De Gaulle's Tourneur

As we opened our fifth D-Day Event with an unusual field-modified vehicle that took part in the landings, we wanted to conclude the event with another remarkable field-modified vehicle used : one used during the battle of Bir Hakeim, which ended on June 11, 1942 and is now featured in the first part of recently released French film De Gaulle.

The 1939-1940 campaigns revealed to the Allies their lack of mobile anti-tank capabilities against an enemy deploying masses of tanks and overrunning static defences. One early solution was to mount anti-tank or artillery guns on the backs or tops of trucks and armored vehicles. This approach was further developed in the vast expanses of the Middle East and North Africa, where the Commonwealth forces used Bofors 37 mm or QF 2-pounder anti-tank guns mounted on Ford, Chevrolet, or Morris trucks.

The Free French, having pushed their Hotchkiss H39 tanks—salvaged from the Norway Expedition—to their limits during the Gabon and Syria campaigns, urgently needed affordable and mobile firepower. Taking advantage of the arsenal left behind by Vichy forces in Syria-Lebanon, as well as equipment recovered from Norway, their field engineers began mounting French artillery pieces onto various trucks.

The 1er Bataillon du Pacific, part of the 1ère Division Légère Française Libre, installed several 25mm SA Modèle 1934 anti-tank guns on the rear of their available wheeled vehicles. The gun, stripped of its legs and wheels, was mounted on a central pole in the truck bed, allowing the gunner to rotate 360 degrees. This mobile anti-tank gun earned the nickname "Derviche", inspired by the Turkish whirling dervishes who spin during their prayers. Although the gun had already shown its limitations in 1940, it was still capable of knocking out German and Italian tanks in 1942.

During the battle of Bir-Hakeim in May-June 1942, the "Derviches" were integrated in the "Jock Columns"—small, highly mobile units with significant firepower—to conduct patrols and raids behind enemy lines. The "Derviches" and other field-engineered portees remained in service until the end of the North African Campaign, when Free French forces were re-equipped.

Our "Derviche" was made by CptBocquier from the Chevy 30cwt made by Rad and the 25mm SA Modèle 34 anti-tank gun by Seth Soldier.

Before leaving, please take the time to give your feedback about our D-Day Event here !

That's all for this week, but be sure to come back next time for another update. Until then, feel free to visit our Discord, our public forums, our subreddit, and/or Facebook pages to discuss this update and other news.