This table shows the guns used by each side as anti-tank (AT) weapons German guns were either tank (KwK), anti-tank (Pak), or antiaircraft (Flak) types. The French and British used the 25mm Hotchkiss both as an antitank and anti-aircraft weapon. French tank guns were designated by year of design; SA 35 is semi-automatic 1935.
The number following the gun type is its calibre, for example, L/45. The calibre is the length of the barrel, being the number of times the diameter of the gun can be divided into the length of the barrel. The 37mm L/45 gun would therefore be 37x45 - 1665mm.
Penetration is assumed to be impact against a plate of armour set at 30ø angle. In battle, this angle could be anything from 90ø to 5ø. The more vertical the armour plate, the better the penetration. However, the figures listed are merely a guide. It is impossible to tell how any one shot will behave once it leaves the barrel.
Most tank combat involved distances of less than 500 yards.
The maximum range of a gun is quite different from its effective range. A 37mm gun was effective up to 1900 yards, but its shell could travel 4000 yards. The chart shows effective range.
More 1940
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1940: Campaign in France
1940: Campaign in France: Military Dictionary
1940: Campaign in France: TO&E: French
1940: Campaign in France: TO&E: British
1940: Campaign in France: TO&E: German
1940: Campaign in France: Tank Illustrations and Specs
1940: Campaign in France: Anti-Tank Gun Comparison
1940: Campaign in France: Order of Battle Numerical Charts
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© Copyright 1998 by Dana Lombardy
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