The Commander Series Forum

"The AMR35 light tank was used as a reconnaissance vehicle in the French army and was made in 3 versions . 87 AMR35 model ZT1's were made with a 7.5mm machine gun mounted in the turret and another 80 ZT1's mounted a 13.2mm heavy machine gun in a different model turret . A few AMR35 model ZT2,s were also made mounting a SA34 25mm anti tank cannon but these were fairly rare."

Why is the AMR35 not available as an armored recce choice as, say, the 232 is for the Germans? They have relatively similar armor and were used in the same role, right?
At 80pt for the 232 with AT 1/30 AP 1/60 the French player is stuck with Panhard AT 1/40 AP 1/40 to get some AT recce - and then it walks! Unless I can mount it in the AMR - but its capacity was 2 men only. The AMC would be a better choice, but again is it "legal"?

Due to its name, the AMR 35 has typically been described as a reconnaissance or scout tank[9] but this is inexact and possibly misleading.[10] Specialised reconnaissance was carried out, not by an AMR but by an AMD (Automitrailleuse de Découverte). The only ZT vehicles that really functioned in the reconnaissance rôle are the ZT 2 and ZT 3 that were part of reconnaissance units, that would distance themselves from the main force in search of the enemy or of routes that were free of enemy presence. The other AMR 35s however, were to the contrary originally intended to be part of the main force and functioned as its, "first contact", direct security screen: this was at the time the meaning of reconnaissance in the French Cavalry doctrine. Even this task however, would later become secondary to what was to be the AMR's main function: to provide direct fire support to dismounted cavalry or mechanised infantry units; the armoured trucks used by the latter had not even a machine-gun armament.

punkskum, is entry 2 the answer to entry 1?

Ie the AMR35 wasnt used as recce just back up? Or is it still your view it did act like recce like the German 232?

If latter you could suggest what the new line in the army list should read like? and what limits?

As an MG or HMG armed recce it may be more useful finding and surviving (with its early war armour protection) than shooting its way out of an encounter from the information you have provided?

Its fascinating stuff the French philosophy of war at that time. The vehicles technical qulaities are more likely to be victim to their chief of staff or higher command level theories and HQ management than enemy fire!? (Save for some commanders like de Gaulle who fought it differently).

Carl