TRC 37 L Lorraine

The Chenillette Lorraine formed part of a military production programme ordered to replace the Renault UE light tracked infantry transport vehicle. The requirement for the new vehicles was set in the context of the expanding mechanisation programme that envisaged light, tracked armoured vehicles operating in logistic and support roles. The development of the mechanisation programme was pointing to a need particularly for more powerful and versatile machines. The Chenillette Type 37L met these requirements extremely well. The power plant, a 70hp Delahaye Type 135, was a considerable improvement on its predecessors. The basic, elongated vehicle chassis, suspended on three bogies each side gave better traction and the transport capacity was increased. It was decided to equip the Armoured Divisions (Divisions Cuirassees) then in formation with the new Chenillettes to be known as tank resupply vehicles or tracteur de ravitaillement pour chars TRC). Several versions and roles were envisaged: supply and ammunition vehicles with a tracked trailer; supply and ammunition vehicles with a tracked petrol trailer for refuelling battle tanks; and armoured personnel carriers for light infantry with a specially designed tracked trailer.

Only the first two versions went into major series production. Prototype construction and series production was undertaken by the Company's original factory at Luneville. The first trials were made with a shortened version of the Chenillette Lorraine - the Chenillette Legere - in which the suspension was carried by only two bogies on each side. The silhouette of this machine was closely similar to the Renault 1931 UE. The first order for 214 production vehicles was sanctioned by the Army Council on 17th October 1936 and the contract was finally signed on 3rd May 1937.

The first production Chenillette Lorraine was delivered a few months later and vehicles began to equip service units towards the end of 1937. In 1939, facing the imminent outbreak of war and because the factory was dangerously close to the German frontier, it was decided to transfer military production to Bagneres de Bigorre where it would be less exposed. This establishment had been closed since 1936 for lack of orders. The Company installed a forge, new machine shops and at the same time set about putting the old workshops back into use. The completed plant did not finally come into production until the second half of 1940 and, meanwhile, events in France had moved more quickly. The Chenillettes constructed at Luneville - which by May 1940 totalled 387 - played their part in the battle for France supporting the armoured divisions.

Description. The Chenillette Lorraine, in its basic supply and ammunition carrier role, was of simple construction. It had armour up to 9mm thick. The vehicle consisted of a shallow, rectangular, armoured box divided into three sections from front to rear. The centre section was the larger and was wholly occupied by the engine compartment. The front section was occupied by the transmission and two crew positions set on either side of the main gearbox. The differential housing was carried right forward and projected partly outside the front of the hull. It was protected by a steel housing reinforced with cast armour plate. On a number of later production models, because of a tendency for the combined differential, track steering and braking mechanism to overheat, the original smooth and rounded housing was replaced by a new casing with vertical fins in cast steel to increase the surface area and allow improved cooling. This basic layout of the Chenillette ensured that the rear compartment of the vehicle was left unencumbered so that so that its full dimensions could be employed as an armoured pannier for carrying supplies including, especially, vulnerable cases of ammunition to forward battle areas. A heavy towing hook for the trailer was mounted on the rear hull plate.

The chassis running gear was of equally rugged and simple design. The track drive was effected by forward mounted sprocket wheels of 19 3/4" diameter and the tracks were tensioned at the rear by large idler wheels of 15 3/4" diameter. The suspension was carried by three bogies on each side each with two 17" road wheels that tilted freely for and aft pivoted on the vertical suspension arm, which, in turn, was mounted on horizontal leaf springs. The vertical arm also included an easily accessible shock absorber unit. The top track run was supported by four return rollers situated at the outer ends or hull mounting points of the leaf springs.

Several minor external differences were noticeable among the production models of the Chenillette Lorraine. The armoured exhaust pipe casing mounted immediately above the track run was slotted along its whole length in some vehicles to provide improved cooling. On some versions the sprocket mounting bolts were proud and on others they were countersunk.

Given the small carrying capacity of the Chenillette Lorraine, relative to the overall size of the vehicle and the tractive effort available, it was logical to increase the capacity by the use of a trailer. A highly effective cross country transport was achieved by the development of a four-wheeled tracked trailer. The two wheels on each side were mounted on a single, rigid, horizontal suspension arm carried on a central spring pivot. The trailer wheels were large and set close together providing reasonably effective distribution over the track run, and simple pivoted suspension enabled reasonably stable towing over rough ground. The trailer could be detached by a release mechanism operated from the Chenillette driving position.

It should be noted that in the light, twin bogie version of the basic Chenillette the rear compartment was virtually eliminated by the shortening in overall length of the vehicle. Chenillettes in this configuration which entered service carried a small armoured munition or transport tray at the rear that was detachable and overhanging the chassis. This tray could be automatically released to fall away from the vehicle by a control in the driving cab. This versions, directly inspired by the earlier Renault UE was required for resupply of infantry units but did not enter series production before 1940.

Deployment. The plan was to deploy 12 TRCs in each light tank battalion, 18 in Char B1 bis battalions , and three in each combat squadron of the cavalry DLMs.

VBCP Lorraine 38 Armoured Personnel Carrier

In the armoured personnel carrier version of the Chenillette Lorraine the only modification of the standard vehicle was the construction of raised armoured walls designed to offer protection against small arms fire to troops in a sitting position. The front plate carried a small observation port that could also be used as a firing port for a rifle or light machine gun. The compartment was not armoured overhead and was normally covered with a canvas tilt. the PC version of the trailer was similarly armoured up to the same height. The vehicle was known as the Lorraine 38L infantry carrier (voiture blindee de chasseurs portes VBCP). A total of 240 were ordered in September 1939 and a few more than 140 had been delivered by the time of the amistice.

Deployment

The 38Ls were deployed in 5th BCP of 1st DCR and the 17th BCP of 2nd DCR.