[烛光生存狂]-【坦克装甲车系列】法国R-35坦克

In 1933 the French High Command called for the design of a 6-ton tank as a replacement for the aging Renault FT17. The vehicle was designed to have a crew of two and to be armed with one or two 7.5mm MGs or a 37mm gun. Renault, "Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée" (FCM) [地中海冶金和造船厂]and the "Compagnie Générale de Construction des Locomotives and Delaunay Belleville" [德洛奈·贝尔维尔汽车制造总公司]took part in the design process. The first prototype was manufactured by Renault at the end of 1934 and was based upon the AMR 1935 type ZT.

1933年法国最高统帅部决定设计一款6吨重的坦克以取代陈旧的雷诺FT17．坦克的设计要求是两名乘员武备为2挺7.5毫米机枪或是一门37毫米炮．雷诺，地中海冶金和造船厂和德洛奈·贝尔维尔汽车制造总公司参与了设计竞标．1934年末首辆原型车由雷诺公司在AMR 1935 ZT型基础上改进而成．

The armor specifications were increased to 40mm after tests with the 25mm SA34 AT gun. The vehicle was called the Renault ZM (prior to acceptance) and immediately sent into trials in the winter of 1935. By spring, an order for 300 was placed. The tank was now called "char léger modèle 1935-R" (R35).

经过SA34型25毫米反坦克炮的火力测试后,坦克的装甲厚度提升到了40毫米.坦克在正式服役之前被称为雷诺ZM，马上在1935年冬天进行了相关测试．1936年春法国军方订购了300辆．坦克此时被正式称为"char léger modèle 1935-R" (R35).

On May 10, 1940, the Renault R35 was the most common tank in the French army with about 945 R35 tanks in combat units in metropolitan France and 125 R35 tanks in the French colonies. More of them were pressed into service in May/June 1940. If the exported R35 tanks and the tanks in the schools are counted, about 1,500 R35 were produced until the armistice.

1940年5月10日，雷诺R35成为法国陆军中数量最多的一种坦克．大约有945辆R35坦克宗主国的作战部队服役，125辆R35在法国的殖民地．如果把那些出口的R35和在陆军学校的都算上的话，在停战之前大约一共生产了1500辆R35．

The tank was equipped with the APX-R turret (cast) and the hull consisted of three cast sections that were bolted together.The side plates carried bogies and front driving sprocket. The final drive and differentials were housed under nose plates. It was steered through a Cletrac geared differential and brakes. The driver was located to left side and had 2 splits and an episcope. The turret had 3 episcopes and a domed cupola with binoculars. There was a seat for the commander and the hatch in the rear of the turret that opened down could be used as a seat. The machine-gun spent cases went down a chute through a hole in the floor. The engine was to the right in the rear with the self-sealing fuel tank (168 liters) on the left. The electrical system was a 12 V system with 2 cadmium-nickel batteries (80 AH) but the turret was hand cranked.

坦克安装的是APX－R型整体铸造炮塔，车体则由三大块铸件构成，然后用螺栓固定在一起。

The Renault R35 had no radio set (except the 24e BCC, the single R35 battalion in which all the tanks have the ER54 radio set) and the 37mm SA18 L/21 gun was rather inefficient against other tanks. The 37mm SA18 gun could be used at 300m against the Panzer I and Panzer II but to knock out a Panzer III Ausf.E/F (the previous models were less armored and easier to destroy) or a Panzer IV Ausf.C/D they had to get as close as < 25-100m, whereas the enemy could destroy them at about 300m (3.7cm KwK) to 500m (7.5cm KwK).

Several tanks were rearmed with a 37mm SA38 L/33 gun in May/June 1940 and named Renault R39 (only a few tanks for platoon and company leaders). During travel the spare MG stored in the tank was sometimes dismounted and put on the AA mount on the rear of the turret. The main gun was then facing the rear of the vehicle.

雷诺R35没有电台(除了第24坦克营，该营所有坦克都装备了ER54电台)，装备的SA18 L/21型37毫米炮在坦克战中几乎没任何效果．SA18型37毫米炮可以在300米的距离上击毁德国人的I号和II号坦克，但是只有在小于25-100米的距离上才能对III号Ausf.E/F(这之前的型号装甲防护相对薄弱，更容易击毁)和IV Ausf.C/D构成威胁．但是敌军的坦克却可以在300米(使用37毫米坦克炮)和500米(75毫米坦克炮)击穿法国坦克的装甲．1940年5/6月部分坦克换装了SA38 L/33型37毫米坦克炮，改称为雷诺R39(数量太少只能配备给连排长)．在行军途中坦克上的后备机枪有时候会拿来安装在炮塔后方安装在高射机枪座上．但是此时主炮就只能转到车体后方．

The tank is rather slow even compared to the heavier Renault B1bis and the suspension is poorly designed. The tank lacks mobility and crossing capacities in difficult off-road terrain because it is too short and the weight distribution is uneven. The crossing capacity was sometimes enhanced by the addition of the AMX Mle1938 crossing tail. The main advantages of the Renault R35 tank are its 40mm armor and the fact that it is exceptionally robust and sturdy. This tank could cross 500 km without a single maintenance or oiling operation if needed.

由于悬挂装置设计不合理，坦克的车速甚至要比更重的雷诺B1bis都要慢．坦克在困难路面上机动性能不佳的主要原因一方面是因为车体太短，另一方面是整车的重量分布不平均．雷诺R35的主要优势是其40毫米厚的装甲．如果需要的话，坦克在进行一次保养和加油后就可以行驶500公里．

The Renault R35 tank has also been exported to Romania (200 ordered, 41 delivered in September 1939 + later 34 ex-Polish R35s. About 30 R35s were rearmed with Soviet 45mm tank gun in 1943-1945), Turkey (50), Poland (50) and Yugoslavia (54).

Weight : 10.6t

Length : 4.02m

Width : 1.87m

Height : 2.13m

Crew : 2 men

Maximum armor : 43mm (APX-R turret is cast and hull is cast armor + RHA bolted elements)

Maximum speed : 20-23 km/h (Renault engine, water cooled, 4 cylinders, petrol, 85 hp, 5880 cc, 2200 rpm, Zenith type 42 UDD carburettor, magneto ignition, Scintilla Vertex NV4)

Diameter of turning circle at 6 km/h : 8.50m (Jentz)

Transmission : 4 forward, 1 reverse

Autonomy : 140 km

Ground pressure : 0.86 kg/cm² (compared to 0.73 for PzIIc, 0.92 for a Pz III e/f and 0.83 for PzIVd)

Armament : a 37mm SA18 L/21 gun and a 7.5mm MAC1931 CMG (100 shells with at least 10 AP shells* and 2400 cartridges - elevation of -16/+20° and traverse of -5°/+5°, but could be blocked to aim only with the turret rotation).

武备：一门SA18 L/21型37毫米坦克炮和一挺MAC1931 CMG型7.5毫米机枪（100枚炮弹，其中至少有10枚穿甲弹*和2400发子弹）

* The Renault FT17, Renault R35 and FCM36 infantry light tanks, which were not included in an amored divisions had often only a dozen AP shells, illustrating their infantry support role seen as primary task. They were depending from armies' HQs and were attached to various infantry units for support. They only had AP shells for self-defense against tanks but were not thought to be engaged in big tank battles. In the case of Renault R35 tanks included in an amored division like it was the case with the 4e DCr (2e BCC and 24e BCC), the ammunition loadout included more AP shells (about 40 probably). The situation was also different with e.g. the Hotchkiss cavalry light tanks, which had 60 HE and 40 AP shells and of course with all the heavier tanks like the Somua S35 or the Renault B1bis which had more numerous AP shells. The Somua S35 had 40 APC and 78 HE shells. The Renault B1bis, in the last loadout type had 72x 47mm shells (APC and HE) and 74x 75mm shells (7 APHE and 67 HE).

* 雷诺FT17,雷诺R35和FCM36步兵轻型坦克，不列装装甲师所有只有12枚穿甲弹．它们的主要任务是为步兵部队提供火力支援．听从集团军司令部的命令为不同的步兵部队提供支援．配备的穿甲弹只够自卫，无法应付大规模的坦克战．不过也有特例，第4预备队装甲师中的第2和第24坦克营的R35坦克配备了更多的穿甲弹（大约40枚）．Hotchkiss骑兵坦克的情况又有所不同，骑兵坦克的弹药比一般是60枚高爆弹和40枚穿甲弹．更重的S35或雷诺B1bis会带有数量更多的穿甲弹．

Detailed armor thickness (mm) :

Turret Front : 40mm/5° and 28° + gun mantlet

Turret Sides : 40mm/28°

Turret Rear : 40mm/30° (rear hatch is 40mm thick)

Turret Top : 25mm/90°

Copula : 40mm/round

Hull Front, Upper : 43m

Another example, several R35 of the 6e BCC are used on 13-14th May on the Meuse River in the Dinant-Houx area.

The 7.PzD and 5.PzD (540 tanks, 112 armored cars and 12 15cm sIG.33 auf PzI) have to cross the Meuse River in the area of Dinant (7.PzD) and Houx (5.PzD). Elements of the 1e DLC and of the 4e DLC are retreating behind the French lines in that area.

The 5e DIM has to defend a front of 16 km from Cave to Anhée :

• From Cave to Hun : 3e RI supported by 2 artillery groups (24 field guns)

• From Hun to Anhée : 129e RI supported by 2 artillery groups (24 field guns)

• Reserves : incomplete 39e RI (the second battalion is attached to the 18e DI)

• Reinforcements : 2 artillery groups (24 field guns) of the 77e RATTT (4e DLC)

66% of the automatic weapons are on the heights and 33% directly on the banks. Because of the many blind spots the artillery forward observers are all deployed along the bank.

The 18e DI has only 55% of its infantry on 13th May, 4 battalions out of 9 are still lacking and the whole divisions has only 21 AT guns. The division has to defend a front of 21 km between Houx and Hastière :

• At Houx and around Grange : the II/39e RI (5e DIM) makes liaison with the 5e DIM

• From Grange to Bouvignes : 2 battalions of the 66e RI

• Around Dinant : 2 battalions of the 77e RI

• South of Dinant : 1 battalion of the 125e RI

• Reserves : only 2 infantry companies

• Reinforcements : elements of the 1e DLC (the Hotchkiss H35 tank squadron, 2 artillery groups of the 75e RATTT and parts of the 5e RDP (motorized infantry), 19e RD (horse-mounted cavalry) and 1e RC(horse-mounted cavalry))

Even reinforced by elements of the 1e DLC, the 18e DI is too weak to stop a Panzerdivision.

The 7.PzD is opposed to the 18e DI. The 5.PzD is attacking the 5e DIM and the hinge between the 5e DIM and the 18e DI. All the bridges have been blown away when the first German AFVs where trying to cross them but a small lock on both sides of a small island in middle of the Meuse River is still intact. This lock is slightly south of Houx and just at the hinge of the 2 French divisions. If it had been blown away it would have created fords upstream.

Already during the 12th-13th May night, around 22h00 – 23h00, infantry elements of the Aufklärung Abteilung 8 (5.PzD) have crossed the Meuse River thanks to this lock and its small 1-meter wide footbridge. The 5.PzD is therefore the very first German unit having crossed the Meuse River. At 1h00 on 13th May these German troops are spotted. The French tries to warn general Corap (commander of the 9th Army) but all the attempts remain unsuccessful. A liaison manages to inform the general but at 16h30 only !

During all the night and a big part of the 13th May morning the II/39e RI fights alone against 3 German infantry battalions of the 5.PzD before being destroyed.

At 6h00 the small elements of the Aufklärung Abteilung 8 are reinforced by infantry battalions of the 5.PzD. The French artillery fires on all the accesses and exits of the lock. The footbridge is sprayed with LMG bullets from the few French troops in front of the lock. The German troops move to the house of the ford keeper and on the small islands, which hides their movements, by groups of 5 men separated by 100m gaps. One by one they try then to cross the foorbridge. The French LMGs are neutralized by the fire of the German artillery and tanks. At 10h00 about 1 German infantry company has managed to cross the lock with 10% losses.

The 1e GRDIm (reconnaissance group of the 5e DIM) is sent to the area between Haut-le-Wastia and Grange area to maintain the liaison with the 18e DI (about 13 Panhard 178, 12 Citroën-Kégresse P16 Mle1929, 4 AMR33/35s, 15 side-cars, 2 cars, 2 trucks, 4 light trucks, 24 FM 24/29 LMGs, 12 Hotchkiss Mle1914 MMGs, 2 60mm mortars and 4 25mm AT guns at full strength).

The German bridgehead (5.PzD) is still very weak and contains only infantry troops. The combats around Houx and Anhée involve mainly the 5e DIM. The battle around Haut-le-Wastia lasts all the day. The 5.PzD looses 24 KIA (including 2 officers) and 110 WIA (including 11 officers).

During the same time the 18e DI is mainly facing the 7.PzD. South of this bridgehead (5.PzD), the 66e RI is still holding the Hontoir farm, Sommière and Bouvignes. At the beginning of the afternoon, the 18e DI is ordered to counter-attack but with what ? There are not enough troops to defend the frontline which is attacked everywhere by the Germans of the 7.PzD.

A very violent battle opposes the 77e RI (18e DI) which will block the 7.PzD in front of Dinant and Bouvignes all the day long. The war diary of the 7.PzD gives a better view of the events unlike the memories of Rommel which are always tainted by self-advertisement. All the crossing attempts of the 7.PzD in front of Dinant are at first defeated. Unlike the 1.PzD at Sedan the 7.PzD has no Nebelwerfer unit to create smoke screens. Fire is set to several houses to make smoke. During several hours the crossing remains impossible and finally the motorcycle battalion of the 7.PzD is ordered to use the bridgehead of the 5.PzD at Houx to cross the Meuse River.

At the end of the day, only very small infantry elements of the 7.PzD have managed to cross the Meuse River in front of Dinant and Bouvignes. During the night 15 Panzer I and Panzer II reinforce the small bridgeheads thanks to barges. On 13th May the 7.PzD has lost 60 KIA (including 4 officers) and 222 WIA (including 15 officers). The 4 last infantry battalions of the 18e DI will finally arrive exhausted during the 13-14th May night.

On 14th May, the bridgeheads of both the 5.PzD and the 7.PzD are still very small. The 5.PzD has built 2 engineer bridges but one bridge is lost when a medium tank tries to cross it and ends in the river. The remaining bridge enables only the crossing of light tanks (Panzer I and Panzer II).

A French counter-attack is ordered against Houx with :

• I/39e RI

• III/39e RI

• 3/6e BCC (13 Renault R35 tanks)

• artillery support provided by the 18e DI

The infantry battalions have first to walk 14 km before reaching the departure line and they are immediately attacked by the Luftwaffe. The attack was planned at 18h00 but at 20h00 only several troops of the infantry battalions are ready. Nonetheless, the artillery preparation begins at 19h50 and at 20h00 the Renault R35 tanks begin the attack without infantry support.

The French tanks advance among the German troops and cross the whole bridgehead without losses. As they appear, hundreds of Germans surrender but the infantry is not following to capture them. After nightfall, the French tanks have to move back, pushing only several POWs in front of them. During the night more German tanks cross the Meuse River.

The town of Haut-le-Wastia is a strategic position, dominating the German bridgehead of Houx. A French counter-attack is launched on 14th May at 5h30 to seize the town. The troops involved are :

• The weapons squadron of capitaine Feuillatre (14e RDP, 1e DLC) with 8 Hotchkiss MGs, 4 81mm Brandt mortars and 4 25mm AT guns (if at full strength) provides the fire support protecting the advancing troops. There is no artillery support

• 1 squadron of the II/14e RDP attacks the north-east of the town

• Elements of the 1e GRDIm (3 AMR, 5 AMC P16 Mle1929 and 1 motorcycle platoon as foot infantry) attack on the north of the town

• The Hotchkiss H35 squadron from the 4e RAM (1e DLC) is also mentioned by several sources as taking part to the attack north of the town

• 2 companies of the II/129e RI attack the south of the town

The squadron of the II/14e RDP reaches the town and the elements of the 1e GRDIm outflank the German troops by the north but the 2 companies of the II/129e RI doesn't move at all for an unknown reason a

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