► Photothread: French Equipment in German Service

A section dedicated to photo threads on panzer and other Axis vehicles.
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Sander D
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#571

Post by Sander D » 15 Jul 2005, 18:36

From expired e-bay sale's

Regards

Sander
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Renault Ue towing a HE-111.jpg
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french  Halftrack.jpg
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David Lehmann
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#572

Post by David Lehmann » 15 Jul 2005, 19:10

Hello Sander,

The hafltrack is probably a Citroen-Kegress P19.

Regards,

David


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stoveb
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#573

Post by stoveb » 15 Jul 2005, 22:49

Hi guys,

Some more images collected from ebay.

Thanks for the Peugeot ID David, I thought it looked very French, but couldn't tie it down.

Bill, yes it's a bit cold down here, but I'm really only using Vanderveen, Reinhard Frank's "Trucks of the Wehrmacht", and some guesses... might come unstuck in the following IDs though :)

Here are three images of Renault AGC's as an ambulance

Cheers
Steve
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stoveb
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#574

Post by stoveb » 15 Jul 2005, 22:53

and now some more AGCs and another Citroen T23 (?)
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renault 7.jpg
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stoveb
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#575

Post by stoveb » 15 Jul 2005, 22:57

Now for the hard ones... Three Renault AGKs (but I'm not sure about these IDs)
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stoveb
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#576

Post by stoveb » 15 Jul 2005, 23:02

Renault AGK (????) and two Unic halftracks
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stoveb
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#577

Post by stoveb » 15 Jul 2005, 23:05

now, three Renault AGRs (???)
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Renault AGR_a.jpg
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Renault AGR_KO.jpg
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stoveb
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#578

Post by stoveb » 15 Jul 2005, 23:09

now the hard stuff, Renault AHN, AHR, AHS (?????) not sure of how to ID each of these types

I think that's it for a while

Cheers
Steve
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Renault AHN.jpg
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Renault AHS.jpg
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Renault AHS_1.jpg
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David Lehmann
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#579

Post by David Lehmann » 15 Jul 2005, 23:37

Hi,

It's raining photos ! :)

Don't be "shy" Stoveb, I have books about French vehicles but I must admit I also often hesitate between different trucks.

AHS = 2 tons truck (23,000 produced for German use)
AHN = 3.5 tons truck (4,000 produced for German use)
AHR = 5 tons truck (about 2,000 produced for German use)
But they share the same overall shape. AHS is shorter than AHN which is also shorter than AHR.
These ones were not produced for the French army.

Here is a little summary about several French cars and "classical" trucks from the French army in 1940 :

CARS :

PEUGEOT 202 (small car)
900 cars used by the French army in 1940.
Weight : 0.9t
Length : 4.11m
Width : 1.50m
Height : 1.55m
Crew : 3-4 men
Maximum speed : 100 km/h

SIMCA CINQ (small car)
About 1000 cars used by the French army in 1940.
Weight : 0.535t
Length : 3.21m
Width : 1.27m
Crew : 2 men
Maximum speed : 85 km/h

RENAULT PRIMAQUATRE, CELTAQUATRE AND NOVAQUATRE (liaison car)
About 2300 cars used by the French army in 1940. Characteristics of the Primaquatre BDS 2 :
Weight : 1.55t
Length : 4.32m
Width : 1.60m
Height : 1.60m
Crew : 4-5 men
Maximum speed : 125 km/h

PEUGEOT 402 B and BL (liaison car)
1500 cars used by the French army in 1940.
Weight : 1.3t for the B and 1.4t for the BL
Length : 4.85m for the B and 4.92m for the BL
Width : 1.64m for the B and 1.68m for the BL
Height : 1.54m for the B and 1.65m for the BL
Crew : 4-6 men
Maximum speed : 125 km/h for the B and 115 km/h for the BL

CITROEN TRACTION (liaison car)
About 820 cars used by the French army in 1940. Characteristics of the TA11B (and 11BL) versions :
Weight : 1.10 t (1.06t)
Length : 4.65m (4.45m)
Width : 1.79m (1.67m)
Height : 1.54m (1.52m)
Crew : 4-5 men
Maximum speed : 115 km/h (120 km/h)

SIMCA HUIT (liaison car)
About 850 cars used by the French army in 1940.
Weight : 0.830t
Length : 4.05m
Width : 1.48m
Crew : 2 men
Maximum speed : 110 km/h

Other cars used for officers, HQ staff and liaison :
• Renault Vivaquatre, Vivastella and Viva Grand Sport
• Panhard Dynamic
• Hotchkiss type 680, 686, 864


VARIOUS 1.5t LIGHT TRUCKS : listing of the main trucks in troop transport version

PEUGEOT DK 5 J
About 6000 trucks used by the French army in 1940.
Weight : 1.85t (1.2t live load)
Length : 5.13m
Width : 1.85m
Height : 2.27m
Maximum speed : 70 km/h (4 cylinders engine, 2142 cm3, 45 hp at 3000 rpm)

RENAULT AGC
About 5260 trucks used by the French army in 1940.
Weight : 2.5t (1.5t live load)
Length : 5.68m
Width : 1.95m
Maximum speed : 65 km/h (4 cylinders engine, 2384 cm3, 44 hp at 2800 rpm)

CITROEN 23
About 12500 trucks used by the French army in 1940.
Weight : 2.02t (1.5t live load)
Length : 5.08m
Width : 1.96m
Height : 2.76m
Maximum speed : 70 km/h (4 cylinders engine, 1811 cm3, 42 hp at 3500 rpm)


VARIOUS 3.5t TRUCKS : listing of the main trucks in troop transport version

CITROEN 45
About 4000 trucks used by the French army in 1940.
Weight : 4.1t (3.5t live load)
Length : 6.38m
Width : 2.33m
Height : 3.00m
Maximum speed : 60 km/h (6 cylinders engine, 4580 cm3, 73 hp at 2500 rpm)

RENAULT AGR
The French army used about 3050 trucks in 1940.
Weight : 4.32t (3.5t live load)
Length : 6.45m
Width : 2.31m
Height : 2.88m
Maximum speed : 89 km/h (4 cylinders engine, 4000 cm3, 62 hp at 2200 rpm)

LATIL M2B3D
About 600 trucks used by the French army in 1940.
Weight :3.86t (3.5t live load)
Length : 6.90m
Width : 2.28m
Height : 2.77m
Maximum speed : 67 km/h (4 cylinders engine, 4080 cm3, 67 hp at 2200 rpm)

BERLIET VDCA
About 1102 trucks used by the French army in 1940.
Weight : 4.4t (3.5t live load)
Length : 7.00m
Width : 2.29m
Maximum speed : 67 km/h (4 cylinders engine, 4250 cm3, 60 hp)

PANHARD K101
About 670 trucks used by the French army in 1940.
Weight : 3.6t (3.5t live load)
Length : 6.40m
Width : 2.35m
Maximum speed : 59 km/h (4 cylinders engine, 3170 cm3, 70 hp)


VARIOUS 4.5t and 5.0t TRUCKS : listing of the main trucks in troop transport version

RENAULT AGK
About 1435 trucks used by the French army.
Weight : 5.54t (5.0t live load)
Length : 7.08m
Width : 2.35m
Maximum speed : 58 km/h (4 cylinders engine, 5881 cm3, 80 hp at 2200 rpm)

RENAULT AGK TTN39 (transport toute nature)
About 1450 trucks used by the French army.
Weight : 6.32t (5.0t live load)
Length : 7.57m
Width : 2.43m
Height : 2.94m
Maximum speed : 58 km/h (4 cylinders engine, 5881 cm3, 80 hp at 2200 rpm)

MATFORD F917-WS
About 1000 trucks used by the French army in 1940.
Weight : 3.8t (4.5t live load)
Length : 6.88m
Width : 2.35m
Height : 2.78m
Maximum speed : 74 km/h (8 cylinders V engine, 3621 cm3, 72 hp at 2750 rpm)

BERLIET GDRA
About 1485 trucks used by the French army in 1940.
Weight : 5.5t (5.0t live load)
Length : 7.58m
Width : 2.47m
Height : 2.79m
Maximum speed : 56 km/h (4 cylinders engine, 5700 cm3, 70 hp)

ROCHET SCHNEIDER 420 VLES
About 200 trucks used in tank units as well as about 100 trucks in workshop version.
Weight : 5.52t (5.0t live load)
Length : 7.20m
Width: 2.45m
Maximum speed : 58 km/h (4 cylinders engine, 4850 cm3, 70 hp)

LATIL FB6 and FSPB4
About 109 trucks used by the French army in 1940.
Weight : 5.655t (5.0t live load)
Length : 8.00m
Width : 2.40m
Height : 3.00m
Maximum speed : 58.5 km/h (4 cylinders engine)

SAURER 3 CT1 MI
About 900 trucks used by the French army in 1940.
Weight : 5.5t (5.0t live load)
Length : 7.78m
Width : 2.36m
Height : 2.82m
Maximum speed : 73 km/h

PANHARD K125
About 67 transport trucks and 209 workshop trucks used by the French army in 1940.
Weight : 6t (5.0t live load)
Length : 7.00m
Width : 2.50m
Maximum speed : 63 km/h (4 cylinders engine, 4850 cm3, 85 hp)


FOREIGN TRUCKS IN THE FRENCH ARMY IN 1940 :

In the French 1940 army, there were mostly various French trucks (Citroën, Peugeot, Panhard, Renault, Berliet, Bernard, Delahaye, Laffly, Latil, Matford, Rochet-Schneider, Somua, Unic, Willème etc.) but also several foreign ones.
Foreign trucks that could be found in the French army in 1940 were (number of trucks delivered) :
• GMC ACK 353 (2000)
• Studebaker K 25 (2000)
• Dodge VH 48 (1500)
• GMC AFWX 354 (116 used as projector carrier by the Air Force)
• White 920 et MACK EXBX fuel-trucks (?)
• White-Ruxtall 922 tank carrier (1 of 300)
• FIAT-SPA 38 (400)
• FIAT 626N (700)

There were also other vehicles ordered but of which very few were delivered or not delivered at all, mostly "ex-French" trucks delivered to Great Britain. For example :
• Chevrolet YS 4103
• Dodge VK 62
• GMC ACK 504
• Dodge T 203
• GMC ACKWX 353

Regards,

David

Bill Murray
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#580

Post by Bill Murray » 15 Jul 2005, 23:55

David:
Cannot thank you enough for that extensive listing and especially the quantities the French Forces had in 1940. Most valuable additional information. Probably not a question for the Forulm but as long as I am on, are there any good books available on French transport that were printed post 1985 or so??
I stopped buying books about that time as they sort of stopped getting written and have not really seriously looked for 20 years now. PM me if you wish.
Cheers
Bill

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David Lehmann
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#581

Post by David Lehmann » 16 Jul 2005, 00:12

Hi Bill,

One "must have" book where I find 90% of my information (the rest in magazines) about the French softskins of 1940 was published in 1992 but is out of print :

"L'automobile sous l'uniforme" by François Vauvillier
Editor : Massin
ISBN : 2-7072-0197-9

Here are more information about French softskins and various tractors in the army in 1940. I make just a copy/paste from the 93 pages document I have compiled about the 1940 French armament (info from books, magazines and wartime manuals or other wartime documents).

TANK DESTROYERS :

LAFFLY W15 TCC (CC = chasseur de chars = tank destroyer)
The Laffly W15 TCC has been produced in the May-June panic. A prototype has been tested during the Phoney war, and was fully armored. The early May engagements revealed the need for a self-propelled AT gun, and W15 chassis were requisitioned to receive 47mm L/53 Mle37 AT guns. Only the first vehicles were totally armored, for the others, armored plates were put to protect the front part of the vehicle and two small other plates were added to the conventional shield of the AT gun on the rear. 70 were operational by the end of May 1940 and saw action. They were issued to 14 anti-tank batteries (BACA = batterie d'anti-chars automoteurs) of 5 vehicles. Deployed in Abbeville for example but they had no Panzer to be opposed to there and they gave outstanding results on the Loire defenses but had little impact on the whole war. They proved to be very successful, lightly armored but fast and adapted to hit and run tactics. The 54th BACA commanded by lieutenant Brussaux for example, engaged from 5th June 1940 on, destroyed 28 German tanks, 5 German armored cars and one German aircraft in 8 days.
Weight : 4.96t
Crew : 3 men (an NCO, a gunner and a driver)
Maximum armor : 12-15mm
Maximum speed : 48 km/h (4 cylinders, 2300 cm3, 56 hp)
Armament : a 47mm SA37 L/53 AT gun (270° traverse towards rear, 30 shells) and a FM 24/29 AAMG (1000 rounds) – the crew has also a Thompson SMG with 500 rounds among other misc light armament.
ORGANIZATION OF A BACA (batterie d'anti-chars automoteurs = self-propelled AT battery)
• Tank destroyer platoon
o 1x Laffly V15R all-terrain liaison vehicle (with a FM 24/29 AAMG with 1000 rounds and a Thompson SMG with 500 rounds)
o 5x Laffly W15 TCC (each 1 47mm SA37 AT gun with 30 shells, 1 FM 24/29 AAMG with 1000 rounds and 1 Thompson SMG with 500 rounds)
o 3x Unic TU1 tractors with 3 Mle1937 infantry trailer, each tractor and trailer carrying 200 shells of 47mm ammunition (each 1 Thompson SMG with 500 rounds)
o 2 motorcycles

• 25mm AA platoon
o 3x 25mm Mle1939 Hotchkiss AA guns each towed each by a Laffly W15 T (towing the gun and carrying ammunition and the crew)
o 1x extra Laffly W15 T used for recovery purpose and extra ammuntion
o 1x 5t lorry transporting eighty cases of forty 25mm ammunition (3200 shells)
o 1x liaison vehicle
o 2x trucks (and 2 FM 24/29 LMGs)
o 2x motorcycles
o 1x bicycle (transported on a truck during movements)

• Battery general services
o 1x Laffly S25 T (towing/repair vehicle)
o 2x trucks
o 2x lorries
o 1x trailer (field kitchen)

--> 3 officers, 21 NCOs and 64 men = 88 soldiers and the armament consists in 5 self-propelled AT guns (150 shells per gun), 3 25mm AA guns, 8 LMGs, 9 Thompson SMGs and other small arms (carbines, pistols etc.).

LORRAINE 37L CC (CC = chasseur de chars = tank destroyer)
The Lorraine 37L was armed with a 47mm SA37 L/53 AT gun, designed to be a tracked tank destroyer, to ambush the German armored divisions. Manufacturing started in May 1940 and those that arrived to the front had little impact on the war.


SUPPLY TRACTORS :

CHENILLETTE RENAULT UE
Made by Renault (produced by Renault, AMX, Berliet and Fouga), the UE supply carrier (infantry and cavalry units) had a crew of two men and generally no armament (sometimes an AA mount with a FM 24/29 and rarely a 25mm SA34/37 AT gun). The Renault UE (model 1931) and UE2 (model 1937, produced in 1939 - modified gearbox) was the vehicle produced in the highest number before June 1940 with 5148 vehicles delivered to the French Army. During May/June 1940 several Renault UE were armed with a 7.5mm FM 24/29 LMG (even protected by sandbags) and some were equipped with a 7.5mm MAC1931 MG in an armored AMX casemate intitially intended for an export version to China (1500 vehicles ordered in June 1940). Some rare vehicles were mounting a 25mm AT gun (150 vehicles ordered in June 1940). A typical north-east infantry regiment has 9 Renault UE and a motorized infantry regiment is equipped with 15 Renault UE. The trailer that is often towed can be tracked or wheeled, depending of the ground the tracks are used or not. The Renault UE carrier is used to :
• carry ammunitions
• tow a 25mm AT gun (behind the carrier or the carrier + trailer)
• carry the equipment of a MG platoon (4 MGs) or a mortar squad (2 mortars)
The 2 crew members are side by side but separated by part of the engine. In combat situation with bullets and shrapnels all around, they cannot speak together ; they are protected by armored rounded dome covers. In that case, they communicate thanks to lights on an orders transmitter panel (advance, speed up, slow down, right, left, stop, unhook, tip up etc.). If towing a 25mm SA34/37 AT gun, the Renault UE carries generally also AT mines and reserve shells for the 25mm AT gun in the tipper. The trailer is then only used to carry the personal equipments of the AT gun crew. If the Renault UE is used as ammunition supply tractor for the frontline units it can carry enough supply for a rifle company :

1) In the tipper :
• 8100x 7.5mm cartridges for the FM 24/29 LMG
• 2088x rifle/carbine cartridges (8mm or 7.5mm)
• 150x hand grenades
• 144x VB grenades (rifle grenades)
OR
• 18000x cartridges

2) In the trailer :
• 162x mortar shells
• 8500x cartridges
OR
• 15000x cartridge
s
Weight : 2.640t for the tractor (live load 0.660t) + 0.776t for the trailer (live load 0.500t) (total live load = 1.160t)
Length : 2.80m (+ 2.59m for the trailer)
Width : 1.74m (1.62m for the trailer)
Height : 1.25m (0.77m for the trailer)
Crew : 2 men
Maximum armor : 9mm
Maximum speed : 30 km/h (15-20 km/h offroad) (Renault engine, 4 cylinders, 40 hp at 2800 rpm, 2120 cm3)
Transmission : 3 forward, 1 reverse (UE) or 4 forward, 1 reverse (UE2)
Armament : sometimes FM 24/29 LMG and more rarely MAC1931 in an AMX casemate or 25mm SA34/37 AT gun.

RENAULT 36R - TRC (tracteur de ravitaillement de chars = tanks supply tractor)
The Renault 36R was a tank unit supply tractor, often towing a 450 l fuel tank tracked trailer. 260 vehicles delivered to the French army.
Weight : 2.7t (live load 1.4t)
Length : 3.15m
Width : 1.70m
Height : 1.90m
Crew : 2 men
Maximum speed : 35 km/h (Renault engine, 4 cylinders, 38 hp)

LORRAINE 37L - TRC (tracteur de ravitaillement de chars = tanks supply tractor)
The Lorraine 37L TRC was a tank unit supply carrier often towing a 565 l fuel tank tracked trailer. The tractor itself carried ammunitions, oil and water. 482 vehicles delivered in 1939/1940 to the French army.
Weight : 5.24t for the tractor + 1.2t for the trailer (live load 0.81t + 0.69t = 1.5t)
Length : 4.20m (+ 2.70m for the trailer)
Height : 1.21m (1.30m for the trailer)
Crew : 2 men
Maximum speed : 35 km/h (Delahaye engine, 6 cylinders, 70 hp, 3550 cm3)
Autonomy : 135 km


TROOP CARRIERS :
VLTT : "voiture de liaison tout terrain" = cross country liaison vehicle
VDP : "voiture de Dragons Portés" = "Dragons Portes's car" (vehicle used to carry Dragons and/or Chasseurs motorized infantry)
VBCP : "voiture blindée de Chasseurs Portés" = "Chasseurs Portes's armoured car" (APC used to carry Chasseurs mechanized infantry)
LAFFLY V15R (VLTT)
63 VLTT were in service in 1940, usually in various HQ staffs.
Weight : 2.15t (live load 0.45t)
Length : 4.25m
Width : 1.80m
Height : 1.25m
Crew : 4-5 passengers
Maximum speed : 79 km/h (4 cylinders, 2300 cm3, 55 hp at 3200 rpm)

LAFFLY S15R (VLTT)
The French army had at least 576 of these vehicles.
Weight : 2.85t (live load 0.80t)
Length : 4.64m
Width : 1.85m
Height : 2.15m
Crew : 6 passengers
Maximum speed : 72 km/h (4 cylinders, 2312 cm3, 52 hp at 3200 rpm)

CITROEN-KEGRESSE P19B (CK P19B) (VLTT)
The French army used about 600 of these liaison halftracks in 1939.
Weight : 2.23t (live load 0.65t)
Length : 4.70m
Width : 1.70m
Crew : 6 passengers
Maximum speed : 52 km/h (6 cylinders, 2442 cm3, 42 hp at 2800 rpm)

CITROEN-KEGRESSE P19 (CK P19) (VDP)
Used by the French army since 1932 and still 547 halftracks in service in 1940. Sometimes also used as a tank destroyer version carrying a 25mm L/72 AT gun. These halftracks were usually issued to the Dragons (motorized infantry) regiments (RDP = Régiment de Dragons Portés) of the DLCs (Division Légère de Cavalerie).
At the mobilization in 1939, there were 547 CK P19. The 1e and 4e RDP had been completely equipped with 6-wheels vehicles (Laffly S20TL for the 1e RDP and Lorraine 28 for the 4e RDP). The former CK P19s of these units were then issued to other units during the winter 1939-1940. Most of the CK P19 took part in the May/June 1940 campaign, being issued to the RDP of the various DLC : 2e, 3e, 5e, 14e and 15e RDP (depending from the 3e, 2e, 1e, 4e and 5e DLC). These RDP had 2 battalions, one equipped with the CK P19 halfracks and one equipped with light trucks (Peugeot DK 5 J, Citroën 23 or Renault ADK probably).
Weight : 2.23t (live load 0.7t)
Length : 4.70m
Width : 1.70m
Crew : 7 men
Maximum speed : 46 km/h (6 cylinders, 2442 cm3, 42 hp at 2800 rpm)
Autonomy : 350 km
Armament : none except AAMG mounts for protection during travel

LORRAINE 28 (VDP)
The Lorraine 28 is a softskin personal carrier adopted in 1937. 332 vehicles were delivered but the Laffly 20TL was better and it stopped the production of the Lorraine 28. It equipped units of the DLMs and the DCRs at the beginning. In 1940 the 4e RDP was equipped with this vehicle.
Weight : 3.78t (live load 2.72t)
Length : 4.84m
Width : 2.08m
Crew : 10 men
Maximum speed : 65 km/h (4 cylinders, 4710 cm3, 55 hp at 2000 rpm)
Armament : none for the carrier except AAMGs during travel (two hatches on the roof and AAMG mounts)

LAFFLY S20 TL (VDP)
The Laffly S20TL is a softskin personal carrier, developed during 1934-1937, also known as "VDP" for "voiture de Dragons Portés", Dragons Portes's car. Each Laffly S20TL was equipped with two AA mounts which could possibly be fitted on each aft corner, on each side, and on the centre the first row of rear seats and the rest of the hull. The devices could accommodate either a FM 24/29 or a 8 mm Hotchkiss MG. However for combat, both LMGs were supposed to be used by the squad (only during transport would the LMGs be used in an AA role. 630 S20TL vehicles had been delivered in 1940 to the French army for a total of 1175 ordered. The troop carriers were usually issued to the DLMs and DCRs. There were also other variants of the Laffly S20 : a fuel tank version (39 vehicles), a command / radio truck (69 vehicles) and a tank destroyer version of the S20 TL carrying a 25mm L/72 AT gun (40 vehicles) used for example in the 4th DCR. The characteristics of the Laffly S20 TL are :
Weight : 3.9t (live load 1.75t and could tow 3.00t)
Length : 5.35m
Width : 2.00m
Height : 1.67m (2.45m covered)
Crew : 13 men
Maximum speed : 65 km/h (6 cylinders, 3016 cm3, 68 hp at 3200 rpm)
Autonomy : 138 km
Armament : none for the carrier except an AAMG during travel, a 25mm SA-L Mle34 L/72 AT gun for the tank destroyer version

LORRAINE 38L (VBCP)
The Lorraine 38L is the French armored personal carrier also known as "VBCP" for "voiture blindée de Chasseurs Portés", Chasseurs Portes's armoured car. 440 vehicles were ordered but only 150 vehicles delivered and usually found in the DCRs. French troop transports are fitted with one or more anti-aircraft mountings for the passenger’s machine-guns, allowing them to fire from the vehicle. The Lorraine 38L had a carry capacity of 12 men (6 in the tractor and 6 in the trailer). The platoon leader's vehicle had only 7 occupants so there would have been ample space in the trailer for ammunitions and other items. The bigger Lorraine 39L model, expected to be in mass production from August 1940, had a capacity of 10 men without trailer. Only one Lorraine 39L was built before the armistice.
30 Lorraine 38L have been modified in 1944 for the FFI (Free French forces of the Interior) and armed with a German MG151/15 (15mm) aircraft heavy machinegun, this model was then called Lorraine 44.
Weight : 5.46t + 2.05t for the trailer (live lioad 0.5t + 1t = 1.5t)
Length : 4.20m (+ 3.42m for the trailer)
Width : 1.57m (1.55m for the trailer)
Height : 1.95m
Crew : 1 driver + 6 men in the chenillette and 6 men in the trailer
Maximum armor : 8mm
Maximum speed : 35 km/h (6 cylinders, 3556 cm3, 70 hp at 2800 rpm)
Autonomy : 135 km


ARTILLERY TRACTORS (trucks and halftracks) :

LAFFLY V15T
About 200 light artillery tractors were in service in 1940. Used to tow the 25mm AT guns in cavalry units.
Weight : 2.60t (live load 0.70t)
Length : 4.21m
Width : 1.85m
Height : 1.85m (covered)
Maximum speed : 58 km/h (4 cylinders, 2300 cm3, 55 hp at 3200 rpm)

LATIL M7 T1
About 170 light artillery tractors were in service in 1940. Used to tow the 25mm AT guns in various units.
Weight : 2.45t (live load 0.70t)
Length : 4.10m
Width : 1.80m
Height : 1.80m (covered)
Maximum speed : 60 km/h (4 cylinders, 2720 cm3, 50 hp at 2200 rpm)

UNIC TU1
About 236 infantry tractors were in service in 1940. Used to tow the 25mm AT guns and Mle1937 infantry trailer for supply task.
Weight : 2.165t (live load 0.50t + 0.66t in trailer = 1.16t)
Length : 4.20m
Width : 1.60m
Height : 1.31m
Maximum speed : 46 km/h (4 cylinders, 2151 cm3, 49 hp at 2650 rpm)

LAFFLY W15T
80 artillery tractors were in service in 1940. Used to tow the 47mm AT guns.
Weight : 3.25t (live/towed load 1.2t)
Length : 4.50m
Width : 1.90m
Height : 2.35m
Maximum speed : 51 km/h (4 cylinders, 2300 cm3, 56 hp)

CITROEN-KEGRESSE P17 (CK P17)
The French army used 1442 pieces of this halftracked artillery tractor in September 1939. Generally towing 25mm AA guns, 47mm AT guns and 75mm AT and field guns.
Weight : 1.85t (live load 0.7t + towed load 1.3t)
Length : 4.38m
Width : 1.69m
Height : 2.09m
Maximum speed : 32 km/h (4 cylinders, 1770 cm3, 31.5 hp at 2800 rpm)

UNIC P107
3932 pieces of this halftracked artillery tractor were in service in 1940. Used to tow the 75mm and 105mm C field guns. One such tractor carried 72 shells (75mm) and 6-8 men (including 1 driver and the crew of the towed gun). In the 75mm Mle1897 batteries towed by Unic P107s, each gun had immediately 72 shells available plus those in the ammunition trucks. There were also an engineer version of the P107, an air force tractor version as well as 2 vehicles converted to radio trucks (ER30 / R30 radio sets) and used by the 1e DCR.
Weight : 3.55t (live load 1.5t + towed load 1.5t in offroad, on a road it can tow 10.0t)
Length : 4.85m
Width : 1.80m
Height : 2.30m
Maximum speed : 45 km/h (4 cylinders, 3460 cm3, 62 hp at 3200 rpm)

LAFFLY S15T
411 artillery tractors were in service in 1940. Used to tow the 75mm and 105mm C field guns.
Weight : 3.90t (live load 1.4t + towed load 1.8t)
Length : 4.70m
Width : 1.80m
Height : 2.35m
Maximum speed : 51 km/h (4 cylinders, 2300 cm3, 42 hp at 2800 rpm)

LAFFLY S25T
108 artillery tractors were in service in 1940. Used to tow the 105mm L Schneider field guns.
Weight : 5.50t (live/towed load 1.5t)
Length : 4.85m
Width : 2.10m
Height : 2.50m
Maximum speed : 40 km/h (4 cylinders, 3450 cm3, 60 hp at 2500 rpm)

SOMUA MCG4, MCG5 and MCG11
The French army used 345 Somua MCG5 to tow the 105mm L Mle1936 Schneider guns and caissons, 315 Somua MCG4 and MCG11 to to tow the 155mm C Mle1917 Schneider guns and 312 Somua MCG5 to tow the caissons of the 155mm C Mle1917 Schneider guns.There are also about 440 Somua MCG4 and MCG5 recovery tractors (theoretically 1 for each 47mm AT gun, 75mm Mle1897 field gun, 105mm L Mle1936 and 155mm C Mle1917 battery as well as 3 for each light tank battalion). There are aslo 24 Somua MCG 4 halftracks in the French navy to tow 8 155mm L Mle1932 Schneider guns (3 per gun). There is therefore a total of about 1436 Somua MCG tractors used by the French troops in 1940.
Concerning the 105mm L Mle1936 gun : a first Somua MCG towed the gun and carried 28 shells. A second Somua MCG carried the crew of the gun (8 men), various equipments and towed a Mle1939 Somua trailer with 64 shells. The second Somua MCG instead of the crew could carry 28 additional shells (if the crew was transported in other vehicles). Each 105mm L Mle1936 had therefore 92-105 shells immediately available.
Concerning the 155mm C Mle1917 gun : a first Somua MCG and towed the gun and carried 12 shells. A second Somua MCG carried the crew of the gun (8 men), various equipments towed a Mle1935 Somua trailer with 34 shells. The second Somua MCG instead of the crew could carry 20 additional shells (if the crew was transported in other vehicles). Each 155mm C Mle1917 had therefore 46-66 shells immediately available.
Weight : 4.92t for the tractor and 6.8t for the standard halftrack (live load 1.5t + towed load 3.5t)
Length : 5.20m for the tractor and 5.30m for the standard halftrack
Width : 2.17m
Height : 2.60m for the tractor and 2.85m for the standard halftrack
Maximum speed : 31 km/h (4 cylinders, 4712 cm3, 55 hp for MCG4 and 60 hp for MCG5 and MCG11)

SOMUA MCL5 and MCL11
About 15 pieces Somua MCL5 (including 1 MCL11 ?) are used by the French army in 1939 to tow 155mm GPF field guns. The French army used also 148 Somua MCL5 tractors in tank repair/recovery units.
Weight : 8.50t for the MCL5 and 9.96t for the MCL11
Length : 5.62m for the MCL5 and 5.40m for the MCL11
Width : 2.08m for the MCL5 and 1.95m for the MCL11
Height : 2.33m
Maximum speed : 31 km/h (4 cylinders, 4712 cm3, 60 hp)

LAFFLY S35T
225 artillery tractors and towing/recovery tractors were in service in 1940. Used to tow the 155mm GPFT and 155mm C Schneider field guns.
Weight : 8.05t (live load 1.2t)
Length : 5.50m
Width : 2.35m
Height : 2.85m
Maximum speed : 40 km/h (4 cylinders, 6232 cm3, 100 hp at 2200 rpm)

CITROEN-KEGRESSE P14 (CK P14)
The French army used 52 pieces of this halftracked artillery tractor in September 1939. Generally towing the 155mm C Schneider field gun.
Weight : 3.6t (live/towed load 1.7t)
Length : 4.87m
Width : 1.75m
Maximum speed : 25 km/h (6 cylinders, 2655 cm3, 48 hp at 2800 rpm)

LATIL TAR, TAR4, TAR5 and FTAR heavy artillery tractor
The French army used 2365 pieces of this tractor in 1940.
Weight : 5.80t - 7.03t according to various versions
Length : 5.90m
Width : 2.25m
Height : 2.10m
Maximum speed : 17 km/h (43 hp, 1300 rpm) for TAR, 20 km/h (62 hp, 1500 rpm) for TAR4 and 28 km/h (60 hp, 1750 rpm) for TAR

LATIL TAR H2 heavy artillery tractor
The French army used 571 pieces of this tractor in 1940.
Weight : 6.50t (live load 3.00t)
Length : 5.90m
Width : 2.25m
Height : 2.90m
Maximum speed : 30 km/h (4 cylinders, 6082 cm3, 68 hp at 1750 rpm)


Simplified table indicating which vehicle is theoretically used to tow which gun :

1) 25mm AT gun, 20-25mm AA guns etc.
• Unic TU1 (25mm AT and wheeled supply trailer)
• Renault UE (25mm AT and tracked supply trailer)
• Latil M7T1 (25mm AT)
• Laffly V15T (25mm AT)
• Latil M7Z1 (25mm AA)

2) 47mm AT gun, 75mm field gun and 105mm C field gun
• Citroën-Kégresse P17
• Unic P107
• Laffly S15T
• Laffly W15T

3) 105mm L and 155mm C field gun
• Citroën-Kégresse P14
• Somua MCG (4, 5 and 11)
• Laffly S25T
• Latil KTL4

4) 155mm GPF and GPFT
• Somua MCL (5 and 11)
• Laffly S35T (dedicated to the 155mm GPFT)

5) Various heavy artillery
• Older Panhard K13 and Renault EG still in service
• Latil TAR, TAR4, TAR5 and FTAR
• Laril TAR H2


TANK TOWING / RECOVERY TRACTORS :

From 1935 on, the typical tow truck was the Somua MCL5, but this vehicle reached its limits with the B series heavy tanks because of its only 90 hp engine. Therefore the Laffly S45T had been developed but only 12 vehicles were delivered, explaining that the Somua MCL5 was sometimes replaced by the Laffly S35T.
The Laffly S35 has been developed to tow the 155mm GPF gun, the 155mm GPFT gun and the 220mm C Mle1916 heavy mortar. Only 225 Laffly S35 had been delivered, 170 of them in the towing version with a winch. That means that the Somua MCL5 was still widely in use and that in the artillery units the heavy pieces were still mostly towed by vehicles like the Latil TARH2. All these wreckers should have been replaced by the huge Latil M4TX (8x8, 140 hp) but this one only reached the prototype level in 1940. The Latil M4TX could easily tow 100t, which is to say it could easily tow a B1bis tank with blocked or destroyed tracks.

SOMUA MCL5
The French army used also 148 Somua MCL5 tractors in tank repair/recovery units.
Weight : 10.9t (live load 2.5t)
Length : 5.48m
Width : 2.10m
Height : 3.00m with crane
Maximum speed : 31 km/h (4 cylinders, 6558 cm3, 90 hp at 2000 rpm)

LAFFLY S45T
The French army used 17 pieces of this tractor in 1940 in tank repair/recovery units.
Weight : 8.2t (live load 2.0t)
Length : 5.70m
Width : 2.25m
Maximum speed : 36 km/h (4 cylinders, 6232 cm3, 110 hp at 2200 rpm)


TANK CARRIERS :

Until 1935/1937 most of the tank carriers were simply trucks with an embarkation ramp allowing the truck to carry the tank. This solution had been adopted in the 20's for strategic movements.
For the new light tanks (R35, FCM36, H35, H39 ...) special lifting-carrier trucks (camions "leveurs-porteurs") were also developed : Berliet GPE2 (1 produced), Berliet GPE3 (2 produced), Berliet GPE4 (32 produced) and Willeme DW12A truck (5 produced).
The theoretical strength was at first 3 lifting-carrier trucks for a battalion of 45 light tanks and later only 1 lifting-carrier truck complemented by 2 simple tank carrier trucks with no special device except a winch and an embarkation / disembarkation ramp. Of these tank carriers, 430 Bernard trucks had been ordered for example, but only 73 were delivered. 300 White-Ruxtall 922 US tank carriers had also been ordered but only one vehicle could be delivered. 5 ex-Spanish Autocar (US trucks) were also used.
Medium (D2, Somua S35 ...) or heavy (B1 and B1bis) tanks needed a dedicated trailer towed by a tractor (Somua MCL5, Somua MCL6, Laffly S35T, Laffly S45T or Latil M4T). There were two types of trailers : 20t and 30t. These trailers were produced by Titan, Coder, Lagache & Glazmann ... Theoretically there should be one trailer for a company of 10 Renault B1bis and two trailers for a squadron of 20 Somua S35 cavalry tanks. Only 60 20t trailers and 40 30t trailers had been delivered to the French army.

BERNARD 15-16 tons tank carrier truck
430 ordered trucks but only 73 were delivered from March to May 1940
Weight : 11.760 t
Length : 5.80 m
Width : 2.50 m
Height : 1.40 m
Maximum speed : 48 km/h (6 cylinders engine, 8350 cm3, 110 hp at 1750 rpm, diesel, 5 forward + 1 reverse gear)
Autonomy : 700 km

Initially the truck shoud have had a 150 hp engine for a top speed of 60 km/h. On the other hand the initial requirements asked for an autonomy of only 200 km. With its diesel engine the autonomy reached 700 km.



MOTORCYCLES :

1) Ordinary solo motorcycles :
• Peugeot P107 and P122
• Terrot HSTA and HAD
• Gnôme & Rhône Major and Supermajor

2) Cross-country solo motorcycles :
• Terrot RATT and RDTT
• Gnôme & Rhône and Motobécane D5A
• Simca-Sevitame B
• Peugeot TT112

and a few British ones :
• Royal Enfield 350
• Ariel 350
• Velocette 350
• Triumph 500

3) Motorcycles with side-car :
• Terrot RDA
• Monet-Goyon L5A1
• René Gillet K1 and G1
• René Gillet Type L1
• Gnôme & Rhône XA
• Terrot VATT
• Gnôme & Rhône AX2

and a few from foreign origin :
• Indian 340B (USA)
• Gillet-Herstal 373 (Belgium)

Regards,

David

M J C
Member
Posts: 231
Joined: 16 Jul 2005, 16:55
Location: UK

#582

Post by M J C » 16 Jul 2005, 17:34

Hi I am a new member here, I was pointed here by a friend after they saw a mention of my article on The Renault UE in German service in MMI magazine, which got a mention in this forum a little whicle ago. Therefore as you my guess I find this post most interesting, particularly about the Renault UE, certainly some new information for me here, great stuff!
I love these little vehicles and find them rather fascinating, I collect original photos of them also, and information about them.

Super post David.

Regards Mark

CHENILLETTE RENAULT UE
Made by Renault (produced by Renault, AMX, Berliet and Fouga), the UE supply carrier (infantry and cavalry units) had a crew of two men and generally no armament (sometimes an AA mount with a FM 24/29 and rarely a 25mm SA34/37 AT gun). The Renault UE (model 1931) and UE2 (model 1937, produced in 1939 - modified gearbox) was the vehicle produced in the highest number before June 1940 with 5148 vehicles delivered to the French Army. During May/June 1940 several Renault UE were armed with a 7.5mm FM 24/29 LMG (even protected by sandbags) and some were equipped with a 7.5mm MAC1931 MG in an armored AMX casemate intitially intended for an export version to China (1500 vehicles ordered in June 1940). Some rare vehicles were mounting a 25mm AT gun (150 vehicles ordered in June 1940). A typical north-east infantry regiment has 9 Renault UE and a motorized infantry regiment is equipped with 15 Renault UE. The trailer that is often towed can be tracked or wheeled, depending of the ground the tracks are used or not. The Renault UE carrier is used to :
• carry ammunitions
• tow a 25mm AT gun (behind the carrier or the carrier + trailer)
• carry the equipment of a MG platoon (4 MGs) or a mortar squad (2 mortars)
The 2 crew members are side by side but separated by part of the engine. In combat situation with bullets and shrapnels all around, they cannot speak together ; they are protected by armored rounded dome covers. In that case, they communicate thanks to lights on an orders transmitter panel (advance, speed up, slow down, right, left, stop, unhook, tip up etc.). If towing a 25mm SA34/37 AT gun, the Renault UE carries generally also AT mines and reserve shells for the 25mm AT gun in the tipper. The trailer is then only used to carry the personal equipments of the AT gun crew. If the Renault UE is used as ammunition supply tractor for the frontline units it can carry enough supply for a rifle company :

1) In the tipper :
• 8100x 7.5mm cartridges for the FM 24/29 LMG
• 2088x rifle/carbine cartridges (8mm or 7.5mm)
• 150x hand grenades
• 144x VB grenades (rifle grenades)
OR
• 18000x cartridges

2) In the trailer :
• 162x mortar shells
• 8500x cartridges
OR
• 15000x cartridge
s
Weight : 2.640t for the tractor (live load 0.660t) + 0.776t for the trailer (live load 0.500t) (total live load = 1.160t)
Length : 2.80m (+ 2.59m for the trailer)
Width : 1.74m (1.62m for the trailer)
Height : 1.25m (0.77m for the trailer)
Crew : 2 men
Maximum armor : 9mm
Maximum speed : 30 km/h (15-20 km/h offroad) (Renault engine, 4 cylinders, 40 hp at 2800 rpm, 2120 cm3)
Transmission : 3 forward, 1 reverse (UE) or 4 forward, 1 reverse (UE2)
Armament : sometimes FM 24/29 LMG and more rarely MAC1931 in an AMX casemate or 25mm SA34/37 AT gun.

[
Attachments
GUE 3.jpg
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David Lehmann
Member
Posts: 2863
Joined: 01 Apr 2002, 11:50
Location: France

#583

Post by David Lehmann » 16 Jul 2005, 20:26

Hello Mark,

Welcome on the forum !
I suppose that the information you were lacking previously are from wartime French manuals for the infantry.

Regards,

David

M J C
Member
Posts: 231
Joined: 16 Jul 2005, 16:55
Location: UK

#584

Post by M J C » 17 Jul 2005, 03:14

David
Thanks for welcoming me to the forum.
As I cannot understand French that would certainly be true! On the subject of the Renault UE, does anyone have any photos of the truck type bodied UE in German service? Photos of these do seem rare anyway. I have never seen any photos of these in Wehrmacht use.

Mark

Patrice
Member
Posts: 722
Joined: 03 May 2004, 17:44
Location: Liège Belgium

#585

Post by Patrice » 17 Jul 2005, 10:31

Hello.
Some pictures from 'Steel Master' of French vehicle in German service.
Patrice.
Attachments
Copie de UE Schlepper & Pak 97.38.JPG
Copie de UE Schlepper & Pak 97.38.JPG (55.66 KiB) Viewed 7892 times
Renault.JPG
Renault.JPG (58.53 KiB) Viewed 7887 times
Mattford or Renault AGK.JPG
Mattford or Renault AGK.JPG (38.44 KiB) Viewed 7884 times

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