Ranger, Alan Renault R35 & R40 Through a German Lens

The Renault R35, an abbreviation of Char léger Modèle 1935 R or R35, was a French light infantry tank of the Second World War. Designed from 1933 and produced from 1936, the tank was intended as an infantry support light tank. To this end it was relatively well-armoured but slow and lacking a good antitank-capacity, fitted with a short 37 mm gun. At the outbreak of the war, the antitank-role was more emphasized leading to the development and eventual production from April 1940 of a subtype with a more powerful longer gun, the Renault R40. Due to the defeat of France the R35/40 remained the most numerous French tank of the war. About 1680 vehicles having been produced by June 1940. In this volume the author provides a detailed impression of these vehicles through original photographs, taken both during and bevor the German Invasion of France in May/June 1940.

With the outbreak of war, the anti-tank role was emphasised more strongly, which led to the development and later production of a subtype with a more powerful and longer main armament, the Renault R40, from April 1940. Due to the defeat of France, the R35 and R40 remained the most numerous French tanks of the war. By June 1940, around 1680 vehicles had been produced. In this volume, the author gives a detailed impression of these vehicles based on original photos taken both during and before the German invasion of France in May/June 1940.