The Somua S-35 was a French medium tank that saw service in the early stages of World War II. It was one of the most advanced and effective tanks of its time, but it suffered from several drawbacks that limited its performance and availability. In this blog post, I will explore the history, design, and combat record of the Somua S-35, as well as its legacy and influence on later tank development.
The Somua S-35 was developed in the 1930s as a replacement for the aging Renault FT light tank, which had been the mainstay of the French army since World War I. The Somua company, a subsidiary of Schneider, was tasked with designing a new medium tank that would combine mobility, firepower, and protection. The result was the S-35, which entered production in 1936 and was officially adopted by the French army in 1938.
The S-35 had a crew of three: a driver, a commander/gunner, and a loader/radio operator. The driver sat in the front of the hull, while the other two crew members were located in the turret. The turret was fully cast and had a distinctive shape with sloped sides and a rounded front. The main armament was a 47 mm SA 35 gun, which had good penetration and accuracy for its caliber. The secondary armament consisted of a coaxial 7.5 mm Reibel machine gun and another 7.5 mm machine gun in the hull. The S-35 had a gasoline engine that gave it a top speed of 40 km/h and a range of 230 km. The suspension was based on leaf springs and bogies, which provided a smooth ride but also made the tank vulnerable to mines and shell fragments. The armor was relatively thick for its time, ranging from 20 to 47 mm, but it had some weak spots such as the driver's hatch and the turret ring.
The S-35 was first used in combat during the Battle of France in 1940, where it proved to be superior to most German tanks in terms of firepower and protection. However, it also faced several problems that hampered its effectiveness. One of them was the poor communication system, which relied on flags and horns instead of radios. This made it difficult for the S-35s to coordinate with each other and with other units. Another problem was the one-man turret, which overloaded the commander with multiple tasks and reduced his situational awareness. A third problem was the lack of spare parts and maintenance facilities, which resulted in many breakdowns and losses. Finally, the S-35 was outnumbered and outmanoeuvred by the German blitzkrieg tactics, which exploited the gaps and weaknesses in the French defense.
The S-35 was captured in large numbers by the Germans, who used them under the designation Panzerkampfwagen 35-S 739(f) or Pz.Kpfw. 35-S 739(f). Some of them were modified with new radios, cupolas, and guns. They were used on various fronts, such as North Africa, Eastern Europe, and Norway. Some of them were also given to allied countries such as Italy, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Finland. The S-35 also influenced the design of later tanks, such as the Soviet T-34 and the American M4 Sherman.
The Somua S-35 was a remarkable tank that demonstrated the potential of French tank design and industry. It was well-armed, well-armored, and well-engineered for its time. However, it also suffered from several flaws that limited its performance and availability. It was ultimately unable to stop the German invasion of France, but it left a lasting impression on both friends and foes.