Tankopedia
InterwarLightLight TankFrance

FCM 36

In service 1938 - 1940

A welded, diesel-powered French infantry tank with well-sloped armour, held back by a short 37 mm gun and a one-man turret.

Built byForges et Chantiers de la Mediterranee

FCM 36
FCM 36 — The shadock, via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Development history

The FCM 36 was technically the most advanced of the three French light infantry tanks of 1936: all-welded construction, sloped 40 mm armour and a diesel engine giving twice the range of its rivals. Its weaknesses were doctrinal rather than structural - the same short SA18 gun as a 1918 Renault FT, and a commander who had to load, aim, fire and lead his platoon at once. A hundred were built and they fought at the Meuse and on the Somme in 1940; German forces converted captured hulls into self-propelled guns.

Variants

One canonical record, 3 recorded variants.

  1. FCM 36 standard

    1938

    Welded sloped hull, diesel engine, 37 mm SA18 gun.

  2. 10.5 cm leFH 16 auf Geschutzwagen FCM

    1942

    German conversion of captured hulls into self-propelled artillery.

  3. 7.5 cm PaK 40 auf FCM 36

    1943

    German tank-destroyer conversion of captured hulls.

Notable actions

  • Battle of France
  • Battle of the Meuse