- Yes
- No
Salutations everybody
I am suggesting B1 Bis n° 505 as a new tank for the French ground forces. 505 is a bit different from the other members of B1 family as it was a late production model with an modified rear end and was sent into battle as a SPG.
Numbers 505-507 were specifically ordered in June 1940, without the turret due to a lack of availability. Instead possessing a hole where the turret should be (only Italy put a 60mm cap over the opening) and the addition of a 170 litre fuel tank leading to a slightly modified rear end. It is worth noting that nether 506 nor 507 had this modification. Otherwise the tank has the standard armour and ammunition as the standard B1 Bis. It was seen as a last ditch effort by the French to hold the line although it should be noted that it now gained a lower silhouette while keeping its very powerful main hull cannon. In addition the commander now had a far easier time with his job with the removal of the one man turret. It is unknown how well it performed in combat in this new form.
Initially 505 and the other decapitated tanks were assigned to the 46e BCC however they were transferred to the 47e when 47e started suffering from losses in battle. At one point 505 was used briefly as a military tractor and ammunition carrier. The vehicle remained in service until June 1940 when it was confirmed to have been destroyed at Tournon-St-Martin. The other turretless B1 do not appear to have been knocked out at the same time. In particular another pair of turretless B1 Bis, n° 551 and 550, were abandoned at Bessines, 38 km north of Limoges on June 25, 1940
However it wasn’t the only one to gain this new look. There are different sources claiming how many actually got this unique treatment (505-507) were specifically ordered this way. Not only were there others, but France wasn’t the only ones to posses it. With defeat near several French factory works decided the best thing to do was keep them out of German hands by hiding 8 B1 Bis’s, half of which lacked the turret, in a cave near Baux en Provence in July 1940. However the plan was exposed when an Italian worker revealed the location to Italian authorities in Oct. One turretless tank was tested, but nothing further was done with them and they were most likely scrapped.
In game this vehicle could act as a heavy French tank destroyer that while well armoured and still having the 75mm would have to now contend with strafing due to the now open top.
More photos
The Italian turretless B1 Bis
Standard B1 Bis blueprints (doesn't include the extra fuel tank on 505)
Sources
CHARS B1 et B1 Bis?
Tank Archives: Char B1 bis: General Estienne's Legacy
World War 2 In Review: French Fighting Vehicles, Issue 1, Merriam Press,