment (Cuirassiers)	5th Combat Brigade	3rd Armoured Cavalry Division (DLM)
Light Tank Squadron	II Cavalry Squadron Group	2nd Armoured Regiment (Cuirassiers)	5th Combat Brigade	3rd Armoured Cavalry Division (DLM)
Armoured Car Squadron	I Armoured Car/Motorcycle Group	2nd Motorised Reconnaissance Battalion (GRDIm)	9th Motorised Infantry Division (DIM)	Formed initially without armoured cars. 2nd GRDIm received two squadrons of H39 instead in January 1940. In April 1940 the AMD squadron was replaced with AMD 178 Panhards leaving 2nd GRDIm with one squadron of H39s
Armoured Car Squadron	II Armoured Car/Motorcycle Group	2nd Motorised Reconnaissance Battalion (GRDIm)	9th Motorised Infantry Division (DIM)
Tank Squadron	Motorcycle/Tank Group	5th Armoured Car Regiment (RAM)	15th Mechanised Brigade	5th Light Cavalry Division (DLC)
Tank Company	25th Armoured Battalion (BCC)	3rd Armoured Demi-Brigade	1st Armoured Division (DCR)
Tank Company	25th Armoured Battalion (BCC)	3rd Armoured Demi-Brigade	1st Armoured Division (DCR)
Tank Company	25th Armoured Battalion (BCC)	3rd Armoured Demi-Brigade	1st Armoured Division (DCR)
Tank Company	26th Armoured Battalion (BCC)	3rd Armoured Demi-Brigade	1st Armoured Division (DCR)
Tank Company	26th Armoured Battalion (BCC)	3rd Armoured Demi-Brigade	1st Armoured Division (DCR)
Tank Company	26th Armoured Battalion (BCC)	3rd Armoured Demi-Brigade	1st Armoured Division (DCR)
Tank Company	14th Armoured Battalion (BCC)	4th Armoured Demi-Brigade	2nd Armoured Division (DCR)
Tank Company	14th Armoured Battalion (BCC)	4th Armoured Demi-Brigade	2nd Armoured Division (DCR)
Tank Company	14th Armoured Battalion (BCC)	4th Armoured Demi-Brigade	2nd Armoured Division (DCR)
Tank Company	27th Armoured Battalion (BCC)	4th Armoured Demi-Brigade	2nd Armoured Division (DCR)
Tank Company	14th Armoured Battalion (BCC)	4th Armoured Demi-Brigade	2nd Armoured Division (DCR)
Tank Company	14th Armoured Battalion (BCC)	4th Armoured Demi-Brigade	2nd Armoured Division (DCR)
Tank Company	42nd Armoured Battalion (BCC)	7th Armoured Demi-Brigade	3rd Armoured Division (DCR)	The first company was used to form 342nd Independent Tank Company. 342nd was sent to Norway. A replacement company was provided from 1st Company 48th Armoured Battalion
Tank Company	42nd Armoured Battalion (BCC)	7th Armoured Demi-Brigade	3rd Armoured Division (DCR)
Tank Company	42nd Armoured Battalion (BCC)	7th Armoured Demi-Brigade	3rd Armoured Division (DCR)
Tank Company	45th Armoured Battalion (BCC)	7th Armoured Demi-Brigade	3rd Armoured Division (DCR)
Tank Company	45th Armoured Battalion (BCC)	7th Armoured Demi-Brigade	3rd Armoured Division (DCR)
Tank Company	45th Armoured Battalion (BCC)	7th Armoured Demi-Brigade	3rd Armoured Division (DCR)
Tank Company	48th Armoured Battalion (BCC)			Detached to 42nd Armoured Battalion. the remainder of the Battalion was equipped 19-22 May with 16 R35 and 29 R40

Example H39 organisation: 2nd Motorised Reconnaissance Group (GRDIm), 9th Motorised Infantry Division.

2nd motorised Reconnaissance Group (GRDIm)

Headquarters: command, car, light staff radio truck, light baggage truck. 2 x Motor Cycle Squadron: Motor Cycle command infantry, 2 x Reconnaissance Motor Cycle infantry.   Weapon Squadron: Medium Machine Gun stand, Heavy Machine Gun, crew, 25AT, 3 light truck. Armoured Car Squadron: command Panhard, 2 x Reconnaissance Panhard. Tank Squadron: command H39, 3 x H39.

Example H39 organisation: 25th and 26th Armoured Battalions (BCC), 3rd Armoured Brigade, 1st Armoured Division (DCR)

3rd Armoured Demi-Brigade	Headquarters: Command H39, medium baggage truck, medium supply truck, support stand
25th Armoured Battalion (BCC)	Headquarters: Command H39, 3 x Company: Command H39SA38, 2 x H39SA18
26th Armoured Battalion (BCC)	Headquarters: Command H39, 3 x Company: Command H39SA38, 2 x H39SA18

Example H39 organisation: 1st and 2nd Armoured Regiments, 5th Combat Brigade, 3rd Armoured Cavalry Division (DLM)

5th Combat Brigade	Command H35, staff radio truck, medium supply truck w’field kitchen trailer, medium baggage truck, support stand
1st Armoured Regiment (Cuirassiers)	Headquarters: Command H39, medium supply truck w/field kitchen trailer, medium baggage truck, support stand Tank Squadron: command H39. 3 x Company: command H39, 2 x H39 Tank Squadron: command S35. 3 x Company: command S35, S35 11th anti tank gun Battery: Command, car, 3 x crew, 2 x 25mm anti tank gun, 47mm anti tank gun, 3 x light truck
2nd Armoured Regiment (Cuirassiers)	Headquarters: Command H39, medium supply truck w/field kitchen trailer, medium baggage truck, support stand Tank Squadron: command H39. 3 x Company: command H39, 2 x H39 Tank Squadron: command S35. 3 x Company: command S35, S35

Example H39 organisation: 11th Motorised Infantry Regiment, 6th Reconnaissance Brigade, 3rd Armoured Cavalry Division (DLM)

6th Reconnaissance Brigade	Command, car, staff radio truck, medium supply truck w’field kitchen trailer, medium baggage truck, support stand
11th Motorised Infantry Regiment (Dragons Portes)	Headquarters: command, car, staff radio truck, medium supply truck, support stand I Battalion: command, car. Armoured Company: command H39, 2 x H39. Motor Cycle Company: command Motor Cycle infantry, 2 x Motor Cycle infantry. 2 x Infantry Company: command infantry, infantry, Medium Machine Gun stand, 3 x light truck. Weapon Company: 2 x Medium Machine Gun stand, 81mm mortar, crew, 25L72AT, 2 x medium truck, 1 light truck. II Battalion: command, car. Armoured Company: command H39, 2 x H39. Motor Cycle Company: command Motor Cycle infantry, 2 x Motor Cycle infantry. 2 x Infantry Company: command infantry, infantry, Medium Machine Gun stand, 3 x light truck. Weapon Company: 2 x Medium Machine Gun stand, 81mm mortar, crew, 25L72AT, 2 x medium truck, 1 light truck. III Battalion: command, car. Armoured Company: command H39, 2 x H39. Motor Cycle Company: command Motor Cycle infantry, 2 x Motor Cycle infantry. 2 x Infantry Company: command infantry, infantry, Medium Machine Gun stand, 3 x light truck. Weapon Company: 2 x Medium Machine Gun stand, 81mm mortar, crew, 25L72AT, 2 x medium truck, 1 light truck.

Wargaming Usage and Model Availability

The H39 was very widely used and was a common tank in France 1940 with 680 produced. As noted in the organisations above it could be found either in the DLM Armoured Cavalry Divisions (3rd DLM as the AMC tank alongside the S35s, and also in the 3rd DLM in place of the AMR35s), and in the Demi-Brigades of the Armoured Division's alongside the Char Bs. It was also found in the GRDIm of 9th Motorised Division. Given their usage in both 3rd DLM and the first 3 armoured divisions, this is the tank for any wargame featuring the best of the French armoured units. Even more so than its brother the H35, this is one tank that you can have plenty of. Like the H35 no more than one in four should have the more powerful SA 38 gun, and these should be command vehicles.

H39s are available in 20mm from (at least):

S Models in plastic: http://shop.1-72depot.com/miniatures/1-72/vehicles-1-72/s-model/s-model-720008-hotchkiss-h3839-french-service/

RPM in plastic: http://www.onthewaymodels.com/reviews/RPM/SBrez_RPM_H39.htm

Early War Miniatures in resin and metal: http://earlywarminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1529

Frontline in resin: http://www.frontlinewargaming.co.uk/20veh.html