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FCM Char 2C

1921 WORLD WAR 2

FCM Char 2C History

The Char 2C was planned and built in the last year of the First World War. The system became the largest tank ever seen in any form of service and was commissioned for mass production to bring a certain ending to a global war.

In the end, the German surrender and armistice resulted in the cancellation of many systems in development, including the Char 2C. The tank will still be in active use - albeit in a limited capacity - and it is surprising that the French army will use it in the French campaign 20 years later.

At the start of development, the vehicle was initially produced as a prototype in three weight classes, including 30, 40 and 62 ton variants. The armistice halted any development of these scheduled models as well as around 300 of the 62-ton model, which were to go into production in 1919 under the orders of Marshal Philippe Petain of the French General Staff.

The only model in postwar France was the Char 2C, a 69-ton prototype version of which about 10 examples entered service in 1921. Classified as a "super-heavy tank", this machine is definitely fitting, and it's also the largest tank ever built. The system is heavy armor, and the armor accounts for a large part of the total weight of the tank. Armament includes a 75mm main gun and 4 Hotchkiss anti-infantry machine guns.

Machine guns were fixed in the front, rear and side gun positions for full cover of fire.

The Char 2C has a big and tall profile. Soldiers next to the machines appear to be dwarfed only by the rail system, which is mounted along a World War I-style diamond-shaped array with tracks running above, below and around it.

The turret is located in front of the hull and houses the main armament. Two engines, 250 hp each, boost the Char 2C's total output to 520 hp. The engine is from the Daimler or Maybach brand and uses 6 cylinders.

Although development began in 1918 and delivery was accepted in 1921, the system was still in service in France in 1940 and was eventually invaded by German forces at the start of World War II. With the steady rise of new tanks, the Char 2C has moved beyond joining the fray.

Their armor was the thickest of all tanks in World War I, and by World War II standards, the Char 2C was extremely vulnerable to most types of anti-tank fire. In 1939, 10 operational Char 2Cs entered "active duty" with the French Armed Forces in the French campaign.

Although these vehicles were equipped with impressive 75mm guns, they were retained and provided more propaganda to the French government, so much so that every existing system was named after a region of ancient France and exempted Fire at all costs when attacked by the enemy. Never actually engaging an enemy or firing a shot at them in rage, the Char 2C has a reputation of being one of invincibility and power, and the mere sight of a machine will make enemies flee. Of course, in reality, this is far from the truth. As the tide of the French campaign gradually turned in France's favor, they made a last-ditch effort to deviate further from their direction in order to maintain France's image. All ten tanks were deliberately destroyed by the French army when the railway transporting the tanks was found to be blocked by fire.

As this powerful symbol of French military superiority all but disappeared, the German propaganda machine went into full swing, declaring that the tanks were directly destroyed by the Germans in battle. However, one specimen was recovered and shipped to Berlin for display. The fate of this system is unknown.

In any case, the real wreckage of the tank now officially exists.

The ten tanks were named after the following French regions: Alsace, Anjou, Berry, Brittany, Champagne, Normandy, Poitou, Provence, Picardy and Turin. Champagne would be the basis for a later development model, in the form of the Char 2C bis, with a powerful 155mm main gun, a cast turret and a new engine.

While potentially a formidable force to be reckoned with in World War I, the Char 2C found itself severely overtaken in World War II and its military value was largely underutilizedwhether It may have been around 20 years since its original design. In any case, the Char 2C played a role in defending France, but mostly as a signal to boost morale across the border.

Given its military value in 1940, perhaps the irony of the system's fate is plausible.

It is worth noting that the origin of Char 2C has caused much controversy in historical sources. Apparently French Brigadier General Estienne and his FT-17 light tank project against Renault with French General Murray and his super heavy tank project Char 2C.

Estienne feared that his light tank production would be cut due to the large amount of resources Mouret's Char 2C project would have to spend when it was in full production, and used his political power to work for him. Mouret is also accused of accepting bribes from FCM for his involvement in promoting the production of Char 2C.

In any case, this behind-the-scenes turmoil certainly did not contribute to the mass production development of the Char 2C, which explains the limited production example.