The Laffly S15R was a French military vehicle developed in the late 1930s, designed primarily as an artillery tractor, but it was also used in various other roles, including as a light transport and reconnaissance vehicle. This model was built by Société Laffly and was notable for its wheeled design, offering a balance between mobility and load-carrying capacity.
Powered by a 6-cylinder gasoline engine, producing about 70 horsepower, the Laffly S15R could reach a top speed of approximately 30 km/h (19 mph) on roads, with a range of about 150-200 km (93-124 miles). While its wheeled configuration provided good speed and ease of operation on hard surfaces, the vehicle also had the flexibility for off-road travel on more rugged terrains, especially when not fully loaded.
The S15R had a towing capacity of around 3.5 tons, allowing it to haul medium artillery pieces like the 75mm field gun and 105mm howitzer, along with supplies and equipment for military units. Its open cargo bed allowed for efficient loading and unloading of both personnel and equipment.
While it wasn’t heavily armored, offering limited protection against small arms fire, the Laffly S15R was a crucial logistical vehicle for the French Army during the early phases of World War II, contributing significantly to mobility and support.
