The FT-17 saw service initially in WWI on 31st May 1918 in the Forest of Retz and was considered a light tank designed to accompany infantry. By 1939 the French still had 1,600 FT-17s in their army and these saw service again in the defence of France in 1940 against the German Blitzkreig tactics. Mostly re-used by the Germans for internal security duties most FT-17s ended up (well the turrets at least) as part of the Seigfried line. Some were also encountered by the Allies in the North Africa