Résistance Léger Char Lorraine 37L
Official naming of the rebuilds covered in this thread probably didn't exist. These were conversions of Lorraine 37L artillery tractor tanks to light tanks, which came about after the annexation of unoccupied parts of France by German troops. Here was the production branch of the Lorraine company in Bagnères de Biggore, which produced these artillery tractors. Officially, production fell under the Service des Eaux et Forêts (Water and Forestry Authority) to civilian versions of the original tractor intended for agricultural use. Some of the machines produced were fitted with gas (possibly also wood gas ?) propulsion equipment. The civilian version used a platform shortened by two running wheels. However, underground work began on the development and production of components to make the civilian machines into a light tank. Simple box armoured superstructures were to be produced and fitted to the original chassis. The superstructure was to house a machine gun. At the Atelier de Bagnères 150 tractor units were to be converted in this way. It is stated that the conversions were carried out on a shortened chassis, but photographs confirm this, but it is likely that the conventional platforms of the regular production tractors were to be used as well. After the occupation of the Vichy part of France on 11 November 1942, a German commission was sent to the factory to examine the company's production programme. The director and workers camouflaged the manufactured components in the factory and civilian houses. The commission was fooled and found nothing suspicious. The fate of these rebuilds is unknown. According to Armour in profile no. 10, conversion to conventional forest tractors followed, except for one piece which disappeared to who knows where. According to Mr. Pejcoch, the machines were to be confiscated after the occupation and were to be used in patrolling activities.
*source:
Ivo Pejčoch - Obrněná technika 7, France 1919-1945, published by Ares, Prague 2007, ISBN 978-80-86158-47-1
Pierre Touzin, Christian Gurtner - Chenillette Lorraine, Armour in Profile no.10, Profile publication, England, 1967