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ARCHIVES >>> 2/2021
Jacques in a Box by: Eat Uranium 28.02.2021 19:00 GMT
Hello and welcome back to another Forgotten Hope 2 update. Today we are following on from the Lorraine 37L supply vehicle with the armoured personnel carrier variant.
The Lorraine 37L would see a couple of developments by the French, but the most significant of these would be the 38L. This was to be an armoured personnel carrier able to fit a squad of 10 chasseurs to support tanks with mopping up after a breakthrough. The tractors were modified with an armoured box bolted to the cargo bin to protect 4 riders, with the remaining 6 carried in a similarly constructed trailer. Access to these compartments was by a rather crude hatch on the rear, and there was very limited visibility from within. Mobility over rough terrain with the trailer fitted was poor and while it was intended to be able to tow a 25mm antitank gun, most of these guns could only stand up to horse towing. Overall, only about 150 were delivered before the armistice, where they armed the 5th and 17th BCP. Ours was made by Seth Soldier, adapted from our Marder I made by Toddel. That's all for this week, but be sure to come back next time for another update. Until then, feel free to visit our Discord, our public forums, our Twitter, our subreddit, and/or Facebook pages to discuss this update and other news.
La Reine des Quiches by: Eat Uranium 14.02.2021 19:00 GMT
Hello and welcome back to another Forgotten Hope 2 update. Today we are showing off the Lorraine 37L, the principle armoured supply vehicle for the French armoured units in 1940.
In the early 1930s, the French had adopted the Renault UE armoured tractor to provide mobile supply to the infantry in the field. However, it was considered to be too lightly armoured and not have the range to be able to keep up with tanks, and so a new vehicle was needed. In 1936, the formal request was put out, and the next year Lorraine-Dietrich returned with a prototype. In initial trials that year it was rejected for being underpowered and was returned to the factory. The old engine would be swapped out for a 6 cylinder Delahaye 135, a powerful engine that was seeing success in racing cars at the time. Mated to a new stronger transmission, the armoured tractor now had the speed to pass the trials and was accepted for service just before the end of 1937. Orders for the 37L would slowly trickle in, with production picking up at the start of 1939. 212 had been delivered by the outbreak of the war out of 556 ordered, and in the sudden rush to arm new armoured units a further 1012 were ordered. By the time of the German invasion, only 432 had been delivered. They were prioritised to Char B1 battalions, but were never available in sufficient numbers. Over 300 were captured by the Germans, who took a liking to the rugged suspension and used them not only in the supply role but also as mounts for various self propelled artillery pieces. Production would continue in Vichy France as unarmoured agricultural tractors, with armour plates made clandestinely and stockpiled. Many of these vehicles were shorter than the original, and would be used by the Free French in 1945. Our Lorraine 37L was made by Seth Soldier, adapted from our Marder I made by Toddel. That's all for this week, but be sure to come back next time for another update. Until then, feel free to visit our Discord, our public forums, our Twitter, our subreddit, and/or Facebook pages to discuss this update and other news.
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