The French Army's Tank Force and Armoured Warfare in the Great War: The Artillerie Spéciale

The scale of the French tanks' failure in their first engagement (1917) lead to rumours that the Artillerie Spéciale was in danger of being disbanded, yet by the end of the war it was the world's largest and most advanced tank force. This work examines this important facet of the French army's performance in the First World War, arguing that the AS fought as intelligently as possible given the immature state of the technology available. The successful French armoured effort outlined in this study highlights a level of military effectiveness that has hitherto been little acknowledged.

Author: Tim Gale
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 09/09/2016
Pages: 280
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.88lbs
Size: 9.21h x 6.14w x 0.59d
ISBN: 9781138247208

About the Author
Dr Tim Gale undertook his doctoral research on the French tank service (the Artillerie Spéciale) at the Department of War Studies, King's College, under the supervision of Professor William Philpott. His interests continue to be the Artillerie Spéciale and other aspects of French Army in the Great War. His current research is on the wartime career of one of France's most controversial generals, Charles Mangin. He is a member of the First World War Tactics and Operations Group (KCL) and is the Honorary Treasurer of the British Commission for Military History. Forthcoming work includes chapters on the development of French tank doctrine in the Great War, General Charles Mangin, General Estienne of the Artillerie Spéciale, as well as one about the post-war life of the Renault light tank.