P107
| Unic P107 BU | |
|---|---|
|
P107 at Musée des Blindés | |
| Type | Half-track prime mover/cargo transport |
| Place of origin |
 France |
| Service history | |
| Used by | France, Nazi Germany |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1934 |
| Manufacturer | Unic |
| Number built | 2000 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 3500 kg empty, 5000 kg loaded |
| Length | 4.85 m |
| Width | 1.80 m |
| Height | 2.28 m |
| Crew | 2+5 |
|
| |
| Armor | none |
Main armament | Unarmed |
| Engine |
P39 liquid cooled 4-cyl., carburettor, 4-stroke OHV, 3450cc 62 hp/2800 rpm |
| Suspension | Leaf-Spring Suspension |
| Speed | 45 km/h |
The P107 was a World War II French half-track.
History
In the 1920s and 1930s Citroën developed a long line of half-tracks based on the Kégresse patent. In 1934, the company introduced its newest and more powerful P107 model as a successor to the Citroën-Kégresse P17. But before mass production could take place, Citroën went bankrupt and its new owner, Michelin, chose to focus on the civilian markets. Unic was therefore able to acquire a license for the Kégresse patent, and took over the production of the P107.
Two main variants of the P107 were accepted in French military service: a light prime mover for the 75 mm and short 105 mm artillery guns, and a platform cargo transport for engineer units. More than 2000 examples were in service in 1940.
Foreign use
During World War II, the Germans used these captured half-tracks extensively under the name Leichter Zugkraftwagen 37. With German half-tracks in short supply, Major Alfred Becker of the 21. Panzerdivision (which in 1944 was stationed near Caen in Normandy) suggested converting captured French vehicles. He ordered the conversion of several hundred Unic half-tracks into U304(f) light armoured personnel carriers.
Gallery
P107 captured by the Germans, seen in Belgium in 1944
Captured P107 being tested by the German military in Belgium in 1944
Captured P107 being tested towing a field howitzer by the German military in Belgium in 1944
Captured P107 used by the Wehrmacht, displayed in the Museum of the Great Patriotic War, Moscow, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park
Tracks of a captured P107 used by the Wehrmacht, displayed in the Museum of the Great Patriotic War, Moscow, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park
See also
References
- Vauvillier, F. & Touraine, J.-M. L'automobile sous l'uniforme 1939-40, Massin, 1992, ISBN 2-7072-0197-9
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Unic P107. |