A Hungarian Hotchkiss H-39.
Hotchkiss H35/39 was one of the most numerous light tanks in French service before the outbreak of World War II.
Background[]
H35[]
The H35 was a French cavalry tank that entered production in 1936, after Hotchkiss submitted its own proposal for a light infantry tank and received a contract with the French army. However, the H35 was rejected by the infantry due to insufficient protection and very poor handling off-road. As it was politically impossible to scrap the contract, the tanks were instead forced upon the cavalry, which would not have received any newer tanks otherwise. The reliance on roads to travel would have compensated for the H35's faulty gearbox and poor off-road capabilities. However, the short-barreled SA 18 37mm gun remained a concern, offering limited firepower.
The H35 was scheduled to be replaced entirely with an upgraded model, the Hotchkiss H39, featuring numerous improvements and a more powerful gun in response to the cavalry's feedback and requests. 350 tanks were rebuilt with new guns (out of 1200 total manufactured), but failed to greatly affect the outcome of the war. 550 tanks of both were captured and pressed into German service, with the H35 designated Panzerkampfwagen 35H 734(f).
H39[]
The H39 was an upgraded variant of the Hotchkiss H35, introduced in 1938. It featured several modifications requested by the cavalry saddled with the original version, most importantly a more powerful 120 horsepower engine and revamped track and suspension systems, greatly improving mobility and ease of use. The most important upgrade was the long-barreled SA 38 37mm gun mounted on H-39s from January 1940, giving it excellent anti-tank capability against German light tanks.
By the time France came under attack about 1200 Hotchkiss tanks of both types were built. 550 tanks of both were captured and pressed into German service, with the H39 designated Panzerkampfwagen 38H 735(f).
Models[]
H35[]
H39[]
Conversions[]
Some 550 tanks of both Hotchkiss variants were captured by Germans and pressed into service as Panzerkampfwagen 35H 734(f) or Panzerkampfwagen 38H 735(f), for policing and occupation duties or as basis for a number of conversions. These were accomplished by Major Alfred Becker of Baukommando Becker in 1942, and produced self-propelled howitzers, artillery observer vehicles, and multiple-launch rocket launchers (older H-35 models).
- PzH. 39H(f) (SD2): These included 48 self-propelled 105mm artillery pieces, designated 10,5 cm leFH18(Sf) auf Geschützwagen 39H(f).
- Beo.Pz. 38H(f) (170mm) (SD2): Panzerbeobachtungswagen 38H (f) was one such conversion, accomplished by Major Alfred Becker of Baukommando Becker in 1942 and intended for use by artillery observers.
- Wurfrahmen 35H(f) (SD2): The Panzerkampfwagen 35H(f) mit 28/32 cm Wurfrahmen carried four heavy rocket bombs.