Heavy tanks

B2 740(f) (the captured Char B1 bis)

Description

French heavy tank. 

The first B1 was created jointly by Reno and FSM in 1930, and serial production began in 1935. The tank participated in hostilities against Germany in the spring of 1940. During the occupation, the Wehrmacht seized nearly half of the 161 units then serviceable. These were then assigned the designation B2 740 (f). They were further strengthened with armor plates during the winter of 1941, and turned into flamethrowers. Later, those which survived were used for training, after their towers were dismantled. 

Its 75mm cannon had only a vertical aiming mechanism. Horizontal aiming was carried out by rotating the tank’s entire body. The B1 could accelerate to a bare 28 km/h.

Characteristics

4 men
32 tons
6.52 m
2.50 m
2.79 m
28 km/h
150 km
75mm SA 32;
47mm SA 35;
Secondary: 2 × 7.5mm Chatellerault mod. 1931