Into the Fire - the "Minor" nations of WW2 strike back

[Wings]

Chapter 47

Indochinese Front

January-April 1942

​

A relative calm had settled over Indochina in the early days of January, with the Empire of Japan licking their wounds before going back on the offensive. Only the push towards Phnom Penh continued, with the Thais now helping the Japanese try to break the locks on the Tonle Sap.

Easier said than done, especially since air support had to be split between several fronts, and Malaya seemed to be hoarding resources more than any other. So much, in fact, that the remaining aircraft in southern Indochina managed to hold their own for some time, trading evenly with Japanese fighters until January 4th and a large IJAAF raid against Phnom Penh, which did not have much to envy to the Rotterdam raid of 1940.

With renewed air support on this front, the area became untenable for the French forces. Kompong Chnang fell on the 5th, and Kompong Thom shared the same fate two days later. The last locks towards the city of Phnom Penh had been blown open. King Sisowath Monivong had already left the city for the relative safety of Paksé, from where he would later join the Luang Prabang redoubt in company of his fellow monarch, the King of Luang Prabang (and future King of Laos) Sisavangvong.

On January 6th, a general assault was given for all Japanese forces in Indochina, though once again, the famous “colonialists on the verge of surrender”, were clearly far from it. The assault on Thai Nguyen was repulsed with heavy losses on both sides, while the assault on Phnom Penh was similarly stopped short of the city. Only the southern front showed some progress, as the Ninh Hoa lock burst open with little resistance.

It must be said that all French forces in southern Indochina had been sent towards the defence of Saigon, where the general mobilization had already raised two makeshift infantry regiments. Catroux did not expect to hold the area much longer, and had prepared contingencies to evacuate the administration to Luang Prabang or Dien-Bien-Phu. The soldiers would hold as long as possible before disengaging in turn towards the redoubt.

Catroux himself left on January 8th, after the Japanese led another massive assault on Thai Nguyen, finally breaking the defenders. With the road to Hanoi wide open, Catroux did not insist and left for the Highlands.

However, this did not mean that the French resistance collapsed. With the reinforcement of elements of the 12th RTS, Kita’s forces were delayed at Ba Hang and Tu Son, with the Hanoi-Haiphong Road only being cut on January 11th. With this link broken, Hanoi was now left almost toothless. Despite the brave resistance of the Vietnamese volunteers, Legionnaires and Tunisian Spahis, Catroux ordered to evacuate the city on January 17th, declaring it an open city in the hopes that the occupier would spare it, like the Germans had done with Paris. He was wrong.

On January 19th, Japanese troops entered Haiphong. Seeing that the French had completely laid waste to the port, they passed their nerves on the population instead. The Vietnamese port city was subjected to a brutal sack, with no mercy being given by the soldiers of the Rising Sun, who killed, raped and pillaged their way through the town. Though this was nothing compared to the fate of Hanoi.

The ”rape of Hanoi” as it became known, was the equivalent of the “rape of Nanking” for the Vietnamese. After about a month of continued fighting, Japanese troops entered Hanoi exhausted and angry on January 23rd. Immediately, the Japanese went straight for the French High Command building…which had been completely evacuated and totally empty. Expecting to have been able to force Catroux to sign the surrender of all French forces in Indochina, the Japanese were furious. In an act of rage, the soldiers killed everything that came within their reach: men, women, children, babies, animals…nothing escaped their wrath. For four days, Hanoi would burn, as mass executions and rapes followed one another, each more horrific than the other. It is estimated that about 30,000 civilians were slaughtered, though the number could be higher, as Japanese exactions continued throughout the occupation [1].

In Cambodia, the siege of Phnom Penh did not go well at all for the Japanese. Assaults on January 8th and 11th failed miserably, with the French managing to counter-attack on one of the bridgeheads on the Mekong, annihilating it entirely. However, with continued pressure and a determined attack by the Thai 1st Infantry Division (which was sent in as cannon fodder by the Japanese), the defence system broke on January 13th, forcing the French forces to abandon Phnom Penh. King Sisowath Monivong, then Prince Norodom Sihanouk, from Luang Prabang, would call for the population to resist the occupier and wait for the eventual liberation of Cambodia [2]. It must be said that with the Cambodian capital being put to the torch, and masses of civilians being happily strafed by Japanese aircraft, the local population would only be too happy to oblige.

The entire goal of the French strategy was now fixed on two points: to defend Saigon and cover the withdrawal of troops to the Highlands. The key withdrawal points of Pleiku, Buon Ma Thuot, Pakse and Song La were reinforced with Mountaineer brigades and Legionnaires, while the remaining troops would just delay the Japanese. The Vietnamese, furious after the rape of Hanoi and Haiphong, were eager to take up arms, whatever their prior political motivations.

Having encountered little resistance along the coast, the Japanese expected to not have to face much more resistance towards the south. However, they got a rude awakening when they came back into contact with Touzet du Vigier’s armoured vehicles protecting the bridges over the Soai Rap River. On January 26th, the Japanese were ambushed, with the forward elements completely annihilated, around Long Khanh [3]. Supported by the Vietnamese, but also the Chinese, who knew what would happen to them if captured, the French held on doggedly, forcing the Japanese to stop.

This was only a small delay, as the Japanese also struck from the Cambodian border, heading for Tay Ninh, but here too progress was slow, thanks to the armoured elements of General Touzet du Vigier. The Siege of Saigon would be a brutal affair for the Imperial Japanese forces. Even with air superiority, the stubborn resistance of the French, combined with a population that fought tooth and nail against the Japanese, made so that the advance was extremely slow.

It would take until February 16th to see Saigon finally fall into the hands of the Japanese. In the meantime, Emperor Bao Dai had managed to rally Dien-Bien-Phu, in the company of General Touzet du Vigier. The Indochinese Armoured Brigade had lived, losing all of its vehicles during this campaign, but having managed to repel and delay the Japanese for almost two long months. Its men were evacuated as top priority to the Highlands, then to Burma to which they were repatriated to Algeria, where they would form the basis of the formation of the French 5th DB, which Touzet du Vigier would eventually go on to lead [4].

The Japanese for their part did not make Saigon suffer the fate of Hanoi. Partly because they still had to clean up resistance in many parts of the city, and partly because they were so exhausted that even massacres were beyond them. The city was looted and pillaged, with excesses occurring as often as one expected for the Army of the Rising Sun. However, the Chinese population, greatly present in Saigon, would suffer much more.

The Japanese would then try to force their way into the Highlands, but this was a gruelling task. Although Indochina’s coasts had been conquered, their logistics were strained, only allowing them to make small incursions inland. Surviving French aircraft had already redeployed to the Dien-Bien-Phu and Luang Prabang airfields, covering the remainder of French forces withdrawing to the “Highlands redoubt” [5]. This one had been reinforced thanks to the two “Singapore convoys”, allowing the transfer of the rest of the 191st Infantry along with much-needed equipment and even aircraft.

Thus, Vietnamese cities fell, but they fell at a high price for the Japanese, and they fell only very late. Buon Ma Thuot was captured only on March 20th, after a dogged resistance by the 1st Vietnamese Mountain Brigade, helped by the French 12th RTS and the 1st Laotian Infantry Battalion. Pleiku would fall similarly a few days later, along with Pakse, which was left vulnerable after the Japanese incursion into Thai territory.

Japan had thus ended victorious in Indochina, but it came at a steep price. And while they did conquer much of Indochina, some of it remained out of reach, and actually holding the ground would prove just as deadly. The Vietnamese resistance spread, while the leaders of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam had rallied alongside the French colonial forces. And with the Rising Sun’s offensives stalling everywhere and the start of fuel shortages, it was not going to get any better for the Japanese, though that did not stop them from trying their luck… [6]




[1] The usual MO for Japanese forces whenever they came across a city that resisted them, unfortunately...

[2] This was pretty much Sisowath Monivong's last act as King of Cambodia. He would die on April 23rd in Luang Prabang. King Norodom Sihanouk would succeed him. His ITTL reign will go a lot smoother than the OTL (excluding the war, for obvious reasons).

[3] As usual the Ha-Go tanks do NOT fare well against the S-50 and this isn't bound to change, the tank was designed to counter German Panzers...

[4] The infusion of experienced officers will be a good boost for French forces ahead of campaigns against the Germans in the Mediterranean. France is slowly building itself a very respectable armoured force.

[5] More or less an arc covering Xanamkhan - Kasi - Phonsavan - Ban Na Keng - Pa Hang - Black River - Yen Bai - Lao Cai. The mountainous terrain means that it's hell for the Japanese to get through, and there's a supply line to Burma and China.

[6] Pulling offensives while overstretched, with no logistical support, without knowing where you're going or where your enemy is, and with major petrol shortages. What could go wrong?

 

[Lord Cheddar]

My Vietnamese grand-parents already hesitate to tell me stories about the Second World War. I can only imagine what those stories would be like in this TL...
I doubt that their reactions will stop at a mild dislike for the Japanese in this timeline.

Especially since my family is from Haiphong and Hanoi.

 

[generalurist]

Japan expected it would be conquering a frontier outpost but France has fought like it's their homeland. And aside from maybe Algeria, it perhaps IS the jewl of their empire. But Japan's own brutality is in large part responsible. Had they conducted their war effort gently, the local people would not have rallied in defense of their colonial masters.

Thais now helping the Japanese try to break the locks on the Tonle Sap.

Is this metaphorical or are you actually talking about the water control structures? That's not going to cripple the local water management system I hope!

[4] The infusion of experienced officers will be a good boost for French forces ahead of campaigns against the Germans in the Mediterranean. France is slowly building itself a very respectable armoured force.

Learning a lot of lessons compared to their May/June performance eh. Are there any native Indochinese officers (or skilled lower ranks likely to get promoted to officer) in the Indochinese Armoured Brigade, or is this just Frenchmen bolstering the officer corps?

 

[Wings]

Is this metaphorical or are you actually talking about the water control structures? That's not going to cripple the local water management system I hope!

It's a turn of phrase meaning the two major stoppers the French had on the banks of the lake.

Learning a lot of lessons compared to their May/June performance eh. Are there any native Indochinese officers (or skilled lower ranks likely to get promoted to officer) in the Indochinese Armoured Brigade, or is this just Frenchmen bolstering the officer corps?

There were quite a number of Vietnamese troops in that brigade, for numerous reason. First, for manpower. Second, because the French needed the expertise of locals to navigate the roads and communicate with the locals. And finally because it was a good propaganda boost to show French and Vietnamese fighting side by side.

 

[Wings]

Chapter 48

Burma-Thailand front

January - April 1942

​

The neutralization of Force “Z” and the securing of the South China Sea allowed Japan to ease its logistics somewhat, and send more troops to Thailand to pursue its ambitions. However, this did not mean that every problem had been fixed. The soldiers of the Rising Sun were still fighting on several fronts, with each General wishing to see their front being allocated top priority.

Furthermore, while Japan could move more freely, this wasn’t to say that they were invulnerable. Allied submarines still operated in the area, targeting Japanese convoys with increasing aggressiveness, forcing Japan to divert escorts from other fronts. And, to add insult to injury, the Commonwealth air forces deployed in Malaya harassed shipping entering the Gulf of Thailand, with the IJAAF doing little to stop it as it was already trying hard not to be outmatched by their counterparts, which received new reinforcements with the first “Singapore convoy”, named “Substance” or “GS-1”, arriving in mid-January of 1942 [1].

With Indochina attracting much of the attention of the General Staff, the Thai and Burmese fronts were considered quite secondary. For much of early January, the Japanese only made small advances into the Thai hinterland, pushing past Singburi but not daring to venture further, with a distinct lack of resources stopping them.

In the meantime, the Allies had reinforced their positions. The then weak Burmese Army had now seen the arrival of the 50th Indian Tank Brigade, alongside emergency reinforcements for “C” Force, now truly transformed into the Canadian 6th Infantry Division. Additionally, new air wings had reinforced the area, including the American “Flying Tigers” and the Burma Volunteer Air Service squadrons.

Though the Allies did not only sit on the defensive and wait. On January 15th, a large raid by the RAF and RAAF, which included several Australian B-24s, struck Bangkok. The aim was to destroy the docks and Don Mueang airfield, both of which were severely hit. In addition, the city took a toll, with the extent of the raid meaning numerous buildings were destroyed alongside large civilian casualties. And though Japan did manage to make some propaganda out of it, it also revealed that the Imperial Air Force was very overextended and had failed to properly defend the Thai capital. In fact, in between Indochina, Malaya, the Philippines and China, the air force could hardly be everywhere at once. Don Mueang airfield would be reinforced in time, but the Commonwealth bombers would switch their targets and no raid of this magnitude would hit Bangkok for many months.

The Japanese general staff thus continued its preparations, with the hope that finally their prayers would be answered and sufficient resources would be allocated to them. General Shojiro Iida, in command of three divisions (one of which was still being transferred), saw the monumental task in front of him and wondered how he would be able to achieve it. He did control Mergui, but not much else of Burma. As far as Thailand went, he could control Singburi, but needed to move all the way to Raheng while clearing the northeastern provinces to relieve General Kita’s Indochinese forces. A tall task, and all of that under minimal air cover.

Thailand was the first to be struck. Judging that the Free Thai Army had little in the way of resisting a push, the offensive began on January 26th with an attack by the Japanese 55th Division from Singburi towards Nakhon Sawan. Opposite, General Choonhavan only lined up four infantry divisions, mostly understrength (the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 12th), but still managed to delay Japanese forces in their advance. The reinforcement of anti-tank weapons provided by the British proved decisive in slowing down the armoured vanguards of the Japanese Army, forcing them to be more careful in their approach. And Iida had issues of his own, with the “Loyal” Thai 7th Division not being extremely willing to go fight their compatriots, and showing much less enthusiasm than the 5th Division in Cambodia [2].

The Thai resistance was brave, but not enough to deter the Japanese. After Nakhon Sawan, Nai Mueang fell, putting the Japanese in front of Raheng. There, the Thais had dug in and the 1st Infantry Division, one of the best units of the Thai Army, was ready to meet the invader. And they had support! Namely, RAF, Chinese and American aircraft flying from Moulmein…and Thai P-39s flying from Chiang Mai! The battle of Raheng thus occupied both land and air forces. Captain Kamrop Blengkam, flying on P-39, achieved ace status, shooting down three Ki-27, one reconnaissance Ki-36 and one Ki-48. He was the first Thai pilot to reach this status, but he wouldn’t be the last! [3]

Added to these (mostly) modern aircraft were the brave airmen of the BVAS. These ones also participated in the battle of Raheng, but in much more outdated aircraft. If you were lucky, you got a Buffalo, if not…Hawker Fury or Audax would do! The brave Indian and Burmese airmen often paid for their audacity with their lives, but in some cases, it paid off! BVAS totalled 8 aircraft shot down against 12 lost during the battle of Raheng alone. In Delhi, like in London, one observed these brave squadrons, encouraging Whitehall to pressure for more modern aircraft to be sent. The BVAS would find its first Hurricane during the month of February (though it would continue flying on Fury well into June 1942) [4].

On the ground, the decisive defence of the Thais proved increasingly painful for the Japanese 55th Division, which expected to breeze through Raheng. A fierce urban combat followed, just like the fights that had engulfed Singora not too long ago. Under the weight of numbers and firepower, however, the Thais retreated from the city on March 2nd. No small feat, as they had made the Japanese pay the price for their entry into Burma. The fighting was so violent that General Iida had to order a pause before moving towards Moulmein.

A week later, the Japanese started probing the defences of the 1st Burmese Division at Mae Sot, while consolidating their positions around Raheng. There would be no pursuit towards Chiang Mai, which was judged strategically insignificant compared to Burma, with the Free Thai government doomed to fall [5]. The 55th Japanese Division, exhausted after fighting from Bangkok to Raheng, was tasked with securing the north-eastern quadrant of the country, with the 41st and 33rd Infantry Divisions taking over for the push towards Moulmein. In the meantime, much of the Burmese coast, including Tavoy and Ye, had been taken, but resistance stiffened at Panga.

Opposite them, William Slim, GOC Burma, had prepared his defence in three stages: a first defence line in the Thai mountains, a second along the Haugthayaw River, and a final one beyond the Salween, with the Canadians holding the northern flank while the Indians and Burmese covered Moulmein and its approaches. Slim had by then been reinforced with the “Halberd” and “Spotter” convoys, which bolstered his armoured and air forces, allowing him to be confident in his ability to at least hold off the Japanese on the east bank of the Salween.

The Japanese quickly brushed aside the Mae Sot position, taking Myawaddy and crossing the Burmese border. However, they had the bad surprise of being ambushed and harassed by the 1st Burmese Division when crossing the mountains separating them from the valley leading to Moulmein [6].

Most of these troops were local Burmese, reinforced with Indian and British guides, who were only too eager to show off their skills in ambush warfare which made them famous during their wars against the British. It was thus not until March 23rd that the Japanese made contact with Slim’s second defence line at Kanni. There, the Japanese were once again stopped, by a combination of Allied air power…and armoured vehicles! Those were the tanks of the 50th Indian Tank Brigade, mounted on Valentines, Tetrarch and Crusader! A very rude awakening for the Japanese, which suffered under the blows of the tanks…which were withdrawn after only a few days.

Slim knew that his position was exposed, and thus did not want to risk being flanked. He was satisfied with having inflicted heavy losses on the Japanese, and withdrew his tanks towards Ein Du and Pa-An, where the Canadians had set up a collection line. He also ordered delaying fights to be made in Moulmein, but refused the idea of fighting with his back to the river.

On March 29th, Japanese units resumed contact with the British lines, with no more success than earlier. On the plain, the Indian tanks had a field day with the Japanese lines, while the RAF and ROCAF kept any air attackers at bay. The Japanese would suffer terribly, whether at Ein Du or further south, at Kaw Wan and Okhpo, where the Indian 8th Infantry had set up “delaying” positions before the evacuation of Moulmein. It wouldn’t be until April 5th that these positions gave way, and Slim gave the order to evacuate all forces to the west bank of the Salween. General Charles Harvey, commander of the 8th Indian, was disappointed: he assured that he could’ve held longer.

Slim would have to wait almost three weeks until the Japanese went back on the offensive. On April 20th, the Japanese 33rd and 41st Divisions attempted to cross the Salween at Martaban and Pabu, trying to outflank the Commonwealth forces. But Slim had prepared his positions well, and did not hesitate to vigorously counter-attack. The main Japanese landing, in the village of Martaban, found itself pincered by Indian armoured vehicles which cut off several thousand Japanese from the river, and sent many more straight back into the unforgiving waters of the Salween. Not even a strong effort from the Japanese air force saved them: the 8th Indian had eliminated almost 4,000 Japanese men in just a day. At Pabu, the situation was slightly better but no less desperate. The Canadians failed to repulse the Japanese on the first day thanks to the timely intervention of the air force, but Slim now had reserves he could redeploy.

On April 21st, the Canadians, assisted by the 50th Tank Brigade, struck the positions of the 33rd Infantry Division hard. Blasting through the flanks, assisted by the Indian Crusader tanks, General Arthur Potts’ men wreaked havoc in the Japanese rear. During this assault, Lt-General Shozo Sakurai, commander of the 33rd Infantry Division, was severely wounded by a ROCAF raid on his forward HQ [7]. The confusion made so that no order to retreat back over the Salween was given, with over 900 men perishing in the attempt to cross the river.

The Battle of the Salween was a decisive Allied victory. The Commonwealth forces had stopped the advance of the Japanese troops dead in its tracks, with minimal casualties. General William Slim was warmly congratulated by Marshal Robert Brooke-Popham and by Churchill himself, gaining the respect of his peers after stopping an offensive of an entire army corps with only three rag-tag divisions [8]. As for the Japanese, this would mark the furthest extent of their push into Burma, which became a sideshow. One could blame General Iida for this, as he was nowhere near as charismatic and decisive as his peers, Generals Kita and Yamashita, nor did he have the (relative) success they had. However, Iida had been dealing with poor logistics and intelligence, exhausted units and overall, the complete disinterest of the high command, too focused on the operations in Malaya and the East Indies to care about a backwater.

The Japanese command was adamant to the forgotten general, though. Once Singapore had fallen, Burma would be next! [9]







[1] You guessed it, OTL Malta Convoys become ITTL Singapore Convoys.

[2] For simplicity's sake, the Allied-aligned Thai government will be referred to as the "Free Thai Forces", while the Japanese-aligned government will be referred to as the "Loyalist Thai Forces".

[3] OTL the RThAF got a whopping total of 5 victories for the entire war.

[4] The reasoning for that isn't that the British government is cheap, but more because they're much easier to maintain and repair while flying from airfields in the middle of nowhere. The French have this same tactic using old Potez aircraft for bombing missions on Japanese squadrons, operating from forgotten mountain villages.

[5] This reasoning is of course bound to change.

[6] With the Japanese only setting the little toenail into Burma, the 1st Burmese Division doesn't see mass desertions like it did in OTL and retains much of its fighting potential.

[7] With all the Asian nations doing better, don't worry, I did not forget the ROC.

[8] A bit overdramatic considering that the "Army Corps" was composed of two under-supplied divisions (a third neutered by the Thais), and that Slim's own divisions were not the dregs of the Indian Army either. Still, Slim earns recognition by his peers much earlier than OTL, and that will be a boost for the future.

[9] Can't fault them for being optimistic.

 

[Sport25ing]

The Type 3 Chi-Nu was developed OTL as a response for the increasing numbers of M4 Shermans in late war - with the japanese encountering stronger armor in early 1942, would they develop their "counters" much sooner?

 

[Sasza]

Realistically speaking, the Somua S-50 may resemble a mixture of the M4 and S35. So it will most likely be an equivalent of the Char G with a 75 mm gun.

 

[Bougnas]

What are the features of the S-50? Didn't recall seeing a description of it.

 

[Wings]

The Type 3 Chi-Nu was developed OTL as a response for the increasing numbers of M4 Shermans in late war - with the japanese encountering stronger armor in early 1942, would they develop their "counters" much sooner?

Possible, but not as early as 1942.

What are the features of the S-50? Didn't recall seeing a description of it.

The S-50 "Arcole" was developed from the S-40, modified to match the lessons learned from the Battles of France and Greece against German Panzers. It's essentially an S-40 chassis with the already proven 47mm high-velocity SA-39 TAZ anti-tank gun. The engine was changed from the French one to an American one, easier and cheaper to produce, and the tank was overall widened.
The S-50 also has a variant with a 75mm AA or TAZ-39 gun called the S-55 "Turenne" but which wasn't put in action with the Indochina Brigade, which is effectively a tank destroyer.

The S-50 will evolve towards the S-60 "Lodi", which will be a Franco-Canadian project, the Canadians not wanting the M3 that they judge to be too cumbersome (and taking too many men to operate) and limited in combat capacity. This one would have a 57mm 6-pounder gun and "only" 5 men compared to the 6 or 7 for the M3 Lee. It's a variant of the OTL Ram but with a French design instead of the British Cruiser. Similarly, it would have a variant called the S-65 "Lasalle", a tank destroyer doted with an improved 75mm TAZ gun. These would come into production in late-1942 to early 1943.

Finally, the main tank the French and Canadians will use (and by extension many of the "continental" allies) will be the S-90 "Rivoli", equipped with the much feared "75 long", which would enter service from 1943 onwards. It would be the OTL equivalent of the Grizzly for the Canadians.
Depending on when the war ends, there could also be the mass introduction of the S-110 "Wagram" which is designed to counter the Panther or Tiger tanks with an improved "75 long", once again based on the previous 75mm TAZ, improved to fit the specifications of late war. This one should enter production at the end of 1943 and will see service from 1944 onwards.

For those who follow FFO, the S-50 is a slightly more efficient version of the SAV-41.

 

[Sasza]

You're going too far ahead and overestimating the capabilities of such tanks. They will be something new and most likely some of the solutions for the M4 will be tested there earlier, but soon everyone will use the Sherman.

 

[Anarch King of Dipsodes]

A bit overdramatic considering that the "Army Corps" was composed of two divisions (a third neutered by the Thais), and that Slim's own divisions were not the dregs of the Indian Army either.

Generally speaking, 3 divisions ~= 1 corps. For instance, the OB of Allied forces on the Western Front in early 1945 had 21 corps (not counting two that were administrative HQs only). Of these, 15 were three divisions.

So it's really kind of an odd comparison. "Six of one, half a dozen of the other."

 

[Wings]

Generally speaking, 3 divisions ~= 1 corps. For instance, the OB of Allied forces on the Western Front in early 1945 had 21 corps (not counting two that were administrative HQs only). Of these, 15 were three divisions.

So it's really kind of an odd comparison. "Six of one, half a dozen of the other."

There was a word missing there, fixed.

 

[Wings]

You're going too far ahead and overestimating the capabilities of such tanks. They will be something new and most likely some of the solutions for the M4 will be tested there earlier, but soon everyone will use the Sherman.

The Sherman wasn't standardized in OTL, it likely won't be standardized here either. Even in OTL the French modified their own Shermans (at least those of the 2e DB).

 

[DracoLazarus]

S-65 "Lasalle" ? Does it have a big nose ?

 

[Bougnas]

The S-50 "Arcole" was developed from the S-40, modified to match the lessons learned from the Battles of France and Greece against German Panzers. It's essentially an S-40 chassis with the already proven 47mm high-velocity SA-39 TAZ anti-tank gun. The engine was changed from the French one to an American one, easier and cheaper to produce, and the tank was overall widened.
The S-50 also has a variant with a 75mm AA or TAZ-39 gun called the S-55 "Turenne" but which wasn't put in action with the Indochina Brigade, which is effectively a tank destroyer.

The S-50 will evolve towards the S-60 "Lodi", which will be a Franco-Canadian project, the Canadians not wanting the M3 that they judge to be too cumbersome (and taking too many men to operate) and limited in combat capacity. This one would have a 57mm 6-pounder gun and "only" 5 men compared to the 6 or 7 for the M3 Lee. It's a variant of the OTL Ram but with a French design instead of the British Cruiser. Similarly, it would have a variant called the S-65 "Lasalle", a tank destroyer doted with an improved 75mm TAZ gun. These would come into production in late-1942 to early 1943.

Finally, the main tank the French and Canadians will use (and by extension many of the "continental" allies) will be the S-90 "Rivoli", equipped with the much feared "75 long", which would enter service from 1943 onwards. It would be the OTL equivalent of the Grizzly for the Canadians.
Depending on when the war ends, there could also be the mass introduction of the S-110 "Wagram" which is designed to counter the Panther or Tiger tanks with an improved "75 long", once again based on the previous 75mm TAZ, improved to fit the specifications of late war. This one should enter production at the end of 1943 and will see service from 1944 onwards.

For those who follow FFO, the S-50 is a slightly more efficient version of the SAV-41.

Thanks for the explanation. Always like seeing Somua descendants in FFO-style timelines even if frankly the Ram was always the more logical option to produce, as the Somua would have needed a complete overhaul of the hull shape (wider but lower) and especially the automotives (engine and transmission) to stay relevant and at this point you might as well make a new tank on the best available powerplant, eg the Ram. Much like how the SARL 42 and FCM S40 showed the limits of retaining anything close to the 220hp powerplant (even a GM 6-71 won't change everything).

The funny thing with the long 75 I found out is that the ammo+case is dimensionally near identical to the 76 M1, just with more conservative loading/operating pressure and thus slightly lower muzzle velocity. It has the same potential. I would note that the Ram's turret front is designed in much the same way as the IS-2's with a fully removable mantlet and front piece, such that with a compact-enough mounting you could perfectly fit the 75 long in this.

 

[Pblouin21]

Thanks for the explanation. Always like seeing Somua descendants in FFO-style timelines even if frankly the Ram was always the more logical option to produce, as the Somua would have needed a complete overhaul of the hull shape (wider but lower) and especially the automotives (engine and transmission) to stay relevant and at this point you might as well make a new tank on the best available powerplant, eg the Ram. Much like how the SARL 42 and FCM S40 showed the limits of retaining anything close to the 220hp powerplant (even a GM 6-71 won't change everything).

The funny thing with the long 75 I found out is that the ammo+case is dimensionally near identical to the 76 M1, just with more conservative loading/operating pressure and thus slightly lower muzzle velocity. It has the same potential. I would note that the Ram's turret front is designed in much the same way as the IS-2's with a fully removable mantlet and front piece, such that with a compact-enough mounting you could perfectly fit the 75 long in this.

A modified M3 chassis (an M4) should be the basis of the French tank, rear transmission, lower silhouette, diesel engine, 3-man turret, the gun must also be manufactured in the USA or Canada, rather a 57mm while waiting for a version of 75mm TAZ which should be quite close to the 17 pounder.

 

[generalurist]

Seems instead of a Burma Front we'll have a Thailand Front. The thais will get to show off, but I fear the country overall will suffer badly.

There were quite a number of Vietnamese troops in that brigade, for numerous reason. First, for manpower. Second, because the French needed the expertise of locals to navigate the roads and communicate with the locals. And finally because it was a good propaganda boost to show French and Vietnamese fighting side by side.

Of course there's Vietnamese troops, but will any of them get promoted to officers? Or Will they be restricted to grunt roles?

The S-50 will evolve towards the S-60 "Lodi", which will be a Franco-Canadian project, the Canadians not wanting the M3 that they judge to be too cumbersome (and taking too many men to operate) and limited in combat capacity. This one would have a 57mm 6-pounder gun and "only" 5 men compared to the 6 or 7 for the M3 Lee. It's a variant of the OTL Ram but with a French design instead of the British Cruiser. Similarly, it would have a variant called the S-65 "Lasalle", a tank destroyer doted with an improved 75mm TAZ gun. These would come into production in late-1942 to early 1943.

France and Canada is one unexpected team up for tank development! Are the nearby British companies too overstretched to work with France? Still, having the design bureaus of lesser countries gain some wins is a nice way to make them more relevant, and hopefully boost their economy long term.

 

[Bougnas]

France and Canada is one unexpected team up for tank development! Are the nearby British companies too overstretched to work with France? Still, having the design bureaus of lesser countries gain some wins is a nice way to make them more relevant, and hopefully boost their economy long term.

Ram was already a Canadian-British project (some British engineers and officers assisted in development) so there is a precedent, but in any case the British were always short of engineers and draughtsmen (even as late as 1944) so the influx of French personnel could have been very useful if they could be allowed to work directly on British projects.

 

[Father Maryland]

Seems instead of a Burma Front we'll have a Thailand Front. The thais will get to show off, but I fear the country overall will suffer badly.

Of course there's Vietnamese troops, but will any of them get promoted to officers? Or Will they be restricted to grunt roles?

France and Canada is one unexpected team up for tank development! Are the nearby British companies too overstretched to work with France? Still, having the design bureaus of lesser countries gain some wins is a nice way to make them more relevant, and hopefully boost their economy long term.

Assuming the Free Thais make a good enough showing I could see Thailand getting aid post war and benefiting economically from US basing eventually becoming an asian tiger like Singapore/Taiwan/South Korea are in OTL.

Especially if they can get their military under control and avoid having coups every other day. In OTL it seems like the Thai military is often the biggest foe of Thai development and progress.

 

[Father Maryland]

For the secondary front maybe they could scavenge up some old 3 or 6 pounder anti torpedo boat guns from old pre dreads and give them a wheeled carriage to give some cheap and ok quality light artillery to secondary troops. Maybe also scrounge up some old Pom Pom guns and other various light naval guns.