France's Renault Modèle R-35, Char Léger 35R light tank

Photos

R-35 light tank:


R-35 light tank:


R-35 light tank:

R-35 light tank:


R-35 light tank:


American officers inspecting R-35 light tank captured in Syria:

R-35 light tank:


R-35 light tank:

An AMR-35 with 25 mm and R-35s with machine guns:


R-35 light tanks being inspected by King George V:

Design

In 1934 requirements were sent out for a tank to replace the FT-17.^5,9 Compagni Général de Construction des Locomotives, Delaunay-Belleville, FCM, and Renault submitted designs.

In May 1935 an order of 300 of the Renault models (known as the Renault ZM⁵) were selected for production. Even with urgent construction the R-35 never replaced the FT-17 as only 1,600 were available by 1940.⁵ These were to equip 23 battalions before the German invasion. It was based on the Automitrailleuse de Reconnaissance 1935 Type ZT that was designed for the cavalry. The suspension and running gear were similar.

The prototypes of the R-35 were still being tested when the Germans reoccupied the Rhineland in March 1935. The prompted an urgent demand for rearmament and the ZM was immediately put into production with 300 being ordered initially.

Became standard infantry tank in April 1935.

Initially there was no radio in the R-35, but later models had one installed. This ended up just being a further burden on the already overworked tank commander.

Layout

The engine was to the right in the rear with the self sealing fuel tank on the left. There was a fire proof partition between the engine and fighting compartment.⁷

The side plates carried bogies and front driving sprocket.⁷

Steering levers controlled the brake bands in the differential and the epicyclic gears.⁷ The final drive and differentials were housed under nose plates.⁷ The engine compartment had two access door and carried the idler wheels.⁷ It was steered through a Cletrac geared differential and brakes. The turret had a domed cupola with vision slits and had to be hand cranked.

Some were fitted with tails to help in trench crossing.

Construction

Three cast sections that were bolted together.⁷ The turret was also made of cast construction.⁵

Main Armament

Early vehicles were fitted with the L. 713 (APX-R) turret mounting the 37 mm Sa18 gun. Next the L.739 turret with 37 mm Sa18 M37 gun. Last production vehicles had the L.767 turret with the long barrel 37 mm Sa38. The machine guns spent shells went down a chute through a hole in the floor. The 37 mm AP round weighed 1.1 lb, and went 1,273'/sec.⁸

Crew

The driver was located on the left and the engine and transmission on the right.^5,7 The driver also had 2 visor doors. The commander had to stand on the floor of the main compartment.^5,7 The commander did have a seat that rotated with the turret.⁷ There was a hatch in the rear of the turret⁷ that opened down and could be used as a seat.⁵

Production

• R-35: 1,600^5,7,9
  • Manufacturer: Renault³, Renault et Cie⁸
  • Production: 1935 - ?⁸, 1935 - 1940^5,7

Variants

• R-35:
• R-35 Avec Tourelle FCM-36: Had welded FCM turret installed. Only in prototype stages.⁴
• R-35 Avec Nouveau Tourelle: Had cast FCM turret installed. Only in prototype stages.⁴
• R-35 Fascine carrier: Had a frame mounted over the hull and turret with a fascine for dropping into trenches.

Usage

There were 900⁶/945 R-35/R-40 tanks in the front lines by May 1940. 810 were mixed in with the army as infantry support and 135 were with the 4th DCR (Division Cuirassée de Réserve).

The R-35 was exported to Poland, Turkey, Romania, and Yugoslavia.

Battle of France

Against the Germans in the Battle of France the R-35 performed very poorly against the Panzers.⁹ The gun wasn't able to penetrate the armor on the lightest of German tanks.⁹

German Use

Some turrets from the R-35s were used in Atlantic wall defenses.⁹

Large numbers fell into German hands and had turrets removed and used for artillery tractors and ammunition carriers.^5,9 A few also were converted into self-propelled artillery or antitank guns.^5,9

• PzKpfw 35R 731(f): Used in occupational duties in France and 6 platoons to the Channel Islands. Used in reconnaissance units during invasion of Russia. Issued to the 100th Panzerbrigade of the 21st Panzer Division when it was being reformed in 1943. Many were scattered through the infantry divisions in France. Had a FuG5 radio installed.³
• Munitionspanzer 35R (f), Munitionsschlepper 35R(f): Turret removed and used as ammunition carrier.
• 4.7 cm Pak (t) auf Gw R-35 (f):
• 10.5 cm Le FH 18 auf Gw 35R (f): Turret removed with open superstructure and had howitzer installed. Produced during 1943-1944.
• Mörserträger 35r (f): Had 80 mm mortar installed.

Italian Use

Approximately 124 were taken over by the Italians. Radios were installed and were used in Sicily.

Specifications