Latil TAR
The Latil TAR 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. Due to the radiator being mounted behind the engine, its appearance was somewhat similar to the Mack AC or Renault EG.The TAR was powered by a inline four-cylinder side-valve petrol engine that developed at 1,200 rpm. It was driven through a five-speed transmission, with separate drive shafts to each wheel.
The TAR was usually equipped with a heavy winch at the rear.
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. 1,997 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. A number also were also supplied to the American Expeditionary Forces during the First World War.From October 1915 tests were carried out on Latil TARs equipped with four Delahaye track units in place of their wheels. Initial tests revealed the vehicle could tow on a flat surface, or on a 14° incline. But the system was found to have a number of limitations, and it never entered service.
In 1917 a heavy equipment transporter version of the Latil TAR was developed, towing an trailer. 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. In service, the system was found to be effective to move both tracked tractors and occasionally tanks. However, the trailers were never available in sufficient numbers - only 66 had been built by the war's end.
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. The version supplemented and later partially replaced the French Army's Jeffery Quad portées in their portée regiments.
Despite having largely been replaced by the Latil TAR-H in the 1930s, a small number of TARs were still in French service at the beginning of the Second World War when they were captured by the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.