Blitzkrieg - Self Propelled 47mm Anti-Tank Platoon

The idea behind mounting the 47mm SA-34 gun on a vehicle capable of travelling cross-country was simple; to increase mobility in comparison to the more static towed Anti-tank guns of the French Army.

This advantage it was theorized would allow the vehicle to quickly establish a firing position, fire a number of shots before quickly moving to a new firing position. Keeping the enemy at a distance disadvantageous to fighting back.

The resulting vehicle was designated the Laffly W15 TCC (CC = chasseur de chars or tank destroyer). The prototype of the Laffly W15 TCC included a fully armored hull to provide protection for the crew. However, the rapid advance of the German Army in May 1940 forced the French to discard such luxuries; the Laffly W15 TCC that went into action against the German Panzers during the Summer of 1940 lacked the benefit of a fully armored hull.

Organized into batteries d’anti-char automoteurs (BACA) or self-propelled anti-tank batteries; these tank-hunters proved to be an effective fighting force on the battlefield. In only eight days of combat 54ème BACA destroyed 28 tanks, 5 armored cars, and shot down 1 fighter, with none of its tank hunters damaged by the enemy.