Hotchkiss H35 & H39 : through a German lens

This new photo-album in the ""Camera On"" series contains over 90 photographs of the French cavalry tank developed prior to WWII.

The Hotchkiss H35 or Char léger modèle 1935 H was a slow but well-armoured light infantry support tank but was rejected by the infantry and instead adopted by the cavalry.

From 1938 an improved version was produced with a stronger engine, the Char léger modèle 1935 H modifié 39, which from 1940 was also fitted with more powerful 37 mm gun.

Over 500 Hotchkiss tanks were captured and used by the Germans as Panzerkampfwagen 35H 734(f) or Panzerkampfwagen 39H 735(f), most of them for occupation and assigned to police units or second line logistic support troops.