Stock Photo - World War II - FRANCE. Tanks, Somua S-35, Somua S 35 tanks 1940. The Somua S-35 was a French cavalry tank of the Second World War. It was designed to replace the aging WWI light tanks used by the French Army and was intended to be a match for the German Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks. It was one of the most heavily armed and best protected tanks in service when it was introduced in 1936. The Somua S-35 saw service in the Battle of France in 1940 and was used in reconnaissance, support and shock roles. It was later employed in the North African theatre and in small numbers in the defence of France in 1944.