Latil TAR

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Wikipedia

Latil TAR
Latil TAR towing a 145 L 16, Strasbourg, 1922.
TypeArtillery tractor, heavy equipment transporter & portée
Place of originFrance
Service history
In service1914–early 1940s
Used by
WarsFirst World War
Second World War
Production history
Designed1913
ManufacturerCharles Blum & Cie S.C.A. later
Automobiles Industriels Latil
Produced1913–1922
Specifications (Artillery tractor variant)
Mass5.8 t (5.7 long tons; 6.4 short tons) unladen
Length5.55 m (18 ft 3 in)
3 m (9 ft 10 in) wheelbase
Engine4,200 cc (260 cu in) 4-cyliner inline petrol
32 hp (24 kW) at 1,200 rpm
DriveFull-time 4x4
Transmission5F1R
SuspensionNone
Maximum speed10 km/h (6.2 mph)
ReferencesIllustrated Guide to Military Vehicles[1]

The Latil TAR (Tracteur d’Artillerie Roulante) was a French artillery tractor built by the firm Latil. It saw widespread service with the French Army during the First World War in its intended role as an artillery tractor, as well as a heavy equipment transporter.

Design

The TAR featured constant four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering; all four wheels were twinned with solid tyres.[1] Due to the radiator being mounted behind the engine, its appearance was somewhat similar to the Mack AC or Renault EG.[1]

The TAR was powered by a 4,200 cc (260 cu in) inline four-cylinder side-valve petrol engine that developed 32 hp (24 kW) at 1,200 rpm.[1] It was driven through a five-speed transmission, with separate drive shafts to each wheel.[1]

The TAR was usually equipped with a heavy winch at the rear.[1]

History

The Latil TAR artillery tractor was used by the French Army during the First World War to tow heavy artillery pieces such as the Canon de 155 mm GPF, Canon de 220 L mle 1917 and Mortier de 280 modèle 1914 Schneider.[1] 1,997 TAR artillery tractors were in the service of the French Army at the end of the First World War, and they continued to serve into the 1930s.[2][3] A number also were also supplied to the American Expeditionary Forces during the First World War.[1]

From October 1915 tests were carried out on Latil TARs equipped with four Delahaye track units in place of their wheels.[4] Initial tests revealed the vehicle could tow 38 t (37 long tons; 42 short tons) on a flat surface, or 21 t (21 long tons; 23 short tons) on a 14° incline.[4] But the system was found to have a number of limitations, and it never entered service.[2]

French Army Latil TAR towing a trailer with a Renault FT tank

In 1917 a heavy equipment transporter version of the Latil TAR was developed, towing an 8 t (7.87 long tons; 8.82 short tons) trailer.[5] It was found that the French Army's tracked artillery tractors, such as the Holts and the Schneiders, were too slow and prone to breakdowns for longer road runs, so the equipment transporter version was developed to permit more rapid redeployment.[6] In service, the system was found to be effective to move both tracked tractors and occasionally tanks.[3] However, the trailers were never available in sufficient numbers - only 66 had been built by the war's end.[3]

A portée version of the Latil TAR was developed featuring smaller wheels and a platform body and ramps; it was used to carry the Canon de 75 modèle 1897.[3] The version supplemented and later partially replaced the French Army's Jeffery Quad portées in their portée regiments.[3]

Despite having largely been replaced by the Latil TAR-H in the 1930s, a small number of TARs were still in French service at the beginning of the Second World War when they were captured by the invading Germans and subsequently employed by the Wehrmacht.[1]

Latil TAR-H

The Latil TAR was progressively developed through the 1920s and 1930s.[7][8] The radiator was moved in front of the engine in the TAR-2 and the cabin was enclosed in the TAR-5.[7][8] The final version in French service was the TAR-H, which was the standard French heavy artillery tractor at the beginning of the Second World War.[8] A much heavier vehicle than the original, it featured a squared off bonnet and a steel frame, and it was known for its good performance.[7][8] A large number of these were captured Germans and subsequently pressed into Wehrmacht service.[8]

See also

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Ware (2014), p. 125.
  2. 1 2 Boniface & Jeudy (1996), p. 140.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Ellis (1970), p. 145.
  4. 1 2 Boniface & Jeudy (1996), p. 146.
  5. ↑ Ellis (1970), p. 144.
  6. ↑ Ellis (1970), pp. 144–145.
  7. 1 2 3 Georgano (1994), p. 184.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Lepage (2014), p. 119.

Bibliography

  • Boniface, Jean-Michel; Jeudy, Jean-Gabriel (1996). Les camions de la victoire: le service automobile pendant la Grande Guerre (1914-1918) (in French). Massin. ISBN 2402439750.
  • Ellis, Chris (1970). Military Transports of World War I: Including Vintage Vehicles and Post War Models. Poole: Blandford Press Ltd. ISBN 0-7137-0701-1.
  • Georgano, G. N. (1994). World War Two Military Vehicles: Transport & Halftracks. London: Osprey. ISBN 1-85532-406-7.
  • Hoff, Pierre (1982). Les programmes d'armement, de 1919 à 1939 (in French). Paris: Ministère de la défense, Etat-major de l'Armée de terre, Service historique.
  • Lepage, Jean-Denis G.G. (2014). German Military Vehicles of World War II: An Illustrated Guide to Cars, Trucks, Half-Tracks, Motorcycles, Amphibious Vehicles and Others. McFarland. ISBN 0786462523.
  • Ware, Pat (2014). The Illustrated Guide to Military Vehicles. London: Anness Publishing Ltd. ISBN 9781782141921.