French Laffly W15T

[Hexagoner]

Looking at note 19 for this vehicle, 2 things seem strange - the gun and the armor. The 47L gun seems to be the same as French ordnance note 6 - which only fires APCR. But no mention of that in note 19. Should there be? Then in the note 19 text "Aside from being open stopped over the gun, the vehicle was also completely armored". This sounds like an open topped AFV, but instead it is a CT unarmored vehicle? Doesn't seem to make sense.

 

[klasmalmstrom]

The Vehicle Note (assuming it it correct) explains the unarmored nature of the vehicle:
"Unfortunately, given the desperate military situation of that time, most of the armor protection envisaged in the original design had to be omitted in order to speed up production."

 

[Hexagoner]

Thanks Klas. Any clue on the 47L?

 

[klasmalmstrom]

Not really no.

 

[Robin Reeve]

AP only, as 47L is umderscored.
If it were APCR only, it would be indicated.

 

[Houtje]

True, of course, but I think Hexagoner is wondering why the W15 doesn't fire APCR, given that its MA is the same Gun as Ordnance nr. 6 (which can only fire APCR). I've done some (very hasty) digging, but can't find anything conclusive; if it's not an error, i.e. if the W15s did indeed not carry APCR ammo, then scarcity of such ammo might be the explanation (several sources mention this scarcity).

 

[Robin Reeve]

I only answered from the rules perspective.
If course, the designers of CdG - among which Théophile Monnier, who had direct access to the French Army's historical services - may have overlooked something here.

 

[Robin Reeve]

The French wiki says that the gun transported was the same 47 AT gun with APCR ammo (HE seems to have existed too) as the infantry AT one.
No mention of "usual" AP ammo.
So it could be an overlook from the rules designers.

 

[Hexagoner]

Great info, all. If that think actually does have APCR, it would be a stone-cold killer in 1940, even accounting for the weirdness of firing through the RVCA only.

 

[Hutch]

If that think actually does have APCR, it would be a stone-cold killer in 1940, even accounting for the weirdness of firing through the RVCA only.

From French Note 19:
They performed well in action (the 54th Batterie was credited with destroying 28 tanks and five armored cars in eight days.)