Landships II

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: Saint-Chamond in US Service?


Legend

Status: Offline
Posts: 3877
Date:
Saint-Chamond in US Service?
Permalink   


Just noticed this in the letters page in Tank Encyclopedia: "Are you aware of any Saint Chamond tanks in US Service in the Meuse-Argonne? I have a photo of one with the caption “US Tank near Dun-sur-Meuse”. There is a large “US” painted on the side."

The correspondent says he has emailed the photo, but nothing has appeared yet.  Anyone know anything?



__________________

"Sometimes things that are not true are included in Wikipedia. While at first glance that may appear like a very great problem for Wikipedia, in reality is it not. In fact, it's a good thing." - Wikipedia.



Lieutenant-Colonel

Status: Offline
Posts: 150
Date:
Permalink   

the unpublished answer from TE Team Manager Lucien
"Greg Sargeant
Hello Greg,
I'm pretty sure that's not an American tank, I have no recollection of the Americans ever using St.Chamonds.
Also, that is not the US marking in any way. What probably happened was that that is a French tank with the name written at the back and a large part of the letters got burned out when the tank was destroyed.
Trawling a bit online, I was able to find this Saint Chamond tank, Cincinnatus:
www.chars-francais.net/2015/images/stories/galery-st-chamond/st-c_cincinnatus/saint-chamond-3%20cincinnatus%2001.jpg
www.chars-francais.net/2015/images/stories/galery-st-chamond/st-c_cincinnatus/saint-chamond-3%20cincinnatus%2002.jpg
The position of the last two letters matches that of those in your photo and notice the very peculiar S on both photos. Also, the Saint Chamond model matches, while the camouflage doesn't (but it is quite possible for the camouflage to have been redone at some point or another).
So, sorry to say, but the caption is most probably wrong.
All the best,
Lucian, TE team manager"

Hope that helps, James.

__________________


Legend

Status: Offline
Posts: 3877
Date:
Permalink   

I'd say that just about clears it up. Thank you. Mind at rest.



__________________

"Sometimes things that are not true are included in Wikipedia. While at first glance that may appear like a very great problem for Wikipedia, in reality is it not. In fact, it's a good thing." - Wikipedia.



Field Marshal

Status: Offline
Posts: 457
Date:
Permalink   

Bonjour,

"I'm pretty sure that's not an American tank"

Of course ! !  

The french tank Saint Chamond was never on duty in the US Army !

The French Groupement Saint Chamond n° XI (Groupe AS 32 - 34 - 35) was only in support of the American Army.

All is in this topic from "Pages 14-18"

                 https://forum.pages14-18.com/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=52871

About French tank in the World War One, some other topics here :

                 https://forum.pages14-18.com/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=52768

 

The "US", painted on the Saint Chamond, was probably done, by some soldiers from supply units, not engaged with front line units and these tanks.

For these men, all destroyed equipments, behind the front line, and unknown to them, was just an enemy matérial,  "take of war" from the american Army !

One of this postcard of these destroyed tank is even written "Tank boche" !

 

Bon week-end - Michel

 



__________________


Captain

Status: Offline
Posts: 97
Date:
Permalink   

There are two photos of this tank at NARA II in the Signal Corps collection. Whether the tank was actually in AEF service as claimed in another matter. The caption claims so.US St C a.jpgUS St C b.jpg



Attachments
__________________


Brigadier

Status: Offline
Posts: 257
Date:
Permalink   

My Osprey book on US military service in WW1 Europe say that only Renault tanks were actually bought and used by Pershing.



__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse
Powered by ActiveBoard