LORRAINE 37L

The 'Lorraine 37L' (, Tank Supply Tractor 37L) was a light tracked armoured vehicle developed by the Lorraine company to a French Army requirement.
Originally intended as a replacement for the 1931 model Renault UE Chenillette tracked infantry supply tractor, the Lorraine was ordered instead as a supply tractor to deliver fuel and munitions to armoured units in combat. As with the Renault UE, the TRC 37L was supplied with a tracked, armoured trailer. A total of 1012 TRC 37L tractors were ordered, of which around 480 had been delivered by June 1940.
The first development of the TRC 37L was the Lorraine 38L armoured personnel carrier (, Armoured infantry vehicle 38L). Like the TRC 37L, this vehicle was equipped with an armoured tracked trailer. The total capacity was 12 men: the driver and one passenger in the driving compartment, four in the the former cargo bay, and six in the trailer. A total of 240 VBCP 38L vehicles were ordered, of which around 150 were delivered by June 1940.
An improved model, the VBCP 39L, was created by expanding the cargo bay to carry eight passengers. This model had no trailer and a total capacity of ten persons. Some 200 VBCP 39L vehicles were ordered, but none were delivered by June 1940. Experimental and limited production models included tank destroyers armed with 47mm guns and command post vehicles.
As the Lorraine tractor was manufactured in the unoccupied zone of Vichy France, by Lorraine at Bagnères-de-Bigorre, and by Fouga at Béziers, limited production continued after June 1940, although military models were not officially produced. Lorraine tractors were fitted for use in forestry and construction. The AMX clandestinely produced armoured bodies for these vehicles which were stockpiled.
A considerable number of Lorraine tractors fell into German hands, and were used by the German Army to produced the Marder I tank destroyer.
Lorraine tractors were used after World War II for various experimental roles. A number were sold on the civilian market, being used to carry cranes and digging equipment.
The basis TRC 37L weighed 6 tonnes fully loaded, the trailer adding 1.9 tonnes. All vehicles in the series were powered by a 6 cylinder 3.5 liter engine developing 70 bhp at 2800 rpm.

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External links

Reference

★ Vauvillier, François & Jean-Michel Touraine, ''L'Automobile sous l'uniforme 1939–1940.'' Paris: Editions Ch. Massin, 1992. ISBN 2-7072-0197-9

External links

★ Chars-francais.net