- For the Steel Division II unit see SD2:Panzer 35R(f)
Panzer 35R is a German Tank unit. It is a light tank used by the 91. Luftlande and the 352. Infanterie, both divisions that put more emphasis on infantry instead of tanks. The inexpensive tank provides firepower in phase A against infantry and lightly armoured vehicles.
Overview
Char léger Modèle 1935 R was a light infantry tank designed in 1933 and pressed into production in 1936. Designed from the ground up as an infantry support tank, it was slow, well armored, and equipped with a short barreled SA18 37mm gun paired with a Reibel MAC 31 7.5mm machine gun. Intended for distribution among infantry divisions, it was the most numerous tank in French service in 1939. A superior model with a 37mm gun more suited for tank-to-tank combat was developed and entered production in April 1940, shortly before the Fall of France. Surviving models were quickly pressed into service by Germans as Panzerkampfwagen 35R 731(f), used for training and policing duties. A number were converted as prime movers, ammunition carriers, and even as tank destroyers.
Panzer Ersatz und Ausbildungs Abteilung 100 had a mixture of captured French tanks, Bef. Panzer III H and Infantry Platoons. Panzer Ersatz und Ausbildungs Abteilung 100 was a armored training battalion that supported 91. Luftlande.
352. Infanterie was supported by a Panzer-Abteilung which had French Tanks.
Panzer-kompanie Paris of Festung Groß-Paris had a mixture of captured French Tanks like Renault R-35, R-40, Hotchkiss H-39, Somua S-35 and Char B1 from Front Weapons Depot at Paris-Garche along with Panzer I.
Strategy
The Panzer 35 is a light tank that can engage soft units as well as lightly armoured personnel carriers. It is a useful addition to the two German divisions, both of which lack tanks. However, the panzer cannot be expected to take on Allied light tanks such as the Honey Stuart.
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