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For the Codex Entry, see Saint Chamond Assault Tank (Codex Entry)


Saint Chamond Tank IRL

A Saint Chamond tank during World War I.

The Saint-Chamond was the second French heavy tank of the First World War, with 400 manufactured from April 1917 to July 1918. Although not a tank by the present-day definition, it is generally accepted and described as such in accounts of early tank development.

The Saint-Chamond's powerplant was forward-thinking, using a 70 kW gasoline-electric hybrid engine that could propel the 23-ton tank at 12 kph, and allowed for independent variable transmission to each track. However, its high speed was rarely achieved due to the choice of cannon and its placement at the head of the vehicle. (Diesel-electric hybrid engines were trialed during World War II, but would be surpassed by diesel engines, and avoided until modern advances in power storage brought renewed interest.)

Its principal weakness was the Holt "caterpillar" tracks. They were much too short in relation to the vehicle's length and heavy weight (23 tons). Later models attempted to rectify some of the tank's original flaws by installing wider and stronger track shoes, thicker frontal armor and the more effective 75mm Mle 1897 field gun.

The Saint-Chamond tanks remained engaged in various actions until October 1918, belatedly becoming more effective since combat had moved out of the trenches and onto open ground. Eventually, the Saint-Chamond tanks were scheduled to be entirely replaced by imported British heavy tanks.[1]

Battlefield 1[]

"The Second French tank of the Great War was a mobilized gun carrier featuring multiple machinegun positions. Later versions featured stop roof armor and an improved 75mm gun."

— In-Game Description

The St Chamond is an assault tank featured in Battlefield 1, introduced in the Battlefield 1: They Shall Not Pass expansion.[2] It is available on all maps and gamemodes for all factions featuring vehicles for owners of the expansion.

The tank features three vehicle packages: Field Assault Package, Gas Assault Package, Standoff Assault Package (see details on their dedicated pages). Common to all packages are a 75mm Cannon and five Hotchkiss M1914 machine guns. These three packages each use shells with different effects and have slight differences in appearance.

The driver operates the tank's 75mm cannon with about 60° of traversal (basically same with A7V), while the passengers each control their own Hotchkiss gun. The firepower of five Hotchkiss M1914 completely covers all directions of St Chamond. However, in the Field Assault Package and Gas Assault Package, the forward facing HMG is controlled by the gunner, while in the Standoff Assault Package, it is controlled by the driver, resulting in fewer four passengers.

Similar to other tanks, regardless of package, the main gun of St Chamond has 6 rounds of reserve ammunition and almost identical RoF and reloading speed, but the damage and ballistic performance vary depending on the type of ammunition. The various data of Hotchkiss M1914 are consistent with regular HMG, except for the seemingly higher spread in the first few rounds.

The St Chamond has an advantage that other tanks do not have: its front armor has a significantly sloped angle, making it easier to ricochet, thereby reducing enemy damage.

The tank's length easily allows it to cross over normal trenches, although forks in certain trench lines may cause the tank's tracks to be completely lifted off the ground. Its size is most comparable to the Mark V Landship, though narrower by one meter. The Saint-Chamond's suspension is much less rigid and more sensitive than other vehicles. Its speed is favorable, similar to the FT-17. The acceleration increases rapidly when moving forward and backward, making it more flexible compared to other Mark Vs and A7Vs. Small terrain features may greatly upset the driver's aim.

On European maps, the vehicle has a green default camouflage. On Middle Eastern maps, the vehicle has a unique desert camouflage pattern.

Appearances[]

Vehicle Skins[]

Gallery[]

Achievement/Trophy[]

Image Name Criteria Achievement Points Trophy Type
Saint Chamond Operator Saint Chamond Operator Kill 25 enemies with the Saint-Chamond Heavy Tank 50G Bronze Trophy

References[]

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