P107

Unic P107 BU

Type Half-track prime mover/cargo transport
Place of origin  France
Service history
Used by France, Nazi Germany
Production history
Designed 1934
Manufacturer Unic
No. 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.

See also

Adolphe Kégresse

Kegresse track

Alfred Becker

References

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