FOW: A French Armor Overview
3 Minute Read
Sep 29 2010
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| Compagnie De Combat |
French armor is an interesting beast in Flames of War. At the time of the blitzkrieg, French tanks had better armor and armament than their German counterparts, but suffered from many flaws- both strategic and design related.
The major drawback plaguing most of the french tanks was a small, one-man turret. This meant the tank commander had to look for the enemy, give orders to the crew, and operate and reload the main cannon! Obviously, this was too much work for one man. German tanks had 2 or even 3 men in their turrets, allowing the commander to focus on getting the tank where it needed to be and spot the enemy!
In Flames of War, the “One Man Turret” rule is crippling. It means your tank can EITHER move or shoot. In a mobile tank battle, this is like bringing a knife to a gunfight! Obviously, French armor players need to approach these mobile engagements with an entirely new paradigm.
So, what do the French tanks have over their German counterparts? A better statline (typically), and numerical superiority due to their low point cost.
Let’s take a look at 3 of the tanks in French service: The ubiquitous Hotchkiss H39, the excellent Somua S-35, and the behemoth Char B1.
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| H39s |
The Hotchkiss H39 is surprising- the tank itself is very small and it’s easy to forget just how good it is! With an option for either a “short” or “long” gun, this tank can be taken in surprising numbers in a French armor force. Its armor is equivalent to a Panzer III E, and when upgraded its gun slightly outmatches the Panzer II’s 5cm cannon! Weighing in at around 70 points (with the gun upgrade) or around 45 without, this tank is more than a match for any of the German equivalents!
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| Somua S-35 |
The Somua S35 is an absolutely phenomenal tank. Its armament is the equal of the Panzer III, and its armor is slightly better! Coming in at 105 points each, the S35 lacks the sheer numbers of the H39, but makes up for it in quality. If pulled into a highly mobile engagement, this tank like all French tanks, will suffer. But in any prolonged shootout, my money would be on the S35.
Finally, we have the monster Char b1. This is truly an Early War Tiger, and the Germans have precious few answers to this Goliath. With front armor topped only by the British Matilda, and top armor 2, this thing goes where it wants, when it wants. Its armed with 2 solid cannons, highly discouraging any German tanks from being caught in front of this beast. Due to its slow movement and inability to move and fire, the Char is best used like a mobile bunker. Trundle forward and blaze away!
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| Cbar B1 |
In closing, French armor is highly capable but requires a methodical approach. The run and gun tactics that most nations favor are not remotely applicable here. French armor needs time to build up, advance under cover, and fight on their terms. I am looking forward to having my Early War French all finished up to take to the battlefield in an effort to stem the tide of the Bosche!
Check out my blog “What Would Patton Do?” for loads of After Action Reports, and painting Galleries!
What do you think? Are you planning on running French armor, or running circles around it with your massed panzer formations? Are these lumbering beasts little more than slightly mobile bunkers or plodding creatures of destruction?
Author: Guest Columnist
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