Forces Aeriennes Françaises Libres

Chaplain and pilot of squadron Lafayette, Tunisia, 1943

Destroyed French H-35/38 light tank, western campaign, 1940.  These little tanks, designed for "cavalry" use, but also assigned to infantry support, were slow, under-armored, under-gunned and drank fuel in large quantities, resulting in short range.  The clear total penetration low in the tank's left-front tends to confirm that light French armored vehicles were distinctly viable targets for the German "door knocker" 37mm PAK 36, albeit that the latter were ineffective against the heavier French and British tanks of the time.  A Somua S35 would have been a distinctly tougher target ... although the general tactic of shooting in the general direction of the tracks/wheels, of which their is some evidence from the Battle of France, would have been useful ... JR.