BG Counters 17 Pz 32(j), Pz 35H 743(f) & Pz T26M33-1 738(r), Pz T26M33-2 738(r), Pz T26SM37-1 740(r) & Pz T26SM37-2 740(r)

Vinnie

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1h Pz 32(j):
This is the T32 (Allied Minor Vehicle Note 19).
The Germans managed to capture at least two vehicles or possibly more (there is no accurate data) in various conditions. Use of these vehicles by the Germans are unknown. There is no confirmed information that they were ever used in occupied Yugoslavia against Partisans or Chetniks units. According to some sources, they were sent back to (now in German hands) Škoda factory for refit and repair and afterward they were given to the Waffen SS units who used them for training, however, this is not confirmed. The German designation for Š-I-D was Pz. Kpfw. 732 (j).
See also German Vehicle Note, BG.
 

Vinnie

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850685079.4 Pz 35H 743(f):
This represents a largely unmodified H35 (French Vehicle Note 5).
About 550 Hotchkiss tanks were captured and used by the Germans as Panzerkampfwagen 35H 734(f) or Panzerkampfwagen 38H 735(f); most for occupation duty.
Panzer-Abteilung 211 was deployed in Finland during Operation Barbarossa, equipped with Hotchkiss tanks. In 1944, three of its vehicles were converted to 7.5 cm self-propelled guns.[8]
Additional vehicles were sent to Finland as part of the independent Panzerkampfwagenzüge (tank platoons) 217, 218 and 219, which were attached to the 20th Mountain Army in February 1942.[9] The platoons were the same as those of Panzerabteilung 211, consisting of one SOMUA S35 and four Hotchkiss tanks.
German H35/39s also saw action in Yugoslavia with 7.SS-Freiwilligen-Gebirgs-Division "Prinz Eugen", 12. Panzer-Kompanie z.b.V. and I./Panzer-Regiment 202. In addition, tanks used in France for various training and security units also got caught in the fighting in Normandy, such as Panzer Abteilung 206, Panzer –Ersatz und Ausb. Abt. 100, and 200. Beute-Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung.
In June 1943, 361 Hotchkiss tanks were still listed in the German Army inventories as 37 mm gun tanks; this number had decreased to sixty in December 1944.
See also German Vehicle Note, BG.
 

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9a Pz T26M33-1 738(r), Pz T26M33-2 738(r), Pz T26SM37-1 740(r) & Pz T26SM37-2 740(r) :
By far the most common tank in the Soviet army in 1941, these were captured in large numbers and subsequently pressed into service. See Russian Vehicle Note 6.
See also German Vehicle Note, BG.
 

Paul M. Weir

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For the H-35 that were retained as gun tanks:

Many had the short SA18 37mm L/21 replaced by the longer SA38 37mm L/35, initially by the French in '40 and later by the Germans. The Germans, in addition, upgraded most, likely nearly all, with an openable commander/gunner's cupola and fitted radios. The counter represents one such fully upgraded vehicle.

From what I read about 50 of the 400 H-35 were re-gunned by the French with 300 of the 900 H-39 also being rearmed by them. The Germans continued the rearmament of both the H-35 and H-39, though some could be seen with the earlier SA18 in German service.
 

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For the H-35 that were retained as gun tanks:

Many had the short SA18 37mm L/21 replaced by the longer SA38 37mm L/35, initially by the French in '40 and later by the Germans. The Germans, in addition, upgraded most, likely nearly all, with an openable commander/gunner's cupola and fitted radios. The counter represents one such fully upgraded vehicle.

From what I read about 50 of the 400 H-35 were re-gunned by the French with 300 of the 900 H-39 also being rearmed by them. The Germans continued the rearmament of both the H-35 and H-39, though some could be seen with the earlier SA18 in German service.
Interesting. I missed the fact that the counter has a 37 gun as opposed to a 37* gun. I need to ammend the note.
 

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Ammended:

9.4 Pz 35H 743(f):
This represents an H35 (French Vehicle Note 5).
The short SA18 37mm L/21 has been replaced by the longer SA38 37mm L/35, this was done initially by the French and the program was continued by the Germans. In addition, most, likely nearly all, were upgraded with an openable commander/gunner's cupola and radios.
About 550 Hotchkiss tanks were captured and used by the Germans as Panzerkampfwagen 35H 734(f) or Panzerkampfwagen 38H 735(f); most for occupation duty.
Panzer-Abteilung 211 was deployed in Finland during Operation Barbarossa, equipped with Hotchkiss tanks. In 1944, three of its vehicles were converted to 7.5 cm self-propelled guns.[8]
Additional vehicles were sent to Finland as part of the independent Panzerkampfwagenzüge (tank platoons) 217, 218 and 219, which were attached to the 20th Mountain Army in February 1942.[9] The platoons were the same as those of Panzerabteilung 211, consisting of one SOMUA S35 and four Hotchkiss tanks.
German H35/39s also saw action in Yugoslavia with 7.SS-Freiwilligen-Gebirgs-Division "Prinz Eugen", 12. Panzer-Kompanie z.b.V. and I./Panzer-Regiment 202. In addition, tanks used in France for various training and security units also got caught in the fighting in Normandy, such as Panzer Abteilung 206, Panzer –Ersatz und Ausb. Abt. 100, and 200. Beute-Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung.
In June 1943, 361 Hotchkiss tanks were still listed in the German Army inventories as 37 mm gun tanks; this number had decreased to sixty in December 1944.
See also German Vehicle Note, BG.
 

Paul M. Weir

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As an aside, the H-35/39 seem to have been preferred for upgunning over the R-35 by the Germans. I can only speculate that the reason was their intended roles. As you mentioned, the standard platoon was a S-35 and 4 H-39 with 3 such platoons and a S-35 and a H-39 in the HQ forming a company (sometimes 2 x S-35 in the HQ). Also as you also noted some such companies formed battalions. Apart from training, the Germans seemed to regard such companies and battalions as half way between a standard but second line Panzer formation and an infantry support unit..

The slower R-35 were more usually doled out in platoons and companies in a security and infantry support role as well as the usual training role. In that role anti-armour ability was less critical, so were lower down the queue for up-gunning. A similar consideration applied to the French in '40 when very few R-35 were up-gunned

Apart from the lower numbers produced (~400 vs ~900), never mind numbers surviving '40, the H-35 was regarded as a bitch to drive and underpowered. As a result they required a bit more rough driving techniques which did nothing for their already somewhat marginal reliability. I have seen a few photos of H-39 mixed with S-35, but none of H-35 with S-35 (with the usual caveat of "absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"). My suspicion is that the H-35 were more usually put in separate platoons (and maybe up to a company) for security and support roles like the R-35 and quite possibly organised as a platoon of 5 H-35. The faster and more reliable H-39 would be better suited to be paired with the S-35 than the H-35.

While the above is somewhat speculative it matches the limited history and photos. I'm not suggesting the above be part of the notes, just further information for those readers who might be interested, I just can't let well enough alone ?.
 

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Given a choice, I'd make the notes to each vehicle as comprehensive as I coukd. I like reading them.
 
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