Tuesday, 16 April 2024

Char B1 bis at Bovington

 "On paper the Char B1 bis was the most powerful tank in the world in 1940. It was armed with a 75mm howitzer in the hull, intended for infantry support, and a 47mm anti-tank gun in the one man turret.

Although heavily armoured it was slow and had limited range – a consequence of its long development, which had begun in 1926.

This tank was one of many captured by the Germans after the Fall of France. It was issued to Tank Battalion 213, stationed in the Channel Islands. It never saw combat and was taken by the British in 1945 when Jersey was liberated."

http://www.tankmuseum.org/museum-online/vehicles/object-e1951-40



Panzer IV vs. Char B1 BIS

 The Battle of France in 1940 involved the first large-scale tank-against-tank battles in history. The massive clashes at Stonne, Hannant, and Gembloux involved hundreds of tanks on both sides, yet have faded from memory due to the enourmity of the French defeat. This book examines two of the premier opposing tanks of the Wehrmacht and the French Army, the German PzKpfw IV and the French Char B1 bis. With a complete history of the design, development, and deployment of these armoured fighting vehicles, the story of these great battles is once again brought to life.

Just ordered this from the library. By the same author as the below book.

Blitzkrieg: The Invasion of Poland to the Fall of France

 just ordered this from the Library A fascinating study of the  devastating new form of warfare that redrew the map of Europe  in the openin...