Tankopedia
WW1MediumMedium TankFrance

Schneider CA1

In service 1917 - 1918

France's first tank, a boxy Holt-tractor conversion with a hull-mounted 75 mm gun.

Built bySchneider et Cie

Schneider CA1
Schneider CA1 tank — Unknown author, via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Development history

Designed around the American Holt tractor chassis, the CA1 carried its short 75 mm gun in the right hull sponson. Its overhanging nose struggled with wide trenches and early vehicles burned easily until armour and fuel tanks were revised. First committed at Berry-au-Bac in April 1917 with heavy losses.

Variants

One canonical record, 2 recorded variants.

  1. Early production

    1917

    Original nose and unprotected fuel tanks; heavy losses to fire.

  2. Late production

    1918

    Added spaced armour, relocated fuel tanks and improved ventilation.

Notable actions

  • Berry-au-Bac 1917
  • Second Battle of the Marne 1918