By the way, an excellent article from David Lehmann (who is a credible source) from the France 1940 Yahoo mailing list:
NUMBER OF AFVs ON 10th MAY 1940
*** FRANCE ***
1) HOTCHKISS TANKS
13e BCC : 40+5 Hotchkiss H35
14e BCC : 40+5 Hotchkiss H39 (2e DCR)
25e BCC : 40+5 Hotchkiss H39 (1e DCR)
26e BCC : 40+5 Hotchkiss H39 (1e DCR)
27e BCC : 40+5 Hotchkiss H39 (2e DCR)
38e BCC : 40+5 Hotchkiss H35
42e BCC : 40+5 Hotchkiss H39 (3e DCR)
45e BCC : 40+5 Hotchkiss H39 (3e DCR)
342e CACC : 15 Hotchkiss H39 (Norway)
1/42e CACC : 15 Hotchkiss H35
1e DLM : 86 Hotchkiss H35 (+ 8 reserve tanks)
--4e RC (43 Hotchkiss H35 and 48 Somua S35) : 43+4 Hotchkiss H35
--18e RD (43 Hotchkiss H35 and 48 Somua S35) : 43+4 Hotchkiss H35
2e DLM : 86 Hotchkiss H35 (+ 8 reserve tanks)
--13e RD (43 Hotchkiss H35 and 48 Somua S35) : 43+4 Hotchkiss H35
--29e RD (43 Hotchkiss H35 and 48 Somua S35) : 43+4 Hotchkiss H35
3e DLM : 153 Hotchkiss H39 (+ 10 reserve tanks)
--1e RC (43 Hotchkiss H39 and 48 Somua S35) : 43+4 Hotchkiss H39
--2e RC (43 Hotchkiss H39 and 48 Somua S35) : 43+4 Hotchkiss H39
--11e RDP : 67+2
Hotchkiss H39
1e DLC, 1e RAM : 13 Hotchkiss H35
2e DLC, 2e RAM : 13 Hotchkiss H35
3e DLC, 3e RAM : 13 Hotchkiss H35
4e DLC, 4e RAM : 13 Hotchkiss H35
5e DLC, 5e RAM : 13 Hotchkiss H35
1e RCA : 13 Hotchkiss H35 and 14 Hotchkiss H39
(Tunisia)
In the infantry divisions there is a cavalry unit in charge of
reconnaissance or GRDI (Groupe de Reconnaissance de Division d'Infanterie).
In the army corps there is a cavalry unit in charge of reconnaissance or
GRCA (Groupe de Reconnaissance de Corps d'Armée). They were mostly equipped
with motorcycles and horses but in the motorized infantry divisions they
were grossly composed of one squadron of AMD, one squadron of AMR, one
motorcycle squadron and one support company (about 26 armored cars, 15
side-cars, 2 cars, 2 trucks, 4 light trucks, 24 FM 24/29 LMGs, 12 Hotchkiss
Mle1914 MMGs, 2 60mm mortars and 3-6 25mm AT guns)
2e GRDI (9e DIM) : 13 Panhard 178 and 13 Hotchkiss H39
5e GRDI (25e DIM) : 13 Panhard 178 and 13 Hotchkiss H35
TOTAL = 859 Hotchkiss tanks (including 42 tanks in Norway and Tunisia)
REINFORCEMENTS IN MAY 1940 :
· 3e RC (39 Somua S35 + 40 Hotchkiss H39) : 40 Hotchkiss H39 (attached to
the 4e DCR)
· 7e RC (24 Hotchkiss H39 + 25 Somua S35) : 24 Hotchkiss H39
· 351e CACC : 11 Hotchkiss
H39
CONCLUSION :
817 Hotchkiss tanks (306 Hotchkiss H35 and 511 Hotchkiss H39) in France on
10th May 1940.
2) RENAULT R35/39 TANKS
1e BCC : 40+5 Renault R35/39
2e BCC : 40+5 Renault R35/39 (4e DCR)
3e BCC : 40+5 Renault R35/39
5e BCC : 40+5 Renault R35/39
6e BCC : 40+5 Renault R35/39
9e BCC : 40+5 Renault R35/39
10e BCC : 40+5 Renault R35/39
12e BCC : 40+5 Renault R35/39
16e BCC : 40+5 Renault R35/39
17e BCC : 40+5 Renault R35/39
20e BCC : 40+5 Renault R35/39
21e BCC : 40+5 Renault R35/39
22e BCC : 40+5 Renault R35/39
23e BCC : 40+5 Renault R35/39
24e BCC : 40+5 Renault R35/39 (4e DCR)
32e BCC : 40+5 Renault R35/39
34e BCC : 40+5 Renault R35/39
35e BCC : 40+5 Renault R35/39
39e BCC : 40+5 Renault R35/39
43e BCC : 40+5 Renault R35/39
62e BCC : 30 Renault R35 and 15 Renault FT17 (Morocco)
63e BCC : 40+5 Renault R35 (Levant)
68e BCC : 40+10 Renault R35 (Levant)
TOTAL = 1025 Renault R35/39 tanks (including 125 tanks in the colonies) on
10th May 1940
ON 20th MAY 1940 :
· 44e BCC : 40+5 Renault R35/39 (4e DCR)
· 40e BCC : 15 Renault R35/39 and 30 Renault R40
· 48e BCC : 16 Renault R35/39 and 29 Renault R40
IN JUNE 1940 :
· 25e BCC : recreated with 21 Renault R35/39 and 24 Renault
R40
· 2e BCC : reinforced with 9 Renault R35/39
· Polish battalion : 17 Renault R35/39 and 28 Renault R40.
The 10th Polish armored brigade consisted only of the 1st tank battalion and
one motorized infantry battalion. Companies "Pagézy" and "Chabowski" were
rearmed with Renault R-40 tanks.
CONCLUSION :
900 Renault R35/39 tanks in France on 10th May 1940.
3) RENAULT D1 TANKS
Mostly all the Renault D1 tanks are in Tunisia : 61e BCC (45 Renault D1),
65e BCC (45 Renault D1) and 67e BCC (45 Renault D1). The 67e BCC is moved in
France and engaged in mid-June 1940 with 45 Renault D1.
There are also 8 tanks in training schools in France and 17 replacement
tanks in Tunisia.
CONCLUSION :
0 Renault D1 tanks in combat units on 10th May 1940 in metropolitan France
4) RENAULT D2 TANKS
100 of these tanks were produced between 1937 and 1940. They were armed with
a 47mm gun (47mm SA34 gun for the first 50 tanks and 47mm SA35 gun for the
last 50 tanks), a coaxial 7.5mm MAC1931 MG and a bow 7.5mm MAC1931 MG.
>From the 50 first produced tanks, 5 were issued to schools and 45 equipped
the 19e BCC. In April, the first company (1/19e BCC) was issued with 14
brand new D2 tanks (47mm SA35 gun) and became temporary the 345e CACC. The
14 old tanks were intended to be transformed in flamethrower tanks.
On 16th May 1940 the 346e CACC was equipped with 10 tanks and 12 tanks were
issued to the 350e CACC on 20-16th May 1940. The 19e BCC and the 345e CACC
are attached to the newly created 4e DCR.
The 14 remaining tanks were probably used simply to replace 14 other ones
armed with the short 47mm gun or to replace damaged or destroyed D2 tanks in
combat units.
CONCLUSION :
45 Renault D2 in combat units on 10th May 1940 (including at least 14 D2
with the 47mm SA35 gun).
In late May 1940 there are 67 Renault D2 in combat units (including at least
36 with the 47mm SA35, perhaps 50 ones with the last 14 produced ones.)
5) FCM36 TANKS
4e BCC : 40+5 FCM36
7e BCC : 40+5 FCM36
CONCLUSION :
90 FCM36 tanks in combat units on 10th May 1940.
6) SOMUA S35 TANKS
1e DLM : 88 Somua S35 (+ 8 reserve tanks)
--4e RC (46 Hotchkiss H35 and 48 Somua S35) : 44+4 Somua S35
--18e RD (46 Hotchkiss H35 and 48 Somua S35) : 44+4 Somua S35
2e DLM : 88 Somua S35 (+ 8 reserve tanks)
--13e RD (46 Hotchkiss H35 and 48 Somua S35) : 44+4 Somua S35
--29e RD (46 Hotchkiss H35 and 48 Somua S35) : 44+4 Somua S35
3e DLM : 88 Somua S35 (+ 8 reserve tanks)
--1e RC (46 Hotchkiss H39 and 48 Somua S35) : 44+4 Somua S35
--2e RC (46 Hotchkiss H39 and 48 Somua S35) : 44+4 Somua S35
IN MAY 1940
· 3e RC (39 Somua S35+ 40 Hotchkiss H39) : 39 Somua S35 (attached to the
4e DCR)
· 7e RC (24 Hotchkiss H39 + 25 Somua S35) : 25 Somua S35
CONCLUSION :
264 Somua S35 tanks in combat units on 10th May 1940.
7) RENAULT B1 and B1bis TANKS
1e DCR : 68 + 1 command tank = 69 Renault B1bis
--28e BCC : 31+3 Renault B1bis
--37e BCC : 31+3 Renault B1bis
2e DCR : 68 + 1 command tank = 69 Renault B1bis
--8e BCC : 31+3 Renault B1bis
--15e BCC : 31+3 Renault B1bis
3e DCR : 68 Renault B1bis
--41e BCC : 31+3 Renault B1bis
--49e BCC : 31+3 Renault B1bis
IN MAY 1940 :
· 46e BCC : 31+3 Renault B1bis (4e
DCR)
· 47e BCC (1/47 and 3/47) : 18 Renault B1bis (4e DCR)
· 3/37e BCC reinforcement : 5 Renault B1
· 347e CACC : 12 Renault B1 and 3
Renault B1bis
· 349e CACC (2/47e BCC) : 10 Renault B1bis
· 348e CACC : 10 Renault B1bis
· 28e BCC reconstituted : 31+3 Renault B1bis
IN JUNE 1940 :
· 352e CACC : 10 Renault B1bis
· Compagnie Bibes : 11 Renault B1bis (2
turretless tanks)
· Compagnie de marche du 10e BCC : 8 Renault B1bis (4 turretless tanks)
CONCLUSION :
206 Renault B1bis tanks in combat units on 10th May 1940.
8) RENAULT FT17m and FT17c TANKS
These WW1 tanks were completely obsolete in 1940. They were much slower
(about 10 times in cross country) than the German tanks, poorly armored and
armed either with an infantry gun or a MG.
a) FT17 tank battalions :
11e BCC : 42 Renault FT17m/c
18e BCC : 63 Renault FT17m/c
29e BCC : 63 Renault FT17m/c
30e BCC : 63 Renault FT17m/c
31e BCC : 63 Renault FT17m/c
33e BCC : 63 Renault FT17m/c
62e BCC : 30 Renault R35 and 15 FT17 (Morocco) - in transformation
on Renault R35
64e BCC : 45 Renault FT17 (Tunisia, coming from Algeria) - in
transformation on Renault R35
66e BCC : 45 Renault FT17 (Morocco) - in transformation on Renault
R35
colonial BCC : 63 Renault FT17m/c
343e CACC : 21 Renault FT17m/c
344e CACC : 21 Renault FT17m/c
Total in the tank battalions : 567 Renault FT17 tanks.
Regional platoons of FT17 tanks :
1 to 4 FT17 regional platoons (4 to 16 tanks) were issued to 25 regional
regiments (sections de chars de régiments régionaux) for a total of 192
Renault FT17 tanks.
c) Protection for military and civilian installations in the military
district. These units created during May 1940 included :
Anti-paratroops tank companies : 7 companies of 12 tanks for a total of 84
Renault FT17 tanks.
Airfield protection platoons : 1 to 5 FT17 regional platoons (4 to 20 tanks)
were issued to 11 military districts for a total of 112 Renault FT17 tanks.
Important buildings protection platoons : 1 to 3 FT17 regional platoons (4
to 12 tanks) were issued to 7 military districts for a total of 72 Renault
FT17 tanks.
Paris military region special group = 50e BCC : 50 Renault FT17m tanks.
regional platoon of protection tanks : 9 tanks in 10 military regions for a
total of 90 Renault FT17 tanks.
Overseas regional platoons :
One independent tank company in Tunisia to guard the coastline : 16 Renault
FT17 tanks.
District tank platoons to defend the major cities in Morocco (28), Tunisia
(16) and Algeria (20) for a total of 64 Renault FT17 tanks.
In the Levant there were the 56 former FT-17 tanks of the 63e BCC. Most
remained in depots but the CACL (compagnie autonome des chars du Levant was
created) with 3 groups of 10 tanks (9+1 replacement tank = = 3x FT17m, 6x
FT17c, 1x FT17BS) in the cities of Beyrouth, Alep and Damas for a total of
30 Renault FT17 tanks. In June 1940, the CACL is reinforced by 6 FT-17 tanks
(1x FT17c in each groups and 3 FT17m for the protection of the airbase in
Estabel in Lebanon).
There were also about 20 Renault FT17 tanks in Indochina (not all
operational).
à TOTAL : 1297 FT17 tanks were still in service : 1062 tanks in France and
235 in the colonies. From the 1062 FT17 tanks in France, 462 were in combat
units on 10th May 1940.
CONCLUSION :
462 Renault FT17 tanks in COMBAT UNITS on 10th May France in 1940.
9) FCM-2C TANKS
51e BCC : 8 FCM-2C
CONCLUSION :
8 FCM-2C tanks in combat units on 10th May 1940.
NUMBER OF FRENCH TANKS IN FRANCE ON 10th MAY 1940 : 2322 (2792)
· Hotchkiss H35 : 306
· Hotchkiss H39 : 511
· Renault R35/39 : 900
· FCM36 : 90
· Somua S35 : 264
· Renault D2 : 45
· Renault B1bis : 206
-->Modern tanks : 2322
· Renault FT17 : 462 (obsolete)
· FCM-2C : 8 (obsolete)
--> Obsolete tanks : 470
Tanks outside metropolitan territory on 10th May 1940 : 537
· Norway : 342e CACC (15 Hotchkiss H39)
· Algeria : 64e BCC (45 Renault FT17) and 20 Renault FT17 tanks.
· Morocco : 62e BCC (30 Renault R35 and 15 Renault FT17), 66e BCC (45
Renault FT17) and 28 Renault FT17 tanks.
· Tunisia : 1e RCA (14 Hotchkiss H39 + 13 Hotchkiss H35), 61e BCC (45
Renault D1), 65e BCC (45 Renault D1), 67e BCC (45 Renault D1) and 32 Renault
FT17 tanks. The 67e BCC was sent in France in middle June 1940 and was
engaged in the battle of Souain.
· Levant (Syria, Lebanon) : 63e BCC (45 Renault R35), 68e BCC (50 Renault
R35) and CACL (30 Renault FT17 tanks).
· Indochina : 20 Renault FT17 tanks.
--> 537 tanks
· 29 Hotchkiss H39
· 13 Hotchkiss H35
· 125 Renault R35
· 90 Renault D1 + 45 Renault D1 transported to France in June 1940 = 135
Renault D1
· 235 Renault FT17
REINFORCEMENTS IN MAY / JUNE 1940 : probably about 556 (estimation)
· Hotchkiss H39 : 75
· Renault R35/39 : 123
· Renault R40 : 111
· Renault D1 : 45
· Somua S35 : 64
· Renault B1 : 17
· Renault B1bis : 131 (not counting the 6 turretless tanks)
--> 466 new or replacement tanks during May / June 1940.
During early June 1940, the remains of the 5 DLCs were to be converted to a
DLM "type réduit", a reduced DLM. The deteriorating military situation meant
only 4e DLM and 7e DLM were actually formed. The 1e DLM, 2e DLM and 3e DLM
are also reconstituted beginning June, as reduced DLMs, with men evacuated
from Dunkirk and who returned to France after a transit in Great Britain.
These 5 DLMs fought until 25th June 1940. These units include old vehicles
from former units, taken in dumps, park and schools but also some brand new
vehicles just out of the factories. These new units add probably about 50
Somua S35 tanks and 40 Hotchkiss H39 tanks.
The total number of French tanks in COMBAT UNITS in France on 10th May (2837
tanks) seems quite impressive but :
- These tanks are dispersed on the whole metropolitan territory not all
facing the German main attacks and their ability to concentrate tanks
- This number includes only 2367 'modern' tanks + FT17 tanks and a few
FCM-2C
- Among all the H35/39 and R35 tanks, only about 20-25% (about 300-400
tanks) are armed with the 37mm SA38 gun. Only 350 37mm L/33 SA38 guns had
been delivered until April 1940 to equip various Renault R35 (then called
R39), Hotchkiss (H35 and H39) and a few FCM36 tanks (So the number of 400
could even be overestimated on 10th May 1940). Concerning the FCM36 tanks
only very few were converted and the 37mm SA38 gun equipped mainly Hotchkiss
tanks and in priority the Hotchkiss H39 tanks (newly produced ones or
converted ones, in priority the platoon commander tanks).
Therefore on 10th May 1940, against the 955 Germans tanks armed with 3.7cm
and 7.5cm guns there were only 515 French tanks armed with a 47mm SA35 and
about 350 which had a 37mm SA38 gun = 865 tanks with an excellent (47mm
SA35) to good (37mm SA38) anti-tank capacity. The huge majority of the
French tanks are light tanks armed with the 37mm SA18 gun which could be
used at 400m against the Panzer I and Panzer II but to knock out a Panzer
III Ausf.E/F (the previous models were far less armored and were 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).
10) ARMORED CARS
1e DLM : 107 armored cars
--6e RC : 40 Panhard 178 (+1 radio car + 2 reserve armored
car)
--4e RDP : 67 AMR33 / AMR35 ZT1 (+2 reserve armored cars)
2e DLM : 107 armored cars
--8e RC : 40 Panhard 178 (+1 radio car + 2 reserve armored
car)
--1e RDP : 67 AMR33 / AMR35 ZT1 (+2 reserve armored cars)
3e DLM : 40 armored cars
--12e RC : 40 Panhard 178 (+1 radio car + 2 reserve armored car)
1e DLC
--1e RAM : 12 Panhard 178 (+1 radio car + 2 reserve armored car)
--5e RDP : 23 AMR33 / AMR35 ZT1
2e DLC
--2e RAM : 12 Panhard 178 (+1 radio car + 2 reserve armored car)
--3e RDP : 23 AMR33 / AMR35 ZT1
3e DLC
--3e RAM : 12 Panhard 178 (+1 radio car + 2 reserve armored car)
--2e RDP : 23 AMR33 / AMR35 ZT1
4e DLC
--4e RAM : 12 Panhard 178 (+1 radio car + 2 reserve armored car)
--14e RDP : 23 AMR33 / AMR35 ZT1
5e DLC
--5e RAM : 12 Panhard 178 (+1 radio car + 2 reserve armored car)
--15e RDP : 23 AMR33 / AMR35 ZT1
GRDIs (Groupe de Reconnaissance de Division d'Infanterie) :
1e GRDI (5e DIM) : 13 Panhard 178 and 12 Citroën-Kégresse P16
2e GRDI (9e DIM) : 13 Panhard 178 and 13 Hotchkiss H39
3e GRDI (12e DIM) : 13 Panhard 178 and 12 Citroën-Kégresse P16
4e GRDI (15e DIM) : 13 Laffly 50 AM and 12 Citroën-Kégresse P16
5e GRDI (25e DIM) : 13 Panhard 178 and 13 Hotchkiss H35
6e GRDI (3e DIM) : 13 Panhard 178 and 12 Citroën-Kégresse P16 and
4 AMR35 ZT3
7e GRDI (1e DIM) : 13 Panhard 178, 12 Citroën-Kégresse P16 and 4
AMR35 ZT3
(32e GRDI (43e DI) : 5 Panhard 178)
In these GRDIs were also dispatched some other armored cars including :
AMR35 ZT2 : 10 (25mm turret gun)
AMR35 ZT3 : 2 (25mm hull gun)
AMR33 / AMR35 ZT1 : 10 (approximate number)
-->TOTAL = about 575 armored cars in France on 10th May 1940
Panhard 178 : 223
AMR33 / AMR35 ZT1 : 259 (including about 150 AMR35
ZT1)
AMR35 ZT2 : 10
AMR35 ZT3 : 10
Laffly 50AM : 13
Citroën-Kégresse P16 Mle1929 : 60
NUMBER OF FRENCH ARMORED CARS ON 10th MAY 1940 : 575
· Panhard 178 : 223 (wheeled)
· AMR33 / AMR35 ZT1 : 259 (including about 150 AMR35 ZT1)
(tracked)
· AMR35 ZT2 : 10 (tracked)
· AMR35 ZT3 : 10 (tracked)
· Laffly 50AM : 13 (wheeled)
· Citroën-Kégresse P16 Mle1929 : 60 (halftracked)
--> TOTAL : 575
Not counted are the APCs (unarmed) :
· Lorraine 38L VBCP : 150 (tracked)
Armored cars in the colonies on 10th May 1940 : 234 (estimation)
· AMR33 / AMR35 ZT1 : 10 (tracked)
· White Mle1918 : 50 (10 in
Indochina and 40 in the Levant) (WW1, wheeled)
· Laffly 50AM : 50
(6-10 in Indochina and 12 in the Levant) (wheeled)
· Laffly 80AM : 27
(Africa) (wheeled)
· Panhard 165/175 TOE : 28 (16 in the
Levant) (wheeled)
· Panhard 178 (but with APX5 turret) : 4 (in Indochina)
(wheeled)
· Laffly S15 TOE : 45 (25 in
North Africa and 20 in West Africa) (wheeled)
· MG armed Renault UE tractors : very few in
Indochina (tracked)
· Peugeot and Renault Mle1915 : very few in Indochina (WW1,
wheeled)
· Berliet VUM : 1
(Levant, in Syria)
· AMC Citroën-Kégresse-Schneider M23 : very few in the Levant
· AM légère (AML) Panhard-Zudel : 5 (in the Levant)
· AM légère du désert (AMLD) Hotchkiss : 13 (in the Levant,
partially armored, only one LMG)
· AMLD Chenard et Walker : 15 (in the
Levant, not armoured cars, one MG, not counted)
Not counted are the APCs (unarmed) :
· Berliet VUDB
: 32 (wheeled)
· Panhard 179 : 30
(wheeled)
· Citroën-Kégresse P104 : 10 (3-5 in
Indochina) (half-tracked)
· Panhard armored bus : 3 (in the
Levant)
REINFORCEMENTS IN MAY / JUNE 1940 : probably about 270 (estimation)
· About 30 Renault AMC35 in various little units formed rather during June
1940 : "Escadron Audigier" and several "groupes francs de cavalerie"
· 40 Panhard 178 (+1 radio car + 2 reserve armored car) issued to the 10e
RC (4e DCR)
· 70 Laffly W15 TCC tank destroyers
During early June 1940, the remains of the 5 DLCs were to be converted to a
DLM "type réduit", a reduced DLM. The deteriorating military situation meant
only 4e DLM and 7e DLM were actually formed. The 1e DLM, 2e DLM and 3e DLM
are also reconstituted beginning June, as reduced DLMs, with men evacuated
from Dunkirk and who returned to France after a transit in Great Britain.
These 5 DLMs fought until 25th June 1940. These units include old vehicles
from former units, taken in dumps, park and schools but also some brand new
vehicles just out of the factories. Several Panhard 178 went in combat
without turret : with home-made armor plates (16-20mm) forming a casemate
(40 would have been produced during June 1940) and armed with 25mm SA35 or
47mm SA34 guns and a LMG or completely without turret/casemate and simply
armed with a LMG.
Some Panhard 178 armored cars had a modified turret with a 47mm SA35 gun and
a coaxial MG in June 1940 (Renault turret). This version participated to
combats in June 1940 with at least one vehicle on the Loire River according
to a photographic proof but the unit equipped with it is not know. It may
have been of these DLMs. Several Renault AMR went also in combat without
turret in June 1940, just with a mount for a LMG. These new units add
probably about 80 Panhard 178 and 50 AMR33/35 new vehicles.
** BELGIUM **
Infantry units :
Infantry division n°1 : 12 T13
Infantry division n°2 : 12 T13
Infantry division n°3 : 12 T13
Infantry division n°4 : 12 T13
Infantry division n°7 : 12 T13
Infantry division n°8 : 12 T13
Infantry division n°9 : 12 T13
Infantry division n°10 : 12 T13
Infantry division n°11 : 12 T13
1e division de chasseurs ardennais : 3 T15 and 48 T13
2e division de chasseurs ardennais : 3 T15
Independent border cyclist company : 12 T13
8th border cyclist company : 12 T13
PFN fortress company : 12 T13 (PFN = Position
Fortifiée de Namur, Namur fortified position)
Cavalry units :
1st Cavalry division : 18 T15 and 18 T13
2nd Cavalry division : 18 T15 and 18 T13
Escadron d'auto-blindées du corps de cavalerie : 8 Renault ACG-1. The
Belgian ACG1 had a modified turret with a coaxial 13.2mm HMG instead of the
7.5mm MAC31 MG
--> TOTAL : 8 ACG-1, 42 T15 and 228 T13 = 278 tanks
The Belgian army had also a few FT17 tanks but they were apparently not in
combat units anymore.
CONCLUSION : 278 Belgian AFVs on 10th May 1940
** NETHERLANDS **
All the Dutch armored car were in the 1st armored car squadron of the light
division (Lichte Divisie).
Pantserwagen (Paw.) M36 (Landswerk L181) : 12
Paw.M38 (Landswerk L180) : 14 (including 2
command cars)
DAF M39 : 7 (never
issued to combat units before the defeat)
--> TOTAL : 26 armored cars
CONCLUSION : 26 Dutch armored cars on 10th May 1940.
** UNITED-KINGDOM **
12th Royal Lancers
Morris armoured reconnaissance car : 38
4th Northumbrian fusiliers
Daimler Dingo scout car : 12
N°3 Air Mission Phantom (RAF)
Guy armoured car : 6
4th battalion Royal Tank Regiment
Matilda I : 50
Vickers MkVIb : 5
7th battalion Royal Tank Regiment
Matilda I : 27
Matilda II : 23
Vickers MkVIb : 7
13th / 18th Hussars (1st Division)
Vickers MkVIb : 28
(Carrier with Boys ATR : 44)
4th / 7th Dragoon guards (2nd Division)
Vickers MkVIb : 28
(Carrier with Boys ATR : 44)
Lothian & Border Horse (48th Division)
Vickers MkVIb : 28
(Carrier with Boys ATR : 44)
15th / 19th Hussars (3rd Division)
Vickers MkVIb : 28
(Carrier with Boys ATR : 44)
Innskilling Dragoon guards (4th Division)
Vickers MkVIb : 28
(Carrier with Boys ATR : 44)
East Riding Yeomanry (3rd Corps)
Vickers MkVIb : 28
(Carrier with Boys ATR : 44)
Fife & Forfar Yeomanry (51st Highland division)
Vickers MkVIb : 28
(Carrier with Boys ATR : 44)
--> TOTAL = 304 tanks and 56 armored cars
Matilda I : 73
Matilda II : 23
Vickers MkVIb : 208
Morris armoured reconnaissance car : 38
Daimler Dingo scout car : 12
Guy armoured car : 6
Carrier with a Boys ATR : 308 (not counted)
Lorry with a French 25mm AT gun : ? (1) (not counted)
(1) 220 French 25mm AT guns delivered to the BEF to increase the AT power in
the British division. They were often mounted on a truck used as SP guns but
their number is not known.
IN MAY 1940 :
1st Armoured Division arriving on 17th May 1940
1- Organization :
2nd Armoured Brigade
o 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays)
o 9th Queen's Royal Lancers
o 10th Prince of Wales Lancers
3rd Armoured Brigade
o 2nd battalion Royal Tank Regiment (not present in France)
o 3rd battalion Royal Tank Regiment
o 5th battalion Royal Tank Regiment
2- Tank strength :
· Vickers MkVIb : 134
· Cruiser MkI (A9) : 24
· Cruiser MkII (A10) : 31
· Cruiser MkIII (A13) : 95
--> 284 tanks
CONCLUSION : 304 tanks and 56 armored cars in France on 10th May 1940.
** GERMANY **
Tanks in the 10 Panzerdivisionen
(source : Thomas L. Jentz on
http://niehorster.orbat.com/011_germany/af...v_40-05-10.htm)Pz.Kpfw. I : 643 (total available : 1077)
Pz.Kpfw. II : 880 (total available : 1092)
Pz.Kpfw. III : 349 (total available : 381)
Pz.Kpfw. 35(t) : 118 (total available : 143)
Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) : 207 (total available : 238)
Pz.Kpfw. IV A/B/C/D : 281 (total available : 290)
Pz.Bef. : 148 (total available : 244)
--> 2626 German tanks on 10th May 1940
Here is a reported loss table for the German tanks by the end of May 1940 :
529
· Pz.Kpfw. I : 101
· Pz.Kpfw. II : 150
· Pz.Kpfw. III : 84
· Pz.Kpfw. 35(t) : 44
· Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) : 43
· Pz.Kpfw. IV A/B/C/D : 63
· Pz.Bef. : 44
And were replaced by reserve / new production which totaled : 288
· Pz.Kpfw. I : 48
· Pz.Kpfw. II : 35
· Pz.Kpfw. III : 71
· Pz.Kpfw. 35(t) : 35
· Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) : 36
· Pz.Kpfw. IV A/B/C/D : 19
· Pz.Bef. : 44
Here is a reported loss table for the German tanks during May - June 1940 :
839
· Pz.Kpfw. I : 182
· Pz.Kpfw. II : 240
· Pz.Kpfw. III : 135
· Pz.Kpfw. 35(t) : 62
· Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) : 54
· Pz.Kpfw. IV A/B/C/D : 97
· Pz.Bef. : 69
source : Panzertruppen 1, Thomas Jentz, Schiffer. These losses do not
include StuG III A/B, Panzerjäger I, 15cm s.I.G.33 auf Pz.Kpfw.I and all the
armored cars that have been lost.
PanzerJäger I (4.7cm L/43.4 Pak(t) (Sfl) auf PzKpfw I) : 117 tank destroyers
Pz.Jäg.Abt. 521 : 18 (6 per Kompanie)
Pz.Jäg.Abt. 605 : 18 (indicated as not participating to the French campaign
by several sources)
Pz.Jäg.Abt. 616 : 27
Pz.Jäg.Abt. 643 : 27
Pz.Jäg.Abt. 670 : 27
8.8cm FlaK (Sfl) auf Zugkraftwagen 12t (Sd.Kfz. 8) also known as
"Bunkerflak" or "Bufla" : 6 tank destroyers
The Bufla was a special self-propelled version of the 8.8cm Flak 18 L/56
dedicated to anti-fortification role initially and also anti-tank role. 6 of
these vehicles were issued to the 1. schwere Kompanie/Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung
(for a total of 10 produced, 4 in reserve). The 'Bufla' was operational :
in Poland
in France along the 1.PzD and 2.PzD (there could therefore having been
engaged in areas like Montcornet, Crécy-sur-Serre, Juniville etc.), at least
2-3 vehicles were lost in France
in Russia (with the XXXIX. Panzer Korps - Heeresgruppe Mitte -) where all
the vehicles were probably destroyed, they served until March 1943.
Sturmgeschütz III A : 24 tanks
Sturmgeschütz-Batterie 640
Sturmgeschütz-Batterie 659
Sturmgeschütz-Batterie 660
Sturmgeschütz-Batterie 665
15 cm s.I.G.33 auf Pz.Kpfw.I : 38 self-propelled artillery
s.I.G.Kp. (mot S) 701 (to 9. Panzer-Division)
s.I.G.Kp. (mot S) 702 (to 1. Panzer-Division)
s.I.G.Kp. (mot S) 703 (to 2. Panzer-Division)
s.I.G.Kp. (mot S) 704 (to 5. Panzer-Division)
s.I.G.Kp. (mot S) 705 (to 7. Panzer-Division)
s.I.G.Kp. (mot S) 706 (to 10. Panzer-Division)
However the organization was two 15cm s.I.G.33 auf Pz.Kpfw.I in each Zug
(three Zug in each Kompanie), along with four 1t Zgkw. (Sd.Kfz.10), which
only accounts for a total of 36 15cm s.I.G.33 auf Pz.Kpfw.I (and a total of
72 1t Zgkw.(Sd.Kfz.10)), so that leaves two 15cm s.I.G.33 auf Pz.Kpfw.I
unaccounted for.
Armored cars :
In each Aufklärung Abteilung (AA) there seem to be :
Battalion HQ with 1 SdKfz.247
Signal platoon
1 SdKfz.263 (Fu)
1 SdKfz.261 (Fu)
1 SdKfz.260 (Fu)
2 companies of armored cars each with :
o Company HQ with 1 SdKfz.247
o Signal detachment with 4 SdKfz.223 (Fu) and 1 SdKfz.263 (Fu)
o Heavy platoon with 3 6-Rad SdKfz.231 and 3 8-Rad SdKfz.232 (Fu)
o Light platoon with 6 SdKfz.221
o Light platoon with 4 SdKfz.221 and 4 SdKfz.222
--> TOTAL : 56 armored cars (including 20 armored cars with a 2.0cm L/55
gun)
There is an AA in each Panzerdivision, in 6 motorized divisions and in the
1. Kavallerie Division :
AA 4 (1.PzD)
AA 5 (2.PzD)
AA 3 (3.PzD)
AA 7 (4.PzD)
AA 8 (5.PzD)
AA 57 (6.PzD)
AA 37 (7.PzD)
AA 59 (8.PzD)
AA 9 (9.PzD)
AA 90 (10.PzD)
AA 2 (2. ID mot.)
AA 13 (13. ID mot.)
AA 20 (20. ID mot.)
AA 29 (29. ID mot.)
AA Totenkopf (SS-Totenkopf mot.)
AA Verfügungstruppen (SS VT mot.)
AA 40 (1. Kavallerie Division)
There were also at least some more armored cars in the 11th motorized
brigade and the Lehr motorized regiment. Many infantry divisions had in fact
at least 3 armored cars in their Aufklärungs-Abteilung. A total of 135
German divisions had been engaged, for 17 of them the AA have been listed
previously. About 100 other divisions may have at least 3 armored cars. This
leads to an approximation of 100x3 = 300 more armored cars of various
models.
--> TOTAL : 1252 armored cars including at least 340 armored cars with a
real anti-tank capacity (2.0cm L/55 gun)
CONCLUSION :
2811 German tanks / self-propelled guns and 1252 armored cars on 10th May
1940.
----------------------------------------
** CONCLUSION **
ALLIES :
1) Number of tanks, tank destroyers and self-propelled guns
· France : 2322 (2792 (2))
· United Kingdom : 304
· Belgium : 278
· Netherlands : -
· Luxembourg : -
--> TOTAL 1 : 2904 (3375(2))
2) Number of armored cars
· France : 575
· United Kingdom : 56
· Belgium : -
· Netherlands : 26
· Luxembourg : -
--> TOTAL 2 : 657
TOTAL 1+2 : 3562 (4032(2))
(2) counting the French FT17 and FCM-2C old tanks in combat units.
GERMANY :
Number of tanks and SP guns : 2811
Number of armored cars : 1252
--> TOTAL : 4063
ON 10th MAY 1940 :
· There is a comparable number of allied and German tanks with about 2900
tanks. If all the AFVs are counted there are nevertheless only 3375 allied
vs 4063 German AFVs even with the obsolete French FT17 and FCM-2C tanks
being counted. This apparent equality in the number of tanks is purely
mathematical but in the facts it is completely false. All the about 3000
German tanks are concentrated in the 10 Panzerdivisionen unlike only about
960 French tanks in the DCR/DLM. Each DCR/DLM has less tanks than a
Panzerdivision : there are grossly 10x300 German tanks against 6x160 French
tanks and many dispersed battalions. That was the reality on the
battlefield. The British 1st AD concentrated the cruiser tanks but did not
really change the balance and was quickly neutralized. All the Belgian tanks
were dispersed in small numbers in their infantry divisions, the higher
number of Belgian tanks could be found in the 1e division de chasseurs
ardennais with about 50 AFVs.
· All the French tanks have a power/weight ratio of 7-10 hp/ton ; the German
tanks have a power/weight ratio of 15-20 hp/ton, they have a better
mobility. French tanks were generally more adapted to heavy and brutal
charges against slow or immobile targets but were not really conceived for a
war in which speed and mobility rules. And this speed and mobility was
created by the revolutionary Panzerdivisionen. Only the Somua S35 cavalry
tank could really compete with the German tanks in terms of speed, mobility
and autonomy.
· All the French tanks have a better armor then the German tanks (13-30mm
for the German tanks and 40-60mm for the French tanks). The 23 British
Matillda II tanks are also far better armored than the German ones. French
tanks are able to resist to many German hits.
· But the Germans tanks had often a better AT capacity, except the French
47mm SA35 gun and 75mm SA35 gun. The 47mm SA35 L/32 gun is able to destroy
all the German tanks up to 800-1000m but generally the French rate of fire
is slower because of the 1-man turret where the commander is also spotter,
loader and gunner.
Notes :
The crude comparison of tank numbers gives not a good representation of the
reality on the battlefield. The allied used their tanks often spread among
the infantry to provide support while the Germans concentrated all their
tanks.
The German "superiority" was mainly due to :
· better tactical regulation, much more concentrated armor (usually 4 vs 1,
sometimes 8-10 vs 1 odds)
· generally higher speed and mobility of the German tanks
· tracer and smoke shells available in the German tanks (not in the French
ones)
· more radio sets allowing to better organize and control the maneuvers
· mostly always presence of observation planes (Hs126 and Fi156) to provide
information about the allied position and direct artillery and aerial
support
· mostly omnipresent close air support
· German tanks were spreading into the allied rears . difficult then to
preserve a HQ or a fuel supply dump . leading to tanks being abandoned and
scuttled due to lack of fuel
· better and faster German logistical organization (and far less hindered by
aerial attacks or artillery fire)
· 1-man turret in most of the French tanks and several very recently
constituted units lacking training
· usually German tanks avoided combat with the heavy allied tanks like the
B1bis which constituted a big threat, they were rather engaged by 8.8cm
FlaK. and 10.5cm LeFH.
Germany's victory occurred as a result of a combination of factors,
including air superiority, strategic and tactical innovation (including
concentration of their armor), and the failure of the allies to anticipate
or respond effectively to German tactics (The French had the luck to have
well armored tanks compared to the British lightly armored ones which
constituted the majority of their tanks, only the Matilda II tanks were
really well protected but there were only 23 of them in France). However, it
occurred in spite rather than because of German tanks.
The German ground forces suffered a lot in 1940 on the Western front. Their
ground forces lost about 45,000 KIA and 111,000 WIA as well as 30% of the
engaged tanks. 839 German tanks and numerous armored cars were definitively
destroyed (for example about 2/3rd of the armored cars of the 7.PzD were
knocked-out before the 1st June 1940). That gives of course not the total
number of AFVs that were knocked out and needed to be repaired.
Allied human losses :
· Belgian losses in 19 days : 7500 KIA and 15850 WIA (all the AFVs destroyed
or captured)
· Luxembourg : no resistance, French troops entered the country to meet the
Germans
· Dutch losses in 6 days : 2890 KIA and 6889 WIA (all the AFVs destroyed or
captured)
· British losses in 26 days : 3457 KIA , 13602 WIA and 3267 MIA (167 tanks
lost in Arras and Abbeville, other tanks were lost in Calais and Boulogne
but most of the tanks abandoned)
· French losses in 45 days : about 100,000 KIA and 202,000 WIA
The Swiss historian Eddy Bauer says also that the Germans lost much more men
in the second part of the western campaign, in France the resistance was
harder when time advanced and the tactic changed from the constant try to
build a continuous front to the constitution of anti-tank strongpoints
composed of all kind of units (like the German Kampfgruppe) in the woods and
towns and cities and on important roads.
156,492 German losses (KIA and WIA) in 45 days, that's 3477 losses/day but
in fact the French resistance harder in June than in May : 2499 German
losses/day between the 10th May and the 3rd June but 4762 German losses/day
between the 5th and the 24th June. You can compare that to the 4506 German
losses/day during operation Barbarossa from 22nd June to 10th December 1941..
The Western campaign was much more deadly than commonly known.
Main sources :
"L'automobile sous l'uniforme" (François Vauvillier)
"Chars B au combat - Hommes et matériels du 15e BCC" (Stéphane Bonnaud)
"The French army 1939-1940 - organisation, order of battle, operational
history" (4 volumes, Lee Sharp)
"L'Arme Blindée Française (Tome 1) : Mai-juin 1940 ! Les blindés français
dans la tourmente" (Gérard Saint-Martin)
"Weygand, De Gaulle et quelques autres - La Somme 16-28 mai 1940" (Henri de
Wailly)
"Blitzkrieg à l'Ouest, Mai-Juin 40" (Jean-Paul Pallud)
"Des forêts d'Alsace aux chemins de Normandie - La 43e division d'infanterie
dans la guerre, 3 septembre 1939 - 26 juin 1940" (Thibault Richard)
"Militaria" magazines (especially special issues n°4, 8, 17, 21, 31, 34)
"Panzertruppen" (Thomas Jentz, Schiffer)
http://www.chars-francais.net/ (Antoine Misner's website)
http://france1940.free.fr/ (Nowfel Leulliot's website) and its discussion
list with skilled and gentle people
http://enpointe.chez.tiscali.fr/oobs.html (Stéphane Commans's website)
Acknowledgments : Christian Ankerstjerne who helped me with the German data
and Jean-Guy Rathé who provided information about French AFVs in the
colonies.
This document does only list vehicles in combat units, not the ones in
depots or schools. Several times I saw so many mistakes about the number of
French tanks that I thought I should try to research how many were really
available for the 1940 western campaign. Finally I tried to list the AFVs of
the other armies as well. This work was only led by my curiosity and is only
personal. I don't pretend it being 100% accurate but I thought it would be
worth sharing.
Best regards,
David
