Hotchkiss H35

Hotchkiss H35/39 H35 H39 Hotchkiss H35 Manufacturer Hotchkiss Production 1936–1952 Number Built ±1200 Specification Country of Origin France Weight 11 tons Dimensions Length : 4.22m Width : 1.95m Height : 2.15m Main Armament 37 mm SA 18 L/21 gun Secondary Armament 7.5 mm MAC31 Reibel machine gun coaxial Armour 40 mm (turret) 34 mm (hull) Engine Hotchkiss six-cylinder 3,480 cc gasoline engine78 hp Speed 28 km/h (17 mph) User Viking Fisheries High School Hotchkiss H39 Production 1936–1952 Number Built ±1200 Specification Country of Origin France Weight 11 tons Dimensions Length : 4.22m Width : 1.95m Height : 2.15m Main Armament 37 mm SA 18 L/33 gun Secondary Armament 7.5 mm MAC31 Reibel machine gun coaxial Armour 40 mm (turret) 34 mm (hull) Engine Hotchkiss six-cylinder 3,480 cc gasoline engine78 hp Speed 28 km/h (17 mph) User BC Freedom High School Yogurt Academy

The Hotchkiss H35 (or Char léger modèle 1935 H) was a French cavalry tank developed prior to World War II.

History

Development

In 1926 it was decided to provide armored support to regular infantry divisions by creating autonomous tank battalions equipped with a cheap, light infantry tank, a char d'accompagnement. Initially, the Char D1 was developed for this function, but it did not prove to be light or cheap. In 1933, the Hotchkiss company presented a plan to produce a lighter tank design for French infantry divisions. On June 30, 1933, this proposal was approved by the Conseil Consultatif de l'Armement. On 2 August 1933 specifications were issued: weight of 6 long tons (6.1 t) and armor protection of 30 mm (1.2 in) all around. Three prototypes were ordered from Hotchkiss, but the French industry as a whole was also invited to provide alternative proposals for a nouveau char léger.

On 18 January 1935, the first Hotchkiss prototype, not yet made of armour steel, was presented to the Commission d'Expérience du Matériel Automobile (CEMA) at Vincennes; it was a machine gun-armed tankette without turret. It was tested until 4 March 1935, when it was replaced by the second identical prototype to be tested until 6 May. Both had to be rejected because new specifications had been made on 21 June 1934 that increased the desired armour thickness to 40 mm (1.6 in). On 27 June 1935 the commission approved the type on the provision that the necessary changes would be made. On 19 August the third prototype was delivered, equipped with a cast APX turret and featuring a redesigned hull; it was tested until 20 September and accepted.

On 6 November 1935 a first order was made for 200 vehicles. Though it should have been completed between July 1936 and July 1937, the first production vehicle was in fact delivered on 12 September 1936. A first additional order had already been made of 92 on 7 September 1936, to be completed in November 1937. A third one of 108 vehicles followed on 23 January 1937, to be completed in September 1938. These vehicles had the series number 40000 to 40400.

Operational History

In the Battle of France, the Hotchkiss H35 was used in two tank regiments of the Cavalry unit. Most Hotchkiss tanks were concentrated in larger motorized units, in the armored divisions that supplemented the core of heavier tanks. They fought alongside the SOMUA S35 and the Char B1 Bis.

In Germany, around 550 Hotchkiss H35s were captured, which were renamed Panzerkampfwagen 35H 734(f) (Panzer 35H Ausf F.) or Panzerkampfwagen 38H 735(f) (Panzer 38H Ausf F.). The Germans made no distinctions between the H38 and H39; and equipped many with a dome with a hatch.

During Operation Barbarossa, Panzer-Abteilung 211, which was equipped with Hotchkiss tanks, was deployed to Finland. Additional vehicles were sent to Finland as part of the independent tank platoons Panzerkampfwagenzüge 217, 218 and 219, which were attached to the 20th Mountain Army in February 1942. Subsequently, these platoons were disbanded and the tanks used were dispersed for use in fortifications .

Furthermore, H35/39 tanks, operated by the Germans, were used in the invasion of Yugoslavia and also captured by them in the battle of Normandy.

In Girls Und Panzer

Gekkan Senshado Magazine

BC Freedom Academy fielded five Hotchkiss H39s during the tournament's first round match against St. Gloriana Girls College. At the entrance to the urban area, four of them were destroyed by the battalion of a Churchill supported by Matildas. The last remaining were sent to try to attack the rear of St. Gloriana, which did not work.

Viking Fisheries High School fielded two Hotchkiss H35s during their first round tournament match against Koala Forest High School. They were crucial to Viking's victory. The diversion of Panzer I and II allowed not only the Hotchkiss but also other Viking tanks to advance into the forested area to outflank the Koala tanks. Koala's tanks tried to protect their flag tank, but the Hotchkiss, together with two SOMUA S35s, advanced to the North, towards the flag tank. They would later manage to destroy Koala's flag tank.

Viking Fisheries High School again fielded two Hotchkiss H35s during their quarter-final match against Pravda Girls High School. Their role during the battle is unknown, but what is known is the two Hotchkiss, as well as all other Viking tanks, were annihilated by Pravda.

Yogurt Academy fielded two Hotchkiss H39s during the tournament's first round match against Waffle Academy. Their role in the match is unknown.

Yogurt Academy again operated two Hotchkiss H39s during the quarter-final match against St. Gloriana Girls' College. Their role during the battle is unknown, but what is known is that one H39 was destroyed by Assam, in her Churchill.

Trivia

• The Hotchkiss H35 is one of the only tanks not to appear in the anime and in the manga. They were only shown in Gekkan Senshado Magazine and used by schools that were extras at that time.