The caption to this photo is strange. Bear in mind that it from Albert Mroz's appalling book on U.S. Military Vehicles of WWI. I am puzzled by the cupola and what appears to be an MG08 in the turret. Can anyone shed any light?
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That is a bit odd, I don't recall seeing any FT with a water cooled machine gun mounted. If it's American there might be the slight possibility of the gun being a Browning M1917, although that's very unlikely considering the numbers served in the war were so low. I don't see any reason for a captured tank to continue the use of a German gun.
It's distinctly odd. It seems to be a Renault, since the exhaust is on the right, but the gunshield looks as if it's from an M1917. The wheels appear to be steel. It has "R.F. 2324" (République Française?) painted on the side. The tracks aren't authentic, by the look of things. The MG could be a Browning.
This is who James L. Noble was:
"It was only natural that many would come together to keep alive the memories of their service. Among the first was the Philippine War Veterans, formed in Altoona July 7, 1901. Its first chapter was named after James L. Noble. Noble was serving with Company C, 43rd Volunteer Infantry, when he was killed in 1900 attempting to save a fellow soldier in a battle on the island of Leyte during the Philippines."
So he was nothing to do with the Tank in action. This seems to be a trophy, acquired by or donated to a Veterans' Association branch. If it did see action, then it must be a Renault.
The bloke in the picture can't be Noble - he's wearing an Overseas Cap.
And I don't remember any account of a Renault being captured from the Americans and then being recaptured.
Baffled.
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LincolnTanker wrote:Am I right in thinking they are original tracks with wooden or rubber additions for use on roads for parades etc?
Very possibly. It's definitely a Renault hull. Maybe the turret was missing and they managed to cannibalise an M1917 for the sake of appearances. Enquiries are under way.
The Americans took over 200 Renaults to the USA after the War (whether purchased or a gift, I don't know) so it's entirely possible that this Tank had seen action.
Pat is correct to point out my imprecision. Acc to Dale E. Wilson, during the American offensives of late 1918 many FTs were ditched or damaged and abandoned by their crews but later recovered. Maybe that counts as being captured and recaptured. AFAIK only one FT was captured in running order by the Germans.
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I have a copy of this postcard. The caption on the back says:
"French Renault Tank used in the World War by the Republic of France. It carries many battle scars of actual combat. This tank is one of a number that was given to the United States in partial payment of the French War Debt. It still retains its original number, F.F. 2324 as it did during the war.
This tank was presented to the James L. Noble Post, No. 3, Veterans of Foreign Wars of Altoona, Pa. and was put in commission by membrs of that post. This is Jimmie Van Zandt's own home post."
Note: James Van Zandt was commander of the VFW in the 1930s.
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In one of the USA museums (possibly the Patton Armor Museum) there are two Renaults, one of them has an M1917 turret. (I noticed it when I was toying with the idea of making a "What's the Difference" video on the Renault and M1917.) I wonder if it is the same tank: the photo in this thread could be old, and the various relics could have been swapped around and moved.
Just been inspired by the above to look at some U.S. FT/M1917 sites. Captions are all over the place - Ford M1917s, Renault FT18s, and so on. Dreadful.
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