The origins of the famous French Char B1 and B1bis lies in 1924. There were many false starts and political interventions which meant that the final decision to go into production was in 1934. Only a small number of B1s were produced (34), the bulk of production up to the capitulation of France in 1940 being the B1bis. (380)
The tank had many positive points, the first of these these being its armament, a 75mm howitzer in a forward sponson, and a 47mm A/T gun in a turret, as well as 2 MGs, heavy armour and, for an 'infantry' tank a relatively good turn of speed, both on and off road. These factors made it superior to anything the Germans had, or would have until 1942.
But there were two negatives in the design, both of which combined to be the 'achilles heel' of an otherwise great tank, and one which proved fatal in action. The first was the fact tat the turret 47mm AT gun was manned by only the tank commander in the one man turret. This slowed firing considerably. the second was that there was no room for a radio in all but company command vehicles. Flag orders simply did not cut it in a 'modern' combat zone.
German infantry and infantry anti tank weapons were of little use against the Char B1bis, and on more than one occasion the appearance of this tank resulted in the enemy running away.
Once France fell the Germans found a use for the remaining tanks, and converted 60 to the designation 'Flammwagen auf Panzerkampfwagon B-2(f)' flame tank. (Note, Anschluss produces this model separately under the German list)