British vs French Tanks

[rammjaeger]

I was reading a lot about British tanks in WWI in German and British sources but French tanks are nearly non-existing in the most source books! Also attacks of German aeroplanes against British tanks were mentioned but never attacks against French tanks. That is strange because the Frenchmen produced and used a lot of tanks too.

I would like to know the following:
1) Which numbers of tanks were produced in both states?
2) How many of these were actually used in WWI?
3) How many were lost in action by both powers?
4) What are the data of performance for the main types of both powers?
5) Is there a comparison existing describing the differences, common features and impact of the tanks both countries in war?
6) Is there any good book existing about the French types (but available in English or German language)?

Oh sorry, I think that is enough stuff for a discussion.

Many thanks in advance.

The Trenches On The Web site has some comparisons of the various tanks used during the war (http://www.worldwar1.com/armory.htm). I don't remember the number of tanks the French/British produced, however the Germans only built 20 A7Vs.

http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/ww1/WW1.html has a more detailed listing with some production numbers.

Also, with the introduction of the tank in January 1916, usage started growing. Somme incorporated the use of 49 tanks. Cambrai used tanks as a decisive factor. During Ameins, over 500 tanks were used.

The Renault FT17 was continued to be used by the French in the early days of WWII.

[Immo_Frese]

Hi Rammjäger!

Impossible to answer all your questions...

French:
- Char d'Assault Schneider M.16 C.A. = In july 1917 340 tanks were delivered. Was used for infantry support with with "Schneider Abt.1-17 since december 1917.

- Char d'Assault St.Chamond M.16 = november 1917 400 tanks were produced. they were used with St.Chamond-Abt. 31-42 since february 1917.

- Char Légère Renault = till the end of the war there were 3177 tanks produced. First tank with a turret. Served with 27 Btl. in France.

British:
- Mark A "Whippet" = saw first actin 1918 by Colincamps. 200 were buildt.

- Mark I-V = first action september 15th 1916 attack at Guillemont/Somme. Produced were: 150 Mark I, 50 Mark II, 50 Mark III, 1015 Mark IV, 400 Mark V.

Germany:
- Panzerkampfwagen A7V = on january 20th 1917 100 tanks were ordered but only 20 were buildt. A7V saw first action on the first day of the "Unternehmen Michael" when 36.ID attacks south of St.Quentin with 4 A7V of SturmPzKpfw.Abt.1.
First tank battle in history on april 4th 1918 when 13 A7V were in action against british tanks by Villers-Bretonneux.

Perhaps this is a start...

Beste Grüße, Immo

[Immo_Frese]

I think France was by far the biggest producent of tanks during the Great War. Perhaps the german airman called every tank they had attacked a british tank, because the british were the first to use them in masses on the Somme and later in the tankbattle of Cambrai? ???

Hm, when I remember right, the french also used tanks in the allied spring offensive in 1917 :-/

Die Forschung über die Panzerwaffe des Ersten Weltkrieges ist noch schlechter, als jene über die Luftwaffe...

Immo

The tank production by country is:

Britain:
1916: 150
1917: 1277
1918: 1391

France:
1917: 800
1918: 4000

Germany:
1918: 20

Italy:
1918: 6

U.S.A.:
1918: 84

[rammjaeger]

Thanks for these astonishing quick, qualified and very helpful replies, leif106 and Immo!

If you can trace anything about the losses (percentage of tanks in action) I would be extremly grateful as well!

[Immo_Frese]

Unfortunately I have no data about losses at hand. But since the germans used about 200 british "Beutepanzer", losses must have been horrible high, especially during 1916.

BTW Hannes,if you have the possibility to visit the Panzermuseum in Munster - you can see a welldone 1:1 replica of the A7V tank "Mephisto". Verry Impressing I think the only original is in the War Museum in Canberra/Australia.

A few years ago a Mark tank was found near Flesqieres (sp), I found some interesting articles about it at the "Battlefield Archaeology"- site from Nils Fabiansson. Fascinating stuff:
http://w1.865.telia.com/~u86517080/Battlef...rkeologENG.html

Gruß, Immo

I haven't found anything on tank losses. I have found a couple of stats on tanks used in different battles.

Also, in the August 2001 issue of Military Heritage, they have an article on the tank battle at Amiens.

[gregoire]

On french and on ww1 tank in general I have found a nice web page (there are not that much)
http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks