Vehicles

Errata & Clarifications to Weird Wars Vehicles

    Some necessary information was left out of the weapons and equipment descriptions in the Weird War II book, which I've supplied here. Additionally, I felt that the descriptions of some items were left a little too general, and so have added more detailed information to some other entries.

2 1/2 Ton Truck (WW pg.79)
    The Deuce-and-a-half can carry 25 fully loaded GIs, or 2.5 tons of equipment and supplies.
    An amphibious version of the truck, labeled the DUKW, also existed, with a rudder and prop attached to the rear. It could travel in the water at a Cruising Speed of 5.

Sdkfz 234/1 (WW pg.72)
    The 20mm turret gun was officially named the KwK 38, and is fed by 10-round strip clips.

Sdkfz 251 (WW pg.72)
    The German halftrack came in many versions, but for the most part the 251/1 was the "standard". It carried a machinegun in a front pintle mount as well as a second machinegun in a rear mount (which had much more swivel than the front), with a total of 2010 rounds of 7.92mm ammunition. Once the MG42 was put into production all further 251/1's were equipped with it, although halftracks in service before late 1942 may have still had MG34's (they were upgraded when possible). Halftracks intended for towing guns or designed as command vehicles (with larger radio setups and such in the back) only had the front-mounted MG.
    The Sdkfz 251/10 was the standard "Platoon HQ" halftrack. It had it's front MG replaced with a 3.7 cm PaK AT gun (Although a 37L45 gun, it has equivalent stats to a 37L21 gun firing AP rounds - it got the nickname "Armor Doorknocker" due to it's lack of penetrating power). The rear MG was still present, with 1100 rounds, and the 3.7 cm PaK had 168 rounds of AP ammo.
    Post-1940 versions normally had an armored gun shield (AV 20) mounted to the front machinegun.

PzKpfw IIC (AK pg.44)
    The 20mm turret gun was officially named the KwK 30, and is fed by 10-round detachable magazines. Technically speaking it had an effective range of 650 yards, but unless you want to get nit-picky just leave it at 200y range increments.

 

Motorcycles

    As stated on the Rules and Errata page, motorcycles have only one Hull hit location (and armor rating), and may have an additional "Sidecar" armor value. Other than that, their stats are the same as for any other vehicle.
    As a side note, there are almost no unessential components built onto a motorcycle, hence the low number of damage points - if you hit a motorcycle with a decently powerful bullet, it's probably going to cripple it.
    All armies used motorcycles during the war, but I was only able to find hard data on the German BMW and Harley-Davidson bikes, so those are the only two whose stats listed below. Except for the range, motorcycles are all extremely similar (in game terms, at least) - use stats for the WLA for quick-n-dirty "generic bikes" for other nationalities.

German Motorcycles

BMW R-75
    The R-75 is the stereotypical WWII motorcycle. The R-75 had an extra large fuel tank, and overall its design was advanced. Some 17,000 were built (including various different versions of the bike) and used by the German armed forces for scouting, courier transport, and infantry assaults. Panzergrendier blitzkrieg tactics often included the use of motorcycles, which could quickly bring men into combat through terrain difficult for larger vehicles to traverse.
    Versions of the R-75 without a sidecar were normally reserved for courier duty, and had multi-use latched courier packs mounted on each side of the rear wheel.
    Armor Class: 14, Damage Points: 10, Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 100, Range: 350 miles, Weapons: None, Ammo: None, Crew: 1+1 (Driver), Armor - Hull: 2, Suspension: 10.

BMW R-75 with Sidecar
    This is the same as the R-75, above, except with the addition of a sidecar. An MG34 (or possibly an MG42, in later years) was normally mounted on the sidecar, along with a spare tire. The sidecar also had 2 ammo cans/courier packs mounted on each side, next to the machinegun, along with an additional courier pack mounted on the left-rear side of the motorcycle. For long missions, one or jerry cans were strapped to the sidecar or otherwise carried on the bike.
    Most R-75's in service were equipped with a sidecar.
    Armor Class: 13, Damage Points: 15, Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 90, Range: 300 miles, Weapons: MG34 (Bow), Ammo: 7.92mm 500, Crew: 2+1 (Driver, sidecar gunner), Armor - Hull: 2, Sidecar: 2, Suspension: 10.

American Motorcycles

Harley-Davidson WLA
    90,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles were used by the Allies during WWII for use in scouting, as couriers, escorts, etc. Unlike the German R-75, the WLA was not designed for use with a sidecar. Standard accessories included a rifle scabbard, black-out lights, a small cargo rack, 2 courier bags and an ammo box.
    Although a passenger can ride on the bike, there is no seat intended for such use (unlike the BMW R-75), making for an uncomfortable ride.
    Armor Class: 14, Damage Points: 10, Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 100, Range: 200 miles, Weapons: None, Ammo: None, Crew: 1+1 (Driver), Armor - Hull: 2, Suspension: 10.

Harley-Davidson WLA with Sidecar
    Same as the standard WLA, above, except with the addition of a sidecar on the right side. It is a simple affair, with enough room for a rider or some extra cargo, but no frills or gimmicks. The WLA's standard accessories are unaffected by the addition of a sidecar.
    Armor Class: 13, Damage Points: 15, Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 85, Range: 150 miles, Weapons: None, Ammo: None, Crew: 2+1 (Driver, sidecar rider), Armor - Hull: 2, Sidecar: 2, Suspension: 10.

 

French Vehicles

    The French had a large assortment of tanks, armored cars, trucks, and other vehicles in use when the Germans invaded in 1940. Listed below are some of the more common vehicles, all of which were used (in one form or another) by the Wehrmacht throughout the rest of the war (more on that in the next section, below).
    A table of statistics for the weapons follows the vehicle descriptions. For statistics on the Hotchkiss M31 (or other specifically named weapons), see the Weapons & Equipment page.
    As a final word of note, trying to pin down exactly what the statistics are for WWII vehicles is difficult, with multiple lengths and penetration values found for just about every tank and gun, not to mention completely contradictory listings for armor thickness and other vehicle statistics. The statistics listed below are my best guess based on the data I could find, and will work for RPG use as my figures are "good enough for government work". However, since historical inaccuracy bothers me, I figured I'd mention it. 

Renault FT-17/31
    The Renault FT-17 is a WWI tank design that continued to be used by the French, it's colonies, and many other countries through WWII. At the time of the German invasion in 1940, some 2500 FT-17's (and FT-31's) were still in use by the French army. The Vichy French used them in North Africa and Syria, as did German occupational/police forces in France and elsewhere.
    The FT-17 was the first tank design with a fully revolving turret. It had either an 8mm Hotchkiss MG or 37L21 cannon, but not both (built at a ratio of 2 MG for every 37mm tank). In the 1930's French FT-17s with the 8mm machinegun were upgraded to the newer 7.5mm Hotchkiss M31 MG, and the tank's designation was changed to the FT-31. The FT-18 was identical, except with a different manufacturing process for the turret (resulting in a rounded turret as opposed to the octagonal FT-17 turret). As with other French tank designs, the commander had to aim, fire, and load the main gun (or machinegun) in addition to commanding the vehicle.
    The FT-17 did not have a radio as standard equipment, although some had them installed (more work for the commander, of course). There is a double-door hatch on the front deck for the driver, along with a fold-up visor hatch above it, and a hatch on the turret for the commander.
    Armor Class: 12, Damage Points: 50, Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 10, Range: 37 miles, Weapons: 37L21 Cannon (turret) OR 7.5mm Hotchkiss M31 MG (turret), Ammo: Max 240 (HE 150, AP 65, Smoke 25) OR 7.5mm 4500, Crew: 2 (Driver, commander/gunner), Armor - Turret: 16/16/16, Upper Hull: 20/16/16, Lower Hull: 20/16/16, Deck: 8, Suspension: 30.

Char-canon Renault BS
    The Renault BS is the same as the FT-17 series, except with a larger turret housing a 75mm short-barreled infantry support cannon (howitzer). Not too many were built, although US forces encountered several in 1942 during the invasion of Morocco (Operation Torch).  (Note: From what I was able to find, there is debate over what type of 75mm gun was actually used. For simplicities sake, I'm going with the 75L17 cannon found on the B1-Bis.)
    Armor Class: 12, Damage Points: 50, Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 10, Range: 37 miles, Weapons: 75L17 Cannon (turret), Ammo: Max 74 (HE 60, Smoke 14), Crew: 2 (Driver, commander/gunner), Armor - Turret: 16/16/16, Upper Hull: 20/16/16, Lower Hull: 20/16/16, Deck: 8, Suspension: 30.

Panhard AMD 178
    A 4-wheeled (and 4WD) armored car with a dual steering setup (for reverse driving). The AMD-178 was widely considered one of the best armored cars at the start of the war. Hatches are located on each side and one on the roof. The standard AMD 178 mounts the 25mm SA-L Mle 34 antitank cannon in the turret, although command versions had the weapon removed and a larger radio added.
    In game terms, the dual steering setup allows the vehicle to drive in reverse at up to fast speed, and modifiers for driving in reverse are not doubled (as normal).
    Armor Class: 14, Damage Points: 50, Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 75, Range: 187 miles, Weapons: 25L72 Cannon (turret), 7.5mm Hotchkiss M31 MG (coaxial), Ammo: Max 150 (HE 100, AP 50), 7.5mm 3750, Crew: 4 (Commander, gunner, driver, assistant driver), Armor - Turret: 30/15/15, Upper Hull: 20/15/15, Lower Hull: 20/15/15, Deck: 6, Suspension: 20.

(Bataille) Car B1-Bis
    The B1-Bis was the standard medium/heavy tank in the French army, with around 350 in use. The B1-Bis comprised half of the tanks in the 1st through 4th Armored Divisions, the other half being Renault and Hotchkiss tanks. 
    Overall, the B1-Bis was a complex machine prone to breakdowns, and only a marginally effective design. It has a 47mm turreted antitank gun and a short-barreled 75mm cannon (for use against infantry and lightly armored vehicles - AP rounds were never even made for it) in the front hull (which had to be aimed by turning the tank), in addition to a coaxial 7.5mm MG and another MG mounted by the bow cannon. The mechanical components were quite complex, including an aircraft engine and electric powered traverse. Hatches are located on the right side of the hull, right rear of the turret, hatch in the turret top, over the driver, emergency floor hatch, and an emergency hatch in the roof of the engine compartment.
    Crew assignments within the tank were quite complex. In addition to piloting the vehicle, he driver aims (by turning the tank) and fires the 75mm cannon, and also can fire the bow MG. The commander has the most jobs, being responsible for aiming, firing and loading the turret guns, as well as commanding the tank (he could also fire the bow MG). The loader is in charge of loading the 75mm cannon, as well as handing ammunition to the commander. The radio operator had the sole task of manning the radio, although they could assist in other tanks if the situation became desperate, although the turret is too small for anyone else other than the commander.
    Armor Class: 14, Damage Points: 75, Size: Huge, Cruising Speed: 30, Range: 93 miles, Weapons: 47L34 Cannon (turret), 75L17 Cannon (fixed - no traverse), 7.5mm Hotchkiss M31 MG (bow), 7.5mm Hotchkiss M31 MG (coaxial), Ammo: Max (47mm) 50 (HE 25, AP 25), Max (75mm) 74 (HE 54, Smoke 20), 7.5mm 5100, Crew: 4 (Driver, commander, loader, radio operator), Armor - Turret: 55/50/50, Upper Hull: 65/60/55, Lower Hull: 85/60/55, Deck: 25, Suspension: 30.

Hotchkiss H-35
    The Hotchkiss H-35 is the standard cavalry tank of the French army, used alongside S-35's in the 1st and 2nd Light Mechanized Divisions and the Light Cavalry Divisions. It's main gun is quite short and fires low velocity rounds intended for use against infantry and light vehicles. The H-38 is an upgraded version of the H-35, with a better engine. The H-38 is identical, except with a cruising speed of 35 and a range of 100 miles.
    The driver sits in the front-right, with a split-hatch cover on the front for access (one side opens upwards, the other downwards). The commander sits suspended in a saddle inside the turret, which turns when it does. There is also an emergency hatch in the bottom of the tank.
    The original H-series tanks do not have radios.
    Armor Class: 14, Damage Points: 60, Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 25, Range: 93 miles, Weapons: 37L21 Cannon (turret), 7.5mm Hotchkiss M31 MG (coaxial), Ammo: Max 58 (HE 35, AP 15, Smoke 8), 7.5mm 2400, Crew: 2 (Driver, commander/gunner), Armor - Turret: 50/45/45, Upper Hull: 40/35/25, Lower Hull: 35/35/25, Deck: 20, Suspension: 30.

Hotchkiss H-39
    The last version of the H-38/35 series, with a longer barreled 37mm cannon and heavier armor. It also has a radio, unlike it's earlier predecessors. The H-39 was used by all the tank-using divisions in various numbers.
    Armor Class: 14, Damage Points: 60, Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 35, Range: 150 miles, Weapons:37L33 Cannon (turret), 7.5mm Hotchkiss M31 MG (coaxial), Ammo: Max 100 (HE 60, AP 25, Smoke 15), 7.5mm 2400, Crew: 2 (Driver, commander/gunner), Armor - Turret: 55/50/50, Upper Hull: 45/35/30, Lower Hull: 40/35/30, Deck: 20, Suspension: 30.

Renault R-35/40
    The R-35 is a light infantry tank used almost exclusively by French Armored Divisions. It uses the same turret as the Hotchkiss cavalry tanks, and is similar in overall appearance and construction. The driver sits on the left side, with a split-hatch cover to his right (opens to the front). There is a commander's seat in the turret, although usual practice was to stand.
    The R-40, the last version of the series, uses the longer 37L33 main gun in it's turret (with the same ammo load as the Hotchkiss H-39, above; i.e. 100 rounds in all), but is otherwise the same as the R-35. Additionally, it had a radio for use by the commander (adding to his tasks), which was lacking on the R-35 model. Only a few R-40's were made, appearing almost exclusively in the 2nd Armored Division.
    The Renault tanks have heavy armor for a light tank design, although their slow speed tends to make up for any benefit the armor would give in a tank battle.
    Armor Class: 13, Damage Points: 60, Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 20, Range: 87 miles, Weapons: 37L21 Cannon (turret), 7.5mm Hotchkiss M31 MG (coaxial), Ammo: Max 58 (HE 35, AP 15, Smoke 8), 7.5mm 2400, Crew: 2 (Driver, commander/gunner), Armor - Turret: 50/45/45, Upper Hull: 40/40/40, Lower Hull: 45/40/40, Deck: 12, Suspension: 30.

(Somua) Char S-35
    The S-35 is the standard French cavalry tank, and overall one of the best tank designs of it's time. 500 were built by 1940, and spread amongst the Light Mechanized Divisions. The US Army even contemplated producing them in 1940.
    The turret is identical to the one mounted on the Char B1-Bis, mounting a 47mm antitank gun with coaxial 7.5mm MG. The driver sits in the left front, with a hatch located directly in front of him (and normally left open outside of combat). There are also a hatch in the left hull, an emergency floor hatch, turret hatch, and right rear turret hatch. A shortage of radios resulted in a majority of S-35's not having any.
    The commander is in charge of aiming, firing, and loading the turret guns, in addition to commanding the driver and radio operator. Since many S-35's were missing the radio, the radio operator would often assist the commander by handling ammo.
    The upper and lower hulls are bolted together, and a lucky hit against the seam occasionally caused the tank to split in half.
    Armor Class: 15, Damage Points: 60, Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 35, Range: 160 miles, Weapons: 47L34 Cannon (turret), 7.5mm Hotchkiss M31 MG (coaxial), Ammo: Max 118 (HE 55, AP 55, Smoke 8), 7.5mm 1250, Crew: 3 (Driver, commander, radio operator), Armor - Turret: 55/50/50, Upper Hull: 40/40/40, Lower Hull: 40/35/40, Deck: 25, Suspension: 30, Special: Critical hits against Hull locations have their damage multiplier increased by 1 (i.e. a weapon with a 19-20/x2 critical hit score would count as 19-20/x3 against Hull hits).

Renault Type UE Carrier
    The Renault Type UE is a small, 2-man tracked vehicle originally designed as a mortar and artillery tractor. It can carry 800 pounds in a cargo box on the rear deck, as well as tow a little over 1300 pounds on a trailer. The crew see through two half-domes on the top of the hull, out of which their heads stick (with the back of their heads protected).
    A truck cab and body can also be mounted onto the vehicle, roughly turning it into the tracked equivalent of a 2 1/2 ton truck. 
    Over 6000 UE Carriers were in use by France by the 1940, serving in many different roles.
    Armor Class: 12, Damage Points: 40, Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 30, Range: 112 miles, Weapons: None, Ammo: None, Crew: 2 (Driver, commander), Armor - Upper Hull: 10/7/7, Lower Hull: 8/7/7, Deck: 8, Suspension: 30.

Lorraine Schlepper 37L
    The Lorraine Schlepper 37L is a small, 2-man tracked vehicle originally designed to carry ammunition or tow artillery pieces, or for use as a troop transport. It is very similar to the Renault Type UE Carrier, the major difference being that it is an open-topped vehicle and slightly larger. When carrying troops, it can effectively transport half a squad.
    Over 400 were in service by 1940, and 315 were captured (and used) by the Germans following the invasion.
    Armor Class: 12, Damage Points: 40, Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 35, Range: 85 miles, Weapons: None, Ammo: None, Crew: 2 (Driver, commander), Armor - Upper Hull: 10/10/10, Lower Hull: 12/10/10, Deck: 5, Suspension: 30.

 

Vehicle Weapons

Weapon	Damage	PV	Burst	Critical	Range Inc	Action	Damage Type
25L72 Cannon
AP	4d10	30/4	0	x2	200y	Breach	Piercing
HE	4d8/3d6	3/1	2	x2	200y	Breach	Piercing/Fire
37L21 Cannon
AP	5d10	5/1	0	x2	200y	Breach	Piercing
HE	5d8/3d6	-20/2	2	x2	200y	Breach	Piercing/Fire
37L33 Cannon
AP	5d10	25/2	0	x2	200y	Breach	Piercing
HE	5d8/3d6	3/1	2	x2	200y	Breach	Piercing/Fire
47L34 Cannon
AP	6d10	30/3	0	x2	200y	Breach	Piercing
HE	5d8/4d6	5/1	4	x2	200y	Breach	Piercing/Fire
75L17 Cannon
HE	7d8/5d8	5/1	6	x2	200y	Breach	Piercing/Fire

 

German Conversions of French Vehicles

    Following the invasion of France in 1940, the Germans put many captured French vehicles into service for various uses. Most were used for training purposes or policing in France, although some saw action elsewhere. The following descriptions cover the major conversions of French vehicles that saw combat in the hands of the Wehrmacht. Statistics have only been given for vehicles that were drastically converted or otherwise noteworthy (in my opinion). Training vehicles have been left off the list completely, as have ammunition carriers (nearly all French tanks were converted to use as ammunition carriers by the removal of the turret, and stats can be adjusted accordingly if a WM wishes to use them in his game). Some conversions were also made using the chassis of French vehicles combined with captured weaponry from other countries; these have also been left off the list (although they might be added later, after the Russian sourcebook comes out).

PzKpfw B-2 740(f)
    The B1-Bis was issued to Panzer units from 1941 and on under this name, and almost all saw service in France. In 1943, many were issued to the reforming 14th and 21st Panzer divisions.

Flammwagen auf PzKpfw B-2(f)
    Between November 1941 and June 1942 sixty B1-Bis had their 75mm gun replaced by a flamethrower. Fuel is carried in an armored tank on the rear. A platoon of flammwagens served as occupational forces on the Channel islands in late 1941, 12 went to Crimea with the 223rd Panzer company in 1942, and the 7th SS Division Prince Eugen used some in the Balkans.
    Armor Class: 14, Damage Points: 75, Size: Huge, Cruising Speed: 30, Range: 93 miles, Weapons: 47L34 Cannon (turret), Flamethrower (bow), 7.5mm Hotchkiss M31 MG (bow), 7.5mm Hotchkiss M31 MG (coaxial), Ammo: Max 50 (HE 25, AP 25), Flame 20 bursts, 7.5mm 5100, Crew: 4 (Driver, commander, loader, radio operator), Armor - Turret: 55/50/50, Upper Hull: 65/60/55, Lower Hull: 85/60/55, Deck: 25, Suspension: 30, Special: +20 modifier to rolls on the Hull Critical Damage Table.

10.5cm leFH18/3 (sf) auf Geschützwagen B-2(f)
    16 B1-Bis were converted to 105mm self-propelled howitzers to be deployed along with the Flammwagens, but their deployment was delayed until 1942. The turret and front weaponry have been removed to support an open-topped armored superstructure housing the howitzer, resulting in a drastically different look from the original B1-Bis. The leFH18/3 served exclusively in France in Panzer artillery detachments from 1942 until the end of the war.
    Armor Class: 12, Damage Points: 60, Size: Huge, Cruising Speed: 30, Range: 93 miles, Weapons: 105mm Howitzer (fixed, upper hull), Ammo: Max 32 (HE 26, HEAT 4, Smoke 2), Crew: 4 (Driver, commander, gunner, loader), Armor - Upper Hull: 65/60/55, Lower Hull: 85/60/55, Deck: 15, Suspension: 30.

PzKpfw 38H 735(f)
Most captured Hotchkiss tanks (H-35's through 39's, but mostly 38's and 39's) were redesignated PzKpfw 38H 735(f) and sent to Norway, Finland and the Balkans. The 211th used them in Finland in 1941. 

7.5cm PaK40(Sf) auf Geshützwagen 39H(f)
    Also known as the Marder I, along with several other French chassis' converted to an artillery role. In 1942, 24 H-39 Hotchkiss tanks were converted to self-propelled artillery by the removal of the turret and redesign of the superstructure into an open-topped fighting compartment housing a 75mm howitzer. An MG34 was normally also carried by the crew for use against attacking infantry units.
    The 7.5cm PaK40(Sf) saw action with the 8th Panzer artillery in France in 1944.
    Armor Class: 12, Damage Points: 50, Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 35, Range: 150 miles, Weapons: Pak 40 (fixed, Upper Hull), MG34 (loose), Ammo: Max 50 (HE 25, AP 20, Tungsten 5), 7.92mm 1200, Crew: 4 (Driver, commander, gunner, loader), Armor - Upper Hull: 30/30/15, Lower Hull: 50/35/30. Deck: 12, Suspension: 30.

10.5cm PaK40(Sf) auf Geshützwagen 39H(f)
    Same as the 7.5cm PaK40(Sf) 39H(f), except with a 105mm howitzer. 48 were converted and saw action in France. 
    Armor Class: 13, Damage Points: 50, Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 35, Range: 150 miles, Weapons:150mm Howitzer (fixed, Upper Hull), MG34 (loose), Ammo: Max 32 (HE 26, HEAT 4, Smoke 2), 7.92mm 1200, Crew: 4 (Driver, commander, gunner, loader), Armor - Upper Hull: 30/30/15, Lower Hull: 50/35/30. Deck: 12, Suspension: 30.

7.5cm PaK40(Sf) auf Geschutzenwagen Lorraine Schlepper (f) (SdKfz 135)
    Also known as the Marder I, along with several other French chassis' converted to an artillery role. 170 Lorraine 37L transports were converted into self-propelled artillery, with an open-topped superstructure built onto the chassis for a 75mm Pak 40 AT gun.
    The 7.5cm Pak40 SdKfz 135 saw action on the eastern front, in France during the Normandy invasion and afterwards (used to great effect against Allied armor following D-Day), and 6 were still reportedly in service by the fall of Germany in 1945.
    Armor Class: 12, Damage Points: 40, Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 35, Range: 85 miles, Weapons: Pak 40 (fixed, Upper Hull), MG34 (loose), Ammo: Max 40 (HE 20, AP 15, Tungsten 5), 7.92mm 1200, Crew: 5 (Driver, commander, gunner, 2 loaders), Armor - Upper Hull: 10/10/10, Lower Hull: 12/10/10, Deck: 5, Suspension: 30.

15cm sFH13/1 (Sf) auf Geschutzenwagen Lorraine Schlepper (f) (SdKfz 135/1)
        Also known as the Marder I, along with several other French chassis' converted to an artillery role. The 15cm sFH13/1 SdKfz 135/1 is a 150mm howitzer fitted onto the frame of a Lorraine Schlepper 37L chassis. The crew/weapon compartment is open-topped.
    94 were built by the end of 1942 for use in North Africa, seeing action against the Allies in the months following Operation Torch. 54 were still in service in the Western Front in 1944, having been shipped there for use following the withdraw of Afrika Korps from occupied Africa.
    12 47L's were also converted with 105mm howitzers (HE 15, HEAT 5), designated the sFH18. They also saw use in Africa, but save for the weapon and ammunition stores are identical to the sFH13/1.
    Armor Class: 12, Damage Points: 40, Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 35, Range: 85 miles, Weapons: 150mm howitzer (fixed, Upper Hull), Ammo: Max 8 (HE 6, HEAT 2), Crew: 4 (Driver, commander, gunner, loader), Armor - Upper Hull: 10/10/10, Lower Hull: 12/10/10, Deck: 5, Suspension: 30.

PzKpfw 35R 731(f)
    Many captured R-35's/40's were used in the defense of France, scattered amongst infantry divisions. 6 platoons defended the Channel islands, and some were issued to the 100th Panzer brigade of the 21st Panzer division when it was reformed in 1943.

PzKpfw 35-S 739(f)
    The Somua S-35 was largely considered the best tank faced by the Germans during the invasion of France, and so captured examples were renamed the 35-s 739(f) and deployed with German units from mid-1941 and on. The 211th used them in Finland in June 1941, and they were also in use during the Normandy invasion in '44. They were often used alongside captured H-38's, the S-35's being given to the commanders as command tanks.

Panzerspähwagen Panhard 178-P204(f)
    Captured Panhard AMD 178 armored cars were often reissued, without conversion, to German units. 43 had their wheels replaced with railroad wheels and were used as railway protection vehicles. Most saw action in France.
    Some AMD 178's had their turrets removed and replaced with a 50mm KwK L/42 antitank gun (I couldn't find any information on these, however, so I haven't even tried to make stats for them).

37mm Pak 35/36 auf Infanterie Schlepper UE 630(f)
    Some Renault UE Carriers had 37mm AT guns mounted on their rear deck for use as mobile firing platforms. This did not turn them into a tank of any sort, it just allowed the guns to be more quickly deployed along the front lines.
    The Pak 35/36 was really only used on the Russian front after it had failed miserably against French armor, and was only brought back into use once weapons became scarce and the Germans became desperate towards the end of the war. Since there's a good chance the Pak 35/36 will appear in the Russian sourcebook, I'm going to hold off on putting up stats for this vehicle (or the Pak 35/36 itself) until later.

 

French Aircraft

    As with French vehicles, aircraft surviving the initial German invasion in 1940 were used by the Vichy French, and after the full takeover in 1942 were distributed to various Axis powers. The individual plane descriptions give the pertinent details.
    There's not a whole lot here, but let's face it - French planes didn't play that big of a role in WWII. If you want more French planes, look for the Potaz 63.11 recon plane, Lioré et Olivier LéO 451 bomber, or Bloch 152 fighter. Then send me the stats for them.

Dewoitine D-520
    The D-520 was the best French fighter, although it was extremely too late in development (was not put into production until 1940) to help much in the fight against the Germans. At the time of the surrender, the 5 units using D-520's flew their surviving planes across the Mediterranean to North Africa, where the plane was used extensively against the RAF over Gibraltar and the Middle East. The Vichy government continued to produce the plane until 1942, when the Germans confiscated 411 planes and distributed them to Italy, a few as training planes for the Luftwaffe, and the rest to the Bulgarian and Romanian air forces fighting on the Eastern Front. 
    Armor Class: 15 (-2 size, +7 speed), Damage Points: 50, Size: Huge, Maneuverability: +2, Engines: 1, Range: 777 miles, Weapons: 1 x 20mm cannon (fuselage nose, 5 bursts), 4 x 7.5mm MGs (2 per wing, 25 bursts), Bombs: None, Crew: 1 (pilot), Armor - Wings: 2, Fuselage: 2, Cockpit: 4, Engine: 6

Moraine-Saulnier MS-406
    The MS-406 was the first "modern" French fighter, and the most numerous in service. 19 of the 26 French fighter groups available in 1940 flew this plane. The plane was easy to fly, but unfortunately was underpowered and outgunned by the 2nd-generation planes in use by the German air force of the time. Additionally, it's lack of armor and all-pneumatic systems made it highly vulnerable to damage.
    The MS-406 was used by the French and Vichy French in France, North Africa, Syria, and Indochina. Turkey and Switzerland also used the plane, as did the Finns against the Russians in 1940 (the plane being much more successful against Russian fighters and pilots).
    Armor Class: 14 (-2 size, +6 speed), Damage Points: 40, Size: Huge, Maneuverability: +2, Engines: 1, Range: 497 miles, Weapons: 1 x 20mm cannon (fuselage nose, 5 bursts), 2 x 7.5mm MGs (1 per wing, 25 bursts), Bombs: None, Crew: 1 (pilot), Armor - Wings: 2, Fuselage: 2, Cockpit: 2, Engine: 6

Curtiss Hawk 75A-3
    Curtiss-Wright, an American company, originally developed the 75-series for the US Army Air Corps', but following it's rejection by the US developed the Hawk 75 export series. France ordered a total of 1,130 75A-1's through A-4's, although 511 were not produced due to the country's surrender, and only a little over 100 were operational at the time of the German invasion.
    Although slow, the Hawk 75A is a rugged, maneuverable fighter. The A-2 and A-3 models have 6 7.5mm MG's, while the A-1 only has 4. Only 6 A-4's were made it to France in time to be used, and were armed with 4 MG's. Different engines were used in the different models as well, although all were still very similar.
    In addition to deployment in France, some 75A-3's were also delivered to Morocco. Other countries, such as Norway and the Netherlands also used variants of the Hawk 75, although in numbers much too small to make noting their differences here worthwhile.
    Armor Class: 14 (-2 size, +6 speed), Damage Points: 50, Size: Huge, Maneuverability: +2, Engines: 1, Range: 820 miles, Weapons: 6 x 7.5mm MGs (3 per wing, 25 bursts), Bombs: None, Crew: 1 (pilot), Armor - Wings: 4, Fuselage: 6, Cockpit: 6, Engine: 8

Breguet Bre.693
    The Breguet 693 was a "light assault bomber" which (unfortunately for the French), proved to be fairly ineffective against the German invasion in 1940. Surviving planes were decommissioned prior to the surrender, and following the Operation Torch landings the few remaining planes in service by the Vichy French were confiscated by the Germans. Outside of campaigns centered around the German invasion of France, Weird War characters will likely never see any Breguet's.
    Armor Class: 12 (-4 size, +6 speed), Damage Points: 100, Size: Gargantuan, Maneuverability: -2, Engines: 2, Range: 901 miles, Weapons: 2 x 7.5mm MGs (fuselage nose, 25 bursts), 1 x 20mm cannon (fuselage nose, 5 bursts), 1 x 7.5mm MG (fixed rear, 25 bursts), Bombs: 8 x 50 kg bombs, Crew: 2 (pilot, radio operator/rear gunner), Armor - Wings: 6, Fuselage: 6, Cockpit: 8, Engine: 10

Douglas DB-7
    The French had a few DB-7's, the original name for the American A-20 bomber. Only 100 or so were ever in service, mostly in Morocco and Algeria. 

 

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