WesWorld

Battleship Richelieu Visits Mediterranean, Black Sea Ports - Le Spectateur Militaire Weekly
Monday, July 1, 1946 - The battleship Richelieu is completing a series of port calls during her post-refit shakedown cruise, calling at the ports of Piraeus (Greece), Byzantium, Varna (Bulgaria), Constanta (Romania), and Sevastopol (Russia). After the week-long port call to Sevastopol, Richelieu will conduct brief gunnery exercises with the Russian Black Sea Fleet prior to returning to Toulon in early September.

Clemenceau Sworn in, Names PM - Le Figaro
Sunday, July 7, 1946 - Quentin Clemenceau was sworn in as the new President of France today. His inaugural address focused primarily on national issues, including economic growth and the continued development of national infrastructure; he touched lightly on international affairs, mentioning French concerns about the stability of peace in east Asia and central Africa.

In a speech later in the day, Clemenceau named Front Républicaine politician Joseph Delattre to be President of the Council (prime minister). The centrist Delattre was one of the few center-left Front Républicaine politicians who was seen as acceptable to Clemenceau's center-right Alliance Républicaine, although Delattre's relative youth and inexperience on the national political stage weighed against his selection. To balance Delattre's inexperience in this top role, Clemenceau appointed outgoing President Theisman's Minister of Justice, Edmond Michelet, to serve as Vice-President of the Council. Clemenceau also appointed longtime associate Jean Benoit as his chief of staff.

French Rocket Doesn't Explode - Le Matin
Wednesday, July 10, 1946 - Scientists at the Biscarosse rocketry center cheered today as a new rocket shot into the sky on a blazing pillar of fire, achieving an astounding altitude of sixty kilometers. The rocket, designated the R1, weighs a monstrous 1,300 kg and is powered by a mixture of nitric acid and kerosene, adopting the formulas used to great success by other rocketry programs. The successful launch of the R1 comes as a great boost to the French rocketry program, which has suffered innumerable setbacks over the last five years with the extremely unreliable liquid-fueled rocket designs generated by national designers.

More Cabinet Ministers Named - Paris-Soir
Thursday, July 11, 1946 - In a revolutionary break with tradition, President Clemenceau nominated a woman, Madeline Barthelemy, to the Council for the role of Minister of Finance. Mmle. Barthelemy has previously served in senior roles in the municiple government of Dijon, and has a reputation for financial acumen.

Throughout the course of this week, Clemenceau nominated a number of other ministers for various other roles. Several ministers shall be holdovers from the outgoing Theisman administration, notably including Jean-Marie Lemaréchal (National Defense) and Gabriel Ducharme (Foreign Affairs).

Dunkerque Steelmaking Plant Enters Operation - La Croix
Friday, July 12, 1946 - The Société Métallurgique de Normandie (SMN) announced that the company's new steel plant constructed outside Dunkerque would begin initial operations within the next week. The Dunkerque plant is designed to use a novel oxygen process first hypothesized by Bessemer in the last century to lower smelting time and increase productivity, a development which only recently became possible through the Russian invention and manufacture of Kapitsa turboexpanders, which can generate the quantities of oxygen needed to operate the new process. The new SMN plant echoes developments in Russia, which first began experimenting with the process a decade ago.

Bastille Day - L'Union
Sunday, July 14, 1946 - The nation celebrated Bastille Day with all of the traditional pomp and circumstance. President Clemenceau was present in Paris for the traditional military parade down the Champs Elysees. Following the parade, the President entertained a number of foreign dignitaries, including German Foreign Minister Thomas Dehler.

Carrousel de Saumur - Le Spectateur Militaire Weekly
Monday, July 22, 1946 - This weekend saw the annual Carrousel at the Cavalry School at Saumur. This year's event was particularly noteworthy, drawing large crowds to see both the Armoured Cavalry Museum's large vehicle collection as well as a number of new vehicles brought for display. (Editor's Note: look for our special section in the autumn quarterly digest for more details.)

What the Bird Has to Say - Le Canard enchaîné
Wednesday, July 24, 1946 - Should France reconsider its policy on supporting the Orange imperialists in Oubangi-Shari? This piercing question is asked more and more of the government, particularly with the arrival of a new administration. While the Dutch forces have seen a modicum of success in the field against Ndofa's fierce-but-crude military forces, it becomes increasingly obvious that King Alexander of Orange has no idea about how to deal with the heart of rebellion itself. The rebellion is - dare we say it? - flourishing, despite the military defeats inflicted upon it. Friends and readers, I say to you now that the Dutch have lost this war. Their defeat has come not on the battlefield, but in the hearts of Oubangi-Shari's people. The inability to devise a 'middle way' between white monarchist-domination and black tribalist-warlordism (we make no excuses that Ndofa's thugs are anything but this) has doomed their pacification efforts to futile failure. If the Orange imperialists have no winning strategy, why then should France lend her name and support to a losing cause?

The Advance of Atomic Science - Science et Vie
Wednesday, August 1, 1946 - The Commissariat à l’énergie atomique (CEA) opened a new headquarters building in Paris last month, and used the opportunity to reveal the great advancements being brought into existence through French atomic research. Over the last year, the CEA began producing rare radioisotopes such as iodine-131, which is increasingly used in the treatment of thyroid cancer and goiter, a process first proven five years ago by American physician Saul Hertz. Prior to the creation of the CEA's first atomic reactor, iodine-131 and similar radioisotopes could only be created in small quantities using devices such as cyclotrons. The rapid decay of many radioisotopes and the low capability for production meant that their usefulness in medical treatments was low, but the CEA is now able to supply medical institutes not only in France but elsewhere in Europe with materials they need to treat critical medical cases or conduct research.

In a speech to distinguished guests and visitors, High Commissioner Jean Frédéric Joliot-Curie noted that the organization recently completed construction of its third nuclear reactor, designated Zoé-2. Joliot-Curie showed several illustrations and a scale model of the new reactor. Zoé-2's reactor core is constructed of a five story-tall box of graphite with a total volume of two thousand cubic meters. Uranium is mined at Montmassacrot, then refined at the Société des Terres Rares plant in Le Bouchet prior to its delivery to the reactor, where it is inserted in the form of rods into Zoé-2's core.

Joliot-Curie's associate Francis Perrin, the Chair of Atomic and Molecular Physics for the Collége de France, spoke briefly of future advances being developed by the CEA, including the possibility of using a specially-designed nuclear reactor to produce great quantities of electricity. If this is the case, we might imagine that someday miniature nuclear reactors might power the great trans-Atlantic ocean liners, passenger-carrying aeroplanes, or even a new generation of cars that only need to be refueled every few years.

Official Recognition of Transjordan - Agence Havas
Friday, August 3, 1946 - Today, Paris announced that it officially recognized the independence of the Hashemite Kingdom of Transjordan, which the kingdom secured from Britain in the March 22 Treaty of London, with full independence achieved on June 17. President Clemenceau declared the nation's intention to establish an embassy in the country's capital of Amman before the end of this month.

Smugglers to be Tried in Djibouti - Le Matin
Wednesday, August 7, 1946 - Four Arabs and one African, arrested aboard their dhow by the cruiser Durendal in June, shall be tried in Djibouti following the completion of an investigation led by the Marine Nationale. According to French Navy spokesman Marcel Lacombe, the dhow's crew was found in possession of a significant quantity of weapons and ammunition and were initially suspected of arms smuggling. After further investigation, personal effects belonging to the crew of the Eudos, a Polish-owned and Greek-flagged steamer of 800 DWT which disappeared in the Red Sea three months ago, where also found in the crew's possession. It is now believed that the dhow's crew was contracted to rendezvous with Eudos to smuggle arms illegally into northeast African ports, principally Massawa. The dhow's crew instead attacked the Greek freighter, killed the crew, took its cargo for themselves, and scuttled the steamer. If convicted on charges of piracy, the dhow's five crewmen shall be executed.

Torpedo Boat for Cambodian Navy Begins Sea Trials
Thursday, August 15, 1946 - Torpedo boat Battambang departed Le Havre today to begin builders trials prior to her planned delivery to the newly-formed Royal Cambodian Navy. The torpedo boat, built in Le Havre to the La Combattant II design,weighs slightly under two hundred tons and is armed with a formidable array of weapons for a vessel of her size and speed. Battambang is the first torpedo boat in an order of four, with the final boat scheduled to be completed by December of this year. Once the four vessels are completed, they shall be delivered to Cambodia, making port calls in French, British Empire, Indian, and Siamese ports along the way.

Syrian Militia Silences Dissidents - Agence Havas
Tuesday, August 27, 1946 - A Syrian "Greenshirt" militia tied to the ruling League of Nationalist Action has recently consolidated its ties within the Syrian state. The militia, known as al'Tali'a or "The Vanguard", has grown from four hundred members in July of last year to number at an estimated twenty-one hundred members, with formal companies formed in Damascus, Latakia, and Aleppo. The militia's senior leaders have developed close ties with Prime Minister Khalid al-Hafiz, and al'Tali'a's senior commander, Bashir Qabbani, is now reportedly part of al-Hafiz's circle of advisors.

al'Tali'a's heritage comes from an older group, the National Lions of Damascus, which formed in 1938 as club of young football players and fans. The club affiliated with Ba'athist politics in 1940, and several of the club's constituent teams adopted the "Vanguard" moniker shortly thereafter, beginning a transition from dominating the football pitch to dominating street protests. The final step was taken in August of last year, when the organization officially changed its name to al'Tali'a, discarded its football club charter, and affiliated itself to the League of Nationalist Action.

In the last two weeks, buoyed by close ties to al-Hafiz's government, al'Tali'a has started stepping up its agenda. On August 20th, al'Tali'a's headquarters in Damascus were attacked by members of the Syrian People's Army, the militant wing of the Syrian Communist Party, which was outlawed in April. Several al'Tali'a members present at the time, including Bashir Qabbani's younger brother Yusuf, were hospitalized with severe injuries. Six hours later, a thousand al'Tali'a members converged on several cafes frequented by the communist adherents, and as Damascus gendarmes stood on the sidelines, burned them down. The headquarters of "The Shout of the People", a communist street newspaper, was also cleared out, with the presses seized and eight thousand papers prepared for distribution burned in the street. In the following days, al'Tali'a greenshirts intimidated other outlawed political parties into disbanding. Two days ago, a street protest organized at Sabaa Bahrat Square by the Syrian communists broke up when a hundred and fifty uniformed al'Tali'a members arrived to intimidate them, although no violence occurred.

Observers in Damascus believe al'Tali'a's rising star is blessed by Prime Minister al-Hafiz, who has spoken before about creating a force of security troops loyal to the State Party and affiliated to the Ministry of the Interior. For now, however, it seems clear he is using the un-regulated militia as a useful tool to muzzle troublesome anti-Ba'athist dissidents in the Syrian capital.

Navy Ships Depart for Southern, Northern Waters - La Provence
Thursday, September 12, 1946 - Newly commissioned destroyer Maillé-Brézé departed Brest today for a three-month cruise to the central and southern Atlantic Oceans. The destroyer's planned cruise will take her first to Cape Town by way of Dakar, after which the ship shall return to make a series of port calls in Lyra and other Atlantean possessions. Meanwhile, the fleet submarine Turquoise departed northward to engage in hydrographic experiments and under-ice exercises with the Russian submarine K-38 in the Arctic Ocean, between Greenland and Svalbard. The Turquoise also carries a pair of video-cameramen who will film the submarine's cruise for an informational film.

Grand Prix des Nations Begins Amidst Continued Controversy - Le Figaro
Friday, September 13, 1946 - The Grand Prix des Nations cycling race opened today in Paris despite a furor of accusations about use of strength-enhancing amphetamines used by cyclists in a number of races. The controversy was enhanced by the overdose-related death of Italian cyclist Luigi Scarpa and the disqualification of Belgian Gustave van Pottelsberghe and four other cyclists during this year's Tour de Normandie, which put the issue on the front page of the major national newspapers.

Jets Delivered to Balkans - L'Humanité
Thursday, September 19, 1946 - The French Defense Ministry announced the transfer of a quantity of Arsenal VG.640 Graouilly jet fighters to the air forces of Yugoslavia and Bulgaria. The first delivery of planes, which have been used as transitional training aircraft for the Armee de l'Aire, will be delivered to Yugoslavian pilots by the beginning of October when the aircraft transport Furet calls at Bar. A total of sixteen aircraft each will be delivered to the two nations. According to sources close to the Ministry of National Defense, discussions are also ongoing with the Greek, Romanian, and Czechoslovak air forces, who are entertaining similar offers.

What the Bird Has to Say - Le Canard enchaîné
Wednesday, September 25, 1946 - Last week spokesmen of the Belgian Labour Party moaned ignorantly about a series of German military reforms designed to retain skilled technical expertise in the so-called 'Panzer Arm' of the Heer. The Labour Party's paranoiacs have short-sightedly fixated upon a minor change in military administrative policy as proof of German ill-intent - when in fact they have missed the true source of German threat! A powerhouse such as Allemagne must indeed expand - but deviously, Berlin has chosen to do so through economic imperialism rather than with militaristic might. Observe, if you will, their catelogue of conquests within Poland, Czechoslovakia, and humble little Hungary - the capitalistic German conglomorates such as Deschimag buying up controlling or dominant shares in locally-owned businesses. Observe the growing power of their popular propaganda press, such as Herr Axel Springer's flowering publishing empire in Budapest, Bucharest, and Prague, which urges the citizens of those nations to 'cooperate' with the German conquerors. With Britain's lending-houses freshly neutered by their new Borrowing Control and Guarantees Act which shall stem any swift and timely response by London's equally-avaricious financiers, Eastern Europe is poised to fall once again beneath the well-tailored heel of a Hun invader. Socialist comrades of Eastern Europe, we know you have awoken to this threat, for the socialist movement grows apace, and we here in the West will continue to support your struggle!

For your convenience, a detailed list of the members of new French government.

Quoted

President of the Republic:
Quentin Clemenceau (inaugurated July 7th, 1946)

Current French Cabinet Members (1946):
President of the Council (Prime Minister): Joseph Delattre *
Vice President of the Council: Edmond Michelet
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Gabriel Ducharme* §
Minister of National Defence and War: Jean-Marie Lemaréchal* §
Minister of the Interior: Marcel Sébillot* §
Minister of Finance: Madeline Barthelemy *
Minister of National Economy: Jacques Rueff §
Minister of Labour: Mathis Chauveau *
Minister of Justice: Georges Poirot *
Minister of Marine: Gabriel Auphan §
Minister of Air: Jean-François Jannekeyn §
Minister of National Education: Jean-Jacques Saval * §
Minister of Veterans and Pensioners: Auguste Champetier de Ribes $
Minister of Agriculture: Hector Gregoire*
Minister of Colonies: Georges Mandel §
Minister of Public Works: Christophe Beauvais *
Minister of Public Health: Jean-Baptiste Méliès* §
Minister of Posts, Telegraphs, and Telephones: Hector Devos* §
Minister of Commerce: Jean-Hugo Lemercier *

* - Fictional figure
§ - Holding the same post as in previous administration

Curses!!!

Le Canard enchaîné has found us out! Execute diversionary Plan 17 immediately! :D

At least one European country is paying attention to your news posts. :P

Quoted

French Rocket Doesn't Explode

It's a miracle!!!

Quoted

The rocket, designated the R1, weighs a monstrous 1,300 kg

A monstrous 1,300 kg?? That is less than the weight of something like the Chenard-Walcker CPV van (future Peugeot D3)!! Really not worth to call that weight "monstrous". Got to be at least 100 times that weight for it to be monstrous.

Britain pays attention, just never got around to thinking about GB business interests in Eastern Europe but I was, oddly, thinking about this last night...

Le Spectateur Militaire Quarterly: Carrousel de Saumur, 1946 -

The tenth annual Carrousel de Saumur, the armoured vehicle display organized by the Musée des Blindés in Saumur, became the largest event in the museum's short history. The centerpiece of the event has always been the Carrousel itself, where a group of tanks from the museum's collection are driven through the demonstration arena before the crowd. In the last few years, the museum's entire operating collection participated in the demonstration, but the growth of the collection over the last two years meant that, for the first time, not all vehicles could be displayed in the arena during the two-day event.

South American War Display Officially Opens
One of the more significant moments of the weekend came when Saumer's staff opened the new display on the armour of the South American War. Last year, Saumur began approaching other nations with offers to acquire historically-significant armoured vehicles to restore to running order in order to expand the museum's collection, with particular interest shown in the vehicles of the South American War. Response from the Argentine and South African governments was positive, and nine vehicles were purchased. Over the last few months, a second of the new display hall was reorganized to construct a new exhibit, "Armour of the South American War". This new exhibit opened to the public for the first time on the weekend of the Carrousel, and the Museum arranged for several Argentine and South African veterans to be present for the opening.

Among the participants present at the museum was former Lieutenant Marinus de Haan, who commanded a South African CET-2B Centurion medium tank of the 15de Division during the tank combat at the Battle of General Villegas, one of the closing actions of the war. Lieutenant de Haan's CET-2B was present in the thick of the action, knocking out six of the thirty-four Argentine tanks destroyed at General Villegas. Argentine return fire heavily-damaged the vehicle and injured much of the crew, including Lieutenant de Haan, who received The Order of Distinguished Service for his actions during the battle. Lieutenant de Haan's tank, still bearing the scars of the fighting, is now part of the Saumur collection, and is undergoing a three-stage restoration intended to bring it back to original running condition. The staff hopes to see it run in time for the 1947 Carrousel.

Another veteran who has travelled to Saumur regroup with his former vehicle was Sergeant Carlos Menes, of the Argentine Army. Sergeant Menes and his T-1M31 light tank, No. 134, survived ferocious fighting during the Buenos Aires Offensive, in September of 1935, which much of his tank company was lost in action. No. 134, nicknamed "Tin-Sided Carlos" after her commander, eventually was assigned to the Tank School prior to entering storage, whereupon she was retrieved following purchase by the Museum. Delivered in good running condition, the vehicle was cleaned out, tuned, and completely repainted. During the Carrousel, Sergeant Menes took command of "Tin-Sided Carlos" for three laps around the museum's demonstration circuit.

Among the other new vehicles acquired for the South American War display is South African W4-SP Wasp scout tank "#21", a South African HSR-2D Hussar medium tank, and Argentine T-2M34 fast tank, No.14, which received a mechanical restoration by Saumur's staff prior to driving in the Carrousel. A BT5-A Bullet light tank (believed to be based on the Christie series) was also purchased in driving condition, but was not displayed in the arena. The RSAA also sold a Gomez Steel and Armor Ltd. CRU-5R cavalry tank (No. 241) and found a rare surviving FS-9S Firestarter armoured car, once part of the 7th Zulu Regiment. Finally, the Argentine Army also sold TG-1M35 Self-Propelled Gun, No.3, which was briefly the personal vehicle of the Commander of the Mechanised Corps, Maj. Gen. Antonio Miguel Barbera.

New Armoured Vehicles Displayed
One other noteworthy facet of the weekend was the display of two new French and Russian tanks, rarely seen so far by the press.


Char Moyen AMX-40 Modele 1946 "Tigre"

For the last two years, the French Army has displayed prototypes of a new medium tank, sometimes called the Massena or Tigre. After a five-year development timeline, this tank was finally accepted for adoption by the French Army as the Char Moyen AMX-40 Modele 1946, or just AMX-40, with the first regiment entering active duty with the 3e Régiment de Dragons de Marine (RDMa) in May of this year. Four of the 3rd RDMa's new tanks paraded with their parent unit, the 14th Marine Grenadiers Division, during this year's Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, showing off this new vehicle for the first time before the world press. Their second official appearance at this year's Carrousel saw four different vehicles from the Armoured Cavalry Branch's training school put through their paces in the museum's demonstration arena. Although the French Army has not released any specifications, the new medium tank appears to be slightly larger than the Montbrun, although it is still armed with the 82mm/L71 main gun used in the final variants of the Montbrun. According to Le Spectateur Militaire's sources within the Armee de Terre, the AMX-40 offers a substantial improvement in effective fighting power, but at a lower cost than preceding vehicles.


Ob'yekt 136 / T-47 Tsiklon Medium Tank

Also displayed were the Russian T-47 "Tsiklon" and T-60 "Smerch" tanks. Although a mockup of Uralvagonzavod's Tsiklon had appeared last year for display outside the Carrousel's demonstration arena, the tank itself has never before been shown outside Russia or to the Western press. The tank appears to be armed with a 100mm gun, which may perhaps be the largest and most powerful piece of ordnance mounted on an armoured fighting vehicle. But perhaps the most impressive fact about the Tsiklon is the rumor, which Le Spectateur Militaire cannot independently verify, that the Russian Federation Ground Forces intends to use it to completely renovate their armoured and mechanised forces, with a projected order that may number well over five thousand vehicles.


T-60 Smerch Light Tank

Another Russian vehicle seeing heavy series production is the T-60 "Smerch" light tank - although the moniker is perhaps not entirely appropriate considering the Smerch's weight of 22 tons. Developed from the T-44 medium tank, the T-60 was significantly lightened and armed with a modest low-pressure 76.2mm gun. Approximately fifteen hundred of these light tanks have been ordered, with indications that Russia may use the chassis for other roles.

For further reference on the South American War tanks referenced above, both Hoo and Hood gave me some excellent writeups for the tanks purchased for the museum. Although I tried to do justice to it in the above article, I want to post the original text here as well, since it's such a nice summary. :)

Quoted

T-1M31 light tank, No.134, served with 3 Company, 2nd Armoured Regiment, was present at the battle of August 23 during the Buenos Aires Offensive when most of the company were wiped out during an engagement with CET-2B Centurion and HSR-2D Hussar tanks. This tank, nicknamed 'Tin-Sides Carlos' after her commander, Sergeant Carlos Menes, survived the action and the following day destroyed two RSAA armoured cars. A lucky survivor of the battles into September, the tank was hit once with a 37mm round, luckily it hit a track. Shipped back in late September for overhaul, it was not re-issued to frontline use until December 1935. Again a survivor of at least three major battles it secured two more armoured car kills and a HSR-2D on the last day of the war. Post-war used in frontline service until June 1936 and then assigned to the Tank School until January 1940 when it was placed in storage.

T-2M34 fast tank, No.14, served with 2 Company, 1st Armoured Regiment, again a survivor of Operation Lamplighter, it is believed this tank destroyed a GAZ-3A Gazelle and two W4-SP Wasp tanks during these battles. It was returned to depot in late September for overhaul and engine change, briefly fought in November but again required an engine change, used for training in December and in the final weeks of the war was part of a unit defending Cordoba. Post-war used in service until January 1941 and then stored. Was briefly issued to the Tank School in September 1944 and still has a survivable engine.

TG-1M35 SPG, No.3, this historic vehicle was one of those that participated in the first use of the TG-1 self-propelled gun in action. The battle on July 2 was an Argentine attack supported by four TG-1s and three T-1 tanks. No.3 scored the first tank kill of the type, an RSAA armoured car, followed by another as the battle was ending. For a brief two-week period afterwards it became the personal mount of commander of the Mechanised Corps, Maj. Gen. Antonio Miguel Barbera and still carries his staff identification markings. Used in countless infantry support roles, it never destroyed any more enemy vehicles, but it did knock out at least four enemy strongpoints and pillboxes. It carries scars from an RSAF strafing run, being hit by 7.92mm bullets. Post-war used in service until issued to the Tank School in May 1941 until December 1944.

Quoted

1) A FS-9S Firestarter armoured car. This particular vehicle served with the staff of the 7th Zulu Regiment and participated in the battle of Encarnation on Mar 26 1935. It was almost destroyed when Argentine forces took back the city on April 24. Heavily damaged it was replaced, patched up and served a training unit for mechanics until it was finally declared surplus. It survived long enough on a scrapyard to be available now, though the vehicle is in bad shape. However, there are not many Firestarters left in general so your restoration team might take this chance. Some spare parts can be provided too, so it might be possible to get the car going again, although her interior might not be complete.

2) There is a W4-SP Wasp scout tank you may have interest in. She has a large "21" on her side and was used as a gate guardian in Gran Uruguay since 1938. Her state is not too bad and with little effort this Wasp should buzz again. If records are correct this particular tank came to South America in May 35 with the 2nd Bamum Regiment as part of the first reenforcement shipments. She took part in the battle of Porto Alegre where the Argentine V Corps was fought early in July but removed from the front line soon after when more modern Stinger scout tanks replaced the elderly Wasps.

3) A sample of the BT5-A Bullet series light tank is available that did not actually serve in South America but given the significance of the vehicle for RSAA scouting you may want to take it. She is in driving condition although some maintenance is required. Spare parts are available.

4) Build by Gomez Steel and Armor Ltd. in Rosario the CRU-5R is a true South American tank but was no burner. The last tank series designed to an obsolete concept, that of a cavalry tank, might see you interested. The vehicle available is No. 241 of 257 build but offers no interesting battle record as she served a training units. Spares are an issue but a team of exellent mechanics might get this thing going again.

5) The HSR-2D Hussar medium tank was the workhorse of RSAA tankers during the conflict and many are still on display in barracks or serve as gate guardians. The vehicle available saw plenty combat with the 4th Panser Company during Argentinas Operation Lamplighter (Push for Buenos Aires in August 1935) plus the fighting for the cities of Ararangua and Criciuma. The tank still shows some scars and marks where she was hit by enemy fire. Spare parts are available and the vehicle is in driving condition.

6) Of course a CET-2B Centurion tank is among the vehicles offered. A master of many battlefields the Centurions gave sterling service. This particular vehicle served with the 15de Division and took part in the fighting off General Villegas in January 1936, especially the tank battle on Jan 26. That day around 60 Argentine tanks clashed with 23 CET-2B Centurion and 14 GAZ-3A Gazelle tanks. During the three hour long battle the African quality proved superior and only 26 Argentine tanks left the field. African losses were seven Centurions and four Gazelles. The Centurion offered was credited six kills but was heavily damaged in return, although not beyond repair. All crew members where highly decorated afterwards, including Tank Commander Lieutenant Marinus de Haan, wounded by a shrapnel on his right arm and chest, who was awared The Order of Distinguished Service for his leadership and skilled fighting.

That's a very good post. Nice to see the new French and Russian tanks too.
The T-47 looks a bit modern with those T-72 style dust guards. I realise the Russians would find them necessary, but would it be possible to make them look more 'antique', if anything so no-one claims its some sort of T-72 clone!

Quoted from "Hood"

That's a very good post. Nice to see the new French and Russian tanks too.
The T-47 looks a bit modern with those T-72 style dust guards. I realise the Russians would find them necessary, but would it be possible to make them look more 'antique', if anything so no-one claims its some sort of T-72 clone!

Do you have anything in particular that you think would make them look more 'antique'? While I did base them off the T-72 guards, I'm looking at some on the Panther that appear almost identical, so I'm not really sure how they can be 'antiqued'...

Quoted from "Brockpaine"

Quoted from "Hood"

That's a very good post. Nice to see the new French and Russian tanks too.
The T-47 looks a bit modern with those T-72 style dust guards. I realise the Russians would find them necessary, but would it be possible to make them look more 'antique', if anything so no-one claims its some sort of T-72 clone!

Do you have anything in particular that you think would make them look more 'antique'? While I did base them off the T-72 guards, I'm looking at some on the Panther that appear almost identical, so I'm not really sure how they can be 'antiqued'...

Honestly, those "dust guards" look more like bazooka plates to me, and they don't look that anachronistic as far as I am concerned.

I'm not against guards at all, it was just they looked identical to later 1970s Soviet style. But I agree there is nothing wrong with having them and the Panther and Centurion are both historical examples.

Nice write-up. Glad you could use what was offered. :o)

Quoted from "HoOmAn"

Nice write-up. Glad you could use what was offered. :o)

And thanks for the excellent detail you provided - both you and Hood gave me information over and above what I expected to receive. :)

Actually, your request offered a nice excuse to re-read some of those old news and stories to find hooks to link those tank descriptions to. So in fact, when you search for it, you will find indeed ABS war news about the battle that Centurion fought in e.g.

As for those new tanks - I like the drawings a lot. However, I wonder if those tanks aren't a decade ahead in concept. But the again, probably not given that your AMX-40 probably is a modified T-54 copy. Anyways, I always enjoy good pictures. :o)

Quoted from "HoOmAn"

As for those new tanks - I like the drawings a lot. However, I wonder if those tanks aren't a decade ahead in concept. But the again, probably not given that your AMX-40 probably is a modified T-54 copy. Anyways, I always enjoy good pictures. :o)

In terms of artistic similarity, I will agree that the overall impression is a bit closer to the 1950s than I'm entirely comfortable with. However, all of the design elements I've used on both the T-47 and the AMX-40 Tigre can be found on at least some historical tanks from the early 1940s, be they prototypes or production models.

I must express some chagrin at the comparison to the T-54, since I was intentionally staying away from using that design as the basis for any of my vehicles. While I like the T-54's looks, I feel it made a lot of unnecessary compromises to achieve the magic mix of good armour / firepower / mobility on a relatively light chassis. I did use a few parts from T-54 drawings (particularly for the T-47), but not as many as you might think. At least with the AMX-40, I was trying to keep a bit of "design continuity" with earlier French tanks that used the same sorts of cast armour - vehicles like the Renault R35, the Somua S35, and other vehicles of that era. (In point of fact, I'm actually kinda considering going back to re-draw the earlier Char-8 Montbrun / AMX-34 in order to better demonstrate that design lineage.)

But, at the end of the day, I just really liked the way the drawings came out. I'm still in the process of tweaking a few of them to add things or introduce variants. For instance, the French Army currently uses sideskirts on all of their medium tanks, but I've not yet gotten a satisfactory result with that.