Char D2

The Char D2 was a French medium tank of the interwar period. In 1930, before the Char D1 had entered production, Renault agreed to build a better armoured version, avoiding old-fashioned rivets in the hope of saving weight, which could serve as an alternative battle tank to the heavier Char B1 should that be forbidden by treaty. The failure of the armament limitation talks cut the projected production, and organisational difficulties with Renault delayed a first series of fifty to 1936 and 1937. A second series of fifty was ordered in 1938, despite signs that the type was mechanically unreliable, as a possible cheaper addition to the expensive Char B1, but because of the financial problems of Renault it was realised only in early 1940, bringing total production to a hundred. The first series had the APX-1 turret with a short 47 mm SA 34 gun, while the second series used the more powerful 47 mm SA 35 gun, which was retrofitted from March 1940 to a number of the older vehicles. In 1937 the type equipped one tank battalion, considered an elite unit.