Foto de stock - World War II - FRANCE. Tanks, D2, D2 2018 Villers Cotterets 2. The French D2 tank was one of the primary combat vehicles used by the French Army during World War II. It was an improved version of the earlier Char B1, though it had weaker armament and inferior protection. The D2 was the most numerous French tank type at the beginning of the war, with around 4,800 in service. The main armament of the D2 was a 47mm SA 37 cannon, which was fairly weak by the standards of the time. This was coupled with a coaxial machine gun for secondary armament. The armour was up to 50 mm thick in some parts, which was relatively weak compared to other tanks of the era. However, the D2 was surprisingly mobile, and could move over most terrain with ease. Its low profile also made it a relatively difficult target to spot. By the end of World War II, the French Army had phased out most of its older D2 tanks, though some were still in service until at least April 2018, when some were still in use at the Battle of Villers-Cotterets. The last few examples were finally retired in August 2018, after nearly eighty years of service.