List of World War II weapons of France

Ruby 1914-IMG 7361-gradient

Pistolet modèle 1935 noBG Ms

Berthier Mle 1907 15 M16

MAS Modèle 36

MAS38 greyBG

LMG 24 29 2

List of World War II weapons of France encompasses the various firearms, artillery pieces, vehicles, and other military equipment used by the French Armed Forces before and during World War II. France, having been quickly defeated in 1940, saw its weapons used by both the occupying German forces and the Free French Forces, as well as other Allies during the liberation of France.

Small Arms

Rifles

• MAS-36 rifle - The standard French infantry rifle at the outbreak of World War II.
• Lebel rifle - An older model still in use during the early stages of the war.

Pistols

• MAS 1935 pistol - A semi-automatic sidearm used by French military and police forces.
• Ruby pistol - Used mainly by the French Army during World War I, but some were still in service during World War II.

Submachine Guns

• MAS-38 - A French submachine gun that saw use early in the war.

Machine Guns

• Hotchkiss M1914 machine gun - The primary heavy machine gun of the French Army.
• FM 24/29 light machine gun - The standard French light machine gun.

Artillery

• Canon de 75 modèle 1897 - A revolutionary quick-firing field artillery piece that was also used during World War II.
• Canon de 155 C modèle 1917 Schneider - A heavy artillery piece used by the French army.

Armored Vehicles

• Char B1 - A French heavy tank known for its thick armor and powerful armament.
• Somua S35 - One of the most advanced French medium tanks at the outbreak of the war.
• Renault R35 - A light infantry support tank used by the French Army.

Aircraft

• Dewoitine D.520 - The most capable French fighter aircraft of the early World War II period.
• Bloch MB.152 - Another French fighter aircraft used during the early stages of the war.

Naval Weapons

• Le Fantasque-class destroyer - A class of large destroyers ("contre-torpilleurs") serving in the French Navy.
• Richelieu-class battleship - The newest and most powerful battleships of the French Navy at the start of World War II.

Miscellaneous

• Adrian helmet - The standard French military helmet during both World Wars.
• F1 grenade - A hand grenade design used by the French military.

The fall of France in 1940 led to a significant portion of these weapons being captured and used by the German forces under the designation of "Beutewaffen". Meanwhile, the Free French Forces, under General Charles de Gaulle, continued to use these and other Allied-supplied weapons throughout the conflict, contributing to the eventual liberation of France.