wayne556517
Lieutenant General
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Tankette (1932-40)
German service
About 3000 Renault UE tankettes were captured before and after France surrendered. Most were marked with the Balkan cross over their original colors or receiving the regular Dunkelgrau pattern. They received minor modifications by AMX, now under German control and MAN supervision. These included adapted external mounts for the MG 34 machine gun, in order to improve their suitability and use on the battlefield with infantry units, and reinforced towing apparatus to be used as tractors for much bigger guns, notably the 50 and 75 mm (1.97/2.95 in) models, and later the Russian 76.2 mm (3 in) AT gun. The bulk of the UEs served as supply tanks and tractors like the original tankettes, under the Waffenamt denomination Infanterie UE-Schlepper 630(f) and Munitionsschlepper Renault UE(f). The latter had an armored roof over the bin. The usual antitank companies equipped with Renault UEs were towing tractors for the 37 mm (1.46 in) PaK 36 standard antitank gun. But soon, two versions of self-propelled artillery were developed. These were the Selbstfahrlafette für 3.7 cm Pak36 auf Renault UE(f), totaling 700 conversions, which were slightly modified versions, fitted with a bucket-style platform at the front, to hold the PaK 36\'s wheels. The crew operated around, completely unprotected. If the gun was disabled, a second one could be installed quickly. The second model was a more radical one, with a fixed PaK 36, on a special mount located just behind the crew cupolas, on the center. This amount comprised only the gun and its mask. The ammunition was stored in the bin. The crew also operated almost completely unprotected. The bulk of these tank-hunters were part of operation Barbarossa in July 1941.
Other modifications included the Mannschaftstransportwagen Renault UE(f), a personal carrier, the Schneeschleuder auf Renault UE(f) and Schneefräser auf Renault UE(f), both snowplow versions designed for the rigorous Russian winter (introduced late 1942), the Fernmeldekabel-Kraftwagen Renault UE(f), a telephone cable-layer and the Panzerkampfwagen-Attrappe auf UE(f), a dummy tank used for training, fitted with a plywood superstructure resembling the Russian T-34. Armed versions were also widely used, comprising the Gepanzerte-MG-Träger Renault UE(f), used for liaison and scouting and the tall and impressive Sicherungsfahrzeug UE(f), a vehicle specially crafted for the Luftwaffe, to guard the provisional airfields on the front, against partisans and Resistants night raids. Also, by the fall 1943, these vehicles were deployed to support infantry actions with rockets. The Selbstfahrlafette für 28/32 cm Wurfrahmen auf Infanterie-Schlepper UE(f) (40 units) was equipped with eight makeshift side launchers, or a bank mounted on the rear, instead of the bin. The latest one was the unarmed Beobachtungspanzer auf Infanterie-Schlepper UE(f), fitted with a tall superstructure, replacing the bin, as light command and radio vehicle. Most were active during D-Day, in June 1944. Most UEs were deployed in the Balkans in April-May 1941 and afterwards served during the Russian campaign. They were also deployed in Italy, but most were stationed in France, near the AMX facilities for spare parts. Some UEs survived the western front, and around 18-20 are still extant today, including many in running conditions. In German service, the UE was appreciated for its sturdiness, reliability and low profile, which compensated for the lack of protection. It also became popular because even in late 1940 many artillery units of the Wehrmacht were still horse-drawn .
Romanian service
Before the war, Romania was one of the few French allies in Europe. An order was placed for ten UEs and a license was acquired in 1937. These tankettes had to be assembled by Bucharest-based Malaxa company, with AMX parts. 300 were ordered, but finally, only 126 left the factory when the deliveries stopped from France in May 1940. The Şeniletă Malaxa Tipul UE was turned for the profit of the Axis when Romania shifted sides. 50 more of these UEs were then supplied by the Germans. They were deployed with Romanian forces joining the Russian campaign, notably in Crimea, as anti-tank companies towing the 47 mm (1.85 in) Schneider Modèle 1936 AT gun, and supply tractors for the Motorized Cavalry Regiments. By 1943, surviving ones were phased out and kept for training or as modified tractors, capable of towing the heavy 50 mm (1.97 in) L/60 German field gun.
Italian service
Although there is very few remaining pictures of these vehicles, 64 UE Chenillettes were transferred by the Germans to their Italian allies. They were kept unmodified as towing tractors for AT companies and ammunition carriers. There are no records of their use outside Italy or the Balkans. None seem to have seen service with the German Afrika Korps or the Ariete division. Most of these tankettes were based in Sicily and were encountered during operation Husky, in 1943. Many were captured and served with US Army infantry units afterward.
trac3 by Wayne 556517, on Flickr
trac2 by Wayne 556517, on Flickr
trac1 by Wayne 556517, on Flickr
IMG_20200806_162136 by Wayne 556517, on Flickr
Little beast and a little beauty.
German service
About 3000 Renault UE tankettes were captured before and after France surrendered. Most were marked with the Balkan cross over their original colors or receiving the regular Dunkelgrau pattern. They received minor modifications by AMX, now under German control and MAN supervision. These included adapted external mounts for the MG 34 machine gun, in order to improve their suitability and use on the battlefield with infantry units, and reinforced towing apparatus to be used as tractors for much bigger guns, notably the 50 and 75 mm (1.97/2.95 in) models, and later the Russian 76.2 mm (3 in) AT gun. The bulk of the UEs served as supply tanks and tractors like the original tankettes, under the Waffenamt denomination Infanterie UE-Schlepper 630(f) and Munitionsschlepper Renault UE(f). The latter had an armored roof over the bin. The usual antitank companies equipped with Renault UEs were towing tractors for the 37 mm (1.46 in) PaK 36 standard antitank gun. But soon, two versions of self-propelled artillery were developed. These were the Selbstfahrlafette für 3.7 cm Pak36 auf Renault UE(f), totaling 700 conversions, which were slightly modified versions, fitted with a bucket-style platform at the front, to hold the PaK 36\'s wheels. The crew operated around, completely unprotected. If the gun was disabled, a second one could be installed quickly. The second model was a more radical one, with a fixed PaK 36, on a special mount located just behind the crew cupolas, on the center. This amount comprised only the gun and its mask. The ammunition was stored in the bin. The crew also operated almost completely unprotected. The bulk of these tank-hunters were part of operation Barbarossa in July 1941.
Other modifications included the Mannschaftstransportwagen Renault UE(f), a personal carrier, the Schneeschleuder auf Renault UE(f) and Schneefräser auf Renault UE(f), both snowplow versions designed for the rigorous Russian winter (introduced late 1942), the Fernmeldekabel-Kraftwagen Renault UE(f), a telephone cable-layer and the Panzerkampfwagen-Attrappe auf UE(f), a dummy tank used for training, fitted with a plywood superstructure resembling the Russian T-34. Armed versions were also widely used, comprising the Gepanzerte-MG-Träger Renault UE(f), used for liaison and scouting and the tall and impressive Sicherungsfahrzeug UE(f), a vehicle specially crafted for the Luftwaffe, to guard the provisional airfields on the front, against partisans and Resistants night raids. Also, by the fall 1943, these vehicles were deployed to support infantry actions with rockets. The Selbstfahrlafette für 28/32 cm Wurfrahmen auf Infanterie-Schlepper UE(f) (40 units) was equipped with eight makeshift side launchers, or a bank mounted on the rear, instead of the bin. The latest one was the unarmed Beobachtungspanzer auf Infanterie-Schlepper UE(f), fitted with a tall superstructure, replacing the bin, as light command and radio vehicle. Most were active during D-Day, in June 1944. Most UEs were deployed in the Balkans in April-May 1941 and afterwards served during the Russian campaign. They were also deployed in Italy, but most were stationed in France, near the AMX facilities for spare parts. Some UEs survived the western front, and around 18-20 are still extant today, including many in running conditions. In German service, the UE was appreciated for its sturdiness, reliability and low profile, which compensated for the lack of protection. It also became popular because even in late 1940 many artillery units of the Wehrmacht were still horse-drawn .
Romanian service
Before the war, Romania was one of the few French allies in Europe. An order was placed for ten UEs and a license was acquired in 1937. These tankettes had to be assembled by Bucharest-based Malaxa company, with AMX parts. 300 were ordered, but finally, only 126 left the factory when the deliveries stopped from France in May 1940. The Şeniletă Malaxa Tipul UE was turned for the profit of the Axis when Romania shifted sides. 50 more of these UEs were then supplied by the Germans. They were deployed with Romanian forces joining the Russian campaign, notably in Crimea, as anti-tank companies towing the 47 mm (1.85 in) Schneider Modèle 1936 AT gun, and supply tractors for the Motorized Cavalry Regiments. By 1943, surviving ones were phased out and kept for training or as modified tractors, capable of towing the heavy 50 mm (1.97 in) L/60 German field gun.
Italian service
Although there is very few remaining pictures of these vehicles, 64 UE Chenillettes were transferred by the Germans to their Italian allies. They were kept unmodified as towing tractors for AT companies and ammunition carriers. There are no records of their use outside Italy or the Balkans. None seem to have seen service with the German Afrika Korps or the Ariete division. Most of these tankettes were based in Sicily and were encountered during operation Husky, in 1943. Many were captured and served with US Army infantry units afterward.
trac3 by Wayne 556517, on Flickrtrac2 by Wayne 556517, on Flickrtrac1 by Wayne 556517, on FlickrIMG_20200806_162136 by Wayne 556517, on FlickrLittle beast and a little beauty.