There are many discussion forums on historical topics. Many host excellent collections of photographs. They sometimes intersect with an interest in French cars. One of the most interesting topics is the German use of French vehicles and equipment in the invasion of the Soviet Union. There are many photos of French vehicles in German service. To protect copyright of the original owners often put brands or marks on the photos they put up but they are still viewable and interesting.
Basically France had two million cars compared to the million in Germany. There were waves of requisitioning by model for which the owner received a certificate promising future payment. The German army still relied heavily on horse transport and the French vehicles were useful in the invasion of the Soviet Union. The war in the East was massive both in the size of the armies and the area covered, four years of intense warfare. The conditions for motor vehicles were the worst imaginable and the French vehicles were not designed for it. This is mainly on Peugeot but includes photos of other French makes.
402 command vehicle
402 in Russian mud - note the firewood tied to the front bumper
401 - the newest cars were taken first, then the older. There are hundreds of these photos, probably kept because the soldiers didn't come home
broken down 402 - a common photo
302 command vehicle with a German force
Renault and dog - always sad to see animals because the outcome was never good
Trying to start the 402
Citroen command vehicle with a strike team - used to fan out around the countless Russian villages
Not French but an illustration of mud and what you can do with enough people
Renault all wheel drive from the 1920's pressed into service
Basically France had two million cars compared to the million in Germany. There were waves of requisitioning by model for which the owner received a certificate promising future payment. The German army still relied heavily on horse transport and the French vehicles were useful in the invasion of the Soviet Union. The war in the East was massive both in the size of the armies and the area covered, four years of intense warfare. The conditions for motor vehicles were the worst imaginable and the French vehicles were not designed for it. This is mainly on Peugeot but includes photos of other French makes.
402 command vehicle
402 in Russian mud - note the firewood tied to the front bumper
401 - the newest cars were taken first, then the older. There are hundreds of these photos, probably kept because the soldiers didn't come home
broken down 402 - a common photo
302 command vehicle with a German force
Renault and dog - always sad to see animals because the outcome was never good
Trying to start the 402
Citroen command vehicle with a strike team - used to fan out around the countless Russian villages
Not French but an illustration of mud and what you can do with enough people
Renault all wheel drive from the 1920's pressed into service
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