Help !

I have been asked if I can track down further information on French units formed during the liberation in 1944. The 'Trackstory' series of books are the culprits for starting off the train of thought, as these excellent publications have some information, but not quite enough to complete a model.
1. Is the markings on the French built tanks used in the Royan Pocket as mentioned in Trackstory Somua S35. Were Hotchkiss and /or Renaults also used and what were their markings ?

2. What were the markings of the 1er GMR 'Escadron Bernier' as mentioned in pg 32 of Trackstory Panhard 178, especially the former German vehicles ?

I myself will be interested in this info, as I have quite an interest in 'Beute Panzer' or 'Turncoat Tanks'.
MTIA
Paul Middleton

Hi Paul

While I do not have any specific info to hand I seem to recall that there was some info in either Steel Masters or one of the other French modelling mags about French armour, It may be post D Day I just cant recall. If I can find anything out before Euro I will bring it with me.

Cheers

Ian

Paul, This might not be exactly what you had in mind but here goes anyway.

Don’t forget the series of CDM armoured cars built covertly, article Volume 12/6 of AFV News Canada refers. It was also decided to build 225 armoured cars on shortened GMC ACK353 chassis. This piece also mentions that fact that some 45 turretless P178s were hidden awaiting Liberation. Pictures appear on Page 149 of George Forty’s “A Photo History of Armoured Cars in two World Wars”

In the same source are pictures of some FFI constructed armoured cars, a couple built on Simca Car – known as ‘La Rochelle Mini’ - and two larger ‘La Rochelle‘ afv’s on truck chassis with spoked wheels. One is called ‘Franck Delmas’ & the other ‘L (something) Vieljeux’.

On the Web I also found reference to German armour:

Small number of captured Panthers was also pressed into service by British (e.g. Ausf G "Cuckoo" from 4th Battalion of 6th Coldstream Guards Tank Brigade, North-West Europe, 1944/45), Canadian, French and American units and three were used by the Polish Home Army during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944, against its former owners. Also small number was captured and operated by the French resistance in mid 1944. They took part in fighting in the Rouen area, where two of them were destroyed on August 30th of 1944 by Tigers from sSSPzAbt 102. This was probably the most interesting combat situation involving Panthers.

Finally, let it be known that many of the combatants of General Leclerc’s 2nd Armoured Division were Spanish volunteers that had fought in the International Brigades in Spain. They entered Paris in American half-tracks bearing such names as: Madrid, Brunete, Ebro, Guadalajara, Guipúzcoa, & Guernica. I have several bits of information on this subject, which I was trying to piece together for an article but I haven’t got around to it yet.

John-B

Hi,
each Steelmasters issue presents one article about French armor during WWII. You may find what you're looking for if you have the full series.
You may also find valuable info at the following site dedicated to French armor from WWI up to now.

Chars Français

olivier

Many thanks to all. Still searching !
Ian, see you Sunday.
Paul Middleton