Beutepanzer Panzerjager 35R
Beutepanzer 4.7cm PaK auf Panzerkampfwagen 35R 731 f
Source – http://yuripasholok.livejournal.com/4461583.html
According to the results of the campaign in May and June 1940, the Germans captured about 850 Renault R 35 (800 in running conditions). The vast majority of these tanks was equipped with 37-mm SA 18, useful only as infantry support . Consequently, the Germans used only a hundred Pz.Kpfw.35 R 731 (f) (so-called R-35 in the German army) in France or in the police force. The way out was to use Pz.Kpfw.35 R 731 (f) as the basis for emergency vehicles, especially self-propelled artillery. In 23 December 1940, Wa Pruef asked to Alkett to produce 200 self-propelled units on the basis of the French light tank. A prototype was shown on February 8, 1941, and shortly after the project was approved. The Alkett guaranteed to release 200 self-propelled gun, of which 174 tank destroyer 4.7 cm Pak (t) (SFL) Auf Fgst.Pz.Kpfw.35 R 731 (f), as well as 24 command vehicles Fuehrungs-Fahrzeuge. The first 93 machines were delivered in May 1941,33 in June , 5 in July, 22 in August, 28 in September and the last 19 in October.
Secondo i risultati della campagna in maggio e giugno 1940, i tedeschi catturarono circa 850 Renault R 35, di cui alla fine ne ottenero funzionanti circa 800. La stragrande maggioranza di questi serbatoi fu dotato di 37-mm SA 18, utile solo come supporto fanteria. Di conseguenza, per gli scopi previsti i tedeschi usarono un centinaio di Pz.Kpfw.35 R 731 (f) (i cosiddetti R 35 nell’esercito tedesco) in Francia o nelle forze di polizia. La via d’uscita era quella di utilizzare Pz.Kpfw.35 R 731 (f) come base per i veicoli di emergenza, soprattutto artiglierie semoventi. Il 23 dicembre 1940 alla Alkett venne chiesto di produrre 200 unità semoventi sulla base della carro leggero francese. Un prototipo venne mostrato l’8 febbraio 1941 e poco dopo il progetto fu approvato. La Alkett garantiva di rilasciare 200 semoventi , di cui 174 cacciacarri 4,7 centimetri Pak (t) (SFL) Auf Fgst.Pz.Kpfw.35 R 731 (f), oltre a 24 veicoli di comando Fuehrungs-Fahrzeuge. Le prime 93 macchine vennero consegnate nel maggio del 1941, 33 a giugno, 5 in luglio, 22 in agosto, 28 a settembre e gli ultimi 19 ad ottobre.
Originally these units were assigned to the French territory, but in fact, the 4.7 cm Pak (t) (SFL). Auf Fgst.Pz.Kpfw.35 R 731 (f) had a chance to feel the smell of gunpowder in the summer of 1941. 93 vehicles (81 destroyer and 12 command tanks) were assigned to the 559, 561 and 611 Pcs .Jg.Abt (SFL), who fought on the eastern front during the summer of 1941. In particular, these self-propelled guns were used in battles in Belarus. In 1 April 1942, in France there were 147 self-propelled guns, and in early 1944 110 4.7 cm Pak (t) (SFL). Auf Fgst.Pz.Kpfw.35 R 731 (f) were actively used against the Allies during the fighting in Normandy. The tank now in the museum of Thun is probably one of those used in Normandy.
