WWII in Comparison: Hotchkiss H35 vs. Panzer Mk. II

[SIZE=10.5pt]Hello WWIIF community,[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=10.5pt]Chain of Command[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt] [/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]is a currently-in-development WWII (operational level) RTS, with strong emphasis on historical accuracy and innovative gameplay. While the first CoC gameplay launch is currently in the works (Q2), we figured that it would also be a good idea to reach out to you, WWII connoisseurs, for some historical input.[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=10.5pt]Operation Early Access (yep, that's how we call the first gameplay version of Chain of Command) will feature a German Panzer division in its attempt to cross the Meuse river and break through the French lines during the infamous “Blitzkrieg” in the West.[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=10.5pt]Hotchkiss H35 and Panzer II went toe to toe at the Meuse, with both designs displaying certain advantages and [/SIZE]disadvantages[SIZE=10.5pt]. H35s were heavy, their gun packed a punch but was slow to operate, the armor was significantly thicker than the one of Panzer II. On the other hand, Panzer II was much faster, had radio communications and allowed 3 crew members for various duties (Hotchkiss allowed only 2).[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=10.5pt]Something we missed? Looking forward to your feedback. We'd love to hear anything, from the units participating in those battles to tactics and strategies used at the Meuse.

Feel free to sign up to our newsletter via bitbunch.eu, here's the link to our comparison article of Hotchkiss H35 vs. Panzer Mk. II.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Fire away![/SIZE]

 

The suspension on the H35 was very poorly designed. The tank bounced around so badly at any speed faster than a slow crawl that it was almost impossible to control. French infantry gave them plenty of room so they wouldn't be squashed

 

Great! That's a very good historical input. This kind of information is hard to find.

There's also a big difference in the firepower of both tanks. To what extent the Panzers were able to pierce through the Hotchkiss armor?

 

I'm no expert on armor penetration but I think the German 37mm wasn't very effectice against the front of the Hotchkiss tanks and just about useless againt the Char B1. That changed when the Germans figured out that the engine radiator on the Char was very vulnerable and made a perfect aiming point on the left side.

 

...but of course could only be properly exploited in those two(?) encounters where the Germans encountered Char Bs that hadn't had time....or been allowed....to refuel before entering the fight...so rapidly became "static pillboxes" which the Germans could manouver around and pick their shot

 

Go to the tanks encyclopedia site. It covers both of these in detail plus virtual all tanks from WW 1 on. Probably not as good as Dave's information on things like handling but a careful reading tells much and the3 colors are great for your background. Go to the homepage , amazing.

http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/france/FCM-36.php

 

Oh that's a good site. Thanks for posting it.

Learned this from it too, (on the Char):

Contrary to common opinion of the time, the large ventilation exhaust panel was indirectly 55 mm (2.17 in) strong and never presented a weak point.

 

I would think that the Mark II would be vulnerable to a lot of other tanks. it only had a 38 L/55 cannon and one MG34 machine gun as its armament. Despite how most French tanks faired poorly and at times were poorly designed it seems that it would fare better than the German Mark II regarding armor. Now one advantage that the German Mark II had, was its speed. The Mark II was designed more for reconnaissance, and for that purpose it had a faster speed and was lighter. The H35 had a maximum speed of just 17mph and had a range of 80 miles, the Mark II had a maximum speed of 34 mph and had a range of 124 miles. If I had to choose between the two, I would choose the Mark II because in this case like this I would prefer speed a lot more.

 

This is one great article! http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/nazi_germany/German_what-if_armour.php

 

Interesting assessment, Smiley. I think also as a game developer, or just someone who is going to put one against another - we can always play the game of "hey, you must use your advantages and disadvantages wisely", but there are still some facts that no one can argue about. Yes, Panzer Mk. II was vulnerable, but all in all - it is a much better tank, perhaps 5 years ahead of Hotchkiss H35 by its design and mechanics. Mk. III is a completely different story.

 

There was little wrong with the chassis of the H35. For 1940 it was well armed and armoured. The Pz II was a light tank with a 20mm gun only capable of dealing with light armour. The Germans deployed them alongside PzIII and PzIV. . toy only nsuitable for brassing up infantry The H35 chassis was used extensively in Bormandy as the chassi for German SP anti tank and field guns.

The weaknesses of the H35 are one man turret, radios and optics. I don't know how reliable they were.

 

Hmmm, that's interesting. Were actually Panzer 4's also deployed at the Meuse battles? Just want to make sure I understood correctly.

 

Mk IVs were used in the Battle of France but in 1940 they were armed with the short barrelled 75mm designed for infanty support. The Mk IIIs were supposed to be the primary tank killers at that point.

 

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I realize this might be considered a dead topic/post, but I must ask this. Am I missing something here? Outside of games like "World of Tanks" which shouldn't be trusted for any decent information about tanks, not really anyways, I have never heard of a panzer II with a 37mm cannon. I have only seen or heard of ones with MG's, or 20mm Autocannons. I've spent countless hours and days learning about tanks of that era. Please, Tell me when or where a Panzer II with a 37mm AT gun existed?