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SOMUA S35 cavalry tanks
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SOMUA S35 cavalry tanks
SOMUA S35 French cavalry tanks, knocked out / abandoned on a French street. Date: 1940
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Media ID 32266634
© The Peter Butt Transportation Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
Abandoned Cavalry Knocked Tanks
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the stark reality of the Battle of France in 1940, as SOMUA S35 cavalry tanks lie abandoned and knocked out on a quiet French street. The SOMUA S35 was a key component of the French cavalry during the early stages of World War II, offering a modern and powerful alternative to traditional horse-drawn cavalry units. However, the agility and speed that made these tanks so effective on the battlefield were ultimately their downfall, as they were often exposed to enemy fire and lacked the protection of heavier armored vehicles. In this image, we see several SOMUA S35 tanks, their once-shining metal exteriors now marred by the grime and dust of battle. Some tanks show signs of damage, with broken turrets and smashed tracks, while others appear to have been simply abandoned, their engines cold and lifeless. The scene is one of chaos and destruction, with debris littering the streets and the sounds of battle fading in the distance. Despite the grim scene, there are signs of life and movement in the photograph. A group of French soldiers can be seen in the background, huddled around a map and discussing their next move. A horse-drawn cart passes by in the foreground, its driver looking curiously at the tanks as he makes his way down the street. And in the distance, the faint sound of engines can be heard, signaling the approach of more tanks or perhaps even the retreating German forces. This photograph offers a poignant reminder of the human cost of war, as well as the complex and ever-changing nature of military conflict. The SOMUA S35 tanks may have been state-of-the-art at the time, but they were ultimately no match for the superior firepower and tactics of the German forces. The image also serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the soldiers who fought in this brutal campaign, and the enduring power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
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