Renault Char D1

History of the Renault Char D1

The Renault Char D1 served the French army for some time before World War II. Its origin and use was in a World War I mentality, and by the time Germany invaded France, the Char D1 was completely overtaken by the speed and technological superiority of the German machine. Of the systems that fought for the French mainland, more than half were killed in battle and a dozen captured. In the end, the Char D1 proved too heavy to be used as a light tank, and too costly to mass-produce more than the war required.

Soon after, the Char D1 was completely replaced by the French army.

The interwar period

During and after World War I, many ground commanders still saw the value of tanks as infantry support, with the UK leading the way in development and tactics. The French introduced some notable designs during the war, culminating in the highly successful Renault FT-17 series of light tanks.

This small system was later copied, licensed, and purchased by almost every major world power of the time, including the Soviet Union and the United States. As a result, the FT-17 was widely used in the ensuing post-war years, a success that gave France the most modern and powerful armored forces in the world.

Renault NC1

The success of the FT-17 finally demonstrated a period of complacency within the French government, allowing all parties to settle for the status quo. Budget constraints quickly and well held back any obstacles to the development of France's future tanks.

When it came time to modernize their aging troops, the French mentality remained the same, requiring a cheaply produced light infantry support vehicle designed to work in tandem with infantry divisions. In response, Renault further developed its NC1 prototype (from the Renault NC tank project in 1923) as the Char D. The prototype was revised to include a 74-horsepower engine (from a 65-horsepower system), relocated exhaust pipes, and a larger internal fuel tank for improved range.

Ten pilot vehicles were delivered for testing, which ultimately revealed some inherent design flaws, but none of these proved detrimental to France's production commitments.

Character D1

The final product of this program became the most advanced tank in all of France at the time. It's heavier and more expensive than initially thought. Since her ST1 turret had not yet been cast, she installed a redundant FT-17 turret.

When their ST1 turrets became available, these were rejected by the French military due to their too narrow interior. Schneider submitted a pair of replacement turrets, and we opted for the more spacious ST2 series, which helped further increase the vehicle's operating weight.

When the D1 was still in its infancy, the French government commissioned Renault to develop a pair of similar tank designs, called the "Char D2" and "Char D3". In response, the Char D base was given the official name "Char D1". On December 23, 1930, the first order of 70 command vehicles was ordered. Production began in 1931, with a follow-up order for 30 more placed on July 12, 1932. On October 16, 1933, 50 more were ordered.

Production continued until 1935, with some 160 prototypes eventually delivereda far cry from the thousands of FT-17 models delivered during the war.

Char D1 Journey

In terms of design, the Char D1 is traditional even by today's standards. The engines were kept aft of the hull, and the crew compartments were located amidships and forward (including the turret). The car was driven in a rather cramped superstructure by a crew of three.

Power is provided by a 74 hp Renault 4-cylinder petrol engine. Top speed is 12 mph, while the range is 57 miles. The main armament revolves around the SA34 47mm "short" main gun mounted in a high profile traversing turret. A pair of mle 1931 7.5mm machine guns were used for anti-infantry defense, one mounted in the turret coaxially with the main gun, the other operated by the driver in a bow-mounted position. The Char D1 was designed at a time when the tank was still fairly high profile, and the D1 was no exception, placing its circular turret on top of the superstructure, which in turn was mounted on the hull.

The hull is flanked by a series of rails, with the top exposed and partially hidden by armored skirts on the sides. The road wheels are mounted in pairs, and the suspension of these wheels is achieved by vertical springs. Viewports were found along the superstructure and turret fairing, but visibility proved less than stellar.

Of note are the three hinged rectangular access hatches along the glacis panels.

Expected not fulfilled

Although it was originally designed as an infantry support vehicle, the Char D1 will never be. Instead, due to the development situation and its modern qualities, it will be used as a main battle tank. The ongoing rearmament in neighboring Germany and the looming cloud of war across Europe forced the Char D1 to operate as a front-line force.

Early production models left much to be desired when they were officially operated by Army personnel, with some being sent back to the factory for desperate repairsthe Char D1 hardly made its crew like it.

At its peak utilization, it has been decided to send the Char D1 in question to a French prospect outside the mainland. They served in the French colonial army in North Africa until 1937. About 43 Char D1s were recalled to the Continent for the Patriotic War during the "Battle of France" in May 1940 - the Char D1s arrived in France in June of that year and formed predetermined positions with French fortifications. Of all Char D1s used in combat in the ensuing battle, more than half were destroyed by the Germans, and another 18 were captured.

The captured Char D1 was returned to service under the new German name Panzerkampfwagen 732(f). Her combat role under the German flag is unclear.

Draw the curtains

The Char D1 remaining in North Africa was deployed after the events of Operation Torch. Operation Torch was the first major Allied offensive invasion and the first true baptism of fire for the Americans. The liberated French Char D1 was placed in the "Mechanic's Brigade" during its tenure until it was replaced by an improved Valentine infantry tank of British origin.

The crew of Char D1 destroyed at least one Panzer IV during the battle at Kasserine Pass. Aside from that record, the Char D1's combat legacy is rather limited -- perhaps for the better.

Character D2

Char D2 is already on the drawing board when Char D1 starts. Prototypes were soon available - these were also used with the FT-17 turret - but the final production form featured an APX-1 turret with heavier armor throughout. Armament remains the SA34 main gun and a pair of 7.5mm machine guns.

It is known that later models were equipped with a "long" main gun version known as the SA35. Externally, the Char D2 features a more modern design with sharp angles and contoured curves. A large antenna mast protrudes from the rear right corner of the superstructure.

The glacis panel is more vertical than on the D1, and the driver's viewing port is easily identifiable. The fenders now cover the upper fairing of the track. Only 100 of these tanks were produced.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

Not available.

Changes