Most Battalions de Chars de Combat (BCC) were equipped with Renault R-35 tanks, although two had Hotchkiss H-35 tanks. Likewise, the Divisions Cuirassée (DC) had Hotchkiss H-39 tanks. The French initially equipped their light tanks with the old 37mm SA-18 gun used in the First World War.

This short gun has poor anti-tank capability. Aware that they would face large numbers of German tanks, a longer 37mm SA-38 gun was developed, and by May 1940 they had enough long guns to rearm the platoon commander’s tank in units equipped with Hotchkiss tanks.

As new tanks replaced casualties, the numbers available rose considerably in June for the battles on the Somme.