Landships II

jagjetta · Brigadier

FT Communications Tank in American Occupied zone

BC312 · Colonel

Not sure if the Weald Foundation has this as a picture but very interesting photos thanks for showing.

haviker · Corporal

Hi

we hadn't seen this photo before. Very interesting. We think that the support bar across the back of the hinged trenching skid upon which the wire is resting puts this as a post-war shot. We have never seen any photographs of the bar on war time TSF. Always ready to be proved wrong but at the moment we have not incorporated the bar on our Weald Foundation vehicle.

All the best

jagjetta · Brigadier

I am absolutely confident this is a post-war photo. It has a German photographer's imprint indicating that it was probably taken near Coblenz. The photo came out of a group of material that belonged to an AFG (American Forces in Germany) soldier.

John

Tanker · Field Marshal

Bonjour,

The two American Renault FT Battalion used in St Mihiel and Argonne was give to the US Army without Renault FT TSF.

On October 7th, 1918 the Ordnance Departement asked 2 other FT Battalion with 6 Renault FT TSF (SHD Vincennes - box 16N2130)

Order to give a third FT Battalion was given on October 18th, 1918.

It was always 72 Renault FT (and always without Renault FT TSF).

This third Battalion was sent to Langres after November 11th.

For war period, there is no military document speaking of Renault FT TSF, given to the American Army.

The 507° RAS was, after the war, in French Occupied Zone. This Regiment is sent in Germany between February and March 1919.

(Compagnie AS 360, near Coblence . . . . . )

See JMO from 507° RAS, on Website "Mémoire des Hommes (From SHD Vincennes) with all units from 507° RAS in Germany.

On November 5th, 1918, only 39 Renault FT TSF was given the French tanks Regiments and four waiting in Cercottes.

This Renault FT TSF was the 45th (n° 67875 and chassis number 5045) and was probably sent to the Artillerie Spéciale at the end of November.

This photo was probably done, during a american visit in a French tank unit from 507° RAS . . . . . . .

Bonne suite de recherche - Michel

-- Edited by Tanker on Tuesday 14th of November 2017 09:57:49 AM

Tanker · Field Marshal

Sorry "Haviker"

"We have never seen any photographs of the bar on war time"

Here is the Renault FT TSF, fighting with the 11° BCL from 504° RAS in Nampcel and Blérancourt sector (August 20, 21th 1918).

http://www.chars-francais.net/2015/images/stories/galery/1917_ft-r/ft-tsf%20019.jpg (Antoine Misner website)

And there is some other war's photos from FT TSF with this bar, often under rope, tarpauline, bag and camouflage

Bonne après-midi - Michel

-- Edited by Tanker on Tuesday 14th of November 2017 01:34:16 PM

jagjetta · Brigadier

Bonjour Michel!

Thank you so much. I had hoped you would see my question. Your answer provides very good insight on this photo. Thank you for taking the time to explain it.

Kindest regards,

John

haviker · Corporal

Oh well. Thanks Michel. Looks like we'll have to get the welding kit out again. Doubtless Mike will be on the phone when he gets back.

All the best

David

jagjetta · Brigadier

Michel and all:
Attached is another photograph taken in Europe of an FT TSF (66838) with a US soldier posing from the driver's seat. From what Michel said, most likely a soldier visiting the French occupation troops.

FT TSF Comm Tank USred.jpg

John

Tanker · Field Marshal

Bonjour John,

You can see that this soldier is inside the pilot place, not to drive the tank, and just for the photo.

The Renault FT teams liked to take photos from this tank in this position.

Of course, he was perhaps driving the tank just before, to put it in this position.

Bonne journée - Michel