This is a list of French military equipment in the Second World War. This focuses primary on weapons issued to the French Army and Free French forces. Weapons used by the French Resistance vary but generally consist of French, Allied, and captured German weapons, alongside various miscellaneous equipment.
Ruby pistol. This along with other French world war I Pistols and Revolvers would have been widely given to French troops in World War II who could not be given model 1935 army standard Pistols which were in short supply.Luger P08 (captured)
Berthier Mle 1907/15 M16 rifle. Many late world war I era French rifles such as this Berthier rifle and other late World War I variant of Berthier and Lebel rifles were still in heavy use by French forces in World War II due to newer French rifles the MAS-36 and MAS-40(not in production) not being available in sufficient quantities for the French military. French forces used some Berthiers and Lebels rechambered for the new 7.5 French round.Berthier M1907/15 M16, Mousqueton M1916, and M34
MAS-36. Most modern rifle in widespread French military service in World war II. Only small numbers were produced before the war so only available in small numbers for French forces during World War II.M1917 Enfield (supplied by the US through Lend-lease to Free French forces)
Delacre machine pistolMAS-38 French submachine gun. Production of this gun had just started in 1940 when the Germans occupied France. They used the gun as a substitute weapon. Somehow one of the guns was obtained by a partisan who used the MAS-38 to murder Benito Mussolini the Fascist leader of world war II Italy.
FM24/29 light machine gun commercially known as MAC 24/29. Was prioritised by the French and as a result unlike other French weapons designed after WW 1 production started quite early in the 1920's and so it was available in large quantities at the start of world war II allowing it to be widely used by French forces in World war II as their main light machine gun. This was the standard squad automatic weapon of the French infantry and cavalry in the battle of France
French Hotchkiss model 1914 machine gun. Used by the French in the later stages of World war I and as their standard medium machine gun in battle of France as they did not see any reason to replace it.
Hotchkiss 25mm anti-tank gun main anti-tank gun of France during Battle of France. Emphasised mobility with its small calibre over penetration25 mm Hotchkiss anti-tank gun
Hotchkiss 25mm anti-aircraft gun. French Anti-Aircraft cannon used in small numbers in battle of France and used internationally. Not related to 25mm Hotchkiss anti-tank gunDarne machine gun
Canon de 155 C modèle 1917 Schneider. Most widely available heavy calibre artillery to France during Battle of FranceCanon de 155 C modèle 1915 St. Chamond
Brandt modèle 27/31 mortar.Main mortar of French forces in World war II alongside the brandt modèle 35 which were both produced in their thousands before German occupation of France in 1940Brandt mle 27/31
Laffly S15 TOE (théâtre d'opérations extérieures: "overseas theatre of operations") used by French forces in North Africa. Used by Free French forces in the Capture of KufraBerliet VUDB
Rear view of Lorraine 38L armoured personnel carrier. Was created from the Lorraine 37L armoured tank supply vehicle. Only armoured personnel carrier in battle of FranceArmoured personnel carriers
SOMUA S-35.One of the best tanks of its time in armour and firepower and outclassed German Tanks such as the Panzer III and IV in this respect. However overall they(Panzers) were better tanks as they granted far better vision, communication and ergonomics than French tanks which were mostly pretty bad in this regard due to things like a one man turret crew.SOMUA S35[1]
Char B1Char B1 bis variant. Originally the Char B1 was conceived as breakthrough tank using its Hull mounted gun to attack fortifications. Eventually became a Char de Bataille or battle tank that was meant to take on enemy armour. Heavily armoured and armed for its day and was inpenetrable to ordinary German Anti-tank Guns.
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