The Vickers T-15 light tank (French Char Léger de Reconnaissance Vickers-Carden-Loyd Mod.1934 T.15) was a Belgian light tank/tankette developed during the Interbellum and used in the Second World War.
History[]
Development[]
Since the First World War, the tank used by Belgium was the French Renault FT-17, but in the 1930s, the tank began to become obsolete. It was decided that the remaining 75 FTs would be replaced by a new light tank, which would be the T-15. As the Belgian army had already experienced Vickers' Carden-Loyd tankettes, they were interested in the company's other projects.
In addition to the light tank with machine gun, the Belgian army also desired a medium tank with a cannon, which led to the acquisition of the AMC-35 in 1935. The Belgian army requested a Vickers prototype equipped with a water-cooled Rolls-Royce engine, as the 80 HP air-cooled engine, used in Polish Vickers tanks, overheates. This engine did not fit in the rear, so it was placed on the side.
Eventually, another Vickers product was chosen: the Vickers-Carden-Loyd M1934 export version of the 4-ton Light Tank Mk III. The Belgian Army was in favor of the Mk III, but they asked Vickers for a different, one-man, riveted conical turret with a cast gun shroud. The preferred proposal shown to them was the French 13.2mm Hotchkiss machine gun. In the late 1930s, an air defense-type turret mount was also built for the FN Herstal Browning 7.65 mm FM Mod30. An extra air defense machine gun was also installed on the roofs of the T-15 turrets.
Due to the Belgian government's strained defense budget at the beginning of the 1930s, caused by the Great Depression, the acquisition had to be divided into lots: on March 10, 1934, 18 units were ordered. On February 15 and 22, 1935, two batches of nine were delivered. The second batch of 24 units was ordered on April 16, 1935 and delivered between November 15 and December 28, 1935.
Because of delays in the delivery of the AMC-35, the Belgian army considered purchasing 83 vehicles of the Vickers Carden Loyd model 1937 light tank, which had similarities to the T-15 in hull, but required a larger turret capable of holding a 40mm or 47mm gun. This tank was never produced. Later, in 1939, a prototype of the Vickers Command Tank was tested.
Operational History[]
The T-15 was used in the Battle of Belgium, and made evident the various problems that the tank had, such as insufficient armor and a soft suspension that tilted the tank excessively when braking. Two T-15s were sent to the Brussels repair depot during the first four days of the Battle of Belgium, while two others were left behind due to technical difficulties.
On the other hand, T-15s were also involved in some successful counterattacks. It was reported that the 7th 'escadron panterwagens'/'escadron voitures blindés', part of the 2nd Lancers regiment, fought on 12 May 1940 against six German tanks in the town of Hannuit. The 7th managed to shoot down two German tanks, while losing two of their own. Another report took place the day before the Belgian capitulation, in the city of Knesselare. The 1st and 4th 'eskadron cyclisten'/'escadron cyclistes' (cavalry motorcycle) of the 1st 'jagers te paard'/'chasseurs a cheval' regiment attempted to retake the city after it had been infiltrated by a German infantry unit. At 3pm, a group of T-13 and T-15 tanks managed to retake the city, taking 150 German prisoners of war. However, as night fell, the Belgians had to retreat from Knesselare when the city was surrounded and attacked by a group of German tanks.
Real T-15
After the Battle of Belgium, the remaining T-15s captured by the Germans were designated "Panzerspähwagen VCL 701(b)" (armored reconnaissance car). Some were used in the Battle of France. As the number of T-15s was small, subsequent German deployment was limited to driver training and target practice, light support duties, airfield security or counterinsurgency. They were possibly used in the coastal defense of Atlantikwall. There are no known surviving T-15s today.
In Girls Und Panzer[]
Gekkan Senshado Magazine[]
Waffle Academy fielded four T-15s during the tournament first round match against Yogurt Academy. They were placed safely behind the M4(105) Shermans in a defensive position. The AMC 35s and Shermans managed to create an opening in Yogurt's lines, but the T-15s missed the opportunity to attack Yogurt's tanks. The rest of the battle is unknown, but what is known is that all four T-15s were destroyed.
Das Finale[]
Waffle Academy fielded two T-15s during the Winter Continuous Track Cup first round match against St. Gloriana Girls' College. It is unlikely that they scored any hit. During the few seconds shown of the end of the match, were shown the T-15s destroyed.
Trivia[]
- It is completely impossible to deduce how Waffle Academy managed to obtain the T-15 tanks, as there are no surviving T-15s in the present day.
- The T-15 is the only Belgian tank to be introduced into the series and, together with the T-13, one of the only two tanks in history designed and produced on Belgian soil.
