French Hotchkiss Model 1914 And The Medal Of Honor

[bigwheelzip]

Reading of the WWI exploits of the hometown 27th NY Division, and it's 107th Regiment, I came across a reference to a Hotchkiss Gun in a Medal of Honor citation for three American soldiers.

The cited Hotchkiss M1914 was the dismounted main weapon on a disabled French tank used by the Americans.
It seems to be an excellent weapon and I'm surprised it doesn't get more notice. Normally it was fed by strips of ammo, but the tank mounted gun was equipped with 250rd belts.

The 4 Medals of Honor were for action along the left flank of the push through the Hindenburg line at the Battle of St. Quentin Canal.

Medal of Honor citations: O'RYAN'S ROUGHNECKS - 107TH INFANTRY MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS

Renault FT tank with Hotchkiss M1914 main gun, operated by the Americans in WWI. 950 of the FT tanks were produced in the USA, though none arrived before the Armistice:

Hotchkiss M1914, 7000 were purchased from the French and used by the Americans during the war:

Movement of US Divisions during the Battle of St. Quentin Canal:

The Hotchkiss fires the 8x50mmR Lebel round:

 

[Onomea]

Japanese has a lot of words borrowed from other languages. When I first worked in an office in Japan, I encountered the term “hochikisu,” which was clearly “Hotchkiss,” I realized, but I had no idea what that meant.

It turned out to mean stapler. I assume the reason is the first staplers to arrive in Japan were from the Hotchkiss company.

(Just looked it up. More than you’ll ever want to know about the Japanese and their Hotchkiss stapler: The Strange Tale of the Hotchkiss)

 

[PALADIN85020]

Many thanks for your research. I had no idea that the U.S. built some Renault tanks nor that we purchased Hotchkiss machine guns during the Great War.

It's always nice for me when I learn something new!

John

P.S. I love the M1911 pistol and the 1917 bolo knives carried on the belts of a couple of the doughboys. I have examples of each...

 

[bigwheelzip]

Many thanks for your research. I had no idea that the U.S. built some Renault tanks nor that we purchased Hotchkiss machine guns during the Great War.

I found this article on the Hotchkiss in an American Rifleman. American Rifleman | The Hotchkiss Model Of 1914 Heavy Machine Gun

This article about the US production of the tank says of the initial US order, only 950 were built, and none arrived in time for the fighting. The Renault FT built under license as the M1917, was the United States' first mass-produced tank.
M1917 light tank - Wikipedia

 

[jimmyj]

IIRC (?) the Japanese used a heavy machine gun like the French Hotchkiss during WWII

 

[jeffsmith]

Affirmative

Type_92_heavy_machine_gun

IIRC (?) the Japanese used a heavy machine gun like the French Hotchkiss during WWII

 

[jeffsmith]

WW1 George Patton & a Renault tank

Many thanks for your research. I had no idea that the U.S. built some Renault tanks nor that we purchased Hotchkiss machine guns during the Great War.

It's always nice for me when I learn something new!

John

P.S. I love the M1911 pistol and the 1917 bolo knives carried on the belts of a couple of the doughboys. I have examples of each...

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have almost 4000 rounds of 8mm x 50R (Lebel) ammo on Hotchkiss strips. We always call them "Typewriter Carriages". It is a great system, but would be a real pain in the confines of a Renault tank! (often referred to as a "Female" type tanks). The Japanese Type 92 MG also used the short strips. My best friend's dad was in "The Islands" during WWII, his comment on most Japanese weapons was negative, but the Nambu 92 in 6.5 was something they feared greatly!

Ivan

 

[jlrhiner]

P.S. I love the M1911 pistol and the 1917 bolo knives carried on the belts of a couple of the doughboys. I have examples of each...

And somehow, I came up with one of the sheaths pictured in the photo. No bolo, though.

 

[Recusant]

I believe Hayes Otoupalik out in Missoula, MT, has the only WW1 US Model 1917 Two Man Six Ton Light Tank that is operational. I'm sure Hayes will be at the Missoula Gun SHOW (Friday, July 31 - Saturday & Sunday August 1-2, 2015)

Hayes Otoupalik

 

[Valmet]

I have almost 4000 rounds of 8mm x 50R (Lebel) ammo on Hotchkiss strips. We always call them "Typewriter Carriages". It is a great system, but would be a real pain in the confines of a Renault tank! (often referred to as a "Female" type tanks). The Japanese Type 92 MG also used the short strips. My best friend's dad was in "The Islands" during WWII, his comment on most Japanese weapons was negative, but the Nambu 92 in 6.5 was something they feared greatly!

Ivan

Do you happen to have a 1914 Hotchkiss to go along with those cartridges?!

 

[bigwheelzip]

Do you happen to have a 1914 Hotchkiss to go along with those cartridges?!

I was wondering the same thing. Sure would extend the home defense radius a bit, even for zombies.

 

[LVSteve]

I have almost 4000 rounds of 8mm x 50R (Lebel) ammo on Hotchkiss strips. We always call them "Typewriter Carriages". It is a great system, but would be a real pain in the confines of a Renault tank! (often referred to as a "Female" type tanks). The Japanese Type 92 MG also used the short strips. My best friend's dad was in "The Islands" during WWII, his comment on most Japanese weapons was negative, but the Nambu 92 in 6.5 was something they feared greatly!

Ivan

IIRC the Type 3 was in 6.5x50 Arisaka, with the Type 92 chambered in 7.7x58. I wouldn't want to be at the pointy end of either.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Do you happen to have a 1914 Hotchkiss to go along with those cartridges?!

Not yet! I bought the ammo to sell and use in my Label carbine. Nobody wants 8mm Label! and I sold my carbine about 6 years ago. As I got old, I can't carry the 20mm ammo can I store it in, so it is always on the bottom of the stack in the garage!

I never tried it, but I have a 8mm X 52mmR Siamese Mauser. That is one of the strongest military actions in the world, if the ammo fits it won't hurt it! I have a 8 X 57 Spanish Mauser and a 8 X 56R Hungarian Mannlecher too and that ammo won't begin to work in them! (I have several hundred rounds for each!)

The old crew served machine guns were cheap in the 70's when I started, now everyone thinks they are made out of platinum! ( Dad had Hy Hunter catalogs from the late 50's and early 60's. You could buy a transferable crew served WWI MG in an odd round for $200 or less (plus transfer) and they usually came with all the accessories!

Ivan